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"Emotion" by Samantha Sang.

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: Barry and Robin Gibb co-wrote this soft 1977 disco ballad about loyalty and lost love. An Australian songbird recorded it specifically to be included in the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack, but it never was. Barry multitracked all the background vocals including, of course, his trademark stratospheric falsetto. It became her only hit, a worldwide sensation, peaking at #3 on Billboard, #2 in Australia and #11 in the UK. Covered by Destiny's Child in 2001. Artist? Song? Answer: "Emotion" by Samantha Sang. Born Cheryl Lau Sang in 1951, her voice had the perfect Bee Gee-esque breathiness. Robin was supposed to be in the studio but, unfortunately, this was at the peak of his feud with Barry so he chose not to. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPwpVJ-eIgg&list=RDzPwpVJ-eIgg&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWKdMmH0B-E&list=RDxWKdMmH0B-E&start_radio=1
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"I Saw Her Again" by The Mamas and The Papas.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: It was 1966 and Michelle Phillips, then married to John, had brief affairs with both Denny Doherty and with Gene Clark of The Byrds, causing her temporary expulsion from the group. This inspired John and Denny to co-write this folk-rock classic after they patched things up. During the recording, Denny comes in too soon during the third and final chorus and, despite his best efforts, engineer Bones Howe was unable to correct the "happy mistake". Producer Lou Adler, however, liked it and decided to keep it in, becoming the song's trademark. Song? Answer: "I Saw Her Again" by The Mamas and The Papas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vaIBZCLUQU&list=RD4vaIBZCLUQU&start_radio=1
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"Here, There and Everywhere" by The Beatles.

OK, boys and girls, more Mop Tops: This romantic 1966 Macca ballad from "Revolver" was "meant to have a Beach Boys sound". He says it is "one of (his) favourite" works. Sir George Martin believed that it was one of Paul's best songs and Lennon said it is "the best tune of the album" and "one of my favourite songs of The Beatles". Named by Mojo Magazine "the fourth best song of all time" in 2000. Inspired by then-girlfriend Jane Asher. A tender song about desiring to always be together with your lover. Song? Answer: "Here, There and Everywhere" by The Beatles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FusIKjztap8&list=RDFusIKjztap8&start_radio=1
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"(Today I Met) The Boy I'm Gonna Marry" by Darlene Love.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: This Hawthorne, CA native was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. She joined the Blossoms under Phil Spector in 1962 while still in high school. Her biggest SOLO hit came in '63 with a Powers/Greenwich/Spector composition which peaked at #39. A magical "love (hint, hint!) at first sight" moment. Spector paid her $3,000 for the rights to the song. She played Danny Glover's wife on all 4 "Lethal Weapon" movies. Artist? Biggest solo hit? Answer: "(Today I Met) The Boy I'm Gonna Marry" by Darlene Love. Still going strong at 84! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyiMMbUtavs&list=RDvyiMMbUtavs&start_radio=1
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"For No One" by The Beatles.

OK, boys and girls, more Mop Tops: This 1966 baroque-pop McCartney composition about the end of a relationship is arguably one of the Beatles' most beautiful tunes. Lennon called it "one of my favourites", even though neither he nor George played on it. Macca played clavichord, piano and bass; Ringo drums and tambourine. Alan Civil played the french horn obbligato, hitting a note beyond the range of the instrument! Song? Answer: "For No One" by The Beatles. He wrote it after an argument with then-girlfriend Jane Asher. In my book, one of the most beautiful Beatles tunes. Fun to do on guitar, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuphFPEqJqw&list=RDHuphFPEqJqw&start_radio=1
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Melanie Safka.

OK, girls and boys, more 60s-70s: This Astoria, NY native's first hit was inspired by the candles the audience lit while she played at Woodstock. Her biggest hit was banned by several radio stations because of perceived sexual innuendo. One of her compositions launched The New Seekers and was covered by Ray Charles and Nina Simone. It goes under two titles. Artist? The 3 songs? Answer: Melanie (Safka). "Lay Down (Candles In the Rain)" refers to her Woodstock experience. "Brand New Key" was banned from airplay by more than a few stations because of its racy lyrics. "What Have They Done to My Song, Ma?" and "Look What They've Done to My Song, Ma" can be used interchangeably - "well, if the people are buying tears, I'll be rich some day, Ma...". Sadly, she left us in 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ52lk9wjZI&list=RDIZ52lk9wjZI&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCTMTflcuug&list=RDRCTMTflc...
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"It Must Be Him" by Vikki Carr.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: This romantic 1967 pop/easy listening ballad was composed in French by Maurice Vidalin and Gilbert Becaud. It was first recorded by Becaud as "Seul Sur Son Etoile". Mack David added English lyrics and it became a worldwide smash hit when recorded by a Tex-Mex songbird born Florencia Bisenta de Casillas-Martinez Cardona. A woman waits anxiously by the telephone hoping her former lover will call. #3 U.S., #2 UK. It became her signature song. Featured on the 1987 "Moonstruck" soundtrack. Song? Artist's stage name? Answer: "It Must Be Him" by Vikki Carr. One of my father's favorites. It got quite a bit of play on the ol' Bogen hi-fi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-qgHOQ1ofg&list=RDJ-qgHOQ1ofg&start_radio=1
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