When I tell people I love the oldies, no one ever initially understands what I mean by that. They think of big band music, or tell me how they “love Frank Sinatra too”. Rarely do they expect me to proceed to gush over early ragtime and jazz tunes. Trust when I say the music that our favorite witches and no-majs listened to is my forte.
To get you in the spirit of the 1920’s, we’ve rounded up some authentic melodies with a few modern takes. These tracks are the hits of their time from Europe and North America. We already know in the next film installment, Newt and friends will spend some time in Paris, as well as in London. A number of these contain lyrics that are full of historical reference. “Daisy Bell”, for instance, is said to be written for Great Britain’s very own “Jay Gatsby”, Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick. Ways to skirt around prohibition are referenced in “I’ll See You In C-U-B-A”. Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them is set in a dazzling, reactionary period in US history. A product, of which, is this ear candy.
“You're The Cream In My Coffee” Ruth Etting
“Blind Pig (Bonus Track)” James Newton Howard ft. Emmi
“Ain't She Sweet” Gene Austin & Nat Shilkret & His Orchestra
“Charleston” Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra
“Black Bottom” (Howard Lanin & His Orchestra?)
“Rhapsody In Blue” George Gershwin
“Dinah” Joséphine Baker
“That's My Weakness Now” (Cliff Edwards or Bix Beiderbecke & Paul Whiteman
“Makin' Whoopee” Eddie Cantor
“I'll See You In C-U-B-A” Bill Murray
“The Varsity Drag” George Olsen and His Music
“Strut Miss Lizzie” David Johansen ft. Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks
“Oh! By Jingo” The Three Keys
“My Blue Heaven” Gene Austin
“Let Me Call You Sweetheart”
“Louise” Leonard Joy & Maurice Chevalier
“Daisy Bell” (Gerald Adams?)
“Let's Do It Let's Fall In Love” Cole Porter
“Button Up Your Overcoat” Helen Kane
“Happy Feet” Bing Crosby
"I'm Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover" Mort Dixon & Harry Woods
"Flapperette" Nat Shilkret
“Sam, The Old Accordion Man” Williams Sisters
“'S Wonderful” Adele Astaire & Bernard Clifton
“Sunny Disposish" Jean Goldkette and His Orchestra
“Moonbeam! Kiss Her for Me” Goodrich Silvertown Orchestra
“Red Lips, Kiss My Blues Away” Charles Dornberger & His Orchestra
“Dream A Little Dream Of Me” Teddy Ralph & His Orchestra
“I’m Sitting On Top Of The World” Al Jolson & Carl Fenton & His Orchestra
“Why Am I So Romantic?” Sam Lanin & His Orchestra & Scrappy Lambert
“After You've Gone” Ruth Etting
“A Peach Of A Pair” Gus Arnheim Orchestra
“Kowalski Rag (Bonus Track)” James Newton Howard
#1920s #jazz #roaringtwenties #fantasticbeasts #gatsby #prohibition