The Music of 1914, from Blues to Ragtime

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This is my 100th blog post. Since it's Groovy Tuesday, the day I write about music, let's travel back in time 100 years and see what music was written in the year 1914.

"Twelfth Street Rag"



This ragtime song written by Euday L. Bowman was later used as the theme for television's "The Joe Franklin Show," and a ukulele version has been featured in the background of the show "SpongeBob SquarePants." (Bet Bowman wouldn't have seen THAT coming, eh?)

"Your King and Country Need You"



Keep in mind 1914 was the first year of World War I. This British song, with lyrics by Huntley Trevor and music by Henry E. Pether, was written for the purpose of recruiting soldiers to the Allies' cause. 

"I Want to Go Back to Michigan"



Irvin Berlin composed this charming but cheesy song in 1914, and its most famous performance was by Judy Garland in the 1948 film "Easter Parade."

"Saint Louis Blues"



By far my favorite of the crop, "Saint Louis Blues" was composed by W.C. Handy and has been performed by tons of famous blues and jazz musicians. The Louis Armstrong/Bessie Smith version above was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1993.

Here's a list of more songs composed in 1914. Do you have any favorites?

Read more posts in the Groovy Tuesday series here.


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