LeBron James 'You Are My Sunshine' meme, explained: What does TikTok trend mean and how did it start? | Sporting News Canada (2025)

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.

MORE: Key stats to know in LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan GOAT debate

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 Canada (2025)

FAQs

What does the LeBron Sunshine meme mean? ›

LeBron James 'You Are My Sunshine' meme 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.

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.

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 is LeBron's TikTok? ›

LeBron James (@lebronjamesofficial) | TikTok.

Who created the LeBron logo? ›

LeBron James logo — Darrin Crescenzi.

What is the meaning behind "You are my sunshine"? ›

(See later in this post for my theory about this.) “You Are My Sunshine” is often called “heartwarming”, but a close look at the lyrics after the first verse shows that they're better described as “heartbreaking”. It's about unrequited love. This song has enjoyed enduring popularity for nine decades.

Can you say sunshine to a girl? ›

To me, being called “Sunshine” is a real compliment! Someone is telling you that you have brightened-up their day, their life, their space - EVERYTHING!

What does it mean when someone is your sunshine? ›

: someone or something (such as a person, condition, or influence) that radiates warmth, cheer, or happiness.

Why is You Are My Sunshine so popular? ›

Another reason for the song's popularity is its singability. The melody is simple and easy to learn, making it a perfect choice for group sing-alongs and campfires. In fact, "You Are My Sunshine" has become a staple of American folk music, and it is often taught to children as an introduction to basic musical concepts.

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.

What is Nike LeBron slogan? ›

Whether on the court or off, carry LeBron's motto of "Strive for Greatness" wherever you go.

Who first made You Are My Sunshine? ›

Written and recorded as early as 1939, the song was first published and copyrighted in 1940 by Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell. Davis went on to be governor of Louisiana from 1944 to 1948 and again from 1960 to 1964, and used the song for his election campaign.

Who sang a song at LeBron's wedding? ›

Meet LeBron James wife Savannah James who had Beyonce sing at £8million wedding | NBA | Sport | Express.co.uk.

Who did LeBron play with first? ›

LeBron James was selected first overall in the 2003 National Basketball Association draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He played for the Cavaliers through the end of the 2009–10 season. He then signed with the Miami Heat but returned to the Cavaliers in 2014. James joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.

What does LeBron James symbol mean? ›

Just like the previous logo, the new logo still makes use of the crown that indicates that James is and will remain the king of basketball. The two halves of the logo below the crown are Bron's initials “L” and “J”. The negative space in the logo is supposed to resemble the basketball court as well.

What does the basketball player emoji mean? ›

The person bouncing a basketball emoji depicts an athletic individual shooting hoops on the court. You can this emoji when you wanna play b-ball, cheering for your favorite NBA team, or just talking about how baller you are.

What do LeBron's tattoos say? ›

LeBron James has “What we do in life” tattooed on his right arm and “echoes in eternity” on his left arm. This phrase was inspired by the movie Gladiator.

Did LeBron and KD actually make a song? ›

Yes, you read that right. James and Durant both hit the studio at one point to get a few bars or two off for the culture. ESPN reports that the duo made a song together during the NBA lockout of 2011 while James was a member of the Miami Heat and Durant was still with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Fredrick Kertzmann

Last Updated:

Views: 5277

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fredrick Kertzmann

Birthday: 2000-04-29

Address: Apt. 203 613 Huels Gateway, Ralphtown, LA 40204

Phone: +2135150832870

Job: Regional Design Producer

Hobby: Nordic skating, Lacemaking, Mountain biking, Rowing, Gardening, Water sports, role-playing games

Introduction: My name is Fredrick Kertzmann, I am a gleaming, encouraging, inexpensive, thankful, tender, quaint, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.