1939 in music explained

This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1939.

Specific locations

Specific genres

Events

Publications

Albums released

Top popular recordings

The twenty-five popular records listed below were extracted from Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890–1954,[4] record sales reported on the "Discography of American Historical Recordings" website, and other sources as specified. Numerical rankings are approximate, they are only used as a frame of reference.

RankArtistTitleLabelRecordedReleasedChart positions
1 "In the Mood"[5] Bluebird 10416 US Billboard 1939 #1, US #1 for 12 weeks, 30 total weeks, National Recording Registry 2004
2 "Beer Barrel Polka" Victor V-710 US Billboard 1939 #2, US #1 for 4 weeks, 21 total weeks
3 "Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh!"[6] Columbia 35228 US Billboard 1939 #3, US #2 for 4 weeks, 14 total weeks, sold 1,500,000[7] [8]
4 Glenn Miller and his Orchestra "Moonlight Serenade" Bluebird B-10214 US Billboard 1939 #4, US #3 for 1 week, 15 total weeks, Grammy Hall of Fame 1991, ASCAP song of 1939
5 "Over the Rainbow" Decca 2672 US Billboard 1939 #5, US #5 for 1 week, 12 total weeks, Grammy Hall of Fame 1981, AFI 1, RIAA 1, Music Imprint 1 of 1930s, ASCAP song of 1938, National Recording Registry 2016
6 "God Bless America"[9] Victor 26198 US Billboard 1939 #6, US #5 for 1 week, 12 total weeks, Grammy Hall of Fame 1982, National Recording Registry 2002
7 Glenn Miller and his Orchestra "Over the Rainbow"[10] Bluebird 10366 US Billboard 1939 #7, US #1 for 7 weeks, 15 total weeks
8 "Deep Purple"[11] Victor 26141 US Billboard 1939 #8, US #1 for 9 weeks, 13 total weeks, Grammy Hall of Fame 2000
9 "Scatter Brain" Vocalion 4915 US Billboard 1939 #9, US #1 for 8 weeks, 16 total weeks
10 Benny Goodman and His Orchestra (Vocal Martha Tilton) "And the Angels Sing"[12] Victor 26170 US Billboard 1939 #10, US #1 for 5 weeks, 14 total weeks, Grammy Hall of Fame 1987
11 Mary Martin (Eddy Duchin Orchestra) ""My Heart Belongs to Daddy"[13] Brunswick 8282 US Billboard 1939 #11, US #1 for 1 weeks, 16 total weeks
12 ""If I Didn't Care" Decca 2286 US Billboard 1939 #12, US #2 for 1 week, 9 total weeks, Grammy Hall of Fame 1987, National Recording Registry 2017, sold 19,000,000[14]
13 "What's New?" Decca 2671 US BB 1939 #13, US #2 for 2 weeks, 10 total weeks
14 "South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)"[15] Bluebird 10376 US Billboard 1939 #14, US #1 for 5 weeks, 18 total weeks
15 "Day In, Day Out"[16] Decca 2703 US Billboard 1939 #15, US #1 for 1 week, 13 total weeks
16 "(Hep-Hep) The Jumpin' Jive"[17] Vocalion 5005 US Billboard 1939 #16, US #2 for 4 weeks, 12 total weeks, Grammy Hall of Fame 2017
17 Glenn Miller and his Orchestra "Stairway to the Stars"[18] Bluebird 10276 US Billboard 1939 #17, US #1 for 4 weeks, 13 total weeks
18 "Three Little Fishies" Brunswick 8358 US Billboard 1939 #18, US #1 for 2 weeks, 9 total weeks
19 "Penny Serenade" Victor 26150 US BB 1939 #19, US #2 for 1 week, 9 total weeks
20 "Jeepers Creepers"[19] Vocalion 4513 US Billboard 1939 #20, US #1 for 5 weeks, 13 total weeks
21 Glenn Miller and his Orchestra "The Man With The Mandolin"[20] Bluebird 10358 US Billboard 1939 #12, US #1 for 3 weeks, 10 total weeks
22 "Sunrise Serenade"[21] Decca 2321 US Billboard 1939 #13, US #1 for 2 weeks, 16 total weeks
23 "At the Woodchopper's Ball" Decca 2440 US BB 1939 #23, US #9 for 1 week, 6 total weeks, Grammy Hall of Fame 2002
24 "Hold Tight, Hold Tight" Decca 2214 US BB 1939 #24, US #2 for 1 week, 11 total weeks
25 Glen Gray and Casa Loma Orchestra "Heaven Can Wait"[22] Decca 2321 US Billboard 1939 #25, US #1 for 2 weeks, 13 total weeks

Additional recordings of historical interest, and songs that crossed over from Hillbilly (Country) and Race (R&B):

RankArtistTitleLabelRecordedReleasedChart positions
26 Glenn Miller and his Orchestra "Blue Orchids"[23] Bluebird 10372 US Billboard 1939 #18, US #1 for 1 week, 12 total weeks
27 The Ink Spots ""My Prayer" Decca 2790 US Billboard 1939 #42, US #3 for 1 week, 12 total weeks
28 Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra (Vocal Jack Leonard) "Our Love"[24] Victor 26202 US Billboard 1939 #19, US #1 for 1 week, 11 total weeks
29 Kay Kyser and His Orchestra "The Umbrella Man" Brunswick 8225 US Billboard 1939 #20, US #1 for 1 weeks, 11 total weeks
30 Glenn Miller and his Orchestra "Wishing (Will Make It So)"[25] Bluebird 10219 US Billboard 1939 #30, US #1 for 4 weeks, 14 total weeks
31 Artie Shaw and His Orchestra (Vocal Helen Forrest) "They Say"[26] Bluebird 10075 US Billboard 1939 #16, US #1 for 2 weeks, 8 total weeks
35 The Ink Spots "Address Unknown" Decca 2707 US Billboard 1939 #30, US #1 for 1 week, 9 total weeks
45 Glenn Miller and his Orchestra "Moon Love"[27] Bluebird 10303 US Billboard 1939 #9, US #1 for 4 weeks, 16 total weeks
189 "September Song" Brunswick 8272 US Billboard 1939 #189, US #12 for 1 week, 5 total weeks
190 "South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)" Vocalion 5122 US Billboard 1939 #190, US #12 for 1 week, 4 total weeks, US BBHB 1939 #8, US Hillbilly #1 for 2 weeks, 22 total weeks, 1,000,000 sales[28]
325 Ted Weems And His Orchestra (vocal Perry Como) "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now" Decca 2919 US Billboard 1939 #325, US #19 for 1 week, 1 total weeks

Race and blues hits

RankArtistTitleLabelRecordedReleasedChart positions
1 ""If I Didn't Care" Decca 2286 US Billboard 1939 #38, US #2 for 1 week, 9 total weeks, Grammy Hall of Fame 1987, National Recording Registry 2017
2 "(Hep-Hep) The Jumpin' Jive" Vocalion 5005 US Billboard 1939 #25, US #2 for 4 weeks, 12 total weeks, Grammy Hall of Fame 2017
3 The Ink Spots "Address Unknown" Decca 2707 US Billboard 1939 #30, US #1 for 1 week, 9 total weeks
4 The Ink Spots ""My Prayer" Decca 2790 US Billboard 1939 #42, US #3 for 1 week, 12 total weeks
5 "Good for Nothin' but Love"[29] Bluebird 10129 US Billboard 1939 #102, US #7 for 1 week, 6 total weeks
6 Chick Webb Orchestra (vocal Ella Fitzgerald) "'F.D.R. Jones" Decca 2105 US Billboard 1939 #116, US #8 for 1 week, 6 total weeks
7 Chick Webb Orchestra (vocal Ella Fitzgerald) "Undecided"[30] Decca 2323 US Billboard 1939 #120, US #8 for 1 week, 4 total weeks
8 "I Want the Waiter (With the Water)"[31] Decca 2628 US Billboard 1939 #138, US #9 for 1 week, 3 total weeks
9 "Wizzin' the Wiz"[32] Victor 26233 US Billboard 1939 #153, US #10 for 1 week, 5 total weeks
10 "When the Saints Go Marching In"[33] Decca 2230 US Billboard 1939 #155, US #15 for 1 week, 3 total weeks
11 "Sweet Adeline (You're the Flower of My Heart)"[34] Decca 2285 US Billboard 1939 #160, US #10 for 1 week, 2 total weeks
12 "Jumpin' At The Woodside" Decca 2212 US Billboard 1939 #174, US #11 for 1 week, 4 total weeks
13 Fats Waller "Hold Tight" Bluebird 10116 US Billboard 1939 #176, US #11 for 1 week, 4 total weeks
14 Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra "West End Blues" Decca 2480 US Billboard 1939 #218, US #13 for 1 week, 1 total weeks
15 "Blame it on My Last Affair" Vocalion 04632 US Billboard 1939 #219, US #13 for 1 week, 1 total weeks
16 "Strange Fruit" Commodore 526 US Billboard 1939 #287, US #16 for 1 week, 2 total weeks, Grammy Hall of Fame 1978, National Recording Registry 2002
18 "Big Leg Woman Gets My Pay" Vocalion 05030
19 "Love in Vain Blues" Vocalion 04630
20 Robert Johnson "Preachin' Blues (Up Jumped the Devil)" Vocalion 04630
21 "The Gallis Pole" Musicraft 227
22 Lead Belly "The Bourgeois Blues" Musicraft 227
23 Lead Belly "The Boll Weevil" Musicraft 226

Published popular music

Classical music

Premieres

Composer Composition Date Location Performers
1939-03-23 Amsterdam Székely / Concertgebouw OrchestraMengelberg[36]
1939-06-09 New York City (EXPO) New York PhilharmonicBoult[37]
1939-06-10 New York City (EXPO) Solomon / New York PhilharmonicBoult[38]
Symphony No. 3 (1937) 1939-01-01 London [unknown ensemble] – Pougnet[39]
Young Apollo 1939-08-02 Toronto Britten / Toronto Melodic Strings – Chuhaldin
1939-02-02 New York Philharmonic-SymphonyEnescu[40]
1939-06-26 Buenos Aires Sebastiani
1939-02-24 Boston Boston SymphonyKoussevitzky[41]
Exile (Symphony No. 1) (1936) 1939-05-26 London BBC SymphonyHeward[42]
1939-06-17 Cracow, Poland Polish Radio SymphonyFitelberg
Chants de Terre et de Ciel 1939-01-23 Paris Bunlet, Messiaen
Alexander Nevsky, cantata 1939-05-17 Moscow Gagarina / Moscow Philharmonic – Prokofiev[43]
Zdravitsa, cantata 1939-12-21 Moscow USSR Radio SymphonyGolovanov[44]
1939-12-11 Stockholm Swedish Radio Symphony – Rosenberg[45]
1939-11-21 Leningrad Leningrad PhilharmonicMravinsky[46]
Le roi des étoiles, cantata 1939-04-19 Brussels Brussels Radio Symphony – André
Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus 1939-06-10 New York City (EXPO) New York PhilharmonicBoult[47]
1939-12-07 Cleveland Heifetz / Cleveland OrchestraRodziński[48]
Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree 1939-10-12 New York City New York PhilharmonicBarbirolli[49]
Yellow River Cantata 1939-04-13 Yan'an, Vhina [unknown ensemble] – Wu Xiling[50] [51]

Compositions

Opera

Film

Jazz

See main article: 1939 in jazz.

Musical theatre

Musical films

Births

Deaths

Notes and References

  1. News: January 4, 1939 . Harry James Pencilled In . 165 . Variety . June 18, 2022.
  2. News: February 1939 . Some New Highs . 39 . Variety . June 18, 2022.
  3. Book: Wolfe. Charles. Lornell. Kip. The Life and Legend of Ledbelly. 1992. HarperCollins. 978-0-306-80896-8. New York.
  4. Book: Whitburn, Joel. Joel Whitburn. Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890–1954. Record Research. 1986.
  5. Web site: Victor matrix BS-038170. In the mood / Glenn Miller Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-06-14 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  6. Web site: Columbia 78rpm numerical listing discography: 35200–35500 . 2022-07-01 . www.78discography.com.
  7. Book: Murrells, Joseph . The book of golden discs . 1978 . London : Barrie & Jenkins . Internet Archive . 978-0-214-20512-5.
  8. 'Wee' Bonnie Baker Gailey, 73, Band Singer of 'Oh Johnny' Hit, by Seth Borenstein Sun-Sentinel, August 14, 1990
  9. Web site: Victor matrix BS-035319. God bless America / Kate Smith – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-06-14 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  10. Web site: Victor matrix BS-038262. Over the rainbow / Ray Eberle; Glenn Miller Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-06-14 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  11. Web site: Victor matrix BS-030475. Deep purple / Larry Clinton Orchestra; Bea Wain – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-06-14 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  12. Web site: Victor matrix BS-031875. And the angels sing / Benny Goodman Orchestra; Martha Tilton – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-06-14 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  13. Web site: BRUNSWICK 78rpm numerical listing discography: 8000 – end of series (8517) . 2022-06-14 . www.78discography.com.
  14. Web site: National Recording Registry Reaches 500 . 2022-11-10 . Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA.
  15. Web site: Victor matrix BS-041153. South of the border (Down Mexico way) / Hal Derwin ; Shep Fields; Rippling Rhythm Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-06-14 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  16. Web site: Decca matrix 66000. Day in, day out / Bob Crosby Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-06-14 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  17. Web site: Vocalion (USA) 78rpm numerical listing discography: 5000–5499 . 2022-06-14 . www.78discography.com.
  18. Web site: Victor matrix BS-036878. Stairway to the stars / Ray Eberle ; Glenn Miller Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-06-14 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  19. Web site: Vocalion (USA) 78rpm numerical listing discography: 4500–4999 . 2022-06-14 . www.78discography.com.
  20. Web site: Victor matrix BS-038264. The man with the mandolin / Glenn Miller Orchestra ; Marion Hutton – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-06-14 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  21. Web site: Decca matrix 65035. Sunrise serenade-1 / Glen Gray Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-06-14 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  22. Web site: Decca matrix 65037. Heaven can wait / Glen Gray Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-06-14 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  23. Web site: Victor matrix BS-038139. Blue orchids / Ray Eberle ; Glenn Miller Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-06-14 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  24. Web site: Victor matrix BS-034400. Our love / Jack Leonard ; Tommy Dorsey Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-06-14 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  25. Web site: Victor matrix BS-035729. Wishing (Will make it so) / Ray Eberle ; Glenn Miller Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-06-14 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  26. Web site: Victor matrix BS-030733. They say / Artie Shaw Orchestra ; Helen Forrest – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-06-14 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  27. Web site: Victor matrix BS-037157. Moon love / Ray Eberle ; Glenn Miller Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-06-14 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  28. Web site: TSHA Home . 2022-07-01 . www.tshaonline.org.
  29. Web site: Victor matrix BS-031533. Good for nothin' but love / Fats Waller and his Rhythm – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-07-07 . adp.library.ucsb.edu . en.
  30. Web site: Decca matrix 65039. Undecided / Chick Webb Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-07-07 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  31. Web site: Decca matrix 65905. I want the waiter (with the water) / Ella Fitzgerald – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-07-07 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  32. Web site: Victor matrix BS-035706. Wizzin' the wizz / Lionel Hampton Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-07-07 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  33. Web site: Decca matrix 63778. When the Saints go marchin' in / Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-07-07 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  34. Web site: Decca matrix 64934. Sweet Adeline / Mills Brothers – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-07-07 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  35. Web site: Decca matrix 65215. Auld Lang Syne / Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians – Discography of American Historical Recordings . 2022-07-07 . adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  36. https://archive.org/details/concertolistener00stei/page/45 The Concerto: A Listener's Guide
  37. Web site: New York Philharmonic Archives . 2015-08-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304122950/http://archives.nyphil.org/index.php/artifact/8b107e2f-6f39-4c17-b03c-3c7942e12e21?search-type=singleFilter&search-text=%2A&doctype=program&npp%3AComposerWorksTitle_facet%5B0%5D=Bax%2C++Sir++Arnold+%2F+SYMPHONY+NO.+7%2C+A+FLAT+MAJOR . 2016-03-04 . dead .
  38. http://www.musicsalesclassical.com/composer/work/7515 Music Sales Classical
  39. http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/notes/55019-B.pdf Hyperion Records
  40. Web site: New York Philharmonic: Viewer . 2017-04-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170410213925/http://archives.nyphil.org/index.php/artifact/19889e46-1d1b-42b5-a3c6-054f47495cfc/fullview#page/1/mode/2up . 2017-04-10 . dead .
  41. Web site: Boston Symphony Orchestra . 2015-07-24 . 2017-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170118212645/http://www.bso.org/brands/bso/about-us/historyarchives/archival-collection/world-premieres-at-the-bso/world-premieres-the-1900s.aspx . dead .
  42. https://books.google.com/books?id=WR8jAQAAQBAJ&dq=alan+hovhaness+symphony+1+exile+bbc+symphony+1939&pg=PA215 Dictionary of American Classical Composers
  43. http://www.flaminioonline.it/Guide/Prokofiev/Prokofiev-Nevskij78.html Orchestra Virtuale del Flaminio
  44. http://www.sikorski.de/media/files/1/2/1381/7212/7394/7239/7240/prokofjew_werkverzeichnis.pdf Edition Sikorski
  45. Web site: Gehrmans Musikförlag . 2015-07-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150725010610/http://www.gehrmans.se/en/catalogue_search?cpid=7987a34c-6b77-4f6e-b2b7-829221d03fd9 . 2015-07-25 . dead .
  46. https://books.google.com/books?id=2H-fma7sFd0C&dq=shostakovich+symphony+6+mravinsky+november+1939&pg=PA351 Shostakovich: A Life
  47. http://data.instantencore.com/pdf/1025737/11-20-13.pdf Cornell Chamber Orchestra
  48. http://www.naxos.com/mainsite/blurbs_reviews.asp?item_code=8.111367&catNum=8111367&filetype=About%20this%20Recording&language=English Naxos Records
  49. Web site: New York Philharmonic Archives . 2015-08-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103309/http://archives.nyphil.org/index.php/artifact/f5787645-4791-4b5f-8cd7-c0d0cf04c2f1?search-type=singleFilter&search-text=%2A&doctype=program&npp%3AComposerWorksTitle_facet%5B0%5D=Weinberger%2C++Jaromir+%2F+UNDER+THE+SPREADING+CHESTNUT+TREE . 2016-03-04 . dead .
  50. http://www.naxos.com/mainsite/blurbs_reviews.asp?item_code=8.554499&catNum=554499&filetype=About%20this%20Recording&language=English Naxos Records
  51. Web site: Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra . 2015-07-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150724213210/http://www.flagstaffsymphony.org/documents/programNotes_february.pdf . 2015-07-24 . dead .
  52. http://www.lff.org.uk/films_details.php?FilmID=180 Times Film Festival review and background
  53. Web site: The conductor and pianist Steuart Bedford has died. The Gramophone. 2021-02-16. 2021-02-16.
  54. Tucker, Stephen R. (1998). "David Allan Coe." In The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 102.
  55. Book: The Illustrated Weekly of India. October 1974. Published for the proprietors, Bennett, Coleman & Company, Limited, at the Times of India Press. 83.
  56. News: Barney McKenna, Banjo Player in the Dubliners, Dies at 72. Dennis Hevesi. The New York Times. 11 April 2012.
  57. News: Mrs. Frederick Conger, Actress, Will Be Buried in Bound Brook. The Daily Home News. April 17, 1939. 14.