From: Howard Teitelbaum <golq438@golq.org>
Subject: RESULTS and ANSWER KEY for Golden Oldies Lyrics Quiz 438 (GOLQ438)
Sender: GOLQ Mailing List <list@golq.org>
Date: Wed,  2 Aug 2023 19:46:24 -0400 (EDT)

RESULTS & ANSWER KEY for Golden Oldies Lyrics Quiz #438 (GOLQ438)

Congratulations to Village Idiots, who won with a perfect score!  Barry Silk
and Really Rockin' In Boston tied for second, missing only a tiebreaker.
Also, a fine 4th-place job by Tri State Trivia, missing only one regular song.

The Solution to Bob's Puzzler can be found at the end.  A star in the "Puz"
column below is the badge of honor for those who solved it:
    Barry Silk, The EJ'S & Co., and Will McCorry.

As always, thanks to everyone who entered.

The August 2023 quiz (GOLQ #439) by Rich Ardini will be posted soon.

                        -- Howard Teitelbaum
________________________________________________________________________________

After each score below are two characters representing the two tie-breakers:
    +  indicates a tie-breaker answered correctly.
    -  indicates partial credit.
    x  indicates a totally incorrect guess.
    .  indicates no guess.

(For anti-spamming purposes, all occurrences of "@" in e-mail addresses have
been replaced with "&".)

Place     ID                                                    Puz
    Score    Name <E-mail address>                                  #  Age(s)
---+-----+--+---------------------------------------------------+-+---+---------
 01 500++ VI Village Idiots (Doug, Andrew, Andy)                    3  --
              <MrJaded/ARE7/Clete6&aol.com>
T02 500+. BS Barry Silk <bcs00&hotmail.com>                      *  1  70+
T02 500+. RR Really Rockin' In Boston <rardini&cox.net>             6  60s, 70s
 04 480++ TS Tri State Trivia                                       7  --
              (Frank Glaz <lowtekman5&aol.com>,
              Dino Dinardo <djdinardo&comcast.net>,
              Mike Gessner <mmgessner&hotmail.com>,
              Mike Pell <mikepell321&aol.com>,
              John Lictro <jdloldies&gmail.com>,
              Hattie Winterfeld <hatcats&yahoo.com>,
              John Slover <giantk1ng&aol.com>)
 05 460++ EJ The EJ'S & Co.: Ellis, Kevin, Everett, Vinnie,      *  6  36+
              Mitch, Kyra <ellisbromberg&gmail.com>
 06 460-+ DT Delphi Trivia Club <rcwkid99&me.com,                   6  65+
              rcwkid99&rochester.rr.com>
 07 460.. WM Will McCorry <wmccorry&ca.inter.net>                *  1  65
 08 440++ MW Mike Weaver <oldtunes&sbcglobal.net>                   1  --
 09 340.. VS Vito & the Salutations <baileyl&colorado.edu>         ~6  boomers
 10 280.. CO The Coasters (Rick & Kathy Schubert, Magic Marc,       5  70, 74,
              Bigfoot Mae, Regina Litman) <rns&san.rr.com>             71, -, 71
 11 240.. TP Tom Pillion <tompillion&skybest.com>                   1  76
---+-----+--+---------------------------------------------------+-+---+---------
    Score    Name <E-mail address>                                  #  Age(s)
Place     ID                                                    Puz
________________________________________________________________________________

The following table gives the individual scoring breakdown:
  #01-#25                  #T1-#T2
     .       no answer        .
     0    incorrect answer    x
   1-19    partial credit     -
    20      full credit       +

   Song#                                                                      TT
ID 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 12
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
VI 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 ++
BS 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 +.
RR 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 +.
TS 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20  . 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 ++
EJ 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20  . 20 20 20 20 20 20 20  . 20 20 20 20 ++
DT 20 20 20  . 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20  . 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 -+
WM 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20  . 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20  . 20 20 ..
MW 20 20 20  . 20 20  . 20 20  . 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 ++
VS  .  . 20  .  . 20  .  . 20 20 10 20  . 20 20 20 20 20 10 20 20 20 20 20 20 ..
CO  . 20 20 20 20 20  .  . 20 20  .  .  . 20 20 20  0 20  .  .  . 20  . 20 20 ..
TP  . 20 20  . 20  .  .  . 20 20  .  .  . 20 20  . 20 20  .  . 20 20 20  .  . ..
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
ID 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 12
   Song#                                                                      TT

________________________________________________________________________________

                GOLDEN OLDIES LYRICS QUIZ #438 ANSWERS:
Answers are in the form:

    #number) Artist: "Title" (chart year) [peak Pop] {peak R&B} <xxx>...<yyy>

where:
    "peak Pop" = Peak position achieved on the weekly Billboard Pop chart.
    "peak R&B" = Peak position on the weekly Billboard Rhythm & Blues chart.
        (Billboard didn't publish an R&B chart between 11/30/63 and 1/23/65,
        so recordings in that interval show peak R&B of {n/c} ("no chart").)
    "xxx",...,"yyy" = prior GOLQ(s) in which the song appeared, if any.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

But now, leaves have fallen
And tears fill her eyes
His warm lips, a memory
And she sighs
#01) Ames, Ed: "Time, Time (Tu As Beau Sourire)" (1967) [61] {-} <371>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Kjz0kMrgI0

    Ed died 5/21/23 at 95.

I may sail on many a sea
Her shores will always be home to me
#02) Belafonte, Harry: "Island In The Sun" (1957) [30] {-} <->
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mH2dgSEObo

    Died 4/25/23 at 96.  This tune - a two-sided hit with "Cocoanut Woman" - was
    the title song from the movie of the same name, in which he co-starred.

The stars in the sky
Are the same kind of stars
That I see in your eyes
#03) Belmonts, The: "Tell Me Why" (1961) [18] {-} <33><250><353>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmg9dwvMxh8 (NF&RR, 1957)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot00rtLgtFM (Belmonts, 1961)

    Originally recorded (uncharted) by Norman Fox and The Rob Roys in 1957.
    Rob Roys member Bob Trotman died on 3/22/23 at 82.

Every fella that I've ever met
Has tried to put me in that well-known net
And like a good girl, I try to face the problem with a smile
But if I give an inch, he wants to take a mile
#04) Bradley, Jan: "I'm Over You" (1965) [93] {24} <->
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlDdujW_pLI

The lights were low when she turned on the radio
I could hear the music playing soft and low
I said we'd better dance before I flip my lid
We both got up to dance, but we never did
#05) Coasters, The: "One Kiss Led To Another" (1956) [73] {11} <83>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnh3wFoiM1Q

    Leon Hughes, last of the group's original 1955-57 lineup, died 3/1/23 at 92.

I'll wait in the queue
When the trains come back
Lie with you
Where the shadows run from themselves
#06) Cream: "White Room" (1968) [6] {-} <84><279><361>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyabYMHfeZI (U.S. single edit)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy9ayDFVzI8 (full LP version)

    Lyricist Pete Brown died 5/19/23 at 82.  Primarily a poet, he was introduced
    to the group by drummer Ginger Baker, but wound up forging a decades-long
    writing partnership with their bassist & primary lead singer, Jack Bruce.

    The U.S. single omits the third verse ("At the party, she was kindness ...")
    from the full 5-minute version on their "Wheels of Fire" LP.  However,
    the U.K. single contains the full version.

I find that I am even dancing when I'm walking
I'm haunted by that cha-cha beat
I hear the rhythm start whenever we are talking
I do the cha-cha in my sleep
#07) Dale, Alan: "Sweet And Gentle (Me Lo Dijo Adela)" (1955) [10] {-} <279>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utUjA93gz-I

    Song re-uses the melody of a contemporaneous Cuban song, "Me Lo Dijo Adela".
    A version by Georgia Gibbs charted concurrently.

Once I had a lion's heart
I was wild and free
I swore no girl could tame me down
And make a pet of me
#08) Darren, James: "Mary's Little Lamb" (1962) [39] {-} <->
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og_gi54pw50

    One of many hits for the husband-and-wife team of Barry Mann and
    Cynthia Weil (also see song #17).  Cynthia died 6/1/23 at 82 - her obit
    included this anecdote from her daughter & her husband:
      It was Ms. Weil who first noticed the man with whom she would craft a
      career and life.  As her daughter [Dr. Jenn Mann] recalled by phone,
      her mother had asked Don Kirshner, the Brill Building power broker music
      publisher, to find her a writing partner, hoping it would be Mr. Mann.
      She "thought he was really hot," Dr. Mann said.  Instead, Mr. Kirshner
      set up a meeting with a different up-and-coming songwriter.  On the day of
      that meeting, Ms. Weil "was sitting and waiting," Mr. Mann recalled,
      "and in walks Carole King.  She thought, 'Oh, what a drag, I don't want to
      have to write with that chick.'"  He added, "It worked out fine for
      both of them."

Tall and tan and young and lovely
#09) Getz/Gilberto: "The Girl From Ipanema" (1964) [5] {n/c} <126><253><379>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc6nMjX9pNU ("Garota de Ipanema", 1962)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNGwE9icMiE (single edit)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlfKAjELVPg (full LP version)

    Astrud Gilberto died 6/5/23 at 83.  The single edit omits the Portuguese
    vocals sung by Joao Gilberto (Astrud's then-husband).

    The original Portuguese song ("Garota de Ipanema") was composed by
    Antonio Carlos Jobim, with lyrics by Vinicius de Moraes; it was first
    recorded in 1962 by Pery Ribeiro (1st link).  At the 1963 recording session
    involving Jobim (piano), Joao Gilberto (guitar), and Stan Getz (tenor sax),
    it was decided to add English lyrics that had been written by Norman Gimbel.
    Astrud was in attendance, but hadn't sung professionally.  She was asked to
    sing the English part, as she was more fluent than the two other Brazilians.

    Regina mentioned that Astrud lived her final decades in Philadelphia.

The foolish things I've done
The times that I let you down
And I'll never change, believe me I've tried
If you go away, you know that I'd die
Oh, I love you, please don't say goodbye
#10) Grass Roots, The: "Bella Linda" (1968/69) [28] {-} <124><307>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSY-ybYPelc

Would I worry so?
Each and every moon when you come and you go
So just ask yourself, would I waste my time?
#11) Jackson, Chuck: "If I Didn't Love You" (1965) [46] {18} <->
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOtmH30M40I

    Died 2/16/23 at 85.

Get a head start, it won't help none
Betcha I'll still catch you
If I beat you home, you know the rules
You got to let me kiss you, pretty baby
#12) Jay and The Techniques: "Strawberry Shortcake" (1968) [39] {-} <238>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvZDkxf9tWY

All day and nighttime too
I'm as blue as can be
Wonderin' when she will come home to me
#13) Maharis, George: "Baby Has Gone Bye Bye" (1962) [62] {-} <->
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FU3-BGp8BU

    Died 5/24/23 at 94.

And she reaches out and takes my hand and squeezes it
And says "how you feelin' hon?"
And I look across at smilin' lips that my warm my heart
And see my mornin' sun
#14) Miller, Roger: "Little Green Apples" (1968) [39] {-} <->
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da1nqL1KMTQ (Roger Miller)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lvfGvoEWcs (O. C. Smith)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fol-GFo8cvw (Patti Page)

    Miller's was the original version, although O. C. Smith's cover was the big
    hit (#2 pop and R&B).  Patti Page also had a charting cover in '68 (her last
    pop hit, #96), which tells the tale from the wife's perspective.

When you're close to me
I can feel your heartbeat
I can hear you breathing in my ear
#15) Mindbenders, The: "A Groovy Kind Of Love" (1966) [2] {-} <2><138><245><352>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PJp9u2T1M4 (Clementi, op. 36 no. 5, rondo)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPJYT7LigtY (Dianne and Annita, 1965)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G9mUiv_SbQ (Mindbenders, 1966)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yplGEdrURYE (Toni Wine, 1971)

    Written by Toni Wine & Carol Bayer (later Sager).  Both had classical music
    backgrounds, so not surprising that they adapted a melody from that sphere;
    namely, the 3rd movement (Rondo) of Muzio Clemente's Sonatina in G,
    op. 36 no. 5, published in 1797 (1st link).

    Originally recorded in 1965 by Dianne and Annita (2nd link) - an American
    duo, but only released on a French EP.  The Mindbenders hit (3rd link)
    featured lead vocals by guitarist Eric Stewart, as Wayne Fontana had just
    departed the group.  Stewart went on to co-found 10cc in the early '70s.

    There were many subsequent versions (e.g., Phil Collins' hit in 1988), but
    I highlighted co-writer Toni Wine's 1971 rendition (4th link).

You left me anyhow
And then the days got worse and worse
And now you see I've gone completely out of my mind
#16) Napoleon XIV: "They're Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!"
      (1966,1973) [3,87] {-,-} <16><118><291>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL4DEoipTFE (A-side)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gbvcEkuFFI (backwards B-side)

    Jerry Samuels, who wrote & sang this novelty hit, died 3/10/23 at 84.
    The flip was the song played in reverse, with most label text mirror-imaged.

But you stood by me for the whole world to see
And then I was ten feet tall
#17) Orlando, Tony: "Bless You" (1961) [15] {-} <116><244><337>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnrnwAFdyjc

    The first hit for Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil (see notes for song #08).

    One guess was Paul Petersen's "My Dad"; also a Mann-Weil composition,
    and containing a similar lyrical motif:
      When I was small, I felt ten feet tall
      When I walked by his side

She said there is no reason
And the truth is plain to see
#18) Procol Harum: "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" (1967) [5] {22} <31><108><307><367>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0cUvXRxtvI

    Keith Reid was the lyricist for all of the group's compositions, and was
    considered a full-fledged member, although he didn't perform/record with
    them.  He died 3/23/23 at 76.

Oh baby, don't tell me you don't want my love
I couldn't give it to just anybody
Baby, won't you tell me it's not true
#19) Ronettes, The, featuring Veronica: "Is This What I Get For Loving You?"
      (1965) [75] {-} <342>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BJD4GAFBM4

Now, you can shake, shout, stop and smile
And you can jump, thump, run in stride
#20) Sharp, Dee Dee: "Ride!" (1962/63) [5] {7} <60><267>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULmUaGPqqgk

I find that I'm really losing you
#21) Shondell, Troy: "This Time" (1961) [6] {-} <39><301>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDXoDfmF4d0 (Thomas Wayne, 1958)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG_Ay4oWJn8 (Troy Shondell, 1961)

    Written by Chips Moman.  Originally recorded (uncharted) by Thomas Wayne in
    early 1958, prior to his big hit, "Tragedy."

You cry and moan and say it will work out
But honey child, I've got my doubts
#22) Stone Poneys, The, Featuring Linda Ronstadt: "Different Drum"
      (1967/68) [13] {-} <8><157><271><323>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk3ZGXRn5gM (Greenbriar Boys, 1966)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDgF-A_kGVg (Monkees wacky excerpt, 1966)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6YM1trweF0 (Stone Poneys feat. Linda, 1967)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMBptme0cbA (Mike Nesmith, 1972)

    Mike Nesmith wrote this in 1964, but it was first recorded in 1966 by
    The Greenbriar Boys.  He couldn't convince the Monkees' producers to use the
    song - other than in a humorous bit, in which he pretends to be a nervous
    amateur musician (2nd link).  Nesmith finally recorded the song for real on
    his 1972 LP "And The Hits Just Keep On Comin'" (4th link), which has an
    extra verse ("Well, I feel pretty sure that you will find the man ...").

How could we say goodbye?
#23) Tune Weavers, The: "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby"
      (1957/58) [5] {4} <3><112><205><306><359>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_zEjggvKRc

    Group member John Sylvia (bass) died 4/13/23 at 87.  The group was a family
    affair, also including John's then-wife Margo (lead singer), her older
    brother Gilbert Lopez, and Margo & Gilbert's cousin, Charlotte Davis.

This man is mine, he's my every thought
I'd give him Russia if it could be bought
I'm not ashamed of nothing I do
I'd guide a missile if he told me to
#24) Turner, Ike & Tina: "Poor Fool" (1961/62) [38] {4} <65>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Seeo_QUVDd4

    Tina died 5/24/23 at 83.  It's creepy in hindsight, given Ike's abusive
    behavior, to hear Tina singing a tune he wrote in which she declares
    undying devotion to her man.  It's also a bit odd to hear those
    cold-war-adjacent references to Russia & missiles!

I said, do the boomerang, the twine, and the jerk
They're jammin' up the bandstand, so everybody work
I said, put on your wig, woman
#25) Walker, Jr., & The All Stars: "Shake And Fingerpop" (1965) [29] {7} <309>
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QaD_wEa4eY

------------
Tie-Breakers
------------

Cables of steel reach to the sky
Tugboats below, passing by
We love to talk
#T1) Chiffons, The: "Up On The Bridge" (1968) [-] {-} <->
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rCIinDf9XA

Why do you wanna make me blue?
I wouldn't say a word
If I were askin' for the world
#T2) Stevens, April, with Henri Rene and his Orchestra: "Gimme A Little Kiss,
      Will Ya Huh?" (1951) [10] {-} <->
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8Kbl8vbmJc (Whispering Jack Smith, 1926)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI922bhBzDY (April Stevens, 1951)

    April died 4/17/23 at 93.  Prior to recording with her younger brother Nino,
    she scored several solo hits in the early '50s, using a similar sultry style
    to her GOLQ-era hit "Teach Me Tiger."

    This tune was originally a hit a quarter-century earlier, primarily for
    Whispering Jack Smith (1st link).  Many versions followed; any artist from
    the '50s or '60s on the following list got full credit:
      https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/453730/versions#nav-entity

________________________________________________________________________________

The following table ranks the songs from most recognized to least recognized.
The first column indicates the average number of points scored on that song
(total points divided by number of entrants).  For comparison purposes,
tie-breakers are scored here on the usual 20-point scale.

Avg.   Song
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.00  #03) Belmonts, The: "Tell Me Why" (1961) [18] {-}
20.00  #09) Getz/Gilberto: "The Girl From Ipanema" (1964) [5] {n/c}
20.00  #14) Miller, Roger: "Little Green Apples" (1968) [39] {-}
20.00  #15) Mindbenders, The: "A Groovy Kind Of Love" (1966) [2] {-}
20.00  #18) Procol Harum: "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" (1967) [5] {22}
20.00  #22) Stone Poneys, The, feat. Linda Ronstadt: "Different Drum" (1967/68)
18.18  #02) Belafonte, Harry: "Island In The Sun" (1957) [30] {-}
18.18  #05) Coasters, The: "One Kiss Led To Another" (1956) [73] {11}
18.18  #06) Cream: "White Room" (1968) [6] {-}
18.18  #10) Grass Roots, The: "Bella Linda" (1968/69) [28] {-}
18.18  #16) Napoleon XIV: "They're Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" (1966) [3]
18.18  #17) Orlando, Tony: "Bless You" (1961) [15] {-}
18.18  #24) Turner, Ike & Tina: "Poor Fool" (1961/62) [38] {4}
18.18  #25) Walker, Jr., & The All Stars: "Shake And Fingerpop" (1965) [29] {7}
16.36  #12) Jay and The Techniques: "Strawberry Shortcake" (1968) [39] {-}
16.36  #20) Sharp, Dee Dee: "Ride!" (1962/63) [5] {7}
16.36  #21) Shondell, Troy: "This Time" (1961) [6] {-}
16.36  #23) Tune Weavers, The: "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby" (1957/58) [5] {4}
15.45  #11) Jackson, Chuck: "If I Didn't Love You" (1965) [46] {18}
15.45  #19) Ronettes, The, feat. Veronica: "Is This What I Get For Loving You?"
14.55  #01) Ames, Ed: "Time, Time (Tu As Beau Sourire)" (1967) [61] {-}
14.55  #08) Darren, James: "Mary's Little Lamb" (1962) [39] {-}
12.73  #04) Bradley, Jan: "I'm Over You" (1965) [93] {24}
12.73  #07) Dale, Alan: "Sweet And Gentle (Me Lo Dijo Adela)" (1955) [10] {-}
11.82  #T1) Chiffons, The: "Up On The Bridge" (1968) [-] {-}
 9.09  #T2) Stevens, April: "Gimme A Little Kiss, Will Ya Huh?" (1951) [10] {-}
 7.27  #13) Maharis, George: "Baby Has Gone Bye Bye" (1962) [62] {-}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_____________________________________________________________________________

PUZZLER SOLUTION
----------------

Kudos to all those who "unchained" themselves by solving the chain
of answers in this Puzzler:

1a) Fools Rush In
1b) In Dreams
1c) Dream A Little Dream Of Me
1d) Me And My Shadow
1e) Shadows Of Knight
1f) Nightcrawlers
1g) Crawling Back
1h) Back Beat No. 1
1i) One Step At A Time
1j) Time Of The Season
1k) Season Of The Witch
1l) Witch Doctor
1m) Doctor Feel-Good
1n) Good Time Charlie
1o) Charlie Byrd
1p) Bird Dog
1q) Doggin' Around
1r) Around The World In Eighty Days
1s) Days Of Wine And Roses
1t) Roses Are Red (My Love)
1u) Lover Please
1v) Please Don't Do It
1w) It's All Over Now
1x) (Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I
1y) I Like It Like That
1z) That's Life

2z) Life And Death In G And A
2y) A Letter To An Angel
2x) Angel Of The Morning
2w) Morning Dew
2v) Do You Want To Dance
2u) Dance With Me Georgie
2t) Georgy Girl
2s) Girl On A Swing
2r) Swingin' On A Rainbow
2q) Rainbow Ride
2p) Ride The Wild Surf
2o) Surf City
2n) City Lights
2m) Light My Fire
2l) Firefly
2k) Fly Me To The Moon
2j) Moon River
2i) River Deep - Mountain High
2h) High Hopes
2g) Hopeless
2f) Les Paul
2e) Paul Dino
2d) Dino, Desi, And Billy
2c) Billie Baby
2b) Baby, I Love You
2a) Your Good Thing (Is About To End)

The "special" letters indicated by the puzzle's instructions spell
out what you've been doing: WORKING ON THE CHAIN GANG.

For those on the chain gang who failed to unchain themselves, the
instructions state that "there's a long sentence in the middle of all
this". Sorry, but as hinted at by the middle two clue answers, your
"long sentence" is LIFE. Yes, I can hear your groans. But after all,
that's the sound of the men working on the chain gang. So you claim
to enjoy rock? Get back to breaking them!

_____________________________________________________________________________

Howard Teitelbaum <golq438@golq.org>