Raised by a postman and a poet in the suburbs outside of New York City, LiliAna was born into what she lovingly dubs “a house full of noise. My grandfather was often over playing Italian folk songs on accordion, my dad was endlessly playing the guitar, mom was harmonizing, uncles brought harmonicas…that sort of thing.” LiliAna Rose’s songwriting resonates with this sense of community and timelessness, but her warm honey vocals are ever so informed by the present.
The mystical elements of songwriting intoxicated LiliAna when she first discovered Bob Dylan’s “Blonde on Blonde” in her father’s record collection at age 8. Suddenly she was fascinated with words and she went looking for them in Joni Mitchell’s “Blue,” Neil Young’s “Harvest,” and beyond. Having studied literature and politics at university, her own brand of neo-folk is informed by the writing of Edith Wharton and other early American novels of Old New York. It is no accident that her large fan base listens with rapture not only to the lilting melody of LiliAna’s voice but also to the words which she sings—she means business and it’s been a while since radio-ready music has meant the same kind.
LiliAna wrote much of her first record, “Postage Stamp,” during a year abroad in London, England. Her music is rife with cross-cultural and geographical references to her European travels, and her acoustic sound is sprinkled with a similar mix of American folk and British rock. Critics have christened LiliAna Rose “the next Joan Baez,” due to her popular folk covers on Youtube, but she is interested in being authentically herself. “Joan is still putting out amazing records, so you can’t really be the next when the first is still around,” she wisecracks with a crooked smile. “Needless to say, Joan Baez is a huge idol. But I’m just being myself, and the sounds that seem organic to me aren’t necessarily second-nature to most people my age. I’ve always sounded this way, and there’s no sense stopping now.” Indeed, she has just begun.
Many believe LiliAna’s music will help usher in a folk revival in a world dizzy with political and economic upheaval. Her honest, open songwriting has been described as “magical, literary, and emotional” and “truly visionary…an old soul documenting a new world” by a growing fanbase of thousands. LiliAna’s influences include Joan Baez, June Carter Cash, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Conor Oberst, and Ryan Adams. You can find her music on youtube at youtube.com/Lma2130.
You Are My Sunshine
Liliana Rose Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You make me happy when skies are grey
You never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamt 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 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 one day
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
Please don't take my sunshine away
Liliana Rose's song "You Are My Sunshine" is a beautiful love song about not wanting to lose the one you love. The main theme of the song is the fear of losing the one you love and the desperation that comes with it. The song starts with the statement "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine," which sets the tone for the entire song. The songwriter is expressing their deep love and emotional dependence on their partner. The writer also talks about the joy and happiness that their partner brings into their life, even when things get tough. This phrase is repeated throughout the song to reinforce the importance of the love that they share.
The second verse reveals a dream that the writer had of holding their partner in their arms. However, the dream is quickly dashed when they realize it was just a dream, and they are still alone. This creates a feeling of longing and desperation, and the line "so I hung my head and I cried" emphasizes the emotional weight of the writer's disclosure.
In the third verse, the writer pleads with their partner not to leave them, promising to make them happy and expressing the fear of losing them to someone else. The singer wants their love to be mutual, and they do not want their partner to regret leaving them.
Overall, "You Are My Sunshine" is a song about love, fear, and the desperation that comes with the fear of losing someone. The songwriter uses metaphors and imagery to create a picture of the deep emotional bond between two people and the weight of the fear of losing that bond.
Line by Line Meaning
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You are the most important thing in my life, the person who brings me happiness and light in even the darkest of times.
You make me happy when skies are grey
Being with you is what brings me joy and helps me through tough times.
You never know, dear, how much I love you
I may not always say it or show it, but my love for you is deep, unconditional and unwavering.
Please don't take my sunshine away
Without you, my life would be incomplete and joyless. Losing you would be unbearable and heartbreaking.
The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping
In my dreams, I am with you and feel so happy and comforted.
I dreamt I held you in my arms
I long to be close to you and feel the warmth and tenderness of your embrace.
When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
Reality can be tough and cruel, and waking up to find that you are not with me is a hard reality to face.
So I hung my head, and I cried
My sadness and disappointment at the absence of your presence is overwhelming and leaves me in tears.
I'll always love you and make you happy
I vow to love you without reservation, and bring happiness to your life in any way I can.
If you will only say the same
All I ask in return is that you love me back and make a commitment to our relationship.
But if you leave me to love another,
If you choose to abandon our love and seek it elsewhere, the pain and regret you feel later will be inevitable and profound.
You'll regret it all one day
Choosing to leave me will ultimately lead to remorse and regret, and the realization that the love we shared cannot be replaced or easily forgotten.
Contributed by London L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@SamArt1987
I've been coming back to this for years 😢😭
@LilianaRose
THANKS!!! <3
@llulu190
Same. I dont even remember how old I was when I first listened to it but I'm 26 now. Still my favorite version of this song.
@markkemp2549
I’m turning 60 this October in this mad pandemic world lol x but when I hear your rendition of this song ? it takes me back to when I first heard you on YouTube ❤️ was the battle hymn of the republic 😎 amazing stuff x
@markcromie9510
My girlfriend loved how you sang this song she wanted it played at her funeral she passed alway from brain cancer on may 2 2014. And so we played her this song thank you.
@dickmasterflex7522
Mark Cromie sorry 2 see this man, i also share love 4 this video, may she truly r.i.p, you'll be with her again
@montjejwz9330
After 4 years I hope with all my heart that you are hanging in there brother! May her soul rest in peace. I can't imagine listening to this without a tear. I will remember you both every time I hear this song even tho I don't know you. Keep your head up high.
@theknightofdoom260
12 years I have listened to this version only. Breaks my heart everytime.
@unfathomabledistances2022
I wish this was on spotify... I still listen to this version.
@Rylarin
I've followed you for years now. All your videos going private was heart wrenching for me. You were so dearly beloved to a deceased friend of mine. Your cover of Diamonds and Rust was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. I'm so grateful that this is still up.
I buy your albums. I adore you. I'm saddened greatly that I can't watch those precious videos anymore.