Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, girls and boys, back to the 40s: This romantic Bell/Leonard/Rhodes/Prima 1946 jazz and pop ballad was first recorded that same year by Claude Thornhill and His Orchestra. Masterfully covered by, among many others, Ella Fitzgerald, The Del Vikings, Etta James (we saw her doing it live in Houston years ago) and Lenny Welch. A longing for a deep, lasting and meaningful love (hint, hint!). My favorite happens to be Kenny Rankin's '75 rendition - a masterpiece! Featured on the "Jersey Boys" soundtracks, both stage and screen. Song? Answer: "A Sunday Kind Of Love". One of the best concerts ever - Dr. Canaan Harris, a dear friend from residency, took us to see Etta James while visiting in Houston at a small venue - blew us away!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfh4UM-zJak https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfPOD2zrQSI

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: This beautiful and lofty Jimmy Webb ballad was Art Garfunkel's first hit single (#9) from his debut solo post-Simon and Garfunkel album. The inherent vulnerability of a romantic relationship. Released in September 1973, it went Certified Gold within a month. This was the first of many Jimmy Webb covers that Art released during the ensuing two decades. Song? Album? Answer: "All I Know" from "Angel Clare" by Art Garfunkel. Another Jimmy Webb masterpiece. Art, of course, sings it like an angel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaBjY-zm0sI

OK, boys and girls, more 70s TWO-hit wonders: It was 1975 and the UK band Stealer's Wheel ("Stuck in the Middle with You") had just broken up. One of the two founding members, a Scottish singer/songwriter, was involved in a protracted 3-year legal battle after the breakup, preventing him from performing, recording and publishing. After everything was finally setted, he composed a 1978 soft-rock classic about the sense of relief he felt and hoping for a bright future. 1979 Ivor Novello Award. #2 U.S. for six weeks, #3 UK. Trademark prominent alto saxophone riff between verses by session musician Raphael Ravenscroft, who was paid only 27 pounds for the recording (!). It single-handedly accounted for a spike in saxophone sales both in the U.S. and the UK. According to Slash, his "Sweet Child o' Mine" guitar solo was inspired by the sax riff. Song? Artist? For extra credit, name his other hit. Answer: "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty. S...

OK, boys and girls, back to Cooperstown: This Bay Area rock legend wrote a sports-themed classic while watching an All-Star Game from the bleachers at Candlestick Park. He produced, arranged, sang and played all the instruments himself! Double-platinum in 1985. In July 2010, he was the first musician to be honored at the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Artist? Song? Answer: "Centerfield" by John Fogerty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq3hEMUeBGQ

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: The night before The Drifters were set to record this 1964 Young/Resnick pop classic, their lead singer, Rudy Lewis, was found dead from a possible heroin overdose. They promptly brought in their original frontman, Johnny Moore, to record the lead vocals. This was Moore's first single after returning to their lineup. A romantic summer encounter on the beach (Coney Island vs. Atlantic City - we'll probably never know). The opening line alludes to their previous Goffin/King hit. The mono and stereo versions are quite different from each other. Peaked at #4 pop, topped the R&B charts and is ranked #487 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Covered by The Rolling Stones and by Bruce Willis. Song? Answer: "Under The Boardwalk" by The Drifters. The first verse alludes to Carole King's and Gerry Goffin's "Up On The Roof". Love the guiro in the background. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPEqRMVnZNU...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This romantic 1967 rock ballad was the first hit under their new name for an L.A. band originally named "The 13th Floor". Their name was changed by producers Barri and Sloan. Peaked at #8 in '67. It was the English translation by Pomus/Shuman of the Italian hit "Piangi Con Me". Creed Bratton, their original guitarist, played "Creed" in "The Office". Band? Song? Answer: "Let's Live for Today" by The Grass Roots. Great group from the 60s! "Melody For You" wasn't one of their big hits but it remains my favorite tune by them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5NtzB-voZo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS7uf6CayC8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwZIeGI1Xvs

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: A 13-year-old girl from East Orange, NJ started writing this song about interracial romance while waiting to see the school principal - she was one of only 6 non-African-Americans in her school. She finished it the following year - titled "Baby, I've Been Thinking". The producer changed the song's name. Sponsored by Leonard Bernstein, she recorded it on Verve. #1 in 1967. Grammy Hall Of Fame 2001. Artist? Song? Answer: "Society's Child" by Janis Ian. Saw her in the 70s at The Academy of Music in Philly. One of the best concerts ever! Leon Redbone opened for her. Janis Ian and Billy Preston were the two musical guests on the first Saturday Night Live episode on October 11, 1975 with George Carlin hosting. I was at my maternal grandmother's (Abue) home when I first heard "Society's Child" on the radio. Blew me away! I've been a fan ever since. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxAKS4ZEdQI

OK, boys (hint, hint!) and girls, more Fabdom: This Luther Dixon/Wes Farrell R&B classic was first released by the Shirelles in 1960. The Beatles recorded it in one take in '63 as part of their first album, changing the lyrics as it was originally a "girl" song. This was Ringo's first recorded vocal lead. Before him, Pete Best sang lead vocals on it during their live shows. Ringo also sang lead when performed by Rory Storm and The Hurricanes. Song? Answer: "Boys" by The Beatles. I'm partial to The Beatles' version (no surprise!). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr8OuW5JJgQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnIhCCVmLEs

OK, girls and boys, more 80s one-hit wonders: This 1974 Donna Weiss/Jackie DeShannon composition spent 9 weeks at #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1981. It speaks of a woman with a captivating, alluring and mischievous gaze (hint, hint!). #1 in 31 countries, as well. Song and Record of the Year Grammys in '82. Recorded in one take! Famously covered by Eddie Murphy on SNL as Buckwheat in "Buh-Weet Sings". Song? Artist? Answer: "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes. One of the many tunes we listened to on the ol' Mustang's radio in '81 during the long-a** drive from Philly to Fort Dodge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPOIS5taqA8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fARA9UM8YB4

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: Although this 1961 romantic Bacharach/Dixon/David ballad was first recorded by The Shirelles and then covered by The Beatles on their first album, the highest-charting version was by Smith in 1969, produced by Del Shannon and peaking at #5. The Shirelles took it to #8 and The Beatles to #7 UK and #67 U.S. in '63. The original working title was "I'll Cherish You". Song? Answer: "Baby, It's You". I'm partial to The Beatles' version (no surprise!). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8clnxViHdp8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWUTlM6hz0g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTu3SaIcZSc

OK, girls and boys, back to the 80s: This 1981 Paul Davis release from his "Cool Night" album marked a change from his country/ballad roots into blue-eyed soul. The gamble paid off - it peaked at #6 on Billboard's Hot 100 in early '82, his best-selling single ever. The original title was changed by the producers as it would have made the singer 7-years-old - a little inappropriate! Song? Answer: "'65 Love Affair" by Paul Davis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz24kKWGlT8

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: A 16-year-old Memphis native recorded this soul instrumental classic in 1962 with the STAX Records' house band on his signature Hammond B3 organ with its big-a** Leslie Speaker Cabinet. Inspired by a friend's cat with a peculiar walk - NOT a marijuana reference, as it was originally thought. It topped the soul charts and peaked at #3 on Pop. #183 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and Grammy Hall of Fame inductee. Covered by The Ventures in '63 and featured on the "American Graffiti" soundtrack ('73). Song? Group? Answer: "Green Onions" by Booker T and The M.G.'s. Green Onions was a cat that hung around the STAX studio and had a funky stride. BTW, M.G. stands for "Musical Group" NOT the British sports car. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oox9bJaGJ8

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s. This June, 1963 Bigtop Records release became the first "McCartney-Lennon" composition to make the U.S. charts, where it spent four weeks and peaked at #77. Song? Artist? Answer: "From Me to You" by Del Shannon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzoRrWB0xSY

OK, girls and boys, more 1920s one-hit wonders: This Danish composer/violinist wrote his only "hit" in 1925 as piano accompaniment to "Don Q, Son Of Zorro", a silent movie featuring Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Astor. Inspired after reading about a crime of passion in the newspaper. First recorded by Arthur Fiedler and The Boston Pops. Ever since then, it has been featured in over 100 "talkie" movies, most famously Mel Brooks' '76 "Silent Movie". Composer? "Hit"? Answer: "Tango (Tzigane) Jalousie" by Jacob T. H. Gade, also known as "Jealousy". My dad was a tango purist and it always baffled him how, arguably, the 2 most popular tangos in the U.S., this one and "Blue Tango", were not written by Argentinian composers. "Blue Tango" was penned by Mass. native Leroy Anderson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUW_DKlM8Og

OK, boys and girls, back to the classics!: This is, without a doubt, one of the best-loved tenor arias. Sung by Calaf, "The Unknown Prince", who falls in love with a beautiful but icy princess. The title translates to "Let no one sleep". It became Pavarotti's signature aria after he sang it in 1990 at the World Cup in Italy. Peaked at #2 in the UK - highest classical recording ever to do so. He also sang it during his final performance in Torino in '06 and was played at his funeral. Aria? Opera? Composer? Answer: "Nessun Dorma" from "Turandot" by Giacomo Puccini. In my book, one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. As many times as I've listened to it, Pavarotti's rendition still gets me all verklempt (you know me, I'm a sensitive guy!)! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5moKfZ9Y2Q

OK, girls and boys, back to the 1910s: A Portuguese emigre to Brazil, Zequinha de Abreu composed this 1917 choro classic, whose title loosely translates to "rufous-collared sparrow in the cornmeal". Aloysio de Oliveira added the Portuguese lyrics. It became an international hit when Ethel Smith played it on the Hammond organ in the 1937 film "Bathing Beauty". Further popularized in 1947 when "Brazilian Bombshell" Carmen Miranda performed it with Groucho Marx in "Copacabana". Song? Answer: "Tico-Tico (no Fuba)". The choro typically shrugs off misfortune with its good humor, vivid melodies and lightning-fast tempo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvCis_JktXI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDdeq3Sn1ZA

OK, girls and boys, back to the 80s: It was 1985 and the once-legendary Roland TR-808 drum machine had been gradually falling out of favor since the early 80s. One night, (hint, hint!) Phil Collins was toying with his 808 and came up with this classic soft-rock ballad about "the dark heart of a jilted lover". The song has, according to him, "a steady groove" but no "hook" . Ironic, in the sense that Collins, aside from being an excellent singer/songwriter, is also a gifted drummer. This was his second #1 U.S single as a solo artist, as well as his first #1 Adult Contemporary. He is credited with single-handedly returning the Roland TR-808 to the mainstream. Part of the 1986 "The Color of Money" soundtrack. Song? Answer: "One More Night" by Phil Collins. Unfortunately, he has had some serious health issues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKVq-P3z5Vg

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s (55 years ago!): Neil Young wrote this 1970 protest anthem after seeing photos of the event at Kent State University on Life Magazine and taking a meditative walk in the woods. Recorded in just a few takes and released as a single just 10 days after the occurrence. It peaked at #14 on Billboard's Hot 100 and ranks #385 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs. Banned on many AM stations. David Crosby cried after the last take in the studio. Song? Group? Answer: "Ohio" by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. I was a senior in high-school then. Sad times. Outstanding vocals and guitar! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FpakQiF2Jk

OK, girls (hint, hint!) and boys, this one's for Gina and Myla: This 1965 Brian Wilson/Mike Love composition from "Summer Days (And Summer Nights!)" reached #3 on Billboard's Hot 100. 1st Beach Boys song featuring vocals by Bruce Johnston. The Beatles' "Back In The USSR" is an homage to it! David Lee Roth's cover was his first single after leaving Van Halen and it also reached #3 - featured Carl Wilson on backup vocals. It inspired a 2010 Katy Perry hit. #71 on Rolling Stone's Top 500 list. Song? Answer: "California Girls" by The Beach Boys. I'll never forget the first time I heard "California Girls" on the Armed Forces Radio station back in San Juan - one of those few songs that I loved the first time I heard it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR2lvcdKSdU

OK, boys and girls, a little more 70s romance: This romantic Charles Aznavour/Herbert Kretzmer pop ballad peaked at #1 in the UK in 1974. At that time, it made Aznavour the oldest living male chart-topping artist in UK history. Elvis Costello covered it in '99 for the "Notting Hill" soundtrack. According to Simon Cowell (BOO, HISS!) it is "one of the most beautiful songs of all time". Gotta agree with ol' Mr. Grumpo on that one, though! Song? Answer: "She" by Charles Aznavour. I don't agree with Simon on too many things (especially when he would pan my Idol faves!) but he's right on this one - one of the all-time best. I had the privilege of seeing Aznavour on stage at the University of Puerto Rico Theater in the early 70s when I studied there - one of my favorite concerts ever. Man, oh, man, those Eb dim7 and Ab dim7 chords get me every time! He left us in 2018 at the tender age of 94. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajjdY070VU4...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: This soulful Kenny Gamble/Leon Huff R&B ballad about a troubled relationship was written for Labelle (Patti's trio) but they never recorded it. A Philly-based group (originally known as The Charlemagnes), with Teddy Pendergrass on lead vocals, took it to #3 in 1972, becoming their first and biggest hit. Simply Red's '89 cover topped the charts in the U.S. and peaked at #2 in the UK - their best-known recording. Named one of the "Songs Of The Century" by RIAA. Group? Song? Answer: "If You Don't Know Me by Now" by Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1Qgh0_JF5o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTcu7MCtuTs

OK, boys and girls, a little Country coming your way : This romantic Paul Overstreet/Don Schlitz ballad was a major hit for 3 artists. #1 Billboard Hot Country Singles 1988 for the first one. #3 billboard Hot Country Singles 1995 for the second one. #1 UK Singles Chart 1999 for the third. Actions speak louder than words. Song? Artists? Answer: Keith Whitley 1988, Alison Kraus & Union Station 1995 and Ronan Keating 1999. "Old Mr. Webster could never define what's being said between your heart and mine" - Dang, I love that line - you know me, I'm a sensitive guy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNU7iIdw7Ss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SCOimBo5tg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IobNcpiwpSc

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: This Levy/Roberts bluebeat/ska classic is considered to be the first international ska hit - groundbreaking in that it introduced the world to the Jamaican beat. First recorded in 1956 by 14-year-old Barbie Gaye. A young Jamaican girl's 1964 version peaked at #2 in the U.S as well as in the U.K. and sold more than 7 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling reggae/ska recordings ever. A candy-coated (hint, hint!) tune tells a simple story about a young girl in love. It was rumored that a young Rod Stewart had played the harmonica solo for this recording but this was later disproved. Artist? Song? Answer: "My Boy Lollipop" by Millie Small. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1OYZ1PZtV0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKP7nDaj-Wo