Waaaaaaaaayyyyy back in the early 70’s, my sister got a phonograph (!) with a ton of 45’s (!!). Amongst them was a song called “99 Years”. It’s about a guy who is sent up the river for, you guessed it, 99 years. The only line form the song I can remember is “Give me 99 years of your lovin’”.
Any takers?
I (vaguely) remember my dad playing a song like this.
think it was Dave (Dale?) Evans
Again, this is a foggy childhood memory, don’t bet the kids’ college fund on it.
Wasn’t it by ? and the Mysterians?
Um, wouldn’t the ? and the Mysterians song be 96 Tears?
Hey, Mr Sky! Is this it?
No. That would be “96 Tears,” which hit #1 in Billboard on October 29, 1966.
“99 Years” rings no bells for me personally, and music trivia is my hobby (hence the above useless factoid).
Oops, try this one…
The Warner Brothers’ “Looney Tunes” and “Merry Melodys” theme song.
Name that and the “Alfred Hitchcock Hour” theme song.
PS: Extra points for naming the “The Prisoner”'s military marching band’s title selection.
“The Elephant Walk”
Goes like this…
Ba dum de dum de de dum de dum…
I think it is “The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down”…
…but I could be completely wrong.
They where specific pieces of music written for the theme.
I believe that the correct title of the Hitchcock’s show theme is:
Funeral March For A Dead Puppet
That would be “The Funeral March of the Marionette,” by Gounod, but “The Funeral March For A Dead Puppet” has a good ring to it as well.
The Baby Elephant Walk was was by Henry Mancini and was used in “The Jungle Book.”
Don’t recall that.
I do, however, recall its use in the film “Hatari,” as the luscious Elsa Martinelli is leading. . .a baby elephant.
Guy Mitchell (who had a bunch of hits in the 50s) recorded a song called “99 Years.” That could be the one you’re looking for.
Unlikely to be a candidate is some (unknown titled) song by the Kingston Trio. It’s about a guy who kills a deputy, and gets 99 years. Some of the lyrics:
It was the most unsatisfactory trial.
They gave me 99 years on the hard rock pile.
99 years on the hard rock ground,
And all I ever did was shoot the deputy down.
As pointed out by jk1245, Dave Evans does have a song called 99 Years Is Almost For Life. The song is a slow bluegrass number, and is the lament of a poor slob being sent up the river for 99 years, taking with him the promise of his sweetheart to remain true. Listening to the song, I didn’t hear the refrain “99 years of your lovin’”, though the sentiment of the line is certainly contained within the song. Another candidate is 99 Year Blues. This song was first recorded on February 29th, 1927 by Julius Daniels in Atlanta, Georgia. Apparently, this song is of some historical significance, as it appears on several folk history anthologies, most notably: “Smithsonian Collections:Anthology of American Folk Music”. A version of this song was adapted to become “Viola Lee Blues” by Cannon’s Jug Stompers, covered by the Grateful Dead. This song was also covered by Hot Tuna and Jim Kweskin. I also found a reference to a version done by Blind Lemon. I was only able to hear a snippet of the Julius Daniels song, and so have no idea what the lyrics may be. A listen to Hot Tuna’s version reveals the main character’s desire to first find a gun, shoot all those he does not like, and then score some dope. Hardly a lament over the separation of young lovers. The Dave Evans song appears to be your best bet.
Thanks to all who have posted to my OP. I found the above mentioned “99 Years” songs at http://allmusic.com/. The song I’m looking for did NOT hit the Top 100. I’ve got a book by Joel Whitburn (his chart books rule, BTW). I located what might be the song at a used record website and I have e-mailed them hoping to find out if it’s the right one.
‘Til then, I’ll keep a-lookin’.