Poldo's Music Trivia II

This one is dedicated to our dear granddaughter Myla Fay, who will be turning 4 (hint, hint!) this year. OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: Malvina Reynolds, Alan Greene and Harry Belafonte penned this classic nostalgic folk ballad - unabashedly emotional and sentimental about the innocence of childhood. First recorded by Belafonte in '59, it went unnoticed as a B-Side. It was popularized by Dick and Dee Dee in 1963, peaking at #15 on Adult Contemporary and #27 on Billboard. In the 60s, it was the backgound music to one of the most successful TV ads ever. Covered by, among many others, The Kingston Trio, The Brothers Four, Jimmie Rodgers and even Homer Simpson(!). By far, my favorite version is by the late great Nanci Griffith with Chet Atkins on his sweet nylon-string guitar, from her 1993 masterful "Other Voices, Other Rooms" album. Song? TV commercial? Answer: "Turn Around". Many people assumed that Ed Ames was the voice in the memorable 60s Kod...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: This self-taught singer/songwriter/guitarist from Philly started out playing coffeehouses in the early 70s (hey, I was there then doing the same thing!). At one point he lived next door to Daryl Hall. His biggest hit was recorded in '73 but, because of a contract dispute, Art Garfunkel covered it in '74, making Billboard's Top 40. A beautiful but sad ballad about lost love. The original version only reached #58. Artist? Song? Answer: "Second Avenue" by Tim Moore. He was very popular in Philly when I lived there in the 70s. It really is a wonderful tune. I have yet to decide which version I like best. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWbZ4iWWAAQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umbFpK4DxcI

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: This Alabama native singer/songwriter was born blind. His biggest hit was a 1970 (great year!) classic soul ballad written by General Johnson and Ron Dunbar as a country tune first recorded by The Chairmen of the Board. In the tune, an Alabama boy born and raised in poverty is forced to take responsibility for his family from his dying father. #4 U.S., #2 UK, Certified Gold and won the Grammy for Best R&B Song in 1971. Artist? Song? Answer: "Patches" by Clarence Carter. Not to be confused with Dickey Lee's 1962 "Patches" written by Mann and Kobler. Carter's other hits include "Slip Away" ('68) and, of course, the naughty naughty "Strokin'" ('86). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvfsfS6NVUc

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: This prolific Brill Building composer/lyricist/singer/pianist left us in '97 after a battle with ovarian cancer. She was a classmate of Janis Ian at NYC's High School of Music and Art. Her songs were extensively covered by the likes of Peter, Paul & Mary, The 5th Dimension, Blood, Sweat & Tears and Barbra Streisand, just to name a few. Ironically, her ONLY charting single as a solo artist (#92 in '70) was her version of a Gerry Goffin/Carole King '62 tune 1st recorded by The Drifters. Artist? Song? Answer: "Up on the Roof" by Laura Nyro. Incredible songwriter - "Wedding Bell Blues", "Stoned Soul Picnic", "And When I Die", "Eli's Coming", "Stoney End", ....! As with so many others, she left us too soon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTNjX7l7-go

OK, boys and girls, back ot the 50s: This 1950 rhythm and blues classic was written and first recorded in Chicago by Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup. It's been referred to as "the most upbeat song about getting your heart smashed". Elvis released the definitive version in '56 as the B-side to "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" with Scotty Moore on guitar, Bill Black on upright bass, D. J. Fontana on drums and Shorty Long (oxymoron?) on piano. Dynamite 1970 version by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Song? Answer: "My Baby Left Me". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q2enkV1hus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NWMk1tZAIg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0996JsTpDk

OK, girls and boys, more 60s: This R&B singer from Philly is considered by many to be the first Black female teen idol. At age 17 she collaborated with Chubby Checker on a #3 hit. Next day she recorded her smash hit which launched a dance craze - fueled by numerous appearances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. She got her stage name from her nickname AND her favorite singing key. Artist? Smash hit? Follow-up lesser hit? Answer: Dee Dee Sharp (nee Diane LaRue). Smash hit: "Mashed Potato Time", #2 Billboard Hot 100, Certified Gold. She then had a lesser hit with the racy and suggestive "Gravy (For My Mashed Potato(e)s)" (where's Dan Quayle when we need him?!). The attire de rigueur for guys to do the dance was tight black puddlejumper pants (brincacharcos o tubos!) showing white socks and pointy Italian patent leather shoes (cool!). She collaborated with Chubby Checker on "Slow Twistin'". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51eJ3-h8...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 80s: This iconic singer/songwriter from Peoria, IL penned and recorded a poignant autobiographical ballad in 1980 about a chance encounter with an old flame at a convenience store while visiting his hometown for the Holidays. It peaked at #9 on Billboard's Hot 100. The melody is loosely based on Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" and the final notes, which invoke the title, are played on solo sax. Over the years, it has received extensive air play during the December festivities. Song? Singer/songwriter? Answer: "Same Old Lang Syne" by Dan Fogelberg. After Fogelberg's death the dedicatee, Jill Anderson Grenlich, revealed herself in an article in a Peoria paper. They had dated in high school. He took two poetic licences - her eyes were green instead of blue and her husband was a teacher, not an architect (they had since divorced). Dan Fogelberg left us on December 16, 2007. That same night we had an open mic at the ...

OK, boys and girls, more Fabdom: This 1963 Sir Paul composition represents the first time that he ever wrote the lyrics first and then the melody. He has very rarely done that since. Dedicated to his then girlfriend Jane Asher. Loosely derived from The Dave Brubeck Quartet's "Kathy's Waltz". Originally conceived as a Country and Western tune, George plays Nashville-style guitar on that big ol' Gretsch evocative of Chet Atkins. It was never released as a single in either the UK or the U.S. Peaked at #45 on Billboard's Hot 100 and it topped the Canadian charts. According to John, "...it's a damn good piece of work...but I play a pretty mean guitar in back...". It was the opening number on The Beatles' first performance at The Ed Sullivan Show 2/9/64. Song? Answer: "All My Loving" by The Beatles. I'll never forget watching that performance on the ol' Philco B&W TV. My Dad didn't know what to think about the...

OK, girls and boys, more Fabdom: This doo-wop style Lennon ballad was released in '65 as the B-side to "Ticket To Ride" and on "Beatles VI". It features some of The Beatles' most intricate 3-part harmonies - their 2nd song using 3-part harmony lead vocals which they didn't use again until "Because" in '69. Recorded in a 5 hr. session during which they also taped "I Need You" (!). The 1st Beatles tune to include guitar effects - George experimented with tone pedal swells. John didn't particularly care for the song, "...an attempt to re-write 'This Boy' that didn't work". Macca, however, called it "a very fine song of John's". Song? Answer: "Yes It Is" by The Beatles. John's vocals are probably some of his best ever. George taught my generation how to play the guitar - with this song he showed us how to use 6th chords. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acWj7M0-9rY

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: Max Steiner and Mack Discant co-wrote the theme for a 1959 movie starring Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue. It has come to define "easy listening". By far the most popular version was by Percy Faith and His Orchestra which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960 for 9 weeks. The longest-running #1 instrumental in Billboard's history and The #1 Song of 1960. It won a Grammy for Record of the Year in '61 and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2000. Song? Answer: "Theme from 'A Summer Place'". Fond memories of listening to it, as well as Mantovani's version, on my Dad's ol' Bogen Hi-Fi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSsiS-v6_6M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2M5jrIFXdU

OK, girls and boys, back to the early 60s: This 1961 doo-wop novelty parody song was written by the singer in collaboration with Gerry Goffin. It peaked at #7 on Billboard that same year and stayed on the charts for 12 weeks. The Halos do the backup vocals. It spoofs nonsense lyrics in doo-wop tunes - it must have worked because they made his baby fall in love with him (hint, hint!)! Singer/songwriter? Song? Answer: "Who Put the Bomp" by Barry Mann. Unfortunately, his wife and collaborator Cynthia Weil left us in 2023 at the age of 82. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXmsLe8t_gg

This one goes to my dear friend Dear Vinchattle. OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: Even though Deep Purple songs were credited to all five members of the group, lead guitarist Ritchie Blackmore definitely came up with the timeless main riff of "Smoke on the Water" (1973). Blackmore is classically-trained and many of his guitar lines are based on traditional music. Rumors started circulating shortly thereafter that the song's main riff was the opening of one of the best-known classical pieces played backwards. Classical piece? True of false? Answer: Well, kinda, sorta... During a 2007 interview, Blackmore addressed the rumors that the main riff of "Smoke on the Water" was the first eight notes of "Beethoven's Fifth Symphony in C Minor, Op. 67" played backwards. He admitted that it was an "interpretation of inversion" and a "variation". A little artistic license. The first eight notes of the Fifth are GGGEb FFFD "F...

Ok, girls and boys, put your thinking caps on: I am writing this on December 21st, the Winter Solstice aka The Shortest Day. Name at least 10 "winter songs" that have nothing to do with Christmas. GO!!! Answer: "California Dreamin'" by The Mamas and the Papas. "December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" by The Four Seasons. "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" - Traditional. "Hazy Shade of Winter" by Simon and Garfunkel/The Bangles. "I Am a Rock" by Simon and Garfunkel. "Winter Wonderland" - Traditional. "When I Need You Most of All" by David Buskin. "Sleigh Ride" - Traditional. "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" - Traditional.

OK, girls and boys, more 80s and 90s: This group out of Princeton, N.J. started out as a high-school garage band in 1987. They got their name from the primary demon in "Ghostbusters". During one of their early jams, a black cat snuck into their basement practice room and it became their logo. Their first hit peaked at #8 in '95, won them a Grammy and broke a record for # of weeks in the charts. Their lead singer/composer/harmonica player had a crush on the original bassist and it inspired the song. Band? Hit? Answer: "Run-Around" by Blues Traveler. Gozer "The Traveler" was a Sumerian shape-shifting god of destruction. John Popper is a force of nature on that harmonica. I love doing "Run-Around" and "Hook" on guitar. BTW, the chord progression in "Hook" is the same as Pachelbel's "Canon in D" but transposed to A major. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ousaiByU1ko https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p...

OK, boy and girls, the 80s live on: This song by Pat Benatar won her a Grammy nomination in 1985 for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female. Released in October of 1984, it was a Top 5 smash in the U.S. and peaked at #7 in Australia and #22 in the U.K. Certified Gold, it was Benatar's second best-selling single after "Love Is a Battlefield". Song? Composers? Answer: "We Belong" by Pat Benatar. Composed by Lowen and Navarro. Neo-folk just doesn't get any better. Their "Maybe Later" is one of my all-time favorite tunes. Unfortunately, Eric Lowen left us in 2012 after a valiant nine-year standoff with Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS). Dan Navarro still tours extensively and keeps their beautiful music alive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxZInIyOBXk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxZInIyOBXk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RK5lakICEM

OK, girls and boys, let's span SIX decades: I share a birthday with this NYC composer/lyricist, pianist and producer. His songs have been described as both "epic" and "tragic". His compositions have been top hits for Meat Loaf (Mr. Loaf to you!), Celine Dion, Bonnie Tyler, Barry Manilow (he's SO sensitive!) and Air Supply. He wrote his first musical as a sophomore at Amherst in '67. Composer? Answer: Jim Steinman. I've always put Jim Steinman in the same category as Jimmy Webb - BIG songs! "Bat Out Of Hell", "I'll Do Anything For Love", "Total Eclipse Of The Heart", "Making Love Out Of Nothing At All", "It's all Coming Back To Me Now" and the list goes on... Carly Smithson, in my opinion THE best female voice ever on American Idol, did a KILLER version of "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" when she was on the show, both live and in the studio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmcUp...

OK, boys and girls, more PseudoFabdom (?!): Bobby Wilding recorded two Beatles-themed Barr/Meshel/Weinstein compositions in 1964. Name them. Answer: "I Want To Be A Beatle" and "Since I've Been Wearing My Hair Like a Beatle". (Dang, maybe I should start wearing my hair like a Beatle - hey, miracles can happen!) As you might recall, Bobby Wilding co-wrote "Hurt So Bad" with Teddy Randazzo and Bobby Hart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt0ykb9JOLI

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60's: It's 29 degrees outside and snowing so guess what I'm thinking about? You got it - surf music! Originally named The Videls, this Providence, Rhode Island duo consisted of Peter Anders (Andreoli) and Vini Poncia. In 1965 they penned and recorded their biggest hit which peaked at #32. A California surfer laments being stuck in an East Coast metropolis during a cold and snowy winter. A song of yearning and innocence. In my humble opinion, it is one of the great lost singles of the surf era. Song? Duo? Answer: "New York's a Lonely Town" by The Trade Winds. It evokes the great Brian Wilson. One of the best surfing songs ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEHmM7IjSjE

OK, boys and girls, let's go surfin'! (since it's 25 degrees outside!): This 1955 Johnny Smith instrumental composition was one of the first surfing tunes to make the Billboard Hot 100. The Ventures' version peaked at #2 on Billboard and at #3 on Cash Box in Aug. and Sept. 1960. Tune? Answer: "Walk, Don't Run". One of those "test of manhood" songs that you HAD to know how to play on guitar if you were worth anything! Some others in that category: "Stairway To Heaven", "Badge" and you HAD to be able to play "Hazy Shade Of Winter" and sing it at the same time! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owq7hgzna3E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_u_AR8u21M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDTJTSAuois

In the true spirit of the Season, this one is about my all-time favorite Christmas tune. OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: Noel "Paul" Stookey composed this 1960 Peter, Paul and Mary classic based upon an ancient English carol. It was an English Christian tradition for poor children to go door-to-door caroling and praying for the dead in exchange for food, particularly small scone-like cakes. Hauntingly beautiful, it highlights the trio's interweaving harmonies as well as Peter and Paul's masterful hi-low guitar accompaniment. An anthem to the universal spirit of giving and community - the search for the warmth of human kindness and interaction during the darkness of the cold winter. Song? Answer: "A' Soalin' " by Peter, Paul and Mary. Mary left us in 2009 and, unfortunately, Peter Yarrow is currently receiving terminal care. I had never heard "A' Soalin' " until I went to med school in Philly. One of Judy's nursin...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: When a teen-aged Roberta Joan Anderson left her native Saskatoon she told her mother, "I'm going to Toronto to be a folksinger". She subsequently attended West Virginia University for a short time - the beautiful setting inspired this haunting first cut from her 1970 third album, "Ladies Of The Canyon" (Platinum U.S.). Artist? Song? Answer: "Morning Morgantown" by Joni Mitchell. What a beautiful tune! She's the undisputed master of alternate tunings. I saw her in '76 at the Spectrum in Philly - one of the best concerts ever! Three years later I saw her again at the Valley Forge Music Fair during her "jazz" phase - horrendous - one of the very few times I've ever walked out of a concert. Stick to folk, Joni! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_g8QQubIdA

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: The 10th section of J. S. Bach's Advent cantata "Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben" BWV 147 was the inspiration for this bouncy 1972 #6 hit for a British studio-based instrumental ensemble. The melody line was actually copied from a 1970 recording by the band Jigsaw. Part of the "Boogie Nights" and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" soundtracks. Title? Group? Answer: "Joy" by Apollo 100. Based upon J. S. Bach's "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ekQ1RTmzBc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvdmLe7izSk

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: This Mexican-American band from Bay City, Mich. was the first to be referred to as a "punk rock" group and the first Latino band to get wide air play on U.S. radio stations. Their only hit reached #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1966. Group? Song? Answer: "96 Tears" by ? (Question Mark) and The Mysterians. They took their name from an epic 1957 Japanese sci-fi film. Trademark ultra-cool shades worn by lead singer Rudy "Question Mark" Martinez. The unmistakable Farfisa electric organ played by Frank Rodriguez in the recording was lost in a fire that destroyed Question Mark's home in 2007. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7uC5m-IRns

OK, boys and girls, back to the 90s: This Crane/Kauffman/Willis '94-'95 alt-power pop classic peaked at #17 on Billboard's Hot 100. It talks about travels, friendships (hint, hint!) and dead-end jobs. Inspired by The Beatles' "Paperback Writer", the iconic handclaps were added as an afterthought. The theme for an extremely popular NBC sitcom, it was first offered to R.E.M. but they declined. The band that eventually recorded it did so by default, as they were the only group under contract by the network at the time. I like it for three reasons, not necessarily in that order: 1.) The band is named after my favorite painter. 2.) Phil Solem, the band's lead guitarist, used a vintage 1966 Rickenbacker Fireglo 450-12 and, as you know, I have a soft spot in my heart for Rics. The jingle-jangle in unmistakable. 3.) It is the theme of one of my all-time favorite sitcoms. I still watch reruns every morning while I exercise. Song? Band? Answer: ...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: It is 1979 at the peak of the Disco Era and Victor Willis was at the recording studio along with producer Jacques Morali. Willis came up with an idea for a song extoling the virtues of an organization where young men (hint, hint!) who were new in town and short on $ could stay, shower, get a hot meal and make new friends. It became extremely popular and was soon dubbed a "gay anthem", even though this was characterized by Willis as a "false assumption". The famous group dance was introduced by Willis' group during their first appearance on American Bandstand. #2 on Billboard Hot 100 '79-'80. Grammy Hall of Fame 2020. Extremely popular is sporting events and weddings. For some reason (?!), it topped the charts for three weeks in 2024. Song? Group? Answer: "Y.M.C.A." by The Village People. As everyone knows, when it comes to dancing, Fred Astaire I am not. After all these years, I still can't d...

OK, girls and boys, more 60s: Walden Robert Perciville Cassotto took his artistic moniker from his childhood nickname and from a malfunctioning Chinese restaurant sign (!). Sammy Davis Jr. called him "the only person I ever wanted to follow". In '69 he sold all his possessions and lived in seclusion in a trailer near Big Sur, CA. There he wrote this seminal "protest" song which changed his career. He established Direction Records, grew a moustache (he just wanted to look like me!), stopped wearing a toupee and basically re-invented himself. Artist? Song? Answer: Bobby Darin's "Simple Song Of Freedom". THE COOLEST CAT ever to walk the face of the Earth in my book! When you open up the dictionary under "cool", there is a picture of Bobby Darin. It became an anthem during the Vietnam era. Covered by Tim Harding just as Bobby covered Tim's "If I Were a Carpenter". Young Jim (Roger) McGuinn was part of Darin's backup band be...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This Kristofferson/Foster standard took its name from Foster's secretary and is loosely based on Fellini's "La Strada". First recorded by the late great Roger Miller in '69, peaking at #12 on the Country charts. Janis Joplin recorded it shortly before her untimely death in 1970. It was her only Top 10 hit, topping the charts. Kristofferson, with whom she had had a brief affair, 1st heard her version on the day she died. Only the 2nd posthumous #1 hit in rock & roll history (the other one was Otis Redding's "Dock Of The Bay"). #148 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time. Don McLean's lyrics on "American Pie", "I met a girl who sang the blues and I asked her for some happy news but she just smiled and turned away..." refer to Joplin and to this tune. KILLER versions by Crystal Bowersox in 2010 on American Idol and by winner Michael Grimm and Jewel during the 2011 "Amer...

OK, girls and boys, 60s folk lives on: This 1965 Buffy Sainte-Marie tune speaks of a man and a woman who are in love with each other but cannot stay together, as they come from "worlds apart". Covered by many artists, it was a hit for Elvis, Neil Diamond and Roberta Flack. Personally, it is #1 on my "deserted island" list - my favorite song ever, period. Answer: "Until It's Time For You to Go" by Buffy Sainte-Marie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4RsN3fjcLg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LgUlb41-8I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKT6j6rmQJE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSqhme7SKVU

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: It was 1961 and Brill Building publisher Aldon Music had two killer teams writing for them - Carole King/Gerry Goffin and Howard Greenfield/Jack Keller. On a whim, they decided to "switch partners" for one day. King wrote the music and Greenfield the lyrics for a poignant ballad about lost love. This was their one and only collaboration. First recorded by The Everly Brothers, it peaked at #6 on Billboard's Hot 100. Other memorable cover versions include Tammy Wynette ('81), Carole King ('83), Norwegian group A-ha ('90) and Art Garfunkel/James Taylor ('94). Song? Answer: "I'll Do My Crying in the Rain" by The Everly Brothers. When our dear oldest daughter Lauren Denise was a baby, the only way we could get her to go to sleep was for me to play the guitar and sing to her by the crib. This was one of my go-to tunes. The lion's share of The Everly Brothers' hits were composed by Felice and ...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: Originally known as The Barons, this iconic West L.A. surf duo started out by harmonizing in the locker room after high-school football practice. Their second Top Ten hit (after #8 "Jennie Lee" in '58) was a collaboration with friends Herb Alpert and Lou Adler which peaked at #10 in '59. Written by Melvin Schwartz, it was initially recorded by The Laurels in '58. They performed it during their first appearance on "American Bandstand". THE first song that incorporated all the elements of the nascent surf music genre - close harmonies, interweaving of major and minor chords and falsetto doo-wop runs. Later covered by young Simon and Garfunkel, then known as Tom and Jerry. Duo? Song? Answer: "Baby Talk" by Jan and Dean. We had the privilege of seeing Jan & Dean open for McGuinn, Clark & Hillman in '79 at the Valley Forge Music Fair. Incredible concert! The sad thing was that, because of his acciden...

OK, boys and girls, let's go way back (112 years!): This 1912 Burnett/Norton classic was first performed and popularized by William Frawley (as in Fred Mertz from "I Love Lucy") during his early Vaudeville days. He didn't reveal this until 1965 during an appearance in "I've Got a Secret". In the original "A Star Is Born" a drunk famously asks for this song from Judy Garland and, ever since then, it has become a jocular cliched request for performers, notably on "Hogan's Heroes" and "The Monkees". Song? Answer: "(My) Melancholy Baby". Hence the popular 60s catchphrase "Do you know 'Melancholy Baby'?". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgO1hgV9ccA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJKeCAZInBg

OK, girls and boys, a little more 80s romance: Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil and Tom Snow penned this sublime romantic ballad in 1980. Love through the ages. It was a minor hit for Mann ('80), Bill Medley (as in The Righteous Brothers - '81) and Bette Midler ('83). Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville's ethereal 1989 duet peaked at #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 and topped the Adult Contemporary charts. Certified Gold, it was Ronstadt's last Top 10 hit. It won the 1990 Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals. Song? Answer: "Don't Know Much" by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville. Man, oh man, when they harmonize in the stratosphere it defines beauty! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrqncNVA0FY

OK, girls and boys, back to the 80s: Steven Spielberg asked James Horner to write a theme song for a 1986 animated film he was working on about a Ukranian Jewish family of mice thar migrate to the United States. Unfortunately, little Fievel gets separated from the family and ends up in New York City. Horner asked Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil to collaborate with him and the result was a gorgeous ballad of hope for reuniting despite great distance. Co-produced by my music trivia buddy Peter Asher (remind me to tell you that story!). In the movie it is sung by Phillip Glasser (Fievel) and Betsy Cathcart (Tanya). During the closing credits James Ingram and Linda Ronstadt give us a goosebumps-producing rendition for the ages. They recorded it in separate studios - never together. #2 U.S. and Canada, #8 UK and it won two Grammys. Song? Movie? Answer: "Somewhere Out There" by James Ingram and Linda Ronstadt from "An American Tail". I still get choked up every t...

Yet another suggestion from my dear sister Gina Delucca - man, she's keeping me busy!!! OK, boys and girls, back to nature: Name at least five songs that have birds singing in them. GO!!! Answer: Blackbird - The Beatles. Rhythm of the Rain - The Cascades. Blue Jay Way - The Beatles. Edge of Seventeen - Stevie Nicks. The Birds and The Bees - Jewel Akens. Mockingbird - Carly Simon and James Taylor. When Doves Cry - Prince. The Eagle and The Hawk - John Denver. Surfin' Bird - The Trashmen. Rockin' Robin - Bobby Day. Hummingbird - Seals and Crofts. El Condor Pasa - Simon and Garfunkel. Pretty Flamingo - Manfred Mann. Bye Bye Blackbird - Eddie Cantor.