Your favorite music from 1939

Can be a single track, a 78 with multiple tracks, early albums (as in literal albums of 78s bound together), a classical piece, a later compilation focusing on the year . . . whatever.

Doesn't have to be a list, though of course you can post a list if you want. You can also just post one title at a time as you think of it/run across it (which is what I do in these threads).

 

Bing Crosby - "You're a Sweet Little Headache"

Some sources give a date of 1938 for this, but most give 1939, and it was from a 1939 film, Paris Honeymoon.

 

This 1 that I usually put in my 1940's sing-alongs at work by saying that although it's not a 1940's song sometimes people sing old songs as well as current ones & they always have done. This is normally 1 I start with.

 

'Taint what you do (it's the way that you do it)' - Jimmie Lunceford and his orchestra (Vocal James Young)


Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra – 'Taint What You Do / Cheatin' On Me (1939, Shellac)

 

Billie Holiday with Strange Fruit. One of the most harrowing songs ever.

 

Xavier Cugat & his Hotel Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra - Perfidia

 

Buddy Jones - Rockin' Rollin' Mama

 

The Ink Spots - If I Didn't Care

 

Harry James And His Orchestra featuring Frank Sinatra - Melancholy Mood

 

Glenn Miller "Moonlight Serenade"

 

Vera Lynn - We'll Meet Again

 

Cliff Edwards "When You Wish Upon A Star"

 

Larry Clinton and His Orchestra with Bea Wain - Deep Purple

 

Mellow and beautiful. I love it

 

“Rose Room” - Benny Goodman Sextet ft. Charlie Christian

 

I normally have that as 1 of my "Goodbye" songs when I plan & vocally conduct 1940's sing-alongs on 1940's Days at work.

 

“The World is Waiting for the Sunrise” - Frankie Newton & His Orchestra

 

I am a year off but this was my grandmothers favorite and thus mine. The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra with Fran Sinatra. Stardust.

 

“Lester Leaps In” - Count Basie & His Orchestra ft. Lester Young

 

Max Steiner's score for Gone With The Wind

 

Wow. Perhaps the most memorable film score of the 20th century.

 

Written in 1939 "And The Angels Sing"

My favorite version of this song is by Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass

 

It's a classic, but if you really want to hear "Moonlight Serenade" mellow and beautiful, THIS is the version, in my opinion ...

 

Written in 1939 by Duke Ellington and Milt Gabler, "In A Mellow Tone"

For those who don't already know, Milt Gabler started "Commodore Records" and then went on in 1941 to be a huge part of "DECCA Records", until it was consumed by MCA/UNIVERSAL.

A few more choice fun facts about Milt:

Milt's nephew is comedian/actor Billy Crystal

Milt signed Bill Haley & His Comets to DECCA and produced their most famous song, "Rock Around The Clock", in only two takes!

Milt produced almost every Bert Kaempfert album

Here is a great live version of the song by Count Basie and his orchestra