SONGS THAT HELPED WIN WWII

ANNE GREENE here: 

During WWII we Americans kept our hopes and spirits high with the new songs that blossomed during those dark years when we were losing the battle to Germany’s Hitler and Japan’s Hirohito. 

World War II was the first conflict to take place in the age when almost ninety percent of American households had radio. Never before had songs been so widely available. Never before had the number of listeners been so high. 

Overseas, American troops had access to radio in all but the most difficult combat situations. Between bouts of combat our troops listened to popular music on Armed Forces Radio. 

The song, They’re Either Too Young or Too Old took a light-hearted look at the men left for the women on the home front while our troops were away fighting the war.

Popular songs like Sentimental Journey, I’ll Be Seeing You, Moonlight Serenade, and I’ll Be Home for Christmas, spoke of women’s longings for loved ones overseas and the troops yearning to be home. Those songs gave society’s blessing that it was okay to miss your man because he fought for the good of all Americans. The many patriotic songs brought smiles to faces and pride to the hearts of Americans on the home front and abroad. 

Some of the more popular was songs were: 

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by the Andrew Sisters – 1941 

Kiss The Boys Goodbye by Frank Loesser 1941 

There’ll Be Bluebirds Over The White Cliffs of Dover by Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra. 1942 

Be Careful It’s My Heart by Irving Berlin. 1942 

Comin’ In On A Wing and A Prayer by The Song Spinners 

Don’t Get Around Much Anymore by Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 

Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree With Anyone Else But Me by Stept, Brown, and Tobias – 1942 

GI Jive by Johnny Mercer 

I Don’t Want To Walk Without You by Harry James & His Orchestra 1942  

I’ll Be Seeing You by Bind Crosby 

It’s Been A Long Long Time by Harry James 

I’ll Get By As Long As I Have You by Harry James & His Orchestra 

Praise The Lord and Pass The Ammunition by Frank Loesser 1942

Every Time We Say Goodbye by Cole Porter - 1944

Americans held the same desires as their leaders, and the government counted on popular music to reflect the same war aims that Franklin Delano Roosevelt wanted. Everyone hoped for a quick victory over the Axis, and the songs about a world after the war with the boys coming home met those wishes. 

This unity gave the USA enormous energy that allowed the nation to accomplish far more, at less human cost, than the other major powers in the war. So, during the dark years of the war where almost every citizen lost a loved one, music kept spirits high. 

Have you heard any of these WWII favorites? If so, which is your favorite? 

Leave a comment and one lucky winner will win my WWII book, Angel With Steel Wings. Buy any one or all seven of Anne’s book on http://www.Amazon.com. 

Ace Collins, bestselling author of numerous books, including the WW II series, In the President’s Service, says of ANGEL WITH STEEL WINGS: 

A story of a woman in a man’s domain set against the dynamics of World War II is a can’t-miss scenario. Angel With Steel Wings paints a vivid picture of courageous pilots facing death in the air while struggling with love on the ground, and wraps it up in a unique twist that will challenge all you knew about the “Greatest Generation.” Steeped in history and framed by faith, this is a tale that takes readers into a world now all but forgotten, and lands in a place that touches the heart in a special way. To know how far we have come, we must understand where we started, and Angels With Steel Wings takes us back on a thrilling trip in time that informs as it entertains. I think this is one flight you won’t want to miss. 

ANNE GREENE delights in writing about alpha heroes who aren’t afraid to fall on their knees in prayer, and about gutsy heroines. Her novellas, A CHRISTMAS BELLE, and A GROOM FOR CHRISTMAS are now available. Her Women of Courage Series spotlights heroic women of World War II, with the first book ANGEL WITH STEEL WINGS available. Enjoy her private investigating series, Handcuffed In Texas by reading the first book, Holly Garden, PI, RED IS FOR ROOKIE. Try her award-winning Scottish historical romances, MASQUERADE MARRIAGE and MARRIAE BY ARRANGEMENT. Anne’s highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to an awesome new world and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus. Buy Anne’s books on http://www.Amazon.com. Type in Anne Greene. Visit Anne at AnneGreeneAuthor.com. and at @TheAnneGreene.