I think it is foolish when people pine about an earlier time in history, especially when they enthusiastically claim that a specific era was somehow 'better.' History is way too grey for that.
However, artistic nostalgia is something I find great value in. Regardless of the social history of an era, I like to celebrate the art of the people from that time in history and consider it something we should try our hardest to hold on to.
I do not in any way consider myself a music history buff, but I do have a great interest in music. It started when I first picked up an alto saxophone in second grade. I didn't put it down for 10 years. My playing days have waned, but my love for music, especially jazz and other Americana sounds, has not.
So I thought I would share just a few of my favorite hoppin' tunes from an era of big bands, economic depression, and highly choreographed popular dances. Think of it at as a way to forget you ever learned what twerking is.
This song was FDR's campaign song in 1932, in the midst of the Great Depression. When you're selling people hope, make sure the music fits!
*Author's note: This song is not one of my favorites, but it is really interesting historically. Although the uploader's choice to put portraits of Obama and JFK in the video is really incongruous to me...*
This song featuring amazing dancers (Dorothy Dandridge and the Nicholas Brothers) and the Glenn Miller Orchestra is so awesome that, even though I was born in 1990, it makes me want to tear up from all the nostalgia (unfortunately, I am incapable of crying).
If you have seen the awesome Ryan O'Neal movie 'Paper Moon,' you may remember this ditty. Makes the Depression seem almost fun! (Except for the overwhelming suffering)
Finally, this lively song gets me going so badly that I wish I had a time machine specifically to be transported to whatever speakeasy dive Jelly Roll Morton and his band were belting out this banger.
*Apparently Jelly Roll's accompanying band is called the 'Red Hot Peppers.' They are now my favorite band with 'Red,' 'Hot,' and 'Peppers' in its name.*
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