THE MOST POPULAR SONG HITS AND PERFORMERS OF 1941

Andrews Sisters Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Written by Don Raye and Hughie Prince this song was the first to be directly related to World War II. The song told the story of a talented bugler that after he was drafted, could only play Reveille until his captain organizes a band for him to play with. The song would be a huge hit for the Andrew Sisters and would not be forgotten. It would make it back to the charts in 1973 as a hit for Bette Midler. It would top out at #8 on the top 100 chart and would go to #1 on the Billboard easy Listening chart.Andrew Sisters I'll be With You In Apple Blossom Time The song was written by Albert Von Tizler and Neville Freeson, it was copyrighted in 1920 and recorded a number of times before it hit #5 on the charts when recorded by The Andrews Sisters. It would go on to be recorded by such artists as Wayne Newton and Barry Manilow It hit the charts at 31on the US charts when recorded by Tab Hunter and #41 that same year on the UK charts when recorded by Rosemary June. Arite Shaw Stardust This song is again hitting the charts after its initial recording in 1926, by it's composer Hoagy Carmichael. In 1956 on a disc jockey survey of their favorite records of all time Stardust would come out as number one. Billie Holiday God Bless The Child This song was written by the original performer Billie Holiday along with Arthur Herzog Jr, in 1939, it took until1941 for the song to get recorded but in 1976 this version of the song would be honored with the Grammy Hall Of Fame Award. The back story of the song is particularly interesting. Billie Holliday tells the tale in her autobiography Lady Sings The Blues, Holiday and her mother are having an argument over money at some point Holiday says "God bless the child that's got his own." This became the starting point for a song. God Bless the Child would go on to be recorded throughout the 20th century and into the 21st, by such artists as Lou Rawls, Liza Minnelli, Diana Ross and in the 21st century Moby. Duke Ellington Take The A Train The song was written by Billy Strayton as new signature song for Duke Ellington and His Orchestra after Ellington found he could no longer use the song that had been his signature, "Sepia Panorama" due to issues with licensing. The song would stay Duke Ellington's as very few others would record the song Eddie Duchin I Could Write A Book The Musical Pal Joey was where this song made it's debut written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. It was first sung by Gene Kelly who would go on to become one of the biggest stars in MGMs Galaxy. Pal Joey concerned the love affair between an amoral nightclub performer and the wife of a rich man. It was cynical, which was different for a Broadway show at the time. Critic would not agree about its merits, but it would be revived several times over the years. A film was made of the show which starred Frank Sinatra. Glenn Miller Orchestra Chattanooga Choo Choo Chattanooga Choo Choo was written by Harry Warren, the music and Mack Gordon, lyrics and originally performed in the movie Sun Valley Serenade. The film starred Sonja Henie and Milton Berle. The Orchestra leader Glenn Miller also had a lead role in the film. The song was originally performed as a vocal number that went into a production number. It would be recorded as a single by Glenn Miller for RCA Victor and would remain 9 weeks on the Billboard charts at number one. The recording would be honored with the first Gold Record on February 10, 1942. Harry James I Don't Want To Walk Without You With music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Frank Loesser and was first performed by Betty Jane Rhodes in the film Sweater Girl released by paramount Pictures. Irving Berlin would say of all the songs he had heard this song was the one he wished he had written. When recorded by Harry James and his orchestra it would hit number one and would again appear on the charts at number 36 when recorded by Barry Manilow in early 1980. Judy Garland It's a Great Day For The Irish The Irish love thier muisci especially on St. Patrick's Day. This song was written by one of the music directors for MGM Studios, Rodger Edens. The song, written especially for Judy Garland, to show off her strong vocal talents was added to the score of the George m Cohan Musical Little Nellie Kelly. The song was sung during a recreation of New York City's St. Patrick's Day Parade. Garland would sing this song in many of her concerts, and for many Irish Americans this song is considered an Anthem for the St. Patrick Holiday.   Top Artists and Songs of 1941 Al Bowlly When that Man is Dead and Gone Al Donahue The Wise Old Owl Andews Sisters Aurora Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Bounce Me Brother I'll Be With You (In Apple Blossom Time) Artie Shaw Dancing In The Dark Stardust Summit Ridge Drive Benny Goodman There'll Be Some Changes Made Big Maceo Merriweather Worried Life Blues Billie Holiday God Bless The Child Bing Crosby Dolores Shepard's Serenade Charlie Barnet I Hear A Rhapsoy Duke Ellington Take the 'A' Train Eddie Duchin I Could Write a Book Ernest Tubb Walking the Floor Over You Freddy Martin Piano Concerto in B Flat Gene Krupa High on a Windy Hill Let Me Off Uptown Glenn Miller Orchestra Adios Chattanooga Choo Choo Elmer's Tune Song of the Volga Boatmen String of Pearls You and I Guy Lombardo Intermezzo (Souvenir De Vienne) The Band Played On Harry James By The Sleepy Lagoon I Don't Want To Walk Without You Miserlou You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To Do It) Horace Heidt I Don't WAnt To Set The World On Fire The Hut Hut Song (A Swedish Serenade) Jay McShann Vine Street Blues Jimmy Dorsey Amapola (Pretty Little Puppy) Blue Champagne Green Eyes High on a Windy Hill I Hear A Rhapsody Jim Maria Elena My Sister and I Yours Joe Loss Orchestra 'V' Stands for Victory Judy Garland It's A Great Day For The Irish Kay Kyser Alexander the Swoose (Half Swan Half Goose) (Lights Out) Til Reveille Pedro Marcus  Besame Mucho Sammy Kaye Daddy Sons of the Pioneers Cool Water The Ink Spots I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire We Three (My Echo, My Shadow, and Me) Tommy Dorsey and Frank Sinatra Dolores This Love of Mine Two in Love Yes Indeed Tommy Dorsey Do I Worry? Let's Get Away From It All Tommy Tucker I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire Tony Martin The Last Time I saw Paris Vaughn Monroe There I Go Vera Lynn A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square Washboard Sam She Belongs to the Devil Wayne King You Are My Sunshine Xavier Cugat Chica Chica Boom Chic Green Eyes Perfida (Tonight)