Lili Marlene

Music by Norbert Schultze and English lyrics by Tommie Connor , 1944

Original German lyrics by Hans Leip

 

Recorded during the American Federation of Musicians ( AFM ) recording ban

Vocal with unidentified mixed chorus only

 

Recorded at RCA Victor Studio 1, New York City

Recording Time 2:56

 

Recorded June 27, 1944  ~ Matrix No. D4VB - 183  Take 1 - 1A

Single release: RCA-78RPM-20-1592-A 

Single Flip Side: "First Class Private Mary Brown"

Reissued: 78RPM-20-2824-A with flip side "I Love You Truly"

US Chart Position No. 13

Notes: ~ "Lili Marlene" was set to music by German composer Norbert Schultze in 1939 (who also wrote "Bombs on England") from a German poem by World War I German soldier Hans Leip who wrote the verse before going to the Russian front in 1916, combining the name of his girlfriend with that of a friend’s girlfriend. The song was heard while being broadcast to the German Army in Africa and adopted by the British Eighth Army, with English lyrics by Tommie Connor. Anne Sheldon's English hit record (London) started the songs popularity with the Allied countries. Marlene Dietrich featured it in public appearances and on radio while leading records were by Perry Como (Victor), Hildegarde (Decca) and Martha Tilton (Coral). Al Martino revived the song for Capitol Records in 1968.

George Townsend

HQV Selekt Group

3 Seaview Avenue

Wolfville, Nova Scotia B4P 2G3

Canada

 

Telephone: (902) 698-9848

Friday, April 07, 2023

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