ΤΗΕ MOST POPULAR SONG HITS AND PERFORMERS OF 1939

Little Brown Jug 1869 would mark the public publishing of this song that would remain part of American culture. The song is a drinking song and though it waned popularity for a while it regained its stature during the era of the 1920's and prohibition. Glenn Miller and his orchestra would produce a swing version of the tune and it would become a standard of the Big Band Era. Andrew Sisters Beer Barrel Polka  This song, also known as Roll Out The Barrel, was written in 1927 by a Czech muscian named Jaromir Vejvoda. As originally written it was played without lyrics. The song became popular with soldiers during World War II, but it's origins as well as lyrics and translations came much earlier. The song would be recorded by many artits and bands. The Wiggles made a recording of it for their album and video Sailing Around The World. If you grew up in Philadelphia you would be exposed to song fairly early as it was a staple for yearly Mummers Parade. Judy Garland Over The Rainbow What can be said about Over The Rainbow that has not already been written. The song was created by Harold Arlen with lyrics by E.Y. Harburg for one of the most famous movies of the 20th Century, The Wizard of OZ. The song is song by the character of Dorothy Gale played by Judy Garland as she yearns for someplace there would not be any trouble. Before the film's release the song was threatened to be cut, but wiser heads prevailed. The song would have had quite a different history and impact if it had starred Shirley Temple as MGM would have preferred. Temples little girl sweetness and attitudes would probably not have the same impact as Garlands more mature voice. The song would have very few recordings made by other artists before Barbra Striesand would use the song in her 1986 One Voice Concert that was performed on September the 6th at her Malibu home for 5000.00 dollars a ticket. Miss Streisand would pay homage to Garland before singing the song. Mr. Shue played by Mathew Morrison would sing the song in the first season finale of Glee. Kate Smith God Bless America Written by Irving Berlin, legend has it that Kate Smith called Berlin and asked him to give her something new for her radio program. Mr Berlin searched through his back files and pulled out God Bless America. Kate Smith would perform the song to almost immediate popularity. The song would long be associated with Miss Smith and at the end of her life while she lived in Philadelphia she sang the song regularly at The Philadelphia Flyers home games. Philadelphia honored Miss Smith by erecting a statue of her outside The Flyers Home Stadium. Many people feel that this song would make a better national anthem that Star Spangled Banner. Kay Kyser Three Little Fishies Three little Fishies is best described as a novelty song, like Shaving Cream or They'r Coming To Take Me Away. Only Three Little Fishies was is on the verge of cute and sweet and fun. Sung by Kay Kyser, with words and music by Saxie Dowell. The song would become a number one hit in 1939. But it would live on as children in the 1930s would sing this song to their children into the 1960s. Mary Martin My Heart Belongs to Daddy Written by Cole Porter for the musical Leave It To Me, this song would introduce the world to Miss Mary Martin. In the musical Miss Martin played the mistress of a newspaper publisher and the 'Daddy" she is referring to is her lover. The song is also done a strip tease, though, risqué, still tame by today's standards. Gene Kelly would also make one of his early appearances in the show. Miss Martin would go on to become one of the queens of Broadway, sharing the crown with the great Ethel Merman. Miss Martin originated the role of Nellie Forbush in Rodger's and Hammerstein's South Pacific in which she starred alongside Enzio Pinza. This would be the first time a Broadway star and an Opera Star would share the spotlight together. She went on to again work with the musical team when she originated the Role of Maria in The Sound Of Music. She also starred in a musical version of Peter Pan which still appears on Broadway from time to time. Miss Martin is the mother of Larry Hagman the Co-star of I Dream of Jeannie and Dallas. Mary Martin would title her autobiography My Heart Belongs. Solomon Linda and the Evening Birds The Lion Sleeps Tonight This song actually has two other titles Wimoweh and Mbube. The song was written in the 1920s by Solomon Linda of the Zulu tribe in Africa and first recorded there. The song would make its way across the Atlantic to become a hit in 1939. In the 1961 the song would become a number one hit when recorded by the Tokens and is still played on radio stations today. Walt Disney Studios would use the Lion Sleeps Tonight in it's animated classic The Lion King. Louis Armstrong When The Saints Go Marching In If Jazz and New Orleans had a theme song When The Saints Go Marching In would be it. The origin of the song is unknown, but it began as a hymn and usually used as part of funeral profession. While the casket was being taken to the cemetery the song would be played as a dirge or as a slow march. On the return from the cemetery the song would go upbeat and would signify Jesus Christ's Triumph over death. The New Orleans Football Team The Saints is named after this song.

Top Artists and Songs of 1939 Andrews Sisters Beer Barrel Polka Hold Tight Hold Tight (Want Some Seafood Mama) We'll All Right (Tonight's the Night) Art Tatum Tea For Two Artie Shaw I Poured My Heart Into A Song Thanks For Everything They Say Billie Holiday Strange Fruit Bing Crosby and Connee Boswell An Apple For Teacher Bing Crosby Whats New? Bob Hope & Shirley Ross Two Sleep People Bob Crosby and his Orchestra Day-In Day-Out Carmen Miranda and Dorival Caymmi O Que & Que a Baiana Tem? Charlie Barnet Cherokee Chick Henderson Begin the Beguine Count Basie Lester Leaps In Cripple Clarence Lofton I Don't Know Dick Jurgens and his Orchestra Careless Fats Waller Your Feets Too Big Frankie Masters and his Orchestra Scatter-Braion Gene Autry Back in the Saddle Again South of the Border (Down Mexico Way) Glen Gray Heaven Van Wait Glenn Miller Blue Orchid Forever Faithful Little Brown Jug Man With the Mandolin Moon Love Moonlight Serenade Over the Rainbow Stairway to the Stars Sunrise Serenade Wishing (Will Make It So) Guy Lombardo Penny Serenade South of the Border (Down Mexico Way) Judy Garland Over The Rainbow The Jitterbug Kate Smith God Bless America Kay Kyser Three Little Fishes Larry Clinton Deep Purple Louis Armstrong When the Saints Go Marching In Martha Tilton And the Angels Sing Mary Martin My Heart Belongs To Daddy Red Norvo and his Orchestra Says My Heart Sammy Kaye Penny Serenade Shep Fields and his Rippling Rhthym Orchestra South of the Border (Down Mexico Way) Solomon Linda and the Evening Birds The Lion Sleeps Tonight The Ink Spots Address Unknown If I Didn't Care My Prayer Tommy Dorsey Indian Summer Our Love Tony Martin  South of the Border (Down Mexico Way) Vera Lynn We'll Meet Again Will Glahe and his Orchestra Beer Barrel Polka Woody Herman At the Woodchpper's Ball