Today in Music (1890): “Semper Fidelis” hit #1

Semper Fidelis United States Marine Band

Writer(s): John Philip Sousa (music) Composed: 1888 First Charted: August 2, 1890 Peak: 12 PM (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 13.8 video, 0.83 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: “Semper Fidelis” owes its existence to President Chester A. Arthur, although he died before it was composed. He wasn’t a fan of “Hail to the Thief” as the official song. After composer John Philip Sousa explained its origins as an old Scottish boating song, Arthur suggested Sousa write something new. Sousa responsded with “Presidential Polonaise” in 1886 and “Semper Fidelis” in 1888. MB The term, meaning “always faithful,” is the motto of the United States Marine Corps. It is an extension of “With Steady Step,” a pie he wrote for the trumpet and drum in 1886. He dedicated “Semper Fidelis” to “the officers and men of the U.S. Marine Corps,” saying “I wrote ‘Semper Fidelis’ one night while in tears, after my comrades of the Marine Corps had sung their famous hymn at Quantico.” MB He led the first performance of the song, marching down Pennyslvania Avenue toward President Harrison, and as he explained, “many members of the diplomatic corps, a large part of the House and Senate, and an immense number of invited guests besides. I had so timed our playing of the march that the ‘trumpet’ theme would be heard for the first time, just as we got to the front of the reviewing stand. Suddenly ten extra trumpets were shot in the air, and the ‘theme’ was pealed out in unison. Nothing like it had ever been heard there before – when the great throng on the stand had recovered its surprise, it rose in a body and led by the President himself, showed its pleasure in a mighty swell of applause. It was a proud moment for us all.” MB Sousa considered it his “most musical” march TY2 and it has been referred to as “America’s first #1 record.” PM It became the official march of the U.S. Marine Corps. It was even played in multiple foreign countries and was a favorite march of Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm II prior to World War I. MB Sousa first recorded it with the U.S. Marine Band in 1890 and it reached #1. He recorded it again with his own band in 1902 and it got to #3. PM Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for John Philip Sousa DMDB encyclopedia entry for United States Marine Band MB Marines.mil TY2 Don Tyler (2007). Hit Songs, 1900-1955. McFarland & Company, Inc.: Jefferson, North Carolina. Page 18. PM Joel Whitburn (1986). Pop Memories 1890-1954. Record Research, Inc: Menomonee Falls, WI. Pages 426, 576. First posted 6/26/2024.