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Part 9

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he's a bird. he's a dog. he's a bird dog.
Rockin' Robin -- Bobby Day [1958] This was the "A" side of Bobby's smash hit, peaking at #2 on the chart. The flipside was "Over And Over," which in the 60s was remade by the Dave Clark Five and became their only U.S. chart-topper.
Move Over Rover -- The Mark IV [1959] This was the follow-up record by the "I Got A Wife" gang. If you liked that one, you'll probably like this one. If not .....
Bird Dog -- The Everly Brothers [1958] A wonderful song written by Boudleaux and Felice Bryant, who wrote most of the early Everly Brothers hits.

Hello D.J. -- Don Bowman [197?] Don Bowman, who became semi-famous with his country hit "Chit Akins, Make Me A Star," was the original host of the syndicated radio show "American Country Countdown." I first heard this recording, "Hello D.J.," on Dr. Demento's show. When I became a country deejay on WTTM in Trenton, NJ in the 80s, many listeners requested it and I played it often. I had two versions of the song, the unbleeped version and the bleeped one. Fortunately I never messed up and always played the bleeped one, an edited version of which I present here for your enjoyment.
This outrageous piece of work was written by Bobby Bare.

What You've Done To Me -- Micki Marlo with Paul Anka [195?] ... and with Paul you're so divine! This fabulous ABC-Paramount single has been pretty much forgotten over the years but it deserves to be heard again.
Oh Micki, you're so fine ...

Do You Take This Woman For Your Lawful Wife -- The American Quartet [1914] There were a few American Quartets and it's difficult to find out who the personnel were on this recording. I am reasonably certain, however, that Billy Murray is on it. He was one of the most popular singers in the United States in the early decades of the 20th century and best known for comedy recordings.
This 1914 record does NOT reflect my personal views on the subject at hand. And it's certainly not to be taken too seriously, right?

two more by "the female elvis"
Drugstore Rock 'N' Roll -- Janis Martin [1956] "Will You, Willyum" has been in our Top Ten since day one. This is its flipside and was written by Janis. There are differences of opinion as to which of these sides was, in reality, the "A" side. I simply say: "both great"!
My Boy Elvis -- Janis Martin [1956] This rockabilly classic is Janis's loving tribute to the King. Sadly, Janis passed away in September of 2007.

two shannons
Abergavenny -- Shannon [1969] The great lost oldie about the red dog. The artist is really British singer Marty Wilde, the father of singer Kim Wilde, who hit with "Kids In America."
Shannon -- Henry Gross [1976] Henry was a former member of Sha Na Na when he recorded this touching song, which he wrote about the passing of Beach Boy Carl Wilson's Irish Setter of the same name.

blancs all, folks!
I Taut I Taw A Puddy Tat -- Mel Blanc [1951] The legendary Mr. Blanc was the voice of Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck and so many other cartoon characters. This recording peaked at #9 on the chart.
Toot, Toot, Tootsie Goodbye -- Mel Blanc [1949] This is the old chestnut as only Mel could do it. The piano bridge is nothing short of unbelievable. And the ending is hilarious.
Wheezy Woozy Whatomobile -- Mel Blanc [19??] This could have been called "The Lemon Song."
Yah Das Ist Ein Christmas Tree -- Mel Blanc [19??] It's out of season. So what!

True Love -- Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly [1956] This Cole Porter ballad, sung by Bing and Grace in the motion picture "High Society," is one of the most beautiful love songs ever written.
Heavenly.

three lesser-known goodies by mr. penniman
Slippin' And Slidin' -- Little Richard [1956] This is indeed a FABULOUS FLIP. And it did get to #33 on the national chart. It's "lesser-known" by virtue of the fact that it was the "B" side of "Long Tall Sally," Richard's most successful recording.
Heebie Jeebies -- Little Richard [1956] One of Richard's best, in my opinion, and almost totally ignored by radio and the public. Was it because listening to it gave people the heebie jeebies?
Freedom Blues -- Little Richard [1970] This was Little Richard's comeback record, coming well after his "retirement." It nearly made the national top-forty, peaking at #47.

now who could his friend possibly be?
Play A Simple Melody -- Gary Crosby and Friend [1950] This was the "A" side of Decca 27112, a two-sided smash. This side stayed at its peak of #2 for two weeks. The billing on the label is the way I've listed it here. The song was from the Broadway musical "Watch Your Step."
Sam's Song -- Gary Crosby and Friend [1950] This was the "B" side of Decca 27112, a two-sided smash. This side peaked at #3. The billing on the label is the way I've listed it here. I don't know anything about the owner of this song but I assume he was a real person.

La Vie En Rose -- Edith Piaf [1946] Miss Piaf is regarded by many as France's greatest popular singer ever. This is her signature song. "La Vie En Rose" is French for "life through rose-colored glass" or, literally, "life in pink." The melody was written by Louis Gugliemi and the lyrics by Miss Piaf herself.
Many consider this to be the "Mona Lisa" of French recordings.

Shticks And Stones -- Allan Sherman [1962] This is a two-minute edited version of the final cut on Side 2 of Allan's legendary LP "My Son, The Folk Singer." (The original track runs 5:35.) He and Weird Al Yankovic (please check out "Bob" on this page) are arguably the two most successful parody artists of the rock era. Expect more of each on this page in the days ahead.
It won't break your bones but it should tickle your funny bones.

dixie girls
Iko Iko -- The Dixie Cups [1965] This is a New Orleans song that describes a parade collision between two "tribes" of Mardi Gras Indians. This vocal trio hit #1 with "Chapel Of Love."
Down At Papa Joe's -- The Dixiebelles [1963] This is a tune that many of you have probably played on the piano, along with "Chopsticks." To me, this was one of those incredibly-catchy "can't miss" recordings and, happily, it did NOT miss!
I Can Love You Better -- The Dixie Chicks [1997] The first hit single by this immensely popular and often controversial trio.

Your Song Sucks -- Alan O'Day [2008] Alan wrote his own #1 hit "Undercover Angel" as well as Helen Reddy's "Angie Baby" (also #1) and the Righteous Brothers' memorable "Rock And Roll Heaven." This live recording shows Alan's funny side. It's from his excellent album called "I Hear Voices" which has 13 other tracks that sound nothing like this one!
But this song does NOT! Be prepared to laugh yourself silly.

Her Moustache -- The Dellwoods [1965] This group also did "She's Got A Nose Job."
Strange.

Pineapple Princess -- Annette [1960] Okay, I LOVE this! She'll always be a princess. This is a fun record and one of my favorites from 1960. I'll put more records by her on this page in the near future.
Why? Because I LIKE this!

40's best song oscar winners
When You Wish Upon A Star -- Cliff Edwards [1940] 1940 Best Song Oscar winner, from "Pinocchio": music by Leigh Harline, lyrics by Ned Washington. Cliff (also known as Ukulele Ike) performs it on the soundtrack in the role of Jiminy Cricket.
Swinging On A Star -- Bing Crosby [1944] 1944 Best Song Oscar winner, from "Going My Way": music by James Van Heusen, lyrics by Johnny Burke. Bing won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in the film as Father Chuck O'Malley, a happy-go-lucky priest. This was a #1 hit for Bing.
On The Atchison, Topeka And Santa Fe -- Johnny Mercer [1945] 1945 Best Song Oscar winner, from "The Harvey Girls": music by Harry Warren, lyrics by Johnny Mercer. This was a #1 hit for Johnny.
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah -- James Baskett [1946] 1947 Best Song Oscar winner, from "Song Of The South": music by Allie Wrubel, lyrics by Ray Gilbert. James performed it in the film in the role of Uncle Remus.
Buttons And Bows -- Dinah Shore [1948] 1948 Best Song Oscar winner, from "The Paleface": music by Jay Livingston, lyrics by Ray Evans. This was a #1 hit for Dinah, who is backed up by the Happy Valley Boys.

tubby time
Rubber Duckie -- Ernie (Jim Henson) [1970] This incredible Muppet man died so tragically at the age of 53. He was the voice of both Ernie and Kermit the Frog.
Rub-A-Dubbin' -- Ken Mellons [1995] A goofy country song, co-written by Becky Hobbs.

Angel On My Shoulder -- Shelby Flint [1960] What a great song and a great recording. Even though Shelby is wishing for good fortune that she has not yet attained, I always found this song to be uplifting.
A musical treasure.

dueling toreros
Torero -- Renato Carosone [1958] The singer/pianist from Naples was one of the most beloved entertainers on the Italian music scene. This endearing recording, including the mention of Marlon Brando (everybody understood THAT part), was one of the most popular foreign-language hits of the past 50 years.
Torero -- Julius LaRosa [1958] This English language cover of the Renato Carosone recording is not a literal translation of that hit but, like that one, it does mention Marlon Brando!

I Blew It -- The Vacant Lot [1967] Thank you, Bob Shannon (WCBS-FM NYC deejay) for mentioning this record on Mike Riccio's "Oldies Music Board" -- originally the "Behind The Hits" board hosted by YOU and, because of your mention, inspiring me to add it here. This, to my way of thinking, is one of those "should've, would've, could've been a contenduh" platters! I first heard it years ago and only knew the song title and the tune and not the name of the group who recorded it. Recently one of my contacts told me who it was and provided me with a copy. It came out on Roulette in 1967 and, for whatever reason, this catchy record simply didn't fly. But I'm happy to include it here. By the way, please check out Mike's board, it's really great: the address is http://www.musicradio77.com/bobboard/wwwboard/bobboard1.html.
I think the public blew it!

Charlie Wasn't There -- Barbara Evans [1961] Can anyone explain why this girl with the bubbly personality never had a major chart hit? Sadly Barbara Evans passed away in April of 2000.
You LOVE her "Souvenirs": it spent close to two months at #1!
Here's another adorable record from Barbara to make you smile.

50's sisters, real and imaginary
Rock Love -- The Fontane Sisters [1955] They were Bea, Marge and Geri from New Milford, New Jersey and their family name was Rosse. They had many hit recordings on their own and several with Perry Como. Sadly all three sisters are deceased.
Something's Gotta Give -- The McGuire Sisters [1955] Originally from Middletown, Ohio, the sisters are Phyllis, Christine and Dorothy. Johnny Mercer, who co-wrote most of his other well-known songs, wrote this one by himself; it was from the movie "Daddy Long Legs," which starred Fred Astaire.
Alone -- The Shepherd Sisters [1957] Like the McGuire Sisters, this group of sisters is from Middletown, Ohio. They were Martha, Mary Lou, Gayle and Judy. Besides being sisters, they were all blondes. This sample includes the entire legendary false ending that fooled many a deejay back in 1957!
Cry Baby -- The Bonnie Sisters [1956] These are the IMAGINARY sisters in this category, although there are reputable books out there that claim that they were real sisters. Not so. They were Pat Ryan, Sylvia Totter and Jean Borgia, and they worked together as nurses at New York City's Bellevue Hospital. Legend has it that they were all dressed alike in Scotch print skirts and blouses. "Cry Baby" had been the B-side of a record by the Scarlets (later the Five Satins) and, partly because of the unusual situation of being an R&B record recorded by three white girls, it reached #18 on the pop chart.

a clay double play
Here, There, Everywhere -- Clay Cole [1961] Clay performs this song in the movie "Twist Around The Clock." You can copy the following URL into your browser to watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf4BQIBK3iA. I wonder if Lennon and McCartney subconsciously were inspired to write "Here, There AND Everywhere" after hearing Clay singing THIS song.
Happy Times -- Clay Cole [196?] If you're looking for a catchy song that conjures up the best memories of the 60s, try this one on for size!

Ice Cream Song -- The Animaniacs [19??] Simply ani-maniacal!
I scream, you scream, we all scream!

Nairna Nairna -- The Melodeers [1961] The Melodeers were the backup group for the Delicates on their Murray The K "Swingin' Soiree" ("red hot and blue") theme. The Delicates also were at most, if not all, of the Melodeers' recording session, including this one.
Please send me the lyrics to this.

kangarooney tunes
Let's Do The Kangaroo -- The Majorettes [1964] These girls had a regional hit in 1963 with "White Levis" and I'll probably put that one on this page shortly. After that one they did this recording which, even if nothing else, does fit into this marsupial category. They sang "it's the new sensation, all around the nation" which, as it turned out, was a bit too optimistic. Still they obviously had fun recording it and I like it.
Flowers On The Wall -- The Statler Brothers [1965] This record qualifies because it mentions Caption KANGAROO. It peaked at #4 on the pop chart (and #2 country) and was written by the late Lew Dewitt, one of their four original members; the others were brothers Harold and Don Reid and Phil Balsley. Though they never had another major pop hit, they became a superstar country act, charting with close to 70 records.
Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport -- Rolf Harris [1963] This singer originally from Perth, Australia, tickled funny bones in the summer of '63 with this inimitable recording. Who could possibly even TRY to duplicate it? For the answer, see the next listed record. (But please play this one first!)
Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport -- Pat Boone [1963] Okay, so he's not Rolf. But listen, would you rather hear Ol' White Bucks singing heavy metal? (I thought so.)

Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf? -- Barbra Streisand [1963] I had heard "My Coloring Book" by her and that was nice. This was the next one I heard by her and it's the one that knocked me out. It is still one of my all-time favorite Streisand recordings.
As soon as I heard this I knew that this lady was destined for greatness.

goin' bananas!
Juanita Banana -- The Peels [1966] Contrary to rumors, Mrs. Miller was NOT ever considered for the title role in this recording.
I've Never Seen A Straight Banana -- Billy Jones and Ernie Hare [192?] Billy and Ernie, known as the "Happiness Boys," were immensely popular with radio audiences in the 20s and 30s.
Loving You Has Made Me Bananas -- Guy Marks [1968] Comedian Guy Marks had a surprise hit with this parody of the big band era. A live performance of this is on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh5oaxyMt0I. You might find that a-peel-ing as well.
Yes! We Have No Bananas -- Spike Jones and his City Slickers [19??] This is the most popular banana song of the bunch.

50's hits that mention other 50's hits
Short Fat Fannie -- Larry Williams [1957] As we all know, Larry left Fannie for "Bony Moronie"! The Beatles recorded two of his compositions: "Slow Down" and "Bad Boy."
La Dee Dah -- Billy and Lillie [1957] A great Frank Slay/Bob Crewe production that was very popular with the kids on Bandstand and a top-ten hit nationwide.
Splish Splash -- Bobby Darin [1958] This was Bobby's first hit single and it hit #3 on the pop chart. It also spent two weeks at #1 on the R&B chart. Want more? It spent three weeks on the COUNTRY chart, peaking at #14!
Everyone Was There -- Bob Kayli [1958] Bob is the brother of Motown entrepreneur Berry Gordy Jr. This rare recording is so catchy and it amazed me that it did not achieve the success of the other three records within this category.

Sonny Boy -- Al Jolson [1928] Incomparable.
Considered by many to be the world's greatest entertainer of his time.

See You Later Linda -- Dickie Goodman [196?] Dickie recorded a parody album of Allan Sherman's "My Son The Folk Singer," which he called "My Son The Joke." It was a gigantic flop. But a few songs from that album have attracted quite a following. The song is a little naughty and I intentionally silenced two brief portions of this sample because this is a family-oriented page! If you figure out what Dickie sang, please don't tell anyone!
Yes, Dickie sings! This is a parody of the Mexican standard "Cielito Lindo."

I Love Onions -- Susan Christie [1966] Just a goofy little song. Will it make you laugh? Will it make you cry?
Don't know if Lou loves onions but I do know that he is not related to Susan.

fabulous showstoppers
Jubilation T. Cornpone -- Stubby Kaye [1956] "Li'l Abner," based on the Al Capp comic strip, opened on Broadway in November of 1956 and ran for 693 performances. Among other things, the plot centers on Dogpatch, the town that is the main setting of the comic strip, which has been declared the "most unnecessary town" in the U.S. and is set to be turned into a nuclear testing site. The town is ultimately saved when a plaque is discovered declaring that its local hero and town founder, the Confederate General Jubilation T. Cornpone was, by virtue of his sheer incompetence, so instrumental in the defeat of his own army as to be a hero of the Republic. Stubby Kaye, in the role of "Marryin' Sam," sings the praises (!!!) of that military man.
Little Tin Box -- Howard DaSilva [1959] "Fiorello!" opened on Broadway in November of 1959 and ran for 795 performances. The story follows the life of Fiorello H. La Guardia who, as the mayor of New York City, reformed city politics by breaking the Tammany Hall political machine. Howard DaSilva played the Republican machine boss Ben Marino. He and his cronies perform "Little Tin Box," in which they imagine a series of Tammany politicians attempting to convince a judge that wealth came from their scrupulous habits of saving money. (Yeah, right!)
All For The Best -- the cast [1970] Godspell (an archaic spelling of the word gospel),a 1970 musical by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak. It opened off Broadway in May of 1971 and has played in various touring companies and revivals many times since. I'm not sure who is singing this or the exact context of this song within the show (I have not seen it) but the message is clear: Heaven is the ultimate reward and getting there is "All For The Best." Tap your toes!

Your Bulldog Drinks Champagne -- Jim Stafford [1974] ..... but fun.
Doggone dumb .....

two gems by Julie
Domani -- Julius LaRosa [1955] Super duper bravissimo!
Stashu Pandowski -- Julius LaRosa [195?] Ask me now no questions and I tell you now no lies.

Never Naughty Rosie -- Sue Thompson [1976] Our Sue like you've never heard her before! This was her last charted single, peaking at #95 on the country chart.
Sassy Sue!

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