ANNE
GREENE here. Music defines an age and I love the optimism of the 1920s. Along
with jazz, big bands were extremely popular. Happy-Go-Lucky characterized the
1920 songs. No previous decade in America had been so confidant.
The
Great War to end all wars had been won several years earlier. America enjoyed
prosperity like never before. Women had earned suffrage. Clothing and hair
styles grew freer for both men and women. Women had a choice of staying home or
choosing a career. Jobs were plentiful. The economy boomed. America entered the
Jazz Age.
The
phonograph record surpassed the sales of sheet music and piano rolls. Radio
moved from being an expensive novelty into a major piece of entertainment. By the
late 1920s movies went from silent to sound and created another medium for the
decade’s music. Prohibition and the opening of Speakeasys provided ample opportunities
for musicians.
Young
people went crazy for dances like the Charleston and the Black Bottom. The
swing debuted as another popular dance style. Record companies sold records in
huge numbers. Songs like Sweet Georgia
Brown, Dinah and Bye Bye Blackbird became instant hits.
See
if you recognize any of these songs: Yes Sir: That’s My Baby, If You Knew
Susie, Tea for Two, All Alone, Lady Be Good, Indian Love Call, Lady Be
Good, When My Sugar Walks Down The
Street, Moonlight and Roses, I’ll See You In My Dreams, Look For The Silver
Lining, Ain’t We Got Fun, Make Believe, All By Myself.
ANNE
GREENE delights in writing about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines. Her second
novel, a Scottish historical, Masquerade Marriage, won three
prestigious book awards. The sequel Marriage
By Arrangement released November, 2013.
A Texas Christmas Mystery also won
awards. Anne’s highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to awesome
new worlds and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the
Lord Jesus. Anne makes her home in McKinney, Texas. Anne loves to talk with her
readers. Buy Anne’s books at http://www.Amazon.com. Visit http://www.anneswritingupdates.blogspot.com for information
on writing an award-winning novel. Talk with Anne on twitter at @TheAnneGreene.
View Anne’s books, travel pictures and art work at http://www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com.
Some
of the 1920s songs you will recognize. I know none of you remember the music of
the 1920s, but perhaps your grandmothers sang these songs.
Some
of the more popular songs lasted through the 1940s. Songs like Honeysuckled Rose, Ain’t Misbahaving,
Stardust, The Man I Love, Blue Skies, and What Is This Thing Called Love.
Band
leaders like Paul Whiteman, Benny Goodman, and Glenn Miller started developing
the Big Band sound while playing in Jazz Dance Halls.
See
if you recognize any of these songs: Yes Sir: That’s My Baby, If You Knew
Susie, Tea for Two, All Alone, Lady Be Good, Indian Love Call, Lady Be
Good, When My Sugar Walks Down The
Street, Moonlight and Roses, I’ll See You In My Dreams, Look For The Silver
Lining, Ain’t We Got Fun, Make Believe, All By Myself.
Leave
a comment and tell me which songs your mother or grandmother sang around the
house. Did they tell you stories of dancing to the Big Band sound?
ANNE
GREENE delights in writing about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines. Her second
novel, a Scottish historical, Masquerade Marriage, won three
prestigious book awards. The sequel Marriage
By Arrangement released November, 2013.
A Texas Christmas Mystery also won
awards. Anne’s highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to awesome
new worlds and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the
Lord Jesus. Anne makes her home in McKinney, Texas. Anne loves to talk with her
readers. Buy Anne’s books at http://www.Amazon.com. Visit http://www.anneswritingupdates.blogspot.com for information
on writing an award-winning novel. Talk with Anne on twitter at @TheAnneGreene.
View Anne’s books, travel pictures and art work at http://www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com.
For a chance to win a free copy of Anne's new Scottish Historical Romance, go to http://www.anneswritingupdates.blogspot.com and join her site.
Yes Anne, I remember many of these songs. Lots are my favorites. And, some like Dinah, bye, bye blackbird, and sweet georgia Brown still played when I was a teenager and married. And lots of Big Bands were playing. Glenn Miller and his band were my favorites for years and still love them. I don't remember my mother singing but the rest of our family always did. I had seven siblings. My Mom and Dad married in 1921 when she was 15 and him 21. I still love the older songs. My oldest brother was in WW ll and I was 9 and 10, but remember it well. I loved this post and the memories. Thanks. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHI Maxie,
DeleteI love this age and these songs as well. I'm so glad you enjoyed the memories! You sound like you had a great family. I only had one sister, so I'm jealous. I think families were closer back then before all the children had cell phones and stayed in constant contact with friends rather than family!
I'm so glad I stopped by the blog today. I've been mentally working on an historical romance I'd like to write set in 1924 at a New England summer resort for the wealthy. I know of a band that used to play at this resort, but your post gives me so much more to work with. My dad sang a lot of old songs but I don't know that they went back as far as the 20's: Down By the Old Mill Stream, K-K-K-Katy, I Dream of Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair, Bicycle Built for Two. Now that makes me wonder what my kids remember me singing around the house!
ReplyDeleteMarti, I hope you are still singing around the house. My mother did too, and my sister and I sang while we did the dishes. We also sang in a church choir. Singing is good for the heart and spirit.
DeleteI do recognize some of those songs and they are wonderful to listen to. We usally listened to Glenn Miller's hits the most. thanks for the chance to win. truckredford(at)Gmail(dot)Com
ReplyDeleteI loved Glenn Miller songs, but never heard the Big Band sound in person. However my grandmother lived in that era.
ReplyDeleteI remember my mom and sister singing, Yes, Sir That's My Baby and Blue Skies. They loved Big Band music and passed down that love to me.
ReplyDeleteworthy2bpraised at gmail dot com