In this episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine uncover the wild and witty "The USA by Day and the RAF by Night" - a 1944 novelty song that pokes fun at the Nazis while celebrating the Allied air campaign.

Written by American comedy writer Hal Block and journalist-turned-lyricist Bob Musel, the song turns bombing raids into satire, complete with cheeky impressions of Hitler, Himmler and Goering. Lili and Tom trace its history from the Eighth Air Force shows in London to its only known recording by Al Trace and his Musicians.

Along the way, they dive into the lives of Block and Musel, explore the grim context of Operation Gomorrah and the firestorm over Hamburg and reflect on how humour was used to process and soften the horrors of total war. Expect musical gags, cartoonish sheet music covers and even a few unexpected Gracie Fields connections.

SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

You can listen to ALL of the songs that Tom and Lili talk about in the episode on their Spotify playlister here:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FQDrBphYqYLAuN6Jm01PN?si=b777dc33a703408a

REFERENCES

Twinwood
https://twinwoodevents.com/

Belvoir Castle Afternoon Tea Festival
https://www.belvoircastle.com/event/cG9zdDoxNjc=

Johnny Victory
http://johnnyvictory.com/

DJ Doctor Swing
https://www.facebook.com/DJDrSwing/

The Bluebird Belles
https://www.vocalharmonytrio.co.uk/

Stage Door Canteen - Film 1943
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBgvmX9b2uU

Operation Gommorah
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-43546839
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/operation-gomorrah-first-firestorms

The U.S.A. by Day and the R.A.F. by Night - Sheet Music
https://www.historyonthenet.com/authentichistory/1939-1945/3-music/08-Axis-Allies/1944_SM_The_USA_By_Day_And_The_RAF_By_Night.html#sm

Lil Abner - Al Capp
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li%27l_Abner

Pistol Packin' Mama - Song
https://youtu.be/9G2T0ad1-h4

Pistol Packin' Mama - Plane
https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/aircraft/42-40768

Bomber Command Song
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bomber_Command_(song)
https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/1274494

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro
00:51 Catch Up
03:02 U = The U.S.A by Day and the R.A.F. at Night
04:44 Hal Block
12:09 Bob Musel
13:46 The Historical Background to the Song
24:39 Albert Trace
27:08 Discussing the Sheet Music
28:41 Discussing the Lyrics
31:16 Discussing the Music
33:28 Discussing Recordings: Al Trace
37:49 If You Liked That You'll Like This
41:10 Mentioned in Dispatches
42:53 Teaser for Next Week
43:57 Outro

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

You can follow the podcast on social media:
http://instagram.com/warsongspod
https://www.facebook.com/warsongspod

Find more information about Lili Redman here:
https://liliredman.com/
https://www.instagram.com/lili__redman/
https://www.facebook.com/ScalaLil

Or Tom Carradine here:
https://www.tomcarradine.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tomcarradine
https://www.facebook.com/mrtomcarradine

CONTACT THE PODCAST

If there's a wartime song that you think they should discuss, or if you have a personal or family story connected to one, drop them a line at warsongspod@gmail.com  to be "Mentioned in Dispatches".

LISTENING LINKS

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ktQ4nyudmPRLcCNyNxEfv?si=ac9e1babe6834f2b

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-a-to-z-of-wartime-song/id1806037318

If you've enjoyed this episode Lili and Tom would be grateful if you'd leave a review and make sure you've subscribed and turned on notifications so you'll never miss an episode.