The 31 best songs of 1944
There were so many wonderful titles released in 1944, but do you know what tops the list? Read on for our list of the 31 best songs of 1944, and check them out, because you might want to add them to your playlist!
1. I Wonder – Private Cecil Gant
First on our list is Private Cecil Gant with I Wonder, and this song reached number one on the JukeBox Race Records chart. It’s the biggest hit of his career and one of the biggest songs of 1944.
2. Straighten Up and Fly Right – King Cole Trio
The next song is Straighten Up And Fly Right by the King Cole Trio, which reached number nine on the Billboard Pop chart and number one on the Harlem Hit Parade. It remained at number one on the Hit Parade for more than 10 consecutive weeks. It also reached number one on the JukeBox chart of most-played Hillbilly records and stayed there for six consecutive weeks.
3. I’ll Be Seeing You – Tommy Dorsey And Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra had a hit with I’ll Be Seeing You, starring Tommy Dorsey. This version was a resounding success, reaching number four, while Bing Crosby’s original version reached number one the same year. If you’ve ever missed someone close to you, this song will touch you, as it speaks of the absence of a loved one.
4. Till Then – The Mills Brothers
The Mills Brothers are on the list with Till Then, which reached number 8 on the Billboard charts. The song, which climbed to No. 1 on the R&B chart, is about the future with someone and eternal love. It’s a romantic song with a very slow melody, a timeless love song that has been covered many times over the years.
5. G.I. Jive – Louis Jordan
The next song deals with the lives of soldiers during the Second World War. It’s called G.I. Jive, and was covered by Louis Jordan a few months after its initial release by Johnny Mercer. The soldiers loved the song, and so did everyone else, which is why it went to number one on both the Billboard Pop and Harlem Hit Parades.
6. Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall – Ella Fitzgerald And The Ink Spots
Attention all fans of the documentary Why We Fight, Ella Fitzgerald and The Ink Spots had a hit with Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall, and this song features on it. This song is about hope and faith in difficult times. It’s one of the most encouraging songs on our list, and was number one on the Billboard Pop charts and the Harlem Hit Parade.
7. You Always Hurt The One You Love – The Mills Brothers
You Always Hurt The One You Love was a hit for the Mills Brothers, reaching number one on the Billboard charts. The song explores the concept that even if you don’t want to hurt someone you love, you may unintentionally do so, and touches on these reflections on love and the fact that hurt is always part of love.
8. I Love You – Bing Crosby
The next track was Bing Crosby’s I Love You, which suited him perfectly because his powerful, suave voice made the feeling of saying “I love you” even more meaningful. It was a huge success and one of his most romantic and heartfelt songs.
9. I’m Beginning To See The Light – Harry James and His Orchestra
Next on the list is Harry James And His Orchestra’s I’m Beginning To See The Light, which reached number one on the Billboard charts and stayed there for two weeks. The song is about how, when you fall in love, everything else starts to fall into place and make sense. It’s one of those jazz standards with a catchy melody that’s perfect for describing what it’s like to fall in love.
10. Swinging On A Star – Bing Crosby
Calling all fans of Going My Way, Bing Crosby scored a hit with the release of Swinging On A Star, which is featured in this film, and even won Best Original Song at the Academy Awards. The song, which topped the charts, is about the need to make your dreams come true. It’s a catchy song that invites you to follow the path you want to take in life.
11. I’m Making Believe – Ella Fitzgerald And The Ink Spots
Ella Fitzgerald and The Ink Spots are back on the list with I’m Making Believe, which reached number one on Billboard’s retail chart and stayed there for two weeks. The song sold over a million copies and also reached number three on the JukeBox chart of most-played records. This song is still as popular and appreciated as ever, and it’s one you’ll want to listen to again and again.
12. Pretty Kitty Blue Eyes – The Merry Macs
Merry Macs is on the list with Pretty Kitty Blue Eyes. It’s about a woman with eyes as blue as a pretty kitten, which is to say a deep, beautiful blue. The song is very catchy, memorable and playful, and it’s adorable when you think of the comparison between the woman and the cat.
13. I’m Lost – Benny Carter
Now on the list is Benny Carter with the song I’m Lost, which reached number one on the Harlem charts and was the most successful version of the song. It’s about feelings of loss and loneliness, unease and uncertainty about the future. If you’ve ever felt lonely, you’ll understand and feel the lyrics, and this is one of the best jazz songs of the decade.
14. The Patty Cake Man – Ella Mae Morse
Ella Mae Morse makes our list with The Patty Cake Man, a song you probably know from playing Patty Cake (apparently, the game is called Pat-A-Cake) with your friends when you were a kid. The song is upbeat and cheerful, and will put a smile on your face as it tells of a man who goes around the neighborhood baking cakes for children.
15. And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine – Stan Kenton Feat. Anita O’Day
The next list includes Stan Kenton and Anita O’Day with their jazz song And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine, about a woman devastated after learning that her man has cheated on her. You can feel the emotions in her voice, and it’s a very powerful song that speaks to anyone who has been cheated on or betrayed in any way by their partner.
16. I Couldn’t Sleep A Wink Last Night – Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra makes the list with I Couldn’t Sleep A Wink Last Night, about a man who stays up all night thinking about the woman he’s fallen in love with. When you hear him sing this song, it’s easy to feel the depth of emotion and feeling, as his voice is perfect for this type of track. When you’re in love with someone, you know it can be hard to focus on anyone or anything other than that person.
17. Lili Marlene – Perry Como
Perry Como was very popular in the ’40s, and had a hit in 1944 with Lili Marlene, which is one of those romantic songs where a soldier spends time thinking about his beloved back home. There’s a lot of emotion in this song, and it’s very gentle. So it’s a song that was not only popular during the Second World War, but is just as popular and relevant today.
18. Don’t Believe Everything You Dream – The Ink Spots
The Ink Spots then present Don’t Believe Everything You Dream, about the need to be careful when letting your imagination run wild and thinking of things that are too bizarre. While it’s okay to dream, it’s important not to let your mind wander in the wrong directions, and it’s a song that has remained a classic to this day.
19. There’s A New Moon Over My Shoulder – Jimmie Davis
Next up is Jimmie Davis with the song There’s A New Moon Over My Shoulder, which was number one on the Folk JukeBox chart for a week and stayed there for 18 weeks. It’s a song about a man who is about to start his life again and leave everything behind. So you can feel the freedom and personality in this song as he talks about starting a new life.
20. It’s Only a Paper Moon – King Cole Trio
The King Cole Trio is next with It’s Only A Paper Moon, about the importance of imagination in creating beautiful things. It’s a whimsical, classic piece that shows just how powerful imagination can be in creating your own world. Whether you’re young or old, you’ll be able to identify with this song and how you can use your imagination to make yourself happy and daydream about all the wonder and beauty nature has to offer.
21. The Music Stopped – Woody Herman
Woody Herman is on the list with The Music Stopped, about the end of a relationship. The song uses many metaphors to talk about the end of a relationship, but you go on living your life. It’s a popular song, as loss and heartache are feelings we all experience.
22. Good Night, Wherever You Are – Russ Morgan
Next up is a World War II song called Good Night, Wherever You Are by Russ Morgan. This song is about soldiers going to war and missing their families and friends, and it’s a very moving and powerful song.
23. Salty Papa Blues – Dinah Washington
Dinah Washington is on our list with Salty Papa Blues, a timeless song about a woman exhausted by her man’s deception. She tells him she’ll leave him if he doesn’t stop, and it’s one of the classic songs about being fed up with an unfaithful lover, so it’s still relevant today.
24. Artistry In Rhythm – Stan Kenton
Stan Kenton makes the list with the iconic jazz song Artistry In Rhythm, which includes all kinds of instruments such as percussion. It’s an energetic tune that gives you an idea of what life was like in the ’40s, as it’s one of the biggest jazz hits of the decade.
25. His Rocking Horse Ran Away – Betty Hutton
The next song, Betty Hutton’s His Rocking Horse Ran Away, is full of puns and is about learning to mature. This song is great fun and light-hearted, and is one of those light songs you can listen to while feeling nostalgic and happy.
26. By The River Of The Roses – Woody Herman
Woody Herman is on the list with By The River Of The Roses, which evokes the beauty of nature and roses, including the river where you hear the birds and see the flowers bloom. The song features saxophone, and it’s one of those pretty, whimsical pieces that help convey thoughts of beauty and Mother Nature.
27. When My Sugar Walks Down The Street – Ella Fitzgerald
Die nächste ist Ella Fitzgerald mit dem Lied When My Sugar Walks Down The Street. Das Lied handelt von der Freude und Aufregung, die sie empfindet, wenn sie ihren Partner die Straße entlanggehen sieht, und ist einer der klassischsten Jazzsongs aller Zeiten.
28. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Judy Garland
Fans von The Wizard of Oz aufgepasst: Judy Garland hatte einen weiteren Erfolg über das Thema des Films hinaus, als sie Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas herausbrachte. Dieser Titel ist eines der häufigsten und bekanntesten Weihnachtslieder. Es erreichte Platz 27 der Billboard-Charts und handelt von der Hoffnung, die man an Weihnachten empfinden kann, auch wenn man schwere Zeiten durchmacht.
29. Smoke On The Water – Red Foley
Der nächste auf der Liste ist Smoke On The Water, das von Red Foley veröffentlicht wurde und von einem Mann auf der Flucht handelt. Der Mann versuchte, vor der Polizei zu fliehen und nutzte den Rauch aus einem Zug als Tarnung, um sich zu verstecken. Es ist eines der bekanntesten Country-Lieder, das seither von vielen Künstlern gecovert wurde.
30. I’ll Walk Alone – Dinah Shore
I’ll Walk Alone steht auf der Liste und war das bekannteste Album von Dinah Shore. Das Lied war für den Film „Follow The Boys“ bestimmt. Er erreichte Platz 1 der Billboard Charts und Platz 10 der Harlem Hitparade. Das Lied handelt von einer Frau, die allein ist, aber widerstandsfähig ist und stark bleiben wird.
31. Try Me One More Time – Ernest Tubb
Der letzte auf der Liste ist Ernest Tubb mit Try Me One More Time, in dem es um einen Mann geht, der seine Frau bittet, ihm noch eine Chance zu geben. Es handelt sich um ein emotionales Lied voller Ehrlichkeit und ein sehr einfaches Stück, das auch heute noch im Genre Country Blues glänzt.