1940 TOP SONGS AND ARTISTS

Cliff Edwards When You Wish Upon A Star Pinocchio was Disney's second full length animated movie. Using the formula that he used in Snow White Disney would add music to his story telling. When You Wish Upon a Star was written by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington and sung by Cliff Edwards, the voice of Jiminy Cricket in the film. The song was not part of the story but was song over the credits at the beginning of the film. The film would have two more songs that would be remembered, Give A Little Whistle and An Actor Life For Me. When You Wish Upon A Star, however, would go on to be added to the list of The One Hundred Greatest Songs In Film History by The American Film Institute. The song would take its place at number seven. The Walt Disney Studios would have three other songs on the list. The Ink Spots  When The Swallows Come Back From Capistrano This song was written by Leon Rene and was recorded in May of 1940. The recording reached #4 on the charts, but the same year Glenn Miller would record the song and his version would recording would reach number two that same year. The song is a longing of a lover for the return of his or her beloved. The song was written in a tribute to the annual return of the swallow to Capistrano. Jimmy Davis You Are My Sunshine There are many people credited to have written You Are My Sunshine, so it maybe that the truth of this popular standard may never be known. The writers that claim credit are Oliver Hood, Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell are also credited with writing the song. History tells us that Davis bought the rights to the song from Paul Rice and put his name on it. This practice was not uncommon during the early days of music publishing. The song would go on to become the State Song Of Louisiana Glenn Miller Fools Rush In With music written by Rube Bloom and Lyrics by Johnny Mercer this song would be recorded throughout the 20th century and into the 21st. Artists that recorded the song besides Glenn Miller include Frank Sinatra, Rick Nelson in 1963 where it would hit #12 on the charts. Elvis Presley made his recording in 1971 and in 2010 She and Him also recorded the standard. Glenn Miller Pennsylvania 6 - 5000 PE 6 - 5000 is supposedly the oldest continuous phone number in New York City and is owned by The Hotel Pennsylvania. The story goes that many Big Bands played at The Hotel Pennsylvania and this is where the inspiration for the song came from. Written Jerry Gray and Carl Sigman the song would be #5 on The Bill Board Charts when recorded by Glenn Miller Bob Crosby And His Orchestra Down Argentine Way With music by Harry Warren Lyrics by Mack Gordon this song was part of the movie musical by the same name. Produced by 20th Centry Fox, the film starred Don Ameche and Betty Grable. The song, however would be performed by Carmen Miranda and this would be the first time American audiences would see the Cuban singer. Miss Miranda would become well known for wearing large hats that looked like they were made out of fruit, such as pineapples.

Top Artists and Songs of 1940 Andrews Sisters Ferryboat Serenade Say Si Si (Para Vigo Me Voy) South American Way Artie ShawFrenesi Benny Goodman Seven Come Eleven Bing Crosby Only Forever Sierra Sue Trade Winds Bob Chester Orchestra Practice Makes Perfect Bob Crosby and his Orchestra Down Argentina Way Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys New San Antonio Rose Bukka White Special Stream Line Charlie Barnet Pompton Turnpike Where Was I? Cliff Edwards (Ukele Ike) When You Wish Upon A Star Coleman Hawkins Body and Soul Connee Boswell  On The Isle of May Dick Robertson Ma (He's Making Eyes at Me) Edith Piaf L'accordeoniste Ella Fitzgerald Five O'Clock Whistle Erskine Hawkins Dolemite Glenn Miller Blueberry Hill Careless Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear To Tread) I'd Know You Anywhere Imagination In The Mood Pennsylvania 6-5000 The Woodpecker Song Tuxedo Junction When You Wish Upon A Star Jimmy Dorsey  The Breeze And I Jimmy Davis You Are My Sunshine Judy Garland I'm Nobody's Baby Kate Smith The Woodpecker Song Kay Kyser Ferryboat Serenade Playmates Leo Reisman Down Argentina Way Mildred Bailey Darn That Dream Mitchell Ayres and his Fashions In Music Make-Believe Island Two Dreams Met Nat Gonella I'm Nobody's Baby Paul Robeson Ballad For Americans Sammy Kaye Dream Valley Shep Fields and his Rippling Rhythm Orchestra Down Argentina Way The Ink Spots Java Jive Maybe We Three (My Echo My Shadow and Me) When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano Whispering Grass Tommy Dorsey All The Things You Are I'll Never Smile Again Only Forever Vaughn Monroe There I Go Will Bradley Beat Me Daddy Eight To The Bar Celery Stalks At Midnight There I Go Woody Guthrie Talking Dust Bowl Blues