19 Best Songs From 1940
Contents
10. “It Hurts Me Too” by Tampa Red
Song Year: 1940
This next track is a blues standard, “It Hurts Me Too,” which dropped in 1940. It’s a mournful track with piano, blues guitar, and wailing vocals from Tampa Red.
Red was a blues artist from Chicago, and he enjoyed national success with this hit track. It is now one of the most-played blues songs of all time.
11. “Talking Dust Bowl Blues” by Woody Guthrie
Song Year: 1940
The Dust Bowl was a series of intense storms that swept Middle America and Canada in the 1930s. With thousands affected, 1940 was a difficult time when people had to rebuild or abandon their farms.
Woody Guthrie sings about the period in his 1940 track, “Talking Dust Bowl Blues.” It’s a country-style track that follows a ballad structure, describing the loss of a person’s farm after the Dust Bowl.
12. “Nuages” by Django Reinhardt
Song Year: 1940
Another great song from 1940 is “Nuages,” a track from the swing genre. It’s by Django Reinhardt, a Belgian-Romani artist from Liberchies, and one of his top songs of all time.
Reinhardt recorded the song over twelve times in different styles, but we’re returning to the original with his first 1940 release. It’s an upbeat guitar track with a jazz quintet and clarinet melody.
13. “I’m Nobody’s Baby” by Judy Garland
Song Year: 1940
Judy Garland is most famous for her acting career, but did you know she was a successful musician? That’s right, and in 1940 the former Wizard of Oz star released “I’m Nobody’s Baby,” an empowering song about a girl entering adulthood.
Only 18 when she released the song, Garland sang it for the 1940 film Andy Hardy Meets Debutante. Pop composers Benny Davis, Milton Ager, and Lester Santly originally wrote the track.
14. “Blueberry Hill” by Vincent Rose and Glenn Miller
Song Year: 1940
You might know Fats Domino’s “Blueberry Hill,” a rock and roll track from the 1950s. However, did you know that “Blueberry Hill” was originally a 1940 track by Vincent Rose?
The Italian-born Rose recorded six different covers of the song in 1940, including this most famous version, featuring Glenn Miller’s Orchestra and vocals from Ray Eberle. It’s a relaxing jazz track with lyrics about a relationship that has passed. The singer tells of the good times spent on Blueberry Hill, reminiscing about his ex-lover.
15. “Down The Road A Piece” by Don Raye and The Will Bradley Trio
Song Year: 1940
The first recording of “Down The Road A Piece” was done in 1940 by Don Raye, a songwriter from Washington, DC. Two members of the Will Bradley Trio helped provide the music, including Freddie Slack on piano and Doc Goldberg on bass.
Don Raye sang the lyrics about a hopping piano bar where everything was happening. He encourages his friends to go down to the bar, where they can hear boogie and dance all night.
The song is a boogie-woogie track, a subgenre of blues music, and was one of the first hits for Don Raye.
16. “Careless” by Glenn Miller and Ray Eberle
Song Year: 1940
Glenn Miller was on a roll in 1940, and “Careless” is another Miller track you can’t miss. It’s a big band song about two lovers, and the vocals are by Ray Eberle, an actor and singer from New York City.
Eberle sings about a relationship that’s developing and changing, expressing his concern for the future. He worries his lover is getting careless and distracted, and he is worried about losing them.
17. “When You Wish Upon a Star”
Song Year: 1940
“When You Wish Upon a Star ” is a musical track from the classic Disney film Pinocchio. It launched in February of 1940 and quickly became the most popular song on the movie’s album, reaching the top five on Billboard’s Record Buying Guide.
The song is by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington, and Cliff Edwards, who plays Jiminy Cricket, provided vocals. As the cartoon insect, Edwards sings about the magic power of belief and how you should try to make your dreams happen.
Top Songs From 1940, Final Thoughts
The 1940s were a booming decade in music, as recordings became more accessible and radios became more widespread. The decade also saw Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, and more develop their careers.
Expand your listening tastes and add some music from 1940 to your playlist. We hope you enjoyed this round-up and feel more informed about the best songs from 1940!
