UPDATE: Laura's Daughter weighs in with 15 answers. Out-flippin'-standing! I noted which she answered, but I won't post the answers themselves just yet. Next update: Guessed answers added and unguessed questions bolded. Last update: Eh. I'm just an antsy kind of guy, so the last of the antswers (har!) added.
I've been thinking about doing a trivia edition about these folks for some time now. So yesterday, we made a Costco run and I happened across a Greatest Hits CD at a great price. How cool. Surprisingly, there are actually a couple of songs I had never heard before, despite owning at some time in the distant past a different Greatest Hits collection (on tape, since worn out). Adhering to my self-imposed rules, I shall not include those in the questions below.
Because that would be cheating.
So I hear.
On the other hand, as those of you who have paid attention know, I often include several questions from the same song (sometimes songs plural) when it/they is/are songs I really, really like. And so it is again this time. Deal with it, kids. Though, of course, if you got one of those questions you'll probably get them all and look really, really smart. And it may happen with more than one song. Haven't decided yet.
ANYhow, I do need to add that, outside of the Giant Black Hole of Incredible Talent that is Motown, there are precious few rock or pop acts that do harmonies well. The very best, in my estimation, is the Sainted Beach Boys. The next best, in my own humble opinion, is the Mamas and the Papas. Not only do they sing some wonderful harmonies, they sing some of the best pop songs of the 60s and early 70s.
Strange Interlude: One of the greatest comic lines I ever heard was delivered by Terry Kiser (Bernie of the amusing weekend) on some show I don't remember except for this line. As I recall, it went something like: "These three things I believe: One [don't remember what it was] Two: [I don't remember this one either]. And three: If Cass Elliott and Karen Carpenter had just shared that ham sandwich, they'd both be alive today."
[/tasteless, morbid humor]
Anyway, without further ado and nonsensical, tasteless commentary, here are a bunch o' questions about the Mamas and the Papas:
1) Zal and Denny were working for a penny, trying to do what? [Laura's Daughter: Trying to get a fish on the line]
2) I'd be safe and warm if I was where? [Laura's Daughter: If I was in L.A.]
3) Can't trust what day? [Laura's Daughter: Monday Monday]
4) Where did Sebastian sit, passing a hat? [Laura's Daughter: In a coffeehouse]
5) A girl like me can love just one man. So what do you gotta do? [Julie: You gotta go wher you wanna go]
6) I can't take it and I don't know who can. So what do I do? [Answer: I call your name]
7) What were McGuinn and McGuire doing? [Laura's Daughter: Just-a getting higher]
8) What did I do last night, though I shouldn't? [Laura's Daughter: I saw her again last night]
9) From the time I go to sleep until the morning comes, what do I do? [Laura's Daughter: Dream about you, baby]
10) As a sophomore, where did Cass plan to go before changing her mind? [Laura's Daughter: To Swarthmore]
11) Worn out phrases and longing gazes won't get you where you want to go. What else won't? [Laura's Daughter: Words of love]
12) Summer's here and the time is right for what? [Laura's Daughter: For dancing in the street]
13) What did Denny give Cass? [Laura's Daughter: He gave her love bumps - and a small aside to Nightfly, this is the line about the Mugwumps, when Denny called John and Zal]
14) Each night before you go to bed, my baby, what should you tell all the stars above? [Laura's Daughter: This is dedicated to the one I love]
15) You know you move real good, girl. You move real fine. So do what? [Answer: Kind of surprised this one was not guessed. So shake it up, baby, twist and shout]
16) What did Sebastian and Zal form? [Nightfly: Sebastian and Zal formed the Spoonful]
17) In New York City, what did the clock always say? [Rob: The clock always said "12:30"]
18) What can make me feel this way? [Laura's Daughter: My girl]
19) Everybody's getting fat except who? [Laura's Daughter: Except Mama Cass]
20) Do you want to do this under the moonlight? [Answer: Do you want to dance?]
21) While I'm alone and blue as can be, do what? [Laura: Dream a little dream of me]
22) Tent's low rent. What's hard? [Laura's Daughter: Keeping out the heat's hard]
1. get a fish on the line
2. in LA
3. Monday
4. in a coffee house
7. getting higher
8. saw her again
9. dream about you?
10. Swarthmore
11. words of love
12. dancing in the street
13. love bumps?
14. "this is dedicated to the one I love"
18. my girl
19. Mama Cass
22. keeping out the heat
... I'm going to go back to Organic Chemistry now.
Oh, most excellent, LD!
Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at February 24, 2008 08:59 PM5. Go where you want to go
p.s. Terry Kiser was also Vic Hitler, the narcoleptic comic, on "Hill Street Blues". :-) Love him!
Posted by: Julie at February 25, 2008 06:23 AMI don't remember that role, but he's a kick in everything I've seen him in.
Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at February 25, 2008 06:54 AM21 - Dream a little dream of me.
(Ha! I got one the kid didn't!)
Posted by: Laura(southernxyl) at February 25, 2008 08:08 AMYes indeedy!
Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at February 25, 2008 09:39 AMWell... 16 is (I think) the Mugwumps. (But I could be wrong, since John Sebastian and Zal Yanosky were also one-half of the Lovin' Spoonful.)
I know most of the others, primarily because I tried to rewrite Creeque Alley as an American Idol parody song, but it was too unwieldy.
Posted by: nightfly at February 25, 2008 10:19 AMIt's the Spoonful, per the lyric.
Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at February 25, 2008 11:46 AMHard to say, it was the pre-digital age.
Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at February 25, 2008 02:13 PMAha. I should read more liner notes. Thanks, man.
Posted by: nightfly at February 25, 2008 02:50 PM