In September 1938, the Miller band began making recordings for the RCA Victor Bluebird Records subsidiary. In the spring of 1939, the band's fortunes improved with a date at the Meadowbrook Ballroom in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, and more dramatically at the Glen Island Casino in New Rochelle, New York. With the Glen Island date, the band began a huge rise in popularity. In 1939, Time magazine noted: "Of the twelve to 24 discs in each of today's 300,000 U.S. jukeboxes, from two to six are usually Glenn Miller's." There were record-breaking recordings such as "Tuxedo Junction", which sold 115,000 copies in the first week. 1939's huge success culminated with the Miller band in concert at Carnegie Hall on October 6, with Paul Whiteman, Benny Goodman, and Fred Waring also the main attractions.
From 1939 to 1942, Miller's band was featured three times a week during a broadcast for Chesterfield cigarettes, originally with the Andrews Sisters and then on its own. On February 10, 1942, RCA Victor presented Miller with the first gold record for "Chattanooga Choo-Choo". "Chattanooga Choo Choo" was performed by the Miller orchestra with his singers Gordon "Tex" Beneke, Paula Kelly and the vocal group, the Modernaires. Other singers with this orchestra included Marion Hutton, Skip Nelson, Ray Eberle and to a smaller extent, Kay Starr, Ernie Caceres, Dorothy Claire and Jack Lathrop. Pat Friday ghost sang with the Miller band in Sun Valley Serenade and Orchestra Wives with Lynn Bari lip synching.
Back to Back
Glenn Miller & His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Takes you off the beaten track
You don't look at your partner at all
When you dance back to back
That's that new attack
That the other dances lack
You can see what goes on in the hall
Your partner won't see you make eyes at who dances by
Your partner, oh my dear, he's doing the same,
that's why you must dance back to back,
Let me place you in the pack
Cut the cards and I?ll deal you a queen and a jack
Back to back!
The song Back to Back by Glenn Miller & His Orchestra is about a new dance move called dancing back to back. The chorus repeats the phrase "when you dance back to back" emphasizing the uniqueness of this new dance move. The lyrics explain that when you dance back to back, you are taken off the beaten track and it is different from other dances where you constantly look at your partner. When you dance back to back, you can see what goes on in the hall, and your partner won't see you make eyes at who dances by. The song advises the listener to dance back to back to be a part of the new trend.
The lyrics of the song Back to Back are light and fun showcasing the new dance move sweeping the scene back in the day. The song is a mix of a jazz and big band music genre, which was very popular in the 1940s. The lyrics give a quick rundown of how to dance back to back and how it takes the dancer off the beaten track. This implies that when dance partners come together, they become privy to a new experience that can only be achieved by following the rhythm, rather than by traditional partner dances like the waltz or tango.
Line by Line Meaning
Dancing back to back
Dancing while standing back to back with your partner
Takes you off the beaten track
This style of dancing is different from the typical dance moves
You don't look at your partner at all
During the dance, you don't face your partner, and your eyes are not on your partner
That's that new attack
This type of dancing is a new, innovative way of dancing
That the other dances lack
Other dances don't involve this kind of dancing
You can see what goes on in the hall
While dancing, you are able to view everything happening in the hall
When you dance back to back...
This dancing style has an advantage over other dances
Your partner won't see you make eyes at who dances by
You can watch other people dance without your partner noticing
Your partner, oh my dear, he's doing the same,
Your partner is also looking at others while dancing with you
that's why you must dance back to back,
This is why this type of dancing is recommended
Let me place you in the pack
Let me show you how to join the group of people who dance this style
Cut the cards and I'll deal you a queen and a jack
Let's get ready to dance, and we'll have fun doing it
Back to back!
Let's start dancing while standing back to back
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ritaroberts1265
Hello. I am 88 years old and grew up loving and dancing to the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Bring back the good old days of great music like Glenn Miller and all the Big Bands. Thanks for the memories.
@christiandelorde5887
God bless.
@avivaeven-chen3850
Wow nice
@ritaroberts1265
@@avivaeven-chen3850 Thank you.
@edfash9976
@@christiandelorde5887 😊
@arturasubartas4575
Aš LAIMINGAS JUS girdėdamas!LIETUVA
@2410mencia
I am 83 years and this is the music I still listen now, in Spain where I live, instead of watching all bad news on television. I start with country music at 7. am, and in the afternoon I listen these relaxing music of big bands of the 40. All this beauiful music is nice to listen.
@GiaStan
🤗❤
@thomasvan8399
If you don't already know of them may I suggest the group of people (young students) in Barcelona,called the Sant Andreu Jazz band taught by Joan Chamorro. Wonderful musicians playing the old and great standards we love. I'm an old guy too 79 yrs. Sooo...born in early 1944 l am lucky to have see and heard many phases of music thru the years to today. There is not one that doesn't electrify the moment when you re-hear it . Like now for example. Very emotional.
@brgilbert2
[Menchu] Can't tell you how much I love your post. It does sadden me though. As someone who lives in America, Washington State to be exact, to think how a corrupt America can effect even people in Spain is, well-- you know.