Aaand Yet More Songs on my iPod Quiz

Answer: John

"Abraham, Martin and John" has been covered by a lot of people in the years since - the version on my iPod is from Marvin Gaye, which made it into the top ten in the UK, but was not released as a single in the US.

The names in the title are of course assassinated leaders - Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr and John F Kennedy.

The incorrect options were also murdered. Robert F Kennedy is the Bobby mentioned in the lyrics of the song, while Malcolm X and Fred Hampton were civil rights activists in the black community. Hampton's death was at the hands of law enforcement, but is now generally considered to have been an assassination.

Answer: Pompeii

"Above the Clouds of Pompeii" was a single from their 2014 album, "Islands". The video for this song is quite beautiful - check it out on Youtube if you like modern folk music.

I saw Bear's Den live very early in their career, at a folk festival. They were very charmingly excited to learn that playing along with the other musicians on the stage was not only allowed but encouraged, at the side stage concerts. By the end of the weekend they were jamming away happily at every opportunity.

Answer: Across the Universe

"They slither wildly as they
slip away across the universe..."

"Across the Universe" is a John Lennon composition that was originally recorded for a charity album for the World Wildlife Fund, in 1969. The album has a heavy "Goon Show" presence, with two songs from Spike Milligan, and one from Harry Secombe.

The version on my iPod is from the 1970 Beatles album, "Let it Be".

Answer: Neil Young

This song was never released as a single, but it's a fairly well known item of Young's oeuvre, appearing on greatest hits compilations and live albums.

Apparently, it's loosely based on the screenplay of a never produced movie of the same name, from Dean Stockwell and Herb Bermann. The story is a little unclear though - but then Neil Young's music has never been accused of perfect clarity.

Answer: Leonard Cohen

Cohen later released the song himself, the next year, on the "I'm Your Man" album. As is not unusual for Cohen's music, there are different versions, with different lyrics, floating around.

This song is well-covered; I see that I have three different versions on my iPod - Warnes', Cohen's own, and a very nice cover by Aaron Neville.

Answer: Ain't that a kick in the head?

"Ain't that a Kick in the Head" came from Sammy Kahn/Jimmy Van Heusen and was written for the original "Ocean's 11" (1960). It's got much the same vibe as the movie - a laid back fun time that doesn't take itself even a little bit seriously.

The song was recorded for the 1960 album "This Time I'm Swingin'" but didn't make it on to the album. It was not to appear on any album until 1966's "You Can't Love 'em All".

Answer: Alison

"Alison" was a single from Costello's first album, 1977's "My Aim is True". The album title is a line from the song. It never charted, but it did get some radio play on the kind of stations I listened to - I remember my ears perking up and thinking "Hmm..." and then I heard "Watching the Detectives" and figured "I'd better buy this album!"

Linda Ronstadt recorded a nice version the following year, that did fairly well.

Answer: Cole Porter

"Mister Harris, plutocrat
Wants to give my cheek a pat
If the Harris pat means a Paris hat, Okay!"

and

"From Milwaukee, Mister Fritz
Often moves me to the Ritz
Mister Fritz is full of Schlitz and full of play"

give a pretty clear indication that the singer is not above accepting gifts from wealthy men, in exchange for, well, perhaps we'd better not say. But she's always true to her real love, in her fashion.

The version of this 1948 song on my iPod is from Blossom Dearie, the queen of the playful lighthearted standard. If you're not familiar with her, look her up - her voice is small, but perfect.

Answer: but I pray there ain't no hell

"And When I Die" was written by the sadly lamented Laura Nyro when she was only 17; Peter, Paul and Mary released a version in 1966. It's probably the voice of David Clayton Thomas from BS&T that you hear it in, though - their 1968 version went to Number Two on the Billboard Hot 100, and made it into the Top Ten in several other countries as well.

The BS&T version is the one on my iPod, but Laura Nyro's is well worth listening to, if you get a chance.

Answer: John Prine

"There's flies in the kitchen
I can hear 'em there buzzin'
And I ain't done nothin' since I woke up today
How the hell can a person
Go to work in the mornin'
And come home in the evenin'
And have nothin' to say"

John Prine passed away in April 2020 of COVID. He's probably the artist I've seen most often perform live; his death felt like a personal blow.

Bonnie Raitt covered "Angel from Montgomery" on her 1974 "Streetlights" album.