1945 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Perry Como

If I Loved You
One of the most beloved songs from Carousel (1945), If I Loved You is a duet between Billy Bigelow and Julie Jordan, where they shyly explore their feelings for each other. Perry Como’s smooth rendition brought the song beyond Broadway to mainstream popularity. The conversational structure of the song made it a unique and poignant expression of unspoken love, cementing it as a Broadway standard.

Billy Bigelow

Soliloquy
Billy Bigelow sings this powerful seven-minute song as he contemplates his impending fatherhood. Starting with excitement over having a son and transitioning to fear about raising a daughter, Soliloquy explores Billy’s hopes, dreams, and insecurities. Rodgers and Hammerstein originally wrote it to fill time during a scene change, but it became a standout moment in the musical. In the 1956 film adaptation, Gordon MacRae performed the song against the backdrop of Maine’s coastline, further emphasizing Billy’s introspection.

Frank Sinatra

You’ll Never Walk Alone
A timeless anthem of comfort and resilience, You’ll Never Walk Alone is sung by Nettie Fowler to Julie Jordan after Billy’s death, assuring her that she will find strength in her darkest moments. Frank Sinatra’s iconic recording brought the song into broader cultural awareness. The song has since been adopted by Christian hymnals and sports fans worldwide, notably becoming the anthem for Liverpool Football Club.

Dick Haymes

It Might as Well Be Spring
From Rodgers and Hammerstein’s State Fair (1945), It Might as Well Be Spring captures Margy Frake’s yearning for something more in life. Dick Haymes’s heartfelt rendition earned the song an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Its reflective, wistful lyrics make it a standout from this family-friendly musical.

Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive
Written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer in 1944, this upbeat tune blends humor and optimism with biblical references to Noah and Jonah. Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters turned it into a chart-topping hit, encouraging audiences to focus on the positive even during tough times. Its infectious rhythm and memorable lyrics have kept it popular for decades.

The Andrews Sisters

Rum and Coca-Cola
Lord Invader and Lionel Belasco wrote this calypso-inspired tune and became a major hit for The Andrews Sisters in 1945. Despite copyright controversies, the song spent ten weeks at the top of the Billboard charts. Its playful lyrics and catchy melody made it an enduring favorite, albeit with some criticism for its subtle nods to cultural issues in the Caribbean.

Harry James

It’s Been a Long, Long Time
This romantic ballad, written by Jule Styne with lyrics by Sammy Cahn, captures the joy of lovers reuniting after World War II. Harry James’s version, featuring vocals by Kitty Kallen, topped the charts in 1945. Bing Crosby and Les Paul’s duet also became a hit, with its emotional delivery resonating deeply with post-war audiences.

Les Brown and Doris Day

Sentimental Journey
Released in 1945, this song was written by Les Brown and Ben Homer with lyrics by Arthur Green. Doris Day’s vocals turned Sentimental Journey into an instant classic, becoming a favorite among soldiers returning home after the war. Its nostalgic tone and uplifting melody kept it on the charts for 23 weeks.

Vaughn Monroe

There I’ve Said It Again
Written by Redd Evans and David Mann, this romantic ballad became a hit for Vaughn Monroe in 1945. The song saw a resurgence in 1963 when Bobby Vinton’s version reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a transition in music history. It was the last chart-topper of the pre-Beatles era, paving the way for the modern rock revolution with I Want to Hold Your Hand.

Judy Garland

On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe
This lively tune from The Harvey Girls (1946), written by Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer, showcases the excitement of westward expansion. Judy Garland led the vibrant production number, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The film, which also starred Ray Bolger and Angela Lansbury, celebrated the women who worked at Harvey House Restaurants across the American railroad.