That song got me wondering, so a few things found through google:
- Lili Marleen was first written as a poem by a German soldier in1915
- first recorded by German songstress Lale Andersen in 1939 under the title "Das Mädchen unter der Laterne" ("The Girl under the Lantern")
- became very popular 2 years later while being regularly played by radio in Belgrade - (The transmitter of the radio station at Belgrade, was powerful enough to be received all over Europe and the Mediterranean, and became popular with the Allied troops as well).
First english version written for, and performed by ANNE SHELTON, and also Vera Lynn later sang it over the BBC.
- Marlene Dietrich - born December 27, 1901, moved to the states April 2, 1930 - became an American citizen March 6, 1937
Last point, not 100% sure, but looks like she recorded the song in 1944, at the request of the OSS, for propaganda purposes, the so called Musak project. Though she would also sing it live while visiting allied troops. No doubt, her version is likely the most famous.
regards,
Jack