Saturday 9: For You

 

For You

Saturday 9: For You (1963)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Rick Nelson tells us he'd give his girl the stars from sky or a string of pearls. Have you more recently given or received a gift? What was it?  I was given a journal on pre-K graduation night from one of the kids.  It has my name engraved on it and it has my little guys name on it that it is from.  It says something like thank-you for being part of my life.  I love that little guy so much.

2) By the time this record was released, Rick was already a show business veteran. He had been a regular on his family's sitcom, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, since it began airing on radio when he was just 8. Most of us weren't child performers but many of us had chores around the house. When you were young, did your parents give you an allowance?  Yes, my mom had me vacuum, water her plants, do my laundry and my dad's laundry, dust and clean the tub.  I got an allowance for doing those things.  I didn't get to do it long though because I got a job.

3) The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet moved to TV, where fans saw Rick grow into a teen who drove a 1932 Roadster. The car really belonged to Tony La Masa, who collected classic cars and rented them out to TV and movie producers. Have you ever earned or raised money with your hobby?  no

4) Paul McCartney has called Rick Nelson an "underrated singer who could really carry a song" and said Rick was one of his influences. Who do you believe you have influenced, professionally or personally?  I am a mentor teacher, so hopefully the tips and tricks I share with new teachers help them in their classrooms.  I also believe I have had an influence on Josh.  You never really know who all you influence.  I suppose I influence all of my students too.  That is a lot of kids.  They still come to visit me in the morning after they eat breakfast.

5)  This week's song was already an oldie by the time Rick performed it. "For You" was recorded the first time by Casa Loma Orchestra in 1933. In those days, most records were 78 rpm discs, thick and usually only able to hold 3 to 5 minutes of sound per side. Most record companies stopped producing them in the 1950s. Have you ever seen a "78?"  I don't think I have seen those.

 

6) The lyrics to "For You" were written by Al Dubin. After Al left college he supported himself as a singing waiter. That's really two jobs in one. Which would you do better at: singer or server?  Oh brother, I am going to say server because I am friendly and upbeat, but I would not be good at either of these.  I like to sing, but I am an alto, I sing the harmony.  If I get to sing with someone, maybe singer. 

 

7) The music was written by Joe Burke, whose last hit song was "Rambling Rose," recorded in 1948 by Perry Como. Have you ever heard of Perry Como?  Yes!  I wonder if it is because of Josh though.  He likes old music and plays it for me and tells me all about the singers.  If you are new to my blog, Josh is my son.  Josh is 27 now, but here he is when he was little.

8) In 1963, when Ricky's recording was on the charts, the Zip Code was introduced. How many different Zips have you lived in?  I think 5.

 
9) Random question: When you were in high school, were you taller or shorter than your classmates? Or were you the average height?  I am shorter than most people now, so I am guessing I was shorter then too unless the kids were younger than me.  I am 5'4".