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"Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" by Edison Lighthouse.

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: London-based songwriters Tony Macaulay and Barry Mason penned this 1970 (great year!) bubblegum-pop classic as a tribute to a free=spirited and charismatic girl. First recorded by Jefferson but never released. Session singer Tony Burrows had had a string of one-hit wonder songs and the composers wanted him to record it. They contacted Greenfield Hammer, a local band, changed its name and they backed up Burrows during the recording. It became their debut single and only hit. #1 UK for 5 weeks, #5 U.S.; massive global success. Included in the "Shallow Hal" soundtrack. It has recently experienced a resurgence due to a TikTok video trend. Song? For extra credit, name Tony Burrows other four one-hit wonder songs as lead singer and bands. Answer: "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" by Edison Lighthouse. Fond memories of my high-school graduation year with this and many other great tunes in the background. Other...
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"Along Comes Mary" by the Association.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: Described as "a paean to marijuana", this 1966 Tandyn Almer composition was L.A.-based The Association's first hit, peaking at #7. The great Leonard Bernstein used it as an example of the Dorian Mode in his "Young People's Concert - What Is A Mode?" - "...and that is why (song title) sounds so primitive and earthy". Covered by The Manhattan Transfer and was a minor hit for The Baja Marimba Band. Song? Answer: "Along Comes Mary" by the Association. ... just like The Stones' "Lady Jane". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYJhhKSXOBo&list=RDsYJhhKSXOBo&start_radio=1
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"Kokomo" by The Beach Boys.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 80s: This 1988 Phillips/McKenzie/Love/Melcher composition about a fictional place was originally titled "The Beer Song". The Beach Boys' last #1 hit. Part of Tom Cruise's "Cocktail" soundtrack. Only Beach Boys #1 hit not written or produced by Brian Wilson. Brian was not in the recording either. First Beach Boys #1 since "Good Vibrations" in '66, making it then the longest time span (22 yrs.) between #1s for any act. Song? Answer: "Kokomo" by the Beach Boys. We saw them do it live in Vegas in Nov. 1988, the night it became #1 - they were pretty happy - the fact that they had the UNLV cheerleaders on stage with them made it even better. Sadly, we recently lost Brian. That big ol' rock band in heaven got itself another giant! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXB4LspLQE0&list=RDWXB4LspLQE0&start_radio=1
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"Hit the Road, Jack" by Ray Charles.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: Percy Mayfield penned and first recorded this rhythm and blues standard in 1960. His good friend Ray Charles took it to #1 in both the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B charts in '61. The second one of Charles' three #1 pop hits. His then lover Margie Hendricks of The Raelettes sings the lead background vocals. Grammy winner in '61 for Best Male R&B Recording. No. 377 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time. Very popular in sporting events when a player is ejected or replaced. For extra credit, name Ray Charles' other 2 #1 Pop hits. Answer: "Hit the Road, Jack" by Ray Charles. His other two POP #1's were "Georgia On My Mind" and "I Can't Stop Loving You". He had others on the R&B charts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyVuYAHiZb8&list=RDCyVuYAHiZb8&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3JxTTT5dAM&list=RDi3JxTTT5dAM&start_radio=1
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"This Boy (Ringo's Theme)" by The Beatles. (Posted 7/7/25).

OK, boys (hint, hint!) and girls, this one goes to the Birthday bloke (85 today!): This 1963 John Lennon composition was the B-side to "I Want To Hold Your Hand" in the UK. Performed during the Beatles 2nd appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Emulates Smokey Robinson. First Beatles tune to be commented on by a music critic - "pendiatonic clusters (!)". An instrumental version plays on "A Hard Day's Night" during the dedicatee's "big scene". B-day bloke? Song? Answer: "This Boy (Ringo's Theme)" by The Beatles. One of their greatest love ballads. Deceivingly intricate 3-part harmonies even though, as always, they made it look easy. Even though I'm not a drummer, Sir Richard was always, and still is, my favorite Beatle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW5D7HpYhBU&list=RDlW5D7HpYhBU&start_radio=1
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"Could It Be Magic" by Barry Manilow.

OK, boys and girls, more pop tunes inspired by the classics: Barry Manilow co-wrote this romantic 1973 ballad with Adrienne Anderson and Tony Orlando for his debut album. He re-released as a single in '75, peaking at #6. Based upon Chopin's Prelude in C-minor, Op. 28, No. 20. Melissa Manchester figures in the lyrics. Song? Answer: "Could It Be Magic?" by Barry Manilow. "Sweet Melissa, angel of my lifetime" is a reference to Melissa Manchester, his label-mate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE2xWITnqBM&list=RDKE2xWITnqBM&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeX4X_1_lo0&list=RDXeX4X_1_lo0&start_radio=1
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"The Song of the Volga Boatmen".

OK, boys and girls, back to the 1800s: Inspired by Ilya Repin's famous painting of "burlaks" from the days of Tsarist Russia, this traditional shipboard working song was first published by Mily Balakirev in 1866. Popularized by Russian basso Feodor Chaliapin. Glenn Miller's jazz adaptation topped the charts in '41. It has become a musical symbol of toil, doom, despair and devotion to duty. Used frequently in Tom & Jerry, Bugs Bunny and The Three Stooges shorts. Song? Answer: "The Song Of The Volga Boatmen". A big item in my "bucket list" has always been going to St. Petersburg, Russia to see The Hermitage, the palaces and Tchaikovsky's and Dostoevsky's graves. Unfortunately, at this point, travel to Russia is not allowed and I don't think that is going to change anytime soon. Fortunately, however, The Hermitage has a superb virtual tour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3Ys37dFXuY&list=RDI3Ys37dFXuY&start_radio=1 h...
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