Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, girls and boys, a little "meaty" one from the 70s: The title of this 1977 album is "loosely" based on a 414 B.C. comedy by Aristophanes. It is the 3rd best-selling album worldwide, STILL selling over 200,000 copies yearly (14X Platinum so far!). Album? Artist? Composer? Answer: "Bat Out of Hell" by Meat Loaf. That'll be Mr. Loaf to you. Written by Jim Steinman. Meat Loaf (Marvin Lee Aday) left us in 2022 at age 74. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QGMCSCFoKA&list=RD3QGMCSCFoKA&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 20s (the 1920s, that is!): It was a stormy day in 1929 when composer Arthur Freed was staring out the front window of his Seattle sheet music shop and happened to see a drenched man merrily dancing down the street. This inspired him, along with his writing partner Nacio Herb Brown, to pen this timeless pop/jazz classic. Signals the transition from silent films to "talkies" in Hollywood. It became extremely popular as the showstopper of the 1952 film by the same name, where the late great Gene Kelly sang and danced to it while splashing through puddles. Kelly had a severe cold during the two days of filming the scene, with a fever up to 103 (!). #3 on AFI's Best Movie Songs of All Time. It became public domain early this year. Covered by, among many others, Durante, Garland, Martin, Crosby, Clooney and Sammy Davis, Jr. Part of the "A Clockwork Orange" soundtrack. Song? Answer: "Singin' in the Rain". They j...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This teen idol was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. He wrote "He's a Rebel" for The Crystals and "Hello Mary Lou" for Rick(y) Nelson, among many others. He moved to the U.K. in the early 70s and never returned to the U.S. Artist? Answer: Gene Pitney. He wrote, sang and whistled wonderful music. He composed all of his hits, a rarity in those days. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waRbcqP4cUI&list=RDwaRbcqP4cUI&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMVQCHgpYmI&list=RDAMVQCHgpYmI&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71ctQukD5ZA&list=RD71ctQukD5ZA&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: This 1956 Preston "Red" Foster blues classic was first recorded by gospel singer Ann Cole but made popular in '57 by Muddy Waters, with whom she toured. #359 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, Grammy Hall of Fame 2000, as well as RIAA and NEA Songs of the Century. Covered by, among many others, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Manfred Mann, The King, Canned Heat, B.B. King and Buddy Guy. Excellent version by The Shadows of Knight on their '66 "Gloria" album. Song? Answer: "Got My Mojo Workin'". A little controversy as to whether Muddy Waters "tweaked" with the lyrics and gave himself writer's credit. Hmm...we'll never know! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP0crYPCHV0&list=RDsP0crYPCHV0&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThD9xswxxtk&list=RDThD9xswxxtk&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd952mrUGIY&list=RDDd952mrUGIY&start_radio=...

OK, boys and girls, more 70s Country: The late great Charlie Daniels wrote and recorded with his band this 1979 country/rock classic inspired by the 1925 poem "The Mountain Wippoorwill" by Stephen Vincent Benet, as well as by "Lonesome Fiddle Blues" by Vassar Clements. A traditional theme of striking a deal with Lucifer (hint, hint!), this time it is a young boy named Johnny, with a golden fiddle at stake in a musical duel. #3 Billboard Hot 100, RIAA Certified Platinum and #120 on Rolling Stone's Greatest Country songs of All Time. Part of the "Urban Cowboy" and "Coyote Ugly" soundtracks. The lyrics had to be modified from "son of a b***h" to "son of a gun" in order to receive radio airplay. Song? Answer: "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" by The Charlie Daniels Band. Charlie left us in 2020 at age 83. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBjPAqmnvGA&list=RDwBjPAqmnvGA&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube....

OK, back to the good ol' days when boys sang songs about cars: This 1955 rockabilly classic, written by Charlie Ryan and W.S. Stevenson, (finally!) hit the charts in 1971-72, peaking at #9 on Billboard. A 1948 chassis shortened by two feet and fitted with a Model A body, powered by a flathead V8 with a four-barrel carb! Song? Band? Answer: "Hot Rod Lincoln" by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. Masterful rockabilly guitar work by Bill Kirchen. Every time I hear this tune I think of my dear friend and colleague, Dr. Mark Marner, a lifelong Commander Cody fan. Named after Commando Cody, a 1950s TV hero. Born George William Frayne IV, "Commander Cody" left us in 2021 at age 77. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBUfNxfc2w4&list=RDMBUfNxfc2w4&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, more Mop-Tops: It was the week of April 4th, 1964 and something happened then that had never happened before and hasn't happened since. What was it? Answer: The Beatles held the top five positions on Billboard's Top 40. As if that wasn't enough, they had seven more hits on the charts that same week, for a total of twelve! The top five were: #1) Can't Buy Me Love. #2) Twist and Shout. #3) She Loves You. #4) I Want to Hold Your Hand. #5) Please Please Me.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 40s: Johnny Mercer's 1941 "I Remember You" was dedicated to __________, "The love of (his) life". Answer: Judy Garland. Johnny Mercer dedicated the song to Judy Garland, with whom he had an on-and-off relationship, even though both of them were married - “I wrote it for Judy Garland. I always had such a crush on Garland I couldn't think straight, so I wrote this song.” Talking about infatuation, Mercer wrote the song to express his infatuation and he gave her on the day she married David Rose. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgm0KNICGcU&list=RDrgm0KNICGcU&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR2eylNc_4Y&list=RDOR2eylNc_4Y&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: This 1972 "concept" album reached #1 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart. It is based on a poem by "Gerald Bostock" aka "Little Milton". Album? Answer: "Thick as a Brick" by Jethro Tull. In my humble opinion, one of the greatest pieces of music in rock history. ...and Jethro Tull is still not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - dont get me started!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9bk2MrMGaA&list=RDu9bk2MrMGaA&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFYOcOBPkzg&list=RDhFYOcOBPkzg&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: Prior to joining this iconic "power rock" band, two of the members were part of the Graham Bond Organization. There was such friction between them, to the point where they sabotaged each other's equipment and actually fought on-stage. Members? Band? Answer: Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker of Cream. Rock just doesn't get any better! Boy, did they make good music! The guitar solo in "Deserted Cities of the Heart" remains my favorite rock guitar solo of all times - human beings are just not supposed to play like that - Clapton IS GOD!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho-teZSjgZY&list=RDHo-teZSjgZY&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: The only chart hit for this brother and sister duo from Niagara Falls, NY came in 1963 with a Peter DeRose/Mitchell Parish 1933 easy-listening composition. The title refers to twilight, the only time two lovers can be together again, if only in their dreams. Released six days before JFK's assassination. A very famous British rock band was named after the tune. #1 Pop, Grammy for Best Rock and Roll Record (!). Covered by, among many others, Jimmy Dorsey, Bing Crosby and Artie Shaw. Masterful 1993 live version on TNN's "American Music Shop" by Cheryl Wheeler, as well as the late great Chet Atkins and Michael Johnson with Mark O'Connor on fiddle. Duo? Song? Answer: "Deep Purple" by Nino Tempo and April Stevens. Antonino LoTempio left us earlier this year at age 90 and his older sister, Caroline Vininette LoTempio, passed away in 2023 at age 93. The song is peculiar in that, in the second half, Nino s...

OK, boys and girls, more Mop-Tops: This 1962 Lennon/McCartney little pop gem represents THE first time that the two blokes actually wrote a song physically together. B-side to "Please Please Me", their first US single. "Overwhelming happiness found in a loving relationship". Used in the early Parlophone auditions when Pete Best was still their drummer. The opening guitar line comes from Smokey Robinson and The Miracles' "What's So Good About Goodbye?". Lennon was greatly influenced by Robinson. Song? Answer: "Ask Me Why" by The Beatles. Not one of their biggest hits but I always loved this tune. One of the first Beatles songs I ever heard. Now, THAT'S when The Beatles were The Beatles! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ttGjtfQ7EA&list=RD2ttGjtfQ7EA&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMG0k6urjeU&list=RDZMG0k6urjeU&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This 1966 British Invasion-styled Australian hit (#1 Aust., #6 UK, #16 US) was named The Best Australian Song of All Time by APRA (what's wrong with "Waltzing Matilda"?!). "A working-class anthem". Song? Band? Answer: "Friday on My Mind" by The Easybeats. Band members George Young and Harry Vanda penned this rock classic. George was the older brother of AC/DC's Malcolm and Angus Young. He left us in 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnqxbdnzlhw&list=RDdnqxbdnzlhw&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: The late great Sam Cooke wrote and recorded this 1962 R&B/soul classic accompanied by LA-based The Wrecking Crew. It featured the dance craze of the day. Those were the days when "gay" still meant happy, lighthearted and carefree. #1 Billboard R&B, #9 Billboard Hot 100, #6 UK. Covered by, among others, The Marvelettes, The Delltones and Rod Stewart ('73). Featured in "Animal House" ('78). Song? Answer: "Twistin' the Night Away" by Sam Cooke. Dubbed "The King of Soul", his career only spanned eight years. Superb vocals and pioneering contributions to the genre. He wrote all of his music, which was a rarity in those days. Unfortunately, he died in 1964 after being shot in the chest by a hotel manager in Los Angeles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTArYTvpLZA&list=RDzTArYTvpLZA&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYO_ptkQsOo&list=RDOYO_ptkQsOo&start_ra...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This 1965 Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil composition was originally intended for The Righteous Brothers. A North England working-class band recorded it and different versions from the same sessions were released in the UK (#2) and the US (#13). It became an anthem during the Vietnam War. A sense of feeling trapped in difficult circumstances. Very recognizable bass lead and organ lines. #233 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame. Song? Band? Answer: "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" by The Animals. The Animals were arguably one of the, if not THE, first punk bands, laying the foundation for the genre in the 70s and 80s. The original bad boys of British rock! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJVpihgwE18&list=RDwJVpihgwE18&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 20s (the 1920s, that is!): The late great Irving Berlin penned this jazz-pop standard in 1927. It refers to a famed London luxury hotel, as well as dressing up in the latest, fancy and expensive fashions. Introduced in 1930 by Harry Richman in the film by the same title. Later on that year, it became one of Fred Astaire's signature tunes. Also performed by Clark Gable in "Idiot's Delight (1939). Dutch new-wave singer and one-hit-wonder Taco released a synth-pop version in 1982, along with an extremely popular MTV video. #1 Cash Box, #4 Billboard Hot 100, RIAA Certified Gold. Berlin, then 95, became the oldest living songwriter to have a Top 10 composition. Song? Answer: "Puttin' On the Ritz". Every time we travel, Judy and I take a day when each one of us does their own "stuff". When we were in London some years ago, I went to The Hunterian Museum and The Courtauld Gallery. Judy went shopping at Harrods,...

OK, girls and boys, more British Invasion: This classically-trained keyboardist from Johannesburg, S.A. started out in 1958 as co-founder of The Vikings, South Africa's first rock 'n' roll band. Artist? Answer: Manfred Mann. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO-MbpGpFMI&list=RDuO-MbpGpFMI&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: This 1972 Joe Egan/Gerry Rafferty pop-rock composition was recorded by their band, peaking at #6 US and #8 UK in '73. Conceived as a parody of Bob Dylan's style, it was a tribute to Scottish comedian/singer Billy "The Big Yin" Connolly. Featured prominently during the torture scene on Tarantino's '92 "Reservoir Dogs". Covered by Juice Newton, Susanna Hoffs and blind guitarist Jeff Healy. Band? Song? Answer: "Stuck In the Middle (With You)" by Stealers Wheel. Definite Dylan and even Don McLean inflections. Man, Tarantino can be bloody! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln7Vn_WKkWU&list=RDln7Vn_WKkWU&start_radio=1

OK, more of my musical heroes: Born 12/21/46, died 2/6/98. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Morbid stage-fright throughout his career. He was "the glue" that held his seminal group together through years of well-concealed turmoil. His battle axe was a 1962 Olympic white Fender Jaguar run through a beige Showman amp. He taught us all the fine points of the surf guitar. Artist? Answer: Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys. My favorite Beach Boy. A kind soul. Even though he was the youngest Wilson, he was the voice of sanity in an ocean of discord. I miss him sorely - he taught us so many little guitar "tricks"! Angelic vocals in "God Only Knows". With Brian leaving us earlier this year, all three Wilson brothers have now joined that big ol' rock and roll band in heaven. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku0OmByRdrk&list=RDKu0OmByRdrk&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0lj3WX_5ps&list=RDM0lj3WX_5ps&sta...

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: Even though this American composer won Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, Tonys, Golden Globes and Pulitzers, his ONLY hit as a performing artist came in 1974 with his cover of a 1902 Scott Joplin piano rag, as part of his score for "The Sting" ('73). #3 Pop; #1 Easy Listening. #10 on RIAA's "Songs of the Century". Artist? Song? Answer: "The Entertainer" by Marvin Hamlisch. Great music from a great movie! He won 3 Oscars in '73 - only the 2nd person to ever do so. He left us in 2012 at age 68. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsFGcPujqKE&list=RDvsFGcPujqKE&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: In 1961, doo-wop classic "Rama Lama Ding Dong" reached #21 on the Billboard charts for The Edsels. What was the band's original name? Answer: The Essos (!). From a defunct gas brand to Detroit's biggest flop - hmmm...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 30s: Irving Berlin wrote this 1936 romantic classic for the movie "Follow the Fleet". It was sung by Fred Astaire, who danced to it with Ginger Rogers in a performance for the ages. Steve Martin lip-synched Fred in "Pennies From Heaven" ('81). Jennifer Grey ("Baby"!) and Derek Hough did a very respectable quickstep to it on "Dancing With The Stars" some years ago. Song? Answer: "Let's Face the Music and Dance". Doggone it, they just don't make 'em like that anymore! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c08wiEyVuak&list=RDc08wiEyVuak&start_radio=1

OK, put on your double-knit polyester leisure suits - the 70s are back: This 1971 soft-rock top-20 hit by Cymarron was also covered by Lobo and by Leo Kottke. It was written by Eddie Reeves as a wedding song for friends of his. Song? Answer: "Rings". I always loved this tune. Largely forgotten by broadcast media. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um-x9fmXQrE&list=RDUm-x9fmXQrE&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQZmTyoJ5RY&list=RDDQZmTyoJ5RY&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEWH2Sc39FI&list=RDxEWH2Sc39FI&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the classics: This Czech (Bohemian) romantic composer wrote his most popular symphony in 1893 during his stay in the U.S. from 1892-95. Inspired by Native American music and African-American spirituals. Commissioned by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, it debuted at Carnegie Hall in 1893 to rave reviews. Burleigh's spiritual "Goin' Home" is said to be based upon it. One of the most popular works in modern symphonic repertoires. Early on, it was titled "fifth" because of "the curse of the ninth". Composer? Symphony? For extra credit, what is "the curse of the ninth"? Answer: The Symphony No. 9 in E Minor "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 (Czech: Symfonie č. 9 e moll „Z nového světa“) by Antonin Dvorak. It is impossible for me to think about Dvorak's "New World" without thinking of my dear childhood friend Dr. Alberto "Papa Dios" Rodriguez. He introduced me to it when we ...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This melancholic autobiographic 1966 pop-rock classic was Neil Diamond's debut single as a recording artist (he was already a successful Brill Building songwriter). Inspired by the Beatles' "Michelle", it was his first composition in a minor key. He recorded two versions - with and without a pre-recorded background harmony track. It peaked at #55 in '66 but a re-release in '70 went to #21. From a 2005 Rolling Stone article: "There's not a wasted word or chord in this two-and-a-half minute anthem of heartbreak and self-affirmation, which introduced the melancholy loner persona that he's repeatedly returned to throughout his career." T.G. Sheppard's '76 cover went to #14 on the Country charts and Johnny Cash's 2000 version won him the Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. Chris Isaak does a killer rendition (as always!). Song? Answer: "Solitary Man" by Neil Diamond. Solid ...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 80s (the 1880s, that is!): French composer Leo Delibes penned this timeless classic soprano/mezzo duet between 1881 and 1882 as part of the first act of his tragic opera "Lakme". It premiered in Paris in 1883. Set in 19th-century British-ruled India, it tells the tale of a Brahmin priest's daughter who falls in love with a British soldier, a taboo at the time, with tragic consequences. The duet is sung by the protagonist and her servant, Mallika, as they go gathering blossoms (hint, hint!) by the riverside. In a tranquil and idyllic scene, they sing about peace and innocence before tragedy ensues. Sung in a call-and-response style, it has become one of the best-known and loved passages in classical music. Quite often sung as a stand-alone piece in vocal recitals. Has been featured in the "Carlito's Way" and "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" soundtracks, as well as on "Sex and the City" and "The Simpson...

OK, boys and girls, let's go WAY back: This 1941 song, originally written in Hebrew by Issachar Miron and Jehiel Hagges, was the B-side to The Weavers' 1951 "Goodnight Irene" (#1 Billboard) and it also reached #2 on the Billboard charts - pretty doggone rare to have a #1/#2 45rpm! The title translates roughly to "Go out, go out, go out", an exhortation for young women to go out, see the returning soldiers and give them a good welcome. Song? Answer: "Tzena, Tzena, Tzena" by Pete Seeger and The Weavers. My Dad, may he rest in peace, used to sing it to me with "geetar" when I was little. He was a great guy - I still miss him a lot even after all these years. Good "geetar" player! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcRz0xCXvMU&list=RDRcRz0xCXvMU&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, a little more 90s Country for today. (BTW, in my book, this is one of the saddest songs ever written): This SAD country song was written by Danny "Bear" Mayo. A man's poignant request for somene to care for his loyal dog, his best friend, after he's gone. It reached #15 in the Billboard Country charts in 1990. Title? Band? Answer: "Feed Jake" by Pirates of the Mississippi. Peter, Paul and Mary's "Gone the Rainbow" and Judy Collins' "Shule Aroon" are also way up high on the Sad Songs Hit Parade. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtDezR2aDSc&list=RDLtDezR2aDSc&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more Mop-Tops: This Gordy/Bradford 1959 R&B composition was THE 1st hit for what was to become Motown - Barrett Strong's rendition peaked at #2 B&B and #23 Pop in '60. It expresses a desire for lucre as the primary motivator. The Beatles recorded it in '63 in 7 takes for their 2nd album with John on lead vocals and subsequent piano overdubs by Sir George Martin. #288 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Ever. Performed by John Belushi on "Animal House". Song? Answer: "Money (That's What I Want)". This is John Lee Hooker's song way before '59 - coincidence???: "The best thing in life is free, But you can give it to the birds an' bees I need some money, Need some money. Oh yeah, what I want". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeWjEYhk7Xo&list=RDCeWjEYhk7Xo&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeVx1C73o8k&list=RDyeVx1C73o8k&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3...