Moonlight Serenade – A Signature Sound and a Vanished Star
Release Date: 06/14/2025
Now Is The Hour - Gracie Fields and a New Zealand Lullaby Turned Global Goodbye
The A to Z of Wartime Song
In this episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore the poignant and poetic “Now Is the Hour”, a wartime farewell song which started life in New Zealand. They trace the tune’s journey from the 1913 piano piece “Swiss Cradle Song” through its Maori adaptation as “Po Atarau”, to its powerful role in farewelling ANZAC soldiers and its eventual transformation into the global hit we know today. Alongside Gracie Fields’ famous rendition, the episode spotlights the many competing recordings that flooded the charts in 1948, including versions by...
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Moonlight Serenade – A Signature Sound and a Vanished Star
The A to Z of Wartime Song
In this episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore one of the most iconic and romantic tunes of the wartime era - Glenn Miller’s “Moonlight Serenade.” They trace the song’s evolution from a jazzy instrumental to a timeless anthem of love and longing, and reflect on the life and legacy of bandleader Glenn Miller, from his early days milking cows to buy a trombone, to his meteoric rise with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and his mysterious disappearance over the English Channel in 1944. Along the way, they delve into the technical brilliance behind...
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The A to Z of Wartime Song
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The A to Z of Wartime Song
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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 explore the rich history of wartime songs, focusing on Vesta Tilley’s 1907 hit “Jolly Good Luck to the Girl Who Loves a Soldier”. Along the way they discuss the life of Vesta Tilley, the use of Music Hall in recruitment for Kitchener’s Army in WWI and highlight a number of the trailblazing male impersonators and their contributions to the Music Hall. To listen to all the songs mentioned in the episode please visit their Spotify playlist here: REFERENCES Melton Mowbray 1940s Festival ...
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I'll Be Seeing You - Sentimentality and Separation
The A to Z of Wartime Song
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The Handsome Territorial - Novelty Dance Crazes of the 1940s
The A to Z of Wartime Song
In this episode, Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore the significance of wartime songs, focusing on “The Handsome Territorial”. They delve into the life of the songwriters Jimmy Kennedy and Michael Carr, the evolution of the Hokey Cockey and the controversies surrounding it’s origins. They look at the other popular dance crazes of the 1940s, analyze the music and lyrics of “The Handsome Territorial” and reflect on why it has faded from public memory. To listen to all the songs mentioned in the episode please visit their Spotify playlist here: REFERENCES The...
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Goodnight Children, Everywhere - Evacuation's Emotional Toll
The A to Z of Wartime Song
In this episode, Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore the significance of wartime songs, focusing on 'Good Night Children, Everywhere' and the legacy of Vera Lynn. They discuss her early career, her contribution to entertaining the troops in WW2 and her rise to become the “forces sweetheart”. Along the way their conversion delves into the experiences of child evacuees, an analysis of the song and the many recordings which are available and even the first polyphonic synthesiser, which featured on two of Lynn’s iconic recordings. To listen to all the songs mentioned in the...
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The Further It Is From Tipperary - The USA in WW1
The A to Z of Wartime Song
In this episode, Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore the rich history of wartime songs, focusing on 'The Further It Is From Tipperary, The Closer It Is To Berlin’ from WW1. They discuss the song’s inspiration in ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’, the life of the songwriter Jack Judge and the controversies surrounding song credit. The conversation also touches on the rise of Tin Pan Alley, the prolific career of Billy Murray and the impact of recording technology on the performance style of the time. To listen to all the songs mentioned in the episode please visit their...
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Everything Stops For Tea - Rationing and Britain's Favourite Beverage
The A to Z of Wartime Song
In 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: REFERENCES Tom at Leeds City Varieties International Bomber Command...
info_outlineIn this episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore one of the most iconic and romantic tunes of the wartime era - Glenn Miller’s “Moonlight Serenade.” They trace the song’s evolution from a jazzy instrumental to a timeless anthem of love and longing, and reflect on the life and legacy of bandleader Glenn Miller, from his early days milking cows to buy a trombone, to his meteoric rise with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and his mysterious disappearance over the English Channel in 1944.
Along the way, they delve into the technical brilliance behind the “Miller Sound,” the influence of composer and teacher Joseph Schillinger, and the song’s haunting ability to evoke warm summer nights and faraway loves. Lili and Tom also discuss Miller’s wartime service, his ambitious efforts to modernise military music, and the immense morale-boosting power of his performances for Allied troops in Europe.
The episode is filled with musical gems - from lesser-known early recordings and rival versions by Count Basie, Gene Krupa and Dick Todd, to behind-the-scenes stories of collaborations with the likes of Al Bowlly, the Nicholas Brothers, and Dorothy Dandridge. As always, Lili and Tom share personal memories, historical trivia, and their infectious passion for the music that helped people laugh, cry, and carry on.
Don't miss this tender and toe-tapping tribute to a wartime classic and a bandleader whose music still serenades us under the moonlight.
REFERENCES
Royal Hospital Chelsea
https://chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/
Siren Tickets
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/lili-redman-siren
Moonlight Serenade (in Sun Valley Serenade 1941)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmvsUo4XnQM
Jumpin’ Jive - The Nicholas Brothers - Stormy Weather (1943)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8yGGtVKrD8
Sun Valley Serenade (1941)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnfyeup29B0
Chattanooga Choo Choo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDgwsMqF-6k
St Louis Blues (as a March)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFR3HMWOQ4A
Twinwood Festival
https://twinwoodevents.com/
RAF Twinwood Farm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Twinwood_Farm
Moonlight Serenade (Sheet Music)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LMNH8TKzo4
Lyceum Theatre / Ballroom
http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/LyceumTheatre.htm
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:52 Catch Up
02:25 An Announcement
03:06 M = Moonlight Serenade
04:12 Glenn Miller
10:28 The Nicholas Brothers
13:09 Miller Releases "Moonlight Serenade"
16:47 Miller's Military Service
22:45 Miller's Work in England
27:39 The Tragic Fate of Glenn Miller
30:39 Discussing the Sheet Music
32:24 Discussing the Lyrics and Music
38:21 The Creation of the Miller Sound
42:26 Chart Success and Reception
44:33 Discussing Recordings
45:09 Dick Todd and the Three Reasons
46:00 Jan Savitt: the "The Stokowski of Swing"
46:24 Count Basie (with Helen Humes)
48:00 Gene Krupa
48:15 Our Favourite Recordings?
50:40 Mentioned in Dispatches
51:49 Teaser for Next Episode
52:14 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 [email protected] 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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