"Mr. Lonely" by Bobby Vinton.

OK, back to the 60's: Bobby "The Polish Prince" Vinton co-wrote this tear-jerker with Gene Allen in '62 while serving in the Army. First recorded by Buddy Greco (#64 in'62). A soldier overseas with no word from home. Vinton's version was released in '64 as the Vietnam War escalated and quickly topped the charts. The last of his four #1 hits and the only one which was not a cover. Song? For extra credit, his other 3 #1 hits?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4fdr_4QL5c

Yesterday's answer: "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" by The Miracles. As with so many of their other R&B covers of the day, in my humble opinion The Beatles' version was FAR better than the original!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2EsZpobWJs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QT6GqfGgko
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYmjFhMUJQw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REm59jVRq3I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJiUz3J41Io
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwVKCRzBVmI

"You've Really Got A Hold On Me" by The Miracles.

OK, back to the 60's: Smokey Robinson wrote this '62 ballad possibly about his then wife Claudette and inspired by Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home To Me". A man is so taken by a woman that he can't leave her even though she mistreats him. It topped the R&B charts for The Miracles (their 2nd #1 hit after "Shop Around") and peaked at #8 Pop. Originally the B-side to the forgettable "Happy Landing". Famously covered by The Beatles the following year with John on lead vocals, George on harmony and Sir George Martin on piano. Also covered by The Supremes and The Temptations. Mickey Gilley took it to #2 on the Country charts in '84. KILLER version by Haley Reinhart on this year's American Idol. Inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2EsZpobWJs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QT6GqfGgko
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYmjFhMUJQw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REm59jVRq3I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJiUz3J41Io
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwVKCRzBVmI

Yesterday's answer: "Duke Of Earl" by Gene Chandler. Other hit :"Groovy Situation". Sha Na Na performed towards the end of Woodstock "sandwiched" between The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Hendrix (that would be a little intimidating!).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkKwIswu0Fc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDM1Rh3KxeM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzVEtcCYsbE

"Duke Of Earl" by Gene Chandler.

OK, more 60's two-hit wonders: Chicago native Eugene Dixon was the lead singer for The Dukays in '60 when they recorded this Williams/Dixon/Edwards R&B/doo-wop classic. Inspired by Earl Edwards, the group's founder. Dixon assumed a stage name, left the group and was able to release his first and biggest hit in '62 under his new name. It topped the charts for 3 weeks. Covered by Sha-Na-Na at Woodstock. Stage name? Biggest hit? For extra credit - other hit?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkKwIswu0Fc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDM1Rh3KxeM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzVEtcCYsbE

Yesterday's answer: "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" by Dusty Springfield. Mary Isobel Catherine Bernardette O'Brion aka "The Queen of White Soul" left us in '99 at the age of 59. Her first hit came in '63 with "I Only Want To Be With You".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBwSN0Yw5l0

"You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" by Dusty Springfield.

OK, back to the 60's: 26 year-old contestant Dusty Springfield was sitting in the audience at the '65 San Remo Festival when she heard co-writers Pino Donaggio and Jody Miller perform "Lo Che Non Vivo (Senza Te)" and was moved to tears. Two non-songwriter friends added English lyrics and she recorded her '66 version in one day in 47 takes (!) on a stairwell. A tale of unrequited love, she called it "good old schmaltz". It topped the UK charts and peaked at #4 in the U.S. Ranked #491 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBwSN0Yw5l0

Yesterday's answer: "Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard" by Paul Simon. From Adrienne Adams: "My favorite song in 8th grade! I'll bet Pat Boone would have suggested "Julio and I Down by the School Yard" to appeal to a broader audience. :-)". As with Carly Simon's "You're So Vain", we might never know the truth about this song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H997IZkkO4Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWzKvWrHj3c

"Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard" by Paul Simon.

OK, back to the 70's: Considered one of the great enigmas in modern pop music, this 1972 Paul Simon tune was released on his first "Art-less" self-titled solo album. The grammatically incorrect title makes it even more appealing! Two boys from Queens get into some serious mischief but we'll probably never know the nature of the offense. Anti-war protest, homosexuality, drug use...??? Could the "radical priest" be Vietnam War activists Frs. Berrigan or Yale chaplain Rev. Wm. Sloane Coffin? Hmmmm....??? It peaked at #22 U.S. and #15 UK. Just last year Simon called the song "a bit of inscrutable doggerel"!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H997IZkkO4Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWzKvWrHj3c

Yesterday's answer: "England Swings (Like a Pendulum Do)" by Roger Miller. Such a different tune for Roger Miller.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T8e3K3-XN8

"England Swings (Like A Pendulum Do)" by Roger Miller.

OK, back to the 60's: In the middle of the 60's Nashville Sound era Roger Miller wrote and performed this '65 crossover hit - a stereotypical picture of the London cultural and fashion scene of the day. Peaked at #3 Country, #8 Pop and topped the Easy Listening charts. Covered by Petula Clark and by Pat Boone in '67.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T8e3K3-XN8


Yesterday's answer: "Operator" by William Spivery. The Manhattan Transfer's debut album remains a masterpiece. We saw them in Des Moines shortly after moving to Iowa in '81. Incredible concert!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r8286teVgc

"Operator" by William Spivery.

OK, back to the 50's: This long-time Cleveland resident was born in '31 and was an upholsterer and car seat repairman by trade but also penned a Gospel classic in the 50's. It was popularized by and became The Manhattan Transfer's first successful chart single in '75 (#22 on Billboard's Hot 100). It remains a staple in churches and karaoke bars. Other compositions include "Mr. John" ('64), a tribute to JFK and "Non-Violent Man" ('68) about Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. He left us in '04 at the age of 73. Gospel hit? Composer?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r8286teVgc

Yesterday's answer: "It Must Have Been Love" by Roxette. Other 3 U.S. #1 hits: "The Look" ('89), "Listen To your Heart" ('89) and "Joyride" ('91). Anyone who plays a Rickenbacker is OK in my book!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2C5TjS2sh4&ob=av2e
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2C5TjS2sh4&ob=av2e
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCC_b5WHLX0&ob=av2e
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCorJG9mubk&ob=av2e