Everything Stops For Tea - Rationing and Britain's Favourite Beverage
Release Date: 04/19/2025
Christmas Special 2025 - White Christmas - A Song of Home, Hope and Hidden Heartache
The A to Z of Wartime Song
In this Christmas special episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine unwrap one of the most iconic songs of the wartime era - Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” They trace the remarkable life of Berlin, from his childhood as a Jewish immigrant fleeing persecution, through the bustle of Tin Pan Alley, to becoming one of America’s most prolific and patriotic songwriters. Along the way, they explore his astonishing output, his service during both world wars, and the deeply personal losses that shaped his music - including the hidden grief many believe lies...
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The A to Z of Wartime Song
In the final episode of Series 1 of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine end their alphabetical adventure with a swing - quite literally - as they explore Glenn Miller’s 1942 smash hit (I’ve Got a Gal in) Kalamazoo. Written by Harry Warren and Mac Gordon, the song became a wartime favourite thanks to Miller’s irresistible big band sound, Tex Beneke’s smooth vocals and an unforgettable film appearance in Orchestra Wives featuring the dazzling Nicholas Brothers. Lili and Tom unpack the song’s irresistible energy, the history of its writers, and why...
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In this episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine turn their attention to Cole Porter’s romantic 1943 classic "You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To". Written for the film "Something to Shout About", the song quickly became a wartime favourite, speaking to the longing of couples separated by service and distance. Lili and Tom trace Porter’s glittering - and often scandalous - life, from Yale fight songs and Parisian parties to Broadway triumphs like Anything Goes and Kiss Me, Kate. They also explore the many unforgettable recordings of this tune, including...
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Finding a wartime song beginning with “X” was always going to be a challenge … so in true cheeky music-hall style, Lili Redman and Tom Carradine have bent the rules and chosen the comic classic Kiss Me Goodnight Sergeant Major. First recorded in 1939 by Ambrose and his Orchestra, this lighthearted tune quickly became a wartime favourite, poking fun at army life while giving troops and civilians alike something to laugh (and sing) about. In this episode, Lili and Tom explore the careers of bandleader Ambrose, vocalist and trombonist Les Carew, and the pseudonymous songwriters behind the...
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In this episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine take a special detour into the many songs of the 1930s and ’40s that begin with the word “When”. From the poignant hope of When They Sound the Last All Clear and When the Lights Go On Again (All Over the World), to the transatlantic charm of When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano and the early nostalgia of When the Poppies Bloom Again, these songs capture the wartime longing for peace, reunion, and better days ahead. Along the way, Lili and Tom explore the songwriters behind these tunes - from Denmark...
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In this episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine uncover the wild and witty “The USA by Day and the RAF by Night” - a 1944 novelty song that pokes fun at the Nazis while celebrating the Allied air campaign. Written by American comedy writer Hal Block and journalist-turned-lyricist Bob Musel, the song turns bombing raids into satire, complete with cheeky impressions of Hitler, Himmler and Goering. Lili and Tom trace its history from the Eighth Air Force shows in London to its only known recording by Al Trace and his Musicians. Along the way, they dive...
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The A to Z of Wartime Song
In this episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine take to the skies with The Spitfire Song - a rare 1940s number penned by the remarkable Horace Maybray-King. They explore King’s fascinating life, from English teacher and wartime concert-party organiser to tireless fundraiser for the famous Spitfire Funds - public appeals that saw communities “buy” parts of the iconic fighter aircraft to help Britain prepare for the Battle of Britain. Along the way, they uncover the story behind the song’s only known recording by Joe Loss and His Orchestra with...
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Run, Rabbit, Run - Propaganda, Parody and Punchlines
The A to Z of Wartime Song
In this episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine hop into the world of one of WWII’s catchiest tunes: “Run, Rabbit, Run!”. Made famous by comedy duo Flanagan and Allen, the song took on a life of its own - boosting morale, teasing the Luftwaffe and even becoming a favourite of Winston Churchill. They explore the song’s theatrical roots in Noel Gay’s The Little Dog Laughed, its transformation into a patriotic earworm and its cheeky parody lyrics aimed at Hitler and co. Along the way, they dive into the extraordinary lives of Bud Flanagan and Chesney...
info_outlineIn this episode, Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore the rich history of wartime songs, focusing on 'Everything Stops for Tea.' They discuss the cultural significance of tea during wartime, the life of Jack Buchanan and the impact of rationing on society. The conversation also delves into various musical versions and performances, highlighting the importance of these songs in lifting spirits during difficult times.
To listen to all the songs mentioned in the episode please visit their Spotify playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FQDrBphYqYLAuN6Jm01PN
REFERENCES
Tom at Leeds City Varieties
https://www.tiktok.com/@tomcarradine/video/7488108818967121174
International Bomber Command Centre, Lincoln
https://internationalbcc.co.uk/
“She Shall Have Music” with Jack Hylton (1936)
https://youtu.be/VVIrRev4RkQ?si=FVByS1K-SjB2HmH1
Jack Hylton Website (created by Pete Faint)
https://www.jackhylton.com/
Jack Hylton Rehearsal Footage (1931)
https://youtu.be/qe9YKeX96Vo?si=LVb0yk3ylb43XbYm
Bandwagon (1940) with Jack Hylton and Arthur Askey
https://youtu.be/lUP8n9mmwa0?si=VOPnSDEF8BC-IiK7
“That’s Entertainment” with Jack Buchanan in The Band Wagon (1953)
https://youtu.be/t6gX37d2eP8?si=GFF9QicS84Wea9E2
Jack Buchanan Desert Island Discs (1951)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p009ycw6
Tower of London Allotments during WW2
https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/the-tower-of-london-and-the-second-world-war/#gs.lj4iiz
“Everything Stops for Tea” - Champagne Charlie and the Bubbly Boys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mrwQrvRmig
Mario “Harp” Lorenzi (1947)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4Mb1YGcNG4
Monseigneur Restaurant
https://www.ribapix.com/search?q=monseigneur+restaurant
Simpson’s of Piccadilly (now a Waterstones)
https://modernisttourists.com/2016/07/28/simpsons-of-piccadilly-london-1936/
Collapsible Bass Drum (restored by Nick Ball)
https://drumsinthetwenties.com/2017/11/03/tubs-1-the-barry-collapsible-bass-drum-c-1920-30/
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
00:52 Catch Up
02:42 E = Everything Stops for Tea
04:17 Jack Hylton
09:47 Discussing the Song's Origins & Jack Buchanan
14:31 "Come Out of the Pantry"
16:27 The Importance of Tea
18:44 Wartime Food Rationing
21:27 Dig for Victory
22:28 Fashion on the Ration
25:07 Everything Stops For Tea: Sheet Music Cover
25:47 How We Discovered the Song
26:06 Lyric Analysis
28:49 The Dance Band Era and Strict Tempos
30:35 Vocal Refrains and Arrangements in 1930s Music
31:23 Other Versions
34:13 Monseigneur Restaurant
36:36 The Legacy of Roy Fox and Al Bowley
39:38 The Evolution of Performance and Live Music Culture
40:26 Do We Like the Song?
41:12 Other Recommended Songs
44:42 The Andrews Sisters
47:19 Get In Touch
48:23 Outro
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
You can follow the podcast on social media:
http://instagram.com/warsongspod
https://www.facebook.com/warsongspod
Find more information about Lili Redman here:
https://liliredman.com/
https://www.instagram.com/lili__redman/
https://www.facebook.com/ScalaLil
Or Tom Carradine here:
https://www.tomcarradine.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tomcarradine
https://www.facebook.com/mrtomcarradine
CONTACT THE PODCAST
If there's a wartime song that you think they should discuss, or if you have a personal or family story connected to one, drop them a line at warsongspod@gmail.com to be "Mentioned in Dispatches".
LISTENING LINKS
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ktQ4nyudmPRLcCNyNxEfv?si=ac9e1babe6834f2b
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-a-to-z-of-wartime-song/id1806037318
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