Russian Songs of War
In understanding the meaning of music in World War II, it is important to reflect upon the use that countries would make of music, and the ends to which private individuals would use music to give meaning to their situations. It is also significant to note that this was the first mass media war, with radio and movies spreading not only songs, but often specific voices and bands, and with songs ranked in nations for popularity. Countries took a massive effort in broadcasting and producing music generally for three reasons:
To boost the morale of troops and civilians suffering under the war
To attract enemy troops to propaganda programs
To express a vision of the nature of their regimes
For the individuals drawn into the war, the motivations would be more honest. Songs would provide nostalgia for peace, to motivate them, or to promise a better future.
Dark Is The Night
Music: Nikita Bogoslovsky. Lyrics: Vladimir Agatov. Singer Mark Bernes. 1944
Goodbye, Towns and Huts
Music: Matvei Blanter. Lyrics: Mikhail Isakovsky
In the Dugout
Music: Konstantin Listov. Lyrics: Alexei Surkov. 1942
Invincible and Legendary
Music: Alexander Alaxandrov. Lyrics: Osip Kolychev
Katyusha
(A Russian wartime song about a girl longing for her beloved, away in the service.)
Music: Matvei Blanter. Lyrics: Mikhail Isakovsky
The Nightingales
Lyrics Alexei Fatyanov. Singer Georgy Vinogradov. 1943
The Road to Berlin
Lyrics: Yevgeny Dolmatovsky. Music: Mark Fradkin. Singer: Leonid Utseov. 1945
The Sacred War
Music: Alexander Alexandrov. Lyrics: Vasily Lebedev-Kumach
The Song of a Front-Line Driver
Music: Boris Mokrousov. Lyrics: Naum Labkovsky