The Music of World War II: War Songs and Their StoriesMerriam Press World War 2 History. Third Edition. Some of the most memorable and enduring popular music of the Twentieth Century was written during the Second World War. With patriotism at an all time high, the war effort became an integral part of the entertainment industry, creating an emotional wartime dream world of heroes, love, remembrance, reflection, and introspection. The Music of World War II tells the stories behind the origins of many of