List of years in music (table)
In radio
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
In television
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
+...

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

Specific locations

Specific genres

Events

Albums released

For each Year in Music (beginning 1940) and Year in Country Music (beginning 1939), a comprehensive Year End Top Records section can be found at mid-page (popular), and on the Country page. These charts are meant to replace the charts Billboard prints at the end of each year, because they are better. Keep reading.

The charts are compiled from data published by Billboard magazine, using their formulas, with slight modifications. Most important, there are no songs missing or truncated by Billboard's holiday deadline. Each year, records included enter the charts between the prior November and early December. Each week, fifteen points are awarded to the number one record, then nine points for number two, eight points for number three, and so on. This system rewards songs that reach the highest positions, as well as those that had the longest chart runs. This is our adjustment to Mr. Whitburn's formula, which places no. 1 records on top, then no 2 and so on, ordered by weeks at that position. This allows a record with 4 weeks at no. 1 that only lasted 6 weeks to be rated very high. Here, the total points of a song's complete chart run determines its position. Our chart has more songs, more weeks and may look nothing like Billboard's, but it comes from the exact same surveys.

Before the Hot100 was implemented in 1958, Billboard magazine measured a record's performance with three charts, 'Best-Selling Popular Retail Records', 'Records Most-Played On the Air' or 'Records Most Played By Disk Jockeys' and 'Most-Played Juke Box Records'. As Billboard did starting in the 1940s, the three totals for each song are combined, with that number determining the final year-end rank. For example, 1944's "A Hot Time in the Town of Berlin" by Bing and the Andrews Sisters finished at no. 19, despite six weeks at no. 1 on the 'Most-Played Juke Box Records'(JB) chart. It scored 126 points, to go with its Best-Selling chart (BS) total of 0. Martha Tilton's version of "I'll Walk Alone" peaked at no. 4 on the Juke Box chart, which only totalled 65 points, but her BS total was also 65, for a final total of 130, ranking no. 18. Examples like this can be found in "The Billboard" magazine up to 1958. By the way, the 'Records Most-Played On the Air' chart didn't begin until January 1945, which is why we only had two sub-totals.

Our rankings are based on Billboard data, but we also present info on recording and release dates, global sales totals, RIAA and BPI certifications and other awards. Rankings from other genres like 'Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs' or 'Most Played Juke Box Race Records', Country charts including 'Most Played Juke Box Folk (Hillbilly) Records', 'Cashbox magazine', and other sources are presented if they exist. We supplement our info with reliable data from the "Discography of American Historical Recordings" website, Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954[3] and other sources as specified. The following songs appeared in The Billboard's 'Best Selling Retail Records' chart during 1941.

Rank Artist Title Label Recorded Released Chart positions
1Glenn Miller and His Orchestra"Chattanooga Choo Choo"[4]Bluebird 11230May 7, 1941July 25, 1941US 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 (film 'Sun Valley Serenade')
2Freddy Martin and His Orchestra"Piano Concerto In B Flat"[5]Bluebird 11211June 16, 1941July 3, 1941US BB 1941 #2, US #1 for 8 weeks, 26 total weeks, 230 points
3Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra"Amapola (Pretty Little Poppy)"[6]Decca 3629February 3, 1941February 1941US BB 1941 #3, US #1 for 10 weeks, 18 total weeks, 171 points, 1,000,000 sales[7]
4Swing And Sway With Sammy Kaye"Daddy"[8]Victor 27391March 31, 1941April 25, 1941US BB 1941 #4, US #1 for 8 weeks, 19 total weeks, 170 points
5Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra"Green Eyes"[9]Decca 3698March 19, 1941April 1941US BB 1941 #5, US #1 for 4 weeks, 28 total weeks, 153 points, 1,000,000 sales[7]
6Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra"Maria Elena"[10]Decca 3698March 19, 1941April 1941US BB 1941 #6, US #1 for 2 weeks, 19 total weeks, 142 points, 1,000,000 sales[7]
7Glenn Miller and his Orchestra"Elmer's Tune"[11]Bluebird 11274August 11, 1941August 29, 1941US BB 1941 #7, US #1 for 1 week, 21 total weeks, 126 points
8Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra (Vocal Frank Sinatra)"This Love of Mine"[12]Victor 27508May 28, 1941July 11, 1941US BB 1941 #8, US #3 for 4 weeks, 27 total weeks, 111 points
9Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra"Blue Champagne"[13]Decca 3775April 29, 1941June 1941US BB 1941 #9, US #1 for 1 week, 20 total weeks, 84 points
10Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra (Vocal Frank Sinatra & Connie Haines & Pied Pipers)"Oh Look At Me Now"[14]Victor 27274January 16, 1941February 1941US BB 1941 #10, US #2 for 6 weeks, 14 total weeks, 81 points
11Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra"My Sister and I"[15]Decca 3710March 19, 1941April 1941US 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"[16]Columbia 36295July 24, 1941August 1941US BB 1941 #12, US #2 for 2 week, 17 total weeks, 77 points
13Charlie Barnet and his Orchestra"I Hear a Rhapsody"[17]Bluebird 10934October 14, 1940November 1940US BB 1941 #13, US #2 for 6 weeks, 18 total weeks, 76 points
14Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra"Yes, Indeed!"[18]Victor 27421February 17, 1941May 23, 1941US BB 1941 #14, US #4 for 3 weeks, 24 total weeks, 73 points
15Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra"Yours"[19]Decca 3657February 3, 1941March 1941US BB 1941 #15, US #2 for 2 weeks, 18 total weeks, 73 points
16Xavier Cugat and His Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra"Perfidia (Tonight)"[20]Victor 26334December 19, 1940January 7, 1941US BB 1941 #16, US #3 for 4 weeks, 16 total weeks, 70 points
17Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra"I Hear A Rhapsody"[21]Decca 3570October 14, 1940November 1940US BB 1941 #17, US #3 for 4 weeks, 10 total weeks, 55 points
18Glenn Miller and his Orchestra"Song Of The Volga Boatmen"[22]Bluebird 11029April 24, 1941February 1941US 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)"[23]Bluebird 11147April 24, 1941May 16, 1941US BB 1941 #19, US #2 for 1 week, 13 total weeks, 53 points
20Bing Crosby"Dolores"[24]Decca 3644December 23, 1940February 1941US 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 (Country) and Race (R&B):

Rank Artist Title Label Recorded Released Chart positions
23Andrews Sisters"(I'll Be with You) In Apple Blossom Time"[25]Decca 3622November 14, 1940February 1941US BB 1941 #23, US #5 for 5 weeks, 18 total weeks, 48 points
25Harry James and His Orchestra"You Made Me Love You"[16]Columbia 36296May 20, 1941August 1941US 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"[26]Victor 27230October 7, 1940December 6, 1940US 1941 #46, US #6 for 1 week, 10 total weeks, 12 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 1988
56Bing Crosby"San Antonio Rose"[27]Decca 3590December 16, 1940February 1941US BB 1941 #56, US #7 for 1 week, 12 total weeks, 9 points, 1,000,000 sales[7]
87Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys"New San Antonio Rose"[28]OKeh 05694April 16, 1940August 1940US 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,[3] Grammy Hall of Fame 1998, Library of Congress artifact added 2003
86Dinah Shore"Yes, My Darling Daughter"[29]Bluebird 10920October 4, 1940November 8, 1940US BB 1941 #86, US #11 for 4 weeks, 10 total weeks
88Andrews Sisters"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"[30]Decca 3598January 2, 1941January 20, 1941US 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"[31]Victor 27380February 15, 1941April 11, 1941US BB 1941 #91, US #12 for 1 week, 9 total weeks, Grammy Hall of Fame 1976
95Larry Clinton and His Orchestra"Because of You"[32]Bluebird 11094December 12, 1940March 28, 1941US 1941 #95, US #12 for 1 week, 1 total weeks
99Louise Massey and the Westerners"My Adobe Hacienda"[33]Okeh 6077January 27, 1941March 1941US 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"[33]Okeh 6274June 18, 1941July 10, 1941US 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[3]
142Sons of the Pioneers"Cool Water"[34]Decca 5939March 27, 1941April 1941US 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"[35]Decca 3952July 8, 1941August 1941US BB 1941 #167, US #19 for 1 week, 1 total weeks
147Gene Autry"Be Honest with Me"[28]Okeh 5980August 20, 1940January 17, 1941US 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"[36]Decca 5958April 26, 1941May 28, 1941US 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"[37]Decca 3590December 16, 1940February 1941US BB 1941 #251, US #23 for 1 week, 1 total weeks

Other publications

Classical music

Premieres

ComposerCompositionDateLocationPerformers
Alwyn, WilliamPastoral Fantasia for Viola and Orchestra1941-11-03Bedford, UKForbes / BBC SymphonyBoult[38][39]
Barber, SamuelViolin Concerto1941-02-07PhiladelphiaSpalding / Philadelphia OrchestraOrmandy[40]
Bartók, BélaString Quartet No. 61941-02-07New York CityKolisch Quartet[41]
Britten, BenjaminMatinées musicales1941-06-27Rio de JaneiroAmerican Ballet Company Orchestra – Balaban[42]
Britten, BenjaminSinfonia da Requiem1941-03-30New York CityNew York PhilharmonicBarbirolli[43]
Britten, BenjaminString Quartet No. 11941-09-21Los AngelesCoolidge Quartet[44]
Copland, AaronPiano Sonata1941-10-21Buenos AiresCopland[45]
Dallapiccola, LuigiCanti di prigionia1941-12-11Rome[unknown ensemble] – Previtali[46]
Dallapiccola, LuigiPiccolo concerto per Muriel Couvreux1941-05-01Rome[unknown ensemble] – Previtali[47]
Ginastera, AlbertoConcierto argentino1941-07-18Montevideo, UruguayBalzo / SODRE Symphony – Baldi[48]
Herrmann, BernardSymphony1941-07-27New York CityCBS Symphony – Herrmann[49]
Hindemith, PaulCello Concerto1941-02-07BostonPiatigorsky / Boston SymphonyKoussevitzky[50]
Messiaen, OlivierQuatuor pour la fin du temps1941-01-15Görlitz, GermanyLe Boulaire, Akoka, Pasquier, Messiaen[51]
Novák, VítězslavDe Profundis1941-11-20Brno, CzechoslovakiaReinberger / Prague Radio SymphonyBakala[52]
Rachmaninoff, SergeiSymphonic Dances1941-01-03PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia OrchestraOrmandy[53]
Schuman, WilliamSymphony No. 31941-10-17BostonBoston SymphonyKoussevitzky[54]

Compositions

Opera

Film

Jazz

Musical theatre

Musical films

Births

Deaths

References

  1. Oggi: settimanale di politica, attualità e cultura. 1987.
  2. Ralph P. Locke; Cyrilla Barr (January 1, 1997). Cultivating Music in America: Women Patrons and Activists Since 1860. University of California Press. p. 225. ISBN 978-0-520-08395-0.
  3. 1 2 3 Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Record Research.
  4. "Victor matrix PBS-061245. Chattanooga choo choo / Tex Beneke; The Four Modernaires; Glenn Miller Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  5. "Victor matrix PBS-061301. Piano concerto in B flat / Freddy Martin Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  6. "Decca matrix 68652. Amapola (voBE, HOC) / Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Decca Records 20th Anniversary". The Billboard: 46. August 28, 1954.
  8. "Victor matrix BS-063320. Daddy / Kaye Choir; Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  9. "Decca matrix 68840. Green eyes / Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  10. "Decca matrix 68834. Maria Elena / Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  11. "Victor matrix BS-067630. Elmer's tune / Ray Eberle; Glenn Miller Orchestra; Modernaires – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  12. "Victor matrix BS-065917. This love of mine / Frank Sinatra; Tommy Dorsey Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  13. "Decca matrix 69091. Blue Champagne / Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  14. "Victor matrix BS-058760. Oh! Look at me now / Connie Haines; The Pied Pipers; Frank Sinatra; Tommy Dorsey Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  15. "Decca matrix 68833. My sister and I / Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  16. 1 2 "Columbia 78rpm numerical listing discography: 36000–36499". www.78discography.com. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  17. "Victor matrix BS-056483. I hear a rhapsody / Bob Carroll; Charlie Barnet Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  18. "Victor matrix BS-060908. Yes indeed! / Sy Oliver; Jo Stafford; Tommy Dorsey Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  19. "Decca matrix 68653. Yours (Quiereme mucho) / Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  20. "Victor matrix BS-037626. Perfidia / Xavier Cugat Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  21. "Decca matrix 68461. I hear a rhapsody / Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  22. "Victor matrix BS-058885. Song of the Volga boatman / Glenn Miller Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  23. "Victor matrix PBS-061198. The hut-sut song (A Swedish serenade) / Freddy Martin Orchestra; Eddie Stone – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  24. "Decca matrix DLA 2290. Dolores / Bing Crosby – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  25. "Decca matrix 68351. I'll be with you in apple blossom time / The Andrews Sisters – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  26. "Victor matrix PBS-055097. Star dust / Artie Shaw Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  27. "Decca matrix DLA 2274. San Antonio Rose / Bing Crosby – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  28. 1 2 "OKeh (by CBS) numerical listing discography: 5600–5999". www.78discography.com. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  29. "Victor matrix BS-056438. Yes, my darling daughter / Dinah Shore – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  30. "Decca matrix DLA 2326. Boogie woogie bugle boy / The Andrews Sisters – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  31. "Victor matrix PBS-055283. Take the "A" train / Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  32. "Victor matrix BS-053733. Because of you / Bluebird Orchestra; Larry Clinton; Peggy Mann – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  33. 1 2 "OKeh (by CBS) 78rpm numerical listing discography: 6000–6500". www.78discography.com. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  34. "Decca matrix 93632. Cool water / Sons of the Pioneers – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  35. "Decca matrix DLA 2515. You are my sunshine / Bing Crosby – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  36. "Decca matrix 93673. Walking the floor over you / Ernest Tubb – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  37. "Decca matrix DLA 2275. It makes no difference now / Bing Crosby – Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  38. Naxos Records
  39. The Innumerable Dance: The Life and Work of William Alwyn
  40. New York Philharmonic
  41. Chamber Music: A Listener's Guide
  42. MUSIClassical Notes
  43. Orchestra Virtuale del Flaminio
  44. Good Morning Britten
  45. Naxos Records
  46. "Luigi Dallapiccola: Canti di prigionia" (work details) (in French and English). IRCAM.
  47. "Luigi Dallapiccola: Piccolo concerto per Muriel Couvreux" (work details) (in French and English). IRCAM.
  48. "Alberto Ginastera: Concierto argentino" (work details) (in French and English). IRCAM.
  49. Heart at Fire's Center: The Life and Music of Bernard Herrmann
  50. Schott Music
  51. "Olivier Messiaen: Quatuor pour la fin du temps" (work details) (in French and English). IRCAM.
  52. Wright Music
  53. "Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra". Archived from the original on September 18, 2010. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
  54. Musicsales Classical
  55. "Alle gaar rundt og forelsker sig". danskefilm.dk (in Danish). Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  56. "In Memoriam Cash McCall". Blues Magazine. April 30, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  57. The Encyclopedia of Popular Music: Kollington - Morphine. MUZE. 2006. p. 705.
  58. "Gene Pitney Obituary – Rockville, CT". Hartford Courant. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  59. Woodwind Music of Black Composers. Greenwood Publishing Group. 1990. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-313-27265-3.
  60. Paul Michael (1969). Movie Greats: The Players, Directors, Producers. Garland Books. p. 1950.
  61. "John Fred". The Independent. London. April 18, 2005. Archived from the original on May 1, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  62. "William Guest, Longtime Member of Gladys Knight and the Pips, Dies at 74". The New York Times. Associated Press. December 27, 2015. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  63. Amory, Cleveland (1986). Celebrity Register. Harper & Row. p. 251. ISBN 978-0-9615476-0-8.
  64. Miller, Niels A. (1963). Encyclopedia of Music Philately. American Topical Association. p. 9.
  65. Genzlinger, Neil (March 23, 2023). "Fuzzy Haskins, Who Helped Turn Doo-Wop Into P-Funk, Dies at 81". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  66. Shteamer, Hank (February 11, 2021). "Chick Corea, Jazz Pianist Who Expanded the Possibilities of the Genre, Dead at 79". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  67. Olaf Glöckner; Haim Fireberg (September 25, 2015). Being Jewish in 21st-Century Germany. De Gruyter. p. 179. ISBN 978-3-11-039574-7.
  68. Alyn Shipton (August 8, 2013). Nilsson: The Life of a Singer-Songwriter. OUP USA. p. 1. ISBN 978-0-19-975657-5.
  69. Leigh, Spencer (February 14, 2009). "Estelle Bennett: Singer with the Ronettes". The Independent. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  70. Kändler, Tiit (2002). A Hundred Great Estonians of the 20th Century. Translated by Lengi-Cooper, Küllike. Tallinn: Estonian Encyclopaedia Publishers. p. 52. ISBN 978-9-98570-103-4.
  71. "Kansas City Blues Society". Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  72. Randel, Don Michael, ed. (1996). "Adler, Guido". The Harvard biographical dictionary of music. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Belknap Press of Harvard Univ. Press. pp. 5. ISBN 0-674-37299-9.
  73. Archiv Bibliographia Judaica, ed. (1992). "Baum, Oskar". Lexikon deutsch-jüdischer Autoren (in German). Vol. I (A - Benc). Berlin: K. G. Saur. pp. 398–404. doi:10.1515/9783110975864. ISBN 3-598-22680-2. OCLC 979630446.
  74. Edward B. Moogk. "Burr, Henry". Encyclopedia of Music in Canada. Archived from the original on May 20, 2005.
  75. "Blue Plaque For Singer Al Bowlly". English Heritage. November 25, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.