1931-1940: Oh Johnny! Oh Johnny! Oh!

https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=qfY7L__-kIQ “Oh Johnny! Oh Johnny! Oh!” is a song that was originally a patriotic themed composition by Abe Olman. Later, Ed Rose wrote lyrics to the song and had it published by Forster Music Publisher, Inc. Apparently, Ed Rose wrote the lyrics about a couple he’d known and been friends with in college. He also gave the original work to Mr. and Mrs. John Hansen. The lyrics don’t express anything particularly articulate about the time period itself. But the music style in the song was quite popular in the 40’s. The lyrics depict a rather thoughtless woman falling for a man that doesn’t have any distinguishing qualities. However, songwriting has moved forward a little bit in that the lyrics are less outwardly objectifying. This is the first song I’ve found so far during the 1900’s that is purely about infatuation without questionable things also being added in. This song cannot tell us about the Great Depression or the Second World War. Two major events were happening around this time period and this song doesn’t give much information on the subjects.