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A Century of Song

A blog by Mand'alor Dash in General

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100 songs from 100 years in 100 days.

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1926

I'm cheating just a little bit for this one. About half my sources say this song was recorded in early 1926, and the other half say it was very late in 1925. But either way, it wasn't until April of 1926 that it topped the charts. A man listening to the radio would most likely hear this song the most in 1926, and hardly at all in 1925. That's why I'm counting it. Have some upbeat jazz from Al Jolson. I'm Sitting on top of the World.

March 6, 2015

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1925

Something extra special for you today. Last year, I showed you an early incarnation of the Jazz Standard. This year, we see the genesis of another prolific 20th century style. One which survives and thrives even 90 years later. This is Shake That Thing by Papa Charlie Jackson, and it was one of the very first rock and roll records.

March 5, 2015

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1924

We're approaching the era of standards. Jazz standards are one of my all-time favorite styles of music. Songs performed many different times over many years by many different artists, each one spinning it to suit their own style, and the style of the times. The 20s were the beginning of the best, most prolific age in music. Let's usher in the new era with Walter Pidgeon. Today's recording is What'll I Do?

March 4, 2015

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1923

Should I come back tomorrow? Yes! We Have No Bananas Today, this is Billy Jones.

March 3, 2015

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1922

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmjoiZ1C2Nk No vocals today, just three minutes of jazzy instrumentals. From Paul Whiteman, this is Carolina in the Morning.

March 2, 2015

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1921

Every morning and every evening indeed. What do you think, dear listeners? The world may not be great right now, but Ain't We Got Fun? Enjoy it while it lasts. Something tells me the troubles are just beginning... This is Van & Schenck.

March 1, 2015

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1920

As a new decade dawns, so too does a new era of music. Jazz has finally hit the mainstream, and just in time for prohibition. 'Tis a shame that the best party music wasn't released until the life of every party was constitutionally banned. Crazy Blues, by Mamie Smith.

February 28, 2015

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1919

An interesting question. After touring Europe on Uncle Sam's dollar, who would want to return to their old lives? You know, unless Europe was some kind of hellish no-mans-land that nobody in their right mind would ever return to. I don't think chickens use mustard gas. Arthur Fields, with How Ya Gonna Keep 'em Down on the Farm?

February 27, 2015

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1918

May this have truly been the war to end all wars. Almost 40 million lives were lost these last 4 years, including 116,000 Americans. It shan't be for nothing. Charles Hart and Lewis James, Till We Meet Again.

February 26, 2015

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1917

Last year, I thought I had placed my vote for an anti-war candidate. Our fathers and our sons are crossing the Atlantic as we speak to help the Brits push back the Germans. May God bless every one of them, and may they come home soon. And... a special prayer for our allies in the Russian Empire. They seem to have taken the brunt of the war, and are facing the brink of civil war. Because that's all this world needs, another damn war. This is Nora Bayes, with Over There.

February 25, 2015

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1916

I was thinking about that Morton Harvey song I played last year. President Wilson, for all his faults, has always kept his promise to keep us out of war. None of us raised our sons to be soldiers, and God willing, we won't have to. Times like these make you ask who the real enemy is: the Germans, or the war itself. Think this over when election day comes. Until then, this is Stanley Kirkby with Take Me Back to Dear Old Blighty.

February 24, 2015

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1915

They say this is the war to end all wars. In a hundred years, we'll have forgotten that there ever was war. Let's hope it's true. I Didn't Raise my Boy to be a Soldier. This is Morton Harvey

February 23, 2015

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1914

It is as we feared. Archduke Ferdinand of Austria has been assassinated by Serbian nationals. Austria has laid out demands for justice, but it seems highly unlikely that the Serbs will accept them. Some of these demands are not the least bit reasonable. As the nations of Europe begin to take sides, I am afraid this may mean war. Take your minds off the world with W.C. Handy's orchestra. This is his latest jazz standard, St. Louis Blues.

February 22, 2015

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1913

Something's brewing in Europe. So much tension between Austria and Serbia, and with Germany trying to claim territory to become an imperial power... It probably won't come to war. Lighten up with William J. Halley and You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To Do It).

February 21, 2015

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1912

Election year once more. I swear, time passes so fast it's like we just had one last Monday. I must say, I've grown quite the fan of Taft and his outrageous mustache. Four more years, gentlemen? Not that it matters, of course. The world's ending in 100 years, just like the Mayans said. Just a simple tune today, no lyrics. Here's Cabaret Rag by Prince's Band. Sadly, I had to go back to the subreddit to locate this one after my own research proved fruitless.

February 20, 2015

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1911

If there's one thing I've learned doing this series, it's that Billy Murray was easily one of the most prolific artists of the era. So how did I manage this long without featuring him? Sheer force of will. This was the Billy Murray song I wanted to feature, and to that end, I had to search out alternative versions of several previous songs, and even outright refuse to feature some songs, including a couple that I really liked. But was it worth it? I'll leave that up to you, my listeners.

February 19, 2015

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1910

Start of a new decade. We're already a tenth of the way there, and still climbing. Let's climb up to the sky with Blanche Ring. This is Come, Josephine, in My Flying Machine. Discuss flying machines and other crazy modern contraptions in the comments below.

February 18, 2015

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1909

Let the title of the song reflect my state of mind at the time I wrote this post. About 2:39, and all I could think of was finishing this first decade. Oh, the things I do for old music. This is Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland, a duet by Elizabeth Wheeler and Harry Anthony. Hope you enjoyed the part one of our Century in Song. Part two begins tomorrow as we dive into the 1910s. See you then, and please, comment and discuss. Even if all you have to talk about is Taft's mustache.

February 17, 2015

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1908

I got bored using Reddit to find my songs. This one I looked up and scavenged myself. Worth it. You have no idea how many songs from this decade are nowhere to be found on Youtube, let alone Reddit. Have some John McCormack, just in time for election season. What do you think of Taft? Does it strike anybody else as strange that both of our candidates have the same first name? Anyway, this is I Hear You Calling Me.

February 16, 2015

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1907

These horseless carriages will never catch on. I, for one, don't want to turn that damn crank every time I need it to move. Here's another funny one. You'll Have to Get Off and Walk, by Will F. Denny. Please, comment below.

February 15, 2015

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1906

He's the chief justice at a baseball game. This is his job. He takes it very seriously. At least he gets paid. Nice to know the meme predates the internet. Here's The Umpire is a Most Unhappy Man, performed by Edward M. Favor. Seriously, I enjoyed this one alot more than I should have.

February 14, 2015

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1905

Enforcing the "one per artist" rule is getting a bit tricky. The subreddit seems to have a thing for artists like Arthur Collins and Billy Murray. In fact, the song I originally wanted to feature in this entry had to be changed because it conflicted with my choice for 1911. That said, this is In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree, by Henry Burr.

February 13, 2015

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1904

My fifth entry, and only now do I feature quartet music? Dearie me, that simply won't do. Here's Sweet Adeline, as performed by the Haydn Quartet. This song tends to get around. In the suggestion box alone, I noticed covers by the Mills Brothers as well as a contemporary group. I may end up revisiting this one at a later date.

February 12, 2015

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1903

MLPF's timed publishing feature is a godsent. Helps me complete these things in a wide swathe without worrying about publishing times. Good afternoon, forums. Here's Always in the Way, as sung by Byron G. Harlan. And yes, I apologize profusely for the audio quality. Recording technology was still in its earliest form in 1903. It'll get better quickly.

February 11, 2015

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1902

Thank you for your suggestions yesterday. I've taken a few of them to heart, but understand that I can't let every song be a request. One of the 1900s suggestions I received, for example, was not recorded until the 1920s. I'm going for historical accuracy here, so sadly, this means I can't use anachronistic recordings, even if the song was written or scored in the correct year. I admit, I'm leaning on the subreddit a bit for these early years. As much as I love old music, these early recordi

February 10, 2015

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