About The Song
“Do You Know You Are My Sunshine” was written by Don Reid and Harold Reid and recorded by American country music group The Statler Brothers. It was released in March 1978 as the first single from the album Entertainers On and Off the Record on Mercury Records. The song became The Statler Brothers’ twenty-seventh country hit and their first of four number ones on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
The song was recorded in Nashville, with production details aligning with the group’s typical approach during this period. The track features the group’s signature close harmonies, led by original tenor Lew DeWitt, who sang on this recording before his retirement in 1982. The track runs approximately 2:22 and includes a traditional country arrangement with minimal instrumentation.
The lyrics tell the story of a performer encountering a woman in the crowd who requests “You Are My Sunshine,” sparking a lifelong search for her. With lines like “She walked up and whispered, I leaned down and listened,” the song blends a nostalgic narrative with a romantic quest, referencing the classic tune “You Are My Sunshine” as a symbolic motif.
The recording marked a significant moment for the group, as it was their only number-one hit with Lew DeWitt as tenor. The single stayed at number one for two weeks and spent a total of eleven weeks on the country chart, reflecting its popularity among country music fans.
Upon release, “Do You Know You Are My Sunshine” contributed to the success of Entertainers On and Off the Record, which showcased the group’s blend of music and comedy. The album included other notable tracks, though this single stood out for its chart performance.
The Statler Brothers, formed in 1955 in Staunton, Virginia, promoted the song through live performances. Comprising Don and Harold Reid, Phil Balsley, and initially Lew DeWitt, the group had been a prominent act since opening for Johnny Cash in the 1960s.
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Lyric
She was standin’ in the crowd all alone and lookin’ pretty
Listenin’ to the music that we played
She walked up and whispered, I leaned down and listened
To the request that she madeDo you know, do you know “You Are My Sunshine?”
She asked so sweet and tenderly
Do you know, do you know “You Are My Sunshine”
And would you do it one more time for me?Border to border and ocean to ocean
I still look for her everyplace
Chasing the sunshine, each and every night
I’m searching every crowd for her faceShe was gone just as quick as the song that she asked for
Taking my sunshine away
But someday when I finally look down and see her
I know just what I’m gonna sayDo you know, do you know you are my sunshine?
Do you know what your smile did to me?
Do you know, do you know you are my sunshine?
And it looks like you’re always going to be
Do you know, do you know you are my sunshine?