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.
FDR Jones
Charlie and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Yes, siree, yes, siree)
That's what I'm told
I hear, tell, there's a new arrival six days old
(Yes, siree, yes, siree)
Worth his weight in gold
Come right in
And meet the son
Time to have some fun
(Yes, siree, yes, siree, yes, siree)
Yes, siree, yes, siree
It's a big holiday everywhere
For the Jones family has a brand new heir
He's the joy heaven sent
And they proudly present
Mister Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones
When he grows up he never will stray
With a name like the one that he's got today
As he walks down the street folks will say
"Pleased to meet Mister Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones"
What a smile and how he shows it
He'll keep happy all day long
What a name; I bet he knows it
With that handle how can he go wrong?
And the folks in the town all agree
He'll be famous, as famous as he can be
How can he be a dud or a stick in the mud
When he's Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones?
(Yes, siree, yes, siree, yes, siree)
'Cause he's Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones
The song "FDR Jones" by Charlie and His Orchestra is a satirical take on Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies during his presidency. The lyrics seem to celebrate the birth of a new member of the Jones family, named Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones, who is described as a future success and a joy to behold. The song makes several references to FDR's policies, such as calling the new baby "worth his weight in gold," a phrase that was commonly used to describe the value of currency during the New Deal era.
The song also mentions that FDR Jones will never stray due to his powerful name, and that he will be famous in the future. The lyrics are meant to be ironic, as FDR's policies faced criticism and opposition at the time, and the song seems to be mocking his attempts to bring about change. The use of humor and satire was a common tool for Charlie and His Orchestra, a propaganda band formed by the Nazi Party during World War II, in order to discredit and criticize the Allies.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear, tell, there's a stranger in the Jones household
Rumors are abound that there is an unknown person in the residence of Jones
(Yes, siree, yes, siree)
Affirmative response
That's what I'm told
I am informed of this
I hear, tell, there's a new arrival six days old
I have heard that there is a newborn who is only six days old
(Yes, siree, yes, siree)
Affirmative response
Worth his weight in gold
A valuable addition to the family
Come right in
Please enter
And meet the son
Introduce yourself to the newborn child
Christening's done
The naming ceremony has taken place
Time to have some fun
It's time to celebrate
(Yes, siree, yes, siree, yes, siree)
Enthusiastic agreement
Yes, siree, yes, siree
Enthusiastic agreement
It's a big holiday everywhere
This occasion is widely celebrated all over
For the Jones family has a brand new heir
This family has added a new member to its lineage
He's the joy heaven sent
The child is a God-given source of happiness
And they proudly present
The family is honored to introduce
Mister Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones
The newborn's name is Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones
When he grows up he never will stray
Foreseeable future indicates that he will stay on the right path
With a name like the one that he's got today
His name will keep him on track to a successful life
As he walks down the street folks will say
People will greet him positively when they pass him in public
"Pleased to meet Mister Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones"
They will be happy to make the acquaintance of Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones
What a smile and how he shows it
His smile is prominent and makes a strong impression
He'll keep happy all day long
His happiness and positivity are infectious
What a name; I bet he knows it
His name is noteworthy and he's probably aware of that
With that handle how can he go wrong?
His name will set him up for success
And the folks in the town all agree
The general public is unanimously in agreement
He'll be famous, as famous as he can be
Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones will be exceptionally popular
How can he be a dud or a stick in the mud
It's impossible for him to be uninteresting or unenthusiastic
When he's Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones?
His name guarantees that he will be a success
(Yes, siree, yes, siree, yes, siree)
Enthusiastic agreement
'Cause he's Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones
The name says it all
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ryan Murphy
on Dinah
Thanks for these lyrics. Fine music.