The purpose of the band was to stir pro-Nazi sympathy, draw attention to World War II Allied losses, and carry Adolf Hitler's messages in an entertaining form. The songs stressed how badly the war was going for the target audience, and how it was only going to be a matter of time before they would be beaten.
Led by German accented front man Karl Schwedler ("Charlie"), conducted by Lutz Templin, and paced by drummer Fritz "Freddie" Brocksieper, the band included Kurt Abraham on reeds and Willy Berking on trombone. The group formed in 1940, making over 90 recordings between March 1941 and February 1943. Arrangements were by Templin, Willy Berking, and Franz Mück, with lyrics written by the Propagandaministerium. Schwedler was allowed permission to travel to neutral and occupied countries to collect jazz and dance music, which helped the band and propaganda ministry to craft more recordings.
Popular American swing songs - and popular British tunes/songs - were initially performed true to the original, until about the second or third verse which were replaced by pro-German lyrics and monologues. For example, in the tune You're Driving Me Crazy, Schwedler croons about the confusion of new love, and in the third verse continues: Here is Winston Churchill's latest tear-jerker: Yes, the Germans are driving me crazy / I thought I had brains / But they shot down my planes..." Later, the entire lyric would be modified, clearly based on the original. The band even recorded some "cover versions" of the originals, unaltered.
Indeed, anecdotal accounts indicate that Winston Churchill enjoyed the broadcasts, finding the lyrics hilarious.
Many of the members of Charlie and his Orchestra went on to successful careers in music after the war.
Aurora
Charlie and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She dances in a little street cafe
And when you're down in Rio De Janeiro
Here's what you'll hear each Latin lover say
You're a sweet heart in a million
Oh oh oh ooh (be mine oh oh) Aurora
With your manner so Brazilian
When you smile and call me honey
Oh oh oh ooh (be mine oh oh) aurora
Is it me or just my money?
Oh oh oh ooh Aurora (be mine)
I'll buy you this and buy you that
If you'll be true to me.
I'll even rent a cottage
And present you with the key
So if you'll marry me
And be my sweet senora
Oh oh oh oh Aurora, Aurora
Be mine, be mine, be mine
You're a sweet heart in a million
Ha ha ha ha Aurora
With your manner so Brazilian
Ha ha ha ha Aurora
When you smile and call me honey
Ha ha ha ha aurora
Is it me or just my money?
Ha ha ha ha Aurora
Oh oh oh oh Aurora, Aurora
Be mine
The lyrics to Charlie and His Orchestra's song "Aurora" depict a romantic encounter in Rio De Janeiro. The singer describes Aurora as a beautiful and alluring woman who dances in a small street cafe. The song suggests that when one visits Rio De Janeiro, they will hear every Latin lover admire Aurora and express their desire for her.
The lyrics convey a sense of infatuation and desire. The singer expresses that Aurora is a sweetheart beyond comparison, with a Brazilian charm that captivates everyone. The verse "Is it me or just my money?" hints at the singer's uncertainty about whether Aurora is genuinely interested in him or if she is only attracted to his wealth. However, despite this ambiguity, the singer is willing to go to great lengths to win Aurora's affection, mentioning buying her gifts, renting a cottage for her, and proposing marriage.
Overall, the lyrics of "Aurora" convey a mix of admiration, longing, and the pursuit of love in the context of the vibrant city of Rio De Janeiro.
Line by Line Meaning
Aurora comes from Rio De Janeiro
Aurora originates from the vibrant city of Rio De Janeiro
She dances in a little street cafe
She gracefully moves to the rhythm at a cozy cafe on the streets
And when you're down in Rio De Janeiro
Whenever you find yourself in Rio De Janeiro
Here's what you'll hear each Latin lover say
You will hear every passionate Latin admirer utter these words
You're a sweet heart in a million
You possess a loving nature that is truly rare
Oh oh oh ooh (be mine oh oh) Aurora
Unn-interrupted singing expressing a strong desire to make Aurora one's own
With your manner so Brazilian
Your behavior embodies the essence of Brazilian culture
Is it me or just my money?
Am I valued for who I am or just for my wealth?
I'll buy you this and buy you that
I will shower you with material possessions
If you'll be true to me.
As long as you remain faithful to me
I'll even rent a cottage
I am willing to temporarily lease a small house
And present you with the key
And symbolically offer you the key to that dwelling
So if you'll marry me
Therefore, if you agree to become my spouse
And be my sweet senora
And act as my affectionate lady
Oh oh oh oh Aurora, Aurora
Continued passionate calling out for Aurora
Be mine, be mine, be mine
Become exclusively mine, forever
Ha ha ha ha Aurora
Joyful laughter emphasizing Aurora's presence
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Adamson, Mario Lago, Roberto Roberti
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@romanungernvonsternberg6330
Thanks Wolfpack !!!! Amazing music
@schaerffenberg
Best version ever. German submarines. Love it!
@RatPfink66
Karl Schwedler, a propaganda writer, was "Charlie" and wrote and sang the special lyrics to many songs. The band was led by Lutz Templin and was one of Germany's finest at the time.
@michaelpayne4540
Lyrics were by the German Propaganda Ministry.
@sce2aux464
Churchill actually enjoyed listening to them.
@kaylaleave
Nazis enjoyed this song too
@tobarion9508
@@kaylaleave Nope Charlie and his Orchestra wasn't even sent on german radio. Jazz was forbidden music in Nazigermany.
@savvasxiros
@@tobarion9508 you are right to an extent. Only Charlie was allowed. Goebbels had an issue at the time, he knew people liked swing and dancing and knew he couldn't keep it from them so he chose to create Charlie for is propaganda machine. It was a win win.
@savvasxiros
I bet he got a chuckle off if man with a big cigar
@augustdenger8231
Cyberdyne Systems also incorrect. There was plenty of German jazz created between 1933 and 1943/44. Look up Erhard Bauschke and Will Glahe. Even American and British jazz was popular before and during the war. The whole "they didn't want people dancing" was the same reason the British didn't want people dancing. Dance halls and clubs are active at night and give off a bunch of light and noise - perfect targets for terror bombing. Yeah politically they were against degeneracy and stuff, but they didn't LITERALLY ban music.