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.
Goody Goody
Charlie and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Goody goody
So you met someone and now you know how it feels
Goody goody
So you gave him your heart too, just as I gave mine to you
And he broke it in little pieces, now how do you do
So you lie awake just singin' the blues all night
So you think that love's a barrel of dynamite
Hooray and hallelujah, you had it coming to ya
Goody goody for him, goody goody for me
And I hope you're satisfied you rascal you
The lyrics of "Goody Goody" by Charlie and His Orchestra tell a story about a person who has recently fallen in love but is quickly let down by their partner. The lyrics suggest that the person singing the song has had a similar experience and is now finding some satisfaction in seeing their ex-lover go through the same heartbreak. The phrase "Goody goody" is used sarcastically throughout the song, implying a sense of Schadenfreude or pleasure derived from someone else's misfortune.
The song opens with the lines "So you met someone who set you back on your heels, Goody goody. So you met someone and now you know how it feels, Goody goody." These lines suggest that the person singing has been through the same experience and is now enjoying seeing their ex-partner go through the same pain. The chorus suggests that the singer is pleased to see their former lover suffering, saying "Hooray and hallelujah, you had it coming to ya. Goody goody for him, goody goody for me. And I hope you're satisfied you rascal you."
The second verse further emphasizes the singer's joy in seeing their former partner upset, saying "So you gave him your heart too, just as I gave mine to you. And he broke it in little pieces, now how do you do?" This suggests that not only has the singer been through a similar heartbreak, but their ex-partner has also been unfaithful or hurtful in the same way. The verse concludes with the lines "So you lie awake just singin' the blues all night, Goody goody. So you think that love's a barrel of dynamite." Here, the singer suggests that their ex-partner's pain is nothing compared to the pain they themselves have experienced.
Overall, the lyrics to "Goody Goody" suggest a sense of bitterness and spite towards a former lover. The singer takes pleasure in seeing their ex-partner suffer and implies that their own heartbreak was worse. The use of the phrase "Goody goody" throughout the song adds a sarcastic tone, highlighting the singer's feelings of Schadenfreude.
Line by Line Meaning
So you met someone who set you back on your heels
You met someone who knocked you off your feet
Goody goody
Sarcastic expression of joy
So you met someone and now you know how it feels
You understand how it feels now that you have been in love
So you gave him your heart too, just as I gave mine to you
You gave him your heart just like you did to me
And he broke it in little pieces, now how do you do
He shattered your heart, now you must deal with the consequences
So you lie awake just singin' the blues all night
You can't sleep at night because you're sad
Goody goody
Sarcastic expression of joy
So you think that love's a barrel of dynamite
You view love as a potentially dangerous relationship
Hooray and hallelujah, you had it coming to ya
You got what you deserved
Goody goody for him, goody goody for me
Sarcastic expression of joy for both parties
And I hope you're satisfied you rascal you
I hope you're happy, you scoundrel
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, PAT MALNECK GREEN DBA MATTY MALNECK MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Matt Malneck
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DestroyaDoll
This was truly a treat!! I'm a big history buff, as well as a fan of lots of circa 30's-40's music. Thank you for putting this together! I'm definitely going to subscribe. <3
surpie1940
Wundervul!!! More, please.
mp2lon
Well done!
El Canal Desconocido
Could someone get the lyrics? This would be great!
Jord IL
this really swings!
Per-Olof Wallden
The band could swing and the lyrics are time typical with a nice punch to her Churchill. Why should only England make songs with similar lyrics (i think of Flanagan And Allens "How Do You Think You Are Kidding mr Hitler" or "We Gonna Hang Our Washing On The Siegfrid Line"
Mauro Anderlini
Really interesting!
Ray Proctor
Germany Calling, Germany Calling!
D. Musikkoffer
The pictures are sad...
4TheRecord
nazi propaganda music. This reminds me of that guy in Iraq who said the Americans were getting defeated while American tanks could be seen entering into Baghdad. They really thought they could take over the world. Even blaming us for starting the war when they invaded Poland.