Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, boys and girls, back to the aughts (the 19-aughts, that is!): Subtitled "Lippen Schweigen", "Lips are Silent" or "Love Unspoken", this soaring, iconic vocal and instrumental theme runs through the entire Viennese operetta of the same title. Composed in 1905 as part of "Die Lustige Witwe" by Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Lehár, it is a sweeping love duet which captures the romantic tension between wealthy Hanna Glawari and Count Danilo. It is often associated with the vocal theme "I Love You So". Song? Answer: "The Merry Widow Waltz" by Franz Lehár. A few years ago, we had the privilege of visiting the Opera Houses in Vienna and in Budapest. Both are breathtaking! Man, they take their music seriously, which I loved. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5KefBimuDg&list=RDx5KefBimuDg&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELufSzviGoU&list=RDELufSzviGoU&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watc...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn wrote this memorable pop ballad as the love theme for the 1972 film "The Poseidon Adventure". A song of hope; surviving a major crisis, holding on through hard times and believing that a better day is ahead. In the film it was sung by the character Nonnie, played and dubbed by Carol Lynley but actually vocalized by Renée Armand. It won the Oscar for Best Original Song. A young Youngstown, OH native was "discoverd" by 20th Century Records while touring the Midwest with her folk band Sweet Rain. Riding the tune's success, she recorded it and was quickly released as a single. It topped Billboard's Hot 100 for two weeks in 1973, was Certified Gold and became her signature song. She became the go-to singer for disaster movies, which were very popular in those days. She famously played Sister Angelina in both "Airplane!" movies. Song? Singer? Answer: "The Morning After...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: Based on a poem written by his wife Sandy, as well as classic nursery rhyme imagery, this 1974 Harry Chapin folk-rock classic became his signature song and was his only #1 hit. The fleeting and delicate nature of youth. Quasi-autobiographic, as his father, jazz drummer Jim Chapin, was absent during a significant part of Harry's childhood due to his own music career. A father's regret over missing out on his child's upbringing, leading to a distent relationship as the child grows. It reflects his own fears of being absent during his own son Josh's early years because of his demanding touring and recording schedules. Grammy-nominated in 1974 and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011. Song? Answer: "Cat's in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin. Harry Chapin was a masterful storyteller. His songs were deeply narrative and focused on the quiet struggles and dashed hopes of ordinary people. By far, my favorite one...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 90s: The late great John Lennon wrote this soft-rock classic in 1977 and recorded the vocals and piano in his home studio at the Dakota in NYC. The home demo remained unfinished. A sense of personal liberation allowing him to concentrate on raising his son Sean. Yoko eventually gave Paul the original cassette tape. The remaining Beatles, Paul, George and Ringo, added vocals and instrumentation assisted by Jeff Lynne. The single was released in 1995, 25 years after The Beatles' breakup and 15 years after John's senseless assasination. #2 UK, #6 U.S. It won the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals. Song? Answer: "Free as a Bird" by The Beatles. George's slide guitar is beyond sublime. Every time we go to NYC, we make it a point to visit the Dakota, as well as the Imagine park across the street. One of the best days of my life was the day we spent in Liverpool some years ago. No words can describe...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: Loosely based on Schubert's A-major Piano Sonata, D.664, this 1953 Sammy Fain/Paul Francis Webster traditional romantic pop ballad was written for the musical film "Calamity Jane". Doris Day, who played the title role, recorded it in one take (!). It topped the U.S and UK charts and won the Oscar for Best Original Song. She refused to sing it during the ceremony so Ann Blyth sang it instead. The sheer relief and empowerment of letting a once-hidden romance out in the open. Slim Whitman took it to #2 on the Country charts in '54. Kathy Kirby's 1963 rendition features Jimmy Page on guitar. Masterfully covered by Tommy Emmanuel on solo guitar in 2013. Grammy Hall of Fame 1999. Song? (...but wait, there's more! If you get the right answer, you'll also get Slim Whitman's Greatest Hits, Cristy Lane's Greatest Hits, Zamfir's Greatest Hits, an exotic bamboo steamer, a Ginsu II knife, a ShamWow, a Slap Ch...