Saturday 9: Ain't That a Kick in the Head

Linking up with the Saturday 9 for some fun questions inspired by music. Thanks, Sam, for finding the music and thinking up the questions every week!

Saturday 9: Ain't That a Kick in the Head (1960)

Unfamiliar with this song? Hear it here.

1) Dean Martin asks the musical question, "How lucky can one guy be?" Tell us about a time when you got a lucky break.  I'm not a believer in luck, but one time I can think of that most would call lucky is the time my daughter and I bought VIP seats for a Toby Keith concert. You didn't know where exactly your seats would be until you arrived at the concert, but they were promised to be in the first 3 rows. 

There was a problem with the season ticket holders at the venue we were going to. They had paid big bucks for their seats for the entire summer concert season and were not happy that they were going to lose their seats for the concert. The venue and Toby Keith's organization got around that by putting 3 rows of folding chairs IN FRONT of those other seats. 

Those folks still weren't happy, but my daughter and I about fainted when we arrived and found out our seats were smack in the center of the front row and the stage (and Toby) was about 2 feet away. I could have reached out and touched him...if the security guard that was standing right by me the whole time wouldn't have tackled me. 

2) This song was introduced in the original Ocean's 11 movie. Have you seen it, or the remake and its sequels?  I'm not sure if I've seen the original. I used to watch a lot of old movies so it's possible. I have seen the remake and one or two of the sequels. I've enjoyed them.

3) All the Ocean's movies are about heists. Why do you suppose audiences enjoy watching caper films?  With the Ocean's movies I think it's the adventure, the fast pace, and the fun ensemble cast. At least I always love a movie with an ensemble cast.

 

4) Dean was born in Steubenville, OH. Though he seldom returned to his hometown, he kept Steubenville in his thoughts, regularly donating toys to area children hospitalized over the holidays. Who received the last gift you gave?  My mom received flowers from me for Mothers' Day.

 
5) Dean was extremely claustrophobic and avoided elevators whenever possible -- and even when it wasn't. He was late for the first night of an engagement, even though he was staying at the hotel where he was performing, because he insisted on taking the stairs from his luxury suite to the showroom (18 flights). The hotel put him in a smaller, less prestigious room on a lower floor so he could more easily arrive on time for his own shows. Have you ever been stuck in an elevator?  Several times. The elevator in my college dorm was always breaking down.

6) He and Frank Sinatra were great friends, but they had their differences. For example, Frank loved to party and Dean hated it. One of Sinatra's favorite stories was about how Dean got bored with a party in his own home and went up to his bedroom to watch TV. When the guests didn't take his hint and leave, Dean made an anonymous noise complaint to the police, who came over and broke up the party. When it comes to parties, are you more like Frank or Dean?  These days I suppose I'm more like Dean, but my enjoyment of a party is proportional to the crowd attending and what's going on.

7) Dean Martin had a secret passion for comic books. He loved them, but was too embarrassed to buy them himself. What's your guilty pleasure?  Horrible cable shows like Ancient Aliens, Swamp People, Mountain Monsters, Finding Bigfoot, etc.

8) In 1960, when this song was released, Princess Margaret married photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones. Their relationship began when he was commissioned to take her official portrait. Who took the most recent picture of you?  My daughter. It was a selfie of her, her kids, and me at a drive-thru dinosaur show.

9) Random question (Not really so random, considering Dean Martin's reputation): Do you have a hangover remedy to recommend?  Not really. Even when I indulged in nightly partying I didn't get many hangovers. I've always been told the best thing to do is drink lots of water because a hangover is mostly caused by dehydration. I don't know if it's true. You can try it and let me know.