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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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"Sam Stone" by John Prine.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: This Maywood, IL-born singer/songwriter/guitarist worked as a postman for 5 years before joining the Army. He was "discovered" by Roger Ebert and Kris Kristofferson while playing folk clubs in Chicago. A 1971 song about a drug-addicted Vietnam Vet with a Purple Heart succumbing to an overdose was a biting reminder of the heroin addiction problem among Vietnam Vets. Artist? Song? Answer: "Sam Stone" by John Prine. "There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes...". Sad but masterful song. We had the privilege of seeing him twice on stage - two of the best concerts ever. His appearances on "Austin City Limits" are legendary. Very dexterous fingerstyle picker! He survived two cancers only to die from COVID-19 in 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLVWEYUqGew&list=RDOLVWEYUqGew&start_radio=1
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"I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: This 1978 Perren/Fekaris disco anthem is a classic example of diatonic circle chord progression, "traveling" counterclockwise from Am to Fmaj7. Discovering inner strength and empowerment after a bad breakup. As opposed to most disco hits, it was recorded without background vocals and with minimal electronic engineering. First and ONLY song to win the Grammy for Best Disco Recording ('79-'80). RIAA Certified Double-Platinum, spent 3 weeks at #1, named "the greatest dance song of all time" by VH1 and is ranked #492 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Artist? Song? Answer: "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor. Only one Grammy for Best Disco Recording was ever awarded - dang! Polyester lives on!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dYWe1c3OyU&list=RD6dYWe1c3OyU&start_radio=1
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"Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" by The Beatles.

OK, boys and girls, more Mop-Tops: This 1965 Lennon composition featured on "Rubber Soul" is the first example of a rock band incorporating a sitar, played by Harrison. Lennon sings lead vocals and it is one of the very few Beatles songs written in triple meter. Inspired by either journalist Maureen Cleave or by Sonny Drake, wife of The Beatles' photographer - we'll never know... Other than for Shawn Colvin's "Sunny Came Home", arguably the most famous song about arson. Song? Answer: "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" by The Beatles. "Rubber Soul" has always been my favorite Beatles album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_V6y1ZCg_8&list=RDY_V6y1ZCg_8&start_radio=1
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"Rhinestone Cowboy" by Glen Campbell.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: Brooklynite Larry Weiss penned this crossover classic in 1974 inspired by his childhood hero, Hopalong Cassidy. About a veteran performer who has more than paid his dues but is still surviving. When Glen Campbell heard it he deemed it to be quasi-biographic and immediately recorded it. It topped Billboard's Hot 100, Hot Country and Hot Adult Contemporary charts in '75 - a feat not accomplished since '61. Inspired a (bad!) Sylvester Stallone/Dolly Parton movie in '84. Song? Answer: "Rhinestone Cowboy". Sometimes we forget what an INCREDIBLE guitarist Glen Campbell was! He left us in 2017 at the age of 81. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3nd2TxMKIY&list=RDF3nd2TxMKIY&start_radio=1
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