The Summer Hit of ‘42, ‘My Devotion’

Apart from Glenn Miller’s ‘Kalamazoo,’ the undeniable hit of the late summer in 1942 was ‘My Devotion.’  A hit three times for three different artists, the song was first taken into the Top Ten for Decca by Jimmy Dorsey and Bob Eberly on August 22^nd before being quickly followed by Vaughn Monroe’s version for Victor on August 29^th.  However, it would be the third outing of the song on Columbia that would prove the biggest hit and place ‘cheery, chubby’ Charlie Spivak and His Orchestra at #2 on the Billboard charts. 

 Debuting  70 years ago today, Spivak’s version backed on the flip-side with his take on ‘I Left My Heart At The Stage Door Canteen’ would remain on the charts for 11 weeks.  Indeed, ‘My Devotion’ proved so popular that at one point there were two separate competing versions on the charts when Vaughn Monroe’s version re-entered the Top Ten.  Written by songwriters Roc Hillman and Johnny Napton, ‘My Devotion’ typified a trend in the national consciousness, with lyrics expressing the loneliness and longing of loved ones separated by war.  ‘My Devotion’ would remain a popular standard throughout the 1940s and 50s with Anne Shelton, The Four Aces and Glenn Miller all recording versions or incorporating it into their live repertoire.

Click below to hear Vaughn Monroe’s version of ‘My Devotion.’

Post by Red Ball Express Coordinator Collin Makamson