Posted on 09/22/2009 7:11:37 PM PDT by nickcarraway
For a generation of Britons who lived through World War II, Dame Vera Lynn's "We'll Meet Again" will forever conjure up the pangs of wartime separation. "We'll meet again," she sang to soldiers on the front lines and to their families across the Channel. "We'll meet again/ Don't know where/ Don't know when/ But I know we'll meet again/ Some sunny day."
The songstress appears to have kept her promise. Last week, at age 92, Lynn became the oldest artist to top the British charts with We'll Meet Again — The Very Best of Vera Lynn, an album featuring 24 songs that evoke wartime Britain. Lynn, an East London plumber's daughter who went on to be known as the "Forces' Sweetheart," spoke with TIME about her music's resurgence 70 years later. (See the top-selling albums and singles of 1989.)
Were you expecting modern listeners to embrace your album like they have?
No. One never expects things like that. They just happen, which is very nice. I certainly didn't expect it to go to No. 1. I thought the songs were suitable for that time and that there would be new songs that would come along to take their place.
Why do you think your album is striking a chord with so many people in 2009?
It's a bit of nostalgia and what's going on in Afghanistan at the moment, I suppose. With our boys going away once again to fight, it sort of got people interested in the music of the earlier period. And the schools have been teaching about the Second World War, and that causes an interest.
You held off competition from the Arctic Monkeys, Kings of Leon and South London rapper Jamie T to reach No. 1. Do you listen to any of them?
(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...
A mighty fine song indeed.
Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn?
I had no idea that lovely lady was still living. I hope she makes lots of money with her new album so she can enjoy her remaining years in comfort.
Does anyone her remember Vera Lynn?
Remember how she said that we would meet again
some sunny day.
Vera, what has become of you?
Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn?
Remember how she said that
We would meet again
Some sunny day?
Vera! Vera!
What has become of you?
Does anybody else here
Feel the way I do?
I always think of Stanley Kubrick’s “Dr. Strangelove” movie when I here that song.
It was the closing credits music.
Telephone call for Mr. Floyd.
I think Mr. Floyd does but Mrs. Floyd won’t answer the phone.
Sure was .. as all the atomic bombs were going off ...
OMFG YEAH!
Is SHE ALIVE?
I thought she was Beyond the Blue Horizon.
I believe the Byrds recorded, We’ll Meet Again on their first album in 1966
My favorite memory about Vera Lynn and the song “We’ll meet again” is the way it was played over the end credits of DR STRANGELOVE OR HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB” which is probably the funniest most hysterical darkest comedy in American cinematic history.
I do. God bless her and the many entertainers like her who did everything they could to support their country and boost the morale of those serving it.
Roger Waters is an f’n jerk.
Anti-American basher of the first degree.
I walked out of a concert in Shanghai, a few years back after he tore down Bush and America to a cheering Chinese crowd.
In fact, now that I think about it, I let everyone in the hall that night know exactly how I felt before walking out.
Of course, we shouldn’t forget her rendition of “The White Cliffs of Dover” if we are looking at her music.
My parents had a 78 RPM record of Dame Vera singing “Auf Wiedersehen, Sweetheart”. I literally wore it out from playing it over and over and over......
Quite a feat for a British production.
Tomorrow morning I’ll talk with my 98 year old Mom. She will be pleased!
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