1940 in music


This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1940.

Specific locations

Specific genres

Events

Albums released

Top popular recordings

The following songs appeared in The Billboard's 'Best Selling Retail Records' chart during 1940. 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.
RankArtistTitleLabelRecordedReleasedChart positions
1Artie Shaw and His Orchestra"Frenesi"Victor 26542US BB 1940 #1, US #1 for 13 weeks, 29 total weeks, Grammy Hall of Fame 2000, 1,000,000 sold
2Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra "All the Things You Are"Victor 26401US BB 1940 #8, US #1 for 2 weeks, 13 total weeks
9Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra "Indian Summer"Victor 26390US BB 1940 #9, US #1 for 1 week, 16 total weeks
10Glenn Miller and His Orchestra "Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread)"Bluebird 10728US BB 1940 #10, US #1 for 3 weeks, 15 total weeks
11Benny Goodman and His Orchestra "Darn That Dream"Columbia 35331US BB 1940 #11, US #1 for 1 week, 11 total weeks
12The Ink Spots"Maybe"Decca 3258US BB 1940 #12, US #2 for 6 weeks, 17 total weeks
13Glenn Miller and His Orchestra "Blueberry Hill"Bluebird 10768US BB 1940 #13, US #2 for 4 weeks, 19 total weeks
14Will Bradley and His OrchestraBeat Me Daddy, Eight to the BarColumbia 35530US BB 1940 #14, US #2 for 1 week, 21 total weeks
15Bing Crosby"Trade Winds"Decca 3299US BB 1940 #15, US #2 for 2 weeks, 18 total weeks
16Jimmy Dorsey and His OrchestraThe Breeze and IDecca 3150US BB 1940 #16, US #2 for 6 weeks, 11 total weeks, 1,000,000 sold
17The Ink Spots"We Three (My Echo, My Shadow and Me)"Decca 3379US BB 1940 #17, US #3 for 1 week, 15 total weeks
18Bing Crosby"Sierra Sue"Decca 3133US BB 1940 #18, US #3 for 1 week, 14 total weeks
19Bob Crosby and His Orchestra"With the Wind and the Rain in Your Hair"Decca 3018US BB 1940 #19, US #2 for 3 weeks, 14 total weeks
20Tony Martin"It's a Blue World"Decca 2932US BB 1940 #20, US #2 for 2 weeks, 13 total weeks
21Glenn Miller and His Orchestra "Say It"Bluebird 10631US BB 1940 #21, US #2 for 2 weeks, 11 total weeks

Published popular music

Classical music

Compositions

Opera

Film

[Musical theatre]

Apple Sauce. London production opened at the Holborn Empire on August 27 and moved to the London Palladium on March 5, 1941, when the Holburn Empire was destroyed in the blitz. Total run 462 performances.The Beggar's Opera. London revival opened at the Haymarket Theatre on March 5.Cabin in the Sky. Broadway production opened on October 25 at the Martin Beck Theatre and ran for 156 performancesHigher and Higher opened at the Shubert Theatre on April 4 and ran for 84 performances. It returned to the same theatre on August 5 for a further 24 performances.Hold On To Your Hats. Broadway production opened at the Shubert Theatre on September 11 and ran for 158 performancesKeep Off The Grass. Broadway revue opened at the Broadhurst Theatre on May 23 and ran for 44 performancesLouisiana Purchase. Broadway production opened on May 28 at the Imperial Theatre and ran for 444 performancesMeet the People Broadway production opened at the Mansfield Theatre on December 25 and ran for 160 performances.

[Musical film]s

The Boys from Syracuse, based on the 1938 Broadway play, starring Allan Jones, Irene Hervey, Martha Raye and Rosemary LaneBroadway Melody of 1940, starring Fred Astaire and Eleanor PowellCanto de amor, Argentine musical directed by Julio IrigoyenEl Cantor de Buenos Aires, Argentine musicalGül Baba, Hungarian musical starring Sándor Kömíves and Zita SzeleczkyIf I Had My Way, starring Bing Crosby and Gloria JeanIrene, starring Anna Neagle, Ray Milland and Billie BurkeIt All Came True starring Ann Sheridan and Humphrey BogartLa canción del milagro, Mexican musical drama starring José MojicaLillian Russell (film), starring Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Henry Fonda and Eddie Foy Jr.Little Nellie Kelly, starring Judy Garland, George Murphy and Charles Winninger. Directed by Norman Taurog.New Moon, starring Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. Directed by Robert Z. Leonard.A Night at Earl Carroll's, released December 6No, No, Nanette, starring Anna Neagle, Richard Carlson, Victor Mature, Roland Young, Helen Broderick, Zasu Pitts and Eve ArdenOne Night in the Tropics, starring Allan Jones, Nancy Kelly, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Directed by A. Edward Sutherland.Pinocchio Walt Disney animated filmSpring Parade, starring Deanna Durbin remake of 1934 filmToo Many Girls, based on 1939 Broadway musical, starring Lucille Ball, Richard Carlson, Frances Langford, Ann Miller, Eddie Bracken and Desi Arnaz.Two Girls on Broadway, remake of 1929 film The Broadway Melody, starring Lana Turner, Joan Blondell and George Murphy.Young People, starring Shirley Temple. Directed by Allan Dwan.

Births

Deaths