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Position:Home>Dancing> What were 5 of the top Swing Dance Songs during the 30's and 40's?


Question:It's a tough thing to pin down just 5 hits from over two decades of swing music. However, in no particular order, I'd say some of the good ones were:
- In the Mood
- Begin the Beguine
- Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
- Jumpin' at the Woodside
- Pennsylvania 6-5000


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: It's a tough thing to pin down just 5 hits from over two decades of swing music. However, in no particular order, I'd say some of the good ones were:
- In the Mood
- Begin the Beguine
- Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
- Jumpin' at the Woodside
- Pennsylvania 6-5000

It's complicated by the strike and the war, so sales figures aren't exactly an accurate picture, and it's a long time period. The above list is a good one. I'd also like to nominate:
Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)
One O'Clock Jump
Flying Home
Stealin' Apples
Knock Me a Kiss

Interestingly you've selected only music from the white musicians of the day who got the gigs in the expensive clubs. You might also consider the extremely talented musicians who played on "the other side of the tracks":

Stompin' at the Savoy - Chick Webb
Jumpin' at the Woodside - Count Basie
Are You Hep to the Jive - Cab Calloway
Take the "A" Train - Duke Ellington
"Four or Five Times" - Jimmy Lunceford