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.
youre driving me crazy
Charlie and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My tears for you make everything hazy, clouding the skies of blue
How true, were the friends who were near me to cheer me
Believe, me they knew, but you
Were the kind who would hurt me, desert me
When I needed you
Yes you, you're driving me crazy! What did I do to you?
The lyrics of Charlie and His Orchestra's song You're Driving Me Crazy is a powerful expression of the pain of unrequited love. The song describes the confusion and heartache that the singer feels as a result of a failed relationship. The opening line "You, you're driving me crazy! What did I do? What did I do?" sets the tone for the rest of the song, expressing the singer's bewilderment and frustration at the situation. The following line "My tears for you make everything hazy, clouding the skies of blue" poetically encapsulates the depth of the singer's emotional turmoil and how it is affecting his mental and emotional state.
The second stanza of the song shifts to the singer's perspective on his social support system. He sings "How true, were the friends who were near me to cheer me, Believe, me they knew, but you..." expressing his gratitude for the people in his life who support him. The next line "Were the kind who would hurt me, desert me When I needed you" continues to draw a contrast between the people who care about him and the person who has caused him emotional pain. The final line "Yes you, you're driving me crazy! What did I do to you?" sums up the confusion and despair of the singer, who cannot understand why his love has not been returned.
Line by Line Meaning
You, you're driving me crazy! What did I do? What did I do?
Your behavior is causing me immense distress and confusion. I am unsure of what actions I took to deserve this treatment.
My tears for you make everything hazy, clouding the skies of blue
My emotions and sadness regarding our relationship are overwhelming and causing me to lose clarity and hope.
How true, were the friends who were near me to cheer me
My friends were sincere in their attempts to uplift and support me.
Believe, me they knew, but you
Despite my friends' awareness and advice, I remained involved with you.
Were the kind who would hurt me, desert me
You have consistently inflicted pain upon me and neglected my needs and emotions.
When I needed you
During times of hardship, you were not there or did not provide the support I needed.
Yes you, you're driving me crazy! What did I do to you?
Again, I express my confusion and despair over the distress you are causing me without explanation or justification.
Lyrics © DONALDSON PUBLISHING CO, Kanjian Music, TOBAGO MUSIC COMPANY, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Walter Donaldson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@travellingdild0s770
About this song, Michel Chedjou says it best "Great historical song, nice to chill out with" lol
@yes3020
😂
@helloman1051
Lol I didnt understand this comment or who that guy is until I scrolled down to see the other comments
@DavidWade66
Thanks for posting! If we don't learn from history, we are bound to repeat it.
@Baathist_Brawler_1565
Or we can learn how to repeat it :D
@darker_angel5463
@@Baathist_Brawler_1565 exactly what is happening
@stover14
@@darker_angel5463I wish :(
@michelchedjou4372
Great historic song, nice to chill out with
@michelchedjou4372
Great historical song nice to chill out with
@michelchedjou4372
Great historical song nice to chill out with.