I hardly ever tell anyone that I listen to music from the Andrews Sisters. First of all because they are not that widely known in Europe, and second because people look at me as if I'm a little crazy if I let them hear this music. I think it's a shame. It does sound very 1940's, but that doesn't mean that it isn't any good. It always makes me happy when I hear their songs. That may be one of the reasons why their music was so big during one of the most difficult period of world history.
During the second world war, when most American men were at war oversees, The Andrews Sisters were enormously popular in the US. Their popularity already started in 1937 with their hit single "Bei Mir Bist du Schoen". This song, originally part of a Yiddish musical, was translated into English (without the writers' consent) and brought The Andrews Sisters immediate fame. They were the first famale vocale group ever to win a gold record. Strangely enough, this song was also quite popular in Germany, that was untill the Germans discovered it was written by Jewish people.
Their popularity lasted from 1937 - 1951 and the group had an average of eight hit songs a year.They really were the face of the World War II period, and they could be seen everywhere at that time. Next to the all the songs that were recorded, they made movies, went to several military bases, and had their own radio show. They were often dressed in navy clothing to support the war effort.
Songs such as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", ""Shoo-Shoo Baby", and "Rum and Coca Cola" were not only extremely cachy in the 1940's, but (according to me) are still very good 70 years later. Let me know what you think.
The Andrews Sisters - "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"
