Both those things are interesting, Stim. I too had assumed that "My Favorite Things" is a simple song in a minor key.

I can see how radio would play a role in truncating songs. Probably they started the trend, and our tendency to remember the most melodious part took over from there.

For those who weren't aware of this kind of thing:

"When Irish Eyes are Smiling" begins with "There's a tear in your eye, and I'm wondering why..."

"Bicycle Built for Two" begins with "There is a flower within my heart, Daisy, Daisy..."

"Moonlight Bay" begins with something like "Banjos ring, winging over Moonlight Bay."

Tthere's a more modern song which uses this old-fashioned framework, and it's "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."