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Showing posts from July, 2026

National Anthems without lyrics. (Posted 7/20/2026)

OK, boys and girls, back to The World Cup (congratulations to Spain!): In addition to Spain, there are three other countries whose official national anthems have no lyrics. Name them. Answer: Spain (Marcha Real), San Marino (Terra di Liberta), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Intermeco) and Kosovo (Europa). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjrrVrmdK0M&list=RDmjrrVrmdK0M&start_radio=1

"Mockingbird" by Inez and Charlie Foxx.

This one was suggested by someone very dear to me who wishes to remain anonymous. OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: The only chart hit for this Greensboro, NC brother-and-sister duo came in 1963 with a self-penned R&B/soul classic based upon a traditional American folk lullaby. They were frequently mistaken as husband and wife. Top 10 R&B and Pop, sold over one million copies and was awarded a Gold Disc by RIAA. Covered by, among many others, Aretha Franklin and Dusty Springfield. In 1974, Carly Simon and then-husband James Taylor had a massive worldwide hit with their version, peaking at #5 and featuring Dr. John on piano, as well as the late Michael Brecker, on tenor sax. Duo? Song? Answer: "Mockingbird" by Inez and Charlie Foxx. I can still see my dear childhood friend Sebastian Bonnin doing the "mashed potatoes" to it when we were in grade school. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g47_NI1CWNQ&list=RDg47_NI1CWNQ&start_radio=...

"A Hard Day's Night" Mystery Chord.

OK, girls and boys, more Mop Tops (a toughie this morning!): As an aspiring guitarist in the early 60s, one of the greatest mysteries was the opening chord to "A Hard Day's Night". My friends and I would pull our hair (yes, I DID have plenty of hair in those days!) trying to figure it out. Name the chord. Answer: When the song was broken down into its original separate studio tracks, it was revealed that each band member, as well as producer Sir George Martin, had played their own part. Whether this was a brilliant screw-up or intended will forever remain a mystery. The chord was a complex layering of several instruments. George: Played a Fadd9 chord on his Rickenbacker 360/12 12-string electric. John: Played a Dsus4 chord on his Gibson J-160E 6-string acoustic. Paul: Played a low D on his Höfner violin bass. Sir George Martin added the piano by playing a Dsus4 chord (D-G-C) in the middle register. Ringo: Hit the snare drum and cymbal simultaneously. George consider...