In 1942, the BBC banned the song "Deep in the Heart of Texas" from the British airwaves during working hours on the grounds that its infectious melody might cause British wartime factory-hands to neglect their tools while they clapped in time with the song. "Wartime" meaning World War II of course.
But that's not the only amazing fact about the song...
Also in 1942, there were no fewer than five versions of the song in the Billboard charts on our side of the Atlantic Ocean. Alvino Rey and His Orchestra, Ted Weems and His Orchestra, The Merry Macs, Bing Crosby and Horace Heidt's Musical Knights all topped the charts that year with their own versions of the song.
You can hear "Deep in the Heart of Texas" by Alvino Rey and his Orchestra on Swing City Radio. (Nope, it hasn't been banned here!)
Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.
