Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: Patsy Cline just happened to be in the studio hallway when she overheard an argument between composer Harlan Howard and another artist about recording a tune that Howard wad just co-written with Hank Cochran. She approached Howard and they agreed that she would record it instead. A 1961 torch song that has become a Country music standard. According to Howard, "we knew we had magic in the can when, on the fourth take, every grown man in that studio was bawling like a baby and the producer said `That's the one' ". Elvis' backup group The Jordanaires laid down the background vocal track. One of Cline's greatest hits, it topped the Country charts and crossed over to #12 Pop. #238 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Unfortunately, Patsy had just been involved in a serious car accident, spending two months in the hospital and was unable to tour to promote the song. Sissy Spacek sang it herself on the 1...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 50s: Credited to Charles Hardin and Norman Petty, this early rock classic was recorded by Buddy Holly and The Crickets in New Mexico in '57 during the same session as "Everyday". Jerry Allison kept the Bo Diddley "hambone" beat on a cardboard box instead of his drum kit. This was THE last song Holly ever performed live before his fatal plane crash in '59. Although it never charted, it is #107 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The Rolling Stones' '64 version was their 1st US single (#48) and their 1st Top 5 hit in the UK (#3). A staple of their early concerts, they revived it as the opening number for their Voodoo Lounge Tour. Song? Answer: "Not Fade Away" by Buddy Holly. Love Brian Jones' harmonica! I'll never forget the Voodoo Lounge concert in Ames - they opened with "Not Fade Away". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2L84dvoag https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6RWnG...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: The 2nd single and 1st hit for this Birmingham, UK beat band was a cover of a '62 Banks/Bennett composition first recorded by Bessie Banks. Her R&B version was produced by Lieber and Stoller, peaking at #40 on Cashbox R&B. Lead singer and guitarist Denny Laine picked this song for the band as he believed that it would suit pianist Mike Pinder's playing style. Heart-wrenching lyrics about a recent breakup. Laine continued performing the song as a member of Wings after leaving the band. Recorded in '64 and released in '65, it topped the charts in the UK and reached #10 in the US. Band? Song? Answer: "Go Now!" by The Moody Blues. Passionate vocals! Curious how completely different the sound and the music were with Denny Laine than with Justin Hayward. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2L3UzM_FfE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prlWGe2EHro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMee_r95Nfs

OK, girls and boys, more 80s one-hit wonders: This Russ Ballard composition was the 1st and only hit for a Swedish songbird after the breakup of one of the best-selling groups in pop history. Produced by Phil Collins, he is also featured on drums and backup vocals. A woman convinced that her man is cheating on her. Recorded in '82, it was a huge worldwide hit, topping the charts in many countries and peaking at #13 in the U.S. It sold over 3.5 million copies. Wanting to distance herself from her former group's "typical pop sound", this was THE best-selling solo release of any of its members. Artist? Song? Answer: "I Know There's Something Going On" by Anni-Frid ("Frida") Lyngstad. Along with Agnetha Faltskog, "The Voice Of ABBA". I loved that song the first time I heard it. There are only two kinds of people in the world - those that love ABBA and those who don't. I happen to love ABBA. Their definitive biography, an almost 80...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 80s: Introduced by Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The Carousel Waltz", this 1980 8+ minute art rock masterpiece remains one of Mark Knopfler's best-regarded compositions. An amusement park allegory, it mentions several British fairgrounds, including Spanish City, Cullercoats and Whitley Bay. Part of the 1982 "An Officer and A Gentleman" soundtrack. It peaked at # 54 UK. John Illsley on bass and Pick Withers on drums lay a solid foundation for this complicated piece. How do you choose your favorite Knopfler guitar work?! I am torn between "Sultans of Swing" and this one. Many critics believe that this one is his best. He starts out soft and sweet then he slowly crescendoes into an intricate riff that has no peer. As many times as I have seen him perform it on video, I still scratch my head at his left hand work and his effortless fingerpicking every time i see it. Song? Group? Answer: "Tunnel of Love...

Here's another suggestion from my dear sister Gina Delucca - man, she's putting me to work! OK, Virgos and some Libras, now that your month is almost over, put on your sapphire bling and give me ten songs with "September" in either the title or lyrics. GO!!! Answer: September - Earth, Wind & Fire. September Morn - Neil Diamond. Come September - Natalie Imbrublia. September Song - Frank Sinatra. See You in September - The Happenings. It Might As Well Rain Until September - Carole King. September Grass - James Taylor. September Night - Van Morrison. Maybe September - Tony Bennett. April Come She Will - Simon and Garfunkel (September, I remember, a love once new has now grown old.) So there!

OK, girls and boys, more B'way: This '78 Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice showstopper topped the UK charts for Julie Covington. Regret and defiance in the face of imminent death. The working title was "It's Only Your Love Returning". It became Patti LuPone's signature piece after her epic tearful rendition at the '80 Grammys, for which she received a resounding standing ovation. A staple of Laura Branigan's concert repertoire. Song? Musical? Answer: "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" from "Evita". Surprisingly, Laura Branigan never recorded it. Madonna took it to #8 and even Zamfir (!) covered it. In my book, this is one of The Grammy's greatest moments - not a dry eye in the house!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpNy6xqoQa8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AzDhXTA7ns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpQ-uK2DqhI

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: This Chicago-based Burke family quintet was self-dubbed "The First Family Of Soul". They got their name from the way they looked when they stood in line by age. Their only major hit (#8 Pop, #14 R&B) came in '70 with a Stan Vincent composition. An uplifting tune of comfort, hope and optimism during times of adversity. Has been extensively covered and is ranked #392 among Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time. Group? Song? Answer: "O-o-h, Child" by The Five Stairsteps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dguz0IsCuKU

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: Weston, CT baritone Martin Tubridy rented Carnegie Hall twice in the early 70s to perform voical recitals. The critics were less than enthusiastic and the newspaper reviews were tepid, at best. To his credit, he continued to perform in local theaters. Harry Chapin read one of the reviews in The New York Times and was inspired to write this masterful 1973 folk ballad about an Ohio launderer with a gifted voice who was encouraged by his friends to give full-time singing a try. In the story, he spends most of his savings going to the big city and renting a hall. The critics were merciless so he went back home to his laundry shop and never sang again other than at night when nobody was around. Chapin's long-time bassist and background vocalist Big John Wallace added the "O Holy Night" chorus in his rich baritone. Chapin song? Answer: "Mr. Tanner" by Harry Chapin. Undoubtedly my favorite Harry Chapin song. To this day...

OK, boys and girls, name the only artist that has played live and in the studio with both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Answer: Billy Preston (1946 - 2006). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=385eTo76OzA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6-UUE6qNZE

Ok, boys and girls, back to the 70s (this one goes to my dear "mature" Spanish-speaking family and friends inspired by an article sent to me by my sister Gina): Spaniards Jose Luis Armenteros and Pablo Herrero penned this heavily political 1972 anthem about a young dreamer yearning for freedom during the Franco regime. Many thought that it was based on Peter Fetcher, the 18-year-old who was the first person who tried to cross the recently-built Berlin Wall in 1962, losing his life doing so. Herrero contradicted that theory, even though he admitted that it is indeed a parallel story. Spanish pop balladeer Luis Manuel Ferri Llopis' 1972 recording became a mega-hit in the Spanish-speaking world on both sides of the Atlantic. Because of its strong political connotations it was banned by Castro, Pinochet and many other dictators. Unfortunately, Ferri Llopis left us at age 28 in '73 at the height of his popularity due to an auto accident south of Madrid. Puerto Rican...

OK, boys and girls, more 70s one-hit wonders: Singer/songwriter/guitarist Craig Fuller wrote, sang lead vocals and laid down the guitar tracks for this 1972 country-rock standard. First recorded by his Ohio-based band as an album cut in '72. As its popularity grew, it was released as a single in '75. Superb harmonies and understated acoustic playing, "quintessentially 1972". #27 Billboard Hot 100, #20 Adult Contemporary. The band's name comes from a fictional temperance union in the 1939 Errol Flynn western "Dodge City". Band? Tune? Answer: "Amie" by Pure Prairie League. I love the song but, every time I hear it, it reminds me of one night in Bryn Mawr, PA when the entire surgical house staff went to a local country bar. I got introduced to Jack Daniels as the house band was playing "Amie". I'm embarrassed to say that I don't remember too much after that - first and only time I've had Jack Daniels. https://www...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s/70s: Canadian singer/songwriter Gene MacLellan penned this lovely crossover pop/adult-contemporary/country standard in 20 minutes while walking on a beach on Prince Edward Island and seeing a flock of snow (hint, hint!) buntings. The song is a figurative expression for freedom. It was recorded by his good friend and musical associate in 1969 and released in mid-1970. It propelled her career after topping both the pop and country charts in Canada and the U.S. Having been covered by over 100 artists, it was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003. First female Canadian solo artist to top the U.S. charts and to receive a Gold Record. Song? Artist? Answer: "Snowbird" by Anne Murray. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFKmqmYcRLM

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: This Stephen Schwartz/John-Michael Tebelak composition peaked at #13 in '72, remaining on the charts for 14 weeks. The only hit for the original "Godspell" Broadway cast with Robin Lamont on lead vocals. The refrain is attributed to 13th century English bishop St. Richard of Chichester. The musical opened in '71 Off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre, where my dear nephew Janio Marrero was production manager and technical director. Song? Answer: "Day By Day". Love that song and it is, strictly speaking, a "one hit wonder" since it was the only hit for the cast. My favorite song from Godspell is "By My Side". We had the privilege of seeing it at the Schubert Theater in Philly with the original Broadway cast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWAqW5D5kZo

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: The first single off this singer/songwriter's 1968 self-titled debut album on the Apple label inspired George Harrison to write one of this best-loved tunes in '69. He originally titled it "I Feel Fine" only to find out that that appellation had already been "taken" by The Beatles. First non-British artist to record on Apple Records. To this day it remains a mystery as to the muse for the tune. Covered by Tom Rush in '68 on his "The Circle Game" album. Artist? Song? Answer: "Something In The Way She Moves" by James Taylor. Quite possibly my favorite Taylor tune. The guitar work is beyond sublime. Check out JT's James Olson guitar on the video - HEAVEN! (Of course, I might be just a little biased towards Olsons!). No other instruments in the recording. It inspired George to write "Something". One of our dear O.R. nurses used to say that James Taylor is the only man she would consider...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 80s: This '82 song was originally about Ray Davies, with whom Chrissie Hynde had a daughter but was re-dedicated to James Honeyman-Scott, The Pretenders' guitarist who died that year at 26 from a drug overdose. The Pretenders' only US Top 5 hit, peaking at #5. The chant evokes a similar one in a Sam Cooke classic. Selena's '94 Spanish cover spent 7 wks. at #1 on the Latin charts. Song? Answer: "Back On The Chain Gang" by The Pretenders. Ooh, aah, ooh, aah! Love 'em both. Sam Cooke was a man WAY ahead of his time! I've never seen The Pretenders live and they're on my bucket-list. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMOKamtpUA8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBn5aIfZElE

OK, boys and girls, back to the 80s. Dedicated to my dear cousin "Yeo" Semidey, the closest I have to a brother. He's a baseball encyclopedia and an avid Braves fan (I'll forgive him for that!): Born Dennis Minogue, this artist wrote and sang this '81 sports tune, co-producing it with Tommy West, Jim Croce's producer. He also wrote Spanky and Our Gang's "Sunday Will Never Be The Same". Inspired by this pic of Mays, Mantle, Snider and DiMaggio taken at Shea Stadium during the '80 Old-Timers' Game. Written in 20 minutes (!) it mentions an array of the sport's characters active between the 50's and '81. "The Bachelor" and "Cookie" were not players but rather childhood friends. Artist? Song? Answer: "Talkin' Baseball (Willie, Mickey and The Duke)" by Terry Cashman - it's September - what do you expect?! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWKA9Zi5-_Y

OK, girls and boys, more 80s: This Berry/Buck/Mills/Stipe '89 composition was the group's 2nd Top 10 hit, peaking at #6. "It's about making decisions and actually living your life rather than letting it happen...". They challenged each other to write "the most inane and 'bubblegummy' " music and lyrics they could (!). The last two rounds of the chorus are each played one whole step higher than the last one. Great parody and video by "Weird Al" Yankovic. Group? Song? For extra credit, name their first Top 10 hit. For extra-extra credit, name their top-charting hit. Answer: "Stand" by R.E.M. It might be "inane" but I still love the song. Could it be because Peter Buck is a Rickenbacker and McGuinn kinda guy, just like yours truly?! First Top 10 hit: "The One I Love" (1987). Top-charting hit: "Losing My Religion" (1991). They never had a #1 hit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKKqLl_ZEEY htt...