Poldo's Music Trivia II

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...

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

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=...

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...

OK, girls and boys, let's go WAY back: This powerful declaration is either sung or recited in Aramaic before sunset to open service at the synagogue on the eve of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), the holiest day of the year in Judaism. The title translates into "All Vows". It preemptivelly nullifies any promises that one is unable to keep during the ensuing year and focuses on self-imposed religious obligations between the individual and God. Profoundly haunting and emotional, it is sung three times with crescendo, signifying the need to listen and be heard. Originally composed between the 11th and 15th centuries as "Mi Sinai", the most popular version these days was arranged by Max Bruch, who, curiously, was NOT Jewish. Sung by Neil Diamond in "The Jazz Singer". Title? Answer: "Kol Nidre(i)". Growing up in Puerto Rico, I had very little exposure to the Jewish faith other than what little I learned about it in Catholic school and that...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s (the 1870s, that is!): This 1876 Johannes Brahms composition was heavily inspired by Franz Liszt's "gypsy music". It was based upon the csardas "Bartfai Emlek" (Memories of Bartfa). Brahms mistakenly assumed that it was a traditional folk song, only to find out that it had been composed by Bela Keler. It is one of Brahms' most popular and profitable compositions. Originally composed for piano four hands, it was later arranged for orchestra by Albert Parlow and for violin by Paul Klengel. First recorded by Leopold (great name!) Stokowski conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra. Musical piece? Answer: "Hungarian Dance No. 5 in F# minor Allegro-Vivace" by Johannes Brahms. Another one of my father's favorites. I grew up listening to Heifetz's rendition on the big ol' Bogen hi-fi. Years later, I had the privilege of seeing David Oistrakh, and later Yehudi Menuhin, perform it at the Casals Festiva...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 80s: Carly Simon describes this 1980 country-flavored pop classic as "...a song laying plain the fact that good intentions go to hell when you are crazy for someone". An ex-lover is returning to town, so she enlists family and friends to let him know all the things she won't do for him. Midway through the song, however, her plans go out the window. As opposed to "You're So Vain", this song is not about a specific person. It was the leading cut from her ninth studio album and became a staple of her rare live appearances, as she was always plagued by morbid stage fright. Her daughter Sally Taylor does the "la-la" at the end and soon to be ex-husband James Taylor sings background vocals. Peaked at #11 Billboard, #9 Cash Box, Certified Gold. Song? Answer: "Jesse" by Carly Simon". After 40+ years, she finally confirmed that "You're So Vain" is about Warren Beatty +/- two other men. ...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: A 19-year-old British folk guitarist dedicated this 1961 acoustic fingerstyle blues/folk classic to his then girlfriend. Well-known for its challenging descending bass line. This piece heavily influenced the 60s British folk revival. He's also credited for popularizing the DADGAD alternate tuning. Paul Simon's version on the 1966 "Sounds Of Silence" album is Simon and Garfunkel's ONLY instrumental studio recording. Artist? Song? Answer: "Anji" by Davey Graham. Another one of those tests of manhood in the 60s - you HAD to be able to play "Anji" if you were worth anything as a guitarist. I was awed when I watched Paul Simon and his brother Eddie play it on the Kraft Music Hall in 1968. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnJ_SGX4u0w&list=RDQnJ_SGX4u0w&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JxMHL9h-W0&list=RD1JxMHL9h-W0&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q0szRvtT4M&list=RD1Q...

50 (!) years ago today "Lola" by The Kinks was released. The Davies brothers have declared it #LolaDay today. I'll never forget the first time my friends and I heard the song. We had just graduated from high school. It came on the radio - we looked at each other in disbelief - did we just hear what we heard?! VERY racy for 1970 but we LOVED it! There is something so unorthodox, unapologetic and poetically blunt about The Kinks' music. The predecessors to punk. Untamed yet melodic, introspective, witty and observational in the most creative, captivating way. Nothing gives you a more vivid picture of parts of British culture than diving into a Kinks album. We came up with an even edgier Spanish version but I'll keep it to myself......

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: This "anthem of resilience" was written by Marvin Hamlisch, with lyrics by Edward Kleban, for the 1975 Broadway musical "A Chorus Line" and, together with "One", quickly became its showstoppers. Not a love (hint, hint!) song in the romantic sense, but rather about a passion for performing and the sacrifices made for it. In the original Broadway production it was sung by the character Diana Morales but, in the 1985 movie adaptation, it was performed by Cassie Ferguson. Covered by, among many others, Eydie Gorme, Aretha, Bing, Robert Goulet, Lea Michele and Josh Groban. Song? Answer: "What I Did for Love" from "A Chorus Line". I will forever be grateful to that wonderful musical. It was 1981, the day before I took my ENT specialty boards. I was staying at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago, where the boards are given once a year. Judy went to New Orleans with her nursing school classmates. I ...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: This iconic 1951 chanson was written by Hubert Giraud, with lyrics by Jean Drejac, for the film of the same name. A love letter to the City of Lights and "a warning to unsuspecting strangers to protect their hearts in The City of Love". First recorded by Jean Brettoniere. Edith Piaf's 1954 and Yves Montands 1964 renditions helped make the song synonymous with the French capital. English lyrics were added by Kim Gannon. Andy Williams' recording was perhaps the most popular version in the U.S. Song? Answer: "Under Paris Skies" ("Sous le Ciel de Paris"). Of course, I'm just a little biased towards Edith Piaf's version since I grew up listening to it on my dad's ol' Bogen hi-fi. That accordion is hypnotizing! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC06NyI6KKU&list=RDSC06NyI6KKU&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LACZU05vmbk&list=RDLACZU05vmbk&start_radio=1 https://www.yout...

I posted this on Facebook on June 4th, 2016 - the day after The Greatest left us. Even though it is not music trivia, I wanted to keep it for posterity. MUHAMMAD ALI – A FEW PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS He was undoubtedly THE GREATEST athlete of our generation. So many fond memories of this giant of his sport. I remember my father’s excitement when he won the Light Heavyweight Gold Medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. Fast-forward to 1964 – I was a patient at Hospital del Maestro being treated for meningitis. In my room there was a coin-fed tiny little TV set. My dad, my dear uncle Jorge (Tio Gol) Juncos and I watched, to the tune of many quarters, as a young Cassius Clay pulverized Sonny Liston to become World Champion. A few years later I had the privilege of seeing him in person! My dad took me to Hiram Bithorn Stadium to a Chegui Torres fight. As part of the pre-fight card Ali fought an exhibition round against a sparring partner. I will never forget that moment for as long as...

OK, back to the 60s: This 1969 Peter Green composition was Fleetwood Mac's only chart hit before Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joined in '74. It's stop-and-go technique was copied by Led Zeppelin in "Black Dog". The Rockets' cover was a Top 40 hit in '79. Song? Answer: "Oh Well" by Fleetwood Mac. My, how their sound changed once Stevie and Lindsey joined - and the rest, as they say, is rock & roll history! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b19PcuJsQbA&list=RDb19PcuJsQbA&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This Louisiana-born minister cut his teeth as frontman for the Count Basie Orchestra in the early 60s. His biggest hit came in '68-'69 with a Bobby Russell ballad that peaked at #2 on Pop and R&B, earned him an RIAA Gold Record and won the '69 Grammys for Song of the Year and Best Country Song. Covered by, among many others, Roger Miller and Patti Page. Artist? Song? Answer: "Little Green Apples" by O. C. Smith. Always liked that tune. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnhrBGzcN3Q&list=RDHnhrBGzcN3Q&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: Julius Dix(s)on and Beverly Ross penned this 1958 pop (hint, hint!) standard for Ronald and Ruby. Even though they took it to #20, they couldn't perform it in public or appear on TV with it, as they were an interracial couple, fairly unusual at the time. The Chordettes' cover became an international hit, peaking at #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 and at #3 R&B. Song? Answer: "Lollipop". Fun memories of Camp Foster when Lauren was in Indian Guides. One of the groups did a hilarious skit to "Lollipop". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkn17PLnBfk&list=RDdkn17PLnBfk&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rYoRaxgOE0&list=RD3rYoRaxgOE0&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: Roland Kent LaVoie joined The Rumours with the late great Gram Parsons in 1961. He adopted his stage name in '71. He hit the singles charts 14 times over a 4 year period in the early 70s. This 1972 tune about being in love with someone you can never have (and her having no clue!) peaked at #8 Pop and #1 Adult Contemporary. Stage name? Song? Answer: "Don't Expect Me to Be Your Friend" by Lobo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qcia2VhGsY&list=RD8Qcia2VhGsY&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: This 1978 international megahit was written and recorded by a Canadian pianist in '74. Described as "bubblegum pop", the piano with disco accompaniment instrumental peaked at #3 in the U.S. and consistently charted in the Top 10 throughout Europe and Asia. Hit? Artist? Answer: "Music Box Dancer" by Frank Mills. I'm sure Bill Murray's Nick The Lounge Singer would have been more than glad to add lyrics, just like he did with the Star Wars Theme ("Star Wars/Nothing but Star Wars/Give me those Star Wars/Don't let them end!"). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gMZ6QWv62s&list=RD8gMZ6QWv62s&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: This John Loudermilk/Phil Langley doo-wop classic was released in 1967 and peaked at #6 Pop. The original group consisted of 9 men and it took them 9 years to crack the Top Ten. Langley was 15 at the time - inspired by a teenage breakup. Sold it for $1,500! Top 10 Country covers by Eddy Arnold and Neal McCoy. Song? Group? Answer: "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" by The Casinos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT9Xs42n4kg&list=RDPT9Xs42n4kg&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: Starting out as The Spectres in the early 60s, this British boogie-rock band had 60 chart hits in the UK, more than any other group. Their only U.S. hit (#12) was a 1968 Francis Rossi composition which he wrote in the "loo" to get away from his family. Described as "bubblegum psychedelia", it was inspired by the paintings of L. S. Lowry. The original mono version includes the signature wah-wah guitar whereas the stereo version doesn't. Group? Song? Answer: "Pictures Of Matchstick Men" by Status Quo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UODwwcs71rI&list=RDUODwwcs71rI&start_radio=1