SONGS AND MUSIC THAT INSPIRED COURAGE DURING WARTIME

by Olivia Bailey

With free CD featuring Glenn Miller, The Andrew Sisters, Judy Garland, Gene Kelly and many more...

The history of the world is the history of warfare and this warfare for countless generations has been followed by music. Musicians and bands have always followed troops into battle to inspire them to perform great and heroic deeds. This book looks at the popular music that was inspired by the Great War (World War One) and World War 2.

The popular music of these times was a great comfort to many people in different situations. The songs had the power to invoke emotion to make you feel sad, proud, defiant or happy depending on your circumstance. Many of the songs that became famous during the Second World War had already been popular in the First World War such as ‘There’ll Always Be an England’, Rule Britannia’ and ‘Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag’.

Music was one of the great escapes during these wars both for the men on the frontline and their families left behind at home. These popular songs pushed back the hardship of war and for a moment at least the gloom and danger, the loneliness and isolation was kept at bay. Dance halls were filled with more people than ever before.

Songs and musical comic turns performed in the music halls by favourite entertainers were crucial in sustaining high morale and during the Second World War ENSA was formed by the government in order to entertain troops. For generations who lived through these wars it will bring back memories for the rest of us of an era of great courage and evoke the bittersweet mood of nostalgia.

Hardcover: 128 pages
Language: English
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.3 inches
Includes CD featuring "In The Mood", "Der Fuehrere's Face", "As Time Goes By" and many more

A great gift for anyone who is interested in music or history!