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"A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square".

OK, girls and boys, back to the 30s: It was 1939, right before the start of WWII. British composer Manning Sherwin and lyricist Eric Maschwitz were on holiday at Le Lavandou, a small French fishing village. Inspired by the title of a 1923 Michael Arlen short story, they penned a romantic ballad that has since become a classic. An intensely magical and deeply in-love evening in London's Mayfair district after enjoying dinner at The Ritz. The only sound they hear is that of a bird that usually lives in the countryside, certainly not in Central London. First performed by Judy Campbell in 1940 and, shortly thereafter, by Vera Lynn. Covered by, among many others, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Mel Tormé, Bobby Darin and Manhattan Transfer. Performed for the British audience by Petula Clark in 2005 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of WWII. Song? Answer: "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square". The title was admittedly "stolen" from ...
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"Early in the Morning" by Vanity Fare.

OK, girls and boys, more 60s TWO-hit wonders: Mike Leander and Eddie Saego co-wrote their British quintet's 1969 debut single. Emotional renewal, optimism and joy caused by the anticipation of a loved one returning home. Gypsy/hora chorus tempo with the clavioline emphasizing the Balkan-infused lead lines. #8 UK, #12 Billboard's Hot 100, Gold Disc. Covered by Sir Cliff Richard. Song? Band? For extra credit, name their other charting hit. Answer: "Early in the Morning" by Vanity Fare. Their other charting hit, "Hitchin' a Ride", surpassed their first one, peaking at #5 in 1970. I have such fond memories of that magical summer of '69. Between junior and senior years in high school, it never ceases to amaze me the amount of great songs that came out in such a short period of time! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hN9YRo7y1s&list=RD9hN9YRo7y1s&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v92_MSsgHEo&list=RDv92_MSsgHEo&start_...
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"Keep Your Hands to Yourself" by Georgia Satellites.

OK, boys and girls, more 80s 0ne-hit wonders: Lead guitarist and frontman Dan Baird was riding a city bus home from his surveying job in 1980 when a song "came to him". He is quoted as saying that "it basically wrote itself". A woman refuses to become more intimate with her boyfriend until he marries her. The Southern rock standard became a massive 1986 hit for his band, peaking at #2 on Billboard's Hot 100. Its popularity was propelled by a tongue-in-cheek MTV music video featuring a shotgun wedding. The band's cover of "Hippy Hippy Shake" received some airplay but never cracked the Top 40. Song? Band? Answer: "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" by Georgia Satellites. The good ol' days when MTV and VH1 actually played music videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WonOudGMSdc&list=RDWonOudGMSdc&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk7F2t1M1y0&list=RDRk7F2t1M1y0&start_radio=1
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"Time Passages" by Al Stewart.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: Glaswegian folkie Al Stewart co-wrote this 1978 yacht-rock classic with guitarist Peter White. Originally shunned by him, it became his highest-charting U.S. single at #7, as well as #1 on Easy Listening, surpassing his massive 1976 worldwide hit "Year of the Cat". Produced by Alan Parsons (where's Austin Powers when we need him?!). Memorable sax work by Phil Kenzie. It describes his planning a trip back home, along with his nostalgic recollections of the past. Song? Answer: "Time Passages" by Al Stewart. Fond memories of my surgical resident year at Bryn Mawr Hospital. We worked hard but, somehow, always managed to find a little time to enjoy the great music of the day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2g0hrrKLNw&list=RDQ2g0hrrKLNw&start_radio=1
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"Você Abusou".

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: Bahia natives Antônio Carlos & Jocáfi co-wrote and first performed this 1971 samba/bossa nova classic. Maria Creuza's 1972 version became a massive international hit. She later married Antônio Carlos. The title translates loosely into "you took advantage". A relationship dynamic in which one person took advantage of another's deep love. Very popular Spanish versions by Daniela Mercury, Celia Cruz and Willie Colón, among others. Michael Fugain's French rendition "Fais Comme l'Oiseau" received extensive international play. "Revived" by Sergio Mendes and Brasil '77 on their "Vintage '74" album. Song? For extra credit, name of the Spanish version? Answer: "Você Abusou". "Usted Abusó" in Spanish. It came out when I was in college; very popular in Puerto Rico. I swear those Brazilians make up guitar chords as they go but, doggone it, they make them sound...
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"Água de Beber".

OK, boys and girls, back to the 50s: It was 1959 and Brasilia, the new federal capital of Brazil, was being built in the Brazilian Highlands away from the overpopulated coast. Then President Juscelino Kubitschek invited composers Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes to spend some time in the building site and write an anthem to be performed at the new city's inauguration. One night, the two of them were walking and heard the sound of water. They asked the watchman where the sound was coming from. He replied, "Don't you know? This is where you have drinking water, buddy boy" (translated from Portuguese). That was their inspiration for a classic 1963 bossa nova/jazz standard first recorded by Jobim himself. Covered by, among many others, Astrud Gilberto, Frank Sinatra, Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66, Charlie Byrd and Ella Fitzgerald. Song? Answer: "Água de Beber". The watchman replied, "Você não sabe não? É aqui que tem água de beber, ...
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"Chega de Saudade".

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: This 1957 Brazilian composition is widely considered to be the first bossa nova. Originally recorded that same year by Elizeth Cardoso to a tepid reception. Guitarist extraordinaire João Gilberto's 1958 rendition was a massive international hit for him and singlehandedly created the genre. The title translates directly as "enough longing" but is best known in English as "No More Blues". Grammy Hall of Fame 2000. Song? For extra credit, name the two composers. Answer: "Chega de Saudade". Composed by Antônio Carlos "Tom" Jobim with lyrics by Vinícius de Moraes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0a0QuLEC8A&list=RDY0a0QuLEC8A&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jrIlzQa4FA&list=RD_jrIlzQa4FA&start_radio=1
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