Monday, November 7, 2016

Music Monday - Happy Days Will Be Here Again

I had a totally different post in mind for today, the day before Election Day in the United States.

After seeing a disturbing story on 60 Minutes last night, I couldn't do it.  We need something completely different from what I had in mind.  Hence, a Music Monday.

Let me bring you back to 1930, and a Broadway show (well, a movie about a Broadway show on the road) by the name of Chasing Rainbows.  A song from that play was selected by Franklin Roosevelt for his 1932 campaign.  Mired in the Depression, our country needed to know that Happy Days Will Be Here Again.

Here is the song, as sung in 1930.


And, in the 1960's, by Mitch Miller, from Rochester, New York.  I could almost do a battle of the bands! (I won't.)

Interested in campaign songs? Read more here.  Even George Washington had one. With different lyrics, we still sing it today.

Remember, tomorrow will be a special Taste of Nature calming post.  Here's a preview.  No elections, just nature.


And, of course, you will vote tomorrow if you haven't voted yet, right?

14 comments:

  1. I always think of Barbra Streisand's version of 'Happy Days'. It is very somber and rather fits my mood today.

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  2. I truly fear if the 'Yellow" is elected, the early 30s will return- with fascist takeovers and depressed economies.
    So, no references to Happy Days are Here Again in my lexicon.

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    1. The original version was actually meant to be sardonic - it was an interesting choice for Roosevelt - and it worked.

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  3. Yes I will vote :) Thanks for the history lesson. Love it!

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  4. This would be a great Battle of the Bands! Mind if I use it for my battle next Tuesday? You'll get credit, of course.

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    1. That would be wonderful, John. Battle away! I hope you find this response as I am not sure how to contact you on your blog.

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    2. I got it. Thanks! Look for it next Tuesday (a week from tomorrow).

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  5. Election music is certainly in a category all its own. It's always interesting and kind of funny when politicians try to co-opt music that doesn't really mean what they think it means - like Ronald Reagan and "Born in the U.S.A." And lately the trend seems to be for some politicians to simply use music without the permission of its creator. But was there ever a song that more perfectly expressed the personality of a politician and the sheer will to make things better than "Happy Days are Here Again" did for FDR?

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  6. Looking forward to tomorrow's post. Looks spectacular!

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    1. You've inspired me. I'm looking forward to the thought of floating away on the Erie Canal in a small boat....maybe one day.

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  7. The world is also waiting for better times to come.Happy to read this positive note

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