Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: The late great Stephen Sondheim penned this nostalgic ballad for the second act of his 1973 "A Little Night Music". The hit musical was inspired by the 1955 Ingmar Bergman film "Smiles of a Summer Night". He wrote it specifically for Glynis Johns, who played Desirée Armfeldt in the original Broadway production. It reflects upon missed opportunities, disappointments and life's ironies. The title comes from a theatrical metaphor for when something goes wrong on the stage. Sinatra's 1973 recording made it Sondheim's most popular composition. Judy Collins' 1975 rendition became a mainstream hit, winning the Grammy for Song of the Year. Major hit for Barbra Streisand in 1985. Ballad? Answer: "Send in the Clowns". In live theater or the circus, if a performance falls apart, the directors or ringmasters send in clowns to distract the audience and cover up the disaster. Metaphorically, however, asking...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 30s: "America's semi-official music for mourning" was composed by this West Chester, PA native in 1936. It is an orchestral string arrangement of the 2nd movement of his String Quartet, Op. 11 and represents the composer's best-known work. A graduate of The Curtis Institute of Music in Philly, he is recognized as one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century. The piece has earned a permanent place in today's orchestral concert repertoire. In 1936, the U.S. was still hurting from The Great Depression and Europe was headed for war, which partially explains it being "full of pathos and cathartic passion" and the fact that it "rarely leaves a dry eye". First played and recorded in 1938 by The NBC Symphony Orcestra under the baton of Maestro Arturo Toscanini. It is one of the very few American compositions played in the USSR during the Cold War. Billy Joel is quoted as saying that this piece made hi...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This South African folk-rock quintet (hint, hint!) formed in 1964 and was the country's first group to sport "long hair". Their only U.S. charting hit was a 1968 David Marks (not to be confused with the original Beach Boys' rhythm guitarist) composition which peaked at #18 Billboard Hot 100, #3 Adult Contemporary and #10 Cash Box. "Officially" it is about a miner who leaves his foreman to strike out on his own and live life on his own terms. The popular belief, however, is that it was written in protest of B.J. (John) Vorster, South African Prime Minister at the height of the apartheid regime. We'll never know. Covered by Trini Lopez that same year. The band was alluded to in "This is Spinal Tap". Group? Only U.S. hit? Answer: "Master Jack" by Four Jacks and a Jill. I had not heard that song in decades until a few days ago when we were driving back from Des Moines and they played it on t...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: Of The Beatles and The Byrds, which band had more cover songs on their first 5 albums (I'm counting the UK releases for the Beatles)? Answer: (Trick question - sorry, couldn't help myself!) It's a tie - 20 each.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 80s: This neo-rockabilly trio was formed in 1979 by Massapequa, NY childhood friends. They blended their love for punk and rockabilly into a unique image and sound, completely different from the mainstream music of the day. Their second biggest hit came in 1981 with an exhortation to go out and have an exciting, high-energy time with dancing, drinking and enjoying live music. #10 U.S. and UK. It was written by their singer/songwriter and guitarist. According to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it is "one of the songs that shaped rock and roll". Their unique sound evokes that of Memphis' Sun Records. Just a few days ago, they played it on Jimmy Fallon (not my favorite) in their first late-night appearance in 35 years. Trio? Song? For extra credit, name their biggest charting hit. Answer: "Rock This Town" by Stray Cats. Biggest charting hit: "Stray Cat Strut" #3 1983. One of those groups that I loved the first...

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 ...