The Big Band Era

Song Number ONE: In 1940, Whitburn* lists no less than forty-five charted Miller hits, of which seven reached number one. Here is one of the latter. This is the 1940 Academy Award winning song. With words by Ned Washington and music by Leigh Harline, it is from the animated film Pinocchio where it was sung by Cliff Edwards as the film character Jiminy Cricket. Ray Eberle does the vocal on the Glenn Miller record which was Number One on the charts in March 1940. "When You Wish Upon A star."

Song Number TWO: On December 27, 1939, Miller replaced Paul Whiteman on the Chesterfield cigarette network broadcast, an association which would continue until Miller left for the Army. His band thus became established as one of the top units in the field. An Italian song, "Reginella Campagnola" (Oh, Country Girl), composed by Eldo di Lazzaro with English words by Harold Adamson, appeared uncredited in the film Ride Tenderfoot Ride where it was performed by Gene Autry and little sister, Mary Lee. A number One Charted record for Miller and vocalist Marion Hutton in April 1940, this version was called,"The Woodpecker Song."

Song Number THREE: In 1940 the band added two top arrangers in Bill Finegan and Jerry Gray, the latter from Artie Shaw who had again broken up his band. Their addition was a key to the band's continued success, Once again Miller made a hit of a Gene Autry introduced song, this time from the film The Singing Hill. with Words and music by Al Lewis, Larry Stock, and band leader Vincent Rose. A Number One chart Record in November 1940 as performed by for Glenn Miller with vocal by Ray Eberle, it was revived to much acclaim by Fats Domino in 1957. "Blueberry Hill."

Song Number FOUR: In that year, the Miller band was voted number two in both the sweet and swing categories in the Billboard Poll. Two of the swing hits "Tuxedo Junction" and "Pennsylvania 6-5000" were heard here in March 2003. This is the most popular version of a lively tune by Josef Myrow, Kim Gannon and Gene Irwin. It was charted number five in November of 1940 in competition with recordings by the swing bands of Ella Fitzgerald and Erskine Hawkins. The lyrics reflect the return to a vibrant economy, induced by the war in Europe war, after years of economic depression. "The Five O'Clock Whistle."

Song Number FIVE: Successful as he was, Miller was not without his failures. This song was brought to Miller by band member Al Mastren. It had been sent to Tommy Dorsey by the composer, Ruth Lowe, a former member of Ina Rae Hutton's band. Dorsey delayed in recording the song so Glenn's recording on February 19, 1940 was the first to reach the record buying public. In this version by Ray Eberle, it is given a standard Miller treatment which was peaked on the charts at 16 in November. Meanwhile, Tommy Dorsey recorded it a few weeks later with Frank Sinatra and the Pied Pipers singing at an unprecedentedly slow tempo. A big band classic, it was Number One Charted and sold millions of copies. Still not a bad recording itself, here is Miller's take on "I'll Never Smile Again."

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