Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, girls and boys, more 60s-70s: This Astoria, NY native's first hit was inspired by the candles the audience lit while she played at Woodstock. Her biggest hit was banned by several radio stations because of perceived sexual innuendo. One of her compositions launched The New Seekers and was covered by Ray Charles and Nina Simone. It goes under two titles. Artist? The 3 songs? Answer: Melanie (Safka). "Lay Down (Candles In the Rain)" refers to her Woodstock experience. "Brand New Key" was banned from airplay by more than a few stations because of its racy lyrics. "What Have They Done to My Song, Ma?" and "Look What They've Done to My Song, Ma" can be used interchangeably - "well, if the people are buying tears, I'll be rich some day, Ma...". Sadly, she left us in 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ52lk9wjZI&list=RDIZ52lk9wjZI&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCTMTflcuug&list=RDRCTMTflc...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: This romantic 1967 pop/easy listening ballad was composed in French by Maurice Vidalin and Gilbert Becaud. It was first recorded by Becaud as "Seul Sur Son Etoile". Mack David added English lyrics and it became a worldwide smash hit when recorded by a Tex-Mex songbird born Florencia Bisenta de Casillas-Martinez Cardona. A woman waits anxiously by the telephone hoping her former lover will call. #3 U.S., #2 UK. It became her signature song. Featured on the 1987 "Moonstruck" soundtrack. Song? Artist's stage name? Answer: "It Must Be Him" by Vikki Carr. One of my father's favorites. It got quite a bit of play on the ol' Bogen hi-fi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-qgHOQ1ofg&list=RDJ-qgHOQ1ofg&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: British tunesmith Tony Maculay experienced severe jet lag after a flight from London to Tokyo. That inspired him to compose a classic 1972 soul/R&B ballad using insomnia as a metaphor for inability to move on after a failed relationship - a tale of heartache and restlessness. He first offered it to The Carpenters, but they refused to record it, saying that they did not do songs "about drugs". It was then recorded by The 5th Dimension with Marilyn McCoo on lead vocals and backed by The Wrecking Crew. #8 Billboard Hot 100, #2 Adult Contemporary, #28 R&B and it was the group's sixth and final Platinum Record. Covered by Vikki Carr and Johnny Mathis, among others. Song? Answer: "(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep at All" by The 5th Dimension. The "drug reference" goes "the sleeping pill I took was just a waste of time...". Pretty tame these days, if you ask me. Man, The 5th Dimension - t...

As my dear Facebook family and friends know, I always try to keep my posts light and fluffy - no politics and no religion. Once a year, however, I allow myself a rant when the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominations come out. Well, it's that time again so here it goes: The Black Crowes, Oasis, Phil Collins, Billy Idol, INXS, Iron Maiden and Luther Vandross are all extremely well-deserving and I wish them the best. Mariah Carey, Melissa Etheridge, PINK, Sade and Shakira are all forces of nature as well, even though, when I think of them, rock doesn't come to my mind. Jeff Buckley, with all due respect, recorded one album and his only "hit" was a Leonard Cohen cover. Joy Division/New Order - I'll let you be the judge. Lauryn Hill, New Edition and Wu-Tang Clan - I'll let Gene Simmons answer, "hip-hop does not belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame". Meanwhile, The Monkees are still not in the Hall, even though Micky Dolenz is the only member...

OK, boys and girls, more 70s one-hit wonders: This Tennessee-born (hint, hint!) singer/songwriter was touring with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band when they visited three cities where he had not been before. They inspired him to write and perform his only solo hit, an easy-listening 1974 soft-rock ballad which defined his career. A plea to a woman to join him in those three cities. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and Easy Listening charts. Grammy-nominated for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Artist? Song? Answer: "Please Come to Boston" by Dave Loggins. In 1984, he topped the Country charts with "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do", a duet with Anne Murray, but "Please Come to Boston" was his only solo hit. Curiously, the song is "almost" autobiographic in the sense that there was no woman - he "made her up" to intensify the feeling of longing. Fond memories of listening to it during my sophomore year of med school in Philly. Covered ...

This one was suggested by someone very dear to me but, at her request, she will remain anonymous: OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: Composed by Peter Cetera, this wistful 1974 Chicago soft-rock ballad speaks of longing, absence and missing a loved one. The late great Terry Kath sings lead vocals and Cetera does the bridge. One of the very few Chicago tunes where Kath plays bass and Cetera guitar. The Beach Boys were recording in an adjacent studio so Carl and Dennis Wilson, as well as Al Jardine, added backup vocals. #11 Billboard Hot 100, #9 Cash Box, #1 Easy Listening. Song? Answer: "Wishing You Were Here" by Chicago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj3TOw8DIDw&list=RDJj3TOw8DIDw&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, the 60s live on: This Chicago native cut his teeth at the Old Town School of Folk Music. He played banjo and guitar with The Limeliters, the Chad Mitchell Trio and Bobby Darin. After watching "A Hard Day's Night" in '64, he tried to find a 12-string Rickenbacker like George's "with the pointy cutaways" but couldn't. He had to settle for a "blonde" 360-12. It was stolen and auctioned in England for $100,000. Artist? Answer: Jim "Roger" McGuinn. He has been my guitar hero since I first heard him in '65. And the rest, as they say, is jingle-jangle... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0Jg4S9R-44&list=RDO0Jg4S9R-44&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: This touching 1974 Neil Sedaka/Phil Cody ballad is arguably Sedaka's most socially-conscious song. It peaked at #22. Dedicated to John Lennon as a protest against the government's refusal to grant him permanent resident status. Song? Answer: "The Immigrant" by Neil Sedaka. Part of Neil's "return" in the 70s. A little pitch for him - one of my all-time favorite artists: He's STILL not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Here's the link to sign the petition. http://www.sedaka.be/neil_sedaka_petition/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VGd7pDHtIA&list=RD3VGd7pDHtIA&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 80s: This singer/songwriter/guitarist was the first artist to win all 4 General Field Grammys ("The Big Four") in one night - Record, Album and Song of the Year, as well as Best New Artist. He won 5 Grammys that night. He also won an Oscar and a Golden Globe. (Norah Jones came oh so close in 2003!) Artist? Answer: Christopher Cross. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJS1rFQBhyU&list=RDDJS1rFQBhyU&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: This 1958 Gordy/Gordy/Davis R&B classic was first recorded by Detroit native "Mr. Excitement" in '59. It topped the R&B/Soul charts and peaked at #7 on Billboard's Hot 100. Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and is ranked #308 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In September of 1975, while performing at the Latin Casino in NJ, the artist suffered a stroke and collapsed on stage as he sang this song right after delivering "...my heart is crying.". Song? Artist? Answer: "Lonely Teardrops" by Jackie Wilson. Was he cool or what?! AND he COULD dance - SO SMOOTH!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nEfuE8Pw4U

OK, boys and girs, back to the 80s: This Canadian singer/songwriter/poet wrote and recorded this anthem in 1984. At first, his producers did not want it released. Recorded in C, it details the chord progression in the 1st verse (C-F-G-Am-F). It has become his most-covered song with excellent versions by Rufus Wainwright, k.d.lang and Jeff Buckley (#1 Hot Digital Charts). Song? Composer? Answer: "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen. For many years, his most-covered song was "Suzanne" but "Hallelujah" has surpassed it. k.d.lang did a beautiful rendition during the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Vancouver. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrLk4vdY28Q&list=RDYrLk4vdY28Q&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcOQSk_cMO0&list=RDtcOQSk_cMO0&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8AWFf7EAc4&list=RDy8AWFf7EAc4&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQK4YfiPj1Q&list=RDLQK4YfiPj1Q&start_radio=1

OK. girls and boys, back to the 70s: This Doug Fieger composition was inspired by a 16-year-old girl who is now a very successful realtor in Beverly Hills. It was the debut single for his band, spending 6 weeks at #1 on Billboard in 1979 and was ranked #1 on Billboard's Top Pop Singles for that year. RIAA Certified Gold. It was on Dubya's iPod in 2005! Band? Song? Answer: "My Sharona" by The Knack. Sharona Alperin was only 16 at the time. Fieger pursued her for a year, even though she had a boyfriend. He left us in 2010 at age 57. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbr60I0u2Ng&list=RDbbr60I0u2Ng&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: The first #1 single for this San Jose, CA band came in 1975 with a Louisiana-swamp roots rock tune penned, played and sung by Patrick Simmons, their lead guitarist. Inspired by Mark Twain's writings about the Mighty Mississippi. KILLER fiddle work and a cappella vocals. Curiously, neither one of the band's two #1 hits in the 70s was written or sung by Tom Johnston, their lead vocalist and main songwriter. Band? Song? For extra credit name their other #1 hit from the 70s. Answer: "Black Water" by The Doobie Brothers. "What a Fool Believes" was written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. Great memories from Phi Chi Medical Fraternity in '75 - seems like every stereo in the house was playing "Black Water" simultaneously! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4oZCtfmh44&list=RDm4oZCtfmh44&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKYQNtF11eg&list=RDqKYQNtF11eg&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: An L.A. garage band recorded this rock standard in 1965 after hearing The Byrds' yet unrecorded version live at Ciro's with David Crosby on lead vocals. It is the story of a man on the run headed down to Mexico after shooting his unfaithful wife (!). Theirs was the first recorded version, reaching #31 on Billboard in '66. Hendrix's rendition was the final song at Woodstock. Group? Song? Answer: "Hey Joe" by The Leaves. I heard The Byrds (my all-time favorite band!) do "Hey Joe" live in 1967 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan. MEMORABLE concert! They had just released "5D" and, unfortunately, Gene Clark had recently left the group. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWv03Wgz0PQ&list=RDKWv03Wgz0PQ&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVFGwJ7S2EQ&list=RDAVFGwJ7S2EQ&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUPifXX0foU&list=RDgUPifXX0foU&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the Winter Olympics and Paralympics: This 1969 Burt Bacharach vocalese/scat a capella classic was part of the legendary "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid" soundtrack. When it became clear they have to flee, they head for Bolivia (hint, hint!), along with Etta Place, in search of a more successful criminal career. It was performed by The Ron Hicklin Singers, an L.A.-based ensemble of studio vocalists. It is now the background music for the "a little coffee goes a long way" Starbucks TV commercial, being aired during the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Tune? Answer: "South American Getaway". "...pad a dap a dapadda, doob be doobee doop, pum… pum… pum… padadappada..." The Ron Hicklin Singers were the vocal equivalent of The Wrecking Crew. They were the real backup singers to The Partridge Family. They also recorded the backing vocals to "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Theme", Richard Harris' ...

OK, girls and boys, more jingle-jangle: This 1964 Dylan opus was heavily influenced by Rimbaud's poetry and was called by Paul Williams "Dylan's Sermon On The Mount". It expresses his solidarity with the downtrodden and the oppressed as he and his companion watch a thunderstorm from shelter. It marks Dylan's transition from his "protest" period to a "born-again pacifist moral poet". The Byrds' ethereal version on their first studio album adds another layer of meaning as McGuinn's 12-string Rickenbacker sound evokes the song's title. Song? Answer: "Chimes of Freedom". A classic! To this day (since '65!), it is absolutely impossiible for me (or any other Byrds nut!) to sit down with a 12-string and not play "Chimes Of Freedom". Crosby's high harmonies are ANGELIC! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrtFg6gJ6Cc&list=RDyrtFg6gJ6Cc&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDOHhx_dk1g&list=RD...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This "cross between psychedelia and early heavy-metal" band from NYC cut 5 albums between 1967 and 1969. They started out as Rick Martin and The Snowmen and later evolved into The Pigeons. Heavily influenced by The Young Rascals, they recorded excellent covers of Beatles and Cher songs. Their biggest hit was a Supremes cover featured during the final episode of "The Sopranos". Group? Biggest hit? Answer: Vanilla Fudge. "You Keep Me Hangin' On". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dJO47d26kc&list=RD3dJO47d26kc&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: Singer/songwriter Gene Thomas met young vocalist Debbe Neville in Nashville. They were signed by Acuff-Rose Music to record under the TRX label. Their one hit was a 1968 Thomas composition that sold over a million copies, was awarded a Gold Record and peaked at #18. A dialogue between a woman warning her beau about his reputation as a heartbreaker and the man triying to prove his sincere love. Very pleasant pop/country harmonies. Song? Duo? Answer: "Playboy" by Gene and Debbe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDlxq0pCiCc&list=RDeDlxq0pCiCc&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: This beat/pop band from North London formed in 1963. They had a female drummer, Honey Lantree, very rare in those days. Their only hit was a Howard/Blaikley collaboration - it reached #1 in the UK, Australia and Canada and #5 in the U.S. Group? Hit? Answer: "Have I the Right?" by The Honeycombs. I remember watching them doing "Have I the Right" on "Shindig" - mighty cool! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZUWHfI6EuE&list=RD2ZUWHfI6EuE&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: Husband-and-wife singer/songwriter duo John Carter/Gillian Shakespeare wrote their major hit in 1974 in southwest London, far away from any shore. They recruited lead vocalist Tony Burrows ("Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)", "Gimme Dat Ding", "United We Stand") and Chas Miller to form a pop studio-based group. Riding the wave of 60s nostalgia and with Brian Wilson-esque rich harmonies, it peaked at #4 in the US and at #13 in the UK. Group? Song? For extra credit, name Carter's 1965 hit. Answer: "Beach Baby" by The First Class. Extra credit: "Tossing and Turning". A little bubblegummy but I always liked "Beach Baby". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeGPpwFpIAA&list=RDoeGPpwFpIAA&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAkIbLSYOBI&list=RDbAkIbLSYOBI&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, a little "exotica" this morning: This popular Greek "orphan" song's title loosely translates into "Egyptian girl". Introduced by Michalis Patrinos in 1927, it was then "adopted" by Nick Roubanis in 1941, crediting himself with the song. A classic surf-guitar version was recorded by Dick Dale in 1962 and covered by the Beach Boys in '63. In '94 it became the "theme" for "Pulp Fiction". Tune? Answer: "Misirlou" by Dick Dale and His Del-Tones. Originally titled "Miserlou". It's even on Guitar Hero II! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIU0RMV_II8&list=RDZIU0RMV_II8&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aKTHBzgKg8&list=RD5aKTHBzgKg8&start_radio=1S

OK, boys and girls, a toughie this morning: Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, this dramatic tenor was the first Puerto Rican to gain international fame in the musical arts. He was also the first singer to record an entire opera - "Pagliacci" in 1912. He was dubbed "The King of Tenors and The Tenor of Kings". He was "black-balled" from the Metropolitan Opera House by Enrico Caruso, a major shareholder and influential figure at The Met, because of professional jealousy and fear of competition. This, along with WWI, caused him to lose his fortune. He returned to Puerto Rico, where he taught singing and ran a music school with his sister. He also did some professional boxing on the side! Tenor? Answer: Antonio Paoli (1871-1946). He was also very influential in the creation of the prestigious Conservatory of Music in San Juan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnFXJOg9Xxg&list=RDqnFXJOg9Xxg&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 30s: This classic 1935 "arrabalero" tango was penned by its singer with lyrics by Alfredo Le Pera. A compulsive gambler compares his penchant for horse-racing with his attraction to women. The melody is based on Mozart's Rondo in C Major for Violin and Orcherstra K. 373. Al Pacino danced to it on "Scent of a Woman" and Schwarzenegger in "True Lies". Answer: "Por Una Cabeza" by Carlos Gardel. The tango scene in "Scent of a Woman", when Pacino dances with Gabrielle Anwar, is one of my favorite movie clips ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2zTd_YwTvo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ1aTPM-dyE&list=RDSJ1aTPM-dyE&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPlv1QKiUwg

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: This instrumental band's only hit peaked at #3 in February of 1966. It was "lifted" off a popular Alka-Seltzer commercial. In the 70s, the band "evolved" into Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds (as in "Don't Pull Your Love" and "Fallin' In Love"). Hit? Group? Answer: "No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach's In)" by The T-Bones. The Ventures also did a wonderful cover version (dang, those Mosrites sound so sweet!). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfdL62ss-vQ&list=RDxfdL62ss-vQ&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: John Paul Jones set out to write "a song that people couldn't 'groove' or dance to". Inspired by Muddy Waters' "Electric Mud" and by the call-and-response between the singer and the band in Fleetwood Mac's "Oh, Well" ('69) this heavy-metal classic peaked at #15 in '71 and is #294 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All time. The title comes from a Labrador Retriever roaming around the recording studio and has nothing to do with the rest of the song. Jimmy Page's guitar work consists of 4 overdubbed Gibson Les Paul tracks. The high A towards the end is Robert Plant's highest note ever recorded (ouch!). Song? Group? Answer: "Black Dog" by Led Zeppelin. In my book, Zeppelin DEFINES Heavy Metal - that's where the genre was born and ended - no other metal act can touch them! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tlSx0jkuLM&list=RD6tlSx0jkuLM&start_radio=1