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Quiz about My Sweet Lord
Quiz about My Sweet Lord

My Sweet Lord Trivia Quiz


The first number-one single by an ex-Beatle, as well as the UK's biggest selling single of 1971, "My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison can still speak to us today. It was chosen in 2004 as one of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time by "Rolling Stone.

A multiple-choice quiz by ponycargirl. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
ponycargirl
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
390,605
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
310
Awards
Top 5% quiz!
Last 3 plays: Guest 92 (8/10), Guest 73 (7/10), Guest 173 (7/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. On what album was "My Sweet Lord" (1970) released? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" (1970) was written in praise of which of the following Hindu deities? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Which of the following other musicians performed with George Harrison on the recording of "My Sweet Lord" (1970)? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. George Harrison included words from a religious mantra in "My Sweet Lord" (1970).


Question 5 of 10
5. Which of the following lyrics in George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" (1970) suggests a Christian connection in the song? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Several well-known musicians played with George Harrison on "My Sweet Lord" (1970). Who played the zither? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. "My Sweet Lord" (1970) by George Harrison was the 1972 Record of the Year.


Question 8 of 10
8. George Harrison wrote "My Sweet Lord" (1970) before the Beatles broke up and never really planned to record it on a solo album. Which of his friends was first given the song to record? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. At which London studio, one that was often used by the Beatles, was "My Sweet Lord" recorded in 1970? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" (1970) was involved in a copyright infringement case, which Harrison eventually lost. His song was just too similar to which song by Ronnie Mack? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Oct 24 2024 : Guest 92: 8/10
Oct 18 2024 : Guest 73: 7/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. On what album was "My Sweet Lord" (1970) released?

Answer: All Things Must Pass

"All Things Must Pass" (1970) was released by George Harrison just a few months after the Beatles broke up. He was, in fact, the first member of the Beatles to release a solo album. It was, however, more than just a solo album; it was a triple album, with most of its works (23 tracks altogether) coming from songs that George had originally written for the Beatles.

He was a very prolific songwriter, but so were John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Albums released by the Beatles typically only had one or two songs that George had written. Hit singles on the triple album included "My Sweet Lord" and "What Is Life". Before his death, the album was reissued in honor of the 30th anniversary of its release.

The Recording Industry Association of America certified it six times platinum in 2001.
2. George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" (1970) was written in praise of which of the following Hindu deities?

Answer: Krishna

It is said that while the Beatles were filming "Help!" (1965) they were given a copy of a Hindu book on reincarnation; they all became interested in Indian cultures at that time. In 1966 George and his wife, Patti Boyd, took a trip to Mumbai to meet with Hindu teachers, or gurus, and two years later all of the Beatles went to India to study with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Raised in the Roman Catholic faith, George became involved with the Hare Krishna movement, and remained a devotee until his death - the only former Beatle who chose to continue his study of this religion.
3. Which of the following other musicians performed with George Harrison on the recording of "My Sweet Lord" (1970)?

Answer: Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr played drums and percussion on the original version of "My Sweet Lord" that was recorded in 1970. In fact, there is a quite of long list of stellar musicians who played on the original recording, including Eric Clapton (acoustic guitar), Billy Preston (piano), and all the members of the band Badfinger, which included Pete Ham (acoustic guitar), Tom Evans (acoustic guitar), Joey Molland (acoustic guitar), and Mike Gibbins (tambourine).
4. George Harrison included words from a religious mantra in "My Sweet Lord" (1970).

Answer: True

The chorus of the song included the words:

"Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna,
Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama".

These words are the first twelve of what is commonly called the Hare Krishna mantra, or the Maha mantra. It is said that these are the words with which George most identified. His belief was discussed in a 2011 biography called "George Harrison: Living in the Material World", where he was quoted as saying, "First, it's simple. The thing about a mantra, you see... mantras are, well, they call it a mystical sound vibration encased in a syllable. It has this power within it. It's just hypnotic".
5. Which of the following lyrics in George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" (1970) suggests a Christian connection in the song?

Answer: Hallelujah

In 1980 George wrote in his autobiography that "Hallelujah" and "Hare Krishna" mean "quite the same thing". It was met with mixed reviews by Christians. While some took the song as being anti-Christian, others adopted it as an anthem, commenting that all religions could address their deities in the same way - by calling them "My Sweet Lord". What many say that George was trying to do was state his desire for a relationship with God, a desire that he spoke about quite often.

The producer of the album on which the song was included did state that George was very concerned about how this song with such a strong religious theme would be accepted.
6. Several well-known musicians played with George Harrison on "My Sweet Lord" (1970). Who played the zither?

Answer: Uncredited

Alan White who played with "Yes", once claimed that he had been one of the drummers on the song, and there has also been talk that Peter Frampton may have added acoustic guitar after the initial session. Some sources claim that John Lennon played rhythm guitar. None of those claims have ever been substantiated.

It is very easy to hear the influences of Indian music on the song, including a zither, and George, who played slide-guitar, used it to simulate other traditional Indian string instruments.

The person who played the zither, however, was left uncredited.
7. "My Sweet Lord" (1970) by George Harrison was the 1972 Record of the Year.

Answer: False

By the end of 1971 the song, "My Sweet Lord", was voted "Single of the Year" and "World's Single of the Year by "Melody Maker", a British newspaper. "Record World", a U.S. publication, named the song the top single of the year, and George Harrison was named as "Top Male Vocalist of 1971".

"My Sweet Lord" was nominated for the 1972 Grammy Award for Record of the Year, along with "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night, "Theme from Shaft" by Isaac Hayes, and "You've Got a Friend" by James Taylor. The winner was "It's Too Late" by Carole King.
8. George Harrison wrote "My Sweet Lord" (1970) before the Beatles broke up and never really planned to record it on a solo album. Which of his friends was first given the song to record?

Answer: Billy Preston

During the time George was writing the song he was touring as a guest with Delaney and Bonnie. Eric Clapton and Billy Preston were also touring as guests at the same time. George had already written some religiously influenced songs, and he once said that after the tour was over, while some of the others were being interviewed in Denmark, he wrote the chords and members of the group even helped him develop some of the lyrics. Billy Preston helped him finish the lyrics upon their return to London and George, having no idea that he would ever record a solo album, offered the song to him to record. Preston's version was released in September of 1970 and never received the same fame as Harrison's.

It should be noted here that many people have covered the song, including Brian Wilson, Andy Williams, Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin, and Edwin Starr.
9. At which London studio, one that was often used by the Beatles, was "My Sweet Lord" recorded in 1970?

Answer: Abbey Road

The album which included "My Sweet Lord" was recorded at Abbey Road, using the same equipment that the Beatles had used. Phil Spector, who had produced "Let It Be" for the Beatles in 1970, was chosen to be the co-producer with George for the album. He also sang backup vocals.

Many famous albums, including most of the ones recorded by the Beatles and "The Dark Side of the Moon" (1973) by Pink Floyd have been produced at the Abbey Road studio.
10. George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" (1970) was involved in a copyright infringement case, which Harrison eventually lost. His song was just too similar to which song by Ronnie Mack?

Answer: He's So Fine

Apparently George had many friends who pointed out the similarities between "He's So Fine" (1963), that had been recorded by the Chiffons, and "My Sweet Lord" (1970). He even commented, "Why didn't I realise?", in "I Me Mine", which was originally published in 1980. Throughout the court case, George testified that his idea had come from "O Happy Day", a song that had been done by The Edwin Hawkins Singers; it was an uncopyrighted Christian hymn.

After a long and difficult case, the court eventually found that he had "subconsciously" copied "He's So Fine", and fined him $587,000.

He did, however, gain the rights to the song. Ringo Starr commented, "There's no doubt that the tune is similar but how many songs have been written with other melodies in mind? George's version is much heavier than The Chiffons - he might have done it with the original in the back of his mind, but he's just very unlucky that someone wanted to make it a test case in court".
Source: Author ponycargirl

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor 1nn1 before going online.
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