Even the most musically challenged can sing a few bars of "New York, New York." Frank Sinatra has a knack for making a song memorable. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, the toe-tapping favorites of American popular song. From the banjo-picking of Steven Foster to the laments of Patsy Cline - why some tunes become unforgettable.

Frank Sinatra biographer Donald Clarke tells Steve Paulson that the young Frank Sinatra exerted a strong sexual pull on his female fans; used his voice as an instrument; and through artful phrasing made songs uniquely his own. Clarke's book is "All or Nothing at All: A Life of Frank Sinatra."

Ken Emerson is the author of "Doo Dah! Stephen Foster and the Rise of American Popular Culture." He tells Jim Fleming that Foster was America's first professional song writer; that he had sympathy for African-Americans while sharing the racism of his age; and that he blended musical forms and themes from many cultures to create American popular music.

Nicholas Dawidoff is the author of "In the Country of Country." He tells Steve Paulson that he admires the stalwarts of coutry music -- Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Patsy Cline -- for their emotional honesty. He thinks the soul is missing from modern mass-audience Hot country. Also, Gavin Edwards explicates mis-heard song lyrics with Jim Fleming. Edwards is the author of "'Scuse Me While I Kiss This Guy," and "When A Man Loves A Walnut."

Distribution dates:

• week of 02/08/98 - hour 3