1940s Wedding Songs Trending Now & Best Ever
Updated on June 14 2023 | Written by Matthew Campbell (Editor of My Wedding Songs and wedding DJ)
The 1940s saw the US entering WWII as well as ending it. Ticker tape parades and famous kisses celebrated victories in Europe and Japan.
Emerging from that war changed the mood of the country and gave birth (literally) to the Boomer Generation.
The songs of the 1940s make us feel good, want to get off our chairs, and dance all night long.
That’s why they are the perfect decade to add to your wedding reception playlist!
You will enjoy a list of the most popular and unique 1940s songs for your wedding day.
Every couple’s music tastes are different. Thus, we selected wedding songs from the 1940s that include many different music styles.
Let’s start with the most popular right now.
Trending 1940s Wedding Songs
- “La Vie En Rose” by Edith Piaf
- “In The Mood” by Glenn Miller Orchestra
- “I Love You For Sentimental Reasons” by Nat King Cole
- “Day By Day” by Frank Sinatra
- “I’ll Dance At Your Wedding” by Buddy Clark & Ray Noble & His Orchestra
- “As Time Goes By” by Dooley Wilson
- “Anniversary Song” by Al Jolson
- “I Love You” by Bing Crosby
- “Till The End Of Time” by Perry Como
- “Take The ‘A’ Train” by Duke Ellington
Best 1940s Wedding Songs
We’ve calculated our favorite 1940s songs to get people on the dance floor at your wedding. Did we miss your favorite?
Jazz Hits
Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Margaret Whiting & Johnny Mercer
Released in 1949, Genre: Genre: Jazz
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Say, lend me a coat – It’s up to your knees out there
You’ve really been grand – I thrill when you touch my hand
Why don’t you see – How can you do this thing to me?
A Tree In The Meadow – Margaret Whiting
Released in 1948, Genre: Jazz
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I will always remember
The love in your eye
The day you carved upon that tree
“I love you till I die”
Anniversary Song – Al Jolson
Released in 1946, Genre: Jazz
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Angels were singing a hymn to your charms
Two hearts gently beating, murmuring low
“Darling, I love you so”
Lover Man (Oh Where Can He Be) – Billie Holiday
Released in 1945, Genre: Jazz
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Hugging and a kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be
Groovin’ High – Dizzy Gillespie
Released in 1945, Genre: Jazz
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Rum And Coca-Cola – The Andrews Sisters
Released in 1945, Genre: Jazz
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Drinkin’ rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Workin’ for the Yankee dollar
Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive – Bing Crosby & The Andrew Sisters
Released in 1944, Genre: Jazz
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
You’ve gotta accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don’t mess with Mister In-Between
‘Round Midnight – Thelonious Monk
Released in 1944, Genre: Jazz
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Does it mean that our love is ending
Darlin’ I need you, lately I find
You’re out of my heart
And I’m out of my mind
I’m Making Believe – Ella Fitzgerald and The Ink Spots
Released in 1944, Genre: Jazz
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I’ll whisper “Good night”, turn out the light, and kiss my pillow
Making believe it’s you
Black, Brown and Beige – Duke Ellington
Released in 1943, Genre: Jazz
(Instrumental)
Paper Doll – The Mills Brothers
Released in 1943, Genre: Jazz
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
When I come home at night she will be waiting
She’ll be the truest doll in all this world
I’d rather have a Paper Doll to call my own
Than have a fickle-minded real live girl
God Bless the Child – Billie Holiday
Released in 1942, Genre: Jazz
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Empty pockets don’t ever make the grade
Mama may have, Papa may have
But God bless the child that’s got his own
A Night in Tunisia – Dizzy Gillespie
Released in 1942, Genre: Jazz
(Instrumental)
Take The ‘A’ Train – Duke Ellington
Released in 1941, Genre: Jazz
(Instrumental)
Frenesi – Artie Shaw
Released in 1940, Genre: Jazz
(Instrumental)
Nuages – Django Reinhardt & Stéphane Grappelli
Released in 1940, Genre: Jazz
(Instrumental)
I’ll Be Seeing You – Frank Sinatra & Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra
Released in 1940, Genre: Jazz
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I’ll be seeing you in ev’ry lovely summer’s day
In everything that’s light and gay
I’ll always think of you that way
In The Blue of Evening – Frank Sinatra & Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra
Released in 1940, Genre: Jazz
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
In the blue of evening
Night winds above whisper “I love you”
Then we will find romance
In the blue of evening
Body and Soul – Coleman Hawkins
Released in 1939, Genre: Jazz
(Instrumental)
In a Sentimental Mood – Duke Ellington
Released in 1935, Genre: Jazz
(Instrumental)
Next, read songs from the 1950s for a wedding ceremony and reception.
Pop Favorites
Rag Mop – The Ames Brothers
Released in 1949, Genre: Pop
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I say R-A
R-A-G
R-A-G-G
Rag
R-A-G-G M-O-P-P
Rag Mop
Buttons And Bows – Dinah Shore
Released in 1949, Genre: Pop
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Let’s vamoose where gals keep usin’
Those silks and satins and linen that shows
And I’m all yours in buttons and bows
Dear Hearts And Gentle People – Dinah Shore
Released in 1949, Genre: Pop
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I feel so welcome each time that I return
That my happy heart keeps laughin’ like a clown
I love the dear hearts and gentle people
Who live and love in my home town
I Can Dream, Can’t I? – The Andrews Sisters
Released in 1949, Genre: Pop
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
But I can dream, can’t I?
Can’t I adore you
Although we are oceans apart?
I’ll Dance At Your Wedding – Buddy Clark & Ray Noble & His Orchestra
Released in 1947, Genre: Pop
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I’ll dance at your wedding, I won’t miss that wedding
I’ll dance at your wedding, am I gonna shine
At your wedding and mine
Peg O’ My Heart – Buddy Clark
Released in 1947, Genre: Pop
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Peg o’my heart
I love you, don’t let us part
I love you, I always knew it would be you
La Vie En Rose – Edith Piaf
Released in 1947, Genre: Pop
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
He tell me love words
Everyday words
And it does something to me
He has entered in my heart
Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly – Dinah Shore
Released in 1946, Genre: Pop
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
They ain’t had any learnin’
Still, they’re happy as can be
Doin’ what comes naturally
Day By Day – Frank Sinatra
Released in 1946, Genre: Pop
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I find that day by day you’re making all my dreams come true
And (so) come what may I want you to know
I’m (that I am) yours alone, and I’m in love (in love) to stay
As we go through the years day by day
Five Minutes More – Frank Sinatra
Released in 1946, Genre: Pop
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Give me five minutes more, only five minutes more
Let me stay, let me stay in your arms
Here am I, begging for only five minutes more
Oh! What It Seemed To Be – Frank Sinatra
Released in 1946, Genre: Pop
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
It was just a wedding in June, that’s all that it was
But, oh, what it seemed to be
It was like a royal affair with everyone there
‘Cause you said, “Yes, I do” to me
Prisoner Of Love – Perry Como
Released in 1946, Genre: Pop
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
She’s in my dreams awake or sleeping
Upon my knees to her I’m creeping
My very life is in her keeping
I’m just a prisoner of love
Till The End Of Time – Perry Como
Released in 1945, Genre: Pop
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Till the wells run dry
And each mountain disappears
I’ll be there for you, to care for you
I’ll Walk Alone – Dinah Shore
Released in 1944, Genre: Pop
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I’ll always be near you
Wherever you are
Each night
In every prayer
Just whisper, I’ll hear you
No matter how far
So close your eyes
And I’ll be there
Dearly Beloved – Rita Hayworth
Released in 1942, Genre: Pop
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Dearly beloved, how clearly I see
Somewhere in Heaven you were fashioned for me
Angel eyes knew you
Angel voices led me to you
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy – The Andrews Sisters
Released in 1941, Genre: Pop
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
He was our boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B
And when he plays boogie woogie bugle he was buzy as a bzzz bee
And when he plays he makes the company jump eight to the bar
Check out songs from the 1960s for a wedding ceremony and reception.
Big Band Tracks
Cruising Down The River – Blue Barron
Released in 1949, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Cruising down the river on a Sunday afternoon
With one you love, the sun above waiting for the moon
I’m Looking Over A Four-Leaf Clover – Art Mooney
Released in 1948, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
One leaf is sunshine, the second is rain
Third is the roses that grow in the lane
No need explaining, the one remaining
Is somebody I adore
Twelfth Street Rag – Pee Wee Hunt
Released in 1948, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Ballerina – Vaughn Monroe
Released in 1947, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Dance on and on and on
A thousand people here have come to see the show
As ’round and ’round you go
So ballerina, dance
Symphony – Benny Goodman And His Orchestra
Released in 1946, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Then we kiss
And it’s clear to me
When you’re near to me
You are my symphony
I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm – Les Brown And His Orchestra
Released in 1946, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
What do I care how much it may storm?
Oh, I’ve got my love to keep me warm
That’s My Desire – Sammy Kaye
Released in 1946, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
To spend one night with you, in our old rendezvour
And reminisce with you
That’s my desire
The Old Lamp-Lighter – Sammy Kaye
Released in 1946, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
For he recalled when dreams were new
He loved someone who loved him too
Who walks with him alone in memory
Artistry in Rhythm – Stan Kenton
Released in 1946, Genre: Big Band
(Instrumental)
I’m Beginning To See The Light – Harry James Orchestra
Released in 1945, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I never made love by lantern-shine
I never saw rainbows in my wine
But now that your lips are burning mine
I’m beginning to see the light
My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time – Les Brown
Released in 1945, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
And what do you know
He looked at me in a different light
My dreams are getting better all the time
There! I’ve Said It Again – Vaughn Monroe
Released in 1945, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I’ve tried to drum up
A phrase that would sum up
All that I feel for you
But what good are phrases
The thought that amazes
Is you love me, and it’s heavenly
Solo Flight – Charlie Christian & Benny Goodman Orchestra
Released in 1944, Genre: Big Band
(Instrumental)
Besame Mucho (Kiss Me Much) – Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra
Released in 1944, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Each time I cling to your kiss, I hear music divine
Bésame mucho
Hold me my darling and say that you’ll always be mine
Sentimental Journey – Les Brown Band
Released in 1944, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Never thought my heart could be so yearning
Why did I decide to roam?
I gotta take this sentimental journey
Sentimental journey home
Opus No. 1 – Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
Released in 1944, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I’ve Heard That Song Before – Harry James
Released in 1943, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
It seems to me I’ve heard that song before
It’s from an old familiar score
I know it well, that melody
Jersey Bounce – Benny Goodman and His Orchestra
Released in 1942, Genre: Big Band
(Instrumental)
Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me) – Glenn Miller Orchestra
Released in 1942, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Don’t go walking down lovers’ lane with anyone else but me
Anyone else but me, anyone else but me
No! No! No!
Moonlight Cocktail – Glenn Miller Orchestra
Released in 1942, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Stir for a couple of hours ’til dreams come true
Adds to the number of kisses, it’s up to you
Moonlight Cocktail, need a few
Sleepy Lagoon – Harry James
Released in 1942, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
The memory of this moment of love
Will haunt me forever
A tropical moon, a sleepy lagoon
And you
Jingle, Jangle, Jingle – Kay Kyser And His Orchestra
Released in 1942, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I got spurs that jingle, jangle, jingle
As I go ridin’ merrily along
And they sing, “Oh, ain’t you glad you’re single”
And that song ain’t so very far from wrong
Flying Home – Lionel Hampton
Released in 1942, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
And reminisce with you that’s my desire
To meet where gypsies play, down in that dim cafe
And dance ’till break of day that’s my desire
Stardust – Artie Shaw
Released in 1941, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Is in the stardust of a song
Beside a garden wall
When stars are bright
You are in my arms
Elmer’s Tune – Glenn Miller Orchestra
Released in 1941, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Why are the stars always winkin’ and blinkin’ above?
What makes a fellow start thinkin’ of fallin’ in love?
It’s not the season, the reason is plain as the moon
It’s just Elmer’s tune
Jukebox Saturday Night – Glenn Miller Orchestra
Released in 1941, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Money we really don’t need bad
We make out alright
Lettin’ the other guy feed that
Jukebox Saturday night
Chattanooga Choo Choo – Glenn Miller
Released in 1941, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
She’s gonna cry
Until I tell her that I’ll never roam
So Chattanooga choo choo
Won’t you choo-choo me home?
String Of Pearls – Glenn Miller
Released in 1941, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Some wear a crown of thorns
Some wear out their welcome
But somewhere over the rainbow
I will wear my string of pearls
You Made Me Love You (I Didn’t Want To Do It) – Harry James And His Orchestra
Released in 1941, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie, gimmie what I cry for
You know you’ve got the brand of kisses
That I’d die for
You know you made me love you
Amapola (Pretty Little Poppy) – Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra
Released in 1941, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Amapola, my pretty little poppy
You’re like that lovely flower so sweet and heavenly
Since I found you, my heart is wrapped around you
And loving you, it seems to beat a rhapsody
Green Eyes – Jimmy Dorsey
Released in 1941, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Those cool and limpid green eyes -a pool wherein my love lies
So deep that in my searching for happiness
I fear that they will ever haunt me, all through my life they’ll taunt me
But will they ever want me?
Green eyes, I love you
Maria Elena – Jimmy Dorsey
Released in 1941, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Maria Elena say that we will never part
Maria Elena take me to your heart
A love like mine is great enough for two
To share this love is really all I ask of you
Daddy – Sammy Kaye
Released in 1941, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Hey, daddy, I want a diamond ring, bracelets, everything
Daddy, you oughta get the best for me lee-ya lee-ya
Imagination – Glenn Miller Orchestra
Released in 1940, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
It’s just your imagination rolling over the past
It can change your mind completely
It’s just my imagination running wild and too fast
But I know it won’t defeat me
Pennsylvania 6-5000 – Glenn Miller
Released in 1940, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
We don’t say “how are you”
And very seldom ask “what’s new?”
Instead we start and end each call with
“Baby confidentially I love you”
Tuxedo Junction – Glenn Miller
Released in 1940, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Come on down, forget your care
Come on down, you’ll find me there
So long town, I’m heading for
Tuxedo Junction now
The Breeze And I – Jimmy Dorsey
Released in 1940, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Ours was a love song that seemed constant as the moon
Ending in a strange, mournful tune
And all about me, they know you have departed without me
I’ll Never Smile Again – Tommy Dorsey
Released in 1940, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I’m so in love with you
I’ll never thrill again
To somebody new
Amor – Xavier Cugat & His Orchestra
Released in 1940’s, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Amor, amor, amor
This word so sweet, that I repeat, means I adore you
Amor, amor, my love
Brazil – Xavier Cugat & His Orchestra
Released in 1940’s, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Recalling thrills of our love,
There’s one thing I’m certain of
Return I will to old Brazil
In The Mood – Glenn Miller Orchestra
Released in 1939, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Now the light is with us and you’re right in the groove
You were only hungry for some musical food
You’re positively, absolutely in the mood
Auld Lang Syne – Guy Lombardo
Released in 1928, Genre: Big Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne
Vocal Tunes
Again – Doris Day
Released in 1949, Genre: Vocal
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Again,
This couldn’t happen
Again
This is that once
In a lifetime
This is the thrill divine
Some Enchanted Evening – Ezio Pinza
Released in 1949, Genre: Vocal
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Some enchanted evening, someone may be laughing
You may hear her laughing across a crowded room
And night after night, as strange as it seems
The sound of her laughter will sing in your dreams
To Each His Own – Eddy Howard
Released in 1946, Genre: Vocal
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
If a flame is to grow there must be a glow
To open each door there’s a key
I need you, I know, I can’t let you go
Your touch means too much to me
Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah – James Baskett
Released in 1946, Genre: Vocal
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!
I Love You – Bing Crosby
Released in 1944, Genre: Vocal
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
It’s spring again and birds on the wing again
Start to sing again the old melody
I love you, that’s the song of songs
And they all belongs to you and me
Sunday, Monday or Always – Bing Crosby
Released in 1943, Genre: Vocal
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
If you’re satisfied
I’ll be at your side
Sunday, Monday or always
Be Careful It’s My Heart – Bing Crosby
Released in 1942, Genre: Vocal
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Remember it’s my heart
The heart with which so willingly I part
It’s yours to take to keep or break
But please, before you start
Be careful, it’s my heart
As Time Goes By – Dooley Wilson
Released in 1942, Genre: Vocal
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
It’s still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by
Only Forever – Bing Crosby
Released in 1940, Genre: Vocal
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
How long would it take me
To be near if you beckon?
Offhand I would figure
Less than a second
When You Wish Upon A Star – Cliff Edwards
Released in 1940, Genre: Vocal
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you
I’ll Get By (As Long as I Have You) – Dick Haymes
Released in 1940, Genre: Vocal
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Poverty
May come to me, it’s true
But what care I
Say, I’ll get by
As long as I have you
R&B Songs
Nature Boy – Nat King Cole
Released in 1948, Genre: R&B
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
The greatest thing you’ll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return
Get Your Kicks On Route 66 – Nat King Cole
Released in 1946, Genre: R&B
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Won’t you get hip to this timely tip:
When you make that California trip
Get your kicks on route sixty-six
I Love You For Sentimental Reasons – Nat King Cole
Released in 1946, Genre: R&B
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I love you
And you alone were meant for me
Please give your loving heart to me
And say we’ll never apart
Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t (My Baby) – Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
Released in 1944, Genre: R&B
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Is you, is or, is you ain’t my baby
Maybe baby’s found somebody new
Or is my baby still my baby true
I Don’t Want To Set The World On Fire – The Ink Spots
Released in 1941, Genre: R&B
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I’ve lost all ambition for worldly acclaim
I just want to be the one you love
And with your admission that you feel the same
I’ll have reached the goal I’m dreaming of
Country Chart Toppers
Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy – Red Foley
Released in 1949, Genre: Country
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
He’s a great big bundle o’ joy
He pops the boogie woogie rag
The Chattanoogie shoe-shine boy
Near You – Francis Craig Orchestra
Released in 1947, Genre: Country
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Make my life worthwhile
By telling me that I’ll
Spend the rest of my days near you
New San Antonio Rose – Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys
Released in 1940, Genre: Country
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
For that moonlit pass by the Alamo
And Rose, my Rose of San Antone
Deep within my heart lies a melody,
A song of old San Antone
Blues Beats
Boogie Chillen’ – John Lee Hooker
Released in 1948, Genre: Blues
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
When I got there, I say, “Yes, people”
They was really havin’ a ball!
Yes, I know
Boogie Chillin
Good Rockin’ Tonight – Wynonie Harris
Released in 1948, Genre: Blues
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I heard the news, there’s good rockin’ tonight
Gonna hold my baby as tight as I can
Tonight she’ll know I’m a mighty man
Caldonia – Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
Released in 1945, Genre: Blues
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Caldonia! Caldonia!
What make your big head so hard?
I love you, I love you just the same
Crazy bout that woman ’cause Caldonia is her name
G.I. Jive – Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
Released in 1944, Genre: Blues
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
This is the G. I. Jive
Man alive
They give you a private tank
That features a little device called “fluid drive”
Jack, if you still survive
Folk Sing-Alongs
This Land Is Your Land – Woody Guthrie
Released in 1940, Genre: Folk
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I roamed and rambled and I’ve followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
All around me a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me
Bluegrass
Foggy Mountain Breakdown – Earl Scruggs
Released in 1949, Genre: Bluegrass
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Do you have a favorite 1940s wedding song? Please share the song below and why it is special to you.
FAQs
What Makes the 1940s Songs Special?
When you think of 1940s songs, you likely think of swing and big bands. Jazz became popular and its swing became the pop music of that era. The 1940s gave birth to rock and roll — not yet accepted by the masses.
Popular big band artists from the 1940s include Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and Jimmy Dorsey (brothers), Benny Goodman, and Dizzy Gillespie.
The 1940s jazz artists include Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra. A form of jazz called scat also became popular with artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Cab Calloway.
See more jazz hits for dancing.
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, scat music “is a jazz vocal style using emotive, onomatopoeic, and nonsense syllables instead of words in solo improvisations on a melody.”
The Culture Shift in the 1940s
The 1940s were stricken with the war ending with the finality of dropping the first nuclear bomb. This decade saw women going to work while men were off fighting a war. The war also got America out of the depression by creating many jobs. Popular film stars included actors Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Clark Gable, and Humphrey Bogart. An invention prominent in the music industry took place in 1949 with the rpm 45 record. Although television’s debut was in 1939, commercial television with 13 stations became available to the public in 1947.
Radio was the main source of news, music, and entertainment in the 1940s. Pin-up girls became icons with enlisted men, such as Rita Hayworth and Betty Grable. A new look for women was introduced after the war ended – feminine dresses with long, full skirts, and tight waists. Men’s fashion was at its apex with their zoot suits. It’s difficult to separate culture, fashion, and music. So, what makes the music special?
Swing Dancing and The Jitterbug
Examples of swing music come from upbeat sounds that are in a widely popular dance style – the Jitterbug. For a younger military generation, the Jitterbug overtook the slower waltz and foxtrot which were seen as boring and outdated. However, in the mid to late 1940s, the Jitterbug style recreated itself. It became easier to dance and regenerated itself at the beginning of rock and roll.
Swing became a very popular dance style in the 1940s. Examples of swing dance types include lindy hop, east coast swing, and west coast swing. Two other popular dances of the Best 1940s music were the jive, part of swing, and tap dancing.