WWII's Greatest Hit

War and music have always gone hand-in-hand. From the dawn of human civilization, armies have used music - from drumming to bagpipes to full marching bands - to raise morale, keep pace on the march, and get troops psyched up for battle. Meanwhile, common soldiers have long maintained a tradition of writing and singing their own music - from tender love ballads to raunchy, satirical, or darkly comedic songs - to help them cope with the horrors of war. While often sharing universal themes of patriotism, glory, homesickness, or the soldier’s timeless penchant for griping about his superiors, military songs tend to be products of a very specific culture, with few achieving popularity outside their country of origin. During the Second World War, however, one song managed to do the impossible, transcending the conflict and becoming universally beloved by soldiers on both sides of the line. This is the remarkable story of “Lili Marleen.” Author: Gilles Messier Host: Simon Whistler Editor: Daven Hiskey Producer: Samuel Avila