He retired from performing in 1979. He had many famous hits including, "Kisses Don't Lie", "Are You Teasing Me", "Hey Joe", and many others.
In 2003, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He is probably best known for the recording of "Times A-Wastin'" with June Carter.
You are the One
Carl Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You make me happy when skies are grey
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
The other night dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms
When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
I'll always love you and make you happy
If you will only say the same
But if you leave me to love another
You'll regret it all some day
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
You told me once dear, you really loved me
And no one else dear, could come between
But now you've left me and love another
You have shattered all my dreams
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
The song "You Are My Sunshine" by Carl Smith is a classic ballad about love and loss. The opening verse expresses the singer's affection for the person he loves and how they bring joy to his life, even during difficult times. The second verse reveals the singer's vulnerability and longing for his loved one, as he dreams of holding them close. However, reality hits hard when he realizes it was only a dream and he finds himself alone, leading to a heartfelt chorus that pleads with his loved one not to leave him.
The third verse is a love pledge, where the singer promises to always love and make his loved one happy if they reciprocate the same feelings. However, he also warns them that leaving him for another person will bring regret in the future. The final verse is a lament over a lost love and the dream that was shattered when the person left for someone else. The final chorus is a plea to the lover to not take away the only source of light in the singer's life away.
Overall, "You Are My Sunshine" is a moving and emotional song that captures the essence of love and its pitfalls. The lyrics are simple yet powerful, making it a timeless classic that has been covered by various musicians over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You are the person who brings light and happiness into my life. You are irreplaceable.
You make me happy when skies are grey
Even in the darkest or most difficult times, you are always able to bring joy and brightness to my life.
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
It's impossible for me to fully express the depth and intensity of the love I have for you.
Please don't take my sunshine away
Without you, my world would be much darker and emptier. Please don't ever leave me or take away the happiness you bring.
The other night dear, as I lay sleeping
One night while I was asleep, my subconscious mind took me to a place where I could be with you.
I dreamed I held you in my arms
In my dream, I was finally able to physically embrace you, something I long for in real life.
When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
Sadly, when I woke up, I realized that it was only a dream and that you weren't actually there with me.
And I hung my head and cried
The despair I felt upon realizing that you weren't there with me was so great that I couldn't help but cry.
I'll always love you and make you happy
As long as I am alive, I will never stop loving you or doing everything I can to make you happy.
If you will only say the same
However, for our relationship to work, I need you to also love me and promise to always be there for me.
But if you leave me to love another
If you ever decide to abandon me and love someone else, it will hurt me deeply.
You'll regret it all some day
Eventually, when you realize the love and happiness you left behind, you will regret your decision to leave me.
You told me once dear, you really loved me
In the past, you professed your undying love for me and made me believe that we would always be together.
And no one else dear, could come between
You promised that no one would ever be able to come between us and our love for each other.
But now you've left me and love another
However, now you've broken that promise and left me to love someone else.
You have shattered all my dreams
Your decision to leave me has destroyed all of the hopes and dreams we once shared together.
Lyrics © SUELION MUSIC
Written by: EUVIN SPENCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SolsBlackRose
Love this song. Had a friend play it once but I was hooked. So great. Simplicity
@claytonbrown6929
Just as good now as when I heard it when it came out in the 50s
@primroseharan9749
Fantastic love this song and singer thanks for this lovely post
@michaelwolff1694
Thanks for sharing; this is my favourite song by Carl Smith....
@cowboymusicstudio4911
Lot of songs where 5 AM woke up with these old country tunes, the new songs are some better and some not so good.
@iwantum
<3
@Davidferrell1964
Wonder how the Nashville establishment of 1956 felt about that upfront drumbeat...
@aaronbyrne1671
From 6pm to 9 pm