16 Best Songs From 1937
1937 was truly a remarkable year in the world of music, birthing timeless classics that continue to captivate listeners even today. Top artists like Bing Crosby, Benny Goodman, and Ella Fitzgerald graced the charts with unforgettable hits, defining an era rich in jazz and big band tunes.
This blog post'll take you on a nostalgic journey through 16 of the best songs from 1937 that have left an indelible mark on music history.
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“Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing)” By Benny Goodman
Song year: 1937
“Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing)” is a quintessential song of the big band and swing era. Originally written by Louis Prima, the track was recorded by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra in 1937, who added their own unique flair to it.
One remarkable aspect of “Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing)” is its legendary live performance by Benny Goodman's orchestra at Carnegie Hall in January 1938. This historic concert showcased the musicians' exceptional prowess and solidified the song as an instrumental masterpiece.
To this day, concert bands across various genres often pay homage to this iconic tune by incorporating it into their performances.
“One O'Clock Jump” By Count Basie
Song year: 1937
Count Basie's “One O'Clock Jump” burst onto the music scene in 1937, impacting the jazz and swing eras with its energetic rhythm and memorable piano improvisation.
As a testament to its significance, this big band classic was written by Count Basie himself and became the band's theme song.
The influence of “One O'Clock Jump” has not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by its inclusion in the Library of Congress National Recording Preservation Board in 2005. This designation reflects the song's musical importance and enduring appeal during its release.
For fans eager to explore more from this exceptional talent, the collection titled ‘Count Basie Collection 1937-39 (3CD)' offers an excellent starting point. Within this set are several iconic compositions spanning key moments within his illustrious career – including none other than his signature piece, “One O’Clock Jump.”
“Sweet Leilani” By Bing Crosby
Song year: 1937
In 1937, Bing Crosby's rendition of “Sweet Leilani” captured the hearts of listeners worldwide and became one of the best-selling songs. The melodious tune is featured in the film Waikiki Wedding and even won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
The immense popularity of “Sweet Leilani” contributed massively to what came to be known as the “Sweet Leilani Syndrome,” where Hawaiian music gained widespread fame in mainland America.
Bing Crosby's enchanting vocals, paired with Lani McIntire's authentic touch, led audiences across continents to experience a taste of Hawaii through their exquisite harmonies.
Bing Crosby was no stranger to success during this era, as several other chart-toppers solidified his status as a musical icon. However, something exceptional about “Sweet Leilani” resonated deeply with people from all walks of life – so much so that it secured its place as Bing Crosby's most significant hit in 1937.
“They Can't Take That Away from Me” By Fred Astaire
Song year: 1937
“They Can't Take That Away From Me” by Fred Astaire is a timeless classic from the 1937 musical Shall We Dance. The song, written by legendary American songwriters George and Ira Gershwin, was specifically composed for use in the movie.
Praised for its beautiful lyrics and catchy melody, “They Can't Take That Away From Me” earned a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. It has since been covered by many other renowned artists, such as Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
As one of the standout tracks from 1937, “They Can't Take That Away From Me” showcases how music can transcend time with its enduring popularity.
“Caravan” By Duke Ellington
Song year: 1937
“Caravan” is one of the most recognized and beloved songs from 1937. It was composed by Juan Tizol, a trombonist in Duke Ellington's band, with some additional input from Duke Ellington himself.
The first recording of “Caravan” was credited solely to Tizol, but it quickly became associated with Duke Ellington's orchestra. The song was recorded by Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra in August 1937, cementing its status as a popular tune during the swing era.
Duke Ellington's sidemen regularly collaborated with him to create new material – as Juan Tizol did for “Caravan.” Tizol also composed another well-known tune for Ellington called “Perdido.” This type of musical innovation led to countless memorable tunes that defined the big band era and set a precedent for American composers in jazz music history.
“Marie” By Tommy Dorsey
Song year: 1937
“Marie” by Tommy Dorsey is a beautiful and timeless musical piece. The legendary Irving Berlin wrote this iconic song and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
The song quickly became one of Dorsey's signature pieces, showcasing his talent for arranging big band music with group vocals.
Tommy Dorsey's version of “Marie” features a vocal chorus that perfectly complements Dorsey's smooth trombone playing. Unsurprisingly, this song became so popular among audiences during its release year in 1937, cementing its place as one of the most famous songs from that era.
“Goodnight, My Love” By Ella Fitzgerald
Song year: 1937
“Goodnight, My Love” is a timeless jazz classic recorded in 1937 with Benny Goodman's big band and vocals by the legendary Ella Fitzgerald. The song's popularity has stood the test of time, as it remains one of the top songs from that era.
This silky-smooth ballad is known for its beautiful melody and poignant lyrics about saying goodbye to a loved one at night. Ella's voice perfectly captures the bittersweet sentimentality of the song, making it an instant classic.
Overall, “Goodnight, My Love” is an outstanding example of American popular music during the swing era. It represents a unique moment in music history when jazz musicians pushed boundaries to create innovative and exciting new sounds.
“That Old Feeling” By Shep Fields & His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra
Song year: 1937
“That Old Feeling” is a timeless classic performed by Shep Fields & his Rippling Rhythm Orchestra in 1937. Written by legendary songwriter Sammy Fain, it quickly became one of the year's top hits and has since become a jazz standard.
While “That Old Feeling” may have been Shep Fields & his Rippling Rhythm Orchestra's biggest hit of 1937, they also had other popular songs that year, such as “This Little Ripple Had Rhythm” and “Thanks for the Memory.” Despite not being as well-known today compared to artists like Benny Goodman or Duke Ellington, their music played an important role in shaping the Big Band era.
“It Looks Like Rain in Cherry Blossom Lane” By Guy Lombardo
Song year: 1937
“It Looks Like Rain in Cherry Blossom Lane” by Guy Lombardo is a classic song from 1937 that captured the hearts of many during the Swing Era. This beautiful song features Lebert Lombardo (Guy's brother) in the vocal chorus, delivering an unforgettable melody that evokes nostalgia and romanticism.
In 1937, “It Looks Like Rain in Cherry Blossom Lane” peaked at No.1 on the pop music charts and remained there for several weeks. The popularity of this song continued to grow even years after its release, becoming part of the “Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians Hits Collection Vol.
The charming lyrics and soft instrumental arrangement make “It Looks Like Rain in Cherry Blossom Lane” a timeless piece that continues to be enjoyed today by audiences around the world.
“September in the Rain” By Guy Lombardo
Song year: 1937
“September in the Rain” by Guy Lombardo is a classic song about nostalgia that captures the essence of autumn. Written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin, this beautiful melody resonated with audiences at the time and remains popular today.
Carmen Lombardo, Guy's brother, provided vocals on their rendition of “September in the Rain,” adding to its timeless appeal. In addition to being a hit on the US Billboard chart for 16 weeks in 1937, it has also been covered numerous times over the years by artists such as Peggy Lee.
Whether you're listening to it during an autumn afternoon or just missing someone special from your past, “September in the Rain” is sure to evoke both bittersweet and comforting emotions.
“The Dipsy Doodle” By Tommy Dorsey
Song year: 1937
This swing music hit was written by Larry Clinton and first recorded and released by Dorsey.
Tommy Dorsey's band was the first to play “The Dipsy Doodle,” which later became a hit for the Andrews Sisters. He had many other hits during his career, including “Our Love,” “All the Things You Are,” and “Indian Summer.”
In 1938 alone, he had 11 songs in the hit parade chart, establishing him as one of the top musicians of his time in big band jazz performances.
“Whispers in the Dark” By Bob Crosby & His Orchestra
Song year: 1937
“Whispers in The Dark” by Bob Crosby & his Orchestra is a legendary Swing Jazz song recorded in 1937. It quickly became a hit, ranking number 8 on the list of top popular recordings for the year.
Bob Crosby & his Orchestra were no strangers to success, having several other hits besides “Whispers in The Dark.”
If you're looking for popular music recommendations from 1937, add “Whispers in The Dark” to your playlist.
“Boo Hoo” By Guy Lombardo
Song year: 1937
The song's catchy melody and smooth vocals by Carmen Lombardo made it a hit with audiences of the time, reaching the top spot on the US Billboard charts for an impressive 12 weeks that year.
Lombardo himself was known as the “King of Dance Music,” leading his orchestra in perfecting dance arrangements that were popular at ballrooms across America during the Swing Era.
“The Moon Got in My Eyes” By Bing Crosby
Song year: 1937
“The Moon Got in My Eyes” by Bing Crosby is a classic jazz tune that was one of the most popular recordings of 1937, ranking at number 10 on the music charts. Written by John Burke and composed by Arthur Johnston, it was first recorded by Mildred Bailey before Crosby made his own version on July 12, 1937.
Crosby's rendition of “The Moon Got in My Eyes” showcases his powerful vocals and excellent style. The song has a slow tempo which complements Crosby's voice perfectly. It comes across as surprisingly beautiful to listeners even today.
Overall, “The Moon Got in My Eyes” is an outstanding example of jazz music from the s era that continues to captivate audiences with its charming melodies and lyrics about love and moonlight.
“Once in a While” By Tommy Dorsey
Song year: 1937
“Once in a While” by Tommy Dorsey is one of the top songs from 1937, and for a good reason, such as ideal song lyric generation. This hit was performed by Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra with a vocal refrain by a male quartet.
The song reached number one on the charts that year and remained popular for quite some time.
In addition to its commercial success, “Once in a While” has been covered numerous times over the years. Following its initial release, The Troubadours recorded their version with vocals by Lewis James in February 1937.
Overall, “Once in a While” is just one example of why Tommy Dorsey had such an incredible run of hits on Billboard's charts: he knew how to create music that would stand the test of time and captivate audiences for years to come.
“Indian Love Call” By Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy
Song year: 1937
“Indian Love Call” is a truly iconic song performed by Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. Written by Rudolf Friml, Oscar Hammerstein II, and Otto Harbach, the song features beautiful operatic singing that perfectly captures the romance of this golden age classic.
Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy's rendition of “Indian Love Call” is considered an unforgettable musical duet that showcases both artists' talents at their best.
Top Songs From 1937, Final Thoughts
The year 1937 marked a significant moment in the history of music when many popular songs were released and topped the charts. From Bing Crosby's “Sweet Leilani” to Benny Goodman's “Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing),” Tommy Dorsey's “Once in a While,” and Count Basie's “One O'Clock Jump,” these timeless classics have continued to capture hearts for generations.
Other notable hits include Ella Fitzgerald's “Goodnight My Love,” Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy's “Indian Love Call,” and Bob Crosby & his Orchestra's “Whispers in The Dark.”
