"Hi Lili, Hi Lo" from "Lili".

OK, back to the 50's: This classic pop tune was written in '52 (GREAT YEAR!) by Bronislau Kaper and Helen Deutsch. First recorded in '52 by Dinah Shore. Featured in a '53 Leslie Caron film and recorded by her and Mel Ferrer that same year (#30 U.S.). Covered by Richard Chamberlain (yes, as in Dr. Kildare!) in '63 (B-side "All I Have To Do Is Dream"), peaking at #64 US and #20 UK. Song? Film?

Yesterday's answer: Hank Cochran. Amazing catalog! His list of interpreters reads like a who's-who in Country Music. He'll be missed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Nh-NsqBsGE&feature=avmsc2

Hank Cochran

OK, In Memoriam: This Mississippi-born Country Music giant left us one week ago at the age of 74. Best known as a prolific composer, he was also a respectable recording artist, charting 7 times between '62 and '80. Credited with discovering Willie Nelson at Tootsie's Orchard Lounge in Nashvillle. Some faves include "I Fall To Pieces", "Make The World Go Away", "A Little Bitty Tear" and "The Chair", my #1 George Strait tune.

Yesterday's answer: "I Love Rock and Roll" by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts. Last night I rented "The Runaways" - not bad! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrjZWi49KOk

"I Love Rock 'n Roll" by Joan Jett.

OK, more 80's: This Merrill/Hooker rock anthem was 1st recorded by The Arrows in '75. A young Philly native saw them in England while touring with her 1st band, The Runaways. She recorded her 1st version in '79 with Sex Pistols S. Jones and P. Cook. She re-recorded it in '81 with her own band, spending 7 weeks at #1 and RIAA Certified Platinum. The orig. video was retooled with Mike Myers and Dana Carvey for "Wayne's World 2". Song? Artist?

Yesterday's answer: "Needles and Pins" by The Searchers. Jingle-jangle at its best! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2RqRxjjlsI

"Needles and Pins"

OK, back to the 60's: This Sonny Bono/Jack Nitzsche collaboration was 1st recorded by Jackie DeShannon in '63 (#1 UK, #84 US). The Searchers' '64 version (#13 US, #1 UK) features 2 6-string guitars played in unison with the echo switch accidentally left on, sounding like a 12-string! The squeak heard throughout the song is from a faulty bass-drum pedal. Very respectable cover by Los Challengers in P.R. in '69.

Yesterday's answer: Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me). I don't know about any other guitar players out there but I HATE key changes! I think those mean old piano players do it just to irritate us! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc34p-71xts

"Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me)"

OK, back to the 60's: This '66 Linzer/Randell composition peaked at #13 on Billboard's Hot 100 for The Four Seasons. Their 1st hit with new bassist/bass-vocalist Joe Long. Ties Bobby Darin's "Mack The Knife" for the most key changes in a pop song (5!). Starts on F# and ends in B! (Obviously NOT a guitar player's tune!!!)


Yesterday's answer: Actually, this is WAY out of my comfort zone but some of my "younger"(!) friends have complained that my music is TOO OLD! "Bye, Bye, Bye" by NSYNC from their "No Strings Attached" album. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo-KmOd3i7s

"Bye Bye Bye" from "No Strings Attached" by 'N Sync.

OK, back to the 00's ("aughts"?): This Lundin/Schulze/Carlsson composition was the 1st single released from this boy-band's 2nd album (best-selling album of the 2000's at 10M.+). Peaked at #4. Still unclear as to whether it deals with their breaking from their manager and record label OR a boy who wants to leave a GF he once loved. Added to a record 200 radio stations' playlists in 1 week. Song? Group? Album?

Yesterday's answer: "Runaway Train" by Soul Asylum. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DcKlxLJPYNXY&h=a9240

"Runaway Train" by Soul Asylum.

OK, back to the 90's: This Minneapolis-based alt-rock, quasi-one-hit wonder band went multi-platinum and peaked at #5 on Billboard's Hot 100 with a folk-rock tune about missing teenagers. Won the Grammy for Best Rock Song of '94. The video showed names and pictures of up to 36 actual missing teens during the chorus and is credited for reuniting some of them with their families. Band? Song?

Yesterday's answer: "The Girl From Ipanema" ("Garota De Ipanema"). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8VPmtyLqSY

Heloisa Eneida Menezes Paes Pinto (Helo Pinheiro) was the inspiration. The original version by Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto, Jobim and Astrud Gilberto peaked at #5 in '64. I'm proud to say that my distant cousin Olga Albizu, may she rest in peace, painted the cover for the original Verve album.