Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: Of The Beatles and The Byrds, which band had more cover songs on their first 5 albums (I'm counting the UK releases for the Beatles)? Answer: (Trick question - sorry, couldn't help myself!) It's a tie - 20 each.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 80s: This neo-rockabilly trio was formed in 1979 by Massapequa, NY childhood friends. They blended their love for punk and rockabilly into a unique image and sound, completely different from the mainstream music of the day. Their second biggest hit came in 1981 with an exhortation to go out and have an exciting, high-energy time with dancing, drinking and enjoying live music. #10 U.S. and UK. It was written by their singer/songwriter and guitarist. According to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it is "one of the songs that shaped rock and roll". Their unique sound evokes that of Memphis' Sun Records. Just a few days ago, they played it on Jimmy Fallon (not my favorite) in their first late-night appearance in 35 years. Trio? Song? For extra credit, name their biggest charting hit. Answer: "Rock This Town" by Stray Cats. Biggest charting hit: "Stray Cat Strut" #3 1983. One of those groups that I loved the first...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 30s: It was 1939, right before the start of WWII. British composer Manning Sherwin and lyricist Eric Maschwitz were on holiday at Le Lavandou, a small French fishing village. Inspired by the title of a 1923 Michael Arlen short story, they penned a romantic ballad that has since become a classic. An intensely magical and deeply in-love evening in London's Mayfair district after enjoying dinner at The Ritz. The only sound they hear is that of a bird that usually lives in the countryside, certainly not in Central London. First performed by Judy Campbell in 1940 and, shortly thereafter, by Vera Lynn. Covered by, among many others, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Mel Tormé, Bobby Darin and Manhattan Transfer. Performed for the British audience by Petula Clark in 2005 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of WWII. Song? Answer: "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square". The title was admittedly "stolen" from ...

OK, girls and boys, more 60s TWO-hit wonders: Mike Leander and Eddie Saego co-wrote their British quintet's 1969 debut single. Emotional renewal, optimism and joy caused by the anticipation of a loved one returning home. Gypsy/hora chorus tempo with the clavioline emphasizing the Balkan-infused lead lines. #8 UK, #12 Billboard's Hot 100, Gold Disc. Covered by Sir Cliff Richard. Song? Band? For extra credit, name their other charting hit. Answer: "Early in the Morning" by Vanity Fare. Their other charting hit, "Hitchin' a Ride", surpassed their first one, peaking at #5 in 1970. I have such fond memories of that magical summer of '69. Between junior and senior years in high school, it never ceases to amaze me the amount of great songs that came out in such a short period of time! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hN9YRo7y1s&list=RD9hN9YRo7y1s&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v92_MSsgHEo&list=RDv92_MSsgHEo&start_...

OK, boys and girls, more 80s 0ne-hit wonders: Lead guitarist and frontman Dan Baird was riding a city bus home from his surveying job in 1980 when a song "came to him". He is quoted as saying that "it basically wrote itself". A woman refuses to become more intimate with her boyfriend until he marries her. The Southern rock standard became a massive 1986 hit for his band, peaking at #2 on Billboard's Hot 100. Its popularity was propelled by a tongue-in-cheek MTV music video featuring a shotgun wedding. The band's cover of "Hippy Hippy Shake" received some airplay but never cracked the Top 40. Song? Band? Answer: "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" by Georgia Satellites. The good ol' days when MTV and VH1 actually played music videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WonOudGMSdc&list=RDWonOudGMSdc&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk7F2t1M1y0&list=RDRk7F2t1M1y0&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: Glaswegian folkie Al Stewart co-wrote this 1978 yacht-rock classic with guitarist Peter White. Originally shunned by him, it became his highest-charting U.S. single at #7, as well as #1 on Easy Listening, surpassing his massive 1976 worldwide hit "Year of the Cat". Produced by Alan Parsons (where's Austin Powers when we need him?!). Memorable sax work by Phil Kenzie. It describes his planning a trip back home, along with his nostalgic recollections of the past. Song? Answer: "Time Passages" by Al Stewart. Fond memories of my surgical resident year at Bryn Mawr Hospital. We worked hard but, somehow, always managed to find a little time to enjoy the great music of the day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2g0hrrKLNw&list=RDQ2g0hrrKLNw&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: Bahia natives Antônio Carlos & Jocáfi co-wrote and first performed this 1971 samba/bossa nova classic. Maria Creuza's 1972 version became a massive international hit. She later married Antônio Carlos. The title translates loosely into "you took advantage". A relationship dynamic in which one person took advantage of another's deep love. Very popular Spanish versions by Daniela Mercury, Celia Cruz and Willie Colón, among others. Michael Fugain's French rendition "Fais Comme l'Oiseau" received extensive international play. "Revived" by Sergio Mendes and Brasil '77 on their "Vintage '74" album. Song? For extra credit, name of the Spanish version? Answer: "Você Abusou". "Usted Abusó" in Spanish. It came out when I was in college; very popular in Puerto Rico. I swear those Brazilians make up guitar chords as they go but, doggone it, they make them sound...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 50s: It was 1959 and Brasilia, the new federal capital of Brazil, was being built in the Brazilian Highlands away from the overpopulated coast. Then President Juscelino Kubitschek invited composers Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes to spend some time in the building site and write an anthem to be performed at the new city's inauguration. One night, the two of them were walking and heard the sound of water. They asked the watchman where the sound was coming from. He replied, "Don't you know? This is where you have drinking water, buddy boy" (translated from Portuguese). That was their inspiration for a classic 1963 bossa nova/jazz standard first recorded by Jobim himself. Covered by, among many others, Astrud Gilberto, Frank Sinatra, Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66, Charlie Byrd and Ella Fitzgerald. Song? Answer: "Água de Beber". The watchman replied, "Você não sabe não? É aqui que tem água de beber, ...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: This 1957 Brazilian composition is widely considered to be the first bossa nova. Originally recorded that same year by Elizeth Cardoso to a tepid reception. Guitarist extraordinaire João Gilberto's 1958 rendition was a massive international hit for him and singlehandedly created the genre. The title translates directly as "enough longing" but is best known in English as "No More Blues". Grammy Hall of Fame 2000. Song? For extra credit, name the two composers. Answer: "Chega de Saudade". Composed by Antônio Carlos "Tom" Jobim with lyrics by Vinícius de Moraes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0a0QuLEC8A&list=RDY0a0QuLEC8A&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jrIlzQa4FA&list=RD_jrIlzQa4FA&start_radio=1

Okey, pa' los puertorriqueños: Este músico, compositor y propietario de restaurante empezó tocando jazz en piano "de oido". Creó a Los Colegiales y luego The Living End, quienes se convirtieron en Space cuando tocaron en NYC. Fue pianista y organista con los Beach Boys del '70 al '81. Ha tocado también con The Captain & Tenille, Jan & Dean y The Association. Todavía toca casi todas las noches en su bistro en el Viejo San Juan. Artista? Respuesta: Carli Muñoz. Uno de nuestros heroes musicales en los 60s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUlULehYVmE

OK, girls and boys, back to the 80s: Even though this 1984 TV commercial jingle for a bismuth (hint, hint!) subsalicylate over-the-counter GI med is credited to Publicis North America advertising agency, the lyrics were actually penned by Susan Spiegel Solovay and Bill Vernick, with music by Leslie Pearl. Five digestive symptoms are prominently featured. It became extremely popular during their 2002 advertising campaing and it is still featured today. Excellent tenor, baritone and bass harmories with the basses carrying the last word punchline. The original version was sung by Jason Paige, who also sang the Pokémon theme. Medication? Answer: Pepto-Bismol commercial theme. "When you get nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrheaaaaaaa!". To this day, that commercial still brings a smile to my face. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBHatGGfqNo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu0lqVhnt9U

OK, boys and girls, back to the 40s (the 1840s, that is): The famous overture to this 1845 Wagnerian grand opera in three acts was written last, as it includes its most prominent musical themes. Based on combined German history and folklore. The title of the opera and its protagonist's name translate from the Middle High German as "house of the fir trees" or "forest-dweller". A tale of a mythological Minnesänger and poet, as well as of the Wartburg Song Contest. It highlights the struggle between sacred and profane love and, ultimately, redemption. The overture is often performed as a separate concert piece, first played as such by the Leipzig Orchestra in 1846 under the baton of Felix Mendelssohn. Wagner was so impassioned by the composition that, towards the end, he became physically ill. Opera? Answer: Overture to "Tannhäuser" by Richard Wagner ("Tannhäuser und der Sängerkrieg auf Wartburg"). Fond memories of my dear childhood f...