It's Me Vina

Hello! In today’s tutorial, let’s strum and sing along playing “YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE” on the ukulele. Its charming sound and easy-to-play nature make it a popular choice for beginners and experts alike. If you’re looking to add a new song to your repertoire, “You Are My Sunshine” is a classic tune that’s perfect for the ukulele. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through the chords, strumming patterns, and lyrics to help you master this beloved song.

Section 1: The History of “You Are My Sunshine”

Before we dive into the technical aspects of playing “You Are My Sunshine” on the ukulele, let’s take a moment to explore the song’s origins. “You Are My Sunshine” was written in 1939 by Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell. Davis, who was a country music singer and politician, used the song as his campaign theme during his successful run for governor of Louisiana in 1944. Since then, “You Are My Sunshine” has become a beloved classic that has been covered by countless artists across various genres.

Section 2: The Chords

To play “You Are My Sunshine” on the ukulele, you’ll need to know four chords: C, F, G7, and Am. Here’s a breakdown of how to play each chord:

• C: Place your ring finger on the third fret of the first string, your middle finger on the second fret of the fourth string, and your index finger on the first fret of the second string.

• F: Place your index finger on the first fret of the second string, your middle finger on the second fret of the fourth string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the fifth string.

• G7: Place your index finger on the first fret of the first string, your middle finger on the second fret of the third string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the second string.

• Am: Place your index finger on the second fret of the fourth string.

Section 3: The Strumming Pattern

Once you’ve mastered the chords, it’s time to tackle the strumming pattern. The strumming pattern for “You Are My Sunshine” is relatively simple and consists of four beats per measure. Here’s how to play it:

• Down, down, up, up, down, up

You’ll repeat this pattern throughout the entire song. The key is to keep a steady rhythm and stay in sync with the lyrics.

Section 4: Putting It All Together

Now that you know the chords and strumming pattern, it’s time to put everything together and play “You Are My Sunshine” on the ukulele. Here’s a breakdown of how to play each verse and chorus:

So, let’s play…

Verse 1:

C F

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

C G7

You make me happy when skies are gray

C F

You’ll never know dear, how much I love you

C G7 C

Please don’t take my sunshine away

Chorus:

F C

The other night dear, as I lay sleeping

G7 C

I dreamed I held you in my arms

F C

When I awoke dear, I was mistaken

G7 C

And I hung my head and cried

Verse 2:

C F

I’ll always love you and make you happy

C G7

If you will only say the same

C F

But if you leave me to love another

C G7 C

You’ll regret it all someday

Chorus:

F C

The other night dear, as I lay sleeping

G7 C

I dreamed I held you in my arms

F C

When I awoke dear, I was mistaken

G7 C

And I hung my head and cried

Verse 3:

C F

You told me once dear, you really loved me

C G7

And no one else could come between

C F

But now you’ve left me and love another

C G7 C

You have shattered all of my dreams

Chorus:

F C

The other night dear, as I lay sleeping

G7 C

I dreamed I held you in my arms

F C

When I awoke dear, I was mistaken

G7 C

And I hung my head and cried

Verse 4:

C F

In all my dreams dear, you seem to leave me

C G7

When I awake my poor heart pains

C F

So when you come back and make me happy

C G7 C

I’ll forgive you dear, I’ll take all the blame

Chorus:

F C

The other night dear, as I lay sleeping

G7 C

I dreamed I held you in my arms

F C

When I awoke dear, I was mistaken

G7 C

And I hung my head and cried

Verse 5:

C F

I’ll always love you and make you happy

C G7

If you will only say the same

C F

But if you leave me to love another

C G7 C

You’ll regret it all someday

Chorus:

F C

The other night dear, as I lay sleeping

G7 C

I dreamed I held you in my arms

F C

When I awoke dear, I was mistaken

G7 C

And I hung my head and cried

End:

C F

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

C G7

You make me happy when skies are gray

C F

You’ll never know dear, how much I love you

C G7 C

Please don’t take my sunshine away

Section 5: Tips for Playing “You Are My Sunshine” on the Ukulele

Now that you’ve learned the chords and strumming pattern for “You Are My Sunshine,” here are some tips to help you play the song more effectively:

1. Practice your chord transitions. The key to playing the song smoothly is to be able to switch between chords quickly and smoothly. Practice transitioning between chords until you can do it without pausing.
2. Experiment with different strumming patterns. While the pattern we’ve provided is a good starting point, don’t be afraid to experiment with different patterns to find one that suits your style.
3. Sing along. “You Are My Sunshine” is a song that’s meant to be sung, so don’t be afraid to sing along as you play. This will help you stay in rhythm and add emotion to your playing.
4. Slow down if needed. If you’re having trouble keeping up with the tempo, slow the song down and practice playing it at a slower speed. Once you feel comfortable, you can gradually speed up again.

Section 6: Conclusion

Playing “You Are My Sunshine” on the ukulele is a fun and rewarding experience that’s perfect for beginners and experienced players alike. By mastering the chords, strumming pattern, and lyrics, you can add this classic song to your repertoire and impress your friends and family with your ukulele skills. Remember to practice regularly and have fun with it, and soon you’ll be strumming and singing along with ease.