Wars are not producing good, memorable, singable songs like they used to. We haven't heard the Kosovo Polka, or the Saddam Samba or the Baghdad Boogie.
If your memory goes back to World War II, recall for a moment of all the tunes that came forth then.
Our line of thinking here came of reading a short news item in the back of the Log Cabin Democrat. It concerned the mayor of Winton, Australia, where the song "Waltzing Matilida" was born. It became, and remains, the unofficial national anthem of Australia.
"Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda.
"You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me,
"And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong.
"You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me."
The bouncy tune is great. Aussie troops marched to it, and Americans learned and hummed it even if they couldn't comprehend some of the Australian terms. Billabong is a small oxbow lake, for example.
One of the early ones in World War II was "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition," and it was based on a naval combat incident in the South Pacific.
"Comin' In On A Wing And A Prayer" had an aviation base, and numerous experiences of fliers connected to it.
Spikes Jones and his City Slickers came out with "Der Fuehrer's Face" when days were gloomy and Americans needed a smile.
Still showing up here and there in musical programs is "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," - first sung by the Andrews Sisters near the beginning of the war.
"You're in the Army Now" came on strong, was sung far and wide and had all sorts of ersatz lyrics, some ribald.
"The White Cliffs of Dover" had an English setting, but it was an American song, probably coming from the view that fliers longed for in returning from raids over Nazi territory. The song was crafted by Jimmy Dorsey and his orchestra.
"Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree" was a dandy and highly popular.
Singer Johnny Mercer had a tremendous hit with "Accentuate the Positive" ("eliminate the negative, don't mess with Mr. In-Between").
"I Don't Want To Walk Without You" could bring tears,. It was by Harry James and his orchestra and came from a movie, "Sweater Girl," that starred Betty Grable, WW II's leading pinup. Harry James also gave us "It's Been A Long, Long Time."
Notalgia and homesickness came forth with "Long Ago and Far Away" by Jo Stafford and with "Sentimental Journey," a really great one by Les Brown and orchestra. There was "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" by Duke Ellington and orchestra.
More sentimental songs? There were "I'll Be Seeing You" by the Ink Spots and Bing Crosby and "I'll Get By," also by the Ink Spots..
"Till Then" helped push the Mills Brothers to prominence, and "Waitin' For The Train To Come In" gave a boost to Peggy Lee. "When The Lights Go On Again" was by Vaughn Monroe and orchestra. Composer Cole Porter came out with "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To," and this one took solidly with GIs in remote settings.
A highly popular song with an unusual background was "Lili Marlene." This was a German song, but British troops in North Africa heard it, liked it and took it as their own with some changes in lyrics.
World War II changed the world, and it gave us some great music as well.
