A Flashback; Our 1940 class officers (from left to right);
What were the top songs in 1940?
The year 1940 was a great one for music, with hits from big bands, jazz, swing, and early pop vocals.
Here are 20 of the most popular songs from that year, based on chart performance, sales, and enduring popularity:
Top 20 Songs of 1940
“In the Mood” – Glenn Miller
(The iconic swing anthem that defined the era.)“When You Wish Upon a Star” – Cliff Edwards (from Pinocchio)
(Disney’s classic, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.)“Frenesi” – Artie Shaw
(A Latin-flavored big band hit that topped the charts.)“Only Forever” – Bing Crosby
(From the film Rhythm on the River, a #1 hit.)“Tuxedo Junction” – Glenn Miller
(A smooth, jazzy instrumental that became a wartime favorite.)“The Woodpecker Song” – Glenn Miller & The Andrews Sisters
(A playful, upbeat tune.)“I’ll Never Smile Again” – Tommy Dorsey (feat. Frank Sinatra)
(Sinatra’s first #1 hit with Dorsey’s band.)“Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar” – Will Bradley
(A boogie-woogie favorite.)“Darn That Dream” – Benny Goodman (feat. Mildred Bailey)
(A dreamy jazz standard.)“Blueberry Hill” – Gene Autry
(Before Fats Domino’s version, this was a country-tinged hit.)“Imagination” – Glenn Miller (feat. Ray Eberle)
(A smooth, romantic ballad.)“The Breeze and I” – Jimmy Dorsey
(A Latin-tinged instrumental adaptation of a classical piece.)“Careless” – Glenn Miller (feat. Ray Eberle)
(A sentimental favorite.)“We Could Make Such Beautiful Music” – Benny Goodman
(A romantic big band tune.)“A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” – Vera Lynn
(A British wartime classic.)“Scatterbrain” – Frankie Masters
(A novelty swing hit.)“All the Things You Are” – Tommy Dorsey
(A jazz standard from the musical Very Warm for May.)“South of the Border” – Shep Fields
(A popular Western-themed song.)“The Nearness of You” – Glenn Miller
(A romantic ballad later covered by many artists.)“Indian Summer” – Tommy Dorsey
(A nostalgic instrumental that became a jazz standard.)
Honorable Mentions:
“Pennsylvania 6-5000” – Glenn Miller
“Stardust” – Artie Shaw
“You Are My Sunshine” – Jimmie Davis
1940 was dominated by big band leaders like Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and Artie Shaw, with Frank Sinatra just beginning his rise to fame. Many of these songs remain jazz and swing classics today.