Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. "Pretty Little Angel Eyes"
(Pretty, pretty, pretty little angel eyes)
Angel eyes you are so good to me
And when I'm in your arms you be so heavenly
You know I love you, my darlin' angel eyes"
The one-hit wonder who sang those endearing lyrics also co-wrote "Pretty Little Angel Eyes". He was born in the Grand Canyon State, and enjoyed a brief career (1960-1968). Although he never had another song reach the Top 40 on the "Billboard Hot 100", he did take his signature song to number seven in 1961. Can you name this doo-wop and pop singer from Arizona?
2. "There are times when a woman has to say what's on her mind
Even though she knows how much it's gonna hurt
Before I say another word let me tell you, I love you
Let me hold you close and say these words as gently as I can"
There's been another man that I've needed and I've loved
But that doesn't mean I love you less
And he knows he can't possess me and he knows he never will
There's just this empty place inside of me that only he can fill
Torn between two lovers, feelin' like a fool
Lovin' you both is breakin' all the rules"
And so begins "Torn Between Two Lovers", the tale of a guilt-ridden young lady, who has managed to fall in love with two men at the same time. The Minnesota born singer-songwriter who recorded it as her very first single, took it to Number One on the "Billboard Hot 100" list for two weeks in February, 1977. Her only other Top 40 hit was "Good Friend" (1979). Can you recall the name of the songstress who was "Torn Between Two Lovers"?
3. "Michael (Row the Boat Ashore)" was big hit for a quintet of Dean's List students who formed their group while attending Wesleyan University (CT).
Featuring lead singer Dave Fisher, the group's signature song was a million plus selling single, as well as a "Billboard Hot 100" chart-topper. What was the name of that folk band?
Perhaps these lyrics will help you choose:
"Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah
Sister help to trim the sail, hallelujah
Sister help to trim the sail, hallelujah
Jordan's river is chilly and cold, hallelujah
Chills the body but not the soul, hallelujah"
4. In 1961, a singer-songwriter came up with a tune which described the way he felt about the love of his life. It went like this:
"Poetry in motion, walking by my side
Her lovely locomotion keeps my eyes open wide
Poetry in motion, see her gentle sway
All waves out on the ocean could never move that way
I love every movement, there's nothing I would change
She doesn't need improvement, she's much too nice to rearrange"
"Poetry in Motion" was the artist's most successful hit, climbing to the number two spot on the "Billboard Hot 100" list. Who is this Florida native, who also had a number six "Billboard" hit with "It Keeps Right On A Hurtin" in 1962?
5. "Don't leave Me This Way" reached number one on both the "Billboard Hot 100" and "Billboard R&B" lists in 1977. The disco hit also won the artist who recorded it a Grammy for Best Feminine R&B Vocal Performance. "Don't Leave Me This Way" was track two on just her second album, "Any Way You Like It", released on the Motown label in 1976. In addition to disco, she belted out R&B, gospel and soul music during a career which has lasted over five decades. Who is this versatile songstress?
See if these lyrics from her signature song help you name her:
"Don't leave me this way
I can't survive, I can't stay alive
Without your love, oh baby
Oh baby, my heart is full of love and desire for you
Now, come on down and do what you've got to do
You started this fire down in my soul
Now can't you see it's burning out of control?
Then come on, satisfy the need in me
'Cos only your good loving can set me free"
6. A group of one-hit wonders scored big with "More Today Than Yesterday" (1969). They originated in 1964 as The Fydallions, (really), but had their name changed at the "request" of Columbia Records before they released their lone song to sell a million copies.
Remember these lovely lyrics?
"I don't remember what day it was
I didn't notice what time it was
All I know is that I fell in love with you
And if all my dreams come true
I'll be spending time with you
Oh, I love you more today than yesterday
But not as much as tomorrow
I love you more today than yesterday
But only half as much as tomorrow"
Who was the California based quintet band that recorded "More Today Than Yesterday", on the only album they released before breaking up?
7. One of the bounciest tunes of 1959 was "Sea Cruise". It was a Top 20 "Billboard" hit for the recording artist known as "The New Orleans Dynamo". He had been born in LA back in 1939, and at age 70 was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
Here are some lively lyrics to help jog your memory:
"Old man rhythm is in my shoes
No use 't sittin' and singin' the blues
So be my guest, you got nothin' to lose
Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise?
Ooh, eee, ooh, eee, baby
Ooh, eee, ooh, eee, baby
Ooh, eee, ooh, eee, baby
Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise?
Feel like jumpin' baby, won't ya join me please?
I don't like beggin' but I'm on bended knee
I got to get 't rockin', get my hat off the rack
I got to boogie woogie like a knife in the back
So be my guest, you got nothin' to lose
Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise"?
OK, now can you name that artist?
8. "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" was a "Billboard Hot 100" chart-topper, reaching the number one spot in the Spring of 1973. It would turn out to be the artist's only song to crack the Top 40. A versatile performer, she also was an actress and comedienne. Can you give me the moniker of this Inglewood, CA performer?
Turn on your lights and see if these verses can help you identify her:
"He was on his way home from Candletop
Been two weeks gone and he thought he'd stop
At William's and have him a drink 'fore he went home to her
Andy Wolloe said "Hello"
And he said "Hi, what's doin', Wo?"
"Seth, sit down, I got some bad news, it's gonna hurt"
He said "I'm your best friend and you know that's right"
"But your young bride ain't home tonight"
"Since you been gone she's been seein' that Amos boy, Seth "
Well, he got mad 'n' he saw red and Andy said "Boy, don'tcha lose your head"
" 'cause to tell ya the truth, I been with her myself"
That's the night that the lights went out in Georgia
That's the night that they hung an innocent man"
9. "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" first became known for being part of the soundtrack in the 1969 film, "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid". In fact it won the Oscar for Best Original Song. Written by legendary lyricist Hal David and equally famed composer Burt Bacharach, it became a Number One "Billboard" hit when it was released as a single. Many artists have recorded "Raindrops", but only one took it to the top of the charts.
Here is some of Hal David's Academy Award winning work:
"Raindrops keep falling on my head
And just like the guy who's feet are too big for his bed
Nothing seems to fit
Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling
So I just did me some talking to the sun
And I said I didn't like the way he got things done
Sleeping on the job
Those raindrops are falling on my head they keep falling
But there's one thing, I know
The blues they sent to meet me won't defeat me
It won't be long 'til happiness steps up to greet me"
OK, Hal David wrote the above, but can you remember who sang the version which sat at the top of the "Billboard Hot 100" chart in January, 1970?
10. I thought a fitting song to end my Signature Songs series would be, "Reminiscing", after all, that's what we've been doing over this and the previous 19 "episodes". The sextet who made a big splash with "Reminiscing" in 1978 was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame in 2004. A couple of their other top ten Billboard Hot 100 hits were "Lonesome Loser" (1979), and "The Night Owls" (1981). Who is this sextet which began singing in Melbourne in the mid-1970s, when then they went by the sobriquet, Mississippi?
Maybe some of these Graham Goble lyrics will refresh your memory:
"Friday night, it was late
I was walking you home
We got down to the gate
And I was dreaming of the night
Would it turn out right?
How to tell you girl?
I wanna build my world around you
Tell you that it's true
I wanna make you understand
I'm talkin' about a lifetime plan"
Can you name that band from "down under?
Source: Author
paulmallon
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor
agony before going online.
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