In October 1940 the legendary Glenn Miller engaged them to record It's Make Believe Ballroom Time, a sequel to the original Make Believe Ballroom, which they had recorded earlier for Martin Block's big band show of the same name, on WNEW New York. In January 1941 Miller made The Modernaires an important part of the most popular big band of all time. Paula Kelly (Mrs. Hal Dickinson) was added to the Miller band between March - August 1941. After appearing in the movie Sun Valley Serenade with Miller's orchestra in 1941, they had ten chart hits that year. After Miller joined the Army, Paula Kelly became a permanent member of The Modernaires, making it a quintet. For the next few decades they traveled the world many times over making history with the Glenn Miller Band. Johnny Drake replaced Chuck Goldstein (who left the Modernaires the day after the Miller band broke up in 1942) and Fran Scott replaced Bill Conway (who left during the war and never returned to the Mods for a handful of reasons).
Songs made popular by Miller and The Modernaires included Perfidia, Chattanooga Choo-Choo (the first-ever "gold record" with over one million copies sold), I Know Why, Elmer's Tune, Serenade In Blue and Kalamazoo, among others.
In 1945, There! I've Said It Again became The Modernaire's first top-twenty hit.
After Miller's disappearance, The Modernaires recorded vocal versions of several of Miller's instrumental hits, including Sunrise Serenade, Little Brown Jug, Tuxedo Junction , Pennsylvania 6-5000, and A String of Pearls. Their style, harmonies and blend would influence later artists such as The Four Freshmen, who would in turn be models for the Beach Boys, who the Beatles later cited as a strong influence on their work. Thus, The Modernaires have affected generations of popular music, from swing to rock and roll. The Modernaires were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.
Alice in Wonderland
The Modernaires Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How do you get to Wonderland?
Over the hill or under land
or just behind the trees?
When clouds go rolling by
They're all away and leave the sky
Where is the land beyond the eye
Where can it be?
Where do stars go?
Where is the crescent moon?
They must be somewhere
in the sunny afternoon
Alice in Wonderland
Where is the path to Wonderland?
Over the hill or here or there?
I wonder where
Where do the stars go?
Where is the crescent moon?
They must be somewhere
in the sunny afternoon
Alice in Wonderland
Where is the path to Wonderland?
Over the hill or here or there?
I wonder where.
The Modernaires' Alice in Wonderland is a whimsical and lovely song that captures the essence of Lewis Carroll's classic book. The song is full of questions and wonderment about the unknown and the unseen. In the first verse, the singer wonders how one can get to Wonderland - "Over the hill or under land, or just behind the trees?" The following line questions the existence of a land beyond what the eye can see, "Where is the land beyond the eye that people cannot see?" The singer is filled with curiosity about the things that are mysterious and unknown.
In the second verse, the singer wonders about the stars and the moon. "Where do stars go? Where is the crescent moon? They must be somewhere in the sunny afternoon." These lines evoke a sense of wonder and awe about the universe and its mysteries. The last verse brings us back to the original question, "Where is the path to Wonderland?" The singer wonders if it's over the hill, here, or there, leaving the listener to ponder the same question about the journey to an unknown world.
Overall, The Modernaires' Alice in Wonderland is a beautiful song that captures a sense of childlike wonder and curiosity about the world around us. It's a reminder to never stop exploring and questioning what we don't yet understand.
Line by Line Meaning
Alice in Wonderland
Introducing the title of the song, referencing the famous children's storybook character and her adventures in Wonderland.
How do you get to Wonderland?
Asking how one can reach the magical and mystical land of Wonderland.
Over the hill or under land
Suggesting possible physical routes or paths one can take to reach Wonderland, either over or under a hill.
or just behind the trees?
Proposing another possible location of Wonderland, just hidden behind some trees.
When clouds go rolling by
Observing the movement of clouds in the sky.
They're all away and leave the sky
Noting that clouds eventually disappear, leaving the vast sky above.
Where is the land beyond the eye
Wondering about a place beyond what humans can see with their eyes.
that people cannot see?
Questioning the existence of a world or realm inaccessible to human vision.
Where can it be?
Expressing curiosity about the possible location of the unseen land or world.
Where do stars go?
Asking about the destination or whereabouts of stars.
Where is the crescent moon?
Questioning the location of the thin, curved moon shape.
They must be somewhere
Assuming that stars and the moon have a physical presence somewhere in the universe.
in the sunny afternoon
Speculating about the timeframe or lighting conditions of when these celestial bodies might be visible.
Alice in Wonderland
Repeating the title of the song and emphasizing the theme of searching for and wondering about the magical realm.
Where is the path to Wonderland?
Asking again about the location or route to reach Wonderland.
Over the hill or here or there?
Listing some possible places where the path to Wonderland might exist.
I wonder where.
Ending the song with a sense of curiosity and uncertainty about finding the path to Wonderland.
Contributed by Parker S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@chicoseventh440
it must be somewhere in the sunny afternoonÂ
@ew-jr2cz
I reeeeeeeally love it!!!! Thank U!!!
@maeli-bs1vd
yalls its raining, and before (maybe)this song will become a trend, just saying i found this now, and it will be my jam forever, sooo yea dont make this trend andd like pretend you always liked it from the beginning cos ive liked this genre since i was 5 thats 10 years ago, alng with the other three people here sp yaaa. RESPECT OUR LOVE FOR OLD MUSIC