“Listen to the music of the past and you will discover the secrets of history.”

This quote from renowned musician Duke Ellington captures the enduring charm of vintage sheet music from the 1930s. These decades-old pieces of paper hold more than just musical notes; they are remnants of a bygone era, each with its own unique story to tell.

From the jazzy rhythms of the Big Bands to the sentimental ballads of the Great Depression, these treasures offer a glimpse into the cultural zeitgeist of the time.

So please join me as we delve into the world of vintage sheet music covers from the 1930s, along with their corresponding songs.

1930s vintage sheet Music-"Hello Beautiful". Sheet Music Cover, 1931

Source: allposters.com

Note: This is the third post in my ‘Vintage Sheet Music Series’……

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

NOTE: If you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button and see what else is on the websites. There are 1000’s and 1000’s of items being listed daily.

Vintage Sheet Music from the 1930s

1931 “You Try Somebody Else ( We’ll Be Back Together Again)” by B.G. De Sylva, Lew Brown & Ray Henderson.

I love the illustration of the woman in early 1930s fashions.

1930s Vintage Sheet Music: 1931 "You Try Somebody Else", DeSylva Brown Henderson. The sheet music is featuring an illustration of a woman in 1930s fashions.

Source: Etsy-RicksVintagePlus

“You Try Somebody Else” – Guy Lombardo. Guy’s brother Carmen takes the vocal on a popular De Sylva-Brown-Henderson tune of 1931/32 (Video link).

Further Reading: Guy Lombardo-Canada’s Famous Big Band Leader

1930s (possibly 1936), “Running a Temperature” featuring an image of Ozzie Nelson (as in Ozzie & Harriet) and a mention of his orchestra who had successfully performed it.

1930s vintage sheet music for the song "Running a Temperature". The cover features an image of Ozzie Nelson and his orchestra who had performed the song.

Source: eBay

I cannot find the Ozzie Nelson version so here is one from Jimmie Lunceford & Orchestra (video link).

1939-”Scatter-Brain” featuring ‘Frankie Masters’ on the cover. I love the illustration of the woman being “scatterbrained”.

1930s Vintage Sheet Music: 1939 Scatter-Brain music by Keene-Bean and Frankie Master and illustration of a woman being "scatterbrained".

Source: AbeBooks

“Scatter-Brain” was the most popular song in the country as America was saying “Farewell 1930s–Hello 1940s!” and this was the top-selling version (video link).

1935 sheet music for “Home On The Range”, featured by Jackie Heller on the BBC – For Piano, Guitar, Hawaiian Guitar & Ukelele. Published by Calumet Music Co.

1935 Sheet Music "Home On The Range" - For Piano, Guitar, Hawaiian Guitar & Ukelele - Vintage 1930s Sheet Music

Source: Etsy-CuriousCatVintage

Bing Crosby sings ‘Home on the Range’ A Geffen Records Release; ℗ 1939 UMG Recordings, Inc. (Video Link)

1939-“Moonlight Serenade” by Glenn Miller. What a stunning illustration!

Fun Fact: I walked down the aisles to this song on my Wedding day.

1930s vintage sheet music for Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller in 1939 featuring an illustration of a woman in blue.

Source: Pinterest

1939 “Moonlight Serenade”-The iconic Miller theme, recorded on April 4th during the band’s third Bluebird session (video link).

1935-‘”The Wedding of Jack and Jill’. A wonderful cover art featuring Nursery Rhyme characters attending the wedding of Jack and Jill, also with a photo insert of Ben Bernie.

1930s vintage sheet music: 1935-'The Wedding of Jack and Jill'. A wonderful cover art featuring Nursery Rhyme characters attending the wedding of Jack and Jill, also with a photo insert of Ben Bernie.

Source: AbeBooks

Note: Ignore the image on the video, the song is for ‘The Wedding of Jack and Jill” (video link).

1930 Sheet Music “After All You’re All I’m After” by Charles Newman, Victor Young & Sid Lorraine featuring an illustration of a couple in a moonlight embrace.

1930 Sheet Music "After All You're All I'm After" by Charles Newman, Victor Young & Sid Lorraine - Vintage 1930s Sheet Music

Source: Etsy-CuriousCatVintage

“After All You’re All I’m After” 1930 (video link).

“Debutante Waltz” from 1934 – featuring the famous Arthur Murray on the cover as the “creator” of this dance.

Sadly I could not find the song for us to listen too, so we will just have to use our imaginations.

Further Reading: Time To Dance! Vintage Instructions To Get You Dancing In No Time

1930s vintage sheet music: Debutante Waltz from 1934 - featuring Arthur Murray on the Cover and 1930s fashions for evening.

Source: AbeBooks

1932- “I Only Want a Buddy – Not a Sweetheart” sheet music – featuring Maurie Stein on the cover.

I picked this cover because the song title made me giggle.

1930s vintage sheet music for "I only want a buddy not a sweetheart" from 1932.

Source:AbeBooks

1939-“I Only Want A Buddy Not a Sweetheart” the Eddy Howard version ft Dick Jurgens and his Orchestra (video link).

“Goody Goody” is a 1936 popular song composed by Matty Malneck, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. On the cover is Mary Danis of the Enoch Light’s Orchestra.

My readers may also remember the Frankie Lymon hit version in 1957.

For your listening pleasure, I have added the 1936 song and the Frankie version for you to compare and enjoy (after the cover image).

1930s vintage sheet music: "Goody Goody" is a 1936 popular song composed by Matty Malneck, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. On the cover is Mary Danis of the Enoch Light’s Orchestra.

Source: Etsy-TDVintageTreasures

A popular recording in 1936 of ‘Goody-Goody’ were by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra (with vocalist Helen Ward), heard below (video link).

Now here is the 1957 with Frankie Lymon featured on the Ed Sullivan show.

What was your favourite version? I personally like them both (video link).

I hope you enjoyed this fun post of design and music. I love doing posts like this because it helps me to discover songs I have never heard of before (and there were several!).

Question! What was your favourite cover or song (or both)? Share in the comments section below. l love hearing from my readers.

Thank you for dropping by!

Liz

Have you ever noticed when looking thru vintage photos that there is always lots of images of people on their living room furinture? Some are staged or just a moment caught in time but they are always a great glimpse of the styles, trends and influences of the time.

Today’s post is a collection of fun vintage photos from the 1930s-1960s of people & their living room furniture.

Let’s take a look!

1960s vintage photo from November 1961 of young man relaxing on his couch.

Source: Etsy – Iloveyoumorephotos

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

1930s – 1960s Vintage Photos of People & their Living Room Furniture

I think this is either a 1940s photo or an early 1950s, whatever the age our happy couple posing for a photo on their comfest living room chair are doning some pretty fantastic fashions. From our husbands tie with an image on it to our lovely wifes zebra stripped shoes and cute heels, this couple knows how to dress.

1940s photo or an early 1950s, whatever the age our happy couple posing for a photo on their comfest living room chair are doning some pretty fantastic fashions. From our husbands tie with an image on it to our lovely wifes zebra stripped shoes and cute heels, this couple knows how to dress.

Source: Etsy – RenascenceVintage

“Just sit back and relax, you earned it” -1950s vintage photo.

1950s vintage photo of a Black Women in a pencil skirt and white top a cool 1950s shoes chilling in a chair in the living room

Source: Etsy – therescuedphoto

Beers and Beer Steins. A fun 1940s photo of young women at a party posing together on the couch with those beers and steins. Also…Saddle Shoes!!!

Note: I loved this photo so much (being from German background and a big fan of Oktoberfest), that I just purchased it for my personal collection. Welcome home ladies!

Further Reading: Vintage Photos of people wearing saddle shoes

1940s vintage photo of young women in 1940s fashions including saddles shoes holding beers and beer steins at a party

Source: Etsy – Iloveyoumorephotos

1960s vintage photo of a young couple sitting on a fun pink couch.

1960s vintage photo of a young couple sitting on a pink couch. The young woman is holding a book and in the background is a mid century lamp.

Source: Etsy – therescuedphoto

Everyone may be trying to squeeze onto the couch for this 1950s family photo, but they made it work!

The decor is so fun! Floral wallpaper, floral curtains that don’t match each other.

1950s vintage photo of a Black family posing together in their living room on their couch. The living room walls have floral wall paper and floral curtains.

Source: Etsy – JakeRoebucks

What a great novelty skirt of fruit on our lovely lady enjoying a cocktail on her couch with her husband. 1950s Kodachrome Slide.

1950s vintage photo of a Couple Having Cocktails on their living room couch. The woman is wearing a 1950s novelty skirt of fruit.

Source: Etsy – Iloveyoumorephotos

1940s / 1950s photo of a couple sharing a kiss while their dog is looking for someone to save him. Ha!

Note: This is the first house where the pillows on the couch match the curtains!

1940s / 1950s vintage photo of a couple kissing on their couch in their living room while their dog is nearby

Source: Etsy- JakeRoeBucks

A railroad man, with his radio and his favourite cozy armchair. 1940s photo.

1940s vintage photo of a Burly Railroad Worker in Overalls Sitting in His Favorite Armchair By His Vintage Radio in a Cosy 1930’s Living Room

Source: Etsy-Delphiniumsblue

1930s image of a young woman with braids and a lovely 1930s blouse relaxing in a big armchair.

1930s vintage photo of a young woman with braids in her hair and 1930s top sitting in an large armchair

Source: Etsy – Iloveyoumorephotos

Taking a little break from the party.

Fun 1950s photo of a couple snuggling on a couch with a bottle of wine and Seagrams whisky on the table.

1950s vintage photo of a couple Snuggling on a Couch Enjoying a Few Drinks

Source: Etsy – Iloveyoumorephotos

Sometimes all you want to do is just sit in your favourite chair, read your favourite magazine (‘Home Craftsman’ for this dad) and not be bothered. Not even for a photo.

Well lucky for us, this moment in time in the 1950s was captured for us to all enjoy.

1950s vintage photo of a man sitting in his favourite armchair reading 'Home Craftsman'.

Source: Etsy – Iloveyoumorephotos

Cheers!

1940s group photo in the living room during a party.

1940s vintage photo of a group photo taken in the living room on a couch and floor during a party.

Source: Etsy-TheWaywardPhoto

I hope you enjoyed this fun little post. It brought back a lot of memories for myself of many family photos on our living room furniture.

Please share in the comments section what your favourite image was (or anything you wish to talk about regarding these images).

Thanks for stopping by!

Further Reading: Vintage Photos from the 1920s-1960s (archived blog posts)

Liz

Category: 1930s