The 1930s: Music Through the Ages

Photo Credit: Sergey Goryachev / Shutterstock.com

By Alekhya Maram and Anna Ravid

The 1930’s was a decade of irony. The stock market crash of 1929 wiped away the optimism of the 1920’s as America’s economy crumbled leading to famine, poverty, and depression. However, Hollywood was born and began to feature jazz and swing in productions. 

One of the most famous swing singers of all time was Bing Crosby, who began his musical career in the 1930s. Often accompanied by singer Frances Langford, he debuted on a radio station in New York. His early hits were recognized by Paramount Pictures and he was featured in several films including, “Pennies from Heaven” and “The Starmaker.” Crosby enjoyed a lengthy career lasting into the 1960’s. His films never failed to include a scene in which Crosby enchants a beautiful actress with a swooning performance of one of his hit songs. 

Crosby’s work inspired the only “easy listening” singer who ever surpassed him in popularity: Frank Sinatra. Sinatra’s music career began in the 1930s, where he played primarily with Harry James and his orchestra. Though Sinatra had not yet risen to fame, he produced some lovely songs during the period, such as “My Buddy.” Another star of this decade was Fred Astaire, who, like Crosby, frequently charmed women with his hits “The Way You Look Tonight” and “Night and Day” in romantic movies. While the crooning of the “easy listening” genre can be cloyingly sweet, the songs hold a certain appeal that has persisted even into the 21st century. 

While the 1930’s are famous for Hollywood films and music, Jazz and Swing remained popular, but took on a tone of yearning and reminiscence rather than cheerfulness. With her crystal-clear voice and effortless sound, Billie Holiday typified this style. Her late 1930’s recordings of “Strange Fruit” and “Easy Living” are defining examples of her rich, improvisational vocal style.  

Though Blues had very little presence in the 1920s, it made a comeback in the 1930s. Called the King of the Delta Blues, Robert Johnson was known for his rhythmic guitar playing and full-bodied singing. Satan was frequently featured in his songs; Johnson was rumored to have sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for Blues guitar talent at the crossroads of two lonely Mississippi highways. Johnson’s guitar playing has an irreplaceably raw quality, and the depth of his voice lends his music a chilling atmosphere. Though Johnson’s talent went largely undiscovered during his lifetime, his music surged in popularity after his death, and inspired many blues and rock musicians for decades to come. 

The artists of the 1930s pioneered many popular forms of swing, jazz, blues which would remain popular throughout the 1940s. 

“Early this morning

When you knocked upon my door

Early this morning,

When you knocked upon my door

And I said "hello Satan

I believe it's time to go"

-Robert Johnson, “Me and the Devil Blues”