This song was made famous by the Andrew Sisters. The song was created by Gene De Paul, who was born in New York City and served in the United States Army during World War II. He died February 21, 1988. De Paul was well known for working on musicals. De Paul filmed the move, "In the Navy" with the Andrew Sisters as lead characters who sang his original song "Gimme some Skin my Friend". In other movies, he worked with Universal Studios, and Walt Disney Studios.
Andrew Sisters
History:
The song was made very popular by the Andrew Sisters, who were a close harmony singing group. They became famous with their big hit, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy". Historically they entertained allied forces in World War II, extensively in America, Africa, Italy, and Hawaii.
The song, "Gimme some Skin my Friend" refers to the friendly shaking of hands and acknowledging one another through a friendly gesture. The Andrews Sisters added some sex appeal to this song and increased its popularity. This song remains very influential even today.
La Mer (AKA) Somewhere Beyond the Sea
This song "La Mer was written by a French composer named Charles Trenet. However this song has a notoriously famous reputation for its diversity. The song alone has over 400 versions. To name a few would be the English version "Beyond the Sea", the Italian version "Ll Mare, and the Dutch version "De zee". This is due partly to its popular and catchy tune, and the deeply romantic meaning behind the song.
Trenet wrote the lyrics in 1943 on a train along the coast of the Mediterranean in France. However being a French citizen, and under German occupation, he did not have the opportunity to even record the song, until after the war, in 1946. Discouraged by many friends, Trenet was told that it would be a failure, because they believed it wasn't, "swing" enough. It was also more of a poem, than a actual song. In reality though, the moment after its official release, it became a hit. The song was so popular that it was a majorly popular to 1960. Fortunately that was not the end of the song. It appeared in many famous movies, and television shows. A recent movie by Bernado Bertolucci's in his 2003 film, "The Dreamers" the song was played. It has also played in numbers TV shows, such as "Lost".
Analysis:
The sound of this song differs much depending on the speed it is played. It often varies from a slow relaxing melody, to at fast moving pitch. The lyrics themselves are part of poem that uses the sea as an analogy to help explain love and desire. Many people appreciate this song as a romantic melody and is in fact used in many romantic scenes in movies. This song is classified as a romantic song, with rich background, and deep passion.
Benny Goodman
"In the Mood"
In the Mood is a big band era number one hit record. The song officially released in 1939 was first debuted on public radio, and became a hit overnight. In a major magazine called the "Bill Board Charts" was listed as the top most popular song in America for over 30 weeks. In 1999, the National Public Radio included this 1939 song as one of the most important musical pieces of American history.
This song was originally based on a pre-existing melody that was rewritten, and played by Benny Goodman. The entire original songs length is around two minutes and 29 seconds. It is also famously known in 1951 for being one of the first songs to every be played on a computer.
Analysis
This was the type of up-beat music that many people dance to in the 1920s, 30s, and even early 1940s. This certain song is classified as swing, but there are other versions of it in Jazz. The song was played by a "big band" and had a signature theme of a Saxophone section.
The Composer/Leader
This song was written and lead by Benny Goodman, born in May, 30, 1909, and died June, 13, 1986. Benny Goodman himself lead one of the most popular musical groups in America, and even in the world in his time. During this segregated era, he shocked people by racially integrating his band. I personally really appreciate his music and leave that his nickname, "King of Swing" fits him well. He was the most influential musicians of the 20th center. He was true pioneer in the creation of Jazz, and Swing Music.
Welcome to the home page of Apollos Music Notes. Here I will show you the wonderful, complex history, and the background of 20th century music. Such music will come from the genres ranging from the Blues, to old time Rock in Roll, and so on. For me, it is important to not only listen to the music, but learn where it comes from. The meaning behind it. Music is one of the great fine arts, and should be carefully understood. My plan for Apollos Music Notes, is to go through decade, by decade of music. The beautiful styles of music, the popular and the lesser known as well, will be brought to light. Apollo, the Greek god of music is a historic symbol of the songs that like him, have had their meaning almost forgotten.
Songs have been prominent throughout history. Recording stores from long ago, or feeling felt at their climax. Over time, only the style changed, in the way of telling that story. The pinnacle of Human Emotion, such as Hate, Love, Anger, creation and destruction, are all expressed in the art of song, and music.
