Andy's 60's Music Favourite 'Knock Knock' Songs And Jokes?

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When KNOCK, KNOCK songs were popular.

They were characterized by a call-and-response format, and usually with a humorous storytelling twist. Furthermore, they were interactive and catchy usually featuring a dialogue or one-liners reflecting the 60's lightheartedness. Social change and upheaval, these pops provided a fun and carefree world for listeners.

Beats Juliet screaming quietly: "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou."

And she's on the balcony. Was Romeo at the door downstairs knocking? 

By the way, the two Chinese ladies knocking on the door are Juliet Lim and Juliet Tan. They both come from 1A Meta Road, Singapore.

😄

'I'm Gonna Knock On Your Door' [1959]

Also by Eddie Hodges, the last lines of the lyrics are sung 

so quickly they need good timing and fluency of the language 

to vocalize them. Just listen to Little Pattie go...

“I’m gonna knock and ring and tap and knock and ring and tap 

and knock and ring and tap until you do!”

Little Pattie: 'I'm Gonna Knock On Your Door'

YouTube Video by: VintageVideoClips.

 

'Knock Three Times' [1970]

There was no 'Dawn' when the song was recorded, so

Orlando asked Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson, 

whom he had hired to work as background vocalists or,

in music jargon, backup singers. They became 

'Dawn' and K3T became a big hit.

“Knock three times on the ceiling if you want me,

Twice on the pipe if the answer is no.”

Tony Orlando & Dawn - 'Knock Three Times' (1970 HD 720p) 

YouTube Video by: NVNCBL @VINCENTDICRESCE.

Knock, knock!

Who's there?

Why?

Why who?

Y.M.C.A.

Knock, knock!

Who’s there?

Rain!

Rain who?

You rain nothing but a hound dog!

Knock, knock!

Who’s there?

Everybody!

Everybody who?

Everybody was Kung Fu fighting!

'Knock On Wood' [1966]

Insulting indeed, when the teacher tells the child to 

knock his own head in front of the class and says it's wood.

The term is also supposed to ward off bad luck.

But then the song itself, composed/sung by Eddie Floyd, 

has a different theme. Amii Stewart sings it in style...

“Babe, you better knock, knock, knock on wood,

Babe, you better knock, knock, knock on wood.”

Amii Stewart - 'Knock On Wood' (Official HD Video)

YouTube Video by: Amii Stewart (Official)

BYE, BYE.

This is one crazy posting.

Three of my favourite knock, knock songs!

Andy, you going crazy or what? 😋

Images: Google.

Jerry & The New Faces: 51 Years In Singapore Show Biz!

Jerry Fernandez

UP TO 300 VIEWS, 11 COMMENTS

Jerry Fernandez and I met and we chatted... I asked, "So it was 51 years ago today? Tell us Jerry."

"SINCE 1972 , it was Rock and Roll all the way. 

The journey was inspiring but with Blood, Sweat and Tears. Can't deny it Andy.

It wasn't a bed of roses. Only through sheer determination and confidence did we manage! That was the essence!  And facing the unscrupulous industry was challenging. 

My heartfelt thanks to my founding members:

Francis Ho (Mr. Genius in Taiwan), Francis Chan, Ricky Gan (Ah Seng), Elmy Tahir (US & Indonesia), Osman Said (the Ultimate One - Australia), Ramon Renee Francis and the late Henry Tham. 

Not forgetting my very first lady vocalist Norma Zainal ( Singapore's Shirley Bassey) and though she was with us for only three years she did the utmost. But she left when the wedding bells beckoned. Thank you Norma.

The current Neu Faces include: Yuni, Amir, Salim and Amri.

Alumni Brother is Mokhtar Hassan (The Rock) the late Joe Haron. 

Thanks to our members and friends for their support and I thank the Lord for blessings because each time I fall, he picks me up.

That's about it Brother Andy."

"Thanks Jerry. Coming from you, that's 51 years in a nutshell. And I love your phrase, unscrupulous industry! " 

We sipped our coffee amidst Jerry's green green grass of home, at Pek Kio... That's Jerry about showbiz and how he managed the arduous but  exciting journey.

Jerry Fernandez with blogger Andy

YouTube Videos by Fabian Foo Jong Fook. 

Thanks Fabian.

'Rock Around The Clock'

'Runaway'

At the Esplanade Singapore [2021]

Further reading on Jerry Fernandez, link below or check Labels:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/07/jerry-fernandez-neu-faces-to-be-rock.html

Tina Turner: She's Still Singing Proud On The River Boat, Travelling Deep And Mountain High!

The late Ms Anna Mae Bullock

1939-2023

https://wallpaperaccess.com/tina-turner

A few letters came through these last few days, asking why I did not pay a tribute on the passing away of Ms Tina Turner. One reason; there are too many such tributes on the blog, so I wanted to leave them out entirely, unless they are about our local Singapore singers or musicians. That too may be a problem if the information provided is unreliable. 

But here goes.

I love her singing and style and first heard her way back in the mid 60's with River Deep Mountain High, and Proud Mary I think in the early 70's. She literally burned the radio [noisy, noisy], with these songs. There weren't any YouTube videos then to watch and our television station hardly screened any of these pop shows from America.

I didn't buy her vinyl records; us guys were crazy with Elvis and Ricky. Yes, and Connie Francis and Doris Day too. But she was there, at the back of my mind, a lady so full of vitality, love, sensuality and a powerful voice that she became a rock star soon enough. With Elvis as the King of Rock n Roll, she became the Queen of Rock n Roll. Like Elvis, she's a visual delight!

Tina Turner: Private Dancer. [LIVE] HDavi.

YouTubeVideo by: jpsDelarue

I first heard Tina Turner again when a university friend played it on a cassette tape. This was Canada in the mid 80's. And the song? 'What's Love Got To Do With It?' Tina was back and when YouTube came along on the internet some years later, I watched her concerts. 

TT was one of the best lady African-American singers ever to hit peak performances wherever she was on stage. And the crowd? Nearly one million in one show and documented by Guinness Book. And her albums? More than 100 million copies sold! In 2018, a jukebox musical was made in her name!

Then came 24th May, 2023, Proud Mary passed away!

So Ms Turner, now that you're hitched on the river boat queen, sing your songs on the good side of the city.  

God Bless You, Tina Turner! Rest In Peace. You're simply the best.

Tina Turner with Proud Mary

Watch the snazzy chorus girls!!!

YouTube Video by: theravenphoenix665.

Images: Google, Video: YouTube.

Singapore 60's Music Rediffusion: Top Tunes Of The Week By Stephen Han.

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75 CHATS, COMMENTS

Written by Stephen Han, this article is one of his many contributions for the blog. I cannot thank you enough my friend. Click his name below under 'Labels' after this story and read more...

During my schooldays, I was very fond of hot songs and music. I practically glued myself to my friend’s Rediffusion  box [image] and listened to the the wonderful programs on the Silver Network. 

The ones that I love are, “So You Want To Be An Announcer”, ”From Your House” and “Top Tunes Of The Week “. ”From Your House” was then hosted by Noreen Sales in which a family can have their favourite songs played. ”You could be an announcer and had your songs dedicated and played in, “So You Want To Be An Announcer”. I managed to win a $100 prize in guessing the top tunes according to their order. 

One programme I like best was the “Martin Block And His Make Belief Ballroom.” [image]. This show not only played the current top songs but also gave good account of every song just like that of the ones by Casey Kasem.

I used to attend the variety concerts with my friends and two lovely sisters, Maggie and Molly Phua and their neighbor, Janet Tay. I got a chance to hear band from nightclubs like Benny Klieman Trio, from Prince Garni Hotel and Joseph Goh and his skiffle group. When Mike Ellery called for volunteers for a play, my friends, Albert Sim and Peter Mun literally dragged me up on stage.

Then came Steven Lee, Larry Lai and Theresa Khoo. These three persons were given major roles. They 'read their lines so cleverly and never missed a cue,' just like the Hollywood actors. I did not fare badly. The story was then broadcast to the enjoyment of Rediffusion listeners a couple of weeks later.

You soon noticed that Steven Lee became a well known radio news reader while Larry Lai became a famous radio and TV personality. Theresa Khoo did some recording with her voice in, “Unspoken Words” and played the piano with some Canto Pops groups.

Sometimes famous singers and bands were invited to perform and I had the chance to watch the live performance of the pretty, Haley Mills through the courtesy of Lorna Sales, [image: the girl with the hula hoop]. Haley sang her hit song from her movie, “The Parent Trap” the lively song “Let’s Get Together”. After that she did an autograph session with her dad, namely, John Mills.

The tiny Rediffusion box had provided me lots of joy and happiness and I ‘m sure the pioneer generation had great times with it.

Written by: Stephen Han [Copyrights Reserved.]

John Mills and daughter Haley Mills

who were interviewed on stage at

the Odeon Cinema in conjunction with

the movie, 'The Parent Trap'.

The Parent Trap: Let's Get Together.

With Haley Mills [Split Screen Technology 1961]

YouTube Video: TheDISNEYcollection.

Writer, Mr Stephen Han [in pink]

With Andy.

Stephen's Stories About Singapore 60s Music:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/search/label/Stephen%20Han

Images: Google.

Image details will be inserted soon.

Good Friday: Singapore 7th April, 2023

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Good Friday

7th April, 2023

Singapore.

Wishing All Readers, Friends, 

Contributing Blog Writers,

A Blessed Good Friday.

'I Don't Know How To Love Him' 

Sarah Brightman

YouTube Video from:

TheWordInOtherWords

I don't know how to love him

What to do, how to move him

I've been changed, yes really changed

In these past few days

When I've seen myself

I seem like someone else

I don't know how to take this

I don't see why he moves me

He's a man, he's just a man

And I've had so many men before

In very many ways

He's just one more

Should I bring him down?

Should I scream and shout?

Should I speak of love?

Let my feelings out?

I never thought I'd come to this

What's it all about?

Don't you think it's rather funny?

I should be in this position

I'm the one who's always been

So calm, so cool

No lover's fool

Running every show

He scares me so

I never thought I'd come to this

What's it all about?

Yet, if he said he loved me

I'd be lost, I'd be frightened

I couldn't cope, just couldn't cope

I'd turn my head, I'd back away

I wouldn't want to know

He scares me so

I want him so

I love him so

Songwriters: Tim Rice / Andrew Lloyd Webber

I Don't Know How to Love Him (Jesus Christ Superstar, 1971) lyrics © Universal/mca Music Ltd.

This poster is a Freda Hanum creation,

which she does on her own accord for her 

FB friends. She is a member of the pop 60s ladies 

group, The Teepees. Thanks so much Freda!

Jeff Beck R.I.P. - From English Rock Enthusiasts In Singapore

Jeff Beck

24 June 1944 - 10 January 2023

https://wallpapercave.com/jeff-beck-wallpapers

One of the best, if not the best. Geoffrey Arnold Beck is gone at 78 years young... So my tribute on this blog. And a comment from a local legend himself, acknowledging his passing:

"Oh no. Please not Jeff Beck! So sad to hear this awful news. RIP Jeff Beck. May you soar above the heavens with your awesome talents.

The definition of the ultimate guitarist's guitar player. His performance live at Ronnie Scotts... HORACE WEE."

h

https://wallpapercave.com/jeff-beck-wallpapers

Thanks to Horace Wee for his interest and comment on Jeff Beck.

Matt Tan who lives in Canada, was with 'Fried Ice' [Singapore] some years ago.  He wrote about Jeff Beck. Click below:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2017/04/matt-tan-bassist-fried-ice-writes-from.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2018/05/music-is-like-food-each-has-its-own.html

The Guitar Gods - Jeff Beck: 

"Apache" / "Sleepwalk" 

YouTube Video by: asat96

Jeff Beck Big Block: Live Ronnie Scott's

YouTube Video by: Mercury.

Jeff Beck n Joss Stone: I Put A Spell On You

YouTube from: Stefanos Alexiou

Images: Google and indicated connections.

Meeting Beach Boys n Wynton Marsalis In Singapore: Cindy Lai

YouTube video below with Eric Clapton

UP TO 200 VIEWS, 15+ CHATS & COMMENTS

This article has never been posted but written on May 4th, 2014.

Visits by the group and trumpeter could have happened in the 80s as no dates were mentioned in the articles.

I hope you read the previous post where I introduced my former neighbour, entrepreneur, fashion designer and health guru Cindy Lai, who took us back to London's Carnaby Street in the 70s and re-introduced us to Gilbert O'Sullivan's Clair, one of my favourite pieces.

When I asked her to be a regular guest blogger busy Cindy cheerfully agreed and promised to walk her memory trail with us whenever she's free.  Here are the latest, where she met up with a famous 60s boy band and a renowned trumpeteer...

                    The Beach Boys: Good Vibrations: You Tube Video by Larry Jonik.

Hi Andy,

When the Beach Boys came to town, my classmates and I somehow got the news and went to visit at The Goodwood Hotel where they were staying. (It was so long ago, I stand corrected about the venue). 

We caught them at the pool. As fans and crazy young teenagers, we got close for autographs. Guess what, I pulled his hair (the tall blonde) & stuck it to my autograph album. For years after, it was my show and tell piece of memorabilia.  

Here's a picture, I remember he was the tall blonde, the one on the extreme right with the guitar.  That autograph book long vanished, have no idea where it went. I don't even remember which year. The scenarios remained in my mind, that's all. 
 
Perhaps another meet up that doesn't need evidence would be better. This takes me to another event.  Just sharing here. I went to Wynton Marsalis' concert at The Westin. I had planned precisely to get his autograph no matter what. I was thrilled when I succeeded. He wrote my name with best wishes and signature. 

Later I went to the wash room, left it on the back shelf of the toilet and walked out. When I realised, I rushed back for it after like fifteen minutes; it was gone. This one was a huge shame indeed.

Cheers,
Cindy. 

Images: Google.

The Beach Boys are an American rock band formed in 1961 in California by Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine. Since then, the band has undergone many variations in composition, being represented by fill-ins onstage as often as not.

Wynton Learson Marsalis (born October 18, 1961) is a trumpeter, composer, music educator and Artistic Director of Jazz @ Lincoln Center in New York City, United States.  He has promoted the appreciation of classical and jazz music often to young audiences and has been awarded nine Grammys in both genres, and one jazz recording of his was the first of its kind to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music.

Wynton Marsalis and Eric Clapton 

with Corinne Corinna: 

YouTube Video from: EClapton Addict

Cindy Lai wrote the above article. She had gone 

to London to be trained as a fashion designer 

and had a boutique in Singapore.

Smoking In Singapore: Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette: Chow Wen Hing.

https://tenor.com/view/anime-smoking-gif-21078466

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Smoke 🚬🚭

Singapore has by and large eradicated the rather nasty habit of smoking. This has not been easy, as nicotine is highly addictive both physiologically and psychologically. For the older generation it was the only thing to take their minds off their woes. But alas, many found that years of puffing away only brought them health woes in their later years.

Smoking is social norm in my younger days. It was seen as glamorous and even a macho thing to do. Many young man picked up a cigarette to look tough. We see celebrities with a “ciggy” in hand, looking handsome and thoughtful into the distance. Yes, they even had a cute name! How can an impressionable youngster resist!

Songs that reference smoking or cigarettes didn’t help either. Songs like:

1) “King of the Road” (Roger Miller) and 

2) “Promise Me” (Beverly Craven) are among some of the better know ones. 

Other lesser known ones are:

3) “Cigarettes and Coffee” (Otis Redding), 

4) “You Just Can’t Win” (Van Morrison), 

5) "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette" (Tex Williams), among many others.

Cigarette and smoking feature prominently in these songs, as a symbol of grit and a fashionable way to pout. Over the years, anti-smoking efforts had helped many diehard smokers quit the habit, and measures were put in place to discourage the young ones from ever picking the habit up.

Vaping too, becomes a problem today.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/98066737/

ministry-of-health-throws-support-behind-vaping-as-a-way-to-quit-smoking

Although we have been successful in preventing new addiction, it seems that the young are still very much into this nasty habit. As the older generation breaks away from the nicotine addiction, the younger generation is puffing away as if their lives depended on it. And, I’m not being sexists but just stating a fact here - there seems to be more woman smokers these days.

Both young and old, we see these ladies - someone’s mum, sister, girlfriend or wife; proudly hanging around smoking corners puffing away. They look quite out of place, in my opinion; with their high heels and office wears and their cigarettes dangling from their fingers. Quite a liberating sight to behold, some may argue.

A friend was particularly incensed by such a sight, and was so passionate about it that he challenged me to write a song about this developing phenomenon. Well I’m not one who would walk away from a challenge - a song writing challenge at that; so I agreed.

So here’s my take on the situation, entitled “Smoke”:

(1)
Standing in a cloud of smoke
Getting stares and curious looks
But with a cigarette in her hand
She didn’t give a damn
She takes a drag tries to look glam

(2)
Standing out on the street
At the corner where they meet
In her heels and dress of lace
She looks quite out of place
A flower wilting in a smoky haze

(Chorus)
Smoke in the air in her hair in her elegant wear
Smoke in her eyes she wants to cry for being there
Smoke to impress to de-stress to be like the rest
Smoke on the run in the sun is no fun
She tells herself she could stop
When the time comes

(3)
With a cigarette between her fingers
She really didn’t want to linger
It’s the usual sad crowd
Acting tough talking loud
Feeling a little foolish hanging out
*****

This set of lyrics is still looking for a melody, so if there’s a virtuoso reading this and is feeling up for the challenge - let your creative juices flow and put some crotchets and quavers down to accompany these words.

And ladies - you know you already look glamorous without the cigarette in your hand right? Speaking as an ex-smoker, I can assure you that you’ll never look more beautiful than when you’re not holding that stick of cancer between your fingers.

An original article  by Chow Wenhing.

Thanks Wenhing for another contribution!

Smoke smoke smoke that cigarette 

Tex Williams. YouTube Video from: onemediamusic

Smoke smoke smoke that cigarette 

Puff puff puff 

And if you smoke yourself to death

Tell St Peter at the Golden Gate 

That you hate to make him wait

But you just gotta have another cigarette!

"Smoke smoke smoke that cigarette"

Written by: Merle Travis, Tex Williams

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

Read about Cigarette Advertisements in the 60s and its comments by many readers:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/09/g-cigarette-advertisement-with-theme.html

Other related songs with topical connections:

https://youtu.be/EmTBKbyaEjU

https://youtu.be/WrhAC0dFis0

https://youtu.be/sQww3HeL8M4

https://youtu.be/OBcbgt4aYzw

Teresa Teng: The Moon Represents My Heart: In English by Eliza Mammoliti 月亮代表我的心 - 邓丽君

"The Moon Represents My Heart"

Teresa Teng, 月亮代表我的心 - 邓丽君 

English Cover by Elisa Mammoliti.

YouTube video from WJ LimaWix

UP TO 1,500 VIEWS

A Teresa Teng Fan writes in from the West:

The note below comes from blog reader Axel, to comment on*this music blog's article and video about Teresa Teng. I thought the letter would be better as an independent posting. The rendition by Mammoliti [YouTube, below] is simply beautiful. Thanks my friend for your contribution. 

Axel's letter:

Hello Andy,

Found another English version of this beautiful song - the singer also sings in Chinese. I don't know if I can embed a YouTube link here - otherwise search for WJ LimaWix, as the name of the person who has uploaded the video - the video title is also listed as "The Moon Represents My Heart - Teresa Teng, 月亮代表我的心 - 邓丽君 English Cover by Elisa Mammoliti" - uploaded in August, 2020. 

Teresa Teng: the original singer of this song.

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-moon-represents-my-heart-by-siti.html

Also this interesting comment is included "This English cover is performed by Elisa Mammoliti in Italy on Aug 1st, 2020. Instrumental orchestration is provided by my good friend Fred Chiosa in Lagos, Nigeria. All done while we sheltered-at-home in this Covid-19 era" - truly a global cooperation... 

The museum in Taipei.

I had the pleasure of meeting Teresa Teng's brother in Taipei, in 2009 - apart from eating at his restaurant, also seeing his small Teresa Teng museum, and a conversation about her life.. The song has been a favorite of mine, ever since my first trip to Asia, in 1981 - i didn't understand a word... didn't matter... the angelic voice made the connect to... well... my heart... now... my wish... would be that Andrea Bocelli makes a recording to the song...

Cheers.. 

Axel

*As many fans would know, TT's songs are banned in China. Are they still banned today? What happens to people who own vinyl, CDs and her recordings?

Comment anyone?

Teng Chang-fu

Teresa Teng's brother.

Images: Google.

Interesting Comments. Names Have Been Withheld:

Viewer A: 

Truly a melody and a memory that transcends borders. This is a song that represents the sentiments and feelings of many generations of Chinese, mainland or overseas: and I'd say to China - lighten up! 

Our hearts are always shining like the moon. Bravo to Elisa Mammoliti, you may not speak Mandarin, but you certainly speak the language of love and longing.

Viewer B:

Why the 'moon'? It is always waxing and waning, and in English [at least] Literature, it is a metaphor for inconstancy. Especially when it is the 'moon represents my heart'?

I ask out of puzzlement. Have puzzled me for some time now.

Maybe she is referring to a supermoon. We had one on 14 June, 2022. Perhaps her love was like the supermoon, so full, so bright, so perfectly round.

Viewer A:

Sigh... sometimes I think Singaporeans are so educated that we lose our sense of wonder and imagination. Can't blame some folks for calling us 'clinical'.

Viewer B:

Be serious but also not serious.

If we were dead serious, we'd be dead, literally. I take my hat off to those under oppressive regimes, who can see the irony, and therefore, the humorous side of things. Otherwise, how to survive?

Andy invites comments. 

Images - Google.