Poldo's Music Trivia II

This one is a suggestion from Judy, after she heard it on Sirius XM. OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: This Harlem=based vocal group started out as The Poets and then became The Insiders. They finally settled on their eventual name, which they took from a Coca Cola bottle. By far, their biggest hit was a 1972 Bailey/Clark/Williams R&B/soul classic. It was first offered to Charlie Pride but he passed on it, saying that it was "not country enough". It speaks about how love can cloud a man's mind and make him do foolish (hint, hint!) things. #3 Billboard Hot 100, #2 Billboard R&B, Grammy-nominated, RIAA Certified Gold. Lead vocals by Cuba Gooding Sr. after the death of their original frontman Donald McPherson due to leukemia. Aaron Neville covered it in 1991. Group? Song? Answer: "Everybody Plays the Fool" by The Main Ingredient. It was still extremely popular when I arrived in Philly in 1973 - certainly sounds like Philly Soul! Wo...

OK,boys and girls, back to the 90s: Singer/songwiter David Mallett penned and first recorded this 1975 "folk standard" which has become a hymn children's song. It celebrates the spiritual and physical rewards of working the land, practicing self-reliance and finding peace through connection to nature's cycles. He later adapted it to a children's picture book. It became a massive folk hit for Peter, Paul and Mary in 1993. Also covered by Pete Seeger, John Denver, Raffi, Arlo Guthrie and The Muppets. Song? Answer: "Garden Song" ("Inch by Inch") by Peter, Paul and Mary. Mallett's picture book "Inch by Inch - The Garden Song" was very well-received. He left us in 2024 at age 73. We had the privilege of seeing both Peter, Paul & Mary and John Denver perforn it live. It warms your heart! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZYY80Y3jNc&list=RDIZYY80Y3jNc&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRO2_S1rdSs&li...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: The late great Peter Yarrow wrote this classic 1969 folk anthem as an anti-war protest during the Vietnam Era. It offers comfort, solace and protection to a child inspired by the author's fears of his own brother being drafted to serve during those turbulent times. Grammy-nominated, #21 Billboard Hot 100. It was the last single that Peter, Paul and Mary recorded together as a group. Covered by Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge in 1970. Song? Answer: "Day is Done" by Peter, Paul and Mary. It saddens me to think that, at 88, Noel Paul Stookey is the only surviving member of that seminal folk trio. We had the privilege of seeing them twice - both memorable concerts. Mary Travers left us in 2009 and Peter Yarrow in 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Z2imE-8mk&list=RDu9Z2imE-8mk&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVSbeGATDnw&list=RDHVSbeGATDnw&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: This lively 1973 pop-rock tune, composed and recorded by an Irish singer/songwriter, started out as a piano warm-up exercise. He was looking for a faster tempo, as all of his previous hits had been ballads. Even though many thought it was about a misbehaving pet canine, according to the author it deals with an overzealous and persistent romantic partner that does not respect his personal boundaries. #1 UK and Ireland, Top 10 U.S. and Canada, Certified Gold and received the Ivor Novello Award in 1973. It inspired a massive 1975 disco hit for KC and The Sunshine Band. Memorable electric piano lines by Laurie Holloway. Song? Artist? Answer: "Get Down" by Gilbert O'Sullivan. I must admit, I was one of the many that were confused with "you're a bad dog, baby" - must be an Irish thing! It inspired KC and The Sunshine Band's "Get Down Tonight". Such fond memories of my freshman year of med school in Ph...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: When this Irish singer/songwriter first came to London with hardly any money to his name, he was welcomed by and allowed to stay at his producer-manager Gordon Mills and his wife, model Jo Waring's home. On many occasions he would babysit their three-year-old daughter and she would call him "Uncle Ray". She was the inspiration for this sweet and innocent 1972 tribute folk ballad as an affectionate "thank you" for her parents' friendship and support. The singer does the whistling at the beginning of the song, the father plays the harmonica and the girl's giggles are heard at the end. Topped the charts in the UK and Canada, peaking at #2 on Billboard's Hot 100. It was the artist's last charting hit. Artist? Song? Answer: "Clair" by Gilbert O'Sullivan. Born Raymond Edward O'Sullivan, he is now 79 and lives in the Isle of Jersey on the English Channel. "Uncle Ray" comes from ...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 50s: In this 1958 doo-wop/rock classic, parents nag a teenage boy to do household chores, threaten punishments if he doesn't and he responds with a dismissive refrain. Written by Leiber and Stoller, it was recorded by an L.A.-based R&B vocal group with a memorable tenor sax solo by King Curtis. #1 R&B for 7 weeks, #1 Billboard Hot 100, inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. They were the first vocal group inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Hilariously sung by Arnold Schwarzenegger while taking a shower in "Twins" (1988). Group? Song? Answer: "Yakety Yak" by The Coasters. It inspired Boots Randolph's "Yakety Sax" and Chet Atkins' "Yakety Axe". Leon Hughes, the last of the original Coasters, left us in 2003 at age 92. For me, it is impossible to think about "Yakety Yak" without thinking about The Governator. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRA3majpFXI...

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: The only charting solo hit for this Detroit native came in 1979 with a soft country-rock ballad which he comopsed and performed. A comforting tune offering unconditional support and reminding someone that feeling lonely (hint, hint!) is a normal, shared experience. The song was heavily influenced by Roy Orbison's 1960 "Only the Lonely" (hint, hint!). It peaked at #7 on Billboard's Hot 100 and topped the Adult Contemporary charts for 5 weeks. Jackson Browne, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Don Felder and Phil Everly added background vocals. A major figure of the 70s Southern California country-rock sound, he co-wrote many of The Eagles', Linda Ronstadt's, James Taylor's and Bonnie Raitt's greatest hits. He dated Linda Ronstadt for a while in the 70s. Covered by the late great Raul Malo from The Mavericks in 2006. Artist? Song? Answer: "You're Only Lonely" by J.D. Souther. He was asked by th...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 2010s (doggone it, the ol' guy is trying his best to keep up!): Described as a song of "traditional masculine bravado" as well as fashion and self-love, this 2014 Mark Ronson/Bruno Mars funk/dance-pop/hip-hop collaboration topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 14 weeks and went 11 X Platinum. Hawaiian pop icon Mars sang the lead vocals, evoking 80s funk. Named by Billboard as the Best-Performing Song of the 2010s. The music video has had over 6 billion views (yes, billion with a "B", Dr. Evil!). Mars performed it on the Super Bowl 50 halftime show and on Saturday Night Live. The recording took almost eight months to complete. Song? Answer: "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars. Peter Gene Hernández aka Bruno Mars was born in Honolulu. His father is of Puerto Rican descent. Along with his band, The Hooligans, he is a true dynamo on stage! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPf0YbXqDm0&list=RDOPf0YbXqDm...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 90s: Described as an anthem of gratitude, mindfulness and appreciation of life's cherished but fleeting moments, this 1992 alt-rock classic topped the charts for a Jamestown, NY folk-rock ensemble. An optimistic tune, it was written by the band's lead singer and by their lead guitarist, who was highly influenced by Roger McGuinn's seminal jingle-jangle. It was the lead single from their "Our Time in Eden" album and it also appeared on their 1993 "MTV Unplugged". On the music video, the lead singer is seen dancing on top of a skyscraper while children play in a forest. Many see the song as prophetic, as the lead vocalist left the band shortly after its release. Group? Song? Answer: "These are Days" by 10.000 Maniacs. Natalie Merchant and Rob Buck co-founded the band in '81, when she was only 17. Unfortunately, Rob Buck left us in 2000 at age 42. I will never forget the first time I saw the Maniacs ...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: It was 1962 and Chuck Berry was in federal prison for a violation of the Mann Act. It was there that he wrote an R&B classic which he released in 1964. A story about a teenage couple - Pierre and his young bride. It peaked at #14. Iconic piano work by the late great Johnnie Johnson, Berry's go-to keyboardist. The piano line is highly evocative of Mitchell Torok's 1953 "Caribbean". Emmylou Harris' 1977 version, featuring Ricky Skaggs on fiddle, went to #6 on the Country charts. John Prine covered it in 1975. ...and, of course, who can forget the "Twist Contest" at Jack Rabbit Slim's from 1994's "Pulp Fiction" featuring Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman)?! Travolta improvised his signature dance moves on the spot. Song? Answer: "You Never Can Tell" by Chuck Berry aka "C'est la Vie" and "Teenage Wedding". Johnnie Johnson was ind...

OK, boys and girls, back to the aughts (the 19-aughts, that is!): Subtitled "Lippen Schweigen", "Lips are Silent" or "Love Unspoken", this soaring, iconic vocal and instrumental theme runs through the entire Viennese operetta of the same title. Composed in 1905 as part of "Die Lustige Witwe" by Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Lehár, it is a sweeping love duet which captures the romantic tension between wealthy Hanna Glawari and Count Danilo. It is often associated with the vocal theme "I Love You So". Song? Answer: "The Merry Widow Waltz" by Franz Lehár. A few years ago, we had the privilege of visiting the Opera Houses in Vienna and in Budapest. Both are breathtaking! Man, they take their music seriously, which I loved! In Spanish it is titled "El Vals de La Viuda Alegre". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5KefBimuDg&list=RDx5KefBimuDg&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELufSzviGoU&li...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn wrote this memorable pop ballad as the love theme for the 1972 film "The Poseidon Adventure". A song of hope - surviving a major crisis, holding on through hard times and believing that a better day is ahead. In the film, it was sung by the character Nonnie, played and dubbed by Carol Lynley, but actually vocalized by Renée Armand. It won the Oscar for Best Original Song. A young Youngstown, OH native was "discoverd" by 20th Century Records while touring the Midwest with her folk band Sweet Rain. Riding the tune's success, she recorded it and was quickly released as a single. It topped Billboard's Hot 100 for two weeks in 1973, was Certified Gold and became her signature song. She became the go-to singer for disaster movies, which were very popular in those days. She famously played Sister Angelina in both "Airplane!" movies. Song? Singer? Answer: "The Morning After...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: Based on a poem written by his wife Sandy, as well as classic nursery rhyme imagery, this 1974 Harry Chapin folk-rock classic became his signature song and was his only #1 hit. The fleeting and delicate nature of youth. Quasi-autobiographic, as his father, jazz drummer Jim Chapin, was absent during a significant part of Harry's childhood due to his own music career. A father's regret over missing out on his child's upbringing, leading to a distent relationship as the child grows. It reflects his own fears of being absent during his own son Josh's early years because of his demanding touring and recording schedules. Grammy-nominated in 1974 and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011. Song? Answer: "Cat's in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin. Harry Chapin was a masterful storyteller. His songs were deeply narrative and focused on the quiet struggles and dashed hopes of ordinary people. By far, my favorite one...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 90s: The late great John Lennon wrote this soft-rock classic in 1977. He recorded the vocals and piano in his home studio at The Dakota in NYC. The home demo remained unfinished. A sense of personal liberation allowing him to concentrate on raising his son Sean. Yoko eventually gave Paul the original cassette tape. The remaining Beatles, Paul, George and Ringo, added vocals and instrumentation, assisted by Jeff Lynne. The single was released in 1995, 25 years after The Beatles' breakup and 15 years after John's senseless assassination. #2 UK, #6 U.S. It won the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals. Song? Answer: "Free as a Bird" by The Beatles. George's slide guitar is beyond sublime. Every time we go to NYC, we make it a point to visit The Dakota, as well as the Imagine park across the street. One of the best days of my life was the day we spent in Liverpool some years ago. No words can descri...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: Loosely based on Schubert's A-major Piano Sonata, D.664, this 1953 Sammy Fain/Paul Francis Webster traditional romantic pop ballad was written for the musical film "Calamity Jane". Doris Day, who played the title role, recorded it in one take (!). It topped the U.S and UK charts and won the Oscar for Best Original Song. She refused to sing it during the ceremony so Ann Blyth sang it instead. The sheer relief and empowerment of letting a once-hidden romance out in the open. Slim Whitman took it to #2 on the Country charts in '54. Kathy Kirby's 1963 rendition features Jimmy Page on guitar. Masterfully covered by Tommy Emmanuel on solo guitar in 2013. Grammy Hall of Fame 1999. Song? (...but wait, there's more! If you get the right answer, you'll also get Slim Whitman's Greatest Hits, Cristy Lane's Greatest Hits, Zamfir's Greatest Hits, an exotic bamboo steamer, a Ginsu II knife, a ShamWow, a Slap Ch...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: This seminal prog-rock and pop band started out in 1970 London as Daddy. They quickly became Daddy Longlegs before settling on their eventual name, inspired by a 1908 book by Welsh author William Henry Davies. Princess Diana was a huge fan and was quoted as saying that they were her favorite group. Singers/songwriters Roger Hodgson (guitar and vocals) and Rick Davies (keyboards, harmonica and vocals) were founding members, along with master saxophonist John Anthony Helliwell. Their sixth studio album, "Breakfast in America" (1979), by far their biggest-selling one, won two Grammys, went 4X Platinum, reached #1 for six weeks and won the Ivor Novello Award. It contained the lion's share of their charting hits, even though they never had a #1 single. Unfortunately, there was quite a bit of internal turmoil within the group because of royalties and they have been "dormant" since 2012. ...AND they're still NOT in the R...

Today's music trivia question was suggested by someone who is very dear to me but prefers to remain anonymous. OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: Paul Simon wrote this poignant 1967/68 jazz-folk piece to be part of "The Graduate" soundtrack but it was not included in the film. Part of Simon and Garfunkel's "Bookends" album, it was produced by the great John Simon (not related to Paul). It contains very little rhyme but, as always, Paul's guitar work is masterful. At the beginning of the song, someone strikes a match, lights up a cigarette and inhales. A breakup song about a relationship that has run its course; intimacy is in the past. Loss of belief in true love. Song? Answer: "Overs" by Simon and Garfunkel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGvFXrVfaS8&list=RDCGvFXrVfaS8&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 80s: By far, the biggest hit for this L.A.-based ensemble came in 1982 with a classic yacht-rock tune composed by bandmates David Paich and Jeff Porcaro. The "band" formed in 1977 when session musicians for Sonny & Cher, Seals & Crofts, Steely Dan and Boz Scaggs decided to start performing as a group. A man is torn between staying in the continent that he loves or leaving it to be with his woman. Paich was experimenting with his recently-acquired Yamaha CS-80 polyphonic analog sythesizer when the opening melody and lyrics "came to him" in 10 minutes. The trademark kalimba sound comes from a Yamaha GS-1 digital piano. #1 Billboard Hot 100, RIAA Certified Platinum and one of the best-selling songs of all time. Seminal 1983 MTV video. #452 among Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Group? Song? Answer: "Africa" by Toto. Released the year Lauren was born, we purchased our home and got Waffles, ou...

OK, girls and boys, more 60s TWO-hit wonders: This seminal bubblegum-pop ensemble started out in 1967 as Sir Timothy and The Royals, a high-school garage band from Mansfield, OH (hint, hint!). Renamed by their record producer, they morphed into a group of studio musicians accompanying lead singer Joey Levine. By far, their biggest hit came in 1968 with "Yummy Yummy Yummy" (#4 Billboard Hot 100, #5 UK) followed that same year by "Chewy Chewy" (#15 U.S.). Their original drummer, Tim Corwin, secured the rights to their name and, to this day, they continue to perform. Group? Answer: Ohio Express. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VECljlG--gE&list=RDVECljlG--gE&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IHn70S8T5Y&list=RD6IHn70S8T5Y&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, an e-a-s-y one today ("monguita") for my friends from Puerto Rico: This founding member of the original Los Challengers went on to become a Grammy-winning bassist and co-producer for the Miami Sound Machine. Name? High school nickname? (Graduated from Colegio San Ignacio in 1969, a year before we did.) Answer: Jorge Casas. Nickname: El Ratón. Born in Havana, Cuba, he left us in 2019 at age 69.