I don’t know about you, but I love vintage sheet music from the 1920s thru to the 1940s because the imagery on the cover is always so eye catching. Even if you can’t play a single note, they make great artwork to hang on your wall and display. My plan with the few I own is to do just that, because they are just too beautiful to be kept closed up in an album.
For today’s post I have joined forces with Ottawa Vintage Dealer, PFTPAntiqueSales on Etsy to showcase some of their stunning collection of 1940s Vintage Sheet Music they have for sale in their shop (over 700!)
Let’s take a look at some of my favorite covers (I have also added video links to hear the tunes) and don’t forget to comment at the end what your favs were!
Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
NOTE: If you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button and see what else is on Etsy.
Vintage Sheet Music from the 1940s
Sheet music from the musicals that were shown in movie theatres, were a popular purchase during the 1940s (so you are going to see a few in this post). Take home and sing / play your favorite song!
I love this tropical look for the 1942 Sheet Music, “Sing Me a Song of the Islands” from the movie with Betty Grable & Victor Mature.
Hear Betty Grable sing you to sleep below (Video Link for those viewing this via email).
I don’t know if there is any song that the Andrew Sisters sang that was not an instant hit. For instance, the sheet music for the 1941 song, “I’ll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time” went to # 5 in the US charts.
Apple Blossom Time’ was said to put soldiers in tears. Here’s a clip of from that great Abbott & Costello 1941 movie ‘Buck Privates’ with Patty leading the sisters in the famous tune (Video Link).
1940 Sheet Music “Blueberry Hill” words and music by Al Lewis, Larry Stock, Vincent Rose.
“Blueberry Hill” is a popular song published in 1940, best remembered for its 1950s rock and roll version by Fats Domino. The music was written by Vincent Rose, the lyrics by Larry Stock and Al Lewis. It was recorded six times in 1940 (Source).
The first recording of Blueberry Hill featuring the Sammy Kaye Orchestra with vocals by Tommy Ryan, released on May 31, 1940 (Video Link).
And now here is the famous Fats Domino version (Video Link)! Which version did you like best?
I LOVE Glenn Miller and I LOVE a good “Moonlight Cocktail”, so this 1942 sheet music is perfect fit for me!
Fun fact about Liz…I walked down the aisle on my wedding day to ‘Moonlight Serenade” by Glenn Miller. I think it’s one of the most romantic songs on the planet!
Glenn Miller & His Orchestra With Chorus – Moonlight Cocktail 1942 (Video Link).
1941 Sheet Music for “Bell Bottom Trousers”.
“Bell Bottom Trousers” is a reworking of a folksong “Rosemary Lane”. A sea shanty version has bawdy lyrics, but a clean version of the tune was written in 1944 for modern audiences by bandleader Moe Jaffe (Source).
Check out Guy Lombardo’s Version below (Video Link).
I have blogged about Ina Ray Hutton before because she is so darn fantastic! And here is the 1943 Sheet Music for”What’s the Good Word, Mr. Bluebird” with Ina Ray Hutton on the cover. Love it!
Further Reading: The Blonde Bombshell of Rhythm-Ina Ray Hutton
Sadly, I could not find an Ina Ray version of this song (insert sad face), so here is Betty Bradley singing this fun little tune (Video link).
1942 Sheet Music “Cow Cow Boogie” From the Waltz Lantz Swing Symphony. This cover makes me giggle, it’s so darn cute!
Here is a version by Ella Mae Morse for your enjoyment (Video Link).
Further Reading: Women of the Big Band Era Everyone Should Know-PART 3
1945 sheet music for “It’s a Grand Night for Singing”, from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “State Fair”.
Who else loves State Fair as much as me? I LOVE this movie so much and it was one of the reasons why I fell in love with 1940s fashions (they are so dreamy in this film).
Enjoy hearing this beautiful song being sung in this clip from the movie (Video Link).
1946 Sheet Music “Shoo-Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy” featured by Bert Pearl a CBC (Canadian Broadcast Corporation) Artist.
The reasons why I love this sheet music: First up, I love this song for Lindy Hopping too. It’s a cute and fun song to play around on the dance floor with. Secondly, Bert our featured artists is Canadian! And boy does he look innocent haha.
Can any of my Canadian fans confirm if this is the same Bert from the CBC ‘Happy Gang’ radio show?
No Bert version avail, so here is Bing Crosby and The Charioteers, 1946 version (Video Link).
I’m going to end today’s post with 1940 Sheet Music for “The Woodpecker Song” featured by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra. I spent the weekend at our friends campground and all I heard was woodpeckers pecking away at the trees. It was quite fun to hear!
The Woodpecker Song by Glenn Miller & his Orchestra, vocal by Marion Hutton (Video Link).
Happy Shopping and if you all enjoyed this post, please share what your favorite cover and song was in the comments section below.
Further Reading:
Liz
