1941 in music


This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1941.

Specific locations

Specific genres

Events

Albums released

Top Popular Recordings 1941

The following songs appeared in The Billboard's 'Best Selling Retail Records' chart during 1941. Each week fifteen points were awarded to the number one record, then nine points for number two, eight points for number three, and so on. The total points a record earned determined its year-end rank. Regional charts determined the 11–25 rankings each week, and records that failed to score on the main chart were ranked by highest position. Additional information was obtained from the "Discography of American Historical Recordings" website, Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890–1954 and other sources as specified.
The following songs appeared in The Billboard's 'Best Selling Retail Records' chart during 1941.
RankArtistTitleLabelRecordedReleasedChart positions
1Glenn Miller and His Orchestra"Chattanooga Choo Choo"Bluebird 11230US BB 1941 #1, US #1 for 9 weeks, 28 total weeks, 253 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 1996, ASCAP song of 1941, Oscar Nomination 1941
2Freddy Martin and His Orchestra"Piano Concerto In B Flat"Bluebird 11211US BB 1941 #2, US #1 for 8 weeks, 26 total weeks, 230 points
3Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra"Amapola (Pretty Little Poppy)"Decca 3629US BB 1941 #3, US #1 for 10 weeks, 18 total weeks, 171 points, 1,000,000 sales
4Swing And Sway With Sammy Kaye"Daddy"Victor 27391US BB 1941 #4, US #1 for 8 weeks, 19 total weeks, 170 points
5Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra"Green Eyes"Decca 3698US BB 1941 #5, US #1 for 4 weeks, 28 total weeks, 153 points, 1,000,000 sales
6Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra"Maria Elena"Decca 3698US BB 1941 #6, US #1 for 2 weeks, 19 total weeks, 142 points, 1,000,000 sales
7Glenn Miller and his Orchestra"Elmer's Tune"Bluebird 11274US BB 1941 #7, US #1 for 1 week, 21 total weeks, 126 points
8Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra "This Love of Mine"Victor 27508US BB 1941 #8, US #3 for 4 weeks, 27 total weeks, 111 points
9Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra"Blue Champagne"Decca 3775US BB 1941 #9, US #1 for 1 week, 20 total weeks, 84 points
10Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra "Oh Look At Me Now"Victor 27274US BB 1941 #10, US #2 for 6 weeks, 14 total weeks, 81 points
11Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra"My Sister and I"Decca 3710US 1941 #11, US #1 for 2 weeks, 13 total weeks, 79 points
12Horace Heidt And His Musical Knights"I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire"Columbia 36295US BB 1941 #12, US #2 for 2 week, 17 total weeks, 77 points
13Charlie Barnet and his Orchestra"I Hear a Rhapsody"Bluebird 10934US BB 1941 #13, US #2 for 6 weeks, 18 total weeks, 76 points
14Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra"Yes, Indeed!"Victor 27421US BB 1941 #14, US #4 for 3 weeks, 24 total weeks, 73 points
15Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra"Yours"Decca 3657US BB 1941 #15, US #2 for 2 weeks, 18 total weeks, 73 points
16Xavier Cugat and His Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra"Perfidia (Tonight)"Victor 26334US BB 1941 #16, US #3 for 4 weeks, 16 total weeks, 70 points
17Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra"I Hear A Rhapsody"Decca 3570US BB 1941 #17, US #3 for 4 weeks, 10 total weeks, 55 points
18Glenn Miller and his Orchestra"Song Of The Volga Boatmen"Bluebird 11029US BB 1941 #18, US #1 for 1 week, 10 total weeks, 53 points
19Freddy Martin and his Orchestra"The Hut-Sut Song (A Swedish Serenade)"Bluebird 11147US BB 1941 #19, US #2 for 1 week, 13 total weeks, 53 points
20Bing Crosby"Dolores"Decca 3644US BB 1941 #20, US #2 for 1 week, 15 total weeks, 52 points

Additional recordings of historical interest, and songs that crossed over from Hillbilly and Race :
RankArtistTitleLabelRecordedReleasedChart positions
23Andrews Sisters"(I'll Be with You) In Apple Blossom Time"Decca 3622US BB 1941 #23, US #5 for 5 weeks, 18 total weeks, 48 points
25Harry James and His Orchestra"You Made Me Love You"Columbia 36296US BB 1941 #25, US #5 for 2 weeks, 22 total weeks, 41 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 2010
46Artie Shaw and His Orchestra"Star Dust"Victor 27230US 1941 #46, US #6 for 1 week, 10 total weeks, 12 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 1988
56Bing Crosby"San Antonio Rose"Decca 3590US BB 1941 #56, US #7 for 1 week, 12 total weeks, 9 points, 1,000,000 sales
87Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys"New San Antonio Rose"OKeh 05694US BB 1941 #87, US #11 for 2 weeks, 18 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1940 #9, USHB #1 for 2 weeks, 29 total weeks, 1,000,000 sales, Grammy Hall of Fame 1998, Library of Congress artifact added 2003
86Dinah Shore"Yes, My Darling Daughter"Bluebird 10920US BB 1941 #86, US #11 for 4 weeks, 10 total weeks
88Andrews Sisters"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"Decca 3598US BB 1941 #88, US #11 for 1 week, 7 total weeks, Grammy Hall of Fame in 2000
91Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra"Take the "A" Train"Victor 27380US BB 1941 #91, US #12 for 1 week, 9 total weeks, Grammy Hall of Fame 1976
95Larry Clinton and His Orchestra"Because of You"Bluebird 11094US 1941 #95, US #12 for 1 week, 1 total weeks
99Louise Massey and the Westerners"My Adobe Hacienda"Okeh 6077US BB 1941 #99, US #13 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1941 #10, USHB #1 for 1 week, 21 total weeks
131Gene Autry"You Are My Sunshine"Okeh 6274US BB 1941 #131, US #16 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1941 #1, USHB #1 for 20 weeks, 50 total weeks, 1,000,000 sales
142Sons of the Pioneers"Cool Water"Decca 5939US BB 1941 #142, US #17 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1941 #12, USHB #1 for 1 week, 18 total weeks
167Bing Crosby"You Are My Sunshine"Decca 3952US BB 1941 #167, US #19 for 1 week, 1 total weeks
147Gene Autry"Be Honest with Me"Okeh 5980US BB 1941 #147, US #17 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1941 #3, USHB #1 for 6 weeks, 58 total weeks
154Ernest Tubb"Walking the Floor Over You"Decca 5958US BB 1941 #154, US #18 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1941 #2, USHB #1 for 10 weeks, 72 total weeks
251Bing Crosby"It Makes No Difference Now"Decca 3590US BB 1941 #251, US #23 for 1 week, 1 total weeks

Published popular music

Other publications

  • Robert van Gulik – ''The Lore of the Chinese Lute: An Essay in Ch'in Ideology''

Classical music

Compositions

Opera

Film

Musical theatre

Apple Sauce London revue opened at the Palladium on March 5Banjo Eyes Broadway production opened on December 25 at the Hollywood Theatre and ran for 126 performances.Best Foot Forward Broadway production opened on October 1 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre and ran for 326 performances.Get a Load of This London production opened on November 19 at the Hippodrome Theatre and ran for 698 performances.High Kickers Broadway production opened on October 31 at the Broadhurst Theatre and ran for 171 performances.It Happens on Ice Broadway Revue opened on July 15 at the Center Theatre and ran for 386 performances.Lady Behave London production opened at His Majesty's Theatre on July 24 and ran for 401 performancesLady in the Dark Broadway production opened on January 23 at the Alvin Theatre and ran for 467 performances.Let's Face It! Broadway production opened on October 29 at the Imperial Theatre and ran for 547 performances.Sons O' Fun Broadway Revue opened on December 1 at the Winter Garden Theatre and ran for 742 performances.

Musical films

Alle gaar rundt og forelsker sig, starring Lilian EllisApavaduBabes on BroadwayBirth of the BluesBlues in the NightThe Chocolate SoldierDumboHáry János, starring Antal Páger and Margit DajkaHe Found a Star starring Vic Oliver, Sarah Churchill and Evelyn DallHold That Ghost starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello and featuring The Andrews Sisters and Ted Lewis and his BandIn the Navy starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Dick Powell and The Andrews SistersKiss the Boys Goodbye starring Don Ameche and Mary MartinLady Be GoodMoon Over MiamiNavy Blues starring Ann Sheridan, Jack Oakie, Martha Raye and Jack HaleyPlaymatesRise and Shine starring Jack Oakie, Linda Darnell, George Murphy and Milton BerleRoad to ZanzibarSan Antonio Rose starring Robert Paige, Jane Frazee, Eve Arden and The Merry MacsSis Hopkins starring Judy Canova, Bob Crosby, Jerry Colonna and Susan HaywardSmilin' ThroughSun Valley SerenadeSunnySweetheart of the CampusThat Certain SomethingThat Night in RioThey Met in ArgentinaTime Out for RhythmToo Many Blondes starring Rudy Vallee and Helen ParrishWeek-End in HavanaYou'll Never Get Rich starring Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth and Robert Benchley. Directed by Sidney Lanfield.You're the One starring Bonnie Baker, Orrin Tucker & his Orchestra, Edward Everett Horton and Jerry ColonnaZiegfeld GirlZis Boom Bah starring Grace Hayes, Peter Lind Hayes, Mary Healy, Skeets Gallagher and Benny Rubin, and directed by William Nigh

Births

Deaths