LeBron James 'You Are My Sunshine' meme, explained: What does TikTok trend mean and how did it start? | Sporting News (2024)

LeBron James' NBA career began 16 years before TikTok started to gain worldwide popularity, but the Lakers star has lasted long enough to see himself become a star on the social media platform — just maybe not in the way he expected.

James has gone viral on TikTok in recent weeks, but not directly because of anything he did on the basketball court.Videos of James set to the song, "You Are My Sunshine," are widely circulating, seemingly paying tribute to the NBA legend.

What does the trend actually mean, who is behind them and how did it start?

Here's what you need to know about the viral LeBron James "You Are My Sunshine" meme on TikTok.

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LeBron James 'You Are My Sunshine' meme, explained

The "You Are My Sunshine" meme is a trend of TikTok users posting videos with the song, "You Are My Sunshine," playing over images or video of LeBron James.

@lesunshine_james Lesunshine James is always watching ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️#lebronjames #sunshine #fyp ♬ you are my sunshine - christina perri

The trend originated in early 2023 as a way of mocking some of the most passionate fans of James. Super-fans of the Lakers star long preceded TikTok, as James has had no shortage of ardent supporters and defenders throughout his iconic career. James also has no shortage of detractors who regularly mock the way his super-fans defend him.

By swooning over James to the point that it's obviously satirical, many users who post "You Are My Sunshine" videos are mocking just how passionate James' biggest fans can be.

The LeBron tiktok lore with the sunshine song is all over my fyp with different variations of him😭

— ²³𝙻𝚎𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜🏀☄️🌎💞 (@BronGotGame) March 24, 2024

The meme has already evolved into different variations of James, including parodies of what was already a parody, and that includes "LeEvil James."

The trend took on new life when the Brooklyn Nets' official TikTok account posted a video of James warming up at the Barclays Center with the sound of a crowd singing "You Are My Sunshine" and a text overlay that reads "Why is everyone singing this song."

@brooklynnets Obviously for Cam Thomas #youaremysunshine #brooklynnets #meme ♬ original sound - cc.morant ®

The 15-second video, which pans back and forth from James to the Nets, also features the caption "Obviously for Cam Thomas," poking fun at the meme.

'Boy oh boy, LeBron' meaning

Videos aren't the only way users get their point across as part of this viral trend.

The videos often feature captions ironically professing love for James, often starting with some variation of, "Boy oh boy, LeBron, where do I even begin."

The caption is intended to add to the theme of mocking fans who might take their defense of James a bit too far, swooning over the Lakers star in a way that makes it clear the video is satirical.

MORE: Why LeBron James celebrated Duquesne's first March Madness win in 55 years

How LeBron James 'You Are My Sunshine' meme started

While the meme is going viral in 2024, the trend actually started in January 2023, according to Know Your Meme. It isn't known which user launched the trend — if it can even be traced back to one video — but the dynamic between James detractors and James supporters has existed throughout his 21-year NBA career.

Arguably no NBA star has as many haters as James, and it can be argued that no NBA star has as many passionate fans, either. That simply comes with the territory of being a world-famous athlete and one of the greatest players in a sport's history. James' biggest detractors often see his fans' support as being a bit over the top, and the meme simply emphasizes the hilarity of how passionate fans of James can be.

At the same time, trends evolve quickly. It's not far-fetched to imagine some actual fans of James might be getting in on the fun and posting "You Are My Sunshine" videos of their own just to be part of the meme.

LeBron James 'You Are My Sunshine' meme song

The song attached to most of the James memes is "You Are My Sunshine" by Christina Perri.

Perri's rendition is just one version of "You Are My Sunshine," which was originally released in 1940 and has been featured in everything from commercials and movies to TV shows over the years.

Quite literally, users are referring to James as their "sunshine" with their use of the song. The song simply expresses love for a person, and proponents of the meme are ironically professing love for James in a way that pokes fun at some of his most passionate defenders.

You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are gray
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
So I hung my head and cried

You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are gray
You'll never know, dear
How much I love you
Please don't take
My sunshine away

LeBron James 'You Are My Sunshine' meme, explained: What does TikTok trend mean and how did it start? | Sporting News (2024)

FAQs

What is the meaning of the LeBron Sunshine meme? ›

LeBron James 'You Are My Sunshine' meme song

Quite literally, users are referring to James as their "sunshine" with their use of the song. The song simply expresses love for a person, and proponents of the meme are ironically professing love for James in a way that pokes fun at some of his most passionate defenders.

Where did the sunshine meme come from? ›

The song became associated with a viral internet meme in 2024, after it was part of a video featuring NBA player LeBron James, in which Christina Perri's cover of the song is played over a heavily edited portrait photo of James, intended to mock obsessive and defensive fans of James, framing him as their sunshine.

How did You Are My Sunshine LeBron start? ›

LeBron James 'You Are My Sunshine' meme explained

After LeBron scored 40 points in Brooklyn, some TikTok videos show the crowd singing You Are My Sunshine to the superstar. A meme that started in January 2023 has come to life over a year later. The trend began in early 2023, mocking James' most passionate fans.

Why is LeBron You Are My Sunshine trending? ›

The "You Are My Sunshine" meme is a trend of TikTok users posting videos with the song, "You Are My Sunshine," playing over images or video of LeBron James. The trend originated in early 2023 as a way of mocking some of the most passionate fans of James.

What does the you are my sunshine meme mean? ›

Explained: Lebron "You are my sunshine" Meme & Trends | TikTok. What is the LeBron you are my sunshine mean? This is an extension of the LeBron glazing trend. And that trend. people are making fun of people who really support LeBron, talking about how protective they are over him and everything.

What does it mean when someone says you are my sunshine? ›

Sunshine is typically warm. It also will usually put someone in a better mood. So when you say somebody is your sunshine, what you are really saying is the person makes you feel warm, or brings light to your life, and puts you in a better mood. This is one of the most basic and powerful forms of figurative language.

What is the history of the song You Are My Sunshine? ›

The origins of "You Are My Sunshine" are somewhat murky, with different versions of the song's history circulating over the years. However, it is generally believed that the song was written in the 1930s by Jimmie Davis, a Louisiana-born country musician and politician.

Where did Sunshine come from? ›

The earliest known use of the verb sunshine is in the early 1600s. OED's earliest evidence for sunshine is from 1627, in the writing of John Taylor, poet. It is also recorded as a noun from the Old English period (pre-1150). sunshine is formed within English, by conversion.

Is "You Are My Sunshine" a sad song? ›

On its surface, You Are My Sunshine isn't the saddest song ever, so it's okay to sing it with a bit of an upbeat melody. If you look deeper, though, it's clear that the point of view of the person singing it is practically begging the person they are singing to to stay with them.

Who is the kid from the LeBron James meme? ›

Discover the journey of Terrence Jackson, aka the LeBron James kid, from viral Vine star to middle school basketball player, all in one video.

What song does LeBron listen to before a game? ›

LeBron James reveals he listens to Beethoven to 'calm down' before games. One of basketball's biggest stars reveals he listens to Ludwig van Beethoven to get his head in the game.

Why did fans sing "You Are My Sunshine" on TikTok? ›

The trend features videos of fans in the crowd singing "You Are My Sunshine," poking fun at the extremes of fandom surrounding the basketball legend. By adding singing over videos and pictures of LeBron James, TikTok users sought to exaggerate the adoration for James to the point of parody.

What is Nike LeBron slogan? ›

Whether on the court or off, carry LeBron's motto of "Strive for Greatness" wherever you go. This soft, sweat-wicking tee has a relaxed feel so you can move comfortably while repping one of the best to ever play the game. Whether on the court or off, carry LeBron's motto of "Strive for Greatness" wherever you go.

Who is LeBron James high school sweetheart? ›

LeBron James, the legendary NBA player, is also a devoted father to his three children. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Savannah James, and they have two sons, LeBron “Bronny” Jr.

What is the meaning of Sunshine Patriots? ›

A Sunshine Patriot is a disloyal soldier who only helps their country's patriots when they are winning and abandons them when they are losing. This is one of the primary reasons why George Washington struggled to hold soldiers during the Revolutionary War. For example: Thomas Paine in his novel The American Crisis no.

What does the LeBron logo represent? ›

Lebron James first logo was created in the early 2000s as soon as he signed the contract with Nike to produce the shoes bearing his signature among other accessories. The logo was based on his shirt number, as well as his initials talking to the crown of the then athlete who had just become king.

What is the message of LeBron James? ›

James has championed justice reform as far back as 2016, when he delivered a speech at that year's ESPYs imploring his fellow athletes "to do better." More recently, James has used his massive following on social media as a platform to highlight issues he believes are unjust.

What is the meaning of LeBron Palmer? ›

This “LeBronold Palmer” moniker references the Arnold Palmer drink found on the footbed, which is a half-lemonade and half-iced tea drink that was made famous by the golf legend of the same name.

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