1943 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

The Original Cast Recording

Oklahoma!
This title song from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! (1943) is a jubilant celebration that closes the musical with a rousing full-cast performance. The show, based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs, redefined musical theater by integrating songs that propelled the story forward rather than serving as stand-alone showcases. The title song became so iconic that it was later adopted as Oklahoma’s official state song, cementing its place in American history.

Frank Sinatra

People Will Say We’re in Love
This duet between Curly and Laurey, the romantic leads in Oklahoma!, explores their budding relationship and their attempts to hide their feelings from others. Frank Sinatra’s recording brought the heartfelt lyrics and lilting melody to wider audiences, helping solidify the song as one of the most beloved numbers from the musical.

Bing Crosby

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning
Rodgers and Hammerstein opened Oklahoma! with this optimistic tune, breaking from the tradition of starting musicals with a large production number. Bing Crosby’s version became a classic, embodying the pastoral charm of the American countryside. Its enduring appeal lies in its simplicity and the hope it conveys.

Anne Shelton

You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To
Written by Cole Porter for the film Something to Shout About (1943), this romantic tune became a hit for Anne Shelton and Dinah Shore in the same year. With its heartfelt lyrics and Porter’s sophisticated melody, the song resonated deeply with listeners during World War II, offering a sense of longing and comfort for soldiers and their loved ones.

Benny Goodman

Taking a Chance on Love
Originally featured in the all-Black musical Cabin in the Sky (1940), this song by Vernon Duke (music), John Latouche, and Ted Fetter (lyrics) gained widespread popularity when Benny Goodman recorded it with Helen Forrest on vocals in 1943. Goodman’s version topped the charts, bringing this jazz-infused love song to a broader audience.

Dick Haymes

You’ll Never Know
Based on a poem by war bride Dorothy Fern Norris, this song was adapted by Harry Warren (music) and Mack Gordon (lyrics). It debuted in the film Hello, Frisco, Hello (1943), sung by Alice Faye. Although Faye didn’t record it commercially, Dick Haymes’s rendition became a major hit, staying at No. 1 on the R&B charts for four weeks. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and remains a poignant wartime ballad.

Duke Ellington

Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
Originally an instrumental titled Never No Lament (1940), this tune gained new life in 1942 when Bob Russell added lyrics and renamed it. Both Duke Ellington and The Ink Spots released vocal versions in 1943, with both topping the R&B charts. Ellington’s version also reached No. 8 on the pop charts, becoming a jazz standard.

Judy Garland and Gene Kelly

For Me and My Gal
This title song from the 1942 movie musical For Me and My Gal marked Gene Kelly’s screen debut alongside Judy Garland. Written by George W. Meyer, Edgar Leslie, and E. Ray Goetz, the song captures the charm of vaudeville and World War I-era romance. The film, directed by Busby Berkeley, was nominated for an Academy Award for its score, solidifying the song as a classic.

1943’s Most Popular and Influential Songs