In the Mood by Glenn Miller (1939)

This is the defining song of the Big Band and World War II eras. The song was released right before the Billboard charts debuted, so the song’s true popularity can not be measured in comparison to others. Undoubtedly, "In The Mood" is one of the most important works of the twentieth century.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teJfuKdzbOo





　

1946 in Music

Big Band music helped Americans through World War II.  The jazz scene dramatically changed the following year. Charlie Parker released “Ko-Ko” ushering in a revolution in jazz. The genre became less viable commercially and more artist driven. As a result, people gravitated toward pop and away from jazz. It was a defining moment that helped lead to rock n roll because pop was boring and Jazz unlistenable. On a side note,  B.B. King, Bill Haley, and Chet Atkins all began their careers in 1946.

Ko-Ko by Charlie Parker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_ZajJd-1kY

Prisoner of Love by Perry Como:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbNPg_Rp0ws

Five Minutes More by Frank Sinatra:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvWEigjXVsI

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! By Vaughn Monroe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbb3skLR0Bo

To Each His Own by the Ink Spots:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pRarUQD3L8

The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jODKhUoFxzA

The Year in Music: 1940

World War II raged in Europe and the Depression at home. Big Band began to take hold after being sneered at by the public. Meanwhile, Woody Guthrie releases Dust Bowl Ballads chronicling the struggles of people in the Midwest.

Glenn Miller In The Mood:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJE-onnw2gM

Frenesi-Artie Shaw:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0F4k6klcmw

Only Forever-Bing Crosby:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNCt6hkCUic

When You Wish Upon a Star- Cliff Edwards:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKh6XxYbbIc

Blueberry Hill-Gene Autry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdJSBtuS0oc

When The Swallows Return to Capistrano-The Ink Spots:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3-p71lleUY

The Woodpecker Song- Glenn Miller:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FynFKr9izA8

You Are My Sunshine-Jimmie Davis:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZdUigq5Q_Y

Dust Bowl Blues- Woody Guthrie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K5eMK1mqcU

The Year in Music: 1939

The Great Depression began its second decade while World War II broke out in Europe. The music of 1939 reflects the hopes for a better time as well as patriotism. Big band music evolved from swing and dominated the musical landscape beginning in 1935.

The following is a sample of what was popular in 1939:

The #1 song of 1939 was Judy Garland's "Over the Rainbow."

Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HRa4X07jdE

and some other popular tunes.

Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHBvksGdhxA

Little Brown Jug by Glenn Miller:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYo6G8RBjAE

God Bless America by Kate Smith:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8QksTKRYS0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnQDW-NMaRs

Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXdnD39GYVU

When the Saints Go Marching In by Louis Armstrong:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyLjbMBpGDA

Charlie Christian: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1990

His life and career in links.

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/charlie-christian/bio/

Charlie Christian played a prominent role in the development of bebop and jazz.

Born in 1916, by the early 1930s, he was touring the Midwest.

1939-1941: He was a member of Benny Goodman’s orchestra. Christian played electric guitar.

Tea for Two with Benny Goodman (1939):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAWlyg44oIQ&feature=related

Breakfast Feud with Benny Goodman (1940):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prL94c2tyHA

Swing to Bop (1941):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce9Jtl9D6FQ

Stompin’ at the Savoy (1941):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x52x5hjpD5k&feature=related

He died in 1942 from tuberculosis at age 25.