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"People" by Barbra Streisand.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: Jules Styne and Bob Merrill penned this "special love song" in 30 minutes in 1962 for the stage version of "Funny Girl"('64) starring Barbra Streisand (like buttah, I'm getting a little verklempt, talk amongst yourselves...). It almost didn't make the script until Streisand finally belted it out on stage and the rest, as they say, is Broadway history. It became her signature song and her 1st Top 40 hit, peaking at #5. Styne and Merrill were Tony-nominated for it. Streisand shared the '68 Best Actress Oscar with Katharine Hepburn ("The Lion In Winter") for her role in the film version. Covered by Dionne, Aretha, Ella and Perry, among many others. The Supremes' version featured Florence on lead vocals - one of their very few recordings to do so. Song? Answer: "People" by Barbra Streisand. Dang, can she sing, dahlin'! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPlQ6EtArSc&list=RDfPlQ6EtArSc...
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"Be Bop A Lula" by Gene Vincent.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: This young sailor met Don Graves while they were both patients at a Naval Hospital in 1954. He wrote the melody and Don the lyrics inspired by the newspaper comic Little Lulu. The sailor's eventual manager, Bill "Sheriff Tex" Davis, bought out Graves' songwriting credits for $25 (!). He recorded this rockabilly classic in '56 with his group the Blue Caps, named after Ike's golf headwear. It peaked at #7 Pop, #8 R&B and #5 C&W. Covered by Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beatles and The Everly Brothers (#74 in '60). #102 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. THE first record Paul McCartney ever bought AND THE first song he ever heard John Lennon sing. Song? Artist? "Be Bop A Lula" by Gene Vincent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWFlLYZm0tA&list=RDZWFlLYZm0tA&start_radio=1
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"When We Was Fab" by George Harrison.

OK, boys and girls, more Mop Tops: This George Harrison/Jeff Lynne composition speaks of the days of Beatlemania. This was George's 18th solo single. #23 U.S. and #25 U.K. in 1987. The single's cover art contains Klaus Voormann's 1966 line drawing of George from "Revolver", as well as an "updated" version. He wore his original Sgt. Pepper uniform for the video 20 years later - admittedly "a little tight around the middle"! Song? Answer: "When We Was Fab" by George Harrison. I still miss George. He wes FAB, indeed! He singlehandedly taught my generation how to play the rock guitar! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVu6nPTVbBQ&list=RDAVu6nPTVbBQ&start_radio=1
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"In Dreams" by Roy Orbison.

OK, girls and boys, more "Big O": This 1963 "operatic ballad of lost love" came to Roy Orbison upon awakening one morning and he penned it in 20 minutes. It peaked at #7 in the U.S. and stayed in the UK charts for 5 months while he toured with The Beatles. Ringo was quoted as saying: "Roy Orbison was the only act that The Beatles didn't want to follow." In 2:48 min. he goes through 7 distinct "movements", each with unique melodies and chord progressions, utilizing 2 out of his 4-octave range! #312 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Figures prominently during the climax of David Lynch's 1987 "Blue Velvet". Song? Answer: "In Dreams" by Roy Orbison. His voice and songwriting never cease to amaze me. Years ago we saw his exhibit at the Grammy Museum in L.A. - fabulous! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSeIh9rmEUs&list=RDmSeIh9rmEUs&start_radio=1
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"Party Doll" by Buddy Knox.

OK, girls and boys, more 50s one-hit wonders: This Happy, Texas native (pop. 690) co-wrote his only hit in 1948 with Jimmy Bowden when he was only 15. A rockabilly classic, it topped the charts in '57 and has sold over 10 million copies since then. Backed by The Rhythm Orchids, he became the first Texas rockabilly artist to earn a Gold Record. THE first artist of the Rock & Roll Era to write and record his own #1 hit. Considered a pioneer of what evolved into the Tex-Mex sound. Steve Lawrence's cover peaked at #5. Part of the "American Graffiti" soundtrack ('73). Artist? Song? Answer: "Party Doll" by Buddy Knox. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL7MJ-a2Kx4&list=RDNL7MJ-a2Kx4&start_radio=1
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"Play With Fire" by The Rolling Stones.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This 1965 "Nanker Phelge" composition was released as the B-side to "The Last Time". It is about Jagger's relationship with a high-society girl. Peaked at #96 in the U.S. Only Jagger and Richards appear - the other blokes were asleep after a long recording session. Phil Spector himself plays the bass line on a tuned-down electric guitar. A studio janitor (!) sings the back-up vocals. Song! Answer: "Play With Fire" by The Rolling Stones. As you might recall, Nanker Phelge was the pseudonym used when all the Stones, not just Jagger and Richards, composed the song. Wonder why Brian, Charlie and Bill were asleep... hmm?! Still one of my favorite Stones tunes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xBGSlnTino&list=RD0xBGSlnTino&start_radio=1
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"Macarena" by Los Del Rio.

OK, girls and boys, more 90s one-hit wonders: This Spanish dance tune from the mid-90's was ranked by VH1 in 2002 as "The Greatest One-Hit Wonder of All Time". Also, best-selling debut single ever in the U.S. and 2nd longest-running #1 single. Song? Group? Answer: "Macarena" by Los Del Rio. I KNOW you're doing it right now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwWRjvwlLKg&list=RDgwWRjvwlLKg&start_radio=1
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