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Quiz about   Signature Songs of Singers or GroupsPart 2
Quiz about   Signature Songs of Singers or GroupsPart 2

"Signature Songs" of Singers or Groups-Part 2 Quiz


This is a follow up to my "Signature Songs" quiz. Many singers have recorded one special tune with which they will long be associated. I'll give you the titles of ten songs and see if you can name the singer or group most popularly known for singing them

A multiple-choice quiz by paulmallon. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
paulmallon
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
356,302
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Easy
Avg Score
9 / 10
Plays
1513
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 38 (9/10), Guest 198 (9/10), Kiwikaz (7/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. "It's close to midnight and something's lurking in the dark". Thus begins the song "Thriller". It was released in 1982, on the album of the same name. Estimated world-wide sales of "Thriller" are somewhere north of six million copies. C'mon, no need to beat around the bush on this one. What is the name of the "King of Pop" who took this song to number four on the Billboard Hot 100 list? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. A beautiful song titled "People", written for the Broadway show "Funny Girl" debuted in 1984. It was the combined work of composer Jule Styne and lyricist Bob Merrill. Artists such as Dionne Warwick, Perry Como and Jack Jones are among the many who have covered it. But no one did it with the panache of our mystery guest. Fill in the blanks to identify her. People, people who have heard ______
________ sing "People" are the luckiest people in the world.
Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Originally titled "Do the Bop", our next song said that "you can rock it you can roll it, do the stomp and even stroll it at the hop". Recorded in 1957 on ABC records, "At the Hop" stayed atop the Billboard Top 100 charts for seven weeks, beginning January 6, 1958. The title change was suggested by none other than "America's Oldest Teenager", Dick Clark.
Who was it that told us we could "do the dance sensation that is sweepin' the nation at the hop"?
Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. "These Boots are Made for Walkin'" (1966) tells the tale of a young lady who discovers that her man has been steppin' out on her, and she is NOT happy about it. The artist who recorded this bouncy tune looked great doing it in her "go-go" boots, which helped create both a signature look as well as a signature song. Can you name the singer-actress who warned her cheatin' scoundrel of a boyfriend that "one of these days, these boots are gonna' walk all over you"? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Do you remember these lyrics: "You never close your eyes anymore when I kiss your lips"? Well, they come from a song titled "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" (1964). It reached Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 list on February 16, 1965 and stayed there for two weeks. Phil Spector was one of the writers of the song. What group took it to number 34 on "Rolling Stone" magazine's 2004 list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All-Time? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Would you agree that anybody saying (or singing) these following words is a bit infatuated? "I've got sunshine on a cloudy day, with my girl I've even got the month of May". Yup, you sure would and the song those lyrics come from was "My Girl" (1964). It was written by two members of The Miracles, Smokey Robinson and Ronald White. But The Miracles were not the group that made it their signature song. Do you know which very famous group did just that? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. If you want to perk up thousands of people real fast, just play "Sweet Caroline" and they'll think "good times never seemed so good". It seems to work pretty well in Boston's Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox, where it has become the unofficial eighth inning anthem. Ironically it was written and recorded by a guy who was/is a life-long fan of the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers. Can you name the multi-talented singer-songwriter who has been entertaining us since 1962, and who took "Sweet Caroline" to the number four spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1969? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Sometimes when you're feeling a little down-in-the dumps, a change of scenery might be just what the doctor ordered. But where to go? In 1964 a singer had a possible solution, as she sang: "When you're alone and life is making you lonely you can always go, "Downtown". Written by Tony Hatch, "Downtown" quickly went up to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 list for the weeks of January 23, and January 30, 1965. Can you name the artist whose recording of "Downtown" sold three million copies in the U.S. alone? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. It's bad enough for a guy to lose his girl, but hearing about it second-hand, somehow makes it worse. It makes him think, "I know that a man ain't supposed to cry, but these tears I can't hold inside". The popular singer who made it big with "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" had previously recorded over 30 singles before taking his signature song to the Number One spot on The Billboard Hot 100 list, on December 14, 1968. It went to the top of the U.K. Singles chart the following month. Can you mention the moniker of the man who made Motown Records mighty merry with this memorable music? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. "Thanks for the Memory", of rainbows on a wave, and stockings in the basin when a fellow needs a shave, thank you so much. These are parts of a husband's nostalgic look back after many years of marriage, as he and his wife contemplate divorce. It was first heard in the film "The Big Broadcast of 1938", and on the single released the same year, the distaff lyrics were sung by Shirley Ross. Who is the man, better known for his nose and comedy than his singing, who recorded what might just be the all-time signature song? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. "It's close to midnight and something's lurking in the dark". Thus begins the song "Thriller". It was released in 1982, on the album of the same name. Estimated world-wide sales of "Thriller" are somewhere north of six million copies. C'mon, no need to beat around the bush on this one. What is the name of the "King of Pop" who took this song to number four on the Billboard Hot 100 list?

Answer: Michael Jackson

"Thriller" was produced by the legendary Quincy Jones. "MJ" was but a wee lad of 11 when he embarked on his magical music career, playing with four of his brothers as The Jackson 5. (They first started as The Jackson Brothers in 1964). "Thriller" (originally titled "Twilight") runs just two seconds short of six minutes on the album. In his amazing, sometimes controversial career, Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards. He had 13 songs hit Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, including "Billy Jean" (1983) which held the top spot for seven weeks.
Michael Jackson entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and was inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 2002.

Interesting fact: At the time of his death (June 25, 2009) "Thriller" was the best-selling album of all time.
2. A beautiful song titled "People", written for the Broadway show "Funny Girl" debuted in 1984. It was the combined work of composer Jule Styne and lyricist Bob Merrill. Artists such as Dionne Warwick, Perry Como and Jack Jones are among the many who have covered it. But no one did it with the panache of our mystery guest. Fill in the blanks to identify her. People, people who have heard ______ ________ sing "People" are the luckiest people in the world.

Answer: Barbra Streisand

Ms. Streisand has too many achievements to list here, so I'll just point out a few. She has won two Oscars, eight Grammy Awards, and made over 15 movies. She has recorded over 115 singles and 40 albums. "Babs" has sold over 240 million records worldwide, including over 70 million albums just in the U.S. of A.
"People" took over the top spot on the Billboard Pop Standards list and stayed there for three weeks in 1984 (June 27, July 4, July 11).
In 1998 she had the honor of being named the People's Choice Award winner of All-time Favorite Vocalist.

Interesting fact: While attending Erasmus High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. she sang in the same school choir as a guy named Neil Diamond.
eine more interesting fact: Striesand's lyrist Bob Merrill also co-wrote the words to the tasty novelty tune, "If I Knew You Were Coming I'd've Baked a Cake" (1950).
3. Originally titled "Do the Bop", our next song said that "you can rock it you can roll it, do the stomp and even stroll it at the hop". Recorded in 1957 on ABC records, "At the Hop" stayed atop the Billboard Top 100 charts for seven weeks, beginning January 6, 1958. The title change was suggested by none other than "America's Oldest Teenager", Dick Clark. Who was it that told us we could "do the dance sensation that is sweepin' the nation at the hop"?

Answer: Danny & the Juniors

Prior to becoming Danny & the Juniors, the group had been called "The Juvenaires" and Danny Rapp was the leader of the quartet. The group had a couple of other popular songs such as "Rock and Roll is Here to Stay" (1958), and "Twistin' U.S.A." (1960). The original foursome disbanded in 1964 after recording over 30 singles. "Danny & the Juniors" were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.

Interesting (but sad) fact: Danny Rapp died as the result of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot in a Parker, AZ hotel, in 1983.
4. "These Boots are Made for Walkin'" (1966) tells the tale of a young lady who discovers that her man has been steppin' out on her, and she is NOT happy about it. The artist who recorded this bouncy tune looked great doing it in her "go-go" boots, which helped create both a signature look as well as a signature song. Can you name the singer-actress who warned her cheatin' scoundrel of a boyfriend that "one of these days, these boots are gonna' walk all over you"?

Answer: Nancy Sinatra

Dad (Frank) had the pipes but Nancy had the gams that were just perfect for those boots. Written by Lee Greenwood, "These Boots..." was track number five from her album, "Boots", which reached number five on the Billboard Album chart. As a single it sold well over a million copies and made it to Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 list. While some people think of her as a "one-hit wonder", she had two other million selling tunes. In 1966 "Sugar Town", got to number five on the chart and when she sang a duet with her dad called "Something Stupid" (1967), she had another number one hit, in fact it was numero uno for four consecutive weeks. "Something Stupid" made history as the first father/daughter duet to achieve number one status in the U.S.
Nancy Sinatra has recorded more than 50 singles, but the one most folks remember is the one about the footwear.

Interesting fact: The daughter of the singing legend also made a movie with another iconic singer, when she appeared in "Speedway" (1968) with Elvis Presley.
5. Do you remember these lyrics: "You never close your eyes anymore when I kiss your lips"? Well, they come from a song titled "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" (1964). It reached Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 list on February 16, 1965 and stayed there for two weeks. Phil Spector was one of the writers of the song. What group took it to number 34 on "Rolling Stone" magazine's 2004 list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All-Time?

Answer: The Righteous Brothers

Turns out they weren't really righteous brothers, or any other kind of brothers for that matter. The duo was made up of Bill Medley and Bobbie Hatfield, who had previously been part of a quintet called The Paramours. Between 1963-1975, the Righteous Brothers recorded over 20 tunes, including their first number one hit ("You're My) Soul and Inspiration" (1962). Later they had another song, "Unchained Melody" (1965) get as high as number four.

After their recording days were over, they continued performing until the demise of Bobby Hatfield in 2003. That same year the Righteous Brothers were righteously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
6. Would you agree that anybody saying (or singing) these following words is a bit infatuated? "I've got sunshine on a cloudy day, with my girl I've even got the month of May". Yup, you sure would and the song those lyrics come from was "My Girl" (1964). It was written by two members of The Miracles, Smokey Robinson and Ronald White. But The Miracles were not the group that made it their signature song. Do you know which very famous group did just that?

Answer: The Temptations

"My Girl" became the first big hit for The Temptations when it reached Number One on both the Billboard Hot 100 list and Billboard's R & B chart in 1965. When the group first began in Detroit (1960), they were known as The Elgins. They changed their moniker to The Temptations the following year. In 2004 "Rolling Stone" magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Hits of All Time, had "My Girl" ranked number 88. Over the course of more than 50 years, The Temptations have recorded in excess of 100 singles and earned Grammy Awards for three of them: "My Girl", "Cloud Nine" (1969) and "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" (1972).

Interesting fact: When "My Girl" won the Grammy Award in 1964, The Temptations became the first group from Motown to earn that coveted prize.
7. If you want to perk up thousands of people real fast, just play "Sweet Caroline" and they'll think "good times never seemed so good". It seems to work pretty well in Boston's Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox, where it has become the unofficial eighth inning anthem. Ironically it was written and recorded by a guy who was/is a life-long fan of the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers. Can you name the multi-talented singer-songwriter who has been entertaining us since 1962, and who took "Sweet Caroline" to the number four spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1969?

Answer: Neil Diamond

In a career that has lasted over 50 years Neil Diamond has recorded over 200 singles, and sold more than 125 million records around the world. By the end of the 1970s he had three other songs reach Number One, "Cracklin' Rosie" (1970), "Song Sung Blue" (1972) and "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" (1978), in a duet with his old schoolmate, Barbra Streisand.

Interesting fact: Neil Diamond has said that the inspiration for writing his signature song came after he saw a picture of young Caroline Kennedy in full equestrian regalia, with her horse, "Macaroni". The daughter of our 35th President was just 11 years old when the picture was taken.
8. Sometimes when you're feeling a little down-in-the dumps, a change of scenery might be just what the doctor ordered. But where to go? In 1964 a singer had a possible solution, as she sang: "When you're alone and life is making you lonely you can always go, "Downtown". Written by Tony Hatch, "Downtown" quickly went up to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 list for the weeks of January 23, and January 30, 1965. Can you name the artist whose recording of "Downtown" sold three million copies in the U.S. alone?

Answer: Petula Clark

"Pet" Clark has been entertaining fans around the world for over 70 years. As recently as 2012, she performed a show in New York City...now THAT'S downtown! Ms. Clark who was born in Surrey, England on November 15, 1932, has sold over 65 millions records world-wide. "Downtown" won the Grammy Award for Best Rock & Roll Song in 1965.* A couple of her other popular hits were "I Know a Place" (1965) and "Don't Sleep in the Subway" (1967).
Ms. Clark has done a bit of acting as well, appearing in "Finian's Rainbow" (1968) with Fred Astaire, and "Goodbye Mr. Chips" (1969) with Peter O'Toole.

*Interesting fact: When Petula Clark took "Downtown" to the top of the charts in 1965, she became the first female artist from across the pond to do so in the era of Rock & Roll.
9. It's bad enough for a guy to lose his girl, but hearing about it second-hand, somehow makes it worse. It makes him think, "I know that a man ain't supposed to cry, but these tears I can't hold inside". The popular singer who made it big with "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" had previously recorded over 30 singles before taking his signature song to the Number One spot on The Billboard Hot 100 list, on December 14, 1968. It went to the top of the U.K. Singles chart the following month. Can you mention the moniker of the man who made Motown Records mighty merry with this memorable music?

Answer: Marvin Gaye

"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" held onto the top spot for three weeks.
Creedence Clearwater Revival (1970), and Gladys Knight and the Pips (1967) also covered it, and the Isley Brothers recorded, but never released their version. Gaye had originally released it as track number four on his album, "In the Groove" (1968). The song later became popular again when it provided the musical theme for "California Raisins" TV commercials.
Marvin Gaye had two other Number One songs, "Let's Get It On" (1973) and "Got to Give It Up" (1977). A couple of his other best sellers were 1964's, "How Sweet it Is (To Be Loved By You"), and "Sexual Healing" (1982).

Interesting fact: Marvin Gaye's life was snuffed out a day short of his 45th birthday, when he was shot to death by his father during a family argument on April 1, 1984.
10. "Thanks for the Memory", of rainbows on a wave, and stockings in the basin when a fellow needs a shave, thank you so much. These are parts of a husband's nostalgic look back after many years of marriage, as he and his wife contemplate divorce. It was first heard in the film "The Big Broadcast of 1938", and on the single released the same year, the distaff lyrics were sung by Shirley Ross. Who is the man, better known for his nose and comedy than his singing, who recorded what might just be the all-time signature song?

Answer: Bob Hope

Where to start? Well, "Thanks for the Memory" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and has been recorded by among others, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and, yes, even Jimmy Durante. Bob was born Leslie Townes Hope in jolly old England, yet spent over 45 years touring all corners of the globe to entertain American combatants during wartimes. He was often accompanied by his wife of 69 years, Dolores.
When we lost Hope at age 100, on July 27, 2003, he was one of only four luminaries to have four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Only Gene Autry has more (five). Hope was awarded five honorary Academy Awards and in fact he hosted the Awards ceremonies 14 times. He was made "the one and only honorary member of the U.S. Armed Forces" in 1996.
We were lucky to have him for a century. Thanks for the memories, Bob.

Interesting fact: In a TV interview with Soledad O'Brien, Bob's grandson Zach said that when asked on his deathbed where he wanted to be buried, Hope had told his wife, "Surprise me."
Source: Author paulmallon

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