1945 in Music

World War II ended in 1945. Hitler shot himself and partisans executed Mussolini. The Allied side witnessed changes as well. Churchill lost re-election and Roosevelt died leaving Stalin the only member of the Big Three to last the war. The war left most of the world in shambles and Americans wanted simply to return to normalcy.
In music, Bing Crosby was named male singer of the year for the ninth straight year. Charlie Parker records his first album as a lead. The recording also features Miles Davis.
The top hits of 1945:
Sentimental Journey by Les Brown and Doris Day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7umIJj8UBo
Rum and Coca Cola by the Andrews Sisters:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGxL2uNr7bk
Till the End of Time by Perry Como:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSJ-oT2ZBa0
Billie's Bounce by Charlie Parker:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72UeP0o68JA

1944 in Music: Bing Crosby's Year

World War II continued to wage into its fifth year. By the end of the year, Hitler’s defeat was just about ensured. While the Third Reich burned, Glenn Miller disappeared over the English Channel and the Metropolitan Opera House opened in New York. Bing Crosby dominated the charts in 1944 in the same way the Beatles did twenty years later.

Here are some offerings from 1944:

From Bing:
Swinging on a Star:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTUKHMlbYGA

Don’t Fence Me In (w/Andrews Sisters):

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

I’ll Be Seeing You:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ld7pkvZPQk

Ella Fitzgerald w/The Ink Spots:
I’m Making Believe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK15L55CtGc

Dick Haymes:

It Had To Be You:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW6Jd7zVpxM

Frank Sinatra:

Saturday Night (Is the Loneliest Night of the Week):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP0P2hw31i0

　

　

1943 in Music

World War II continued to dominate the domestic scene. Meanwhile, Frank Sinatra causes a near riot in Times Square. Traffic was blocked for hours.

The songs of 1943:

The Mills Brothers: Paper Dollhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2m8VZBfRYo

Bing Crosby: Sunday, Monday or Always
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5KZfKWheTg

Glenn Miller: That Old Black Magichttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvq8k91sAco

Rudy Vallee: As Time Goes Byhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKW0QZgi79M

1942 in Music

World War II came to America in December 1941. As a result, the music of 1942 became the soundtrack of the GI Generation. Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” really touched a chord and emerged as one of the biggest hits of all time. It remains so to this day. By the end of 1942, the Allies had won amazing victories over the Axis, but the war dragged on until 1945. Here are some of the biggest hits of 1942:

White Christmas by Bing Crosby: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJSUT8Inl14

Moonlight Cocktail by Glenn Miller:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VniYZH5KnUE

I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo by Glenn Miller:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TurG8WeEQk4

Jingle, Jangle, Jingle by Kay Kyser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RcJLOl1nPk

Der Fuehrer’s Face by Spike Jones:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1583adUqSg

Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree by The Andrews Sisters:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5u8E4s57I0

Night and Day by Frank Sinatra:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsB7nvIohVw

Tangerine by Jimmy Dorsey:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-JDUnZv1N0

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

Les Paul: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1988

His life and career in links.

Official Site:

http://lespaulonline.com/

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/les-paul/

He began playing the harmonica at 8. Paul was a semi-professional musician by 13 and moved to Chicago at age 19.
Les Paul released his first record at 1936. In 1940, he electrocuted himself, but survived.
In 1944, he began playing with Nat King Cole.

It’s Been a Long Long Time w/Bing Crosby (1945):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zt-TIgR9Qc

The Rumors Are Flying w/The Andrews Sisters (1946):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zt-TIgR9Qc

Paul innovated studio techniques as well as guitars.

Mocking Bird Hill w/Mary Ford (1951):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeuVBZZjz7k

How High the Moon w/Mary Ford (1951):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0ffdwBUL78

The World Is Waiting For the Sunshine w/Mary Ford (1951):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iGXP_UBog4

Hummingbird w/Mary Ford (1955):

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

Love Sneakin’ Up On You w/Sting and Joss Stone (2005):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX4S30QCBmo

90^th Birthday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZX6qFAzXz8

Death (2009):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTl3T57ymLc

White Christmas by Bing Crosby (1941)

The greatest selling single of all time. Should be no surprise as soldiers were shipping off to the Far East and Europe. Crosby performed it for the first time on Christmas Day 1941 and recorded the song in May 29, 1942.  In October, it hit #1 and stayed there into 1943. Crosby's single has sold over 50 million copies.

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