Johnny's Music

Music in Johnny's Letters

Music was an important part of Johnny's life. In addition to listening to records on a phonograph and radio programs, he also sang in local pubs and burst into song amongst his fellow soldiers. His preoccupation with music is overwhelmingly evident in his letters, where he refers to song lyrics and titles, describes his listening habits, and comments on the singers he prefers or dislikes.

November 20, 1944

I wish I could tell you about things, however, secrets are secrets. You know how women keep secrets, heh, heh! We've got some hot jive on the phonograph playing through the radio. Makes you want to start cutting a rug.

November 24, 1944

I can't remember when it has been ever so light outside at night. Certainly not since I've been on duty with the train. I'd like to see a night like this when I get home. It would be just right for riding slowly along with some nice dance music on the radio. The St-sgt. is supplying the music for me now on our electric phonograph. There's a heck of a lot missing though.

December 1, 1944

We've had seven runs in the last six days—one was on all nite affair. They are the kind that tire you out. I'm sitting now all alone in a ward car listening to records I'm selecting and playing through the radio. At present I'm listening to Harry James playing 'When You're A Long, Long Way From Home.' Very appropriate, don't you think.

...

Well, Guy, my favorite, Lombardo is playing 'Goodnite Sweetheart' now so, I'll confess hoping you are well and don't work too hard.

December 25, 1944 #1

I hope you are able to do all the traveling you want. Personally, I'm going to be like the song San Fernando Valley, namely settle down and never more roam.

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Now in the words of that current song hit 'I'll Walk Alone' please send your love and your kisses to guide me, till you're walking beside me, I'll walk alone. Goodnight sweetheart.

December 28, 1944

Well sweet I've told all the little news there is. I've been sitting here puffing away, the last few fragments trying to think of something else. All that came up was the song 'It Could Happen to You' which I promptly sang to myself in my own inimitable way. I don't know if you remember the occasional times when I used to burst into song. You never let me get very far, claiming that I could whistle better. The fellows take your place now. I can always get a laugh out of them by bursting forth so it serves one good purpose anyway.

January 18, 1945

I know how hard it is to write every day. As things are now they satisfy me completely. I doubt if I'll equal this performance again, not because I couldn't but because there can be too much of a good thing. As the song puts it, too much love may curb the fire and that I don't want to happen.

January 26, 1945

This carrying on a romance via the mails sure does have its drawbacks. I look at your picture as I write, get in a good mood and then can only put thoughts down on paper. It reminds me of the song which contains this phrase — "A fine romance with no kisses etc." Ain't it the truth! They say the longer you wait for something the more you appreciate it so we should really have something when we do get to-gether again. What say you honey? I wish the damn mail didn't take so long though.

January 28, 1945

By the way, Guy Lombardo is now playing 'I Walk Alone.' I really like his music but I wasn't thinking of that right now. The words of that song would make a good theme song for you and me.

February 4, 1945

We're listening to Duffy's Tavern. He's a nut and no mistake. The people over here don't have the same sense of humor as we Yanks, you know. Half the time you have to explain a joke to them before they catch on. There's a lot of interference on the radio to-nite. The huns do that all the time on our stations. The clearest stations are German and they shoot more baloney over them than you could shake a stick at.

...

A fellow on Duffy's program is now singing 'It Could Happen To You.' It has happened to me and as in the song, I'm wondering how your arms will be. It's been a long time honey and the end isn't yet in sight although much closer. I'll leave you with this thought - an hour never passes that I don't think of you and miss you. Take care of yourself little one and miss me a little too

February 13, 1945 #1

I see you have your heart set on visiting England after cessation of hostilities so I won't say anything except that I admire your mother's good sense in staying in a good country. I'll have to drop in to see her when I get back and you're over here. Maybe I'll be able to drop in on any lonesome members of your sorority and cheer them up in the absence of their president with the wanderlust. You know what the song says about that don't you - two lonely hearts beating as one can be miserable and still have a lot of fun.

February 27, 1945

How do you like the song 'It Could Happen To You?' Frankie is singing it on the Hit Parade at present. I understand that Lawrence Tibett (or however you spell it) is going to take his place. I'll never listen to that jerk, believe me. I'd rather listen to my sister sing than Tibbet and that's saying something.

April 8, 1945

You know honey, I really hated writing the letter I did to you last week, but I had to get you thinking practically. It seems lately that every other letter I received from you would tell about one of your girl friends getting married - reading between the lines I could see that you considered yourself more of less of an old maid of twenty-two, so I offered you the best advice I could get on paper. I hope you didn't think I was trying to give you the 'brush off.' Remember the song, You may not be an angel, but until the day that one comes along, I'll string along with you. Need I say more.

April 10, 1945 #1

You know little one, I wish I could dream of you like you do me. I don't seem to dream at all. I lie awake though an hour or more each nite just thinking of you. I can't seem to get you off my mind, not that I want to anyway. It reminds me of the song - You're Always on My Mind, Though Out of Sight. You might call it dreaming at that, for wishes are the dreams we dream when we're awake. There are some other dreams I have to get after as soon as I get back so we won't have to wait so long for the day we can start being together for always. That's the day I want.

April 12, 1945

I'll be glad when I can put my in front of the salutation. You remember the song - My own, let me call you my own. Nothing I'd like better not for just a day but always. I mean that from the bottom of my heart, dearest one.

April 21, 1945

I'm wondering what will actually happen when we meet the first time. I was just reading the sentence where you described the Can. army officer entering the bank and mistook or rather thought he looked like me. If thinking it was me made you shake, what's going to happen when I appear in person? You better not shake too much for I'll probably need some support myself. If I can talk after five minutes I'll be doing good. Gee, I wish we could meet alone that first time! I really believe we should share those first few minute to-gether with no one near. They'll be very precious minutes to me and I think to you too. About the only solution is to meet me at the train it seems. I warn you though, you'll get hugged and kissed even if the whole town is standing around watching. It will be a case of put your arms around me honey, hold me tight, snuggle up and cuddle up with all your might. Well I guess you know the rest of the song. It just fits the above situation, don't you think or do you?

April 22, 1945 #2

In your letter you say you should be over here to look after me. I only wish you were here or rather I was over there where you could do the job. Even though in the spring a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of love & romance, as you say, you have the right idea in not being very worried. The only way my thoughts turn is toward my pretty little honey, as if you didn't know. You're my first love and my last love as the song puts it.

May 2, 1945

Well hon, yesterday they moved me out of my private room to the open ward - a sign that I'm almost O.K. again. I like it much better here for there are guys to talk to and the radio to listen to. Back in the room I could barely hear the radio.

We listened to the Hit Parade last nite. Old Lawrence Tibbit or however you spell it sang 'Don't Fence Me In'. I felt like throwing a brick at the radio! Even my sister could have sung it better and that's saying something. If he ever gets his contract to sing renewed I'll be very surprised. No wonder I've changed from Lucky Strikes to Chesterfields.

The Bob Hope show comes on at eight bells or twenty hundred hours to use army language. I'm looking forward to a few laughs.

Say hon, have you heard 'Let's Take the Long Way Home'? No doubt you have - how do you like it? I consider it one of the nicest songs ever written. Bing can really 'send you' with that as the bobby soxers would say.

May 3, 1945

I know something you're going to like, namely, Niagara Falls. I don't mean just the falls, but the parks around there. On both the Canuck & American side the parkways extend several miles. No movie ever portrayed a more romantic setting than this on a warm, moonlit June nite, believe me. Like the song you can almost see 'Love in Bloom'. Paths wind in and out among the trees and bushed with the silver ribbon of the Niagara far below in the gorge. (Fancy sentence, aye what!) True though. There are secluded benches overlooking this scene and if you want to, you can walk right down into the gorge by the river. The sound of the water adds the finishing touch. It's really a beautiful scene hon, with you there, it will be complete.

May 6, 1945 #1

We just finished listening to a half hour church program from a little town in Texas. The first Sunday I'm back I want to go to church with you so I can give thanks for being home, and for you hon. Maybe we can have communion too. If it's a nice day we can go on a picnic in the afternoon and spend the whole day to-gether. Is it a date little one? Some guy on the radio just sang 'You're So Sweet To Remember'. That song title fits you to a tee. It's a good job you don't know all the fellows in here or I would have a tough job getting the time to see you.

May 6, 1945 #2

I probably won't get far for the next half hour because Jack Benny's program has just come on the radio.

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Next day - After lights out last nite, five of us finished off the pie. It [was] apple and very delicious. We ate it while listening to Guy Lombardo. He played one of my favourite tunes 'Let's Take the Long Way Home.'

May 9, 1945 #2

We're listening to Bob Hope on the radio. His guest star is Frank Sinatra. You know how they are always making jokes about his thinness and supposed frailty. Well, he used to be a fighter's manager and sparred himself in Stillman's Gym in New York. One of the patients here knows him personally and said he can take care of himself, if he has to. I was rather surprised to hear that. Just shows to go you what publicity can do.

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We're going to have a movie shown in the ward again this afternoon. Hope it's better than the last one. I told you about they're playing The Music Stopped But We Kept On Dancing on the radio. Dancing with you will be just like in that song. Do you remember the words?

May 11, 1945

How do you like the song Do You Ever Dream of To-morrow? That fits me to a T and you too, I think. I'm always planning our to-morrow honey. May we soon be able to incorporate our plans into one is my daily prayer. When it is fulfilled and we have our own little home - coming home to you each nite will make me feel like little children do when they see the strange shaped parcels under the tree on Xmas morning - the wonder in their eyes will reflect in mine - wonder that such a lovely, sweet girl is my wife, to have and hold until the last goodbye.

June 3, 1944

This reminds me of that song 'When You're a Long, Long Way From Home' or words to that effect. It certainly is true enough in my case.