Overview: Music of the 1940s
The 1940s was an era rich with good musicians and a distinct, upbeat sound. Big band was the thing; swing was king. While the music of the 1930s was quietly sophisticated and high-pitched, the forties launched a busier style, with an emphasis placed on the brass and woodwind instruments. Big bands often used the “riff”, which is the repetition of a simple musical phrase, to produce their recognizable sound.
Big band orchestras specialized in arrangements of swing or jazz. Swing, derived from jazz, was prominent in the early forties. Jazz had formerly been thought of as a sleazy style; now it was suddenly transformed into something respectable and even ballroom-worthy.
Well-known musicians of the time included Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, and Harry James. Solo singers often performed with big bands.
Popular songs of the era were “Chattanooga Choo Choo” (which sold over one-million copies in 1942) and “A String of Pearls.” Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” was 1941’s best-selling Christmas song. “As Time Goes By” was popularized following Dooley Wilson’s singing of the song in the film Casablanca. Perry Como made a no. 1 hit out of “Some Enchanted Evening.” Other classics became “Stardust” (by Artie Shaw) and “Sentimental Journey” (by Doris Day).
The 1940s produced talented artists in the musical field, giving us many classic songs we still enjoy today.
Photograph Credits- DANCING: Wikipedia
A quick look at the era’s musicians and vocalists: Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, The Andrews Sisters, and more.