The Significance of Music during World War II
Music played an important role in the disseminating sentiments during the backdrop of wartime America in War World War II. Unlike the World I that took place in the climate of pre-radio era, the World War II was fought during the period where almost every household in America had radio. A survey found that 96. 2 per cent of the households in America owned radio (Baade, 2013). The songs during the World War II period remained testimony to the unprecedented history. This is because never were the recorded songs and live musical performances were common in the households in America. For a number of American citizens, music had a unifying effect and patriotic appeal for boosting the morale and fostering the patriotic spirit of the citizens (Pettan, 2010). Music became a tool for motivating the American soldiers who were fighting war overseas and strengthening their morale confidence (Fauser, 2013). Another aspect of the wartime music was that the African American recording artists to send a message used it. They to expose the hypocrisy of the America’s lofty values of freedom and democracy on the global levels, whilst the blight of racism plaguing the black Africans back home deployed the power of music. Therefore, music became a tool for praxis and entrenching the message of social transformation (Bérubé, 2010). This period witnessed the emergence of different types of music, however it was swing and jazz that became the most popular. The unique American wartime music was banned in Germany and the occupied Europe as this posed as defiance and represented the beckon of hope for the Americans to pave the path for liberation, freedom, fraternity and democracy.
The engagement of the nation into the war meant that music had a specific role to play to serve the needs and therefore had all kinds of music. The musicians of this time whether the singing cowboy like Gene aunty or the opera singer like John Carter considered themselves as cultural combatants. For example, Aaron Copland was one of the many classical composers of the time who was intimately involved with the war. Therefore, it can be stated that the World War II created a unique situation for music as earlier it was not possible to sing solo songs or veer for solo recordings (Terkel, 2011). Similarly, the States did not enjoy much power on deciding what songs could be played and what songs could not be played or performed in front of the live audience. The States during this time enjoyed absolute power in deciding what kind of songs can be played and what kind of songs can be recorded. Although there was a culture for local songs and it saw its emergence during this time, it faced stiff opposition from the centralized culture of music that was prevalent during this period. Below there is a list of 10 songs that were recorded from World War II to 1969 (Pettan, 2010). These songs were selected based on their production value, content and mass appeal.
- Rosie the Riveter- Rosie the Riveter is the fictional character that represents the struggles and strength of millions of young women in America who are now visible in the public spheres of the factories, munitions plants, and shipyards during the World War II. Rosie became an iconic American image to fight the broader issues that emerged during the civil rights for women. The Japanese government along with the advertising agencies likes J. Walter Thompson who deployed extensive campaigns to participate in the workforce. The media made a vigorous effort to recruit women in the wartime workforce. Saturday Evening Post cover artist Norman Rockwell has been credited for popularizing Rosie the Riveter Rosie appeared on the cover in the 1943 edition of the Saturday Evening Post (That’s Why We’re Marching: World War II and the American Folksong Movement, 2018). The Post was considered one of the most popular magazines and therefore, the icon of Rosie the Riveter became quite popular. In the future another image became popular that is of Rockwell Rosie.
- White Cliffs of Dover- This song was sung by Vera Lynn who penned down the song to boost the morale and confidence of the American troops before they entered the war during the darkest hours of the World War II. In the clip, the famous chalky cliffs are depicted and there is indication of how the British forces may have wept in joy when they returned home victorious and once again found the iconic cliffs. Vera Lynn became a household name after singing this name and this song touched the hearts of the millions of Americans. The song was penned down in 1942 during the period when Germany had bombed Great Britain and song became a beckon of hope for the soldiers to seek peace and remain hopeful for the war to get over.
- Lili Marlene- This song was originally penned down in German and written by Hans Leip whilst Norbett Schultze gave the music score. Later, the English lyrics were written by Tommie Connor. The significance of this song is that it became popular on both sides of the border. The popularity of the song led to a number of cover versions that were recorded during the later stage. One of those popular songs were recorded by renowned English artist Anne Shelton, one by Verra Lynn and another was sung by Perry Como on June 1994. The tune of the song was used for the unique version known as the D-Day Dodgers that was sung by the Canadian army during the Normandy invasion in Italy in 1944.
- Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy- the highlight of this song lies in women in uniform, the Andrews Sister’s clad in uniform and dancing to the beautiful tune. One of the reasons for the popularity of the song can be traced to the lead vocalists of the group, Laverne, Patty and Maxine singing in harmony. They were the most famous female-vocal group during the wartime and their popularity made them perform with all the renowned bands of that time. The women made tireless efforts to entertain the troops who were fighting the battle in America, Africa and Italy.
- White Christmas- A beautiful song that is poised to touch the hearts of millions of Americans. However, the significance of the song lies in its evocative and prolific lyrics that struck a chord with the soldiers who were fighting battle overseas. This is especially true for the troops who were engaged in fighting the battle in Canada and other tropical countries. For the soldiers this song embodied hope and positivity for the war to come to an end and the promise of a peaceful future exemplified with snowy white Christmas. This song was used in the Hollywood movie Holiday Inn released in 1942. Bing Crosby along with Martha Mears sang this song. In 1977, this song was performed by Crosby and considered to be his last performance.
- Gonna Take a sentimental journey- This song was a great wartime favorite and was sung by Doris Day (a singer and actress) who commenced her career singing for the big band, Les Brown and His Band of Renown. The song was penned down by Les Brown and became a signature tune to celebrate and cherish the homecoming wartime veterans.
- As Time Goes by- As Time Goes by was composed in 1931by Herman Hupfeld and it became a hit during the 1942 Casablanca that featured Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid. According to the rumor, the song was almost chopped off the movie that was released after the Allied invasion of North Africa and the seizure of Casablanca. In the movie the piano was played off-camera by Elliot Carpenter. Moonlight Serenade- This song was sung by Glenn Miller who was the lead band singer, composer, arranger and the trombone player during the swing era. During the peak of the civilian war, 1942 Miller was determined to participate in the war and later went on to form the 50-piece Army Air force Band. This Band became popular by performing on the radio for the troops. In summer, the band was taken to England in summer of 1944 and delivered 800 performances.
- Kiss me goodnight Sergeant Major (1939) – Arthur Askey who was a famous English actor and comedian sang this song. The song is a sarcasm to mock at the British soldier Sergeant Major and their officers. This song was penned Don Pelosi in 1939 and was recorded by Askey during the period when Hitler’s deputy fled to Scotland. However, the song became controversial when it was banned by the war office.
- Don’t sit under the apple tree- This song was recorded in 1942 and was originally titled anywhere the Bluebird Goes. The melody of the song was updated by Sam H. Stept the 19th c. English folk song On February, 1942 the song was recorded by Glenn Miller Orchestra and on May, the Andrews Sisters performed the song in the film Private Buckaroo.
- The Lambeth Walk- This song was first performed in the musical Me and My Gal that features a man from the working class group who inhabits in the district of Lambeth. He acquires a large fortune and starts to move to the upper classes.
References
Baade, C. L. (2013). Victory through harmony: the BBC and popular music in World War II. Oxford University Press.
Bérubé, A. (2010). Coming out under fire: The history of gay men and women in World War II. Univ of North Carolina Press.
Fauser, A. (2013). Sounds of War: Music in the United States during World War II. OUP USA.
Pettan, S. (2010). Music in War, Music for Peace: Experiences in applied ethnomusicology. Music and conflict, 177, 192.
Terkel, S. (2011). The good war: An oral history of World War II. The New Press.
That’s Why We’re Marching: World War II and the American Folksong Movement. (2018). Retrieved from https://folkways.si.edu/thats-why-were-marching-world-war-ii-and-the-american-folksong-movement/folk-historical-song-struggle-protest/music/album/smithsonian
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