It's Sunday, and I'm a day early. But who cares? It's time for music.
Who are the Music Moves Me bloggers? We are bloggers who blog about music
each Monday and if you have music to share with us, you are most
welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please!) Our head is the incomparable XmasDolly. Her co-hosts are the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked, the artistic Cathy from Curious as a Cathy,
and little ol' me.
We'd
love more music lovers to join us. All you have to do is
join the linky above with a music post that contains at least one music
video (there must be a music video). That's it!
Each month, except December, we have a guest conductor. For the month of March, our guest conductor will be none other than Xmas Dolly, Marie, herself! (Applause). Today, she has selected the theme "Glenn Miller Songs" in honor of her mother.
So let's get in the mood, shall we? First, a little bit about Glenn Miller himself - some may know him from his music and others from the mystery surrounding his death on December 15, 1944.
At the time of his death at age 40, he was one of the best known Big Band recording artists. He and his orchestra reached #1 on the charts some 23 times. Miller, a trombonest and composer besides a band leader, played trombone for various bands before he formed his own band in 1939. This is an amazing run of #1 songs considering his recording career was cut short when he joined the military in 1942 in order to entertain the troops during World War II.
I will leave it to other bloggers to include his biggest hit, "In the Mood", in their posts. Let's explore some of his other #1 songs, shall we? Some of these may sound familiar to you.
Let's start with a Disney song , which has been covered by countless artists, including Glenn Miller: When You Wish Upon a Star, from 1940.
Another cover - Song of the Volga Boatmen, from 1941.
Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me) from 1942.
A personal favorite of mine - Pennsylvania 6-5000, from 1940. (For those of younger generations, Pennsylvania 6-5000 was a phone number for a hotel.)
From 1943, his last #1 song - That Old Black Magic.
Finally, wrapping up with this trailer from the movie The Glenn Miller story, with James Stewart. I know how Marie loves those old movies.
And that's a 1940's wrap!
Join me again, next week (not sure yet if Sunday or Monday) for another episode of Music Moves Me!
...Pennsylvania 6-5000 is a favorite of mine too. I remember our local phone exchanges, Hillside 5 and Greenfield 3.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteGreat choices
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how the songs are before "our" time, yet we all know them, maybe even my youngest child! Like Tom, I remember my childhood exchange. It was Yellowstone 9. That Old Black Magic brings to mind the movie Medicine Man ( love this movie), when Rae is drunk/drugged and sings it! Then, to show how our brains never forget, I instantly was singing (in my head) the Little River Band's, Reminiscing, in which they mention Glenn Miller! So many memories you brought me today! See you tomorrow, I can't wait for your Theme Reveal!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness what a welcome blast from the past. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI know of "In the Mood" but not much else. I had no idea about the mystery surrounding his disappearance, but now I'm intrigued.
ReplyDeleteOh that's funny because I am listening to big band music this morning! Carol C
ReplyDeleteFirst of all- I only have his albums (they are 78's, I might add!!!) But I loved the addition of the dance to the tunes. (Yes, I learned how to dance the Fox Trot, which I believe is more commonly called the box step nowadays). These also were among the first songs I learned to play when I took guitar lessons.
ReplyDeleteGREAT memories.
Alana,
ReplyDeleteYou picked some great songs from Miller's collections - loved them all! Have a boogietastic week, my dear!
I LOVE his music and loved that movie. Hmmm... maybe I'll rent it again. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOhmyword, I love every one of these. Glenn Miller is a huge favourite! I had never heard about the mystery surrounding his death. Fascinating reading. Thank you!
ReplyDelete