Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, girls and boys, back to the 80s: This 80'/'81 release was THE FIRST rap-influenced single to top both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts. It was also the first rap video on young MTV (when they actually played music videos!). Rap songs until then used pre-existing music that artists would rap over - this was the first number in the genre with its own original music. First rap song ever by a female performer. Song? Artist? Answer: "Rapture" by Blondie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHCdS7O248g

OK, girls and boys, more pop tunes inspired by the classics: Tenor saxophonist and bandleader Freddy Martin's biggest hit was this 1941 adaptation of the first movement of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23 which topped the charts. First recorded instrumentally, lyrics were soon added and it was re-recorded with Clyde Roger on vocals. Answer: "Tonight We Love". How can you go wrong with ol' Pyotr Ilyich?! A big item in my "bucket list" was to go to St. Petersburg in Russia to visit The Hermitage Museum, The Winter Palace as well as Tchaikovsky's and Dostoevsky's graves. Unfortunately, at this point, travel to Russia by U.S. citizens is not recommended and I don't expect that to change anytime soon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhZvbC8j4EM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcZp_pcRLkQ

OK, boys and girls, a little more 60s romance: A sentimental account of a fugacious love affair, this '65 Johnny Mercer/Heinz Meier collaboration was first recorded by Wayne Newton (where's Cousin Eddie?!), peaking at #78. The best-loved version came in '66 by Frank Sinatra - it topped the Easy Listening charts and peaked at #25 Pop. It became one of his most popular concert tunes and is featured in numerous soundtracks. Answer: "The Summer Wind". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziD6mLpAZG8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DopzOCeKJc

OK, girls and boys, more 80s one-hit wonders: Ron Miller and Ken Hirsch wrote this poignant pop ballad in '76 from the male perspective. Miller then rewrote it for a female Motown singer who released it in '77, peaking at #97. It was re-released in '82 with an expanded spoken bridge reaching #3 in the US and topping the charts in the UK. #75 on VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders. A woman is at a point in her life where she wishes she would have taken the time to lead a "normal" life instead of the life of excitement and luxury she chose. Throughout the song the singer is "talking" to an old school friend. It is rumored that it is about and "from the eyes of" actress Natalie Wood. Singer? Song? Answer: "I've Never Been To Me" by Charlene. No idea what made me think of that song this morning - I haven't heard it in eons. Big-a** 80s hair! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txGhgfo6Iew

OK, girls and boys, more aughts one-hit-wonders: The frontman for this Chicago-based band met a nationally-ranked Columbia U. student/athlete while visiting NYC in 2002, introduced by a mutual friend. At that time she was involved with someone else so they never dated. She inspired him to write a somber emo acoustic classic. Long-distance relationships, love, longing and reassurance that everything would be well once she finished her studies and he'd become an accomplished musician. It topped the Billboard Hot 100, went Platinum in '07 and received two Grammy nominations. The muse accompanied the singer/songwriter to the 2008 Grammy ceremony. Song? Band? Singer/songwriter? For extra credit, muse? Answer: "Hey There. Delilah" by Plain White T's. Tom Higgenson. Delilah DiCrescenzo. The first time I heard this tune was years ago played by Alex Trevino, an incredibly talented local lefty singer/bassist/guitarist. Blew me away! https://www.youtube.com/w...

OK, girls and boys more Big-O: Inspired by a small sleepy town in southeastern Louisiana, Roy Orbison and Joe Melson penned this sublime romantic ballad which Orbison recorded in '61 but was not released until '63, when it became an international hit. With "Mean Woman Blues" as its B-Side, it peaked at #29 U.S. and #3 UK. Featured on the "American Made" movie soundtrack. Superbly performed on the Cinemax special "A Black & White Night Live" shortly before his untimely death in '88. Linda Ronstadt's ethereal '77 cover quickly became her signature tune. Certified Platinum and twice Grammy-nominated, it features The Eagles' Don Henley on backup vocals. #3 Billboard, #2 Country, #3 Easy Listening. Song? Answer: "Blue Bayou". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kri4VH_Mdd4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGB9cvWdn04 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp9G0zkorio

OK, girls and boys, a little more 50s doo-wop comin' your way: A young man pondering over his love for a girl is the theme for this Anderson/Weeks 1958 doo-wop classic. It was the breakout hit for a Bronx-based vocal quartet on Laurie Records (B-side "Teen Angel") peaking at #22 on Billboard's Hot 100. Memorable signature bass part by Carlo Mastrangelo. It helped the lead singer become a teen idol. Featured on "The Sopranos" pilot episode. Very respectable version by Nicolas Cage (and Jim Carrey) on "Peggy Sue Got Married". A staple on Sha Na Na's repertoire. The lead singer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in '89 but, unfortunately, the group has yet to be enshrined (don't get me started!). Song? Group? Answer: "I Wonder Why" by Dion and The Belmonts". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAPEfdjvTqE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvb505WqWFI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isvK4PzeA4c

OK, boys and girls, more 70s: Born Harry Webb in British India, this singer first joined the Dick Teague Skiffle Group in '57 only to leave a year later to form Harry Webb and The Drifters, an ensemble which evolved into The Shadows, his long-time backup band. His biggest worldwide hit came in '79 with an Alan Tarney pop composition that topped the charts in the UK, peaked at #7 in the U.S. and sold over 5 million copies. This coincided with his being named Member of the Most Excellent (Bill and Ted?!) Order of The British Empire (OBE). He was knighted in '95. He and Elvis (!) are THE ONLY two acts to make the UK singles charts in SIX consecutive decades (how about Slim Whitman?!)! Artist? Biggest hit? Answer: "We Don't Talk Anymore" by Sir Cliff Richard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzjX18psf9A

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: The working title for this '66 Holland/Dozier/Holland R&B classic was "Pay Back". It became The Supremes' 8th #1 hit. Dozier came up with the signature "stuttering" guitar line played by The Funk Brothers' Robert White after listening to the Morse code-like radio signal before news flashes. Also known for Diana Ross' poignant spoken line after the 2nd bridge. Vanilla Fudge's '67-'68 6:45 min. cover was recorded in one take (!), became their 1st single and peaked at #6. The ONLY song ever to be in the Top 40 by 4 different artists (Rod Stewart and Kim Wilde). Grammy Hall-of-Famer and #339 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Answer: "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by The Supremes. Love the way Diana delivers "there ain't nothing I can do about it"! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9MwPMHEjNM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3ChToIvLRM https://www.youtube.com...

OK, girls and boys, a little more 70s romance: This Canton, OH native became the vocalist for Steve Miller's first band, The Marksmen, in '59. He rejoined the Steve Miller Band in the late 60s on their 1st 2 albums. His smash hit album (#2 U.S.) came in '76, accompanied by session musicians later to become Toto. A beautiful love ballad from the album was covered by Frankie Valli and by Rita Coolidge (Cert. Gold #1 Cashbox). Artist? Album? Song? Answer: "We're All Alone" by Boz Scaggs from "Silk Degrees". Between the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack and "Silk Degrees", great musical memories from my surgical residency year at Bryn Mawr Hosp. in Bryn Mawr, PA (1977-78). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjLSJWhGmmA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv3IyfMvZIc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om1ZAf2mfxw

OK, girls and boys, more traditional folk: This angelically-harmonized folk ballad was featured in Simon and Garfunkel's '64 debut album "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.". Based upon "The Bonnie Lass o'Fyvie", an old Scottish folk song from the 1600s. A captain of the Irish dragoons falls in love with a beautiful Scottish girl who does not return his affection. Narrated in third person by one of his soldiers. The title "evolved" into "Fennario" over the years and was adapted to the War of 1812 and the American Civil War. Dylan recorded it for his first album in '62 and Joan Baez performed it in '63 as "Fennario". Sung also by The Chad Mitchell Trio, The Journeymen and The Grateful Dead. Answer: "Peggy-O" by Simon and Garfunkel. The "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M." album was a initially commercial failure. As a folk purist, it remains by far my favorite Simon and Garfunkel album. Incomparable harmonies, ...

OK, boys and girls, more 60s car songs (vrooom!!!): This '63 street drag racing tale was Brian Wilson's first collaboration with DJ and lyricist Roger Christian. An ode to a souped-up 1932 Ford Model B. Released as the flip-side to "Surfer Girl", it was The Beach Boys' first charting B-side at #15 and the title track of their 4th studio album. It remains Brian Wilson's favorite Beach Boys car song. This was Brian's first effort as a producer and 15-year-old David Marks' last recording as the group's rhythm guitarist. With Hal Blaine on drums instead of Dennis, it also marks the group's first use of studio musicians. Answer: "Little Deuce Coupe" by The Beach Boys. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwgGuadsqyo

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: Leon Rene penned this romantic ballad in the 40s, first recorded in '46 as a pop tune. The Mills Brothers' 1948 version was the first one to chart (#17). Harlem doo-wop quintet Earl "Speedo" Carroll and The Cadillacs recorded it in '54 and released it in '57, two years after "Speedoo", their best-selling hit. It became a doo-wop classic with lead singer Carroll effortlessly slipping in and out of falsetto. A man is in love with a woman but he's not sure if she feels the same way about him. On the record Esther Navarro, the group's manager, was given writer's credits even though the song was written exclusively by Rene. Over 30 versions have since been recorded , making it one of the most-recorded doo-wop tunes. Kenny Vance and the Planotones released a very respectable version. The Manhattan Transfer's '75 recording is one for the ages. Billy Joel "samples" it at the end o...

OK, boys and girls, more 70s one-hit wonders: These two L.A.-based folk singers relocated to Kansas City and became the house act at the Vanguard Coffee Shop. One night in '71 between sets in their dressing room, bored and more stoned than usual, within one hour they penned this Country-Rock classic which became their only hit. #10 Billboard, #8 Cash Box. At one point they became the opening act for Melanie. Quoting one of the co-authors, "I considered marijuana a sort of a sacrament. It's a song about excess. Too much of anything will probably kill you". The FCC issued a warning to radio stations regarding playing songs about "the benefits or dangers of drug abuse". Some stations stopped playing it whereas others played it even more often in protest. Part of the "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and "St. Vincent" movie soundtracks. Folk singers Gail Farrell and Dick Dale (from Algona, Iowa - the singer, not the guitarist) sang ...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: Karen Carpenter phoned this electric guitar phenom shortly after her brother Richard and John Bettis had written "Goodbye To Love" in '72 and asked him to add fuzz guitar solos in the middle and end of the song. It thus became the first "power ballad" of the 70s peaking at #7 and defining the genre. They received hate mail for "selling out" to hard-rock and many adult contemporary radio stations refused to play it. He left us in 2010 at the age of 60. Answer: Tony Peluso (1950-2010). I saw The Carpenters in '73 at the Academy of Music in Philly - one of my favorite concerts ever! Tony Peluso blew me away AND, in the middle of the concert, somebody "streaked" across the stage! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59FiQDhmZps

OK, girls and boys, back to the 40s: This 1949 instrumental bluegrass classic was written by Earl Scruggs and first recorded by Flatt and Scruggs. Considered to be one of the most challenging 5-string banjo pieces. Used during the "Bonnie and Clyde" chase scenes in '67. Peaked at #55 Pop and at #58 Country. Scruggs' re-recording in 2001 with Steve Martin on 2nd banjo won him a Grammy the following year. It is on the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry. Answer: "Foggy Mountain Breakdown". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_Y3mnj-8lA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrlqQ1_vZVE

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: Twenty-one year-old Joni Mitchell was on an airplane reading a 1959 Saul Bellow novel when she looked out the window and saw a beautiful cloud (hint, hint!) formation. Her life was in turmoil - a young single mother, she had just placed her child in foster care. The clouds, concerns about her daughter and the Bellow novel inspired her to write this timeless folk/pop classic. She recorded and released it in '66 but it failed to chart. Judy Collins then recorded it with memorable harpsichord accompaniment in '67 taking it to #8 Pop and #3 Easy Listening in '68. It won the Grammy for Best Folk Performance in '69 and is listed as #170 in Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Songs. Has been covered over 1,500 times. Song? Answer: "Both Sides Now". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbn6a0AFfnM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L1UngfqojI

OK, boys and girls, with graduation season around the corner, time to don your caps and gowns: The title of this British romantic composer's 1901 march comes from Act III, Scene III of Shakespeare's "Othello". It was dedicated to his friend Alfred E. Rodewald and the members of the Liverpool Orchestral Society. The Trio section, "Land of Hope and Glory" debuted in the U.S. as the processional at Yale's 1905 commencement when the composer was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Music. It has since become a standard in U.S. high-school and university graduations. Work? Composer? Answer: "Pomp and Circumstance Military March No. 1 in D" by Sir Edward Elgar. For as long as I live I will never forget my graduation from Jefferson Medical College in Philly (1977). Sitting next to my dear friend Dr. Frank DeLone (on his birthday!) we couldn't believe we were finally becoming Doctors. In Puerto Rico, the "Triumphal March" from Verdi's ...

OK, girls and boys, more 60s folk: This 1960 Will Holt folk classic was inspired by Brazilian composer Jose Carlos Burle's 1937 samba-setanejo "Meu limao, meo limoeiro". "Meu limao" was popularized in Brazil by Wilson Simonal. Covered by Peter, Paul & Mary, The Kingston Trio, The Seekers and Trini Lopez, among many others. Answer: "Lemon Tree". It compares love to a lemon tree. Not too bad, considering that Gordon Lightfoot has compared girls to rainbow trouts and knotty pines! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLhYghzNfII https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek2NucwOOvs

OK, girls and boys, more 60s folk: (You remember what Martin Mull said about the "folk music scare of the 60s"--"that s*** almost caught on! ...") This '61 Hedy West composition is also known as "Railroader's Lament". Inspired by "Reuben's Train", an old Southern fiddle tune. Bobby Bare, Curly Williams and John Phillips have also received writing credits in subsequent versions. "The simple repetitive lyrics offer a lament by a traveler who is far from home, out of money and too ashamed to return." First recorded by the Journeymen in '61. Other versions include a live rendition by The Kingston Trio and a studio cut on Peter, Paul & Mary's 1st album, both in '62. A re-written version by Bobby Bare made the Country charts in '63. Also covered by Sonny & Cher, The Seekers, Roseanne Cash and Peter & Gordon. Answer: "500 Miles". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cgQJzJsM5U https://www.youtub...

OK, girls and boys, a little more 90s romance (you know me, I'm a romantic guy!): Singer/songwriter, arranger, pianist and conductor Randy Newman penned this beautiful romantic ballad for Bonnie Raitt. He describes it as "atypical for me" as he usually does not write love songs. He recorded the original version but, with all due respect, he should stick to songwriting. Raitt's version did not chart. By far the most popular version belongs to a Canadian chanteuse who took it to #12 in the Canadian charts in 1999. Part of the "Dawson Creek" and "How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days" soundtracks. Memorable cover versions by Edwina Hayes, Josh Groban, Neil Diamond, Diana Krall/Bryan Adams and Judy Collins/Jackson Browne. Song? Canadian chanteuse? Answer: "Feels Like Home (To Me)" by Chantal Kreviazuk. One of those few songs that I fell in love with the first time I heard it (in the operating room!). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-oux...

OK, boys and girls, a little 60s romance: German orchestra leader, poly-instrumentalist, producer, arranger and composer Bert Kaempfert first recorded this collaboration with Milt Gabler as an instrumental track with his orchestra. A delightful romantic pop ballad. The late great Nat "King" Cole recorded it in '64 as part of his album by the same name, his last recording before succumbing to lung cancer in '65. Memorable trumpet solo by jazzman Bobby Bryant. Cole was able to overdub it in French, Spanish, Italian, German and Japanese before his death. #17 Adult Contemporary. Gabler's nephew Billy Crystal inducted him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in'93. Played during the opening titles in Lindsay Lohan's '98 "The Parent Trap". By far one of my favorite versions features gifted vocalist Sarah Falcon backed by The Remains, a delightful group from Iowa City featuring my dear friend and colleague Dr. Harry Hoffman on guitar. Song?...

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders (pick up a box of Kleenex while you're at it!): In 1961, while at a brothel (!) in Tangiers, Belgian singer/songwriter Jacques Brel penned "Le Moribond", a poignant tune about a man about to die. Poet Rod McKuen re-wrote the lyrics in '63 and The Kingston Trio first recorded the English version. A dying man saying his last words and bidding farewell with his loved ones, with whom he shared his life. He comes to terms with this life's actions and dies peacefully. A Canadian singer/songwriter further adapted the lyrics in '74 and dedicated it to a close friend who had just succumbed to leukemia. His version went to #1 in 12 countries. Billboard's #2 Song of 1974. Juno Award for Single of the Year. Song? Singer/Songwriter? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tPcc1ftj8E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohOPRkllcmw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLfRtK0oxYE

OK, boys and girls, more 90s one-hit wonders: British singer/songwriter Richard Ashcroft penned this alt-indie pop/rock anthem based upon and sampling a version of The Rolling Stones' "The Last Time" by The Andrew Oldham Orchestra. "The beautiful and tragic moments in life". It became the signature song for Ashcroft's group receiving extensive radio and video play. Embroiled in bitter legal controversy regarding copyrights however, in 2019, Jagger and Richards ceded rights to Ashcroft in exchange for being added to the songwriter credits. #2 UK, #12 Billboard. Included in Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It was one of the biggest songs of the 90s and defined the Britpop genre. Song? Group? Answer: "Bitter Sweet Symphony" by The Verve. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lyu1KKwC74 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YrllfAMwHI

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: Horace Ott penned the chorus and the melody for this 1964 blues/pop classic after a brief breakup with his then girlfriend, later to be his wife. His writing partners Bennie Benjamin and Sol Marcus collaborated with him on the verses. They "gave" the song to a North Carolina-born singer/songwriter, pianist and Civil Rights activist known as "The High Priestess of Soul", becoming her defining anthem. The Animals' (the REAL bad boys of British rock!) '64-'65 version was their first transatlantic hit. Elvis Costello's '86 rendition was well-received in the UK. Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stevens) included an introverted performance in his 2006 "An Other Cup" album. Song? Singer? Answer: "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" by Nina Simone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ckv6-yhnIY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMDrTMnm1IE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE1axH-PocI https://www.youtube.c...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50's: Fred Parris was on guard duty while serving in the Army when a beautiful woman passed by, inspiring him to pen this classic doo-wop ballad. One of the first two songs to actually include "doo-wop" in their chorus, defining the genre. Recorded in the basement of St. Bernadette's Church in New Haven, CT by Parris' quintet (1956). Only four out of the five singers appear in the recording and the "video". #90 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Featured in the "The Buddy Holly Story" and "The Irishman" soundtracks. Ten million copies were sold in '87-'88 after appearing on "Dirty Dancing". One of only three songs to have charted 3 separate times in the Hot 100. Song? Quintet? For extra credit, name the other song to first include "doo-wop" in its chorus. For extra EXTRA credit, name the other two songs that charted 3 separate times. Answer: ...

OK, boys and girls, a little more 50s romance: Sung partially in Italian, Dean Martin recorded this timeless Lombardo/DiMinno romantic ballad in '57, re-recording it in '61 for his album "Dino: Italian Love Songs". First released by Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians. Featured in a 2000 film by the same name. #4 Billboard. One of Dino's four singles to make the Top 5 during his career. Song? For extra credit name his other three Top 5 hits. Answer: "Return To Me (Ritorna-Me). I grew up listening to the Spanish version "Regresa A Mi". Other three Top 5s: "Memories Are Made Of This", "Everybody Loves Somebody" and "That's Amore". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpBjgQlT_jA

OK, girls and boys, more Big-O: Roy Orbison co-wrote this timeless romantic Country classic with Chris Price. His 1980 collaboration with Emmylou Harris, arguably the foremost female harmony singer of our time, won them the 1981 Grammy for Best Country Performance by Duo or Group. Featured on the "Roadie" movie soundtrack starring Meat Loaf. Answer: "That Lovin' You Feelin' Again" by Roy Orbison and Emmylou Harris. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF4neEMWMWk

OK, girls and boys, back to the 2010s (see, the ol' guy can keep up!): It was the early 2010s and dance music was having a resurgence, transitioning from underground clubs to the mainstream thanks to the likes of Britney Spears, Rihanna, Usher, Ne-Yo... A Paris-born DJ/producer was already up-and-coming in the genre. In 2011 he was approached by an Australian singer/songwriter with the demo of a song she had penned specifically for Alicia Keys to record. Keys rejected the tune and so did Mary J. Blige and Katy Perry. Up until then she had been content writing material for other artists. Her biggest claim to fame so far was having her tune "Breathe Me" be the soundtrack for the last scene of the TV series "Six Feet Under". The DJ/producer decided to use the demo as the original vocal track on the single. Powered by her massive pipes, her motivational message and the heart-thumping electronic dance track, it became by far their biggest hit propelling danc...

OK, girls and boys, more 50s one-hit wonders: The members of this suburban Cleveland, OH pop trio were still in high-school when they started singing together. They were all 19 in '58 when they recorded their only hit. The A-side was "Come On Joey, Dance With Me" but it was the B-side that caught the attention of DJs. A Strouse/Tobias composition, a girl falls in love with an older guy. #7 Billboard, #11 R&B, #5 UK. Group? B-side? Answer: "Born Too Late" by The Poni-Tails. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3mfPDSbl-4