Music+During+War

= ﻿ MUSIC OF WORLD WAR II = Music during the World War II era can fall under several different themes, including patriotism, nationalism, specific wartime events, wartime romance, and pitching in on the homefront.
 * THEMES OF WARTIME MUSIC **

In an attempt heighten the morale of both the troops abroad and the civilians on the homefront, artists wrote happy, upbeat music. For example, "God Bless America," written by Irving Berlin in 1918, reached its popularity in 1938 as performed by Kate Smith for its positive and beautifully moving music and lyrics.
 * // Patriotism //**

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Throughout the course of the war, artists sought inspiration in particular battles or events. For example, the attack on Pearl Harbor was followed by several commemorative songs, such as "We'll Always Remember Pearl Harbor" by Alfred Bryan, Willie Raskin, and Gerald Marks.
 * // Specific Wartime Events //**

//"The angels will smile on Pearl Harbor// //Till the last leaf will fall from the tree.// //We'll always Remember Pearl Harbor,// //Our harbor of memory."//

//** Wartime Romance **// Another theme in wartime music was the romantic thoughts of the soldiers and their "sweethearts." Songs often depicted the longing of the soldier or his significant other at home. Whether it was a soldier asking his girlfriend to wait for her or a soldier meeting a girl abroad, romantic wartime songs were widely popular in the US throughout the course of the war.

//** Pitching in on the Homefront **// One of the more popular war themes in music was that of helping on the homefront. Songs covered everything about life at home, such as buying war bonds, growing "victory gardens," and collecting and conservating scrap metal. This music was used as an important tool to rally not only support for the troops, but also support for those fighting the war from home. An excellent example of this support is the song "Rosie the Riveter," preformed by The Four Vagabonds.

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"The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" was a catchy jazz written by Don Raye and Hughie Prince in January of 1941. It was performed by The Andrews Sisters just a year before America entered the war when there was a peacetime draft instated in preparation for American involvement. Upbeat songs like this portrayed the war as a "fun" experience and encouraged people to enlist.

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