Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, boys and girls, back to the 20s (a toughie!): This classic "Italian"-American novelty song was written in 1926 by Harry Warren (Salvatore Anthony Guaragna), "Hollywood's Unknown Composer", with lyrics by M. Weinberg/C. Marks/E. Krickett/E. Stamper. Minor hit in '58 for Lou Monte. Featured in Betty Boop's "Mask-A-Raid" in '31 and in John Wayne's "Fighting Seabees". Song? Alternate title? Answer: "Where Do You Work A-John?" aka "The Delaware-Lackawan Song". This song was a staple at the "notorious" Phi Chi Medical Fraternity Wednesday night parties in Philly in the early 70s along with "Roller Derby Queen", "Born to Run", "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" and, of course, the one about the Fugawi Tribe ("The Wild West Show"). How the heck did we do that and make it to lecture the following morning?! YOUTH!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLgqKm8NC2o...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 50s: This 1954 Adler/Ross show tune from "Pajama Game" was sung by Sid (John Raitt) into a Dictaphone after being repeatedly rejected by Babe (Janis Page). He then plays it back and sings a duet with himself. #1 hit for Rosemary Clooney and #16 for Sammy Davis, Jr. in '54. Song? Answer: "Hey There" from "Pajama Game". I had the distinct pleasure of playing Charlie (factory handyman and Sid's friend) on Comedia Musica's 2002 production. We had such a wonderful time! Steve Roe and Roxie Amhof were superb as Sid and Babe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbB1lrSEQDA&list=RDHbB1lrSEQDA&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T45e9EzFFHQ&list=RDT45e9EzFFHQ&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0scGRJmyCTk&list=RD0scGRJmyCTk&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more 90s one-hit wonders: Prince wrote this 1990 ballad for one of his protegee bands. It was instead recorded by a controversial Irish singer/songwriter - her only chart hit. Prince did not participate in the production of the record or its video, causing quite a rift between the two of them. It won a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Performance and earned 2 other nominations - she boycotted the ceremony. Topped the charts in 17 countries and is ranked #162 among Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Artist? Song? Answer: "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinead O'Connor. The unique video features mostly a close-up of her face as she sings - towards the end, two tears run down her cheeks. She left us in 2023 at the age of 56. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-EF60neguk&list=RD0-EF60neguk&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more Macca: This 1970 Paul and Linda McCartney collaboration was the first single of Paul's solo career and remains one of this finest post-Beatles works. It peaked at #5 in the U.S. and at #2 in the UK. A woman's seemingly average life belies her disappointments, sadness, isolation, unfulfilled hopes and ultimate breakdown. Part of the "50 First Dates" ('04) and "The Lovely Bones" ('09) soundtracks. Song? Answer: "Another Day" by Sir Paul and Linda McCartney. One of his best, indeed! Linda did a very respectable job on background vocals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhoiwDLVTnE&list=RDhhoiwDLVTnE&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: Buck Ram (now, that's one manly name!) managed, produced and wrote most of The Platters' hits. He penned this romantic 1956 R&B ballad as a follow-up to their massive 1955 hit "The Great Pretender". A celebration of how the mere presence of the one you love can bring joy, fulfillment and a new way of seeing the world. It peaked at #4 on both Pop and R&B. Soaring vocals by Tony Williams. Covered by the late great Gene Pitney. Song? Answer: "(You've Got) The Magic Touch" by The Platters. Check out the 1998 movie "Why Do Fools Fall In Love?" about the life of Frankie Lymon - lots of The Platters history in it too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHiW7AUUO-I&list=RDhHiW7AUUO-I&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nabl3JDSrwA&list=RDNabl3JDSrwA&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: It is still unclear as to whether this classic Cuban ballad was written by Joseito Fernandez (1929) or by Herminio "El Diablo" Garcia Wilson. Arguably, the best-known Cuban song worldwide and the country's most noted patriotic tune. Original lyrics based on Cuban patriot Jose Marti's "Versos Sencillos" (Simple Verses). Pete Seeger's early 60s adaptation at the height of the missile crisis became an anthem for the peace movement. A #9 hit for The Sandpipers in '66. Song? Answer: "Guantanamera". Pete Seeger left us in 2014 at the tender age of 94. We had the privilege of seeing his well-loved 5-string banjo at the Grammy Museum in L.A. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5JLCAIJLJ8&list=RDX5JLCAIJLJ8&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm1anurhbeg&list=RDJm1anurhbeg&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more Mop-Tops: Even though the music is upbeat, this 1964 Macca composition was based upon his rocky relationship with Jane Asher as their breakup was imminent. Part of "Beatles for Sale" (UK)/"Beatles VI" (U.S.). One of the very rare Beatles tunes to start with a drum intro. Classic 12-string Rickenbacker jingle-jangle pervasive motif repeated after each verse in the same instrumental voicing. It inspired a young Jim "Roger" McGuinn 6 months later as he recorded "Mr. Tambourine Man" with The Byrds. Song? Answer: "What You're Doing" by The Beatles. Young Jim McGuinn and David Crosby were so impressed after watching "A Hard Day's Night" that they immediately went out and bought a 12-string Rickenbacker and a Gretsch Country Gentleman respectively and the rest, as they say, is jingle-jangle folk-rock history! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Sba2LbhkVY&list=RD7Sba2LbhkVY&start_radio=1