One year across the standards
Recorded in 1940
33 recordings on this site were made in 1940, across 28 tunes.
February
- Indian SummerSidney Bechet's New Orleans Feetwarmers · 1940 · New York · Bluebird
- How High the MoonBenny Goodman and His Orchestra, vocal by Helen Forrest · 1940 · New York City · Columbia
- ImaginationElla Fitzgerald and Her Famous Orchestra · 1940 · Decca session, United States (city not confirmed) · Decca
- ImaginationGlenn Miller · 1940 · Victor Studio 2, New York City · Bluebird
- Get HappyArt Tatum · 1940 · Los Angeles · Decca
- Lullaby of the LeavesArt Tatum · 1940 · Decca session, Los Angeles · Decca
- Body and SoulBillie Holiday · 1940 · Columbia studio, 711 Fifth Avenue, New York · Vocalion
March
- It Never Entered My MindShirley Ross, orchestra conducted by Ray Sinatra · 1940 · studio not named in sources · Decca
- Polka Dots and MoonbeamsFrank Sinatra with Tommy Dorsey · 1940 · RCA Victor Studio 2, New York · Victor
April
- East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, vocal by Frank Sinatra · 1940 · RCA Victor
- Poor ButterflyBenny Goodman Sextet featuring Charlie Christian · 1940 · Los Angeles · Columbia
- If I Could Be with YouSidney Bechet and Muggsy Spanier · 1940 · Good Time Jazz
- Sweet Sue, Just YouBechet-Spanier Big Four · 1940 · Hot Society
- I Surrender DearBenny Goodman Sextet featuring Charlie Christian · 1940 · Los Angeles · Columbia
- ImaginationTommy Dorsey · 1940 · Victor Studio 2, New York City · Victor
- The Nearness of YouGlenn Miller · 1940 · Bluebird
May
- CottontailDuke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra · 1940 · Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA · Victor
- Don't Get Around Much AnymoreDuke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra · 1940 · RCA Bluebird reissue
- Flying HomeCharlie Barnet · 1940 · Bluebird
- I Can't Believe That You're in Love with MeThe Chocolate Dandies · 1940 · New York · Commodore
June
October
November
- Day DreamJohnny Hodges · 1940 · Chicago · Bluebird
- All of MeBenny Carter · 1940 · RCA Victor
- Taking a Chance on LoveBenny Goodman · 1940 · Columbia
December
- I Can't Give You Anything but LoveBenny Goodman Sextet · 1940 · Columbia
- Sweet LorraineThe King Cole Trio · 1940 · Los Angeles · Decca
- I Hear a RhapsodyJimmy Dorsey · 1940 · Decca
- FlamingoDuke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra, vocal by Herb Jeffries · 1940 · Chicago, IL · Victor
Month not known
- Mood IndigoDuke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra with Ivie Anderson · 1940 · Columbia
- Polka Dots and MoonbeamsGlenn Miller · 1940 · RCA Classics
- Star DustTommy Dorsey and His Orchestra with Frank Sinatra and the Pied Pipers · 1940 · Victor
- Taking a Chance on LoveElla Fitzgerald and Her Famous Orchestra · 1940 · Decca