For the most part, before the 1940's adults and children all listened to the same music. There were exceptions but everyone hummed the music of the day and also knew a wide variety of different music from church hymns, latin masses, Irish drinking songs, Italian quartet music, Polish polkas...There was depth and breadth to the knowledge.
Ppl still know all that different crap. But in the 1940s, the top of the charts was big band music. Loud, boistrous, silly, dance music. Same as it ever was.
Here goes, looks like I’m falling
Call me, Devil May Care
I know it shouldn’t be
But you know me, pal
I‘ll take a dare
Who knows, but this time
I may be lucky
This may be on the square
Here goes, it’s an adventure
Just call me
Devil May Care