Hit Songs, 1900–1955

This is a chronology of the most famous songs from the years before rock ’n’ roll. The top hits for each year are described, including vital information such as song origin, artist(s), and chart information. For many songs, the author includes any web or library holdings of sheet music covers, musical scores, and free audio files. An extensive collection of biographical sketches follows, providing performing credits, relevant professional awards, and brief biographies for hundreds of the era’s most popular performers, lyricists, and composers. Includes an alphabetical song index and bibliography.

A retired music professor from Central Florida Community College in Ocala, Florida, Don Tyler has written over two dozen choral compositions and arrangements. In addition, he has authored several books about music. He lives in Ocoee, Florida.

Don Tyler
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 554
Bibliographic Info: bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2007
pISBN: 978-0-7864-2946-2
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1283-6
Imprint: McFarland

Preface      1

I. The Good Old Days: 1900–1914      5

II. The Ragtime Years: 1915–1919      73

III. The Jazz Age: 1920 to 1929      107

IV. The Depression Years: 1930 to 1934      169

V. The Swing Era: 1935 to 1944      205

VI. The Sing Era: 1945 to 1955      279

Biographies      341

Bibliography      497

Index      499

“many of [the] listings, particularly those from early in the century, are unique. Recommended”—Choice; “a great reference book, quiz book, trivia and the kind of a book that you pick up but can’t put down…highly recommend”—The Illustrated Press.