They Say I Better Get a Chaperone

The answers for last week’s Friday 10 have been posted, and of course you can also listen to all 11 of the songs (including the super-secret bonus point) on a handy YouTube playlist!

Among the tracks was Roy Orbison’s “Blue Bayou,” which was a slow-burn hit in the USA. Orbison got to #29 in the US charts with it, which is impressive given that it was released as a B-side. It fared better in the UK where it reached #3 on the charts. The A-side, “Mean Woman Blues,” hit #3 in the UK as well, and peaked in the US at #5. But I’d be lying if I said his version was the one I was most familiar with — I got to know “Blue Bayou” through Linda Ronstadt, whose 1977 recording peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, and #2 on the country charts. It may have been one of Orbison’s songs, but Linda Ronstadt made it her signature.

So now let’s take a look at this week’s 10! Get in the comments to identify the artist and the song, and remember the rules. Update: The answers have been posted!

1. No searching the lyrics — and that goes double for asking AI.
2. If you get close to the artist and the title, you get it unless someone else gets closer.
3. If you get the title and identify an artist who covered it, you get credit — but only if I can find the cover.

And now, the lyrics!

1. Beginning to think that I’m wasting time, I don’t understand the things I do.
   Dobie Gray, “Drift Away” 📺
   Identified by Fred
2. I know this perfect hideaway just outside Peking.
   Eddie From Ohio, “Cleo and Tony” 📺
3. He’s not in the mood for a metaphor — open up the door and just turn the radio on
   No More Kings, “Michael (Jump In)” 📺
4. Zephyr in the sky at night, I wonder — do my tears of mourning sink beneath the sun?
   Madonna, “Ray of Light” 📺
5. Can you practice what you preach? And would you turn the other cheek?
   Black Eyed Peas, “Where is the Love?” 📺
6. Je cherche en vain la porte exacte, je cherche en vain la mot «exit»
   Serge Gainsbourg, “L’anamour” 📺
7. I’m just trying to find a decent melody, a song that I can sing in my own company
   U2, “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of” 📺
8. And Vladimir collects ceramic unicorns
   Mandy Moore and Ensemble, “I’ve Got a Dream” (from Tangled) 📺
9. Mad question askin’, big blunt passin’, music blastin’, but I just can’t quit
   The Notorious B.I.G., “Big Poppa” 📺
10. What are we coming to? No room for me, no fun for you
    David Bowie, “Oh! You Pretty Things” 📺
11. The Super-Secret Bonus Point!

Image by Luke from Pixabay