You are my Sunshine

    While visiting Boston, I listened to a street singer. Her repertoire featured songs from decades ago. One song was 'You are my Sunshine.'
    That song is an Americana classic. Its appeal endures. The lyrics are recognized by millions of people. Here are the opening lines:

                                    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 asked her why she sang oldies rather than contemporary music. She told me that listeners preferred the older hits.
    Nowadays, new songs rarely achieve crossover appeal. I can’t recall the last time a new release became recognized by Americans from all walks of life. Michael Jackson’s song, Billy Jean, might be the last such occasion. But even the appeal of that song, I predict, won’t hold up like ‘You are my Sunshine.’
    Why is there a lack of songs with crossover appeal? One reason might be a decline in creativity. Also, music and audiences have fragmented into genres and sub-genres.
    I believe there’s a yearning out there for simple music, the kind with catchy and uplifting lyrics. Someone might be composing such a song right now. Maybe he’s a teenager, unknown to the world, scribbling lyrics in his bedroom.