Way Back 2023

September 18, 2023 - Movies Have Nat, Sacha and Juliette, on TV it's Thurston, Mikis and Don and Phil

Popular movies, for the moment, are taking on an international flavor: Equalizer 3, the latest installment in Denzel Washington's crime series based on the '85-to-'89 TV thriller, is set in Italy, thus the inclusion of Nat "King" Cole's 1963 recording of "Tu Sei Cosi Amabile" (translation: "You Are So Lovely"). French singer Sacha Distel is also heard in the film singing "La Belle Vie" (a version of "The Good Life," a '63 hit for Tony Bennett). Meanwhile, The Nun II places a perfectly lovely song in a horrific setting, infusing a chill factor into "Romance," a 1952 entry in French songstress Juliette Gréco's repertoire.

Home-tube commercials are giving exposure to a pair classic hits: job-finding website Indeed features "Little Bitty Pretty One" by Thurston Harris and Adobe Acrobat becomes the latest software product to fall under the spell of Mikis Theodorakis's free-form dance classic "Zorba the Greek." Fox television gears up for a new season of Gordon Ramsay's manic cooking show Kitchen Nightmares...but how could The Everly Brothers' tender 1958 chart-topper "All I Have to Do is Dream" possibly fit in?


August 6, 2023 - Newton, Vinton, Marvelettes and Masekela Featured in Current Hit Movies

Two current films have two things in common. First, they're strong at the box office. Second, they've got oldies on their soundtracks! Three unpredictable classics are heard in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, the seventh big screen adventure of Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo. Wayne Newton's 1963 breakthrough "Danke Schoen" and the '64 chart-topper "Mr. Lonely" by Bobby Vinton share audio time with Hugh Masekela's easy-groove, non-turbulent 1969 single "Riot." Meg 2: The Trench thrills with ocean dangers galore and as obvious a lone song selection as could be expected: The Marvelettes' 1964 Motown banger "Too Many Fish in the Sea."


July 11, 2023 - Gene Chandler, Lou Monte, Santo and Johnny on TV Spots, Insidious Series Taps Tiny Tim...Plus: Scat Man!

Chicago legend Gene Chandler has finally worked his way onto a high-level TV spot. "You Can't Hurt Me No More," a bangin' '65 ballad (composed by Curtis Mayfield), supplies the soundtrack for Apple/T-Mobile/iPhone 14 Pro's action-packed "crash detection" pitch. For those who prefer something more relaxing, Mattress Firm has a "soothing sound for sleeping": Santo and Johnny's classic 1959 instrumental, "Sleep Walk." Once rested, your body might start movin' across the floor as "Lazy Mary" by Lou Monte plays on the latest Airbnb/Chef's Kitchens spot.

Cineplex conqueror Insidious: The Red Door attempts to find a frightening side to falsetto singer, left-handed ukulele player and Tonight Show groom Tiny Tim; his signature hit, "Tip-Toe Thru the Tulips With Me," and positive-vibe "Fill Your Heart," both from the 1968 album God Bless Tiny Tim, are featured in the latest entry in the creepy-scary Insidious film series.

Heard on the partly-coffee-themed Seattle broadcast of Major League Baseball's All-Star Game: "The Green Hornet Theme" by Al Hirt...and "Keep That Coffee Hot" by Scat Man Crothers!




Little Bitty Pretty One Mr. Lonely Sleep Walk

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