1940's love songs

K.Stephens · Mar 28, 2015

Hi again,
Can anyone suggest a romantic love song from 1946, or earlier? Set in the US.
Something a woman could possibly sing at a wedding (a small wedding, the female MC was a singer).
I've searched and searched online, but a lot of the songs whilst beautiful, are very jazzy--I'd prefer something a little slower.
I love Doris day's version of Day by Day, but that didn't come out until 1956. However, Frank Sinatra's version was recorded in 1946. Would it be unusual for a woman to sing a 'man's' song, do you think?
For anyone who was around in these times, or perhaps listens to music from the 30's or 40's, are there any songs that come to mind?
Thank you very much.

Alessandra Kelley · Mar 28, 2015

Given that people today are still enthusiastically belting out love songs from the 1960s, a wedding singer in 1946 could realistically sing anything from the whole first half of the twentieth century, and maybe lingering favorites from the nineteenth century too.

That said, there are many great romantic love songs from the decade or so before that, including "Begin the Beguine", "I've Got You Under My Skin", and "Dancing Cheek to Cheek".

Just slightly earlier are "All of Me," "Blue Skies," and "Ain't Misbehavin'".

If you want strictly wartime songs, they tend to be a little more melancholy. There's "As Time Goes By", "Sentimental Journey", "For Me and My Gal", and "Night and Day".

Sage · Mar 28, 2015

K.Stephens said:
I love Doris day's version of Day by Day, but that didn't come out until 1956. However, Frank Sinatra's version was recorded in 1946. Would it be unusual for a woman to sing a 'man's' song, do you think?

I think you answer your own question

K.Stephens · Mar 28, 2015

Alessandra Kelley said:
That said, there are many great romantic love songs from the decade or so before that, including "Begin the Beguine", "I've Got You Under My Skin", and "Dancing Cheek to Cheek".

Just slightly earlier are "All of Me," "Blue Skies," and "Ain't Misbehavin'".

Thank you

K.Stephens · Mar 28, 2015

Sage said:
I think you answer your own question

Haha, I guess so!

Ketzel · Mar 28, 2015

Perry Como had a big hit in 1946, if you want something slow and romantic: "They Say It's Wonderful" . There's also his recording of "Till the End of Time," which came out in 1945. Both would be appropriate for a wedding (especially the second one) and have been recorded by both men and women.

beckethm · Mar 28, 2015

Look up the Ink Spots. They had several ballads that might fit the bill. I'm thinking in particular of "My Prayer."

rugcat · Mar 28, 2015

The classic At Last, made famous by Etta James, was actually written in 1941 by Harry Warren.

He also wrote I Only Have Eyes For You, popularized by the Flamingos in the 60s but originally written in 1934

Then there's My Romance, Rogers and Hart, 1935. Very popular in its day, (And still is.) One of my favorite tunes to perform as a jazz ballad .

tallus83 · Apr 1, 2015

The Nearness of you
I'll walk alone
They're either too young or too old ( a humorous vein)
Don't sit under the apple tree with anyone else but me

1940's love songs

K.Stephens

Alessandra Kelley

Sophipygian

Sage

Supreme Guessinator

K.Stephens

K.Stephens

Ketzel

Leaving on the 2:19

beckethm

rugcat

Lost in the Fog

tallus83