1937 Music: Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1937 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Judy Garland
(Dear Mr. Gable) You Made Me Love You
The song was originally written by James Monaco with lyrics by Joseph McCarthy, and simply title You Made Me Love You. According to Hollywood legend, this song was written or adapted for Judy Garland to sing to Clark Gable on the occasion of the star’s birthday. It was so well received that the song made it into the film Broadway Melody of 1938. The legend is more than likely true as Louis B Mayer, the head of MGM treated his contracted “stars” as his own family. He gave lavish parties on a regular basis. Many of these parties would be filmed and shown as extras before or after an MGM movie. The original song would be recorded over and over by artists such as Debbie Reynolds Al Jolson and Harry James.

Eddie Duchin
De-Lovely
Another hit from the Cole Porter musical Anything Goes, this song would reappear over and over again as the Musical is revived on a regular basis. The song is sung by the hero of the musical Billy Crocket who is a stowaway on the ship where the musical takes place. Though song by the male lead in the show the song would go on to become more associated with Ethel merman as she would record it several times. In the video presented here the song is sung by Torchwood’s John Barrowman. The song would become the title of the movie musical biography of Cole Porter’s life.

Fred Astaire
They Can’t Take That Away From Me
The song is another standard first performed by Fred Astaire. Written by George and Ira Gershwin the song would make an appearance in the musical Shall We Dance. But go on to recorded many times by such stars as Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart and Harry Connick Jr. They Can’t Take That Away From Me was also used in Kenneth Branagh’s 2000 film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Loves Labors Lost.

Ray Noble
I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
Written by Irving Berlin and first introduced in the film On The Avenue with Dick Powell and Alice Faye, two major film stars of the time, the song would go on to be interpreted by different artists in different ways. First, the song was recorded as a love song, but then also recorded as a Christmas song. The same thing would happen to songs like Baby It’s Cold Outside and Winter Wonderland. Not necessarily a specific Christmas song but somehow associated with the holiday. Jackie Gleason would record the song as well as Bing Crosby and Bette Midler. The song would come to life when it was used as the Finale for the Broadway Musical Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

Frances Langford
Harbor Lights
The song was originally written and performed in Polish by Hugh Williams (pseudonym for Will Grosz) with lyrics by Henryk Szpilman and translated by Jimmy Kennedy. The song was finally officially published in 1950 13 years after its initial recording. Notable artists who recorded the song would include, Bing Crosby Elvis Presley and The Platters.

Sophie Tucker
The Lady is a Tramp
This song was originally written for the Broadway Show Babes in Arms by Rodgers and Hart. The Broadway show was about a group of young people rebelling against certain forms of etiquette, but when the show was turned into a film starring Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney the story revolved around a group of kids trying to break into show business. This would be one of the musicals where the kids get together and do a show in a barn. This was a theme for more than a few film musicals of the time. Though recorded most notably by Frank Sinatra, the song would come again into the film arena when sung as a duet by the characters of Puck and Mercedes in GLEE.

Hal Kemp
Where or When
This song is also from the Broadway musical Babes in Arms, Written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart. The song is a love song that has been recorded and re-recorded many times. The song may also be the first to have the experience of Déjà-Vu as it’s a central theme the song is sung by a lover who believes he or she is experiencing again the time spent with his her beloved, even though it couldn’t have happened. The music is haunting and the lyrics are beautiful. The song has been recorded by over 100 different artists. Some notable recordings are Julie Andrews, Judy Collins, The Beach Boys, Barbra Streisand, Mandy Patinkin and George Michael.

Jeannette McDonald and Nelson Eddie
Indian Love Call

Some would question that this song should be included in a list of the most popular songs or in songs most remembered, but the song was hugely popular in its time and would go on to be a song used in comedy shows and sketches. The song has it’s origins in a 1924 musical operetta called Rose-Marie. The music was written by Rudolf Friml and Herbert Stothart, and book and lyrics by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein II, The show would go on to have four film versions made.
The Most popular of these versions would be the one made by Jeannette McDonald and Nelson Eddie. McDonald and Eddy would become one of America’s favorite couples and along with Gable and Lombard, Tracy and Hepburn and Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.

Top Artists and Songs of 1937

Benny Goodman
Goodnight, My Love
Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing)
This Year’s Kisses

Billie Holiday
Carelessly
I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

Bing Crosby and Connee Boswell
Bob Hite (Whatcha Gonna Swing Tonight?)

Bing Crosby and Jimmy Dorsey
Never in a Million Years
Too Marvelous for Words

Bing Crosby
Blue Hawaii
Remember Me
Sweet Leilani
The Moon Got In My Eyes

Bob Crosby and his Orchestra
Whispers in the Dark

Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys
Steel Guitar Stomp

Bunny Berigan
The First Time I Saw You

Claude Thornhill and his Orchestra
Harbour Lights

Count Basie
One O’Clock Jump

Duke Ellington
Caravan
Crescendo in Blue

Eddie Duchin
It’s De-Lovely
Moonlight and Shadows

Ella Fitzgerald
Goodnight, My Love

Fats Waller
Smarty

Frances Langford
Harbour Lights
Once in a While

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off
Shall We Dance?
They All Laughed

Fred Astaire
Nice Work If You Can Get It
They Can’t Take That Away From Me

Glen Gray
I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

Gus Arnheim
So Are

Guy Lombardo
A Sailboat in the Moonlight
Boo Hoo
It Looks Like Rain In Cherry Blossom Time
September in the Rain
So Rare

Hal Kemp
This Year’s Kiss
Where or When

Henry Busse and his Orchestra
With Plenty of Money and You

Horace Heidt
Gone With the Wind

Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddie
Indian Love Call

Jimmy Lunsford
For Dancers Only

Judy Garland
(Dear Mr. Gable) You Made Me Love You

Larry Clinton
True Confession

Margaret McCrae
This Year’s Kisses

Mildred Bailey
Rockin’ Chair
Where Are You

Ray Noble
I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

Robert Johnson
From Four Till Late
Hellhound on My Trail

Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees
Vieni Vieni

Russ Morgan
The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down

Sammy Kaye
Rosalie

Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra
Thanks For The Memory
The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down

Sophie Tucker
The Lady Is A Tramp

Teddy Wilson and his Orchestra
You Can’t Stop Me From Dreaming

Tommy Dorsey
Big Apple
Marie
Once In A While
Satan Takes A Holiday
Song of India
The Dipsy Doodle
The Lady is a Tramp

July 7, 1937

1936 Music: Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1936 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Bing Crosby
Pennies from Heaven
Was the creation of, Arthur Johnston, music and Johnny Burke, lyrics and sung by Bing Crosby in a film that bore the same title. Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin would record the song. Most recently it was used in the otherwise silent 2011 film The Artist.

Fred Astaire
The Way You Look Tonight
Jerome Kern wrote the music for this popular song with lyrics by Dorothy Fields. It was first introduced in the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film Swing Time, but sung in the film by Miss Rogers. This song would have a long and happy ride across the decades, being recorded by many and used in various ways. The song would hit the charts at #13 in 1961 when sung by The Lettermen. And would also be used in a Kodak Commercial and included on an album that included all the popular songs Kodak would use for advertising. When Dorothy Fields heard the melody for the first time she reported that she “went out and cried.” It has been recently recorded by Olivia Newton-John, Phil Collins, Harry Connick, Jr., Rod Stewart, Michael Bublé,

Bing Crosby
I’m An Old Cowhand
This is considered a comic song and was written by Johnny Mercer for the film Rhythm on the Range which starred Bing Crosby. Crosby would also sing the song in the movie. Crosby recorded the song with Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra and it would become a hit for 1936. It has been sung Roy Rodgers and Frank Sinatra. In an Episode of I Love Lucy the song would be sung by Vivian Vance and Lucille Ball as their characters of Ethel Mertz and Lucy Ricardo.

Benny Goodman
The Glory of Love
The song was originally recorded by Benny Goodman and written by Billy Hill. In 1951 the song would be recorded by The Five Keys and would be on the charts at the number one on four different weeks of that year. The song would be recorded by artists as diverse as Dean Martin and Bette Midler. Miss Midler would record the song for her 1988 film entitled Beaches which co-starred Barbara Hershey.

Marion Anderson
He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands

He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands is a Christian Spiritual whose origins are unknown. It was first published in 1927 in a paperback hymnal. It would be recorded by Artists such as Marion Anderson as well as Mahalia Jackson. In 1958 the song would hit the number one spot on the list of songs most played by jockeys. English singer Laurie London recorded this version of the song with the Geoff Love Orchestra

Ray Noble
I’ve Got You Under My Skin

Written by Cole Porter the song was first performed for the MGM musical Born To Dance. It was nominated for Best Song for The Academy Awards. This song would go on to be a signature song for Frank Sinatra and a number ten hit for The Four Seasons in 1966.

Leo Reisman
It Ain’t Necessarily So

This popular song is operatic in its origin as it was written by George and Ira Gershwin for their opera Porgy and Bess. In the Opera, the song is sung by the villain of the piece whose name is Sportin’ Life. In the song, he is arguing about parts of the Bible. It is curious to note that this song would be a hit the same year as He’s Got The Whole World In His hands. The song is sung by black performers and written for a black character, but it has also been recorded by white performers such as Cher, The Moody Blues, and Brian Wilson.

Benny Goodman
Goody Goody
This song was written by Matty Malneck, music and Johnny Mercer Lyrics. Originally recorded by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, The song has been used on The Muppet Show and be recorded by such artists as Frank Sinatra. In 2007 the song would be recorded by The BBC Orchestra for the film, The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep.

Top Artists and Songs of 1936

Andy Kirk
Christopher Columbus
Lotta Sax Appeal
Until The Real Thing Comes Along
What Will I Tell My Heart

Benny Goodman
Glory of Love
Goody Goody
It’s Been So Long
Stardust
Stompin’ At The Savoy
These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)
You Turned The Tables On Me

Billie Holiday
No Regrets
Summertime
These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)

Bing Crosby
I’m An Old Cowhand
Pennies From Heaven
Robins and Roses
Would You?

Bob Wills and his Texes Playboys
Steel Guitar Rag

Eddy Duchin
I’ll Sing You a Thousand Love Songs
Lights Out
Moon Over Miami
Pennies From Heaven
Take My Heart

Fats Waller
All My Life
It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie

Fred Astaire
A Fine Romance
I’m Putting All My Eggs In One Basket
Let Yourself Go
The Way You Look Tonight

Guy Lombardo
Lost
When Did You Leave Heaven?

Hal Kemp
There’s A Small Hotel
When I’m With You

Jan Garber
A Beautiful Lady In Ble
A Melody From The Sky

Jimmy Dorsey
IsIt True What They Say About Dixie?

Jimmy Lunceford
Organ Grinder’s Swing

Leadbelly
Goodnight Irene

Leslie A Hutchinson
These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)

Marian Anderson
He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands

Ray Noble
I’ve Got You Under My Skin

Robert Johnson
32 20 Blues
Cross Road Blues
Kind Hearted Woman Blues

Roy Achuff
Great Speckled Bird

Shep Fields andhis Ripplin Rhythm Orchestra
Did I Remember?
Easy To Love
In The Chapel in the Moonlight

Tommy Dorsey
Alone
I’m Getting Sentimental Over You
Stardust
You

July 7, 1936

1935 Music: Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1935 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Shirley Temple
On The Good Ship Lollipop
The first song by the child star for her 1934 film BRIGHT EYES, This song would go on to become Miss Temple’s trademark. Miss temple would go on to be featured and star in many films, but eventually, leave show-business and pursue a successful career in The United Nations and The State Department. She is now retired.

Fred Astaire
Cheek To Cheek
Two Legends – One Song. Irving Berlin wrote Cheek to Cheek for Astaire’s Top Hat (#7 below), which co-starred his most well-known partner Ginger Rodgers.
Astaire was not as well known for singing capabilities so much as his incredible dancing ability. Debbie Reynolds tells of him spending hours and hours practicing with the choreographer Hermes Pan. Mr. Astaire was a consummate hard-working professional who strived for perfection through hard work.

Glen Gray
Blue Moon
Written by Rogers and Hart, this one song that tends to make a regular comeback, originally recorded by Glenn Gray and The Casa Loma Orchestra. The Marcels made it a number on the Billboard charts in 1961. Gray was a saxophonist that fronted the orchestra. His name appeared on most of the recordings from 1934 on.

Cole Porter
You’re The Top
Originally sung by Ethel Merman in the Porter musical Anything Goes. This recording was made by the composer, lyricist himself, Cole Porter. Mr. Porter was born in 1891 and is a legend of the Broadway stage. A musical film of his life was made in 2004 and titled De-Lovely (another song from Anything Goes). The movie starred Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd.

Eddie Duchin
I Won’t Dance
This song was written by Jerome Kern with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein and Otto Harbach for a 1934 musical called Three Sisters which opened in London and flopped. When it was decided to film the Broadway show Roberta the song was re-worked by Kern and Harbach and included in the movie.

Ethel Merman
I Get a Kick Out of You

This is another hit out of Cole Porter’s Anything Goes. The musical legends of both Porter and Merman would grow out of this musical as they both become stars on the musical sky. One thing that should be mentioned here is that there is a line from the song that would be cut and reinstated over the years as the harmfulness of drugs was discovered and being true to a creator’s original work was argued out. The Line is “I get no kick from cocaine, even if I took one little sniff it would bore me incredibly too. But I get a kick out of you.”

Fats Waller
I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter
With music by Fred E. Ahlert and lyrics by Joe Young, this song would become part of what is known as The Great American Song Book. The book itself doesn’t exist but it’s meaning is clear. If a song has lasted for a certain number of years and is retained in people’s memory, then it is part of the book. Many songs from different periods of American Music still come up today, some of them in commercial jingles, others as part of a movie score. This song haunts our collective memory, and I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself A Letter is included in these songs. The Song was recorded several times throughout the 20th century by Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Barry Manilow.

Richard Himber and his Orchestra
It Was Just One Of Those Things
Written by Cole Porter for the musical Jubilee, this song would take on a life of its own as it was recorded over the years by several artists. Twice by Doris Day for two of her films, Lullaby of Broadway and Young At Heart. Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby and Lena Horne recorded it. It was used in JD Salinger’s novel as the narrator says of the song even the “stinking band” in the hotel lounge “couldn’t ruin it entirely.” A line from the song, “goodbye farewell amen,” was used as the title for the last episode of the hit series MASH. John Barrowman of TV’s Torchwood has recorded the song for the twenty-first century.

The Dorsey Brothers
The Lullaby of Broadway
Harry Warren wrote the music for this song and lyrics by Al Dubin, the song made its first appearance in the film, Gold Deggirs of 1935. That same year it was also used as background music in a scene from the Bette Davis movie Special Agent. It would eventually win the 1936 Academy Award for Best Original Song. The song would grow in popularity and would have a film named after it in 1951 starring Doris Day. It would be used in a Merrie Melody cartoon and would become a pivotal song in the plot of the Broadway version of 42nd St. sung by Jerry Orbach, Lumiaire of the film Beauty and The Beast.

Louis Armstrong
You Are My Lucky Star
Recorded by Louis Armstrong, the song would go on to be recorded in the film Broadway Melody of 1936. But the song would become an important part of MGM musicals when Debbie Reynolds sang it in what some call the most important movie musical of all time, Singin In The Rain.

Top Artists and Songs of 1935

Al Bowlly and the Ray Noble Orchestra
Blue Moon

Ballew Smith
Roll Along, Prairie Moon

Benny Goodman
Blue Moon
King Porter Stomp

Bing Crosby
I Wished The Moon
It’s Easy To Remember
Red Sails in the Sunset
Soon

Bob Crosby and his Orchestra
In a Little Gypsy’s Tea Room

Boswell Sisters
The Object of my Affection

Cab Calloway
Keep That Hi-De-Hi in Your Soul

Carmen Miranda
Sonho de Papel

Cole Porter
You’re The Top

Duke Ellington
In a Sentimental Mood

Eddie Duchin
Cheek To Cheek
I Won’t Dance
Lovely To Look At
You Are My Lucky Star

Ethel Merman
I Get A Kick Out Of You

Fats Waller
A Little Bit Independent
I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself A Letter
Lulu’s Back In Town
Truckin’

Fred Astaire
Cheek To Cheek
No Strings
The Piccolino
Top Hat, White Tie and Tails

Gene Autry
Ole Faithful
Tumbling Tumbleweeds

George Formby
Fanlight Fanny

Glen Gray
Blue Moon
When I Grow Too Old To Dream

Guy Lombardo
I’m Sittin’ High on a Hill Top
Red Sails In The Sunset
What’s The Reason (I’m Not Pleasin’ You)

Irene Dunne
Lovely To Look at

Jimmy Lunceford
Rhythm Is Our Business

Leo Reisman
I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’
It Ain’t Neccessarily So

Little Jack Little
I’m In The Mood For Love

Louis Armstrong
I’m In The Mood For Love
You Are My Lucky Star

Nelson Eddie
Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life

Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra
And Then Some

Patsy Montana and the Prairie Ramblers
I WAnt To Be A Cowboy’s Sweetheart

Ray Noble
Isle of Capri
Let’s Swing It
Paris in the Spring

Richard Himber and his Orchestra
Just One Of Those Things

Riley-Farley Orchestra
The Music Goes Round and Round

Ruth Etting
Life Is A song

Shirley Temple
On The Good Ship Lollipop

Sleepy John Estes
Stop That Thing

The Carter Family
Can The Circle Be Broken (Bye and Bye)

The Dorsey Brothers
Chasing Shadows
Lullaby of Broadway

Tom Coakley and his Palace Hotel Orchestra
East of the Sun, West of the Moon

Tommy Dorsey
On Treasure Island

Victor Young
She’s a Latin From Manhattan

Western Brothers
We’re Frightfully BBC

Xavier Cugat
Begin the Beguine
The Lady In Red

July 7, 1935

1934 Music: Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1934 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Ben Selvin
I Only Have Eyes For You
Composed by Harry Warren with lyrics by Al Dubin, the song written in 1934 for the film Dames where Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler sang it. The song would continue to be recorded throughout the century by such artists as Frank Sinatra the Temptations and in 1959 by The Flamingos. This recording would make it to #11 on Bill Boards Top 100. The song was used in such movies as American Graffiti, The Right Stuff and Warner Brothers Merrie Melody Cartoons.

Don Bestor
42nd Street
42nd St. is the title and the title song of a 1933 movie musical Starring Ruby Keeler. The song would go on to be popular the movie would end up as two major Broadway productions and many songs from the show would become standard.

Ethel Merman
You’re The Top
The song comes from the 1934 musical Anything Goes whose score was written by the great Cole Porter and told the story of a ship’s stowaway that falls in love with an heiress on the ship. The song was hit at the time especially when sung by its original performer Ethel Merman. This would be the first time Miss Merman would be on the charts but her popularity on Broadway would make her a star not soon to be forgotten.
You’re The Top would be used in many other shows and be recorded by many artists such as Barbara Streisand and John Barrowman The show would be revived many times and continues to be performed in the 21st century. Recently the song was sung by Rachel Berry’s two dads in GLEE.

Fats Waller
Honey Suckle Rose
The song was originally composed in 1928 by Fats Waller, with lyrics by Andy Razaf. Waller finally recorded it in 1934, and this recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. Lena Horne and Louis Armstrong recorded it and featured it in an MGM Musical.

Jimmy Durante
Inka Dinka Doo
Inka Dinka Doo was written by Ben Ryan, with music composed by James Francis “Jimmy” Durante. The song debuted in the 1934 movie Palooka. Durante’s song would become a hit for him but it also would become his signature song. He would begin and end his radio program with it. One of the truly interesting facts about the song is one of the other top songs of the year, You’re The Top, would mention Durante’s name in the lyrics.

Leo Reisman
The Continental
The song was written by Con Conrad with lyrics by Herb Magidson and introduced by Ginger Rogers in the 1934 film The Gay Divorcee, Co-starring Fred Astaire.”The Continental” was the first song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song. It was also used in an episode of I Love Lucy.

Ruth Etting
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
This song was written by composer Jerome Kern and lyricist Otto Harbach for the 1933 musical Roberta. It was performed in the show by Tamara Drasin. In 1935, Irene Dunne would perform the song for the film adaptation of the Broadway hit. The film co-starred Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The song would continue to be performed throughout the 20th century by such artists as Nat King Cole, Jody Garland and Eartha Kitt (TVs Catwoman). The song would reach number three on the R&B Charts in 1959 when recorded by The Platters

Sons of the Pioneers
Tumbling Tumbleweed
The song was composed by Bob Nolan and is probably one of the most popular “cowboy” songs ever written. The interesting point of this song is that it was composed by Nolan while working as a caddy in Los Angeles. The was originally titled “Tumbling Tumble Leaves but the song was reworked and re-named. The song would gain even more success when Gene Autry sang it in his movie of the same name.

Rudy Vallee And His Connecticut Yankees
You Oughta Be In Pictures
Written by Dana Seuss and Richard Heyman, the song would be first performed in The Ziegfeld Follies of 1934 by Rudy Vallee and His Connecticut Yankees who would also record the song. In the same year, Looney Toons would use the title in a song starring Porky Pig and Daffy Duck.

Take our 1934 Quiz!

Top Artists and Songs of 1934

Ben Selvin
I Only Have Eyes For You

Benny Goodman
Moon Glow

Bessie Smith
Gimme A Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer

Bing Crosby
Love In Bloom, June In January, Two Cigarettes In The Dark, Little Dutch Mill, Love Is Just Around The Corner, Straight From The Shoulder

Cab Calloway and his Orchestra
(Hep-Hep!) The Jumpin Jive, Chinese Rhythm

Carmen Miranda
Na Batucada da Vida

Chick Webb
I Can’t Dance (I Got Ants In My Pants), What a Shuffle, Stompin’ At The Savoy

Don Bestor
Forty-Second Street

Duke Ellington
Cocktails For Two, Solitude, Delta Serenade, The Saddest Tale

Eddie Duchin
Let’s Fall In Love, I Only Have Eyes For You

Emil Velasco
Old Spinning Wheel

Enric Madriguera
The Carioca

Ethel Merman
You’re The Top

Fats Waller
Honeysuckle Rose

Fred Astaire
Flying Down To Rio

Freddy Martin
April In Paris, I Saw Stars

Glen Gray
Champagne Waltz

Grace Moore
One Night of Love

Guy Lombardo
Stars Fell on Alabama

Harry Sosnick and the Edgewater Beach Orchestra
The Carioca

Henry King
April In Paris

Henry Rose
Hot Lips

Isham Jones
For All We Know

Jan Garber
All I Do Is Dream Of You

Jane Froman
I Only Have Eyes For You

Jimmie Lunceford
Stratosphere

Jimmy Durante
Inka Dinka Dpp

Jimmy Greer and his Orchestra
Stay As Sweet as You Are, The Object of my Affection

Leo Reisman
The Continental (You Kiss While You’re Dancing)

Lucienne Boyer
Hands Across The Table

Mario Reis
Agora & Cinza

Paul Whiteman
I Get A Kick Out Of You, You’re The Top, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, Wagon Wheels

Ray Noble
The Very Thought Of You, Old Spinning Wheel

Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees
You Outta Be In Pictures

Ruth Etting
Smoke Gets In Your eyes

Scott Wood and His Orchestra
I Only Have Eyes For You

Sons of the Pioneers
Tumbling Tumbleweeds

Ted Fio Rito
My Little Grass Shack in Kealakekua Hawaii, I’ll String Along With You

July 7, 1934

1933 Music: Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1933 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me
Young And Healthy
The Gold Diggers Song (We’re In The Money)
Shuffle Off To Buffalo
These four songs originated in the film 42nd Street. The movie musical was made by Warner Brothers Studios and starred Ruby Keeler. The musical also starred Ginger Rodgers and Dick Powell, who would go on to star in The Thin Man movie series. This movie was a milestone for the film industry. It was the first film choreographed by Busby Berkeley. Berkeley would move onto to MGM where he would be a major contributor to the films starring Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland.

42nd Street told the story of an unknown that goes to her first audition and is hired but then ends up as the star when the lead hurts herself. The movie would be popular for years, but in 1980 the movie would go to Broadway starring Jerry Orbach and Tammy Grimes. 42nd Street would the Tony Award for best musical in 1981. A major revival would be launched in 2001.

Don Bestor and his Orchestra
Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf

This song was originally written for The Disney short, The Three Little Pigs. The song was written by Frank Churchill with additional lyrics by Ann Ronell. The song would become incredibly popular and would become a classic children’s song. It would last long after 1933 and be recorded by many different artists including Barbra Streisand. Significantly this song would be the first song from a Disney film to appear on the charts, there would be many more to follow.

Ethel Waters
Stormy Weather
This song was written in 1933 by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler. Ethel Waters first sang it at The Cotton Club night club in Harlem in 1933 and then recorded it later that year. Stormy Weather would become even more popular when recorded by Lena Horne in 1942. She would record the song again for a film that used the song as its title.

Duke Ellington
Sophisticated Lady
Was originally composed as an instrumental in 1932 by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills, Words were added by Mitchell Paris and Ellington liked them, but they didn’t go with his original conception of the song. Still the following year the song would become a hit. Linda Ronstadt and the band Chicago would also record the song.

Henry King and his Orchestra
April in Paris
This song composed by Vernon Duke with lyrics by E. Y. Harburg in 1932 for the Broadway musical, Walk A Little Faster. The musical itself would be forgotten but the song would move and be recorded by Glenn Miller Doris Day and Tommy Dorsey.

Leo Reisman and Clifton Webb
Easter Parade

Written by Irving Berlin in 1933 for the musical As Thousands Cheer, Easter Parade would go on to be sung by Bing Crosby in the movie Holiday Inn which would introduce the song White Christmas and then would be sung by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland in a film named after the song. Easter Parade is a song celebrating the tradition of The Easter Parade which goes on all over America on Easter Sunday.

Wayne King
Blue Danube
Was written by Johann Strauss II in 1865 and would be performed for the first time in 1866. The piece would make its American debut in 1867. The piece would have words added by poet Joseph Wey and Strauss would later write additional music for the piece. The song was not immediately popular but in the end, would be one of Strauss’s best compositions. The song would become popular again when it was used in the Stanley Kubrick film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Top Artists and Songs of 1933

Ben Bernie
Let’s All Sing Like The Birdies Sing

Bing Crosby
Just An Echo In The Valley, You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me, I’ve Got To Sing A Torch Song, Shadow Waltz, Thanks, Temptation, Thanks, The Day You Came Along, Did You Ever See A Dream Walking?, We’ll Make Hay While The Sun Shines, The Last Round-Up, Young and Healthy

Carmen Miranda and Mario Reis
Alo Alo

Dick Powell
Gold Deggir’s Song (We’re In The Money)

Don Bestor and his Orchestra
Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?, Shuffle Off To Buffalo, The Last Round-Up

Duke Ellington
Sophisticated Lady, Drop Me Off At Harlem, I’m satisfied, In The Shade of the Old Apple Tree

Eddie Duchin
Hold Me, Did You Ever See A Dream Walking?, Night and Day

Ethel Waters
Stormy Weather

Gene Autry
The Last Round-Up

George Olson
The Last Round-Up

Greta Keller
Lover (Rogers and Hart)

Guy Lombardo
The Last Round Up, Lover (Rogers and Hart), Stormy Wather (Keeps Rainin’ All The Time)

Hal Kemp
Shuffle Off To Buffalo

Henry King and his Orchestra
Aoril In Paris

Joe Venuti and his Blue Six
Jazz Me Blues

Leo Reisman & Clifton Webb
Easter Parade

Leo Reisman
Yesterdays, Stormy Weather

Louis Armstrong
Hobo You can’t Ride This Train, That’s My Home, I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues

Mae West
I Like a Guy What Takes His time

Paul Whiteman
Lover (Rogers and Hart), a Faewell to Arms, It’s Only A Paper Moon, You’re An Old Smoothie, Rise N Shine, Eadie Was a Lady

Ray Noble
Love Is The Sweetest Thing

Spike Hughes and his All-American Orchestra
How Come You Do Me Like You Do

Ted Fio Rito
Hold Me

Ted Weems
Gold Deggir’s Song (We’re In The Money)

Ted Williams
Lazybones

Victor Young
The Last Round-Up

Wayne King
Blue Danube

July 7, 1933

1932 Music: Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1932 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Bing Crosby
Brother Can You Spare A Dime

This song could be considered the theme song of the entire decade of the 1930s. The ’30s was the era of the Great Depression where millions of Americans were out of work and some incredibly successful people found themselves in bread lines. The lyrics to this song and the very sad music reflect the desperation of the times. Written in 1931 by lyricist E. Y. “Yip” Harburg and composer Jay Gorney, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” was introduced in the 1932 musical New Americana. The song would go on to be recorded by such artists as Rudy Vallee and Bing Crosby. It would continue to be recorded throughout the century. George Michael would record the song for his 1999 album Songs from the Last Century. The song was used in a poignant moment in the television comedy The Golden Girls.

Cab Calloway
I’ve Got The World on a String
The song was written in 1932 and composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics written by Ted Koehler. The song was introduced by Cab Calloway and Bing Crosby and would continue to be recorded throughout the decade by many popular songsters including Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow and Michael Buble.

Fred Astaire and Leo Reisman
Night and Day
This song was written by Cole Porter and performed in the musical The Gay Divorcee. Fred Astaire recorded the song and it made it to the # 1 spot. He would again perform the song in the film version of the show. This song is considered to be one of Cole Porter’s finest songs. This song was so connected to Cole Porter that the biopic made in the 1940s about the composer was titled Night and Day. The song would go on to be recorded by celebrities as diverse as Frank Sinatra and Ringo Starr. The song would be recorded and song again in a second biography film of Cole Porter called Devovely. This time the song was sung by John Barrowman, TVs Captain Jack Harkness, and Keven Kline

Paul Whiteman
Willow Weep For Me
The song was written by Ann Ronell. Willow Weep For ME would be considered a jazz standard but would be recorded again in 1964 by Chad and Jeremy and would make it into the top 40s that year.

How Deep Is The Ocean is a love song by Irving Berlin. This is one of the few Berlin songs that was introduced directly by the radio and not part of a Broadway show. The song is a series of questions that describe love by comparison. “The first line sets the tone for the song, “How much do I love you, I’ll tell you no lie, how deep is the Ocean, how high is the sky?” The song would be recorded by such great 20th century artists as Frank Sinatra, Julie Andrews and Eric Clapton. Recently the song was added to the Broadway show Irving Berlins White Christmas. So the song made it to Broadway seventy years later.

Tommy Dorsey
Take My Hand Precious Lord
The music for this song was adapted from a song written in the 1800s called Maitland by George N. Allen. The Lyrics are by Tommy Dorsey and were in response to the death of his wife while giving birth to a child, the child would ultimately die as well. The song would be embraced by Christians and would be recorded by many artists such as Anne Murray and Elvis Presley. The song would follow a tradition in Christian Music which started as far back as Martin Luther. The originator of the Reformation would take popular music of the day and give the tune Christian lyrics. The Hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is a good example of this.

Top Artists and Songs of 1932

Al Jolson
Hallelujah, I’m A Bum

Bert Ambrose and his Orchestra
The Clouds Will Soon Roll By

Bing Crosby and the Mills Brothers
Dinah

Bing Crosby
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Love Me Tonight, Please
Where The Blue Of The Night (Meets The Gold of the Day)

Cab Calloway and his Cotton Club Orchestra
I’ve Got The World On A String

Charlie Kunz
Lovely To Look At
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

Duke Ellington
Blue Ramble
Moon Over Dixie
Rose Room (In Sunny Roseland),

Fred Astaire and Leo Reisman
Night and Day

George Olson
Say It Isn’t So, Lullaby of the Leaves

Guy Lombardo
How Deep Is The Ocean?
Paradise
Too Many Tears
We Just Couldn’t Say Goodbye

Joe Rines and his Orchestra
Underneath the Harlem Moon

Kate Smith and Guy Lombardo
River, Stay ‘Way From My Door

Kate Smith
River, Stay ‘Way My Door, Too late

Leo Reisman
Paradise

Louis Armstrong
All of Me
Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Body and Soul
China My Chinatown
Home
Keeping Out of Mischief Now
Kickin’ The Gong Around
Lawd, You Made the Night Too Long
Love You Funny Thing
Shine
Sweethearts on Parade
You Can Depend On Me

Maurice Chevalier
MiMi

Pat O’Malley
Goopy Geer

Paul Whiteman
All of Me
How Deep Is The Ocean?
I’ll Follow You
I’ll Never Be The Same
Let’s Put Out The Lights
Three On a Match
We Just Couldn’t Say Goodbye
Willow Weep For Me

Ray Noble
Try A Little Tenderness

Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

Ruth Etting
It WAs So Beautiful

Ted Fio Rito
Willow Weep For Me

Ted Lewis and his Orchestra
In a Shanty In a shanty Old Town

Tommy Dorsey
Take My Hand, Precious Lord

July 7, 1932

1931 Music: Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1931 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Bing Crosby
Dancing in the Dark
The music for this song was by Arthur Schwartz and lyrics by Howard Dietz and was originally performed by John Barker in the 1931 revue The Band Wagon. Besides Bing Crosby, the song was recorded by Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennet. The song was also used as a ballet sequence danced by Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse in the 1953 MGM film version of The Band Wagon.

Cab Calloway and his Cotton Club Orchestra
Minnie the Moocher
This song would be song recorded and re-recorded by Cab Calloway. The song would be known for its skat lyrics which would have Callaway sing a phrase and then the audience would repeat the phrase. Calloway would make the phrases more and more complicated until the audience could no longer follow him. Max Fleischer would animate the song using Betty Boop as its main character.

The song would be used in many TV shows such as That Girl and Family Guy. In movies the song would be used in The Blues Brothers, Calloway would sing the song himself in the film. Cab Calloway would have a long and successful career. He would even star with Pearl Bailey in an all-black version of Jerry Herman’s Hello Dolly.

Ethel Waters
I Got Rhythm
This song would span the decades. Written by The Gershwin brothers, the song was originally sung by the great Ethel Merman in the show Girl Crazy. It would be used in An American in Paris starring Gene Kelly and made it to # 3 on the charts in 1967 when sung by The Happenings. Barbra Streisand and Brian Wilson also recorded the song and Merman would record a disco version in the 1970s.

Guy Lombardo
Goodnight Sweet Heart
The song was written by the British songwriting team of Ray Noble, Jimmy Campbell and Reg Connelly, and performed by such artists as Rudy Vallée, Bing Crosby, and Dean Martin, among others. The song appeared in two different films Stage Door Canteen and Holiday in Mexico.

Jacques Renard and his Orchestra
As Time Goes By
As Time Goes By was written by Herman Hupfeld and performed as hit by Jacques Renard and his Orchestra as well as Rudy Vallee that year. The song was performed first in the Broadway musical Everybody’s Welcome. This song would come into its full popularity in 1942 when it was sung in the film Casablanca. This song would appear on AFI’s 100 years 100 songs at #2.

Libby Holman
Love For sale
This was written in 1930 for the Broadway musical The New Yorkers. although it became popular it was considered scandalous at the time as it was sung by a prostitute describing her profession. The song was banned by radio stations at the time, but it would go on to be recorded many times in subsequent years.

Louis Armstrong
Lazy River
This song was written by Hoagy Carmichael and Sidney Arodin and published in 1930. The song began making it’s mark in 1931 when it was recorded by Louis Armstrong. The song would be recorded over and over by such artists as The Mills Brothers and Harry Connick Jr. The song was sung as a duet by Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett in an episode of The Lucy Show.

Paul Whiteman
Cuban Love Song
This song was the title for a 1931 film that told the story of a U.S. soldier who returns to Cuba to seek his illegitimate child. Directed by W.S. Van Dyke, and produced at MGM in 1931, the film starred Lawrence Tibbett, Lupe Velez, Jimmy Durante.

Ray Noble
Lady Of Spain
This song was written in 1931 by Robert Hargreaves, Tolchard Evans, Stanley J. Damerell, and Henry Tilsley. It would continue to be recorded and gain in popularity over the next decade and more. Artists like Bing Cosby, Eddie Fisher. The song was a sort of signature song for Lawrence Welk’s Accordionist Myron Floren.

Top Artists and Songs of 1931

Ben Selvin
Smile Darn Ya Smile

Bing Crosby
At Your Command
Dancing in the Dark
Just a Gigilo
Just One More Chance
Out of Nowhere

Cab Calloway and his Cotton Club Orchestra
Betwen the Devil and the Deep Blue SeaDoin’ The Rhumba
Kickin The Gong Around
Minnie The Moocher
Nobody’s Sweetheart
Six or Seven Times
St. James Infirmary
Tickeration

Clyde McCoy and his Orchestra
Sugar Blues

Duke Ellington
Blue Again
Creole Rhapsody (parts 1 & 2)
Limehouse Blues
Mood Indigo
Rockin’ In Rhthym

Ethel Waters
I Got Rhthym

Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians
Dancing in the Dark
I Found A Million Dollar Baby (In A Five and Dime Store)

Gene Autry and Jimmy Long
That Silver haired Daddy of Mine

Gus Arnheim and his Orchestra
I Surrender Dear
Sweet and Lovely

Guy Lombardo
By The River St. Marie
Good Night, Sweetheart
(There Ought To Be A) Moonlight Savings Time

Isham Jones
Stardust

Jacques Renard and his Orchestra
As Time Goes By
Cuban Love Song Kate Smith
When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain

Layton and Johnstone
Oh Donna Clara

Libby Holman
Love For Sale

Louis Armstrong
(I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead) You Rascal You
Lazy River
Stardust
The Peanut Vendor

Mills Brothers
Tiger Rag

Paul Whiteman
Cuban Love Song

Ray Noble
Lady of Spain

Red Nichols
I Got Rhthym

Rudy Vallee
As Time Goes By

Russ Columbo
Goodnight Sweetheart

Ruth Etting
Goodnight Sweetheart

Ruth Willis
Experience Blues

Smith Ballew
Time on my Hands (You in My Arms)

Ted Lewis and his Orchestra
Just A Gigilo
Somebody Loves You

The Carter Family
Lonesome Valley

Wayne King
Dream A Little Dream of Me
Good Night, Sweetheart
Wabash Moon

July 7, 1931

1930 Music: Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1930 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Al Jolson
Let Me Sing and I’m Happy
This song is another written by Irving Berlin. As the new decade started, Berlin had his hand in shaping American music, especially American popular songs. Let Me Sing and I’m Happy is sort of an ode to anyone who loves to sing. People who sing in Community Theater, in choirs, and in the shower, and this song was made for them. The song was recently resurrected for the stage musical Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

Benny Menoff and his Orchestra
Happy Days Are Here Again

The song was copyrighted in 1929 by Milton Ager (music) and Jack Yellen (lyrics). The song is best remembered as the campaign song for Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It has often been called the unofficial anthem for the Democratic Party. The song would be resurrected in the early 1960s by Barbra Streisand first as a single and then on her first album. Her take on the song would make it a ballad instead of the upbeat happy, hopeful song it was originally written as. Streisand would sing the song as a duet with Judy Garland. The song would be a Garland’s Get Happy medley in counterpoint to Streisand’s Happy Days. The performance would be recreated for an episode of GLEE and song by Rachel Berry and Kurt Hummel

Earl Burnett and his Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Orchestra
Puttin on the Ritz
This song was another hit for Berlin and is most associated with Fred Astaire. The title refers to the idea of getting dressed up to go out to someplace really nice or “swanky,” as the slang was used at the time. The Ritz was and is a very upscale hotel. The song would continue to be used. In films, it would be sung by Clark Gable in the film Idiot’s Delight. It would again be filmed in Mel Brookes’ Young Frankenstein. Puttin on the Ritz would hit the charts again in 1983 as recorded by Taco. It would be peak at # 4

Nat Shilkret
Get Happy
Get Happy was composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics written by Ted Koehler. It was originally performed in the musical The Nine Fifteen Revue by Ruth Etting. The song is most associated with Judy Garland from the film Summer Stock, which co-starred Gene Kelly. In 1939, Arlen would write the music for another Judy Garland standard, Somewhere over the Rainbow.

Red Nichols
Embraceable You
Written by George and Ira Gershwin for an operetta called East is West. Ginger Rogers would perform it again in the Broadway musical Girl Crazy. The song would continue to be recorded by artists like Frank Sinatra, Liberace, and Liza Minnelli. Liza’s mother, Judy Garland, performed the song in the film version of Girl Crazy.

Ruth Etting
Ten Cents A Dance
Written by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart, the song was published in 1930 and was first performed by Ruth Etting in the musical Simple Simon. The song is a lament sung by a woman who makes her living by dancing with strange men for money.

Ted Lewis and his Orchestra
On The Sunny Side of the Street

On The Sunny Side Of The Street was composed by Jimmy McHugh with lyrics by Dorothy Fields and introduced in the Broadway musical Lew Leslie’s International Revue, starring Harry Richman and Gertrude Lawrence. The song would be recorded many times by artists such as Willie Nelson, The Manhattan Transfer, and Rod Stewart.

Duke Ellington
Three Little Words
With music by Harry Ruby and lyrics by Bert Kalmar, the song would be used again and again and eventually become the name of a movie based on the lives of the songwriting team that created it. In the middle of the 1970s, the Advertising Council used a fully orchestrated version of the song in a series of Public Service Announcements about seat belt safety; the slogan for these commercials was “Seat belts: a nice way to say ‘I Love You’.”

Paul Whiteman
After You’ve Gone
Was actually written in 1918 by Turner Layton, with lyrics written by Henry Creamer and was originally recorded by Marion Harris in 1922. It would be recorded by Benny Goodman, Fats Waller and Phil Collins. It would be used by Ethel Merman in the TV show That Girl when Merman describes to Ann Marie (Marlo Thomas) how she was fired from her first night club job for singing too loud.

Take our 1930 Quiz!

Top Artists and Songs of 1930

Al Jolson
Let Me Sing and I’m Happy
To My Mammy

Ben Selvin
Happy Days Are Here Again
When It’s Springtime In The Rockies

Benny Meroff and his Orchestra
Happy Days Are Here Again

Beverly Hill Billies
When The Bloom Is On The Sage

Big Bill Broonzy
Somebody’s Been Using That Thing

Cab Calloway and his Cotton Club Orchestra
St Louis Blues

Carmen Miranda
Pra Voce Gostar De Min (Tahi)

Don Aziazu and His Havana Casino Orchestra
The Peanut Vendor

Duke Ellington
Ring Dem Bells
Three Little Words

Earl Burtnett & His Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Orchestra
Puttin On The Ritz
So Beats My Heart For You

Fred Astaire
Crazy Feet

Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians
Little White Lies

Guy Lombardo
Confessin’ That I Love You
You’re Driving Me Crazy! (What Did I Do?)

Harry Richman
Puttin’ On The Ritz

Hilo Hawaiian Orchestra
When It’s Springtime In The Rockies

Isham Jones
Trees
What’s The Use

Jack Payne and his Orchestra
My Baby Just cares For Me

Jimmy Rogers
Anniversary Blue Yodel

Leo Reisman
What Is This Thing Called Love?

Leslie Sarony
Bunky-Doodle-I-Doh

Louis Armstrong
If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight
Memories of You

McKinney’s Cotton Pickers
If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight

Mississippi Sheiks
Sitting on Top of the World

Nat Shilkret
Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
Get Happy

Paul Whiteman
Body & Soul
It happened In Monteray
Old New England Moon
Nobody’s Sweetheart
After You’ve Gone

Red Nichols
Embraceable You

Regent Club Orchestra
Dancing With Tears In My Eyes

Roy Ingraham
Chant of the Jungle

Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees
Betty Co-ed
Stein Song (University of Maine)

Ruth Etting
Ten Cents a Dance

Son House
Preachin Blues

Ted Lewis and his Orchestra
On the Sunny Side of the Street
Three O’Clock in the Morning

Ted Weems
My Baby Just Cares For Me

Van Phillips
I’m In The Market For You

July 7, 1930

1929 Music: Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1929 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Bert Ambrose
Tip Toe Through The Tulips
Written by Al Dubin (lyrics) and Joe Burke (music), the song was recorded by Nick Lucas in May of 1929. Lucas introduced the song in the 1929 talkie Gold Deggirs of Broadway. The song would stay at number one for 10 weeks on the charts. In 1969 Tiny Tim would bring this song back to charts with his recording. The song became popular again after Tiny Tim performed it on Rowan and Martins Laugh-In.

Cliff Edwards
Singin’ in the Rain

Not many songs have as varied a history as Singin in the Rain. It’s up-tempo music with lyrics full of hope that would continue to be remembered throughout the 20th century and into the 21st. The song was turned into a film in 1952 starring Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly. The film is considered by many as one of the best movies ever made.

The song was originally written by Arthur Freed lyrics and music by Nacio Herb Brown, and published in 1929. There are suggestions that the song was written and performed as early as 1927. Cliff Edwards would perform the song in the 1929 film musical The Hollywood Revue of 1929. This performance would be the opening of the film That’s Entertainment a retrospective of MGM musicals. The song would again be used in the film Speak Easily starring Jimmy Durante and again by Judy Garland in the film Little Nellie Kellie.

The song was used in the second season of GLEE as a mash-up with Umbrella. The song was sung by Mathew Morrison and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Eddie Cantor
Makin Whoopie
First popularized by Eddie Cantor in the 1928 musical Whoopee!. Walter Donaldson (music) and Gus Kahn( lyrics) for the song as well as for the entire musical. The song would go on to be recorded by Frank Sinatra, and as a duet by Danny Thomas and Doris Day. The song is about sexual intimacy both its good and its bad sides.

Johnny Hamp’s Kentucky Serenaders
If I Had A Talking Picture of You
If I Had a Talking Picture of You was by Lew Brown, B.G. Desilva, Ray Henderson. This song was probably inspired by the introduction of talking movies in 1929. It would later be sung as a period song for Peter Davidson’s title character of Campion in the BBC series.

Fats Waller
Ain’t Misbehavin
Fats Waller was a composer and songwriter that left a large library of great music that will live on forever after his much too short a life. Waller would be the first to record the song but he also performed the song in the 1943 film Stormy Weather. The song would go on to be recorded by such different artists as Johnny Ray and Bill Haley and The Comets. The song would also be the title of a musical revue in 1978 that showcased the jazz songs on the period.

Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees
Marie
This song was written by the great Irving Berlin in 1929. It would go on to be recorded by such artists as The Mills Brothers and Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra. One reason this recording is particularly memorable is because it is the first time Rudy Vallee would make his mark on the charts. Vallee would go on to make quite an impression on American culture as many would enjoy his songs as well as his personal style. One of the big crazes he started was the full-length raccoon coat.

Louis Armstrong
The Basin Street Blues
This song was originally written and published in 1926 but made its hit when Louis Armstrong made his recording in 1929. The song is actually about the Red Light District in The French Quarter of New Orleans.

Top Artists and Songs of 1929

Al Jolson
I’m In Seventh Heaven
Little Pal
Liza (All The Clouds’ll Roll)

Arnold Johnson and his Orchestra
Breakaway

Ben Selvin
My Sin

Bert Ambrose and his Orchestra
Tip-Toe Thru The Tulips With Me

Bessie Smith
Nobody Knows When You’re Down and Out
Take It Right Back

Bob Harring and the Copley Plaza Orchestra
Pagan Love Song

Charley Patton
Pony Blues

Clarence Smith
Pine Top’s Boogie Woogie

Cliff Edwards (Ukelele Ike)
Singin’ In The Rain

Coon-Sanders Orchestra
Little Orphan Annie

Eddie Cantor
Makin’ Whoopee

Ethel Waters
Am I Blue?

Fats Waller
Ain’t Misbehaving
Handful of Keys

Gene Austin
Carolina Moon
Wedding Bells Are Breaking Uo That Old Gang of Mine

George Olson
A Precious Little Thing Called Love

Gus Arnheim and his Orchestra
Sleepy Valley

Guy Lombardo
Sweethearts on Parade

Jimmy Rogers
Waiting For A Train

Johnny Hamp’s Kentucky Serenaders
If I Had A talking Picture of You

Leo Reisman
Ain’t Misbehavin’
The Wedding of the Painted Doll

Louis Armstrong
Basin Street Blues
St James Infirmary
When You’re Smiling

Marion Harris
Nobody’s Using It Now

Maurice Chevalier
Louise

Meade Lux Lewis
Honky Tonk Train Blues

Nat Shilkret
You Were Meant For Me

Nick Lucas
Painting the Clouds With Sunshine
Tip Toe Thru The Tulips With Me

Paul Whiteman
Great Day

Peter Dawson
The Admiral’s Room

Rudy Valley and his Connecticut Yankees
Coquette
Deep Night
Honey
Lonely Troubador
Marie

Ruth Etting
Exactly Like You

Stanley Lupino
I Lift Up My Finger and I Say Tweet Tweet

The Carter Family
I’m Thinking Tonight of Two Blue Eyes

July 7, 1929

1928 Music: Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1928 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Al Jolson
My Mammy
Music by Walter Donaldson and lyrics by Joe Young, this song was one of Al Jolson’s most popular recordings and one that he would be remembered for, as he would film it three times. First in 1927s The Jazz Singer, second in 1928s, The Singing Fool and third in 1939 in a film entitled The Rose of Washington Square.
Curiously it was not Jolson who originally introduced the song. It was William Frawley of TVs I love Lucy who first sang it in a Vaudeville style act. Jolson heard the song and made it his own.

Al Jolson
Sonny Boy
The song was written by Ray Henderson, Bud De Sylva, and Lew Brown, and sung by Al Jolson in 1928’s The Singing Fool. The song would hit number one and stay there for 12 weeks. The recording Jolson made would make a million copies sold mark. Sonny Boy would become a hit for Eddie Fisher in the 1950s and would be used and referred to often in television show Queer As Folk.

Bertolt Brecht
Mack The Knife
Composed by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht for the musical The Three Penny Opera. The show was originally performed in Germany, but the song made it to The United States. When the show itself made its appearance in the U.S. it had a very short run in 1933, only to be resurrected in 1956 where it played off-Broadway for over six years.

Mack The Knife would hit the charts on both the United States and The United Kingdom when Bobby Darin Recorded it in 1959. Others to record the song would be Louis Armstrong and Jerry Orbach, best known as Lt Lenny Briscoe in TVs long-running Law and Order.

Cliff Edwards
I Can’t Give You Anything But Love
Jimmy McHugh (music) and Dorothy Fields (lyrics) This song’s origins are actually a bit obscured. There is some evidence to suggest that Fats Waller wrote the music and sold it to Mchugh. But whatever it’s beginning, the song would be recorded again and again by such artists as Judy Garland and Doris Day.

Bing Crosby
Ol’ Man River
This song had been around for a year before it became popular in 1928. It was part of the Musical Show Boat which debuted in 1927 and had many firsts including being the first Broadway Show to allow white and black people onstage together. One of the most important things about this 1928 recording is that it put Bing Crosby on the charts for the first time. Crosby would go on to become a recording, movie and TV star. Ol’ Man River was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein.

George Metaxa
Sweet Sue Just You
This song as originally recorded in 1928 was played sweetly. With music by Victor Young and lyrics by Will J Harris, the song would become more popular in the mid-1930s when the song would be played in more of a swing style. The song was recorded many times by artists like Bing Crosby. It was used to prove Lucy Ricardo’s inability to sing in the I Love Lucy episode Breaking The Lease.

Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians
I Scream You Scream We All Scream For Ice Cream
These days the song is remembered more for its title than any other reason. The song was written by Howard Johnson, Billy Moll, and Robert A. K. King. The title, at least, has been used in TV shows as different as The Two Fat Ladies and Barney.

Helen Kane
I Wanna Be Loved By You
Written by Herbert Stothart and Harry Ruby, with lyrics by Bert Kalmar, for the 1928 musical “Good Boy”. The song became a hit when recorded by Helen Kane who would go on to be known as the Boop-Boop-a-Doop Girl. Miss Kane would be the inspiration for the cartoon character Betty Boop. The song has remained a standard and may best be remembered as sung by Marilyn Munroe in the movie Some Like It Hot

Marion Harris
The Man I Love
This song was originally written for the musical Lady Be Good, by George and Ira Gershwin and entitled The Girl I love. The song was cut from the show. It would be later rewritten as The Man I Love and then cut from the 1927 anti-war musical Strike Up The Band. Florenz Ziegfeld would also try to use it in his show Rosalie and for a third time, the song would be cut. It became popular as an independent song and would be recorded often. The song was used most recently in an episode of Agatha Christie’s Marple called At Bertram’s Hotel.

Nat Shilkret
The Sidewalks of New York
“The Sidewalks of New York” is a song about life in New York City during the 1890s. It was created by lyricist James W. Blake and vaudeville actor and composer Charles B. Lawlor in 1894. The song is also known by the title East Side West Side. The song became a popular recording in 1928 but would go on to be recorded by Mel Torme, Duke Ellington and The Grateful Dead.

Top Artists and Songs of 1928

Al Jolson
My Mammy
Sonny Boy
There’s A Rainbow Round My Shoulder

Pinetop Smith
Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie

Ben Bernie
Let’s Misbehave

Bertolt Brecht
Mack The Knife

Bessie Smith
Empty Bed Blues

Bing Crosby
Ol’ Man River

Blind Willie McTell
Statesboro Blues

Cliff Edwards (Ukelele like)
I Can’t Give You Anything But Love (dear)
Just Like A Melody Out Of The Sky

Coon-Sanders Orchestra
Is She My Girl Friend?

Duke Ellington
Black and Tan Fantasy
Creole Love Call

Earl Burtnett and his Los Angelos Biltmore Hotel Orchestra
Sweet Sue, Just You

Emmitt Miller and his Georgia Crackers
Lovesick Blues

Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians
I Scream You Scream We All Scream For Ice Cream
Laugh Clown Laugh!

Gene Austin
Jeannine (I Dream of Lilac Time)
My Melancholy Baby
Ramona

George Metaxa
Sweet Sue, Just You

Harold Collins and his Orchestra
Fashionhette

Helen Kane
I Wanna Be Loved By You
That’s My Weakness Now

Helen Morgan
Bill

Jimmie Rodgers
Brakeman’s Blues
In The Jailhouse Now
T for Texas (Blue Yodel Number 1)

Louis Armstrong
Fireworks
Struttin’ With Some Barbecue
Weather Bird
West End Blues

Marion Harris
The Man I Love

Maurice Ravel
Bolero

Mississippi John Hurt
Frankie

Nat Shilkret
The Sidewalks of New York

Paul Robeson
Ol’ Man River

Paul Whiteman
Among My Souvenirs
My Angel
Ramona
Together

Ruth Etting
Love Me Or Leave Me
The Song is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On)

Ted Lewis and his Orchestra
Is Everybody Happy Now?

The Carter Family
Keep On The Sunny Side
Wildwood Flower

July 7, 1928

1927 Music: Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1927 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Ben Bernie
I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover
Written by Harry Woods and Mort Dixon the song has a long history of being remade. It was used in more than one of Warner Brothers Merrie Melody cartoons. The song is a staple for St. Patrick’s Day and was even parodied in 1973, the title changed to I’m Looking over My dead Dog Rover. The song has been adopted as an anthem for Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union and The Son’s of Ben, the team supporters, sing it at every home game. In 2012 the song was recorded again by Willie Nelson.

Ben Bernie
Ain’t She Sweet.
Was written by Milton Ager and Jack Yellen, both of whom have places in the Song Writers Hall Of Fame. The song would continue to record across the 20th century by such artists as Pearl Bailey, Guy Lombardo, and The Beatles.

Ben Selvin
Blue Skies
Blue Skies was written by Irving Berlin who plays an important role in the first half of the 20th century in American Pop Music. It would go across the century and into the 21sr century being recorded again and again by such artists as Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Debbie Boone and Rod Stewart.

The song was written by Berlin as an added song to the Rodger’s and Hart Musical, Betsy. The song would live on, but the musical closed after 39 performances.
Blue Skies would go to be performed both on television movies and Broadway shows. The song had a movie named after it and joined other Berlin songs that have that honor such as White Christmas, Easter Parade and There’s No Business Like Show Business. Most recently the song was brought back to life in a production number for the Broadway production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

George Olson
The Best Things in Life Are Free.
This song is from the 1927 musical Good News, book by Laurence Schwab and B.G. DeSylva, lyrics by DeSylva and Lew Brown, and music by Ray Henderson. The story surrounds a college football player who needs to pass an exam in order to play in the big game that weekend. He gets a tutor to help study and during their study time, this song is sung.

This is another song that would make its way across the rest of the 20th century. Being recorded by June Allyson Joe Stafford, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand. There would be a film named after the song in 1956, based on the lives of the writers.

Gertrude Lawrence
Someone to Watch Over Me
Someone To Watch Over Me was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the musical Oh Kay, which still is done, on occasion, by community theatre groups. The song would be introduced by Gertrude Lawrence, who would remain a top Broadway name for many years. She would eventually go on to play the lead of Anna Leonowens in Rodger’s and Hammerstein the King and I. The King and I was written specifically for her and at her request. The interesting thing about the show is Gertrude Lawrence would fade and he C0-Saty Yul Brynner would begin to rise. The King and I would be his most remembered role.

The song would grow in popularity and be regularly rerecorded by such singers as Rosemary Clooney, Linda Ronstadt, Sting, Brian Wilson and as late as 2011 by Susan Boyle. The song was performed 3 times on American Idol. It was used as an instrumental in the second season of GLEE and Lady Gaga would perform the song on the Today Show. Proving this song is timeless. The video provided is Julie Andrews singing the song in the movie STAR which was the life of Gertrude Lawrence.

Hoagy Carmichael
Stardust
Stardust was originally an instrumental written by Hoagy Carmichael in 1927. Two years later lyricist Mitchell Paris would write lyrics for the song based on ideas that both he and Carmichael had discussed. The song would go on to be recorded by Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Ringo Starr and as recently as 2009 by Michael Buble.

Whispering Jack Smith
Me and my Shadow
The song was originally written by Al Jolson, Billy Rose, and Dave Dreyer. The truth may be that Jolson contributed very little to the song. The song is a standard that was still being played on the radio as late as the 1960s. Artists that recorded the song include Michael Ball and Antonio Banderas, Perry Como, Lou Rawls and Mandy Patinkin.

Paul Whiteman
Side by Side
“Side by Side” is a popular song from 1927 with lyrics by Gus Kahn and music by Harry M. Woods. It is still considered a standard though not as well know today as in the 20th century. The song has been recorded by many artists including Bruce Willis and Danny Aiello for Hudson Hawk, Hayley Mills and Paul Anka, but is probably best known in a 1953 recording by Kay Starr.

Vaughn De Leath
Are You Lonesome Tonight
Vaughn De Leath was also known as The Original Radio Girl actually recorded this song twice in 1927 on June 13 as a solo and again on September 21 as the vocalist for The Colonial Club Orchestra. The song would continue to be popular but rise to mega popularity when Elvis Presley recorded it in 1960. It would remain number one on the Billboard charts for 6 weeks.

Vernon Dalhart
Lucky Lindy
Lucky Lindy was written in honor of Charles Lindbergh’s historic flight between New York and Paris in a single-seat single-engine plane called The Spirit of St Louis on May 21 thru the 22, 1927. He was 25 years old and would have careers as an aviator, author, explorer and social activist.

Top Artists and Songs of 1927

Ben Bernie
Ain’t She Sweet?
I’m Looking Over a Four Leave Clover

Ben Selvin
Blue Skies

Bessie Smith
A Good Man Is Hard To Find
After You’ve Gone

Bix Beiderbecke
At The Jazz Band Ball
In A Mist

Blind Lemon Jefferson
Black Snake Moan
Matchbox Blues

Blind Willie Johnson
Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground

DeFord Bailey
Pan American Blues

Frankie Trumbauer
Singin’ The Blues

Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians
Sweetheart of Sigma Chi

Gene Austin
Forgive Me
My Blue Heaven
Tonight You Belong To Me

George Olson
At Sundown (When Love Is Calling Me Home)
Blue Skies
The Best Things In Life Are Free
Varsity Drag

Gertrude Lawrence
Someone To Watch Over Me

Guy Lombardo
Charmaine!

Hoagy Carmichael
Stardust

Ipana Troubadors
Mary Lou

Irving Kaufman
The Little White House (At the End of Honeymoon Lane)

Jack Smith
Me and My Shadow

Jelly Roll Morton
Wolverine Blues (also heard in Woody Allen’s 1973 film, Sleeper)
Mr Jelly Lord

Jimmie Rogers
The Soldier’s Sweetheart

Lewis James
Charmain

Louis Armstrong
Potato Head Blues

Moran and Mack
Two Black Crows, Parts 1 & 2 (The Early Bird Catches The Worm)

Nat Shilkret
Flapperette

Nick Lucas
I’m Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover

Paul Whiteman
In A Little Spanish Town
My Blue Heaven
Side By Side

Red Nicols
Ida, Sweet as Apple Cider

Roger Wolfe Kahn and his Orchestra
Russian Lullaby

Ruth Etting
Shaking the Blues Away

Sophie Tucker and Ted Lewis
Some of These Days

Sophie Tucker
I Ain’t Got Nobody

Vaughn Deleath
Are You Lonesome Tonight?

Vernon Dalhart and Carson Robison
My Blue Ridge Mountain Home
My Carolina Home

Vernon Dalhart
Lindburgh (Eagle of the USA)
Lucky Lindy

July 7, 1927

1926 Music: Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1926 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Al Jolson
I’m Sittin on Top Of The World
I’m Sitting On Top Of The World was written by Ray Henderson, with lyrics by Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young. It was a 1925 hit for Al Jolson but went on to be recorded by many others including Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Brenda Lee and Willie Nelson.

When the Red Robin Comes Bob Bob Bobbin Along
“When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along)” is a 1926 popular song written by songwriter Harry M. Woods. The song was an instant hit for, Al Jolson, reached #1 on the Billboard charts with his version of the song although other performers recorded it the same year. The song would go on to be recorded by Doris Day and Dean Martin. The song would appear as children’s song issued by The Peter Pan Record label.

Gene Austin
Bye Bye Blackbird
Bye, Bye, Blackbird” is a song that was published in 1926 by the composer Ray Henderson and lyricist Mort Dixon. It is a popular standard and has been recorded by many artists including John Coltrane, Bing Crosby, Joe Cocker and most recently in 2012 by Paul Mccartney. Liza Minelli used the song in her 1972 television concert entitled Liza With A Z (See video). In an episode of The Partridge Family the song was sung by Ray Bolger, who played Shirley Jones Father.

Gene Austin
Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue (Has Anybody Seen My Gal)
The song’s title is usually known as Has Anybody Seen My Gal. And it’s origins are not quite known. The song was originally out around 1914 and more than one person took credit for its composition. When the song became a hit in 1926 it’s music and words were changed a bit by Ray Henderson,(music) Sam M. Lewis and Joseph Widow Young (lyrics). This version of the song would be the one to endure.

George Olson
Always
“Always” was written by Irving Berlin in 1926. It was a wedding gift for bride Ellin McKay whom he married the same year. Not only was the song for her, but he also gave her the royalties too. This song would truly go on to be a pop standard and has been recorded by Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, and most recently by Sir Paul McCartney in 2012. Frank Sinatra sang the song during the celebration of Berlin’s one-hundredth birthday in 1988. Berlin would die the following year.

Whispering Jack Smith
Baby Face
The music was written by Harry Akst, the lyrics by Benny Davis. It was recorded by numerous artists over the years such as Little Richard and Paul McCartney. The song was also sung by Julie Andrews in the 1967 movie musical Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Whispering Jack Smith
Gimme a Little Kiss Will Ya Huh
The song was written and composed by Maceo Pinkard. Pinkard was born in 1897 and was considered one of the greatest composers of the Harlem Renaissance. Not only was he a prolific songwriter he also was an orchestra conductor and eventually founded his own music publishing frim Maceo Pinkard Music.

Paul Whiteman
Birth of the Blues
The music was written by Ray Henderson, the lyrics by Buddy G. DeSylva and Lew Brown. It was Introduced by Paul Whiteman in 1926. The song would have a long history and would be a hit for Frank Sinatra. Bing Crosby would star in a movie inspired by the song title.

Vincent Lopez
Show Me The Way To Go Home
The piece is a folk song that was made famous by James Campbell and Reginald Connelly, a British songwriting team who wrote the lyrics after a railroad trip where they had had a few drinks. The song soon traveled across the Atlantic and became a hit in 1926. The song has been used in movies and TV and theater, as an example in Tennessee Williams Cat on A Hot Tin Roof. And was used recently in an episode of The Family Guy.

Top Artists and Songs of 1926

Al Jolson
I’m Sitting On Top Of The World
When the Red Red Robin Comes Bob-Bob-Bobbin’ Along

Ben Bernie
Reaching For The Moon
Sleepy Time Gal

Ben Selvin
Valencia

Bessie Smith
Lost Your Head Blues

Blind Blake
Come On Boys Let’s Do That Messin’ Around

Blind Lemon Jefferson
Long Lonesome Blues

Cliff Edwards (Ukelele Ike)
Dinah

Duke Ellington
Birmingham Breakdown
East St Louis Tootle-oo

Ernst Hare and Billy Jones
That Certain Party

Fred Astaire and George Gershwin
Fascinating Rhythm

Gene Austin
Bye Bye Blackbird
Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue
Ya Gotta Know How To Love

George Olson
Always
Horses
Sunny
Who?

Gertrude Lawrence
Do, Do, Do

Henry Hall and his Orchestra
Bird Song at Eventide

Gid Tanner and His Skillet Lickers
Turkey In De Straw

Ipana Troubadors
Baby Face

Irving Kaufman
Tonight You Belong To Me

Isham Jones
I Lost My Heart in Monterey (When I Found You)

Whispering Jack Smith
Baby Face
Gimme A Little Kiss Will Ya Huh

Jan Garber
Baby Face

Jelly Roll Morton
Black Bottom Stomp
Sidewalk Blues
Wolverine Blues

Johnny Marvin
Breezin’ Along With the Breeze

Lewis James
Am I Wasting My Time On You?

Louis Armstrong
Big Butter and Egg man
Heebie Jeebies
Muskrat Ramble

Nick Lucas
Sleepy Time Gal

Paul Whiteman
The Birth of the Blues
Velencia

Pedro Celestino
Ava Maria

Ted Lewis and his Orchestra
I’ve Found A New Baby

The Kentucky Serenaders
Black Bottom

The Revelers
Lucky Day
The Birth of the Blues

Vernon Dalhart
Miami Storm

Vincent Lopez
Always
Show Me The Way To Go Home

July 6, 1926

1925 Music: Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1925 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Vincent Lopez
I Want To Be Happy
The song was written for the 1925 musical No No Nannette and is one of the most remembered pieces from the show. It was recorded first by Carl Fenton but hit the charts with the Vincent Lopez recording. The song would go onto be recorded by orchestra leader great Benny Goodman and crooner, Bing Crosby.

Ben Bernie
Sweet Georgia Brown
Sweet Georgia Brown is both a jazz and pop tune standard it was originally written in 1925 by Maceo (music) and Ben Bernie (lyrics). Ben Bernie would be the first to record it along with his Hotel Roosevelt Orchestra on March 19th. The song would stay at #1 for five weeks. The song would go on to be recorded by Ray Charles, Nancy Sinatra and Roberta Flack. Dixie Carter did a hysterical version in an episode of Designing Women. But the song is most widely known as the theme song for basketball’s Harlem Globetrotters.

Ben Selvin
Manhattan
Manhattan was written by the songwriting team of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart and would endure as one of their most popular songs. The song was originally written for the Garrick Gaieties Revue in 1925 and was sung by Sterling Halloway who would later become the original voice of Walt Disney’s Winnie the Pooh.

Manhattan would long endure and be recorded by such artists as Mickey Rooney, Rod Stewart, and Bette Midler. It was recently recorded by John Barrowman Doctor Who and Torchwood’s Captain Jack Harkness.

Blossom Seeley
Yes sir that’s my Baby
Music by Walter Donaldson and lyrics by Gus Kahn, the song has a fascinating story about its composition, which may or may not be true. The story is reprinted here from Wikipedia.

According to one source, the song was written when Donaldson & Kahn were visiting Eddie Cantor. Cantor’s daughter Marjorie brought out one of her favorite toys, a walking mechanical pig. She wound it up and it started walking in rhythm while 2 notes kept coming from the little creature. Kahn was inspired and started working lyrics to these notes in rhythm with the pig, coming up with the title and the opening line of the chorus in short order. The song has been recorded in many different styles, such as Jazz, Rock, Marimba and Country.

Eddie Cantor
If You knew Susie
“If You Knew Susie” written by Buddy DeSylva and Joseph Meyer. The song, written in 1925 was Cantor’s best-known hit from the 1920s. It stayed as the United States Number One song for five weeks.

John McCormack
John McCormack, an Irish tenor and one of the most celebrated singers of the early 20th century, was known for his diverse repertoire that ranged from opera to Irish folk songs.
Moonlight and Roses
Moonlight and Roses originally had no title but was simply known as op. 83 #2 when it was first written in 1888 by Edwin Lemare. Lemare did not attach any words to the song either. It was in 1921 that American Songwriters Ben Black and Neil Moret added words to the music without permission. Lamare, still alive threatened legal action in 1925 and received a share of the royalties. Lamare originally received 3 shillings in 1892 for his composition in 1925 he finally received good money for his work.

Marion Anderson
Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen
This song is actually a spiritual or worship song. Though originally sung and on the charts by Marion Anderson, the best-known version is probably the one recorded by Louis Armstrong. The song has been used many times both in TV and Films the interesting point here is it has been used mostly in comedies and children’s entertainment.

Marion Harris
Tea For Two
Tea for Two was another memorable hit from the musical No No Nannette. It is a simple song and easy to remember and whistle. Recorded several times, by many different artists. The name of the song was used as a title for the 1950 movie musical which was a reworking of the original Broadway show and starred Doris Day. The song has been recorded by Tommy Dorsey, Liberace, and was used many times on the popular Television show The Lawrence Welk Show.

Paul Whiteman
Charleston
Charleston is a song that was created to go specifically with the Charleston dance which was all the rage in the 1920s. It was originally performed by Paul Whiteman and popular on both sides of the Atlantic. One memorable movie that used the song was It’s A Wonderful Life as Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed dance themselves into the school swimming pool.

Paul Whiteman
Lady Be Good
Lady Be Good was the title song of a Broadway show that debuted in 1924. The song was written by Guy Bolton, Fred Thompson, and the Gershwin brothers. The song was sung in the show by Walter Catlett, but the show’s stars were Fred and Adele Astaire. Fred would later go on to become a movie legend. Eventually, the song would be recorded by Astaire as well as the likes of Benny Goodman and Ella Fitzgerald.

Top Artists and Songs of 1925

Al Jolson
All Alone

Ben Bernie
Sweet Georgia Brown

Ben Selvin
Manhattan
Sentimental Me

Bennie Moten’s Kansas City Orchestra
South

Berthe Sylva
Les Roses Blanches

Bessie Smith
Careless Love Blues
I Ain’t Gonna Play No Second Fiddle
I Ain’t Got Nobody
St Louis Blues

Blossom Seeley
Alabamy Bound
Yes Sir! That’s My Baby

Carl Fenton
Alone At Last

Charlie Poole
Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down

Cliff Edwards (Ukelele Ike)
Paddlin’ Madelin’ Home

Cyril Norman
When Sergeant Major’s On Parade

Eddie Cantor
If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)

Ernest Van Stoneman
The Titanic

Ethel Waters
Dinah

Fiddlin’ John Carson
Old Dan Tucker

Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians
Collegiate

Gene Austin
Yes Sir! That’s My Baby

Harry Lauder
Keep Right on to the End of The Road

Isham Jones and Ray Miller
I’ll See You In My Dreams

Isham Jones
Manhattan
Remember

John McCormack
All Alone
Moonlight and Roses
When You & I Were Sweet Seventeen

Ma Rainey
Jealous Hearted Blues
See See Rider Blues

Marian Anderson
Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen

Marion Harris
Tea For Two (Cha Cha)
When You and I Were Sixteen

Paul Robeson
Steal Away

Paul Whiteman
All Alone
Charleston
Honey, I’m In Love With you
Manhattan
Oh Lady Be Good

Ted Lewis and his Orchestra
O! Katharina

Vernon Dalhart
The Letter Edged in Black
The Prisoner’s Song

July 6, 1925

Love Songs of the 40s and 50s

Love Songs of the 1940s and 1950s

Whether you’re creating an old school playlist for an evening with your special partner, planning an oldies event, or a classically themed Valentine’s Day, this soft pop romance-filled hit list from the 1940s and 50s is sure to create the background atmosphere of the era.

1. Sea Of Love – Phil Phillips

2. Earth Angel – The Penguins

3. Unforgettable – Nat King Cole

4. Love Me Tender – Elvis Presley

5. Sleepwalk – Santo and Johnny

6. Star Dust – Artie Shaw

7. You Send Me – Sam Cooke

8. In The Still of The Night – Five Satins

9. Only You (And You Alone) – The Platters

10. That’s Amore – Dean Martin

11. It’s All in The Game – Tommy Edwards

12. Sentimental Journey – Les Brown with Doris Day

13. Walkin’ After Midnight Patsy Cline

14. A Kiss To Build A Dream On – Louis Armstrong

15. As Time Goes By – Dooley Wilson

16. Put Your Head On My Shoulder – Paul Anka

17. For Your Precious Love – Jerry Butler & the Impressions

18. Come Softly To Me – the Fleetwoods

19. Memories Are Made of This – Dean Martin

20. Chances Are – Johnny Mathis

21. Sleepy Lagoon – Harry James

22. It’s Just a Matter of Time – Brook Benton

23. Pledging My Love – Johnny Ace

24. That Lucky Old Sun – Frankie Laine

25. Green Eyes – Jimmy Dorsey (Bob Eberly & Helen O’Connell)

26. My Baby Just Cares for Me – Nina Simone

27. That’s My Desire – Frankie Laine

28. Till The End Of Time – Perry Como

29. I’ll Be Seeing You – Tommy Dorsey with Frank Sinatra

30. All I Have To Do Is Dream – Everly Brothers

31. (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons – Nat King Cole

32. I Only Have Eyes For You – Flamingos

33. Moonlight Cocktail – Glenn Miller

34. Nature Boy – Nat “King” Cole

35. I Don’t Want To Set The World On Fire – Horace Heidt & His Musical Knights

36. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing – Four Aces

37. Always – Ella Fitzgerald

38. All the Way – Frank Sinatra

39. Let’s Do It (Lets Fall in Love) – Ella Fitzgerald

40. To Each His Own – The Ink Spots

41. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes – The Platters

42. To Know Him Is to Love Him – The Teddy Bears

43. Twelfth of Never – Johnny Mathis

44. Maria Elena – Jimmy Dorsey with Bob Everly

45. Because Of You Tony Bennett

46. April Love – Pat Boone

47. What Is This Thing Called Love? – Frank Sinatra

48. Crazy He Calls Me – Billie Holiday

49. I’ve Heard That Song Before – Harry James (Helen Forrest)

50. Soul on Fire – LaVern Baker

February 5, 1925

1924 Music: Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1924 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Al Jolson
California Here I Come has a long and curious history on Broadway, in movies, in television, in politics, and in military history. The song was originally written in 1921 for the Broadway show Bombo by Buddy DeSylva and Joseph Meyers. Al Jolson was often listed as a co-author. The song was a choice for the California State Song, which was finally defeated in 1988 by a song entitled I Love You California.

California Here I Come was often used in Warner Brothers Cartoons as background music for a Character’s hasty departure. In Movies, the song was used in the 1934 film It’s a Gift starring W.C. Fields And as the main title song for the film Back To Bataan.

There is one, possibly iconic rendition of the song. It was performed in episode 110 of I Love Lucy as Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel cross the George Washington Bridge on their way to California, where Ricky is to star in an MGM movie. The image of the characters in the car is currently available on postcards, posters, and other merchandise.

The song was played by the ship’s band of the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown as the ship steamed out of Pearl Harbor on its way to the battle of Midway. The song may have been used as a subterfuge to make the Japanese believe the ship was heading for the mainland, not Midway.

Richard Nixon requested that the song be played at his funeral, and Ronald and Nancy Reagan boarded Air Force One as the song was played on the day he left Washington, Los Angeles, after his two terms as President.

Vernon Dalhart, born Marion Try Slaughter on April 6, 1883, in Jefferson, Texas, was an American singer and songwriter who gained popularity during the early 20th century. He is known for contributing to country and popular music and is considered one of the first country music stars. Dalhart initially pursued a career in opera, but he transitioned to popular music and adopted the stage name “Vernon Dalhart” after two Texas towns.

The Prisoner’s Song is a song recorded by Vernon Dalhart in 1924. This melancholic ballad tells the story of a prisoner who longs for freedom and dreams of reuniting with his loved one. The song was a massive commercial success and became one of the best-selling records of the era, with sales estimates ranging between 6 to 10 million copies. It is often regarded as one of the earliest country and hillbilly hits and played a significant role in popularizing this genre of music.

Clarence Williams’ Blue 5
Everybody Loves My Baby
A popular Jazz song, it was written in 1924 by Spencer Williams, music and Jack Palmer Lyrics. This Recording was particularly important; a young Louis Armstrong was part of the recording artists Clarence William Blue 5. The song would remain popular throughout the 20th century and would be sung by Doris Day in the 1955 film, Love Me or Leave Me. Later in 1967, Rosalind Russell would sing the song as an anthem for her title character of Rosie, In the film that was based on the Play A Very Rich Woman.

The song title (more specifically, the grammatically corrected “…but my baby loves nobody but me” in some covered versions) has frequently led teachers and students of propositional logic to jestingly accuse [2 the song’s narrator of narcissism: The first half of the title, “everybody loves my baby,” implies “my person, then my baby does not love that person”), is logically equivalent to “if my baby loves a given person, then I am that person.”

The latter statement implies “if my baby loves my baby, then I am my baby.” From “if my baby loves my baby, then I am my baby” and “my baby loves my baby” it follows that “I am my baby.” (Throughout the above, the universe of discourse is restricted to persons.) – Taken From Wikipedia.

Cliff Edwards
It Had To Be You
The Music for this song was written by Isham Jone and the lyrics by Gus Kahn. The song has a long history both in recordings and films. The song has been recorded by Dorothy Lamour, Betty Hutton, Frank Sinatra, Don Mclean, Harry Connick JR. and Tony Bennett. In 2011, Bennett would record the song for the third time on his popular album Duets II, with Carrie Underwood.
In movies It Had To Be You was part of such films as, The Roaring 20s (1939).

It was sung by Danny Thomas in the film I’ll See You In My Dreams. The Danny Thomas film was loosely based on the life of the song’s lyricist Gus Kahn. It was used in 1942’s Casablanca. It was performed by Diane Keaton in Woody Allen’s film Annie Hall and as recently used in the film A League of their own.

On television, it was song was sung to Gilligan by Ginger in The situation comedy Gilligan’s Island.

Ernest Hare and Billy Jones
Hinky Dinky Parley Voo.
The actual title of the song is Mademoiselle from Armentières. The song was sung during WW I but was originally composed in 1830 and was popular with the French military, and the original words told of the encounter of an innkeeper’s daughter, named Mademoiselle de Bar le Luc, with two German officers. It was considered a risqué song in the 1930s… The song has been used in such TV shows as The Waltons and The Golden Girls.

Rhapsody in Blue
Composed by George Gershwin
Paul Whiteman commissioned George Gershwin to write Rhapsody for his 1924 concert at the Aeolian Hall in February. He specifically asked for a concerto-like piece that Gershwin wrote combining Classical music with jazz-like effects. The Concert was entitled An Experiment in Modern Music and was performed on February 12, 1924. Many inflectional composers were at the concert specifically to hear Rhapsody in Blue: John Phillip Sousa and Sergei Rachmaninoff. George Gershwin accompanied Whiteman’s Palais Royal Orchestra, on Piano.

The reviews were not good; in fact, some were scathing. The best of the lot was written by Leonard Bernstein, who loved Rhapsody. The article appeared in The Atlantic Monthly in 1955 and is repeated here in part.

“The Rhapsody is not a composition at all. It’s a string of separate paragraphs stuck together. The themes are terrific – inspired and God-given. I don’t think there has been such an inspired melodist on this earth since Tchaikovsky. But if you want to speak of a composer, that’s another matter. Your Rhapsody in Blue is not a real composition in the sense that whatever happens in it must seem inevitable. You can cut parts of it without affecting the whole. You can remove any of these stuck-together sections and the piece still goes on as bravely as before. It can be a five-minute piece or a twelve-minute piece. And in fact, all these things are being done to it every day. And it’s still the Rhapsody in Blue.”

The public however loved the piece and by the end of 1927 Whiteman had played it 84 times and the recording had sold a million copies. Whiteman later adapted the Rhapsody as his band theme song and opened his radio program with the slogan, “Everything is new but The Rhapsody in blue.

The piece took on its own life has been recorded by many orchestras over the years. It has influenced modern music and composers as different as Brian Wilson and AC/DC. In sports, Rhapsody was played by 84 pianists at the opening of the 1988 Summer Olympic. In TV the piece was used recently in Glee and across the pond in Doctor Who.

Rhapsody in Blue is considered to be a musical portrait of NYC, and as such will always be groundbreaking into new ground with new artists. Rhapsody in Blue is considered to be a musical portrait of NYC, and as such will always be around. Disney used Rhapsody in it’s Fantasia 2000.

What’ll I Do
Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin would write many of America’s most popular songs from the 1920s through the 1950s His musical comedy scores would include Annie Get Your Gun, Call Me Madam and many others. Hollywood beckoned him and there he wrote for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers. He composed White Christmas for the Bing Crosby movie Holiday Inn.

Berlin himself at least as far into the 1970s was Probably America’s best-known composer and lyricist. Irving Berlin wrote what’ll I Do in 1923 for his Music Box Revue. It would be recorded over and over again by many different artists these including Cher, Judy Garland, Pat Boone, Anne Murray, Linda Ronstadt, Frank Sinatra, Harry Nilsson and Joey Lawrence.

The song is a beautiful melodic question. Asking what’ll I do because you are gone. The song was also sung in the 1974 film, The Great Gatsby.

Take our 1924 Quiz!

Top Artists and Songs of 1924

Al Jolson
California, Here I Come – is often called the unofficial state song of California.
I Wonder What’s Become of Sally?
I’m Goin’ South
Mandolay

Arcadian Serenaders
Bobby Haired Bobby

Arthur Gibbs and his Gang
Charleston

Benny Krueger (June 17, 1899 – April 29, 1967)
Deep In My Heart

Bert Firman
Pasadena

Clara Smith – ‘Queen of the Moaners’
Chicago Blues

Clarence Williams’ Blue Five (October 8, 1898 – November 6, 1965)
Everybody Loves My Baby
‘Tain’t Nobody’s Bus’ness If I Do

Cliff Edwards (Ukelele Ike) – was the voice of Jiminy Cricket in Walt Disney’s Pinocchio (1940)
It Had To Be You

Ernest Hare and Billy Jones
Hinky Dinky Parley Voo

Franklyn Baur
Deep In My Heart

Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians – Fred was known as “The Man Who Taught America How to Sing.”
Memory Lane
Sleep

George Gershwin
Rhapsoy In Blue

Irving Kaufman
What’ll I Do?

Isham Jones
It Had To Be You
Nobody’s Sweetheart
Spain

Jelly Roll Morton
King Porter Stomp

Marion Harris
It Had To Be You
Jealous
There’ll Be Some Changes Made

Paul Whiteman
I’m Goin’ South
It had To Be You
Lazy
Limehouse Blues
Linger A While
Rhapsody in Blue – Signature Song
Rose Marie
Somebody Loves You After All
Spain
There’s Yes! Yes! In Your Eyes!
What’ll I Do?
Why Did I Kiss That Girl?

Riley Puckett
Little Old Cabin in the Lane
Rock All Our Babies To Sleep

Ted Lewis and his Orchestra
June Night
There’ll Be Some Changes Made

Ted Weems
Somebody Stole My Gal

Uncle Dave Macon
Keep My Skillet Good & Greasy

Vernon Dalhart
Wreck of the Old 97

Vincent Lopez
I Want To Be Happy

Wendall Hall
It Ain’t Gonna Rain No More

July 6, 1924

1923 Music – Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1923 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Al Jolson
Toot Toot Tootsie
Jolson would sing this song in the 1927 film The Jazz Singer. This film was the first feature-length movie to have talking sequences. The song has been recorded by such artists as Brenda Lee and The Supremes. In 1991 it was recorded by Brent Spiner TV’s Data on Star Trek The Next Generation.

Benny Kreuger and his Orchestra
I Cried for You
A popular song that would be recorded by many artists including Count Basie, Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra.

Bill Murray and Ed Smalle
That Old Gang of Mine
The song is about the ending of childhood friendships as we move into adulthood. The song’s original title was Wedding Bells are Breaking up That Old Gang of Mine and has been recorded by such artists as Dean Martin and The Four Aces.

Paul Whiteman
Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
The song was originally composed in 1897 by German composer Leon Jessell. In 1905 Jessell arranged the piece for Orchestra and had it re-published. In 1922 lyrics were written for the piece by Ballard Macdonald. Recorded by Paul Whiteman in 1923 it would soon become more of a Christmas song as time went by. The song has been used in a Betty Boop Cartoon and as a Disney short (see YouTube link) It has been recorded at least ten times by The Boston Pops. Harry Connick Jr. recorded it with the lyrics for his Christmas album and the piece is used annually by the Rockettes for their Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

Van and Schenck
Carolina in the Morning
The song was written by Walter Donaldson (music) and Gus Kahn (lyrics) for the musical revue The Passing Show of 1922. I t was performed by William Frawley, Fred Mertz of I Love Lucy, who would later perform it along with Vivian Vance, Ethel Mertz, in an episode of the show. The song would be revived regularly as a standard into the 1950s. Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore would use the song in an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show.

Top Artists and Songs of 1923

Al Jolson
Toot Toot Tootsie (Goodbye)

Art Landry
Dream Melody

Ben Bernie (May 30, 1891 – October 23, 1943)
Swingin’ Down the Lane

Ben Selvin
Yes! We Have No Bananas

Benny Krueger and his Orchestra
I Cried For You

Bessie Smith
The Empress of the Blues
Aggravatin’ Papa
Baby Won’t You Please Come Home
Down Hearted Blues
Gulf Coast Blues
T’ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do

Billy Jones
Yes! We Have No Bananas – is probably the oldest novelty pop song (most have a short lifespan) that people may recall

Billy Murray and Ed Smalle
That Old Gang of Mine

Blossom Seeley
Way Down Yonder In New Orleans

Carl Fenton
Love Sends A Little Gift of Roses

Eddie Cantor
He Loves It
No, No Nora
I’ve Got The Yes We Have No Bananas Blues

Ethel Waters
Georgia Blues

Fiddlin John Carson – This could very well be the Johnny who played in a fiddle contest against the devil in The Devil Went Down To Georgia by Charlie Daniels.
Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane
You’ll Never Miss Your Mother Till She’s Gone

Henry Burr
Faded Love Letters

Isham Jones
Farewell Blues
Saw Mill River Road
Swingin’ Down the Lane – #1 for six weeks in the USA.
Who’s Sorry Now?

Jelly Roll Morton -Born Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe, Mr. Morton claimed to have invented Jazz in 1902. He was a bit of an exaggerator.
Kansas City Stomp

King Oliver’s Jazz Band
Chimes Blues
Dippermouth Blues

Marion Harris
Beside a Babbling Brook
Carolina In The Morning
Dirty Hands! Dirty Face!

Melville Gideon
Horsey Keep Your Tail Up

Paul Specht (March 24, 1895 – April 11, 1954)
Goodbye

Paul Whiteman
Bambalina
Carolina In The Morning
Chansonette
Dearest (You’re The Nearest To My Heart)
I’ll Build A Stairway To Paradise
I Love You
Last Night on the Back Porch
Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
Underneath the Mellow Moon
Way Down Yonder In New Orleans
Wonderful One

The Georgians
I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate

The Virginians
I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate

Van & Schenck
Carolina In The Morning

Will Fyffe – Later came in second place in a ‘Will Fyffe’ contest singing I Belong To Glasgow.
I Belong To Glasgow

July 6, 1923

1922 Music: Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1922 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Carl Fenton
I’ll Build A Stairway To Paradise
Written by George and Ira Gershwin and premiered in the musical The George White Scandals. Described by a critic in 1922 as”The most perfect piece of jazz ever written.” The song was also used in the 1951 MGM musical “An American in Paris.”

Club Royal led by saxophonist Clyde Doerr
The Sheik (Also known as the Sheik of Araby.)
This piece of music was inspired by the 1921 film The Sheik starring Rudolph Valentino.
Clyde Doerr was a friend of Paul Whiteman. Whiteman secured a contract for Doerr to record for Victor Records. The first recording that Doerr made was The Sheik, and it was so successful that Whiteman severed all contact with Doerr out of resentment.

Fanny Brice
Second Hand Rose
This song was featured as the piece Brice used to audition for Florenz Ziegfeld in the Film Funny Girl. The piece would appear again on the charts at number 32 in 1965 on the Barbra Streisand album, My name is Barbra. The album would go to number two and would go platinum.

Fats Waller
Waller was the son of a lay preacher. His father wanted him to pursue a religious vocation, but his talent for music took him in another direction.

His professional career began at the age of 15 when he became the organist at the Lincoln Theater on 135th St. There is some evidence to suggest that Waller studied as a pianist under Leopold Gadowski and composition with Carl Bohm at the Julliard School. Waller was best known for his popular songs, but while in Britain on his 1939 European tour, he recorded his London Suite. This suite shows his aspirations to become a serious composer.

Fats Waller died too soon, in 1943, of too much alcohol and hard living. His legacy is the music he left behind.

T’Aint Nobody’s Business If I Do
Written and Performed by Fats Waller.
The 1970’s musical Ain’t Misbehavin, was named after a Fats Waller song. Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I do was performed by Nell Carter in the show. Carter would later star in the 1980s situation comedy Gimme a Break.

Henry Burr
My Buddy
Music by Walter Donaldson and Lyrics by Gus Kahn, the song was published in 1922. The cover for the sheet music featured a picture of Al Jolson. The song has been recorded by many artists including, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Barbara Streisand and Barry White.

Lambert Murphy
I Dream Of Jeannie With The Light Brown Hair
The song was written by composer Stephen Foster. Foster composed this piece during a time that he was separated from his wife, whose name was Jenny, for an extended period of time. It is considered today as one of Foster’s finest compositions. However, when the song was introduced in 1854 it received little attention.

Marion Harris
I’m Just Wild About Harry
Written by Eubie Blake, (music) and Noble Sissle, (lyrics), for the all-black musical Shuffle Along. This was the first all-black musical that was also completely written and composed by blacks. The song was also used in Harry Truman’s 1948 campaign song.

Paul Whiteman
Whiteman started his career in Denver playing the Viola in The Denver Symphony Orchestra in 1907. By 1914 he had moved to San Francisco. During World War I, he led a 40 piece Navy band, playing marches by day and show tunes at night.

In 1918, Whiteman organized a dance band in San Francisco. Not long after he moved to New Jersey and finally settled in New York in 1920. He soon became the best known American band leader especially with his recordings of Whispering and Japanese Sandman.

For his first extended concert tour in the United States, he commissioned George Gershwin to write Rhapsody in Blue.

From 1928 to 1952 Paul Whiteman’s Orchestra was featured on many network radio shows. They also took part in several films starting in 1930 with King of Jazz. The orchestra provided music for six Broadway shows and produced more than 600 phonograph records. Later Whiteman would work as music director for ABC. He died in 1967.

Whiteman’s musical memorabilia including his large library of more than 3000 arrangements was bequeathed to Williams College in Williamstown MA. The memorabilia and sheet music now form The Whiteman Collection.

Three O’Clock In The Morning
Recorded by Whiteman is 1922 it lasted 8 weeks at #1 on the charts and became Whiteman’s early signature song. The song was also referenced in F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.

Top Artists and Songs of 1922

Al Jolson
April Showers, Angel Child
Give Me My Mammy
Coo Coo

Carl Fenton – Carl was really Walter Gustave “Gus” Haenschen. Fenton came from Fenton, Missouri. Gus legally became Carl in 1932.
I’ll Build A Stairway To Paradise

Club Royal Orchestra
The Sheik

Ernest Hare and Billy Jones
In The Little Red Schoolhouse

Ernest Hastings
My Word You Do Look Queer

Ethel Waters – Starred in Cabin in the Sky, a 1940 Broadway musical, and in the 1943 film version, featuring an all-black cast.
There’ll Be Some Changes Made

Fanny Brice – Brice was featured in The Ziegfeld Follies both on stage and on the screen.
Second Hand Rose
My Man

Fats Waller
Taint Nobody’s Biz-Ness If I Do (also heard in Woody Allen’s 1973 film, Sleeper)

Frank Crumit
Stumbling

Gallagher & Sheen
Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shean

Henry Burr (January 15, 1882 – April 6, 1941, real name Harry Haley McClaskey)
My Buddy

Isham Jones
On The Alamo
Ivy Cling To Me

Joseph Smith and his Orchestra
Three O’Clock in the Morning

Lambert Murphy
I Dream Of Jeannie With The Light Brown Hair

Mamie Smith
Lonesome Mama Blues

Marion Harris
I’m Just Wild About Harry
Aggrivatin’ Papa
Some Sunny Day
Rose of the Rio Grande
Blue (And Broken Hearted)

Nora Bayes
All Over Nothing At All
Good Morning

Paul Whiteman
Three O’Clock In The Morning – Signature Song (one of several)
Stumbling
Do It Again
Hot Lips
I’ll Build A Stairway To Paradise
Crinoline Days, Journey’s End
Some Sunny Day
Coal Black Mammy
Oriental (Fox Trot)

Peerless Quartet – Although record-keeping was pretty spotty at that time, the Peerless Quartet had an estimated 108 “charting” singles, between 1904–1928, the 9th-most of the pre-rock, period, according to Billboard’s Joel Whitburn.
Way Down In New Orleans

Ray Miller and his Orchestra
Sheik of Araby

Trixie Smith
My Man Rocks Me (With a Steady Roll) -may be the first song reference with the phrase “rock and roll”
Give Me That Slow Drag

July 6, 1922

1921 Music: Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1921 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Make Believe
Music by Jerome Kern and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II for the Broadway Musical Showboat. The Musical was one of the first musicals to use the songs too. This technique will be perfected when Oscar Hammerstein teams with Richard Rodgers for OKLAHOMA to move the story forward. The musical was extremely controversial as it dealt with interracial marriage and was also the first racially integrated musical. Previously white and black performers did not perform on the same stage together. The musical was filmed twice – once in 1936 and again by MGM in 1951.

Al Jolson
April Showers
This was one of Al Jolson’s trademark songs. And was written by Louis Silvers and BG De Silva for a musical called Bomba. The song was used in the Bugs Bunny 1962 short Wet Hare.

Ben Selvin
Ben Selvin was an American bandleader and violinist who became a popular and influential figure in the early years of recorded music during the 1920s and 1930s. Over his career, he recorded with various ensembles under different names, including the Knickerbockers. As a prolific musician, Selvin recorded thousands of songs, making him one of the most recorded bandleaders of his time. The Knickerbockers was a popular dance band, and like many of Selvin’s ensembles, the group focused on performing popular tunes and dance music of that era. They gained considerable recognition and success, contributing to the rise of dance orchestras in the early 20th century.

Isham Jones
Isham Jones was an American bandleader, saxophonist, bassist, and songwriter who gained prominence in the early 20th century, particularly during the 1920s and 1930s. Born on January 31, 1894, in Coalton, Ohio, Jones began his career as a saxophonist in various bands before forming his own orchestra in 1915. The Isham Jones Orchestra quickly gained fame for its smooth dance music and innovative arrangements.

Jones was a prolific songwriter, composing many popular tunes of his time, including “It Had to Be You,” “Swingin’ Down the Lane,” “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” and “On the Alamo.” Many of his songs have become jazz and popular music standards, covered by countless artists over the years.

The Isham Jones Orchestra featured many talented musicians, such as Benny Goodman and Woody Herman, who would later become successful bandleaders themselves. Jones continued to perform and record music until his retirement in the 1950s. He passed away on October 19, 1956, in Hollywood, Florida, but his legacy continues to influence musicians and listeners.

Fanny Brice
My Man
My Man (and Funny Girl) are regaining popularity now by Lea Michele as the Character of Rachel Berry in Glee uses Barbara Streisand and Funny Girl as her inspiration for star success.

Marion Harris
Look For The Silver Lining
Written by Jerome kern the song was originally written for the musical Zip, Goes A Million. It was then reused in another musical called Sally, where it became popular. The song was also rewritten to be the Anthem for the ILGWU called Look For The Union Label. Recently the song was used in the popular Masterpiece Classic series Downton Abbey.

I Ain’t Got Nobody
The song though popular on its own in the 1920s. It would later become more popular still when paired as a melody with I’m Just a Gigolo. This combination was performed by artists like Cab Calloway, Louis Prima, and David Lee Roth.

Original Dixie Land Band
St. Louis Blues
Composed by W. C. Handy in 1914. the song was inspired by a melody that Handy Heard while out of work in St. Louis. It also took some inspiration from a woman who inspired him to write, “ma man’s got a heart like a rock cast into the sea.” Many artists have recorded the song, from The Original Dixie Land Band to Chuck Berry, Stevie Wonder, and David Sanborn. At his death in 1958, WC Handy received 25,000 dollars in royalty annually.

Paul Biese Trio and Frank Crumit
Mimi
Written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. It would later become popular again in the 1932 film “Love Me Tonight” and sung by Maurice Chevalier.
Richard Rodgers would later achieve major success with Oscar Hammerstein. ( See Make Believe).

Van and Schenk
A’int We Got Fun
It was used as Eric Northman’s ringtone in a 2010 episode of Trueblood. Also used as part of a pivotal point in F Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby.

Top Artists and Songs of 1921

Aileen Stanley
My Mammy
My Man

Al Jolson – Although he usually wore blackface in live performances, he was also known for fighting against anti-black discrimination on Broadway
Avalon
O -H-I-O (O-My-O!)

Ben Selvin
Say It With Music
Cherie

Benson Orchestra of Chicago
Bimini Bay

Billy Murray & Billy Jones
Down By The O-HI-O

Eddie Cantor
Margie

Ethel Waters – in 1949, Ethel was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance in Pinky.
There’ll Be Some Changes made

Fanny Brice – Her marriage to Nick Arnstein was the basis for the Broadway Musical and Film Funny Girl.
My Man – Signature Song
Second Hand Rose

Frank Crumit
Sweet Lady, All By Myself

Isham Jones
Wabash Blues – Signature Song (#1 for six weeks)

Mamie Smith (May 26, 1883 – September 16, 1946)
What Have I Done
Royal Garden Blues

Marion Harris -” The Queen of the Blues”
Look For The Silver Lining
I’m A Jazz Vampire
I Ain’t Got Nobody – Signature Song
I’m Nobody’s Baby
Beale Street Blues

Nora Bayes – AKA Eleanor Goldberg, was married five times, and adopted three children.
Make Believe

Original Dixieland Jazz Band called themselves the Creators of Jazz because they made some of the earliest jazz recordings, in 1917.
St. Louis Blues
Palesteena

Patrick Waddington
Night May Have Its Sadness

Paul Biese Trio and Frank Crumit
MiMi

Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra were the most popular band of the 1920s.
Say It With Music
Caresses
My Mammy
Bright Eyes
Cherie
Song of India
My Man (Mon Homme)
April Showers
Make Believe
Learn To Smile
Gypsy Blues

Prince’s Orchestra
Deep In Your Eyes

Ted Lewis (June 6, 1890 – August 25, 1971)
All By Myself

Van and Schenck
Ain’t We Got Fun? – Signature Song

July 6, 1921

1920 Music: Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1920 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1. Swanee – Al Jolson
Al Jolson was known as “The World’s Greatest Entertainer” – the highest-paid and most well-known actor/singer/comedian of the 1920s and 30s. Swannee was originally sung by Al but was written by George Gershwin. Gershwin would go on to write many other popular songs that would come out of his Broadway successes with his brother Ira, most notably Porgy and Bess and Strike up the Band.

2. When My Baby Smiles At Me – Ted Lewis
A bandleader, Ted was probably best known for his catchphrase: “Is EVERYBODY Happy?”
Although originally recorded in 1920, the song became the title of a movie musical, in 1948 starring Betty Grable and Dan Dailey. Dailey would win an academy award for his starring role in the film.

3. Whispering – Paul Whiteman
Whispering was recorded by Paul Whiteman and his orchestra and was written by John Schonberger and Vincent Rose. The song actually has lyrics but they were not used on the first recording. According to the Literature that was provided by Victor, the recording studio, the song used an instrument that sounded like a “boson’s-pipe-slide-trombone-whistle.”

4. I’ll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time – Charles Harrison
Like many songs from this era, ‘Apple Blossom Time’ originally came out in 1920 but made a comeback in the 1940s during WW 2. The song, sung by The Andrew Sisters, had meaning for many who were waiting for the return of our troops. Other songs in this category are I’ll Be Seeing You, and I’ll be Home for Christmas.

5. Tell Me, Little Gypsy – Art Hickman
Originally sung by Art Hickman, ‘Gypsy’ was written by the immortal Irving Berlin. Berlin’s first hit was Alexander’s Rag Time Band. Mr. Berlin would go on to write music for more than half of the 20th century. Two of his most popular are Blue Skies and White Christmas. His influence is still felt today.

Take our 1920 Quiz!

Top Artists and Songs of 1920

Al Jolson
Chloe
I’ve Got My Captain Working For Me Now
Swanee
Tell Me
Wonderful Kid From Madrid
You Ain’t Heard Nothin Yet

Art Hickman
Avalon
Hold Me
Tell Me Little Gypsy
The Love Nest

Ben Selvin
Dardanella, My Island of Golden Dreams, Afghanistan

Bert Williams – In World War II, the United States ship SS Bert Williams was named in his honor.
The Moon Shines on the Moonshine

Billy Murray
I’ll See You In Cuba

Carl Fenton
Cuban Moon

Charles Harrision
I’ll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time
Pretty Kitty Kelly
That Old Irish Mother of Mine

Eddie Cantor – nicknamed “Banjo Eyes” because of his big, round eyes. He was also the man who named the “March of Dimes” which initially battled polio.
Palesteena
You’d Be Surprised

Edith Day -had a cocktail named after her – made with dry gin, grapefruit juice, sugar, and an egg white.
Alice Blue Gown
Irene

Francisco Alves
Fala Meu Louro

Frank Crumit
Lonesome Little Raindrop
My Little Bimbo Down on Bamboo Isle
Oh! By Jingo! (Oh! By Gee, By Goosh, By Gun, By Juu),

John McCormac
Barefoot Trail

John Steel
The Love Nest, Girl of My Dreams

Mamie Smith – Mamie was the first African-American woman to be a ‘million-seller artist. After ‘Crazy Blues” the recording companies started paying more attention to race records.
Crazy Blues
It’s Right Here For You
You Can’t Keep A Good Man Down

Marion Harris– Marion was the first popular white singer to sing jazz and blues songs.
St. Louis Blues
Sweet Mama (Papa’s Getting Mad)

Nora Bayes – In 1917, George M. Cohan asked her to be the first to record his patriotic WW I son, Over There.
Prohibition Blues, Without You

Paul Whiteman – Paul was (controversially) called The King of Jazz. Duke Ellington believed he deserved the title, so there really shouldn’t be a controversy.
Anytime Anyday Anywhere
The Japanese Sandman
Wang Wang Blues
Whispering

Ted Lewis and his Orchestra – Better known as Ted ‘is Everybody Happy?’ Lewis.
When My Baby Smiles At Me

The Kentucky Serenaders – The Pennsylvania band was originally called The Serenaders. “My Old Kentucky Home” was their theme song and Kentucky kind of stuck with them.
Rose of Washington Square

Waller Williams
I Know Where The Flies Go In Summertime

January 6, 1920

Early 1900s: The 100 Most Popular Songs

The 1900s: 1900-1919 Pop Song Hits

1. I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy – 1904 (by George M Cohen)

2. America the Beautiful – 1910

3. Danny Boy – 1913

4. Take Me Out To The Ball Game – 1908 (by Jack Norworth & Albert Von Tilzer )

5. Pomp and Circumstance – 1902 (by Elgar)

6. The Grand Old Rag (aka “You’re a Grand Old Flag”) – 1906 (by George M. Cohan)

7. When Irish Eyes Are Smiling – 1912 (by Chauncey Olcott & George Graff Jr, . Ernest R. Ball)

8. Daddy’s Little Girl – 1905 (by Edward Madden & Theodore F. Morse)

9. The Bells Of St Mary’s – 1917 (by Douglas Furber & A. Emmett Adams)

10. Give My Regards to Broadway – 1904 (by George M. Cohan )

11. Swanee – 1919

12. Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That’s An Irish Lullaby) – 1913 (by James R. Shannon )

13. I Ain’t Got Nobody – 1916 (by Roger Graham, Dave Peyton & Spencer Williams)

14. I Want To Be In Dixie (I’m Going Back To Dixie) – 1911 (by Irving Berlin & Ted Snyder)

15. The Entertainer – 1902 (by Scott Joplin)

16. Strike Up the Band (Here Comes a Sailor) – 1900

17. Anchors Aweigh – 1906 (by Alfred Hart Miles & R. Lovell and Charles A. Zimmerman)

18. The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous – 1903 (by Dan McAvoy)

19. Colonel Bogey March – 1914 (by Kenneth J. Alford)

20. Melody Of Love – 1903 (by Tom Glazer & H. Engelmann)

21. Flight of the Bumble Bee – 1900 – (by N. Rimsky-Korsakov)

22. Rite of Spring – 1913 (by Stravinsky)

23. Over There – 1917 (by George M. Cohan)

24. Yale Boola! (March and Two-Step) – 1901

25. Hinky Dinky Parlay Voo – 1919 (by Edward Rowland)

26. March of the Toys – 1903 (by Victor Herbert, heard in Babes In Toyland)

27. Frankie and Johnny – 1912

28. Dardanella – 1919 (by Fred Fisher & Felix Bernard, Johnny S. Black)

29. You Belong To Me – 1916 (by Harry B. Smith & Victor Herbert)

30. Alexander’s Ragtime Band – 1911(?)

31. Hail! Hail! The Gang’s All Here – 1917 (by D. A. Esrom, Theodore F. Morse & Arthur Sullivan)

32. Fascination – 1915 (by Harold Atteridge & Sigmund Romberg)

33. McNamara’s Band – 1917 (by John J. Stamford & Shamus O’Connor)

34. Peg O’ My Heart – 1913 (by Alfred Bryan & Fred Fisher)

35. Saint Louis Blues – 1914 (by W. C. Handy)

36. The Glow-Worm – 1902 (by Lilla Cayley Robinson, Heinz Bolten-Backers, Paul Lincke)

37. Scott Joplin’s New Rag – 1912 (by Scott Joplin)

38. Hail Hail the Gang’s All Here – 1917

39. Put On Your Old Grey Bonnet – 1909 (by Stanley Murphy & Percy Wenrich)

40. Bye, Bye My Honey – Billy Golden (1911)

41. Joe Turner Blues – 1915 (by Walter Hirsch & W. C. Handy)

42. It’s a Long, Long Way to Tipperary – 1912

43. Ragtime Cowboy Joe – 1912 (by Grant Clarke, Lewis F. Muir & Maurice Abrahams)

44. Oh! How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning – 1918 (by Irving Berlin)

45. The Whiffenpoof Song – 1909 (by Meade Minnigerode & George S. Pomeroy, Tod B. Galloway)

46. Alabama Jubilee – 1915 (by Jack Yellen & George L. Cobb)

47. The Darktown Strutters’ Ball – 1916 (by Shelton Brooks)

48. Harrigan – 1907 (by George M. Cohan)

49. Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home – 1902

50. Let Me Call You Sweetheart – 1910

51. Keep On The Sunny Side – 1906 (by Jack Drislane & Theodore F. Morse)

52. Because – 1902

53. Hiawatha (His Song to Minnehaha) – 1903

54. Ida! Sweet as Apple Cider – 1903 (by Eddie Leonard & Eddie Munson)

55. The Aba Daba Honeymoon – 1914 (by Arthur Fields & Walter Donovan)

56. Play a Simple Melody – 1914 (by Irving Berlin)

57. Ah! Sweet Mystery Of Life – 1910 (by Rida Johnson Young & Victor Herbert)

58. Ballin’ The Jack – 1913 (by James Henry Burris & Chris Smith)

59. The Memphis Blues – 1912

60. American Patrol – 1901(?)

61. On a Sunday Afternoon – 1902

62. The Saint Louis Blues – 1914

63. The Rose Of Tralee – 1912 (by C. Mordaunt Spencer m. Charles W. Glover)

64. K-K-K-Katy – 1918 (by Geoffrey O’Hara)

65. There’s A Broken Heart For Every Light On Broadway – 1915 (by Howard Johnson & Fred Fisher)

66. Syncopated Walk – 1914 (by Irving Berlin)

67. My Melancholy Baby – 1912 (by George A. Norton & Ernie Burnett)

68. Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis – 1904

69. Give Us Just Another Lincoln – 1900

70. I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now – 1909 (by Will M. Hough & Frank R. Adams, Joseph E. Howard & Harold Orlob)

71. In the Good Old Summer Time – 1902

72. Twelfth Street Rag – 1914 (by Euday L. Bowman)

73. A Little Bit of Heaven – 1915

74. Casey Jones – 1909 (by T. Lawrence Seibert & Eddie Newton)

75. Blame It on the Blues – 1914

76. By the Light of the Silvery Moon – 1909 (by Edward Madden & Gus Edwards)

77. Waltz Around Again Willie – 1906 (‘Round, ‘Round, ‘Round)

78. Alcoholic Blues – 1919 (by Edward Laska & Albert Von Tilzer)

79. I Didn’t Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier – 1915 (by Alfred Bryan & Al Piantadosi )

80. Shine On Harvest Moon – 1907 (by Nora Bayes & Jack Norworth)

81. I Can’t Tell Why I Love You But I Do – 1900

82. Hungarian Rag – 1913 (by Julius Lenzberg)

83. In My Merry Oldsmobile -1905 (by Vincent P. Bryan & Gus Edwards)

84. And Then – 1913 (by Alfred Bryan & Herman Paley)

85. Good Morning, Mr. Zip-Zip-Zip! – 1918

86. Goodbye, Good Luck, God Bless You – 1916 (by J. Keirn Brennan & Ernest R. Ball)

87. Mary’s a Grand Old Name – 1905 (from the musical play Forty-Five Minutes from Broadway)

88. Un Bel Di Madame Butterfly – 1904 (by Puccini)

89. My Gal Sal – 1905

90. Concerto for Piano #2 – 1901 (by Rachmaninoff)

91. Topsy Song – 1910

92. I’m Always Chasing Rainbows – 1918 (from the Musical Comedy Oh Look!)

93. On The Road To Mandalay – 1907 (by Rudyard Kipling & Oley Speaks)

94. Missouri Waltz (Hush-a-Bye, Ma Baby) – 1914

95. In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree – 1905

96. Beans! Beans!! Beans!!! – 1912 (by Elmer Bowman & Chris Smith)

97. Tell Me Pretty Maiden (English Girls and Clerks) – 1900 (featured in Florodora)

98. A Good Man Is Hard To Find – 1919(?)

99. The Caissons Go Rolling Along – 1906 (by Edmund L. Gruber)

100. Uncle Josh in Society – 1909

July 5, 1919

Bandleader Guy Lombardo

Guy Lombardo

Guy Lombardo (born June 19, 1902 – died November 5, 1977) was a Canadian-American bandleader, violinist, and composer who became a popular music icon. His orchestra, Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, was known for its “sweet” dance music style and was a fixture of American New Year’s Eve celebrations for decades.

Guy Lombardo was born to Italian-Canadian parents in London, Ontario, Canada.
He was the eldest of five siblings, who eventually joined his orchestra.
Lombardo began his music career as a violinist and formed his first band with his brothers in 1924.
He and his orchestra relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1927 and later to New York City.
Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians gained nationwide fame through radio broadcasts and recordings.
The orchestra’s signature sound was characterized by a smooth, sweet, and melodious style that appealed to a wide audience.
Lombardo’s orchestra was known as “The Sweetest Music This Side of Heaven.”
They recorded more than 500 songs, including hits like “Auld Lang Syne,” “Boo Hoo,” and “Seems Like Old Times.”
Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians were the resident orchestra at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City for 33 years.
Lombardo became synonymous with New Year’s Eve celebrations, performing live on radio and television broadcasts from 1929 until he died in 1977.
Millions across the United States and Canada watched his annual New Year’s Eve broadcasts.
Lombardo was also an accomplished speedboat racer, winning several championships during his lifetime.
In addition to being a bandleader, Lombardo appeared as a guest conductor for symphony orchestras and worked as a composer and arranger.
Lombardo’s orchestra featured notable vocalists such as Carmen Lombardo (his brother), Kenny Gardner, and Tony Craig.
Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians appeared in several films, including “Many Happy Returns” and “Stage Door Canteen.”
Lombardo received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the music industry.
His band’s version of “Auld Lang Syne” remains a traditional choice for New Year’s Eve celebrations in North America.
Lombardo’s orchestra continued to perform after his death, led by his brother Victor and later by other musicians.
Guy Lombardo’s music has been featured in numerous films, television shows, and commercials, often as a nostalgic representation of a bygone era.
His contributions to popular music and enduring legacy as “Mr. New Year’s Eve” have made Guy Lombardo a cherished figure in the history of American entertainment.

June 19, 1902

1800-1899: The 100 Most Popular Songs

1800s Pop Song Hits

1. Good Morning to All (Happy Birthday To You) – 1893

2. Amazing Grace – 1800

3. Jingle Bells – 1857 (by James Pierpont)

4. Old MacDonald Had A Farm – 1859

5. Camptown Races* – 1850 (Stephen Foster)

*actual title is Gwine to Run All Night

6. Mary Had a Little Lamb – (1830 Lyrics)

7. Rock-a-bye Baby – 1884 (by Effie I. Canning)

8. Alphabet Song – 1834 (copyrighted by C. Bradlee, it’s probably older)

9. Wedding March – 1844 (by Felix Mendelssohn, from A Midsummer Night’s Dream)

10. William Tell Overture – 1829

11. Semper Fidelis – 1886 (by John Philip Sousa)

12. (Oh Dem) Golden Slippers – 1879

13. Stars and Stripes Forever – 1897 (by John Philip Sousa)

14. When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again – 1863 (by Louis Lambert & Patrick Gilmore)

15. Chopsticks – 1877

16. The Battle Hymn of the Republic – 1862 (by Julia Ward Howe)

17. While Strolling Through The Park One Day – 1884 (by Ed Haley)

18. Can Can – 1858 (by Offenbach)

19. When The Saints Go Marching In – 1896 (by Katherine E. Purvis & James M. Black)

20. Row Row Row Your Boat – 1881

21. Funeral March (Pray For The Dead and the Dead Will Pray For You…) – 1840

22. Fur Elise – 1810 (by Beethoven)

23. I’ve Been Working on the Railroad – 1894

24. She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain – 1899

25. Oh! Susanna – 1848 (by Stephen Foster)

26. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! – 1861

27. America (God Shed His Grace On Thee) words – 1832

28. I’ve Been Working On The Railroad – 1894 (copyright is probably older)

29. Dixie’s Land (aka Dixie) – 1860

30. Home, Sweet Home – 1823 (by John Howard Payne)

31. Joy to the World – 1839 (by Handel)

32. A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight – 1896

33. Alouette -1879

34. O Where O Where Has My Little Dog Gone – 1864 (by James Bland)

35. Turkey In De Straw – 1834

36. Funiculi Funicula – 1880

37. Polly Wolly Doodle (All The Day) – 1883 (copyright, is probably older)

38. Reveille – 1890

39. Gloria – 1890 (by Mozart)

40. (Oh My Darling) Clementine – 1863 (by Percy Montrose & H S. Thompson)

41. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot – 1872

42. Onward, Christian Soldiers – 1871 (by Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould & Sir Arthur Sullivan)

43. The Yellow Rose of Texas – 1858

44. O Little Town of Bethlehem – 1868

45. Buffalo Gals – 1844 (heard in the film It’s a Wonderful Life. Malcolm McClaren did it in the 1980s too)

46. My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean – 1881

47. Blue Danube Waltz – 1867 (by J.S. Strauss)

48. Shoo-Fly Don’t Bother Me – 1869

49. Rock of Ages – 1832 (by Hastings)

50. Au Clair de la Lune – 1811

51. Morning – 1890 (by Luse)

52. Home on the Range – 1873 (by Daniel Kelly & Brewster M. Higley)

53. King Cotton March – 1895

54. (I Dream Of) Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair – 1854 (by Stephen Foster)

55. (Gimme That) Old Time Religion – 1865

56. Song Of India – 1897 (by Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov)

57. The Man on the Flying Trapeze – 1868

58. Hail to the Chief – 1820 (by Sir Walter Scott & James Sanderson)

59. Barber of Seville – 1813

60. Old Folks at Home (Way Down Upon the Swanee River) – 1851 (by Stephen Foster)

61. The Thunderer – 1889 (by John Philip Sousa)

62. Skip To My Lou – 1844

63. The Merry, Merry Month of May – 1862 (by Stephen Foster)

64. Frankie and Johnny – 1869

65. Grandfather’s Clock – 1876 (by Henry Clay Work)

66. Beautiful Dreamer – 1864 (by Stephen Foster )

67. Away In a Manger – 1887

68. Flying Dutchman Overture – 1844 (by Wagner)

69. The Washington Post – 1889 (by John Philip Sousa)

70. A Night on Bald Mountain – 1887 (by Mussorgsky)

71. Hello! Ma Baby – 1899

72. Git Along Little Dogies – 1893

73. Pictures at an Exhibition – 1887 (by Mussorgsky)

74. I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen – 1876

75. Hark the Herald Angels Sing – 1855

76. Sleeping Beauty Waltz – 1890

77. Peer Gynt Suite – 1888

78. Mazel Tov – 1894

79. Baa Baa Black Sheep – 1865

80. Liberty Bell March – 1893 (by John Philip Sousa)

81. Red River Valley – 1896

82. Maple Leaf Rag – 1899 (by Scott Joplin)

83. Goodnight Ladies – 1853

84. King Cotton March – 1895 (by John Philip Sousa)

85. Home on the Range – 1873

86. Coronation March – 1849 (by Meyerbeer)

87. Carry Me Back to Old Virginny – 1878

88. At A Georgia Camp Meeting – 1897 (by Kerry Mills)

89. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon – 1838

90. Good Night – 1899 (by Mendelssohn)

91. Dance of the Hours – 1876 (by Ponchielli)

92. Gypsy Love Song – 1898 (by Harry B. Smith & Victor Herbert (From the musical The Fortune Teller)

93. Prelude in C# Minor – 1893 (by Rachmaninoff)

94. Hush-a-bye Baby – 1884

95. El Capitan – 1896 (by John Philip Sousa)

96. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear – 1850

97. Romeo and Juliet – 1871 (by Tchaikovsky)

98. Three Little Kittens – 1885

99. Good King Wenceslas – 1860ish (words)

100. I Gave My Love a Cherry – 1850 (heard in 1979 film, Animal House)

July 5, 1899

Do Re Mi And The Beginning Of Modern Music

Do Re Mi (The Beginning Of Modern Music)

Let’s start at the very beginning… Well, maybe not that far back. Music has been part of the life of human beings since the dawn of the human race. But capturing music and having the means to write it down and remember it took a little more time.

Let’s meet a musical Monk named Guido De Arezzo. At a young age, Guido was sent to a monastery for an education. This was a thousand years ago. Most specifics about Guido’s life are lost to time, but we know through surviving documents that he is the father of musical notation.

Music a thousand years ago was not what we know it as today. Music was mainly the property of the Catholic Church. And it didn’t have a melody the way music has today. It was performed in a chanting style. In a way, this was the first rap music. Music as we know it will happen, but not just yet.

Guido loved the church’s music and became quite adept at teaching it, but it was frustrating. Learning music meant listening and repeating it over and over until you got it down, ultimately. If harmonies were involved, it could take days to memorize a single piece as each section had to work separately and then be brought together as a whole. This frustrated our young music lover.

What could be done to make the teaching and learning of music simpler? Slowly, an idea came to Brother Guido’s mind. First, he came up with musical notations by using lines and spaces. What we now call a staff. He used the lines on the staff to separate the notes. He Called the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. We now call this the natural minor scale; Guido called it the mode.

Quido then assigned a sound to go with each of the notes. For singers to learn his sounds, he wrote a hymn where the first note on each line was a musical note in succession. Rodgers and Hammerstein would do this a thousand years later when they wrote Do, Re, Me for The Sound of Music. Guido’s original sound for these notes was Ut Re Mi Fa Sol La. Music was taught using this method for 600 years, and then Giovanni Battista Doni suggested that Ut be changed to Do and added Si as the last note in the scale. In 1845, A Music teacher from England made a change of her own. She changed Si to Ti. She did this so that each note sound would begin with a different letter. The music teacher’s name was Sarah Ann Glover.

The story of our musical monk isn’t over. It seems his method of teaching music spread far and wide, and eventually, the news of his revolutionary work reached the ears of Pope John XIX. Pope John summoned Guido to Rome and studied music under our friend. The Pope, we know, requested that Guido stay in Rome permanently, but Guido declined the generous offer. He wanted to go home. Some believe that this was because of ill health.

Guido’s system of teaching music is called Solfege and is used worldwide. It is one of the reasons we can call music the universal language. Those seven notes are, as Maria puts it in The Sound of Music, “the tools we use to build a song. Once you have these notes, you can sing a million different tunes by mixing them up.” And for the last thousand years, composers have been mixing those notes to create symphonies, operas, pop music, rock music, ballets, and musical comedies or plays. Without Guido de Arezzo, no music we know today would have happened.

do re mi so la ti do

It is hard to believe that music education is slowly being eroded from our schools. Some public schools are losing funding for music programs, which is sad. Learning music helps in other subjects, specifically math and English. Also, learning music gives students a glimpse into other cultures as they are exposed to music from around the world.

Music in school also exposes students to the wide range of music that is out there. I remember being young and not caring for symphonic music or ballet. Still, as I got older, because I was exposed to them in elementary school, I began to appreciate them and became a fan. That can’t be said of Opera yet. But I intend to take that plunge soon.

We must keep music and the rest of the arts in schools and free of charge whenever possible. I heard recently of a school show choir who had to buy their sheet music. The students had to buy the music. That was unheard of in my time, and I feel it’s an unfair burden on the parents to add an extra expense. Also, students who can’t pay will then not be eligible to sing, and that in itself makes this very sad.

Whatever music education future is in the schools and the world, we have Brother Guido, The Musical Monk, to thank for the gift of Do, Re, Me.

November 1, 1033

Category: Music

1938 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Top Artists and Songs of 1938