“Listen to the music of the past and you will discover the secrets of history.”

This quote from renowned musician Duke Ellington captures the enduring charm of vintage sheet music from the 1930s. These decades-old pieces of paper hold more than just musical notes; they are remnants of a bygone era, each with its own unique story to tell.

From the jazzy rhythms of the Big Bands to the sentimental ballads of the Great Depression, these treasures offer a glimpse into the cultural zeitgeist of the time.

So please join me as we delve into the world of vintage sheet music covers from the 1930s, along with their corresponding songs.

1930s vintage sheet Music-"Hello Beautiful". Sheet Music Cover, 1931

Source: allposters.com

Note: This is the third post in my ‘Vintage Sheet Music Series’……

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay 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 the websites. There are 1000’s and 1000’s of items being listed daily.

Vintage Sheet Music from the 1930s

1931 “You Try Somebody Else ( We’ll Be Back Together Again)” by B.G. De Sylva, Lew Brown & Ray Henderson.

I love the illustration of the woman in early 1930s fashions.

1930s Vintage Sheet Music: 1931 "You Try Somebody Else", DeSylva Brown Henderson. The sheet music is featuring an illustration of a woman in 1930s fashions.

Source: Etsy-RicksVintagePlus

“You Try Somebody Else” – Guy Lombardo. Guy’s brother Carmen takes the vocal on a popular De Sylva-Brown-Henderson tune of 1931/32 (Video link).

Further Reading: Guy Lombardo-Canada’s Famous Big Band Leader

1930s (possibly 1936), “Running a Temperature” featuring an image of Ozzie Nelson (as in Ozzie & Harriet) and a mention of his orchestra who had successfully performed it.

1930s vintage sheet music for the song "Running a Temperature". The cover features an image of Ozzie Nelson and his orchestra who had performed the song.

Source: eBay

I cannot find the Ozzie Nelson version so here is one from Jimmie Lunceford & Orchestra (video link).

1939-”Scatter-Brain” featuring ‘Frankie Masters’ on the cover. I love the illustration of the woman being “scatterbrained”.

1930s Vintage Sheet Music: 1939 Scatter-Brain music by Keene-Bean and Frankie Master and illustration of a woman being "scatterbrained".

Source: AbeBooks

“Scatter-Brain” was the most popular song in the country as America was saying “Farewell 1930s–Hello 1940s!” and this was the top-selling version (video link).

1935 sheet music for “Home On The Range”, featured by Jackie Heller on the BBC – For Piano, Guitar, Hawaiian Guitar & Ukelele. Published by Calumet Music Co.

1935 Sheet Music "Home On The Range" - For Piano, Guitar, Hawaiian Guitar & Ukelele - Vintage 1930s Sheet Music

Source: Etsy-CuriousCatVintage

Bing Crosby sings ‘Home on the Range’ A Geffen Records Release; ℗ 1939 UMG Recordings, Inc. (Video Link)

1939-“Moonlight Serenade” by Glenn Miller. What a stunning illustration!

Fun Fact: I walked down the aisles to this song on my Wedding day.

1930s vintage sheet music for Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller in 1939 featuring an illustration of a woman in blue.

Source: Pinterest

1939 “Moonlight Serenade”-The iconic Miller theme, recorded on April 4th during the band’s third Bluebird session (video link).

1935-‘”The Wedding of Jack and Jill’. A wonderful cover art featuring Nursery Rhyme characters attending the wedding of Jack and Jill, also with a photo insert of Ben Bernie.

1930s vintage sheet music: 1935-'The Wedding of Jack and Jill'. A wonderful cover art featuring Nursery Rhyme characters attending the wedding of Jack and Jill, also with a photo insert of Ben Bernie.

Source: AbeBooks

Note: Ignore the image on the video, the song is for ‘The Wedding of Jack and Jill” (video link).

1930 Sheet Music “After All You’re All I’m After” by Charles Newman, Victor Young & Sid Lorraine featuring an illustration of a couple in a moonlight embrace.

1930 Sheet Music "After All You're All I'm After" by Charles Newman, Victor Young & Sid Lorraine - Vintage 1930s Sheet Music

Source: Etsy-CuriousCatVintage

“After All You’re All I’m After” 1930 (video link).

“Debutante Waltz” from 1934 – featuring the famous Arthur Murray on the cover as the “creator” of this dance.

Sadly I could not find the song for us to listen too, so we will just have to use our imaginations.

Further Reading: Time To Dance! Vintage Instructions To Get You Dancing In No Time

1930s vintage sheet music: Debutante Waltz from 1934 - featuring Arthur Murray on the Cover and 1930s fashions for evening.

Source: AbeBooks

1932- “I Only Want a Buddy – Not a Sweetheart” sheet music – featuring Maurie Stein on the cover.

I picked this cover because the song title made me giggle.

1930s vintage sheet music for "I only want a buddy not a sweetheart" from 1932.

Source:AbeBooks

1939-“I Only Want A Buddy Not a Sweetheart” the Eddy Howard version ft Dick Jurgens and his Orchestra (video link).

“Goody Goody” is a 1936 popular song composed by Matty Malneck, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. On the cover is Mary Danis of the Enoch Light’s Orchestra.

My readers may also remember the Frankie Lymon hit version in 1957.

For your listening pleasure, I have added the 1936 song and the Frankie version for you to compare and enjoy (after the cover image).

1930s vintage sheet music: "Goody Goody" is a 1936 popular song composed by Matty Malneck, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. On the cover is Mary Danis of the Enoch Light’s Orchestra.

Source: Etsy-TDVintageTreasures

A popular recording in 1936 of ‘Goody-Goody’ were by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra (with vocalist Helen Ward), heard below (video link).

Now here is the 1957 with Frankie Lymon featured on the Ed Sullivan show.

What was your favourite version? I personally like them both (video link).

I hope you enjoyed this fun post of design and music. I love doing posts like this because it helps me to discover songs I have never heard of before (and there were several!).

Question! What was your favourite cover or song (or both)? Share in the comments section below. l love hearing from my readers.

Thank you for dropping by!

Liz

For today’s part 2 post I am once again sharing Ottawa vintage dealer PFTPAntiqueSales (on Etsy), stunning collection of 1920s vintage sheet music they have for sale in their shop (at time of posting). The cover illustrations are truly works of art and perfect for framing in your home (I have a couple myself), having on display on your piano or to do whatever you like with (your choice!). They are also just beautiful to look at it, even if you don’t purchase a piece for yourself.

I have also included their matching 1920s songs for you to listen too, so please enjoy from start to finish.

Let’s begin!

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 1920s

1926 sheet music for “Me Too Ho-Ho! Ha-Ha!” SO CUTE!

1920s vintage sheet music / 1920s Music: 1926 Sheet Music for "Me Too Ho-Ho! Ha-Ha!" featuring illustration of a 1920s flapper and a photo of a woman with 1920s hairstyle.

“Me Too (Ho-Ho! Ha-Ha!)” by Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra 1926 (video link).

1926 – “Mary Lou” with Ukulele arrangement. Fun!

1920s vintage sheet Music / 1920s music: 1926 Sheet Music for "Mary Lou" featuring an illustration of a 1920s woman holding flowers and image of a 1920s woman with her dog

MARY LOU performed the Ipana Troubadours 1926. This was a pioneering American broadcasting band under the direction of Sam Lanin, and named for the brand of toothpaste that sponsored its radio appearances (video link).

1921 – “Kitty from Kansas City” comedy fox trot song.

What is the song about? Poor Kitty is teased from not being smart or pretty but the singer loves her anyways (the sheet music imagery does not reflect the song at all). Ahhh the 1920s. Not a song that would be be okay in today’s society.

1920s Vintage Sheet Music / 1920s music: 1921 Sheet Music for "Kitty from Kansas City" Comedy fox trot song

Who was Rudy Vallee? He was an American singer, musician, actor, and radio host. He was one of the first modern pop stars of the teen idol type (source).

Rudy is a very interesting person and lived quite a fascinating life, I think I might do a blog post on him in the future. Stay tuned!

(Video Link)

1923 – “Starlight Bay” (Note: I cannot find music for this one).

I was drawn to this sheet music because it reminded me of Nancy Drew book covers.

Further Reading: A Peak Into My Vintage Collection- Early 1950s Nancy Drew Books

1920s vintage sheet music from 1923 featuring an illustration of a young 1920s woman for the 1920s song "Starlight Bay"

1927 vintage sheet music – “Me and My Shadow”.

1920s Vintage Sheet Music / 1920s Music for 1927 for "Me and My Shadow".

(Video Link)

1924 – “Bring Back Those Rock-a-Bye Baby Days”. Lullaby fox trot song.

1920s vintage sheet music / 1920s Music: 1924 Sheet Music for "Bring Back Those Rock-a-Bye Baby Days" Lullaby Fox trot song..

(video link)

1922 vintage sheet music – “You Tell Her I S-T-U-T-T-E-R”.

1922 Sheet Music / 1920s Music for "You Tell Her I S-T-U-T-T-E-R". 1920s vintage sheet music

Who was Billy Murray? He was one of the most popular singers in the United States in the early 20th century. While he received star billing in vaudeville, he was best known for his prolific work in the recording studio, making records for almost every record label of the era (Source).

(video link)

1926 – “Climbing up the Ladder of Love” from Earl Carroll’s “Vanities”.

What was “Vanities”? A Broadway revue that Earl Carroll presented in the 1920s and early 1930s. Carroll and his show were sometimes controversial. Carroll bragged that “the most beautiful girls in the world” passed through the stage door of his theatre. As many as 108 women were onstage in Carroll’s show at one time. Critics often insinuated that Carroll’s performers were provocatively dressed (Source).

1920s vintage sheet music / 1920s music. 1926 Sheet Music, "Climbing up the Ladder of Love" from Earl Carroll's "Vanities"

Don Voorhees & His Earl Carrol Vanities Orchestra Hal Yates – Climbing Up The Ladder Of Love 1926.

Donald was an American composer and conductor who received an Emmy Award nomination for “Individual Achievements in Music” for his work on the television series, The Bell Telephone Hour (video link).

1924 – “The Pal That I Loved Stole the Gal That I Loved”. A Sympathetic Ballad.

1920s Sheet Music / 1920s music: 1924 Sheet Music for "The Pal That I Loved Stole the Gal That I Loved" A Sympathetic Ballad.

(video link)

1924 vintage sheet music – “What’ll I Do” from the New Music Box Revue.

“What’ll I Do” is one of the few songs by Berlin that is clearly autobiographical. His fiancée, a society beauty named Ellin MacKay, had been sent to Europe by her disapproving father, a very wealthy Long Island magnate, in the hopes that MacKay would forget Berlin. (She did not and eventually they married.) The song was written during McKay’s “tour” of Europe. In the lyrics, the singer longs disconsolately for his love, imagining how he can go on without her (Source).

1920s vintage sheet music / 1920s music for the Irving Berlin song "What'll I Do" from the New Music Box Revue -1924

Paul Whiteman’s Orchestra – 1923 (video link). This video has no lyric’s but I wanted you to hear that 1920s sound before pointing you to the 1950s version in the next video that has words. Enjoy!