topic Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song? in Community Chat

Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

Oznell — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 02:33:06 GMT

Well, all this World War II discussion made me think of the great songs of the period. "I'll Be Seeing You" was so bittersweet for soldiers and their families. Love Billie Holliday's version, where she slows it to almost a dirge-like cadence, but all her heart and unique vocal skill make it unforgettable:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDlKb2cBAqU

Do you know of any other songs of that era you'd rate the best?

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

cherry — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 02:42:11 GMT

Lili Marlene

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSMuTm649Hk

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

Noel7 — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 02:42:18 GMT

English treasure and singer Vera Lynn who sang White Cliffs of Dover. She is now age 99.

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

cherry — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 02:44:19 GMT

@Noel7 wrote:
English treasure and singer Vera Lynn who sang White Cliffs of Dover. She is now age 99.

Wow I didn't know she was still alive

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

Noel7 — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 02:46:16 GMT

Kate Smith, God Bless America.

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

cherry — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 02:50:07 GMT

Bless em all

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf4jhb9p2v8

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

cherry — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 02:54:11 GMT

The Andrews Sisters

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm1wuKvrxAw

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

Oznell — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 02:56:18 GMT

Oh, thanks for jogging my memory. I also like Dietrich's sultry version of Lili Marlene:

https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-mozilla-001&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=mozilla&p=lili+marlene+youtube#id=1&vid=1d97be44b4978bb1eda4a7b4f676577a&action=click

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

cherry — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 03:02:35 GMT

Dietrich's daughter, Maria Riva wrote a compelling biography of her mother . It's really a good read

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

Oznell — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 03:10:02 GMT

Then there's that poignant war-time Christmas classic of separated soldiers and their families, "I'll Be Home For Christmas". A lot of greats sang this song. Bing Crosby, Sinatra and Johnny Mathis all had good versions:

https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-mozilla-001&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=mozilla&p=lili+marlene+youtube#id=1&vid=1d97be44b4978bb1eda4a7b4f676577a&action=click

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

Oznell — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 03:14:15 GMT

cherry, I read that too! It was a page turner, for sure. I found it riveting, but did feel a bit queasy about all the revelations Maria made about their family. No doubt there was a lot of anger there, justifiably. But I think she was very good to her mother when she was dying and a recluse, I think in Paris...

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

Noel7 — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 03:15:13 GMT

@Oznell wrote:
Oh, thanks for jogging my memory. I also like Dietrich's sultry version of Lili Marlene:

https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-mozilla-001&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=mozilla&p=lili+marlene+youtube#id=1&vid=1d97be44b4978bb1eda4a7b4f676577a&action=click

********************

Me, too! I taught it to my daughter and she used to do an impersonation of her singing "Falling in love again, never wanted to, what am I to do..."

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

Lila Belle — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 03:17:57 GMT

My nan and granddad Gus's song by Vera Lynn, We'll meet again.

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

Noel7 — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 03:21:21 GMT

And all the Glenn Miller tunes, A Train, Chattanooga Choo Choo... I have no idea if I spelled that correctly.

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

Noel7 — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 03:23:51 GMT

@Lila Belle wrote:
My nan and granddad Gus's song by Vera Lynn, We'll meet again.

*************************

Don't know how, don't know when, we'll meet again some sunny day 😊

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

MacDUFF — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 03:27:15 GMT

Waitin' For the Train to Come In, Peggy Lee, 1945

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GecB28BcNX4

Thanks for the memories.

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

Noel7 — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 03:31:33 GMT

Wasn't it Peggy Lee who was in that movie with Sinatra and he throws her down the stairs?

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

Oznell — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 03:33:26 GMT

MacDuff, that's one Peggy Lee tune i never heard before-- it's great! There's nobody like the radiant young Peggy Lee!

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

cherry — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 03:35:54 GMT

Coming in on a wing and a prayer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1W4rVtT4Ok

Re: Billie Holliday and the Best World War II Song?

Noel7 — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 03:36:03 GMT

My fave Peggy Lee song is "Is That All There Is?"