Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: The late great Peter Yarrow wrote this classic 1969 folk anthem as an anti-war protest during the Vietnam Era. It offers comfort, solace and protection to a child inspired by the author's fears of his own brother being drafted to serve during those turbulent times. Grammy-nominated, #21 Billboard Hot 100. It was the last single that Peter, Paul and Mary recorded together as a group. Covered by Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge in 1970. Song? Answer: "Day is Done" by Peter, Paul and Mary. It saddens me to think that, at 88, Noel Paul Stookey is the only surviving member of that seminal folk trio. We had the privilege of seeing them twice - both memorable concerts. Mary Travers left us in 2009 and Peter Yarrow in 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Z2imE-8mk&list=RDu9Z2imE-8mk&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVSbeGATDnw&list=RDHVSbeGATDnw&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: This lively 1973 pop-rock tune, composed and recorded by an Irish singer/songwriter, started out as a piano warm-up exercise. He was looking for a faster tempo, as all of his previous hits had been ballads. Even though many thought it was about a misbehaving pet canine, according to the author it deals with an overzealous and persistent romantic partner that does not respect his personal boundaries. #1 UK and Ireland, Top 10 U.S. and Canada, Certified Gold and received the Ivor Novello Award in 1973. It inspired a massive 1975 disco hit for KC and The Sunshine Band. Memorable electric piano lines by Laurie Holloway. Song? Artist? Answer: "Get Down" by Gilbert O'Sullivan. I must admit, I was one of the many that were confused with "you're a bad dog, baby" - must be an Irish thing! It inspired KC and The Sunshine Band's "Get Down Tonight". Such fond memories of my freshman year of med school in Ph...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: When this Irish singer/songwriter first came to London with hardly any money to his name, he was welcomed by and allowed to stay at his producer-manager Gordon Mills and his wife, model Jo Waring's home. On many occasions he would babysit their three-year-old daughter and she would call him "Uncle Ray". She was the inspiration for this sweet and innocent 1972 tribute folk ballad as an affectionate "thank you" for her parents' friendship and support. The singer does the whistling at the beginning of the song, the father plays the harmonica and the girl's giggles are heard at the end. Topped the charts in the UK and Canada, peaking at #2 on Billboard's Hot 100. It was the artist's last charting hit. Artist? Song? Answer: "Clair" by Gilbert O'Sullivan. Born Raymond Edward O'Sullivan, he is now 79 and lives in the Isle of Jersey on the English Channel. "Uncle Ray" comes from ...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 50s: In this 1958 doo-wop/rock classic, parents nag a teenage boy to do household chores, threaten punishments if he doesn't and he responds with a dismissive refrain. Written by Leiber and Stoller, it was recorded by an L.A.-based R&B vocal group with a memorable tenor sax solo by King Curtis. #1 R&B for 7 weeks, #1 Billboard Hot 100, inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. They were the first vocal group inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Hilariously sung by Arnold Schwarzenegger while taking a shower in "Twins" (1988). Group? Song? Answer: "Yakety Yak" by The Coasters. It inspired Boots Randolph's "Yakety Sax" and Chet Atkins' "Yakety Axe". Leon Hughes, the last of the original Coasters, left us in 2003 at age 92. For me, it is impossible to think about "Yakety Yak" without thinking about The Governator. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRA3majpFXI...

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: The only charting solo hit for this Detroit native came in 1979 with a soft country-rock ballad which he comopsed and performed. A comforting tune offering unconditional support and reminding someone that feeling lonely (hint, hint!) is a normal, shared experience. The song was heavily influenced by Roy Orbison's 1960 "Only the Lonely" (hint, hint!). It peaked at #7 on Billboard's Hot 100 and topped the Adult Contemporary charts for 5 weeks. Jackson Browne, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Don Felder and Phil Everly added background vocals. A major figure of the 70s Southern California country-rock sound, he co-wrote many of The Eagles', Linda Ronstadt's, James Taylor's and Bonnie Raitt's greatest hits. He dated Linda Ronstadt for a while in the 70s. Covered by the late great Raul Malo from The Mavericks in 2006. Artist? Song? Answer: "You're Only Lonely" by J.D. Souther. He was asked by th...