Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: This New Orleans-based girl trio started out as Little Miss and The Muffets only to be soon renamed The Meltones. Their name was once again changed in '64 shortly before recording their first and biggest hit. A Barry/Greenwich/Spector composition previously recorded by The Ronettes and The Blossoms, it topped the charts for 3 weeks, sold over one million copies and was awarded a Gold Disc. The first recording ever under Leiber and Stoller's brand-new Red Bird label. Happiness and anticipation on a girl's wedding day. #279 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time. Covered by Bette Midler, The Beach Boys and Sir Elton John. Featured on the "Father Of The Bride" soundtrack. Trio? Song? (Para credito extra: Como se llamaba la version de Lucecita del '65?) Answer: "Chapel of Love" by The Dixie Cups. For some reason it just doesn't sound anywhere nearly as good when guys sing it - definitely a girls gr

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: This '72 Elton John/Bernie Taupin collaboration was Sir Elton's 1st U.S. hit single - 3 wks. at #1 in early '73. A nostalgic look at early rock & roll and his relationship with a girl (!) whom he associated with the music. The unmistakable Farfisa Organ sound "makes" the song. Inspired by The Diamonds' '57 "Little Darlin", by Pat Boone's "Speedy Gonzalez" and by the Australian group Daddy Cool. Answer: Sir Elton John's "Crocodile Rock". As a non-keyboard player in the 60s, I was always fascinated by the great Farfisa sound (NOT to be confused with the Vox Continental!). Think "Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)", "Wooly Bully"... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPicSRPwogI

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: Paul Anka wrote this '59 teen classic about Annette Funicello, whom he dated during a tour. It peaked at #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 for 2 weeks in '60 and at #3 in the UK. Their romance was a media high spot; he referred to her as "glamorous...the kind of girl you want to marry". He also wrote "Talk to Me, Baby" for her. She, in turn, wrote and recorded "Tall Paul" for him - the first time a female artist reached the Top 10 with a rock-and-roll single. She married Paul's manager after the tour (!). Anka had 4 Top 10 hits in less than a year between '59 and '60 with "Lonely Boy", "Put Your Head On My Shoulder", "It's Time to Cry" and this one. Donny Osmond's '72 cover went to #3 in the US and topped the charts in the UK. Answer: "Puppy Love" by Paul Anka. He writes two songs for her and she one for him and then she goes and marries his manager -

OK, boys and girls, more 60s: This '65 Gene Clark composition was THE first tune by The Byrds written by one of its members to actually be profitable. Inspired by a girl he met at Ciro's in West Hollywood. A mordant view of breaking off their relationship. The guitar line takes after The Searchers' '64 "Needles And Pins". Trademark early Byrds sound with McGuinn's jingle-jangle Rickenbacker-12, Clark's tambourine and McGuinn's, Clark's and Crosby's angelic harmonies. Covered by Tom Petty in '89. Peaked at #103 and is ranked #234 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time. Answer: "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better" by The Byrds. I said it before and I say it again, I will forever be grateful to my dear childhood friend Lida Enid Muniz for introducing me to The Byrds in '65/'66. They quickly became, and still are, my all-time favorite band. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to-RVV_3anw

OK, girls and boys, back to the 80s: This '85 composition was on the artist's first solo album released during the Cold War. It opens with a radio broadcast by Igor Kirillov and a clock ticks throughout the song. Based upon the Romance Melody from Sergei Prokofiev's "Lieutenant Kije Suite". Masterful word play: "How can I save my little boy from Oppenheimer's deadly toy?" - "Little Boy" was the A-bomb dropped on Hiroshima on 8/6/45, masterminded by Oppenheimer. Song? Artist? Answer: "Russians" by Sting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHylQRVN2Qs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1scluzlPz0

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: This '71 Carole King composition was James Taylor's ONLY #1 hit. He won a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and she for Song Of The Year. First recorded by The City and then by Dusty Springfield (unreleased). A beautiful tune about being there for those in need. Covered by, among many others, Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Anne Murray and Tom Jones. Answer: "You've Got A Friend". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEFfzHiEKHY