Trivia Thread

It is oft said that forgetfulness is the first sign of ageing. We cannot stop the process but, perhaps, we can try to slow it. So, after much egging here is a thread to test our mamm – oops, not again (another sign of ageing) – test out memories or otherwise gain that knowledge our parents and teachers told us were unimportant and wouldn’t get us anywhere. Now is a time to find out how sweet that forbidden fruit is and have a good giggle at how little we know because we had allowed the good life to pass us by.

So move that cursor over your hippocampus (the hard disk in your brain, for the technology savvy), click out those trivia questions and put out the challenge: “So, you didn’t know this did you … smart-a***?”

Okay, so you take pride in not wasting your youth with trivia. Well, show us that you are indeed a real smart-a*** and answer the questions posed here!

Please also  participate even if you are genuinely seeking answers.  Example, a tune keeps going through your head and you are dying to know the title of the song. You may want to ask the title for the song with the lyrics:

    "Stepped into a church I passed along the way/I get down on my knees and I pretend to pray"

Also, you may not want to ask the question, but just want to share some trivia information like:

    Cat Stevens, who had a big hit with "Morning Has Broken", has embraced Islam and now goes by the name Yusuf Islam.

But do keep questions as trivial as possible – we’ve all got this far in life because we’ve passed the “other” intelligence tests already. And for starters, we’ll stick with trivia pertaining to music and films.

So, ready … set … let the fun begin!

183 thoughts on “Trivia Thread”

  1. Ron Oz

    The tile of the song is “California Dreaming”. I am not IT savvy so I dont know how to play the game. Wish to enlighten me?

    Many thanks.

  5. Caroline

    You must be a Mamas and Papas fan. I liked those lyrics and also the song.

    Regarding the “IT game”, it’s just me being silly and trying to be funny and a smart-a***!

  6. Charles

    You must be a trivia buff to be so quick off the mark. I’m in the office at the moment doing this on company time.

    I’ll let Tim (or anyone else) have another go at your question before laying claim to the trivia crown.

    Have fun.

  7. Ron Oz

    I happen to like that song too and sing it at karaoke sessions.

    You never try, you’ll never know so now that I see Charles posed a question and someone was trying to answer it, I guess I know how to play it now. Don’t think you are being silly or a smart-a** – its just that I am one of those not so quick witted ones :(

    Keep it up!

  8. Hi Charles #2

    Tim and I not born yet, so how to answer your qestion. Can’t you give us something more recent!

    So, you doing something for SHC this year. Good for you.

  10. Jie: How can like that … you just stole my trivia crown (hahahaha). Good one!

    I think Charles may have misled Lina a bit. The film, if I remember correctly, was out in the 60s. But maybe Charles was referring to the stage musical when he mentioned the 50s. I’m not sure which came first … the stage musical or the film. Help Charles!

    Also, the song that Charles referred to were actually two separate songs from the musical. One was titled “Tonight” and the other was “Maria”. Can anyone here remember a guy called T.F. Tan? He was a contestant in the RTS Talentime and would sing songs from West Side Story.

    Remember RTS? The precursor of SBC.

  11. I admit to having a fascination with the real names of famous people.

    Here are the real names of five famous singers. Give the names by which they are better known.

    1. Thomas Jones Woodward
    2. Harry Roger Webb
    3. Priscilla Maria Veronica White
    4. Arnold George Dorsey
    5. Steven Georgiou

    Clue: They are all British singers.

  13. Ron Oz

    Yes, I remember TF Tan. Heard that he donated his talentime prize to charity. Also Sudirman and Selamat – both very good singers too.

  14. Lina, half correct. tim was born then but yr pa & ma were trying & trying 24/7. looking at each other too innocently perhaps then they tried again, looking less innocently this time & …….Lina (she is a girl so Papaya also can but cannot eureka or banana).

    So far this has been a chat among Chinese so why guess ang moh characters leh?

    Try these famous Chinese who are very much worshipped, also by the Chinese, and going by these nicks….

    1. Lei Yin Ge Hou (Songstress-queen of Tears) 2. Ge Mee Huang Zi (Prince of Song fans) 3. Jin Sha Zi (Golden Voice) 4. Chi Tien Ta Sheng (Saint of Heaven & earth)

  16. Jassmine: You expressed the keenest interest to have this trivia thread started and you’ve gone MIA. Join us leh.

    I have a trivia question but don’t know the answer. Remember the singing group The Tidbits that won a talentime contest in the 60s? Who were the three girls and what are they doing now?

  17. Hi Ron-Oz,

    As I am interested in music & songs, I can’t resist in joining this trivia thread by asking you a question. Can you tell me who is the singer of this song :- “China Doll” – ‘Sometimes I go down to old Chinatown And just walk around, just wander around ……’ . If you can tell me where to download this song, you would have earned a super star from me.

    Thanks

    Bernie

  18. Hi Bernie

    The song “China Doll” that I am familiar with is by a rock group called The Grateful Dead, which was popular during the 70s. But the lyrics are different from what you have supplied.

    My search for your version of the lyrics showed that the “China Doll” song you are asking about is by the Ames Brothers — a singing group of four brothers. Apparently they were very popular during the 1950s.

    I have no success in finding a website where you can download the song. But I shall keep trying and get back to you when I can find the site. I want to earn that super star!

  19. Hi Ron-oz

    It’s a lot of fun, this trivia thread. But most of the time I don’t know the answers.

    For Tidbits, I went to do research (serious!). They won the 1967/8 Grand Talent-time with their rendition of “I believe”. The oldest of the trio was only thirteen. The website didn’t mention their names nor update their whereabouts, so I’ve e-mailed them (Heritage, Museum and Nostalgic Blog)asking for their updates (serious!). Actually I also want to see if there’s anyone manning the ‘queries’.

    Now I’m looking at the Chinese singer quiz. Tim, can you provide some clues, eg the decade they were famous. I’ll make a wild guess for no. 1. Is it Yao2 Shu4 Rong2?

    Caroline,I remember Selamat Sasman. Is Sudirman the guy who died of AIDs? There was another talent-time veteran called M.Ismail. He had the voice and the looks.

    Ok, enough of brain-racking for me.

    JassmineT

  21. Jassmine: As you have no doubt gathered by now that I’m a true trivia buff. You cannot imagine the amount of useless info in my head. Let me warn you that this hobby/leisure/pastime (whatever you want to call it) can be very time-consuming, as you are beginning to realise from your “research” on The Tidbits.

    Chinese trivia is out of my depth. But it’s great to open that avenue for those interested in Chinese music and films. However, I can remember growing up in Spore during the OB cha cha craze. There was this Chinese singer called Wong Chin Yan (spelling here may be a little goyang) who was very popular. A school friend used to refer to John Denver as the American Wong Chin Yan. I thought that was funny.

    Jassmine, Caroline: Is Selamt Susman the guy who “specialises” in songs by Johnny Mathis?

    Bernie: There’s a country singer called George Hamilton IV (no relation to George Hamilton the actor) who had also recorded “China Doll” — the version that you are after.

    I think George Hamilton IV starred as Hank Williams in the film “Your Cheating Heart” about Hank Williams’ sad and tragic life.

  22. Hi Tim,

    Hey, since when did my pa and ma get into the SHC forum as well. Nothing better to do huh?

    So, when are you moving to BB. Can save you lots of time and transport money.

    Charles, you are not regular enough at the gym. Too many excuses. And when is that cough going away. See you soon at the gym.

  23. Hi Jasmine/Ron Oz

    I can vaguely remember Selamat Sasman – I may have mixed him up with M. Ismail. I know that one of them is a good looking Malay. But one thing I know is that they sing very well – especially those ballads.

    As for Sudirman (Sajuri or Sagori – can’t remember), I did not know how he died but I do remember he did “Born Free” for talentime and understand he went on to do some records too.

    The Tidbits was made up of Bernadette, Selina (or Serene) and cant remember the third member.

    Wang Ching Yan (spelling also koyak) is my all time favourite Chinese singer. Still listen to his songs regularly cos I bought his CDs many years ago. I really cannot understand how your friend can link John Denver with Wang Ching Yan.

  24. Hi Caroline/Ron Oz

    1. If my memory serves me right the Tidbits was made up of Bernadette De Souza, Serene Wee and Marina (or something like that).

    2. The person you are talking about is Sugiman Jahuri who is alive and well. You are mixing him up with the late Sudirman Haji Arshad, the “pint-sized” and very well known Malaysian singer who died of Aids.

    3. Both Selamat Sasman and M. Ismail sing very well. M. Ismail used to be a teacher in Serangoon Garden Technical School but I dont know where both of them are now.

  25. Thanks Angela for the update. So its Sugiman and not Sudirman – just hantam only.

    And yes, now that you have mentioned, I remember he was that good looking teacher who sang very well.

    I think Sugiman is also short and small built but I have never heard of Sudirman.

    This is fun :)

  26. Hello hello all the “Wang Ching Yan” fan (popular mandarin male singer in the 60s). Talking about “Wang Ching Yan” here’s the “pak kuah” (kay poh) news about him. My office was having a retreat at the Copthorne Orchid Hotel, Dunearn Road in year 2003 when “Wang Ching Yan” was singing at the hotel night club. A bunch of us (the not so young colleagues) were very fascinated by “Wang Ching Yan” singing, so that evening we went to the night club to hear him sing, but to our disappointment he did not appeared at all. Not happy, we checked with the manager and was told that he was sick, cannot sing, got “Nose / Throat” cancer. I wondered if this is true and how is he now ???? :(

    Ah Nee

  27. Continue….got some more news…”Wang Li” (I think she is a malaysian) also famous female singer in the 60s. Now she is working as the “mamasan” at the Copthorne Orchid Hotel night club….(she is still as pretty & sexy as before but old lah…what to do?)

    Ah Nee

  28. aiyo, ANee, not mamasan la.. more like a manager which all singers there under her charge lor… Not reli niteclub there, more like a pub which most singers singing those oldies songs la.. u can cha cha there if u 1 2 lor…

    As for Wang Ching Yan (best remebered for his song, Man Li) still performed on and off during CCs activities lor.. Got throat cancer.. i reli wander??

  29. Hi Tim

    Your comments #14 and my guess (only got some)

    1. Yau Shu Rong
    2. Dont know
    3. Zhou Xuan
    4. Wu Zhong Xian (not sure)

    How? Pass or not?

  30. Jass, yes, Yao SR for (1) is correct, clever gal (applaud, applaud, sayang sayang). Poor Yao, she walked a tortuous path looking for love, finally found Wu Jing San but he succumbed to nose cancer very shortly thereafter………

    As for tidbits, easy, they hv to be ah choo, ah lian & their auntie ah huey. Till 2008, they’re still gobbling up sacks of tidbits at void decks, bus stops, trains, cinema halls………….good habit s die hard.

    (BSM? Heeee, bondage b4 sm?)

    M. Ismails are usually good looking. That talentime talent, that talented horse trainer and that soccer-star turned judge turned lawyer has more than talents for the courtroom.

    (Thanks, Ron-oz, for not kicking tim, the last authentic chinaman, out of yr trivia thread).

    Yr school friend was almost there when he referred to John Denver as Wong Chin Yan. They’re actually one & the same person.,,,dna has confirmed that. Yes, funny isnt it and Lina, pls dont fall off yr pram.

    Lina, I always thot that only sumokong comes alive from a stone…..everyone else comes fr pa & ma. Now, yr discourse has put me in doubt……

    Wang CY co-founded that lounge at Copthorne Orchid Hotel with another songstress, Wang Li. (Lina, their pa & pa different hor, and they were not cast fr stones). Understand that his cancer has turned benign. In fact. he has put on weight. In his heydays, he stood head & shoulder with another local favourite Chin Hwai and they, jointly & severally, swooned many many gals some of whom are SHCians, heeee……..

  31. Yo ..yo…Dolly dolly, “ang moh” called pub and “chin na” called niteclub lah. That place got so many young china girl singers. Most of the songs are oldies…can dance cha cha…”off beat/orbit cha cha…rhumba…”boh” (don’t have)rock & roll…disco rock…twist leh, all mandarin songs, so more like a niteclub mah.

    “Wang Ching Yan” still around singing huh, then must go back there to “humtum” the club manager for defamation lor, or was it a rumour then.

    That place is quite interesting, also an eye opener. We can go there to chill out for a change, “ai mai”?

    Ah Nee

  32. Heee, Caroline, I am very lenient so with my passing mark at 25%, you passed with distinction.

    Yes, you’re correct with (1) & (3).

    I cant hold back the answers….ok, Wang Chin Yuen for (2) and of cos it has to be sumokong for (4).

    (Didnt folks get my strong hint with the word “worshipped”?)

    In fact, many japs worship sumokong, not least for teaching them sumo wrestling. I too wd if he teaches me all his 72 tricks.

  33. Aiyo Tim. I thought they were all singers or musicians. I didn’t know you included martial arts experts also.

    That must be ages ago that Wang Ching Yan was Ge Me Huang Zi – so now he is Ge Me Ah Pek hehehe! But I still adore him! No lah more like enjoy his songs.

    Thanks for passing me with distinction :)

  34. Sumokong or Sun Wukong was a character created by Wu Chern Ern in his novel Journey to the West (See You Jie) when Wu used a real-life monk who obtained & translated Indian scriptures to Chinese, as the protangonist. Wu’s imagination was rich & fertile, spicing the story with seductions by the voluptuous, but holding true to forthrightness & faith as a happy ending.

    Btw, it’s not a bad idea to patronise that Wang lounge at the Copthorne for songs & dance………

  35. Continue….more interesting facts about the young china singers at Copthorne Orchid Hotel night club. Many fat tummy rich old business men (sori to all the SHC guys for using the adjectives), were there every night to support the china singers by presenting a bouquet of artificial flower to her while she is singing. The bouquet cost between $30 – $60 depending on how “hot” is the singers. You can tell whether the singers are popular or not by the nos. of bouquet she received. I laughed until “pengsan” when I noticed the artificial flower bouquet are being recycled by the club management. Really is an eye opener for me…just wondering why all this rich people throwing their money just like that….why not donate it to charity ?? :(

    Ah Nee

  36. Hello hello Tim, you interested to go there huh?
    I think that place is quite interesting, why not for once you EO & Bouncer for this place lor. :)

    Ah Nee

  37. Weiwei, i think hor.. ????refer to lin xiao la not Wang Ching Yan la..i tin hor, he more like ai kou wang zi lor.. imagine singing kong xi kong xi ni wif dat kind of ai kou mien lor..

    ANee, can go there 4 eye opener if we 1 but dun tin is reli good 4 dancing la.. like u said, 2 many lau hero there supporting tose xiao long niu lor so at times, abit rowdy n ah beng lor..

    If reli 1 2 dance oldies, can always go York Htl (carriage bar) la..

    Hi Ron-Oz, sori, me hor, chinese helicopter hor, so oli can remember cina singers.. hehehe…

  38. Ah Nee

    We must remember monies tat go into charities cant be recycled xcept 4 buying more artificial flowers.

    Do U oso remember Zhang Xiao Yin, e cousin of Susan Chang?

  39. ha…ha…Zhang Xiao Yin (the one with mini skirt and huge tigh) did’nt know she is Susan Chang’s cousin…ha…ha…ha……..

    Dolly, I heard York Htl (carriage bar)also not bad, can go one day lor. I think hor Ron-Oz must be MCC about all these chinese helicopter thingy…ha…ha…ha…..

    Ah Nee

  40. ANee, those old heroes will nvr donate 2 charity 1 la as here can lum shiok shiok xiao long niu mah aft giving them thoso paper flowers mah..

    Yeap, I bet Ron-Oz is lor.. paiseh paiseh..

    Bsides Zhang Xiao Ying, still hv Lim Zhu Gin (i remembered a big mole ard d eye area 1)n Pang Siew Cheong lor..

  41. ANee, yeap, carriage bar is not bad but definitely cant go on wkend as it can b vry crowded lor.. last tx, i usually wen on fri.. we shall go there 1 of these days, ok, wif lily, caroline, ron, susan, lina n molly lor…

  42. On lah! Dolly, we shall go there one of the friday. Btw, can also include the current dance class students. Ok till we danze again…..

    Ah Nee

  43. Wei wei I think Carriage Bar sau dong already. Pls check before making arrangements hor.

    I also think we must change thread like Ah Nee can start one on gossiping and clubbing otherwise we have gone off course on this thread.

    How?

  44. Hi Angela,

    You sprang out from nowhere to give answers! Well done and keep it up.

    I remember the Tidbits were related – two sisters and a cousin. The Eurasian was the cousin. Can you remember their relationship?

    JassmineT

  45. Simeh, carriage oso gone liao meh.. surprising leh.. u hv their crowds mah..

    Alamak, ANee, u need 2 start a new thread 4 d chinese helicopter 1 liao.. tio cheng oredi leh.. hehehe

  46. Hi Dolly,

    Don’t worry, Ron-oz already gave permission to use his trivia thread.

    I tend to agree with you that Lin2 Xiao1 (or Qin2 Hwai2) is Ge1 Mi2 Wang2 Zi3. I just cannot imagine ge mi chasing Wang2 Qing1 Yuan2 (!).

    Tim, please confirm who is the real Ge Mi Wang Zi.

    JassmineT

  47. Jassmine/Angela

    I used to be neighbours with Bernadette’s aunt (few doors away but hardly see them) and I have seen them once. I am remember correctly, Bernadette and Marina (if that is her name) are sisters and Serene is the cousin.

    Bernadette has the sweet face and slim, Marina is chubby with a pretty face and Serene is the pretty and slim one.

    Jassmine – I only enjoy listening to their songs but never idol worship. Waste of time. Like his voice only but he got the what Chinese call it “the hau lam face – mourners face).

    At least Qin Hwai is good looking – hope I remembered the correct one this time hehehehe!

  48. Hi Caroline

    You are right – Bernadette is the slim one, Marina (I’m still not sure of her name) is the chubby one and Serene, who is pretty and slim is the cousin.

  49. Wah what is going on here. The cat goes away and all the mice start to play. I thought I’m the only one with trivia in my head, but now see so much trivia coming out from everyone.

    Didn’t know Copthorne Orchid is such an action place. Must quickly confirm my booking at that hotel now. So after the D&D we all can adjourn to Copthorne Hotel lah … on or not?

    Okay all you helicopter trivia experts. What about trivia and gossip about Rita Chao, Sakura Teng and Lara?

    Jassmine: You are right. This thread is going to be the number one thread at SHC. Suddenly Angela also appear from nowhere.

    Hey, maybe our member Bernadette used to sing with The Tidbits. That’s why she suddenly become so quiet.

  50. Okay everyone, I am so disappointed … I asked a question and now I have found the answer myself! This means I’m keeping the title of trivia king!

    The Tidbits comprise sisters Serene and Merlina Wee and Bernadette De Souza. I accept your informed knowledge that Bernadette is a cousin of the two sisters.

  51. I am even more disappointed that inspite of their prowess, ah choo, ah lian and ah huey werent given any recognition when they’re the unmistakable tidbit queens……..well, since when has this world been fair……….?

    Maybe, Choo Lien Huey shd now endure some pain and vie for the more coveted Teat-bit(e)s title………..

  52. Heeeeee, Jass, what’s there to confirm who the real Gurmit wangzi is when all eyes are already on gurmit sing…………

    Of cos that was said in jest.

    Seriously, I aint so sure now that the Prince is Wang…….he might be Qin so I stand corrected here.

    The ah sors shd know better……….come come ah sor, over to you to confirm, pls.

    (Got to coo my gal to sleep now, if still find time later, will play with you guays again otherwise, 2mrw lor………………….)

  53. Caroline,

    Qin Hwai sang “Bai2 Yun2” (white cloud). This is my favourite Mandarin karaoke song, but it’s not easy to find this song in the karaoke song catalogues.

    Ron-0z,

    Sakura Teng is still very active in the music scene. Rita Chao did not continue her singing career after they split. I heard that she suffered a breakdown (mental?) after the death of her mother. I also heard that she was working in a church and apparently had found peace.

    As for Lara, I can only recall her vaguely. Perhaps other Mandarin trivia buffs can help.

    I think Bernie will reappear when you tell her where she can download “China DoLL”. Any progress?

    JassmineT

  54. Hi Ron-Oz,

    You are correct. The singer of the song “China Doll” is the Ames Brothers. It’s an old song, a bit racist but contains very beautiful melody. You get credit from me for that. I had watched the Talentime show when the “Tidbits” won 1st prize with the song “I Believe” way back then. It’s an inspirational song. Well, one of them have the same name as me, Bernadette and I am thrilled by that. I am busy working in the daytime, so I can’t chat during the day at thd SHC web site.

    Do you know the singer of this song “Rain, rain go away” … come again some other day, rain rain go away, bring my love a sunny day ‘ ??

    If you tell me the right answer, you can get another credit from me.

    Hope to see you when you come to Singapore.

    Bernie

  55. Jassmine

    I know that song Bai Yun. Yes very nice song. I used to sing it when I was younger. Those days no karaoke but just sing along with the radio.

    Ron Oz

    My oldest sister is good friend with Sakura and Choo Mimi. They did the ciruit the same time. Sakura still sings, though rarely. She was here more than a month ago to perform on board a cruise ship. Went with my sisters for dinner with her, her daughter and son-in-law. Her voice is still as good.

  56. Yo, i tot the song title shd b ‘woon bai yun’ mah..the other song shd b ‘bai yun chang zai tian’ rite.. alamak, reli lkk, testing memory now…

    I read in some chinese magazine abt sakura dat she married her manager n still sing in LV lor.. her dotter is in US army, remembered reading article abt tis n oso saw her photo taken 2gether with G Bush lor..

    Weiwei Ron-Oz, by d time, SHC DND ended hor, Cop Orchid singing angels koon liao..
    n their room rate defintely ovr $140 leh..:(

    What is chinese name of lara har.. I usually remember these cina singers by their cina names leh..

    I supp sum of you mit remember the Chopsticks sisters rite.. wat i noe is dat 1 of them had a accident in Malaysia n died..

    Ah Tim, aunty here guessed hor, ge mi wang zi shd b chye cheng or if not, is wu gang lor..

  57. Hi Bernie
    “I went away to college, you said you’ll wait for me, then I got your letter, asking me to set you free”
    Will try find the singer!! What’s the prize ah???

  58. ANee, me as EO is simple as ABC…..what I’ll do is to post in this forum under any relevant thread “Tonite I free so going to Copthorn Orchid, pay as you order, all are welcome…….” And if you’re surprised that Sue Chang is related to Zhang Xiaoying, then you shd be even more arh arh when told that Loh YK is brudder of Loh Kim Long……..

    Dolly, it’s quite unbelievable that with his looks, Wang was indeed ???? altho many thot Lin & Qin were more suave. So, Jass, I hv checked this a.m. and can confirm that Wang was the gurmi singh son.

    (Btw, Qin hadnt any title bestowed on him other than papade-erzi)

    Heee, wonder why Dolly credited Wang as the “love doggy prince” (ai kou wang zi)…he re-offered yr bouquet to a meimei huh? But you din miss it altogether; he did enjoy the doggy style more……..

    Maybe those lou heroes will cast their eyes on you b4 buying you plastic flowers and then wait for you in their limousines outside? Like that huh, tang tio liao.

    Lim Zhu Jun, another great local songstress, was romantically linked to a senior RTS personality and so faded away.

    Ok, Ron-oz, you arent neglected here. Rita Chao teamed up with Sakura Teng as the a-go-go gals and had many avid followers. Sadly, while Sakura took life easily, Rita appeared to believe in fame brought on by glitz & suffered a mental condition which dragged her down till, as Jass noted, she found peace & solace in the church…….

    (Lara rings no bell for me or did you actually hv Lina Lim Zhu Jun in mind?)

    Jass, I too enjoyed Qin Hwai’s Bai Yun, for the musice & the lyrics which gives one the feel of expansiveness. In the karaoke song catalogues, it’s usually sung by Zhang Shue Zhung.

    Baiyun, Wun Baiyun (usually sung by gals) and Baiyun Chang Zai Tian (believed was written by Liu Jia Charng) are 3 different songs, curiously, appearing in that order in the song scene. My butty, Bayi, loves 7 can sings all 3 songs.

    The Chopsticks sisters were amazing with their beautifully executed synchronised steps. Yes, sadly, 1 was killed in an accident, like Li Yih who too was knocked down by a bike in Malaysia….

    Yes, Dolly, after Chye Chern stole the limelight, the smart him realised that showbiz fame wont last forever. He was courted by & fell in love with a rich gal and they live together happily ever after.

    Wugang…..with kind of a monggang look, no gang wanted him so maybe, he’ll instead join a party like the papa party or mama party in time for the next GE…….

  60. Bernadette @54..the song “Rain, rain go away” i thot its a nursery ryhme..hehe, so shallow lah my knowledge!

    Angela @ 24…sori so late to cakap2 but i was ‘missing’ for a while.
    wah!..dinno u knew so much abt malay singers?..
    Sudirman Hj Arshad was actually a lawyer turned singer…very talented but he’s gone too fast..he died of aids?..think that’s gossip cos i also heard some said he kena ‘dukun’??
    donno Sugiman Jahuri or Selamat Sasman, though their names sound familiar in the music industry..
    but Yes, M Ismail is a good looking singing teacher

    RonOz…do u know Ismail Harun?…the once dupped as Spore Tom Jones? & used to duet with Anita Sarawak..he migrated to Oz..but donno which part?..he is back now in Spore again…so u know why he tak jadi stay in Oz?..maybe the minah ‘matsalleh’ tak mahu dia lagi kah? haha

  61. Bernie: “Rain rain go away” was by Bobby Vinton, whose greatest success was with “Roses Are Red”. His other better known hits include “Mr Lonely”, “I Love How You Love Me” and “My Elusive Dreams”.

    I still have no luck with a download site for “China Doll”. I have practically given up on a download site for the Ames Brothers but still trying with George Hamilton IV.

    Norlinda: Woohoo the low-commotion is back!!! This thread got started because of you, Ms Do The Low-commotion.

    You are right, “Rain rain go away” had its origins as a nursery rhyme.

    The name Ismail Harun sounds very familiar. It is hard to guess why he tak jadi stay in Oz. There could be 10001 reasons. Migration works for some and not for others … very hard to say.

  62. Hi Ron-Oz,

    Yes, the song “Rain, Rain go away” is sung by Bobby Vinton who was a handsome guy and a very good singer. So you have earned another credit from me. Please Check if you can provide me with a download link for that song. I really appreciate that you are helping me to locate the songs. Will give you a special treat when you are in Singapore.

    Margaret Chan, Ron-Oz had already given me the singer’s name, so no prize leh, unless you can provide with the song download link !

    I guess that the song writer must have used part of the nursery rhyme to create the lyrics for the song. Anyway, the lyrics are beautiful compared to modern songs’ lyrics.

    Ron-Oz, do you want to try another question?? Check who sing the song “Sayonara, Japanese Goodbye” ?

    I had listened to songs sung by local singer “Sakura” . She sang a song using ‘yodelling’ which made it very famous then.

    Thanks and have a nice day ahead.

    Bernie

  63. Hi Ron-oz

    Is nice to hear that you are coming up to sunny Singapore from the “land of oz”. After so many years absence, you will definitely find here a great change, and your interest will be rekindled with so many of the SHCians looking forward to “join hands with you”.

    Caroline, about the Carriage Bar “sau tong” is correct, to be exact on 16th Dec. The main reason was due to The Thunderbird’s main guitarist, Derrick (the band-leader) suffered from stroke, both arms and legs. He had tried to get a substitute, with a young male singer (not guitarist), when I was there, I heard him sang, but there is no kick, nothing like Derrick around. When he was there, I always make a point to request him to play “Apache”.

    May have to ask The Trivia King, who were the members comprising the Thunderbird, winner of the by-gone era Talent-Time contest.

    Ronlai

  64. Hi Tim, Caroline, Dolly, Ron-oz n others interested in Chinese trivia,

    Zhang1 Xue2 Zhong1, a Malaysian TT veteran won no less than 49 TT crowns. He is known in the Chinese music circle as Kuan4 Jun1 Ge1 Wang2 (Champion king of song).

    If I’m not mistaken, Lara’s Chinese name was Ing1 Ing1. She was not in the same league as Sakura and Rita Chao and I think that’s why none of us can recall much about her.

    JassmineT

  65. Hi Ron-Oz,

    At the rate you are holding this thread, it looks like this trivia thread will be the longest holding thread throughout the whole of 2008. Suddenly, I see good proper English being used on this forum.

    Now, back to “Rain, rain, go away”.

    Terence Seah

  67. RonLai: Looking forward to attending the D&D. I think we have some unfinished discussions about Oz. Hope to catch up then.

    Re Thunderbirds, I know the band but have not been on them. Since you mentioned “Apache”, would you (or anyone else) like to name the founding members of the Shadows?

    Terence: Is that a good or bad thing? I can only take credit for starting the thread. Norlinda and Jassmine are the real culprits behind this thread.

    Jie: This is the second time you’ve stolen my trivia crown.

    Yup, Miyoshi Umeki recorded “Sayonara”. She died a few months ago. Sayonara is a film from the 50s, and Marlon Brando led a star-studded cast. Miyoshi actually won an Oscar for her performance — the first Asian to have done so. She went on to star in “Flower Drum Song” with Nancy Kwan. Remember the song “A Hundred Million Miracles”?

    Bernie: You’ve jotted my memory about the yodelling song by Sakura. Anyone knows the title of that song?

  69. HI Silver Haired Triviallers!! M looking for this song” Devil woman you are evil,like the dark coral reef, like the winds that bring high tide, you bring sorrow and grief” Who’s the cowboy singer and where may I download this song??
    many thanks!!

  71. Hi Ron-Oz

    Looking forward to seeing you at the D&D. This trivia thread thingy brings back memories… singers, songs that I have listened so often back then when my dad played on his “hi-fi”. (A little needle going round the record type.. he..he..songs of Teresa Teng, Sakura and Wang Ruyi, Yau Soo Rong, etc. which was my late father’s favourite. Some of their songs still a favourite hit among the karaokist. I only go for Teresa Teng though. :)

    Hi Cheng, when I listened to Sakura’s yodelling, it really reminded me of the past. She was famous and her voice was considered very powerful then. I always admired her big round eyes. Not sure if she uses false eye lashes then..he.he..

    Ha.ha.. Tim, you’ve found Yew Kwong a long lost bro Loh Kim Long. Isn’t he the one who sings in opera those days which my grandma adored.

    Hey YK, if Zhang Xiao Yin is my cousin then Lim Zhu Gin could be related to Dolly lor…he..he..

    Hi Caroline, do you know who is the singer that sang Patches? don’t seem to be able to find this song on the net.

    Hv a nice day.

    Cheers,
    Susan

  72. Hi Suzhang

    Looking forward to meeting you too. Glad that you are enjoying this thread. The credit should go to Jassmine. When she suggested that I start this thread, I hesitated because I didn’t think there would be much interest — and see how wrong I’ve been.

    The nostalgia is really sucking everyone in. What a sentimental lot we are!

    Would you and/or anyone else like to fill me in about Teresa Teng? I’m not familiar with this name.

    “Patches” is by Dickie Lee (I very much doubt if he’s related to Dick Lee):

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GzyEAC8rOw

    Does the name Ernie Irrawatie (spelling may be wrong) ring a bell with anyone?

  73. Oh gosh..Ron-Oz, you’ve found my song. Thanks v much for “Patches” by Dickey Lee. I just love this song and never grew tired of listening to it. It’s such a lovely sad song. I was only maybe 10 years old when I first heard this song.

    Here’s Teresa Teng’s link and one of my favourite song : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdyxbYP-aKE&feature=related

    If you like Japanese songs by her, here’s go : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tPAddMqNLM&feature=related

    Happy listening & exploring for more of her songs in Youtube.

    Cheers,

    Susan

  75. Hi L.H. Jie,

    You have earned the prize of a coffee and roti prata treat from me for giving me the answer – Miyoshi Umeki sang the song “Sayonara, Japanese Goodbye”.

    Ron-Oz, Theresa Teng was a singer from Taiwan. She started singing at a very young age. She gave concerts in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. The mandarin songs that she used to sing were easy to follow and very soothing to the ears. She died at 40+ years of age after giving a concert performance in Bangkok, Thailand. I think she suffered from asthma attack.

    I always thought that Cliff Richard was one of the founding members of the group “the Shadows” ??

    Have a pleasant week ahead.

    Bernie

  76. Bernie,
    Need to correct you on info for Teresa Teng.
    Teresa Teng died from asthma attack while holiday in Chiangmai Bangkok on May 8, 1995 with her French boyfriend. She was 42 then. During that period of time, she hardly make public appearance due to health problem so I am sure that there is no concert in Thailand as mentioned by you.

  77. Mary,
    The song you are looking for is ‘Devil Woman by Marty Robbins’ .
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdhTKPNxQTc&feature=related

    Here is the link to the Video of the original rocording by him. It is one of the earliest songs i heard , cause my father used to play the 78rpm records. Incidentally the ‘Devil Woman’ is his car , i think?

    Another fav by this singer is ‘El Paso’ too.

    Happy listening down memory lane.

    Cheers

  78. Um, Ron, do you mean Margaret?
    Anyway, I love those two songs you mentioned, Devil Woman and El Paso. Used to holler them out at the top of my voice when I was much younger. Lousy vocal cords now, a result of teaching in noisy environment.

  79. Suwhang,
    ‘Patches’ is also one of my favourites. Someone who had and still has a soft spot for me used to sing that and he claims that each time he sings that, he thinks of me, the sweet guy, hehe.

  80. Weiwei, Susan,
    If Lim Zhu Gin related 2 me den hor, i m go a get a mole fixed on my face 1st leh.. rite now, i can oli c ‘ho sin sai’ hahahhaha

  81. Hi Susan,

    Thank you for the links to Teresa Teng’s songs and videos. In Taiwan, she was ‘conferred’ the title of Yi4 Tai4 Ge1 Hou4 (One generation’s Queen of song)and also regarded as a Guo2 bao3 (Country’s treasure).

    Ron-oz,

    I may be mistaken, but I think Ernie Irrawatie used to sing Mandarin songs in Yao Su Rong’s style – belting out a song with maximum emotion. She had a Chinese name but I cannot recall it.

    I also listened to Rahimah Rahim and Ann Hussein. Rahimah is now enjoying a second wind. And that reminds me of Maggie Teng who has also come out of retirement and returned to the music scene.

    JassmineT

  82. Hahaha, Dolly, so yr “kou” is the cow in cowbeh cowbu, not the doggy who teaches us its famous style……..?

    In fact Wang Ching Yuen pines but mesmerises with his koo chiang, still unqiue to this day.

    Bernie, Sakura’s ‘yodelling’ comes from the Shepherd-boy’s Ballad (Mu tong Zi Ge).

    So Lara is Ing Ing, thanks Jass. I still can remember her in floral blouse, tight white bell-bottomed pants and a hive-like hair-do.

    Ha.ha..Sue, congrats, yr grandma did hv very good taste. Loh Kim Long was very much adored by women and, heeee, his bro too is………tho yr senior missed this other Loh, you dint, lucky you.

    Complementing Dolly, Teresa Teng (Teng Li Jun) actually won a singing contest at 14 and there was no looking back since (maybe, she shd hv………??)

    Altho she died at 42 her weight was almost 40% more than her diminuitive best at 42 kg. She found love & thought of marriage but lost it to an old lady who said no. The old lady is dead but her son and her son’s son (the suitor) are still alive…….

    Mary, you said “‘Patches’ is also one of my favourites. Someone who had and still has a soft spot for me used to sing that and he claims that each time he sings that, he thinks of me, hehe. ”

    So you very happy……….

    In Patches, the song goes like this “…floating face down in that dirty old river………….of old shanty town ”

    Is that what he was thinking…………? Heeee.

  83. Bernie: The Shadows was the backing band for Cliff Richard. Some members came and went as with most music groups. I am after the four musicians who started The Shadows.

    Jassmine: Re Ernie Irrawatie. I suspect this singer to be of Indonesian origin. All I can remember of her was that back in the early 60s, she took part in a talent contest singing “I’ve Told Every Little Star”, which was a big hit for Linda Scott at the time.

    Ernie was maybe 10 years old at the time and her rendition of the song was a first-class imitation of Linda Scott. Coincidentally, Linda Scott visited Spore about that time to give a concert and invited Ernie on stage to sing the big hit with her.

    Anyone remembers this or is it just my imagination?

  85. Hi Oi Cheng

    The Cliff Richard link is just great. Listening to some of his songs really brings back memories. But I noticed that his song ‘Outsider’ seems to be missing from the record of all his songs listed. Maybe I scanned too fast and missed it.

    Ron-oz,

    It looks like Ernie Irrawatie was a Shirley Temple. I must now try to find out who the Indonesian Chinese singer who sang like Yao Su Rong is.

    JassmineT

  88. I too hv no inkling who that Indo lass who cd sing like the tearing Yao. But going by the long long sppeches she made drawing millions to watch & clap, I thot she has to be that magawatt………..

  89. Ron-Oz,
    I remember Ernie Irrawati. It’s not your imagination. She sang with a powerful voice, somewhat like Michael Jackson right?

    I was just reading your comments. You sure have a wealth of knowledge about the music scene in the early 60’s and 70’s.

    Do you remember Perry Como and Mario Lanza? They were two of my dad’s favourite singers.

    Do you know who sang this song that goes like this: “Mr froggy went down town……. I’m gonna tell on you…..? ”

    Still another song that goes like this:
    ” Give me a carriage with eight white horses……”
    Who was the singer do you know?

  91. Many Thanks Ron Oz and Ronald Wie for the link!!!Methink Ernie Irrawati goes by “Ervina” aka Ai Huay Nah in Chinese. She
    did super cover versions of Yao SR’s songs!! I regretted throwing away, literrally throwing, all the vinyl records of Tom Jones, Cliff Richard, Elvis,Sakura n Rita Chao, Zhang Siow Ying, Chen Fern Lan etc. BTW, there’s a singer who looks like Zhang Siow Ying, is she the “Ying Ying” we are talking about?? Her name has a Ying in it, methink. Frauline, folks!!FAR ACROSS THE BLUE WATERS

  93. Hi Margaret,

    Hope your hubby is fine after operation and ready to boogie?

    Now that you mention Ervina, I can recall her looks. Quite a pretty gal.

    “LIVES AN OLD GERMAN’S DAUGHTER”

  94. Hi Margaret

    I said “Eureka!” 15 minutes ago and came to the forum to share the ‘good’ news! Yes, the illusive ‘megawatt’ singer is Ai4 Hui4 Na4.
    But do you mean she’s the grown-up Ernie Irrawatie?

    If you are referring to Lara aka Ing Ing, I don’t think she looked like Zhang1 Siow3 Ying1. Lara’s a-go-go image was similar to Sakura’s and Rita chao’s.

    I like Chen2 Fern1 Lan2’s special voice too.

    JassmineT

  95. Hahaha, Jass, that was precisely why I said she looks like Lao ying (eagle).

    Zhang Siow Ying portrayed the conservative; Ing x 2 (heeee, I also follow you in using numbers) was a depiction of the vogue, the trend-setters of the 60s-70s.

    Zhang was a closer resemblance of Lina Lin Chu Jun.

    Chen FL’s voice is unique and her Will Meet Again (Zhong Xian Fern) stands out.

  96. Mary Chan & Jassmine: Thanks for the great detective work on Ernie Irrawatie. What I had written earlier was all I know about this singer. I was curious to find out more about her because she had a great voice at that very young age and I felt sure she must have pursued a singing career — if by another name.

    Mary: The song that goes “Mr Froggy went down town …” is by Frankie Laine. It has a rather unusual title, “Ticky Ticky Tick”.

    I’ve never heard of this song before although I know a little about Frankie Laine. Among his best known songs is “Rose Rose I Love You”, which had English lyrics to the music from the traditional Chinese song “Mei Gui”.

    Incidentally, remember the discussion earlier in this thread about The Tidbits? The Tidbits won the talentime final during the 60s singing “I Believe”, which was a big hit at the time for a British singing trio called The Bachelors. Well, well, well, “I Believe” was a big hit for Frankie Laine in 1953.

    I haven’t had much luck with the other song, but stay tuned.

    Yes, I’m a fan (not a big one, though) of Perry Como. I’ve heard of Mario Lanza but know very little about him. He was the Pavarotti of the 50s.

  97. Margaret Chan: After making my previous post, I went back on the thread to collect some more trivia to clutter my brain and noticed your contribution on Ervina aka Ernie Irrawatie aka Ai Hui Na. My apologies for the oversight. Thanks for your contribution.

    Jassmine: In your excitement after discovering the link between Ai Hui Na and Ernie Irrawatie, you referred to the “illusive megawatt singer”. Of course you meant “elusive”. Please don’t take this the wrong way … I don’t mean to offend you.

  98. Hi Caroline
    Many thankyou you, my hubby has returned from hospital on 27 Dec, after a hemicolectopy (sic), a part of his colon, which was bleeding was cut off and then the ends stapled back together. Whatever that was!!!scared of complications at that time cos gotta to be off aspirin then scared of heart problems blah blah blah!!!
    BY THE BANK OF THE OLD RIVER RHINE

  99. Ah yes Ron-Oz, it was Frankie Laine of course. I remember his “Rose, Rose I love You” as my sister Rosalind and I used to sing it.

    Do you know Jo Stafford’s “You Belong to me”? Something that goes…”See the pyramids along the Nile… Watch the sunrise on the tropic isle…” Beautiful song. So nostalgic.

    And Johnny Ray’s “Just walking in the rain”? I was only a little kid then, but I had an older brother who used to play his collection of records everyday.

  100. Hi Margaret.

    You are most welcome. Glad to know that everything turned out fine. Looking forward to seeing you at D&D

    ‘WHERE I LOVED HER AND LEFT HER”

  101. Hi Ron-oz

    It was a megawatt search that took its toll.
    I’m still not sure if Ai Hui Na is the adult Ernie Irrawatie.

    Tim,
    Zhang and Lena (Lin2 Zhu2 Jun1)were similar in that both presented clean, conservative images and both didn’t have very good dress sense. In showmanship they were poles apart: Zhang flitted from flower to flower, always touching things as she moved about while Lena stayed put throughout her song.

    Chen Fen Lan was at her best singing Japanese songs in Mandarin/Japanese.

    JassmineT

  102. Mary Chan

    Found it! “Give Me A Carriage With Eight White Horses” is by Guy Mitchell, who had No.1 hits with “Singing The Blues” and “Heartaches By The Number”.

    About four maybe five years ago, I heard Michael Buble singing “You Belong To Me” and said to myself: “I know the melody and I know this song.” I scampered to my reference library and found that it was a big, big hit for Jo Stafford in the early 50s.

    However, the first recording of “You Belong To Me” was by Sue Thompson, who had a big hit with “Sad Movies”, which was also a big hit for Sakura.

    Many famous singers have recorded “You Belong To Me” including Patti Page, Dean Martin, Patsy Cline, etc. The radio station I listen to in my car often plays the version by Anne Murray.

    Yes, I’m familiar with Johnnie Ray’s “Just Walking In The Rain”, but I’m not a fan of Johnnie Ray and neither am I a fan of Gene Pitney.

  103. Yeay! Ron-Oz!
    It WAS Guy Mitchell. The name just kept eluding me. Yes he sang “Singing the Blues” but I didn’t know he sang “Heartaches by the Numbers”.

    And you are right again with Jo Stafford. Wow, you sure know your singers and their songs.
    Michael Buble sang “You Belong to Me”? Must go and look for it.

    Oh the song “Just Walking in the Rain” has some memories for me. My brother used to like it a lot and oddly, at his funeral,(he passed away at the age of 16), I heard the song. I was very young then and I could have been imagining it, but, I remember that it was raining then.

    I’ve heard of Gene Pitney, but can’t recall any songs by him.

  104. Hi Mary and Ron

    Vonda Sheperd did a version of “You Belong To Me” and I bought her CD cos I like this song very much. She also sang it on the Ally Mcbeal TV series.

    I have a karaoke LD of the original Johnny Tillitson songs and it has a version of “Heartaches By The Number”. The two songs I always sing from this LD are “Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On” and “Poetry In Motion”.

    Talking about Michael Buble, I like his song “Home”. He has such a lovely voice.

  105. Caroline,
    Now that you mention it, yes, Vonda Shepherd also sang that same song.
    Oh Johnny Tillotson is another of my favourites and those two songs are so ‘singable’ if there’s such a word, haha.
    ‘Home’ has such a sentimental touch to it. I think he is better than Frank Sinatra. (No offence to Sinatra fans). He even looks better, hehe.

  106. Mary and Caroline

    When my kids were playing Vonda Shepherd’s CD — a fallout from watching Ally McBeal — they would test me by asking me the title of the track they were playing.

    Mary: We touched briefly on how certain songs can put us in a “timewarp” and why certain songs are particularly meaningful to each of us.

    One such song for me is “Welcome Home” by Peters & Lee. I had returned to Spore to serve national service and after discharge was back in Perth to resume my studies. “Welcome Home” was constantly on Perth radio and I felt like the song was recorded specially for me. Whenever I hear that song, it takes me back in time to that special moment in my life. Maybe that’s why I never went back to live in Singapore.

  107. Ron-Oz,

    Don’t know that song “Welcom Home”. I could have heard it before but the title doesn’t ring a bell.

    Ron_Oz and Caroline,

    Another song that has sentimental value to me is, “When a child is born” by Johnny Mathis. I was on the way to hospital at 5am, to deliver my first daughter and the radio played that song. It wasn’t even Christmas!

    Don’t laugh ok? I named both of my girls after two of my favourite songs too, “Sherry”(it may have been a different spelling) by Frankie Valli(?) and “Michelle” by Paul McCartney and the Beatles.
    I have been laughed at but coincidentally, those were the two most favoured names at that time too, with variations in spelling.

  108. Ron Oz
    So you must have passed with flying colours with Vonda Sheperd’s remake.

    Mary C
    I like Sherry & Michelle. Another two lovely songs.

    When I was a kid, we live in this kampong neighbourhood where our house is clos to the neighbours. Those days we had redifussion where you subscribe to the service for a monthly fee. We could not afford it but my neighbour could. They turn it on so loudly the whole day and night so we had no choice but to listen and learn the songs by Beatles, Cliff Richard, Nat King Cole, Connie Francis, Brenda Lee etc.

    Now when I hear those familiar songs being played on the radio, it reminds me of my kampong days and I get this itch in the heart that I cant scratch.

  109. Caroline,yes redifussion & those kampong days. I had to study with the music on the whole time but no problem, got use to it. Unlike my son who can only study in absolute silence.
    Is it the itch or the nostagia that is pulling your heart?

  110. helo RonOz..
    sudah lama tak cakap2…bcos yr this thread banyak cerita lagu2 lah…
    during my younger times..i only listen to songs/music & joget alot…but donno who’ the singer & what’s the title…itu pasal I cant recall any names..apa macam?,& cant play yr game sob!sob!
    Just wanted to say Awak apa khabar? :)

  111. Haha Caroline. I like that phrase, “itch in the heart that I can’t scratch”. So apt.

    Redifusion. That was so long ago. I remember waking up in the morning to the sound of music as we never turned off the radio.

    I used to enjoy that detective series, that always started with, “Here comes O’Malley”. Does anyone remember that?

  112. Charles, I really dont know. Its a strange yet special kind of feeling. Dont know how to describe it. I think its more nostalgic.

    I cannot study with all the noise but my children always have the music blasting away while they are studying.

  114. Hey Caroline, I remembered the Redifusion too… that’s where I heard & learn all my favourite oldies. Yeap, those days, the Redifusion is ON 24/7…he.he.. day & nite, there’s the only entertainment we had. I especially like the songs by Bread, Lobo, Barry Manilow, Carpenters… hmmm….bringing back memories.

  115. Yes yes, I also remembered Redifusion.. tose days, redifusion serve as alarm clock as i remembered ‘marikita…’ singing as early as 6am 2 wake us up lor.. while Marg remembered lei tai sor hor, i remembered ong tor lor…

  116. Yes, i remember this teochew ah pek over redifussion with his talking program called ‘pioek liang pioek jueok’ … ‘talk cool talk hot’.
    Like to listen to his stories & comments. Quite an observant and entertaining character.

  117. Hi Margaret Chan. I am Teochew/Hokkien so am not familiar with Lei Tai Sor although I’ve heard of him. Yes, there were a lot of stories told over Redifusion.

    I remember my parents listening to the Teochew one mentioned by CHARLES at #116. Can’t remember his psuedonym though.

  118. Charles, can you recall the name of that Teochew story teller?

    Then there were the ghost stories which used to scare me so much with all the sound effects even though they were not as sophisticated as modern ones. I remember fearing to look down the dark staircase whenever I went to the toilet in the night, after listening to those creepy stories. I think my Teochew was much better then.

  119. Charles, sorry I can’t make it for the walk today. I have to go and teach this morning and don’t think I can manage to do a 6km walk. Enjoy your prata.

  120. Hi Ron-Oz,

    Howdy?

    You said “…we’ll stick with trivia pertaining to music and films”. Sorry to break the rule. Thought I would like to share a bit of “intelligence” with Charles & Mary. Will scramble once done ;-)

    Hi Charles & Mary, I believe the chap was Ng Cheh Keng (???). My dad never failed to miss his tales and talks when he came on air.

    Thanks and back to you, Ron. Happy weekend folks!

  122. Hi Triviallers!!
    can help my husband find “hello Darling” for old time’s sake, he wants the MALE singer, and where may I download this song?? Many thankyou you!!
    FRAULINE, LOOK UP TO THE HEAVENS

  123. Ah yes I remember the rediffusion. There wer only two channels to choose from – golden or silver. One channel was in English and the other in Chinese of different dialects. This simple box gave much entertainment to the old and young and also provided morning call service to the working and schooling class.

    Talk about the ghost story.. I was sewing something on the sewing machine and was alone downstairs. As the time drew near, I wanted to quickly finish my sewing and run upstairs. In my hurry, and trying to push through the sewing, my finger was caught by the needle. I had to scream for help to get the needle out. I can’t remember which was more scarier then.

  126. Hi Gingko. Yes now I remember. In Teochew, his psuedonym was Ng Chia Keng. Oh he could tell such interesting stories, even an English speaking kid like me would listen and follow his many episodes.
    Thanks.

  127. Oh dear, Cheng. I think the needle must have ‘driven’ all thoughts of the ghosts away or perhaps your screams would have chased them away, if there were any other than those in your imagination. Hahaha.

  128. Margaret Chan,
    The words Of that song, “Hello Darling” were sung to a former lover right? Hehe. Who is he singing it to? Sorry for being naughty. Just kidding.

  129. I remember Rediffusion too, but I was deprived of that luxury during my childhood because my kampong was in a very ulu area.

    Gingko: Don’t be such a nut (sorry, couldn’t resist that). That phrase was intended for me because I’m such a trivia nut (ooops, sorry) I may stray to other subjects and people start to lose interest. I think this thread is fairly well established now it can withstand a free-for-all!

    And to everyone: please don’t feel restricted by my “guidelines”. As long as it’s trivial, this is the place.

  130. Ron-Oz
    I remember awakening to the sounds of “Aires” (spelt correctly?) on the silver network every morning until it was replaced by the National Anthem. I missed “Aires”and used to get rather irritated by that. I’m not being unpatriotic but having to listen to it at home as well as twice in school was making me a little ‘jelak’, but it was still a good wake up call.

  133. OZ Ron,

    Very funny, the bigger NUT calling the smaller one! It’s strange, I have been called that twice today. Wonder why. Hey mate, you still have our local sense of humour despite having lived in Aussie Land for almost 40 years. That’s wonderful!

    Incidentally, I used to live in Melbourne too, but only for a very short period. Gosh, how I really missed that beautiful and unique city.

    I lived in Glen Iris, worked in Little Collins, chilled out at hip-hip (then) Yarra, dined at exotic Italian and Greek bistros in cosmopolitan Carlton, stayed over at friends’ in Geelong, enjoyed afternoon tea at the Dannenongs in cool crispy Spring and spent countless hours browsing flea markets at St. Kilda. Of course also went to Sovereign Hills, motor rallies in Cowls, visited sheep farms and fairs, cruised along Great Ocean Road, overcoming the freezing cold at Penguin Island to watch the cute penguins parading home. I can rattle on and it’s going to make me feel “homesick”, hiaz! Ron, which suburb are you from?

    See, how I am straying now? You shouldn’t have started encouraging… NUT!

  135. Many thanks, Charles and Cheng, for the link to Hello Darling!!
    Mary, u wouldn’t believe it but it was First Smitten for both of us!!!
    Caroline, his song for me is “VISIONS” by Cliff Richard.Dun tell you why!!!

    ‘BY THE SAME STARS ABOVE YOU
    I SWEAR THAT I LOVE YOU”

  136. Margaret

    You dun want to tell me why he chose Visions?

    Must be very mushy right? heehee! Its always nice to keep these things in the heart. So good to know you both are still very much in love :D

    “YOU ARE MY PRETTY FRAULEIN”

  138. Such a hauntingly beautiful, quiet song. Thanks, Suzhang.

    “How you suffered for your sanity”; Is there an utterance more painful than this!

    JassmineT

  139. “How you suffered for your sanity”; Is there an utterance more painful than this!

    Sure.

    “Now I suffer for your sanity”

    At best one can empathise with another’s pain until it becomes one’s pain……and that pain has to be more painful.

  142. Hi Triviallers!! Help, I need somebody’s help!!
    William looking for Keith Lock’s DON’T PLAY THAT SONG FOR ME” with the QUESTS!! what he has is sung by Vernon!
    Help!!!
    Many Thanks!!!

  143. Hi Margaret

    You Tube has a video of the song you are looking for. Using Yahoo web search, key in “Keith Locke and the Quests” and the first site gives the video. Enjoy.

  145. Hi Margaret

    I know a friend who is in contact with Jap Chong. He told me that Jap told him that Keith Locke died in an accident in UK some years ago.

    JassmineT

  147. Rat trivia

    Why is the rat the first animal of the 12-year cycle of animals in the Chinese Zodiac?

    Once upon a time, the twelve animals quarrelled about who should head the cycle of years. The gods decided to hold a contest: whoever was the first to reach the opposite bank of the river would be the first, and the rest of the animals would receive their years according to their finish.

    All the animals jumped into the river. Unknown to the ox, the rat jumped on its back. As the ox was about to jump ashore, the rat quickly jumped off its back and won the race. The pig who was very lazy, was last.That is why the rat is the first animal while the pig is the last in the 12-year animal cycles.

    Because of the legend, the Eastern/Chinese zodiac rat is revered for its quick wits.

  148. Hi everyone

    I am reviving this trivia thread because my revived fluency in Singlish reminds me of two iconic Singapore comedians — Ah Pui and Ah San alias Wang Sar and Ya Fong.

    Remember them?

  149. Hi Jasmine @#147,

    Actually there were 13 animals that went to attend Jade Emperor’s Feast in Heaven despite his invitation to all the Living Creatures on Earth that were boisterous and unfriendly. He just wanted to know the reason for the commotion.

    Well do you know which is the 13th. animal that were not listed on the Chinese Zodiac?

    Hint : This animal replaces the Rabbit in the Vietnameese Zodiac.

    Hint : No wonder the RAT need to run away from this 13th. Animal because he did not keep to his promise to wake him up for the competition to swim over the river.

    Your answer?

    Have a nice day

    Patrick Yeo

  150. Hi Patrick

    What a surprise! I thought no one would be interested in Chinese zodiac animals by now.

    Let me make a good guess to your question. 1st hint is of no help as I’m not familiar with the Vietnamese calendar. From 2nd hint, I think the 13th animal is the CROCODILE!

    But if my guess is wrong, don’t tell the answer. Give more clues, can?

    Jassmine.

  153. Hi all,

    Head this Japanese Music only Orchestra grammophone record.

    Sounds like da,da,da,da ,da,da,da,da…,da,..with Jap musical instruments being played in the backgrd. Wonderful. I had been to many CD shops but none can help me without a title.

  154. Hi Ron, #148,

    Yes, rememeber them very well. Gave us lots of laughter. But they speak the Teochew dialet so only those fluent in the dialect would be able to enjoy their comedy. I remember Wong Sar (skinny one) does not have a good posture and stands with his tummy sticking out so from the side profile it becomes a slight “S”. His jokes were hilarious. I remember once they made fun of the name ‘Lucy’ – yi kio le meh meh ke xi (he asks you to quickly go and die) cos it ‘Lucy’ rhymes with xi. And lots of many others. Let me recall.

  156. Hi Dolly @# 151 and AndrewK @# 152

    Both of you answered with so much confidence, you must be right, lah. No need to wait for Patrick’s answer.

    Patrick, another question?

    JassmineT

  157. Ron/Lina

    I rememeber them too. They were very funny and they dance, moving their shoulders up and down.
    I think kids nowadays would not appreciate their kind of jokes because many of them dont speak dialects.

  158. Lina: I remember that skit too. Actually, the two men approached a girl and one of them asked her name. The girl said her name is “Lucy” (lu xi — you die). That’s when the other said “yi kio le meh meh ke xi”.

    Caroline: I learned my dancing from watching those guys!

    They were actually too clever for their time. Almost everyone could relate to their satire. But alas, the stuffy and prudish authorities lacking a sense of humour cut them down.

    The turning point was when they did a skit alluding to “chap ji ki” — remember that illegal gambling very popular among housewives?

    Their trademark line was: “Ti ah, agar agar chor hor”.

  159. Hi Ron/Caroline,

    Yes, that’s how they dance, only the shoulders move. But Ron don’t dance like that leh. Not nice wan. Come and do our social dancing.

    Ron, so your Teochew is good. Did not hear you speak the dialect when you were here. Their trademark line was: ‘Ti ah, chor nang agak agak chu hor.’

  160. Lina, you did not notice how Ron dance the Malay dance during the D&D. Look like the Wang Sar Yeh Fong style leh.

    No wonder I thought the style looked familiar. Hehehe!

  164. Wei wei Ron, I was praising your singing mah.

    Aiya how nice if you are here. Now got no kroaking, sorry I mean karaoking partner hehehe!

    Am very excited for tomorrow’s ride so cannot sleep. Apa macam. I think apa macam already sound asleep, preparing for tomorrow’s ride.

  165. Got meh.. talkg behind ppls back.. i tot they all talkg loudly here meh.. hmm si meh *-) But hor, they r praising u mah, got salah meh..

  167. Hi Jasmine, Dolly & Andrew,@#150,151 & 152

    Yes! the answer is “CAT” not “CROCODILE”

    Here are some Humorous Questions:

    Q. What do prisoners use to call each other?

    Q. What do you get from a pampered cow?

    Q. How do crazy people go through the forest?

    Two more interesting questions, though not humorous but rather tricky to answer :

    Which is not the correct name of a baby bird?
    A. A duckling
    B. A cheeper
    C. A fledgling
    D. A chicken

    What do you call a baby fish?
    A. A guppy
    B. A fry
    C. A minnow
    D. A baby fish

    Happy guessing.

    Cheers

  168. Hi Patrick

    I’m poor at answering humorous questions, but will give your three humorous quest a try.

    Q1. cell phones?

    Q2. Kobe beef?

    Q3. crazily?

    I find it easier to answer gen. knowledge quest.

    1st Q –cheeper? ( Chicken is not a baby bird)

    2nd Q – fry

    Cheers.

  169. Hi Jasmine,

    Great Try!

    Following is the Answers to the Questions :

    Q. What do prisoners use to call each other?
    A. Cell Phones

    Q. What do you get from a pampered cow?
    A. Spoiled Milk

    Q. How do crazy people go through the forest?
    A. They take the Psycho Path

    Which is not the correct name of a baby bird? A. A duckling B. A cheeper C. A fledgling D. A chicken
    Answer : A chicken
    TOPICS: For some strange reason, baby turtles are called chickens, while baby chickens are called chicks! The other baby names are for the duck, the partridge, and the penguin.

    What do you call a baby fish? A. A guppy B. A fry C. A minnow D. A baby fish
    Answer : A fry
    TOPICS: We guess that’s where the expression “small fry” came from!

    Once again well done.

    Sorry going to bed now.

    Goodnite

  170. While rocking on the bus yesterday, I suddenly wondered why we have a second set of teeth, but not a second set of some other body parts.

    Wouldn’t it be nice if at 40, we have a new head of hair that will last us another 40 years? Hmmm, SilverHairs Club will need a new name…

    Or, wouldn’t it be nice if from age 50, we moult and get a new skin every year? Ok, let’s not be greedy…a new skin every 5 years?

    Me musing on an early Sunday morning…anybody with any thoughts on this?

  171. Joy @ #170

    Stem cells is here. In a decade, we will have it in mainstream.

    The science is at the stage that money can buy stem cell re-cloning especially for the simpler more cosmetic parts like skin and hair. Moving parts like organs may still take some time but not far behind.

    Tomorrow may herald an ageless age. Marrying your grandaunty may be an option not a joke.

    Question is where to find the money to find the science.

  172. Hi Joy @# 170

    ” …from age 50, we moult and get a new skin …”. I used to lament: it’s ok to grow old, but not ok to grow ugly! lol.

    Cheers

  173. Joy, I learnt from Dr Oz (from the Oprah show) that our body gets a total renewal every 7 years. Quite hard to believe, but it seems all the cells are replaced on an ongoing basis and are totally replaced every 7 years. I wonder about our teeth though. Do they get renewed too? ;-)
    Our top layer of skin gets replaced regularly and doing a routine ‘scrub’ to remove the dead cells allows the new ones to come to the surface. Hence it’s possible to get a ‘new’ skin every few weeks.
    It’s the same with our hair too. We lose as many as a hundred strands a day, but they are replaced by new growth. So, technically we should have the same amount of hair unless there is something else causing a slow down of the regrowth, e.g. balding in some men.
    We age, but eating and living right can help slow down the process.

  174. Hi Joy @#170

    Good News for you & all.

    A Breakthrough!!

    People who have lost or damaged teeth could soon be growing their own, thanks to a major scientific breakthrough by a start-up, Odontis Ltd….

    Stem cells are taken from the patient, treated and cultured in a laboratory, then re-implanted in the patient’s jaw under the gum at the site of the missing or extracted tooth. This then grows into a fully-formed, live tooth in the same way that teeth develop naturally.

    In addition…
    Helping people suffering from severe burns to grow new skin

    By 2008, we will create a catalog which can be used to determine which combinations of stem cells and materials make sense, so that certain tissues – like skin tissue – can develop,” says Dr. Sabine Neuß-Stein.

    Be patience and relax, we have the opportunity to see the rebirth of New Skin and New Teeth by 2009 for the young and old. As to the price?? yet to be made known.

    For me, even if there is truly this scientific breakthrough, I will still let nature takes its course. Our true beauty lies in our heart not in our appearence.

    Cheers

  175. Hi Tim / Canto Pop /others,

    Who can remember this Cantonese pop song which has these meaningful words ?

    …cho chor sun sin mei pun moong chok.( translated as become a gd still not satisfied )

    Lock toh teh yoke keen toh yin wong, ( went to Hell saw Gd of Hell… )and …
    can’t remember exact words.

  176. Dear Patrick at#174

    Well said : Real and lasting BEAUTY lies in the inner person through words, deeds and thoughts with a gentle, sincere and warm heart

    External “beauty” is usually skin deep and it is also in the eyes of the beholder. It fades as reality appears.

    Wise men know ????????(?)- avoid wild flowers at all cost.

    Cheers,

  177. Steven, not familiar with the lyrics reproduced but believe it has to be sung by one of these funnybones Chen Kuan Meen or Msia’s Chen Kum Cheong.

    PatrickY, dont get duped by this bull-shit virtuous justification that you shd not pick roadside flowers. The reason boils down to $ : you’ll get fined by the National Parks.

    Heeee, but his intent is clear…..he’ll pluck botak all yr potted flowers you grow at home since they cant be wild flowers.

    Btw, if he tried to suggest that our SHC gals are wild flowers, well, some may be addicted gossipers but trust me, they arent wild and if you know how to work into their hearts, they can be wild with you and only you…………faithfully.

  178. Hee Tim Liu,
    “Addicted gossipers” – I know for certain that many men belong to that category too. In fact, most of the gossip and bad mouthing I hear, come from men ;-)

    “Wild flowers” – Are you revealing that you have had the opportunity to “work into their hearts”? Can tell more? Who ah?

  179. Well, MaryC, men do gossip. So if KT and his spousal butty Dennis the Harha boil over hot gossips of Obama & Hilary agreeing to co-rule the country on alternate days so as to stabilise the financial marts, they’re being normal.

    Likewise, if Terence tells me how much a charm he is to the gals at Gayland, and I tell him that the same gals are stalking me, we gossip but where’s the harm?

    Gossips become pernicious when the exaggeration swells into writing a script entirely untrue.

    I dont see any of SHCians as wild flowers altho some can be wild when they’re madly in love but that’s natural, and heee, I am not telling………..that will be virulent gossip lah.

  180. Tim,
    “Gossips become pernicious when the exaggeration swells into writing a script entirely untrue.”

    You’ve hit the nail on the head, but there are people, ‘with light ears’ (chinese saying), who believe everything they hear and they begin to take sides. What a sad lot.

    Aiyah, ok lah. Don’t tell done lor. Guess I will have to keep guessing. Hm, is it ——– or is it ———? Hahaha.

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