THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

759-Lou Preager and His Orchestra-with vocal’s by Paul Rich.-Cruising Down the River.

1946- Has never charted in the UK, there was no official music chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 1.23.In the olden days before Sunday trading laws were relaxed,this is how you would spend your Sunday afternoon.

In the 1930’s, and 1940’s the real pop stars were the bandleaders, and they would often hire vocalists, sometimes on long contracts, to work exclusively for them.In 1945 the BBC launched a public songwriting competition, as part of the radio show hosted by Lou Preager (1906-1978,) it was known as ‘Write a Tune for £1000,’ the format proved very popular, and was repeated in 1947, and 1950. The winners in 1945 were two middle aged women called Eily Beadell, and Nelly Tollerton, Beadell had written the lyrics back in the 1920’s, with the melody originally composed by music hall performer Ena Dayne, but as she could not read music, it was transcribed by Tollerton.

‘Cruising Down the River’ proved a great success, the first recording by Lou Preager and His Orchestra, with vocals by Paul Rich (1921-2000,) became one of the most popular songs of 1946, in terms of record, and sheet music sales.In America the song proved just as popular with Blue Barron (1913-2005,) taking his version to Number 1 in January 1949, closely followed in February by Russ Morgan (1904-1969,) who took his recording to Number 1 as well.Other notable versions are by Connie Francis, from 1959, and Dick Haymes (1918-1980,) who sang the song in the 1953 film ‘Cruisin’ Down the River.’

‘Just two of us together, we’ll plan a honeymoon, cruising down the river on a Sunday afternoon.’