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"Flowers On the Wall" by The Statler Brothers.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This Staunton, VA country/folk quartet started out in 1955 as Four Star Quartet and then The Kingsmen. In 1963, after rock band The Kingsmen had a massive hit with "Louie, Louie", they once again changed their name. By far, their biggest and most iconic hit was a 1965/66 quasi-autobiographic country/folk tune penned by their tenor, Lew DeWitt, who spent some time in a mental institution. A tongue-in-cheek post-breakup song about a man trying to convince his ex and himself that he's enjoying life, while spiraling into loneliness and despair. #2 Billboard Hot Country for four weeks, #4 Billboard Hot 100, #116 among Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time. Part of the "Pulp Fiction" and "Die Hard" soundtracks and parodied by The Muppets. Quartet? Song? Answer: "Flowers On the Wall" by The Statler Brothers. The first time I heard this song was in 1967, while attending the World Ja...
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"Poetry Man" by Phoebe Snow.

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: The only charting hit for this New York City native came in 1974 with a soft jazz/blues ballad which she also composed. Based on an affair she had in her younger years with a married man. It was rumored that it was about Jackson Browne, for whom she opened on stage for a few years, but this was denied by both parties. Many people thought that she was African-Amrican because of her curly hair and her soulful four-octave contralto but she was 100% Jewish. #5 Billboard Hot 100, #1 Adult Contemporary. Grammy-nominated for Best New Artist in 1975. She ended her solo career to take care of her congenitally brain-damaged daughter. She left us in 2011 at age 60. Artist? Song? Answer: "Poetry Man" by Phoebe Snow. She wrote the song in one hour! Sang backup for Paul Simon in "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTd1iktPJZ8&list=RDQTd1iktPJZ8&start_radio=1
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"Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: This Jacksonville, FL band started out in 1964 as My Backyard. By far, their biggest hit was a 1974 Southern-rock anthem which popularized and helped define the genre. Written in response to Neil Young's (NOT my favorite, let's just leave it at that!) "Southern Man" and "Alabama" (hint, hint!). With very strong political overtones defending the South, it became their signature tune. Composed by Ed King, Gary Rossington and Ronnie Van Zant - King and Rossington penned the seminal guitar lines. #8 Billboard's Hot 100, Grammy Hall of Fame 2009, CMT's "#1 Southern Rock Song". The Band was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. Unfortunately, the entire original lineup either died or was severely injured during a 1977 plane crash. It inspired a 2002 Reese Witherspoon rom-com. ...and, of course, who can forget Forrest Gump reminiscing about his beloved Jenny with this song in the backg...
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"The Captain of Her Heart" by Double.

OK, girls and boys, more 80s one-hit wonders: This 1985 Felix Haug/Kurt Maloo Euro-pop ballad was recorded by a Swiss duo, becoming a massive global hit for them. A woman decides to stop waiting for her gone, dominating lover to return and finds the strength to move on with her life. #16 Billboard Hot 100, # 8 UK. Memorable sax work by Christian Ostermeier. The first Swiss act to break into the U.S. Top 40. Duo? Song? Answer: "The Captain of Her Heart" by Double. Yacht-rock at its best! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBlx1JffMQ4&list=RDlBlx1JffMQ4&start_radio=1
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"Goin' Out of My Head" by Little Anthony and The Imperials.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: Teddy Randazzo and Bobby Weinstein penned this poignant 1964 R&B/Soul ballad for Little Anthony and The Imperials, with whom they frequently collaborated. Their recording peaked at #6 on Billboard's Hot 100 and at #8 on Cash Box. A tale of obsession and longing. Intense heartache and unrequited love for someone who does not return his affection. Frankie Valli and The Four Seaons' 1967 medley with "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" was a massive hit for them and became a staple of their live shows. Covered by The Zombies in 1968. Song? Answer: "Goin' Out of My Head" by Little Anthony and The Imperials. The late great Teddy Randazzo also gave us "It's Gonna Take a Miracle", "Hurt so Bad", "Runaround" and his own "One More Chance", among many others. He left us in 2003 at the age of 68. Little Anthony is 85 and he still fronts his group as the only original member...
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"Green Tambourine" by The Lemon Pipers.

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: This Shelley Pinz composition was recorded by an Ohio band in 1967, reaching #1 on Billboard in early '68 and earning them a Gold Record. A street musician is begging for $. It features electric sitar as well as heavy "psychedelic" tape echo at the end of each chorus and, at the end of the tune, fading into a drumroll. Covered by Lawrence Welk (!), it also charted on Easy Listening. Band? Song? Answer: "Green Tambourine" by The Lemon Pipers. "Psychedelic bubblegum" at its best. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5Vz-z4PEkk&list=RDS5Vz-z4PEkk&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZnCZRgz27s&list=RDZZnCZRgz27s&start_radio=1
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"My Love" by Petula Clark.

OK, girls and boys, back to The British Invasion: Longtime Petula Clark collaborator Tony Hatch penned this classic 1965/66 romantic pop tune while on an airplane from London to L.A. It speaks of the overwhelming joy and durability of an amorous connection. The British songbird did not like it at first, calling it "ordinary". Warner Brothers Records' A&R director Joe smith finally convinced her to record it and release it. She was accompanied by The Wrecking Crew. It became a massive international hit for her, topping the U.S. charts and earning Certified Gold. Florence Henderson serenaded Tiny Tim and Miss Vicky with it during their 1969 nuptials on The Tonight Show. Song? Answer: "My Love" by Petula Clark. "The First Lady of The British Invasion". I could listen to her beautiful voice all day. She is 93 years-old. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFXZIXMB5r4&list=RDpFXZIXMB5r4&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ypcn-...
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