Posts

"To Sir with Love" by Lulu.

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: Glaswegian songbird/songwriter/actress Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie, OBE, CBE's only U.S. hit came in 1967. Composed by Don Black and Mark London, it was the theme for a movie of the same title, in which the singer co-starred and sang. It topped the U.S. charts for five weeks and was the top-selling single of that year, Certified Gold Disc. She had a minor UK hit with her cover of the Isley Brothers' "Shout" but it never reached the U.S. Subsequent Led Zeppelin member John Paul Jones had a significant part on the recording, arranging strings, bass, guitar and brass, as well as playing bass. She was married to the late Maurice Gibb from 1969 to 1975 and had a brief affair with the late David Bowie in the 70s. Stage name? Only U.S. hit? Answer: "To Sir with Love" by Lulu. She is now 77 and still active. We just happened to watch the movie last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. I went to see it when ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Teddy Randazzo.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s/60s: Which non-Bobby/non-Frankie teen idol of the 50s and the 60s co-wrote "Goin' Out of My Head" and "Hurt So Bad"? Answer: Teddy Randazzo. The late great Teddy Randazzo also gave us "It's Gonna Take a Miracle", "Runaround" and his own "One More Chance", among many others. Recorded a pop version of Leoncavallo's "Vesti la giubba" in 1960. For some reason, he was pretty popular in Puerto Rico, getting quite a bit of airplay from the DJs at WKBM and Armed Forces Radio. He left us in 2003 at the age of 68. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYLIW0Wtrls&list=RDaYLIW0Wtrls&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE41gXPZWGQ&list=RDDE41gXPZWGQ&start_radio=1
Post a Comment
Read more

"Goodbye" by Mary Hopkin.

OK, girls and boys, more 60s TWO-hit wonders: The second and last chart hit for this 19-year-old Welsh songbird came in 1969 with a pop-folk classic thar Sir Paul penned specifically for her to follow the massive worldwide single she had the previous year. Credited to "Lennon-McCartney", it peaked at #13 U.S. and #2 UK. One of the first Apple Records. "About a girl with a wanderlust", it is a bittersweet reflection on parting, transition and the fleeting nature of relationships. Sir Paul gave her the handwritten lyrics and she sold them at auction last year. Artist? Song? For extra credit, name her first hit. Answer: "Goodbye" by Mary Hopkin. First hit: "Those Were the Days". I love her voice! Last night we watched "Peter Asher: Everywhere Man", a documentary about the iconic 60s singer, guitarist, manager and record producer, where this song was featured, among many others. A must-watch for any 60s music fan! Highly recom...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Vampire" by Olivia Rodrigo.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 20s (oh, wait, we ARE in the 20s - the ol' guy is just trying to keep up with the music of the time!): This Filipino American California native co-wrote this chart-topping, melodramatic and intense pop-rock breakup anthem with Dan Nigro. A toxic relationship with a manipulative older boyfriend who exploited her for her fame and left her feeling powerless, blaming herself for ingnoring red flags. At first it was thought it was about Taylor Swift but this was denied by all parties. #1 Billboard Hot 100, RIAA Certified Platinum. She became the first artist to have each of the lead singles from her first three albums top the charts. She has a congenital 60% hearing loss in her left ear. Artist? Song? Answer: "Vampire" by Olivia Rodrigo. I had forgotten about this beautiful and haunting tune until I recently heard it on America's Got Talent, where the marvelous South Korean dance troupe Come Here performed an intricate synchronize...
Post a Comment
Read more

"You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" by Lou Rawls.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: Philadelphia composer Kenny Gamble was going through a painful divorce, which served as an inspiration for a smooth-soul classic co-written with Leon Huff. It was recorded in 1976 at Sigma Sound in Philly by a Chicago-born baritone, becoming his signature song. A confident statement that his deep devoted love is irreplaceable. It has since become a Philly-soul and disco/hustle classic. By far the singer's biggest hit, it topped the R&B and Easy Listening charts, #2 Billboard Hot 100, #6 Dance, RIAA Certified Gold. Song? Singer? Answer: "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" by Lou Rawls. Fond memories of my junior year of med school in Philly. Sigma Sound Studio was not far from where I lived. It seemed like this song was playing everywhere you went. In the mid-fifties, Lou Rawls spent 3 years in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. He left us in 2006 due to lung cancer. Man, oh man...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Bubbly" by Colby Caillat.

OK, girls and boys, back to the aughts: By far, the biggest hit for this Malibu native came in 2007 with her debut single, a bouncy pop-folk tune which she co-wrote with Jason Reeves. The joyful feeling of falling for someone new. #5 on Billboard's Hot 100, 6X Platinum. Ironically, she auditioned for American Idol twice and was rejected both times. In 2018 she started fronting Gone West, a country-pop quartet. Since they disbanded in 2023, she has pursued a solo Country career in Nashville. Artist? Biggest hit? Answer: "Bubbly" by Colby Caillat. I love this little feel-good gem! Wonderful version by Lily (Pappas) Bjorklund and The Remains with my dear friend and colleague Dr. Harry Hoffman on guitar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWGqoCNbsvM&list=RDAWGqoCNbsvM&start_radio=1
Post a Comment
Read more

"Little Honda" by The Hondells.

OK, boys and girls, more 60s one-hit wonders. It was 1964 and producer Gary Usher brought together this "pseudogroup" composed of session musicians to cover a Brian Wilson/Mike Love tune about a popular Japanese motorcycle. "Gifted" to the "group" by Brian Wilson. Two of the "members", Glen Campbell and Tony Tedesco, were already part of the acclaimed "Wrecking Crew". They appeared singing it on "Beach Blanket Bingo" with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello. It peaked at #9 in Billboard's Hot 100. The Beach Boys also released it that same year on their "All Summer Long" album. Pseudogroup? Song? Answer: "Little Honda" by The Hondells. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHmRxpumtB4&list=RDIHmRxpumtB4&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZOGlgVldAs&list=RDqZOGlgVldAs&start_radio=1
Post a Comment
Read more