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Years later in 1977, to the delight of many, the Legislature decreed that “You Are My Sunshine” would share honors as the state song with “Give Me Louisiana” by Doralice Fontane.ĭavis died in Baton Rouge in 2000. The ostensible reason was that the song, although sweet and dear to millions, said not a word about Louisiana.

McKeithen vetoed a bill in 1968 that would have made ‘’You Are My Sunshine’’ Louisiana’s official song. He gave the name Sunshine, too, to the controversial bridge he built across the Mississippi River, derided originally as a “bridge to nowhere,” but later credited with fostering industrial growth between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.Īfter Davis’ second term as governor, his admirers were disappointed when Gov. The horse’s original saddle is on display at the Old Governor’s Mansion. The song was an ode to Davis’ horse Sunshine. “There is a mood no other music will satisfy,” the article reads. The Old Governor’s Mansion on North Boulevard downtown houses several artifacts related to the song and Davis’ life, including early autographed versions of the sheet music, his guitar, the two vinyl Golden Records and Sunshine the horse’s original silver-embellished saddle.ĭavis was a prolific songwriter-the 400 or so spirited songs he wrote in addition to “You Are My Sunshine” earned him a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1972, where he is remembered for other hits such as “Bed Bug Blues,” “Bear-Cat Papa” and “Honky Tonk Blues.”Ī January 1943 article in the Morning Advocate describes Davis’ musical style as having “a charming plaintiveness, a happy melancholy, that borders on genius.” The tune is easily one of the most discernable in the world people of all ages and backgrounds are familiar with its cheerful lyrics.Īn ode to Davis’ horse Sunshine, the song amassed a number of awards, including the prestige of becoming an MCA Records Golden Record for both Bing Crosby and Gene Autry’s renditions. It sold millions of records and was translated into 30 languages.

Over the next 60 years, “You Are My Sunshine” was recorded by nearly 400 artists. Throughout the years, the song continued to attract major musicians and was tackled by the likes of Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, Andy Williams and Jerry Lee Lewis.