There were many genres of music in the 30’s. From jazz and pop, to folk and country / western. Musical movies were still relatively new and swing dancing was making its very popular debut, which is why the 30’s was considered the “Swing Era.”
Woody Guthrie was the most popular folk singer of the 1930’s. Today, he’s probably best known for his song “This Land Is Your Land.” A few of his other songs include “So Long, It’s Been Good to Know You,” “Hard Travelin’,” and “Goin’ Down The Road.” Huddie Ledbetter was a popular African American folk singer who wrote songs about the experiences of African Americans during the 30’s. He was best known for his songs “Cotton Fields,” Rock Island Line,” and “Take This Hammer.”
Pop singers that I’m sure everyone has heard of include Gene Autry and Bing Crosby, who we hear a lot of during Christmas time. There was also Billie Holiday with “Summertime,” Shirley Temple, and Ethel Waters with “Stormy Water.”
Some of the best Jazz and Swing performers were Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Glen Miller, and Artie Shaw. There is a popular song or two from each down below. The “Jitterbug,” which involve throwing each other over the head and through the legs, was the most popular swing dance throughout the country.
Benny Goodman – “Don’t Be That Way,” “Sing, Sing, Sing”
Glen Miller – “Moonlight Serenade”
Artie Shaw – “Begin The Beguine”
Duke Ellington – “Cocktails For Two,” “Mood Indigo”
Country and western music started off as being call “Hillbilly” music in the 1920’s. It wasn’t until the 1930’s when radio and media had begun to make it popular that it started being called “country and western.” It consisted of country gospel, bluegrass, cowboy musicals, western swing, and brother/sister duets.
There were two popular categories for “Talkies.” Movie musical and singing-cowboy film. Some important composers during this time include Harold Arlen – “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz, Irving Berlin – “Easter Parade” from As Thousands Cheer, Hoagy Carmichael – “Heart and Soul” from A Song Is Born, Duke Ellington – “Mood Indigo” from Dreamy Blues, George Gershwin – “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess, and Johnny Mercer – “Jeepers Creepers” from Going Places.
