1930 in music


This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1930.

Specific locations

The following songs achieved the highest sales in 1930 on the major record labels in the United States. Record sales continued at 1929 levels up until July 1930. In the autumn 1930 the Great Depression began in earnest for the majority of the public who finally began to feel the economic downturn. This caused record sales to plummet in August and they would remain low for the remainder of the year.
MonthArtistTitleRecord LabelCountryNotes
JanuaryHelen MorganWhy? Was I Born? and Don't Ever Leave MeVictorHelen Morgan sings her songs from the hit show Sweet Adeline.
JanuaryDick Robertson Singin' in the Bathtub and Lady LuckBrunswickFrom the film The Show of Shows.
JanuaryLeo Reisman OrchestraWhy Was I Born? and Here I AmVictorWritten by Jerome Kern for the show Sweet Adeline.
JanuaryRoger Wolfe Kahn OrchestraWhy Was I Born? and Here I AmBrunswickWritten by Jerome Kern for the show Sweet Adeline.
JanuaryNat Shilkret OrchestraDon't Ever Leave Me and Twas Not Long AgoVictorWritten by Jerome Kern for the show Sweet Adeline.
JanuaryPaul Whiteman OrchestraGreat Day and Without a SongColumbiaFrom the Broadway show Great Day.
JanuaryVictor Arden and Phil Ohman OrchestraWhy? and It's You I LoveVictorFrom the 1929–30 Broadway musical Sons o' Guns.
JanuaryRudy Vallee OrchestraA Little Kiss Each Morning and I'll Be Reminded of YouVictorFrom the musical film starring Rudy Vallee: The Vagabond Lover.
JanuaryMeyer Davis and Earl Burtnett OrchestrasMy Fate Is In Your Hands and Look What You've Done to MeBrunswick
JanuaryGuy Lombardo OrchestraMy Fate Is In Your Hands and A Little Kiss Each MorningColumbiaSecond song from the musical film: The Vagabond Lover.
FebruaryThe RevelersChant of the Jungle and Waiting at the End of the RoadVictorFrom the musical films: Untamed and Hallelujah.
FebruaryMarion HarrisNobody's Using It Now and Funny, Dear, What Love Can DoBrunswickFirst song from the musical film: Playboy of Paris.
FebruaryMarion HarrisNobody's Sweetheart and My Fate Is in Your HandsBrunswick
FebruaryLeo Reisman OrchestraShepherd's Serenade and CharmingVictorFrom the musical film: Devil-May-Care.
FebruaryLeo Reisman OrchestraI'll See You Again and If Love Were AllVictorFrom Noël Coward's musical comedy Bitter Sweet.
FebruaryRoger Wolfe Kahn OrchestraDon't Ever Leave Me and Twas Not Long AgoVictorWritten by Jerome Kern for the show Sweet Adeline.
FebruaryLeo Reisman OrchestraYou Do Something to Me and You've Got That ThingVictorWritten by Cole Porter for the show Fifty Million Frenchmen.
FebruaryA. & P. Gypsies OrchestraSouth Sea Rose and Only The GirlBrunswickOrchestra conducted by Harry Horlick.
FebruaryNat Shilkret OrchestraRogue Song and When I'm Looking At YouVictorFrom the musical film: The Rogue Song.
FebruaryBen Bernie OrchestraCrying for the Carolines and Have a Little Faith in MeBrunswickFrom the musical film: Spring Is Here.
FebruaryWaring's PennsylvaniansCrying for the Carolines and Have a Little Faith in MeVictorFrom the musical film: Spring Is Here.
FebruaryGuy Lombardo OrchestraCrying for the Carolines and Have a Little Faith in MeColumbiaFrom the musical film: Spring Is Here.
FebruaryVictor Arden and Phil Ohman OrchestraShould I? and A Bundle of Old Love LettersVictorFrom the musical film: Lord Byron of Broadway.
FebruaryJesse Stafford OrchestraThe Woman in the Shoe and A Bundle of Old Love LettersBrunswickFrom the musical film: Lord Byron of Broadway.
FebruaryPaul Specht OrchestraI'm Following You and I'm Sailing on a SunbeamColumbiaFrom the musical film: It's a Great Life.
FebruaryRudy Vallee OrchestraGypsy Dream Rose and Mary, I Love Y-O-UVictor
MarchMary BolducLa Cuisinière and Johnny MonfarleauStarr Record Company.
MarchLawrence TibbettThe White Dove and When I'm Looking at YouVictorLawrence Tibbett sings his songs from the musical film: The Rogue Song; both songs accompanied orchestra directed Nathaniel Shillkret.
MarchLawrence TibbettThe Rogue Song and The NarrativeVictorLawrence Tibbett sings his songs from the musical film: The Rogue Song; both songs accompanied orchestra directed Nathaniel Shilkret.
MarchRuth EttingIf He Cared and Crying for the CarolinesColumbiaFrom the musical films: Devil-May-Care and Spring Is Here.
MarchPaul WhitemanSong of India and LiebestraumColumbiaModern "up to date" versions of oldtime classics.
MarchIpana TroubadoursI Want to be Happy and Tea for TwoColumbiaFrom the musical film: No No Nanette.
MarchVictor Arden and Phil Ohman OrchestraStrike Up the Band and SoonVictorComposed by George Gershwin for the musical: Strike Up the Band.
MarchLeo Reisman OrchestraWhat Is This Thing Called Love? and She's Such a Comfort to MeVictorFrom the musical: Wake Up and Dream.
MarchBen Selvin OrchestraWhy? and Cross Your FingersColumbiaFrom the Broadway musical Sons o' Guns.
MarchGeorge Olsen OrchestraT'aint No Sin and Can't You Understand?VictorFirst composed by Walter Donaldson.
AprilJohn McCormackA Pair of Blue Eyes and I Feel You Near MeVictorFrom the musical film Song o' My Heart.
AprilJohn McCormackThe Rose of Tralee and Ireland, Mother IrelandVictorFrom the musical film Song o' My Heart; both songs accompanied orchestra directed Nathaniel.
AprilAl JolsonTo My Mammy and When the Little Red Roses Get the Blues for YouBrunswickFrom the musical films Mammy and Hold Everything.
AprilAl JolsonAcross The Breakfast Table, Looking At You and Let Me Sing and I'm HappyBrunswickFrom the musical film Mammy.
AprilBrevities Male QuartetThe Woman in the Shoe and Wrapped in a Red, Red RoseBrunswickFrom the musical films Lord Byron of Broadway and Blaze o' Glory.
AprilChester GaylordUnder a Texas Moon and When I'm Looking at YouBrunswickFrom the musical films Under a Texas Moon and The Rogue Song.
AprilFannie BriceCooking Breakfast for the One I Love and When a Woman Loves a ManVictorFrom the musical film Be Yourself!.
AprilTom Gerun OrchestraSing, You Sinners and In My Little Hope ChestBrunswickFrom the musical film Honey.
AprilBernie Cummins OrchestraEverybody Tap and Lucky Little DevilVictorFirst song from the musical film Chasing Rainbows.
AprilBen Bernie OrchestraSong of the Bayou and Black EyesVictorFirst song won the Victor Company's $5,000 prize for best short jazz composition.
AprilBen Bernie OrchestraThank Your Father and Good for You, Bad for MeVictorFrom the Musical Comedy Flying High.
AprilGuy Lombardo OrchestraLazy Lou'siana Moon and The Moon is LowColumbiaSecond song from the musical film Montana Moon.
AprilIpana Troubadours OrchestraKickin' a Hole in the Sky and Cooking Breakfast for the One I LoveColumbiaSecond song from the musical film Be Yourself!.
MayRuth EttingTen Cents a Dance and Funny, Dear, What Love Can DoColumbia
MayThe RondoliersLazy Lou'siana Moon and Should I?ColumbiaSecond song from the musical film Lord Byron of Broadway.
MayThe High HattersSend for Me and Ten Cents a DanceVictorOrchestra conducted by Leonard Joy. RCA Victor's best selling record for May 1930.
MayGeorge Olsen OrchestraIt Happened in Monterey and Song of the DawnVictorFrom the musical film The King of Jazz.
MayBen Bernie OrchestraTo My Mammy and Across The Breakfast Table, Looking At YouBrunswickFrom the musical film Mammy.
MayWaring's PennsylvaniansThank Your Father and Good for You, Bad for MeVictorFrom the musical comedy Flying High.
JuneRuth EttingLet Me Sing and I'm Happy and A Cottage for SaleColumbiaFirst song from the musical film Mammy.
JuneGrace HayesMy Lover and I Like to Do Things for YouVictorFrom the musical film The King of Jazz.
JuneHarry RichmanThank Your Father and Without LoveBrunswickFrom the musical Flying High.
JuneWayne King OrchestraOn a Blue and Moonless Night and PromisesVictorRCA Victor's best selling record for June 1930.
JunePaul Whiteman OrchestraYou Brought a New Kind of Love to Me and Livin' in the SunlightColumbiaFrom the musical film The Big Pond.
JuneGeorge Olsen OrchestraMontana Call and The Moon is LowVictorFrom the musical film Montana Moon.
JuneAbe Lyman OrchestraYou Will Come Back to Me and Worryin' Over YouBrunswick
JuneIpana TroubadoursBlue Is the Night and WhippoorwillColumbiaFirst song from the musical film Their Own Desire.
JuneLeo Reisman OrchestraHappy Feet and I Like to Do Things for YouVictorFrom the musical film The King of Jazz.
JulyThe RevelersSing, You Sinners and Across the Breakfast Table Looking at YouVictorFrom the musical films Honey and Mammy.
JulyGrace HayesOn the Sunny Side of the Street and Exactly Like YouVictorFrom Lew Leslie's International Revue.
JulyRuth EttingOn the Sunny Side of the Street and It Happened in MontereyColumbiaFrom Lew Leslie's International Revue and the musical film The King Of Jazz.
JulyHarry RichmanRo-Ro-Rollin' Along and Dream AvenueColumbiaThe second song was composed by Harry Richman himself.
JulyLeo Reisman OrchestraRollin' down the River and Mia CaraVictorRCA Victor's best selling record for July 1930. Second song from the musical film The Big Pond.
JulyVictor Arden and Phil Ohman OrchestraRo-Ro-Rollin' Along and Kiss Me With Your EyesVictorSecond tune played by Nat Shilkret Orchestra.
JulyFred Rich OrchestraFor You and Dream AvenueColumbia
JulyIsham Jones OrchestraWhat's The Use? and The Song Without a NameBrunswick
JulyLloyd Huntley and his Isle o' Blues OrchestraOn a Blue and Moonless Night and PromisesBrunswick
JulyBen Selvin OrchestraKiss Me With Your Eyes and You Darlin'Columbia
AugustNoah BeeryOne Little Drink and The WhipBrunswickFrom the musical films Song of the Flame and Golden Dawn.
AugustEthel WatersYou Brought a New Kind of Love to Me and My Kind of a ManColumbiaFrom the musical films The Big Pond and The Florodora Girl.
AugustColonial Club OrchestraOut of Breath and I Am Only Human After AllBrunswickFrom the Garrick Gaieties. Orchestra conducted by Bob Haring.
AugustRudy Vallee OrchestraOld New England Moon and How Come You Do Me Like You Do?Victor
AugustHenry Thies OrchestraJune Kisses and Under Vesuvian SkiesVictor
AugustLeo Reisman OrchestraAround the Corner and Bye-Bye BluesVictor
SeptemberRichard CrooksL'Amour, Toujours, L'Amour and SerenadeVictorFrom The Student Prince
SeptemberBob Haring OrchestraAll Through the Night and Swingin' in a HammockBrunswick
SeptemberBert Lown OrchestraUnder the Sun It's Anyone Under the Moon It's You and Bye Bye BluesBrunswick
SeptemberWaring's PennsylvaniansLittle White Lies and Gee, But I'd Like to Make You HappyVictorSecond song from the musical film Good News
OctoberRuth EttingDon't Tell Her What's Happened to Me and The Kiss WaltzColumbiaSecond song from the musical film Dancing Sweeties.
OctoberGuy Lombardo OrchestraGo Home and Tell Your Mother and I'm Doin' That ThingVictorFrom the musical film Love in the Rough
OctoberHilo Hawaiian OrchestraOn a Little Street in Honolulu and All Through the NightVictorOrchestra conducted by Nat Shilkret. RCA Victor's best selling record for October 1930.
OctoberPaul Whiteman OrchestraNola and New Tiger RagColumbia
OctoberTom Gerun OrchestraA Big Bouquet for You and If I Could Be with YouBrunswick
OctoberOzzie Nelson OrchestraI Still Get a Thrill and Don't Mind Walking in the RainBrunswick
NovemberLibby HolmanBody and Soul and Something to Remember You ByBrunswickFrom the musical Three's a Crowd.
NovemberAileen StanleyWasn't it Nice? and I'll Be Blue Just Thinking of YouVictor
NovemberJacques Renard OrchestraSing Something Simple and Lucky SevenBrunswickFrom the musical The Little Show.
NovemberVictor Arden and Phil Ohman OrchestraFine and Dandy and Can This Be Love?VictorFrom Joe Cook's musical show Fine and Dandy.
NovemberLeo Reisman OrchestraBody and Soul and Something to Remember You ByVictorFrom the Libby Holman musical Three's a Crowd.
NovemberNat Shilkret OrchestraMoonlight on the Colorado and Don't Tell Her What's Happened to MeVictorRCA Victor's best selling record for November 1930.
DecemberThe RevelersSing Something Simple and Happy FeetVictorSecond song from the musical film King of Jazz.
DecemberJack Hylton OrchestraBody and Soul and With a Song in My HeartVictorSecond song from the musical film Spring Is Here. First from the Libby Holman musical Three's a Crowd.
DecemberVictor Arden and Phil Ohman OrchestraEmbraceable You and I Got RhythmVictorFrom the George Gershwin musical Girl Crazy.
DecemberIpana TroubadoursCan This Be Love? and Three Little WordsColumbiaSecond song from the musical film Check and Double Check. First from the musical Fine and Dandy.
DecemberTom Gerun OrchestraWhat a Fool I've Been and After All, You're All I'm AfterVictor
DecemberNat Shilkret OrchestraBolero and La SeduccionBrunswickRCA Victor's best selling record for December 1930.
date unknownThe Comedian HarmonistsVeronika, der Lenz ist danot known

Top hits on record

Musical theater