"Wild World"

OK, back to the 70's: Cat Stevens wrote, recorded and released this folk ballad in '70 first as a single and then in "Tea For The Tillerman". Stevens' 1st US hit, peaking at #11. Departing words at the end of 2 yr. romance with young American actress Patti D'Arbanville. The chord progression is taken from a Spanish theme. "...the sadness of leaving and the anticipation of what lies beyond." Covered in '71 by Jose Feliciano and by The Ventures.


Yesterday's answer: "Where Do you Work A-John?" aka "The Delaware-Lackawan Song". This was a staple at the "notorious" Phi Chi Medical Fraternity Wednesday night parties in Philly in the early 70's along with "Roller Derby Queen", "Born to Run", "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" and, of course, the one about the Fugawi Tribe. How did we do that and make it to lecture the following morning? YOUTH!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HKJznSDFxs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPcMNGxr8Vg

WHERE DO YOU WORK-A, JOHN? (PUSH-A PUSH-A PUSH) (THE "DELAWARE-LACKAWAN" SONG)

OK, back to the 20's (a toughie!): This classic "Italian"-American joke song was written in '26 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?





Yesterday's answer: "Hey, There". Beautiful tune! Steve Roe did a KILLER version a few years ago when we did "Pajama Game" with Comedia. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJJcDSZjxrk

"Hey There"

OK, back to the 50's (Steve Roe, you HAVE to answer this one!): This '54 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.

Yesterday's answer: "From A Distance". Great tune! I love The Byrds' version with Chris Hillman on lead vocals. My Julie Gold story: Back in the early 90's she was touring with Christine Lavin, Sally Fingerett and Megon McDonough as "The Four Bitchin' Babes". We went... to see them at the World Theater (now the Fitzgerald) in St. Paul. We got to go backstage after the concert and met all for and John Gorka. Next thing I know Lauren and Gina disappear only to find them sitting on the floor playing with Julie Gold, who had just won her Grammy - I thought that was pretty special - she was SO down-to-earth! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_A4XBNBUM0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF4BralTQW8

"From A Distance"

OK, more 80's: Julie Gold wrote this '85 ballad in 2 hours while working at HBO in NYC "...about the difference between the way things seem and the way things are". It gained exposure when recorded by Nanci Griffith in '87 and by The Byrds in '90. #2 hit for Bette Midler in '90; Grammy for Song Of The Year in '91 during the 1st Persian Gulf War. Played at the opening ceremony for the '96 Olympics in Atlanta.

Yesterday's answer: Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders. "Game Of Love". "Groovy Kind Of Love". "Game Of Love" was Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders' first US #1 hit. Killer cover by Cheryl Wheeler on her self-titled first album. Fontana left the group in the middle of a concert in '65. "Groovy Kind Of Love" was their 1st Fontana-less hit. 10cc's 1st hit was indeed "I'm Not In Love" - #1 in the UK and #2 in the US earning them a $1M advance.

OKEY, para credito extra - alguien se acuerda de la version en espanol de "Game Of Love". ...me falta tu calor pero tengo frio...yo tengo frio en el corazon...y quiero sol sol sol sol tra la la la la la! Quien la canto? From Lida Enid Muniz: ‎"yo se que hace calor pero siento frio, pues tu amor que un dia fue mio desaparecio...yo tengo frio en el corazon, vivo sin tu calor, y quiero sol, sol, sol, sol, tra la la la la la!!" ( Si me ves con mis compa~eras cantando esto en el trabajo, te mueres! (Quien la cantaba? Papo Roman!)

"Game Of Love" by The Mindbenders.

OK, more British Invasion: Glynn Ellis changed his name to Wayne Fontana "in honor of" Fontana Records, his label. His Manchester-based beat band's first #1 US hit was a Clint Ballard, Jr. composition - the shortest #1 hit ever at 1:58. They appeared in Lulu's 1967 "To Sir With Love". After Fontana's abrupt departure they evolved into Hot Legs and from there 10cc. Band? First US hit? First hit without Fontana (Bayer Sager/Wine)?

Yesterday's answer: "Are You Lonesome Tonight?". It was so sad to see him during his last concerts - he would pretty regularly forget the spoken lines to "Are You Lonesome Tonight?". The singing voice, however, was perfect until the end. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrojFR7jM9E

"Are You Lonesome Tonight?"

OK, The King returns: This '26 Handman/Turk classic was 1st recorded by Lou & Edith Handman in '27. 1st charted by Blue Barron and Al Jolson in '50. Elvis 1st heard J. P. Morgan's '59 version while in Europe in the Army and recorded it in '60. The spoken part is based on Act II, Scene VII of "Äs You Like It" - "......all the world's a stage...". 6 wks. at #1 in '60. #81 on Billboard's Greatest Songs Of All Time.

Yesterday's answer: "Guantanamera". Pete Seeger is still going strong at the tender age of 91! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm1anurhbeg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5JLCAIJLJ

"Guantanamera"

OK, more 60's: It is still unclear as to whether this classic Cuban song was written by Joseito Fernandez ('29) 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 patriot Jose Marti's "Versos Sencillos" (Simple Verses). Pete Seeger's early 60's adaptation at the height of the missile crisis became an anthem for the peace movement. A #9 hit for The Sandpipers in '66.

Yesterday's answer: "No Milk Today". John Paul Jones (eventually of Led Zeppelin) played both upright and Fender electric basses in the original recording. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClQepFF-Sr0