When you think of “pop music,” you might imagine slick beats and catchy hooks. But rewind a century, and “pop” meant something quite different. In the 1920s and 1930s, popular music was the heartbeat of family living rooms, broadcast radios, and record players spinning 78rpm discs.

This Father’s Day, we invite you to step into a musical time machine with the Recorded Sound Archives and celebrate the vintage voices that defined what “dad music” sounded like back then—whether it was crooning love songs, swinging jazz, or toe-tapping novelty tunes.

What Was “Pop Music” in the 1920s–30s?

Popular music in the early 20th century reflected the tastes of a growing middle class. Songs from Broadway, Tin Pan Alley, and vaudeville were chart-toppers before the Billboard charts even existed. Fathers of the era—whether relaxing with a pipe and phonograph or whistling on the way to work—likely knew these melodies by heart.

Featured Recordings from the RSA

Here are a few timeless tracks from the RSA collection that capture the sound of an earlier generation of fathers:

Gene Autry – “Back in the Saddle Again”
Label: Columbia, 1939
America’s beloved singing cowboy brought joy to fathers and children alike. Autry’s Western charm and wholesome storytelling made him a staple in households across the country.

Billy Murray – “I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover”
Label: Victor, 1927
Billy Murray’s spirited delivery made him one of the most recorded artists of the early 20th century. This cheerful tune was perfect for sing-alongs and whistling dads alike.

Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra – “Whispering”
Label: Victor, 1920
One of the earliest big band recordings to gain massive popularity, this instrumental hit set the stage for dance hall music and the rise of jazz-inspired pop.

Cal Stewart – “Uncle Josh in a Department Store”
Label: Victor, early 1900s
In this comical monologue, Uncle Josh recounts his first chaotic encounter with a department store—getting lost, confused, and overwhelmed by the bustle of city shopping. It’s a timeless “dad out of his element” moment that still hits home today.

Fats Waller – “It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie”
Label: Victor, 1936
Waller’s charismatic voice and playful piano brought warmth and wit to the music dads loved. This song strikes a perfect balance between humor and heartfelt.

Honoring the Sounds of Fatherhood

Music has always been part of the soundtrack of fatherhood. Whether your dad played Glenn Miller on vinyl or you’re a father yourself rediscovering these vintage gems, we hope these songs bring a smile and spark some nostalgic joy this Father’s Day.

Explore more recordings on the Recorded Sound Archives website today!

For five generations, the Lind Family, descended from Belzer Hassidim in Galicia, sang the songs of the synagogue. It was from this lineage that Joshua Lind (1890—1973) rose to prominence as a composer, cantor and teacher. Joining his father’s synagogue choir at the age of 5, young David Lind quickly became a Cantorial wunderkind touring the country and recording for RCA Victor.

Together with his brothers, Murray and Phil, David formed the Lind Brothers Trio in 1937. They became quite popular performing a repertoire especially created for them by their father, Cantor Joshua Lind.

The Trio not only had great success in the pulpit, they also became well-known popular entertainers, appearing in night clubs, on the radio, on TV, and in films (Universal International Pictures).

During WWII David and his brothers entertained troops and shared the stage with such stars as Danny Kaye and Betty Hutton. Following the war they headlined in Las Vegas, Hollywood, and on Broadway.

Dale eventually returned to Chicago to pursue a career as a solo performer and cantor, officiating at the Congregation Sons of Joshua since 1974.

Click to hear Cantor Lind’s recordings.