Saturday 9

 
Saturday 9: Blame It on the Bossa Nova (1963)

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

1) This week's song tells the story of a girl who found love at a dance. Share a happy memory from a party, prom or dance you attended. The first thing that popped into my head was a surprise party I threw in high school. Ann's birthday was November 1. I told her I was having a Halloween party and asked her to please come in costume. I'll always remember Ann's surprised and delighted face -- covered in clown makeup, complete with red nose -- when she realized the party was really for her, and that she was the only one in costume. I bet it's something she still remembers fondly to this day.

2) This record was a big hit for Eydie Gorme, which surprised her. When she first heard the song, she disliked it and had to be convinced to her record it. Tell us about a pleasant surprise you had recently. My tax refund came earlier than I expected. Direct deposited cash is always pleasant.

3) "Blame It on the Bossa Nova" is about love at first sight on the dance floor. Eydie's husband Steve Lawrence maintained he fell in love with her the first time he heard her sing. Have you ever felt a sudden, powerful attraction to someone? If yes, did you act on it? Yes and yes.

4) While this was a solo success for Eydie, she was also known for recording and performing with Steve Lawrence. He was just 22 and she was 29 when they married. Eydie admitted she was self-conscious about the difference in their ages. Do you think age matters in a romantic relationship? I suppose. But I don't think 7 years is big enough to have a real impact.

5) Eydie was fluent in Spanish, which enabled her to pay for her classes at City College by working as an interpreter. Tell us about one of your early jobs. I loved babysitting. It was great. The kids went to bed before 9:00 and then I got paid to drink pop, eat potato chips and watch old movies on TV.

6) In 1963, when this song was popular, The Rambler was Motor Trend's car of the year. It was a 9-passenger station wagon, perfect for families. What do you remember about your childhood family car? It was a red Lincoln Continental. My dad loved that car so much and was quite proud of it. I didn't give it much thought at all, except that it looked like a big boat, which made it easy to find in parking lots.

The municipal flag of Berne features a bear

7) Also in 1963, President Kennedy made a state trip to Ireland. Have you visited the land of your ancestors? Yes, I did. My paternal grandfather was from Berne, Germany, and I visited it during my one and only trip to Europe. Berne was impressive, but I didn't feel any great attachment to it. Perhaps because Grandpa was so patriotic and always referred to Germany as "the place we left."

8) The pilot for Gilligan's Island was filmed in 1963. Were you a fan of the show? Nope. But I can still sing the theme. "Sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip ..."

9) Random question: Crunchy, smooth or organic peanut butter? Just not organic. I hate that oil at the top of the jar. Shudder.