Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, girls and boys, back to the 20s (the 1920s, that is): It was 1923 and Irving Berlin was engaged to NYC heiress and young socialite Ellin Mackay. Her father, a wealthy businessman, was very much opposed to their relationship as Berlin was Jewish and she was Irish Catholic. He thus sent her to Europe on an "extended vacation" in hopes they would forget about each other. In her absence, he wrote this nostalgic ballad longing for her love and wondering how he could go on without her. Upon her return in 1926 they got married in a small civil ceremony at the NYC Municipal Building and remained married for 63 years, separated only by death. Covered by, among many others, Nat "King" Cole, Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, The Fleetwoods, Harry Nilsson, Cher and Linda Ronstadt. It was the pervasive theme throughout the 1974 film "The Great Gatsby" starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. Song? Answer: "What'll I Do" by Irving Berlin. https://ww...

OK, boys and girls, let's go Down Under: This 1957 composition is "told" by an Australian stockman on his deathbed. It is one of the best-known Aussie songs and remains popular as a children's tune. #1 in Australia in '61, #3 on Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on Adult Contemporary in '63. Singer/songwriter? Song? Answer: "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" by Rolf Harris. Tan me hide when I die, Clyde, tan me hide when I die “So they tanned his hide when he died, Clyde, and that's it hangin' on the shed!” Man, that's morbid! At the notorious Phi Chi Wednesday night parties, we used to sing it with slightly altered "racier" lyrics after one or two Ortlieb brewskis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEkLy7A37T0

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: Ron Ryan penned this beautiful 1964 pop-rock romantic ballad for a British Invasion quintet (hint, hint!) in which his brother Mick played lead guitar. Mistakenly attributed to the band's leader and Mike Smith. It was the B-side to their "Can't You See That She's Mine", peaking at #3 on Billboard's Hot 100. Covered by The Supremes later on that year and by Julian Lennon in '85, a UK Top 40 hit for him. The band was the second British Invasion group to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show shortly after those blokes from Liverpool. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. Song? Group? Answer: "Because" by The Dave Clark Five. As a guitarist, I always enjoyed its unusual chord changes and progressions. I had the privilege of seeing them play at the El Comandante racetrack in '67. Memorable concert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpKWpUJybng https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho9DGu...

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders (naughty, naughty!): This Belgian group was formed in the late 50s during the Latin music craze and remained a studio-based ensemble throughout its existence. Their skilled and soulful Latin rhythms belied the fact that all the members were either Belgian or Dutch men except for lead singer Kari Kenton who was of Cuban extraction and Tito Puente's wife. Their one hit came in '72 with a Bill Ador disco composition featuring overtly sexual moaning, heavy breathing and language by Kenton with Ador in the background. RIAA Certified Gold Disc and peaked at #8 on Billboard's Hot 100. Featured on the "Boogie Nights" soundtrack. Group? Song? Answer: "Jungle Fever" by The Chakachas. I remember listening to "Jungle Fever" for the first time on the radio in '72 while at the University of Puerto Rico and thinking, "What in the world was that and how was that allowed on the airwaves!?". https://www...

OK, boys and girls, let's go WAY back: Despite its French title, this public domain college/glee-club/drinking/campfire/scouting song did NOT come from France. The author is unknown but it appears to be English from 1818. It shares its melody with 19th c. "Ireland Blocks The Way" and the Civil War Confederate tune "Chivalrous C.S.A." (1861). It also appears in "Carmina Collegensia" by H. R. Waite (1868) and the "Scottish Students' Song Book" (1892). Song? Alternate title? Answer: "Vive(a) La Compagnie (Vive L'Amour)". Growing up I learned it in Spanish from my Dad, "Unamonos todos en esta cancion, viva la compagnie, y el gozo llevemos en el corazon, viva la compagnie...". Always a staple around the campfire at Boy Scouts Camp Guajataka in P.R. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p3j5xlzwxc

OK, boys and girls, more 60s one-hit wonders: This Harold Dorman composition reached the Top 40 for him in 1960. Johnny Rivers covered it in '64, peaking at #9 on Billboard's Hot 100. The Beach Boys included it on "Beach Boys Party" in '65. Charley Pride's version topped the Country charts in '82. Song? Answer: "Mountain of Love" by Harold Dorman. Man, that's another sad one - his GF is marrying another guy - boy, I hate it when that happens! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8qMXXluA4U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8nolWWMpO4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOplrOKWOBI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xaDfO4Fn3c