I volunteer with our area hospice, and one of my newest patients is a WWII veteran. Communication is very limited, and he spends much of his time with his eyes closed. However when I got the idea to play some Glenn Miller, his eyes popped open, and he became much more active. He even smiled. We're still getting to know each other, so I can't say for sure, but I think he might enjoy the music. I know I could Google this, but I wanted to ask forum members first ~ do you have any playlist suggestions for me? I will be asking my father as well, but I figured we could have a little fun with this here.
Glenn Miller American Patrol, Moonlight Serenade, in the Mood, Song of the Volga Boatman, Little Brown Jug, Pennsyvania 6-5000, Chattanooga Choo Choo. Andrews Sisters - Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B, Shoo Shoo Baby, Six Jerks In a Jeep, Rum and Coca Cola, Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree, Beat Me Daddy Eight to The Bar, Ac-cent-u-ate the Positive Benny Goodman - Moonglow, Stompin' at the Savoy, Artie Shaw - Stardust, Begin the Beguine Gene Krupa - sing Sing Sing Tommy Dorsey - Boogie woogie, He's a Gypsy from Poughkeepsie, Maple Leaf Rag Vera Lynn The White Cliffs of Dover Bing Crosby, Don't Fence Me In. Brother, Can you Spare a dime Marlen Dietrich - Lili Marlene. This song was popular with soldiers on both sides, although the popular German version was sung by Lale Anderson.
I was always kinda partial to "Sentimental Journey"(Doris Day with the Les Brown band) and "Pistol Packin' Mama"(Bing Crosby w/ The Andrews Sisters) .
Wonderful! Thank you so much for such great suggestions. Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree was included in the greatest hits video I was playing today. I had never heard it before, but he must have ~ he had a few things to say when it came on. (Wish I knew what he said!)
I am happy to see this list build over time, so no rush. I don't think this patient will be my last era veteran, so this thread will continue to be useful for a long time to come. Plus I enjoy being introduced to new music. As you think of songs, feel free to just drop them in here whenever.
Not long ago, I saw a program on PBS where a WWII veteran talked about being entertained by Dinah Shore. It started raining and she told the men, "I'll stay here as long as you do". She sang for 2 hours standing in the rain while the piano player accompanied her in the back of a covered truck. The vet said, "I respect her a lot for that." Then he got very choked up. Sorry if this is a bit off the topic, but I thought it a very moving story about how much the musical entertainment meant to the soldiers.
Try this site. The music is all there. No need to search. http://www.allmusic.com/album/songs-that-got-us-through-ww2-mw0000204361 Here's another. http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/1940s-top-songs/1940s-top-songs.html You've taken on a tremendous task. Good luck and let us know how you make out.
Thank you, Sir! And I will definitely update you guys. He had two of photos that were taken of him while overseas (in the Philippines). Young, shirtless, and holding a huge gun. And he had wonderful photos of his girl back then (who became his wife). I'm hoping he and I manage to communicate better so he can tell me all about those pictures.
Thanks. I forgot to mention that the vet said there were Germans about 200-300 yards away at the time, so she was not providing rear echelon or rest area entertainment.
You might enjoy this online radio channel http://www.1940sukradio.co.uk/ I think I met the people behind this a few years ago. One entertainer who performed close to the front lines was George Formby. He was performing for a Canadian tank crew in Normandy but the tank crew had to start their tank and engage germans few hundred yards away. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oddxFDbW6Wc
Oh wow! Okay, that makes it an even bigger deal. Thank you for this! (I'm listening to the radio station right now.)
Love it! Will be back with a salute for you, Sir. (For the record, I don't dance like that. Usually.) (Okay, maybe sometimes.)
I mentioned Gene Krupa's version of Sing Sing Sing, but Benny Goodman was better known for it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2S1I_ien6A Here is some of the Der Bingle's other tunes with the Andrew's Sisters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrVaObffYNw The gentleman I wrote the book about always associated White Christmas with the war as it got heavy airplay the winter of 1943-1944. I heard this one this afternoon on the way home on XM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jae5KWmIACw
I am very familiar with Benny Goodman's version ~ I play it frequently while on the treadmill. I appreciate the additional suggestions as well. And I had no idea White Christmas was so popular at that point in time. I've always known the song but never knew the history. This will come in handy in the next month!
Period music. Also consider not just the 40's but the 30's. As a WW2 vet, the radio shows and music he grew up listening to on the radio, would've been even those of the 30's...
A good thought! Thank you. After reading your suggestion, I found this ~ Music in the 30s ~ and will link it here in case anyone else is looking for specifics. I know my current patient (and future ones) would be grateful to you all for helping me out with this. Ah, I hope I hit on a few really good ones with him and make him smile.
Going to add: Hawaiian War Chant by Tommy Dorsey Take the A Train by Duke Ellington Is you is or is you ain't my baby by Louis Jordan The Anvil Chorus by Glenn Miller Jumpin' Jive by Glenn Miller
