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.
So You Left
Charlie and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
You make me feel as though spring has sprung
And every time I see you grin
I'm such a happy in-div-dual
The moment that you speak
I wanna go play hide and seek
I wanna go and bounce the moon
You and I are just like a couple of tots
Runnin' across the meadow
Pickin' up lots of forget me nots
You make me feel so young
You make me feel there are
Songs to be sung
Bells to be rung
And a wonderful spring to be sprung
And even when I'm old and gray
I'm gonna feel the way I do today
'Cause you make me feel so young
The lyrics of Charlie and His Orchestra's song "So You Left" paint a vivid picture of the joy and rejuvenation that love can bring. The singer expresses how their partner makes them feel youthful and alive, as if the arrival of spring has transformed their world. The mention of feeling like an "in-div-dual" highlights the individual happiness and sense of self that the partner instills in the singer.
The playful and lighthearted language continues as the singer describes how just hearing their partner's voice makes them want to engage in childlike games like hide and seek and dream of reaching for the unreachable, represented by "bounce the moon like a toy balloon." This whimsical imagery adds to the feeling of carefree happiness and wonder that the partner inspires.
The comparison drawn between the singer and their partner to "a couple of tots" frolicking through a meadow, gathering forget-me-nots, underscores the innocence and purity of their relationship. This imagery evokes a sense of freedom, simplicity, and joy that comes naturally when two people are deeply connected and in love.
As the song progresses, the singer emphasizes how their partner brings out the best in them, making them feel alive with possibilities, songs to be sung, bells to be rung, and a spring of beauty and renewal waiting to be sprung. The declaration that they will continue to feel this youthfulness and love even in their old age cements the enduring and timeless nature of their bond. Overall, the lyrics celebrate the transformative power of love and the eternal sense of youth and happiness it can bring to our lives.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ariya~
Charlie never fails to improvise the high notes.
Santa 🎅
Link to the Clip : They finally released this
https://youtu.be/2EXjRrTzTgQ
Lucylucee_1610🦋
🎶🎶🎶
Joey Smith
He’s terrible
Ariya~
@Joey Smith if he's terrible why are you even watching this video 👀.
Muhammad fazlur rahman
i mean he need a vocal rest somehow, singing that high and being a baritone is really tiring
danndrii oh
He is so underrated even after delivering hits after hits
Santa 🎅
Link to the Clip : They finally released this
https://youtu.be/2EXjRrTzTgQ
Melisa Oktavia Dewi
????
Jinhit entertainment
True! I want him to get all the attention cause he really works hard and every song of his is masterpiece ✨