On this date in 1959, the Kingston Trio first released their song "Charlie on the MTA."

[brooklynite]

The song was originally recorded as a mayoral campaign song for Progressive Party candidate Walter A. O'Brien. A version of the song with the candidate's name changed became a 1959 hit when recorded and released by The Kingston Trio, an American folk singing group.

The song has become so entrenched in Boston lore that the Boston-area transit authority named its electronic card-based fare collection system the "CharlieCard" as a tribute to this song. The transit organization, now called the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), held a dedication ceremony for the card system in 2004 which featured a performance of the song by the Kingston Trio, attended by then-governor Mitt Romney.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.T.A._(song)

[mcar]

1. When I lived in Boston,

you couldn't go to a bar and not hear it. Fun song.

[dhol82]

2. Every time I travel somewhere where you need to swipe your ticket to get off the metro

I think of this song.

[rurallib]

3. Oh Lordy I loved that song as a kid

Thanks for the background info.

[Arkansas Granny]

4. The man who never returned.

[leftyladyfrommo]

5. They were such a great group. nt

[Brother Buzz]

6. In 1959, the Kingston Trio received a Grammy Award as the "Best Country Music Group"....

there were no folk categories at that time.

[planetc]

7. I loved this song then, and I still love it. Thanks.

[lamp_shade]

8. Thank you for this wonderful memory.