Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. "I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and stars were the gift you gave
To the dark and empty skies, my love
To the dark and empty skies"
The first line of this song was omitted for reasons soon to be clear but these lines complete the first stanza. The song was written 15 years earlier and had been part of several album releases in the interim. Apparently, it took the right artist with the right reading to propel it to the top of the charts for six weeks in 1972 becoming the highest ranked song for the year in the process. So, can you name it?
2. Ranked second for 1972 was a four week Number One hit that has achieved, without question, anthem status. Can you identify it with just these two lines?
"I can't remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride
But something touched me deep inside, the day the music died"
3. The third ranked song for 1972, just a few points behind number two, was a rather melancholy ditty. Rather than finding an appropriate few lines to assist you from what is a rather rambling lyric, I'll offer this brief rundown. A fellow, apparently in a suicidal mood, laments being left at the church by his bride. Later, he expresses sorrow for his poor mother who suffers the loss of her husband, the only love she has ever had. When she dies, he "cried and cried all day". The song charted for 18 weeks, six of those at Number One. I hope this is enough but the moment of truth has arrived... name the song.
4. A hit which elevated reggae music to the forefront among North American listeners finished 1972 fourth in year end rankings. It topped the charts for four weeks during its 20 week run on the Hot 100. Can you name it with this lyrical jog?
"I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I've been prayin' for
It's gonna be a bright, bright, sun shiny day"
5. "No I can't forget this evening
Or your face as you were leaving
But I guess that's just the way the story goes
You always smile but in your eyes your sorrow shows
Yes it shows"
This lyric segment represents the song that finished fifth in the rankings for 1972. It rode the charts for 19 weeks, four of them at the top. What tear jerking ballad was this?
6. A "cute" little number filled with sexual innuendo and double entendres was banned at a number of radio stations but was played on enough other ones to hit the top of the charts for three weeks. As such, it wound up in the seventh position for year end rankings in 1972. And no... it isn't "My Ding-a-Ling" by Chuck Berry. That said, what song was it?
"I ride my bike, I roller skate, don't drive no car
Don't go too fast but I go pretty far
For somebody who don't drive
I been all around the world
Some people say I done all right for a girl"
7. "You can bend but never break me 'cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger, not a novice any longer
'Cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul"
Powerful lyrics indeed. They come from the ninth ranked song for 1972, one that charted for 22 weeks, the most for any hit in 1972 including a one week stint at the top. Your final clue... it became the marching song for a significant movement that swept the world at the time. What's your guess, but be careful?
8. "Girl, you're gettin' that look in your eyes
And it's startin' to worry me
I ain't ready for no family ties
Nobody's gonna hurry me
Just keep it friendly, girl, 'cause I don't wanna leave
Don't start clingin' to me, girl, 'cause I can't breathe"
Rather a surprising Number One success, for three weeks no less, this song snagged the honor of rounding out the top ten of ranked songs for 1972. Suggesting that the song was this artist's first entry on the top 40 charts might help in deciphering the answer, but maybe not! Take your shot.
9. The 11th ranked song for 1972 barely missed the top ten by less than three points... it just needed an extra week in the Hot 100 to turn the trick. As it was, it did spend 16 weeks on the charts with three of them at Number One. The song's subject matter might have been taboo just a generation earlier but let's see if you can nail the title with this lyrical assistance.
"We meet ev'ry day at the same cafe
Six-thirty I know she'll be there
Holding hands, making all kinds of plans
While the jukebox plays our favorite song"
10. The setting: A port on a western bay.
The supporting cast: Lonely sailors.
The heroine: The waitress who "serves them whiskey and wine".
The other protagonist: Her sailor boyfriend who won't marry her because "My life, my love and my lady is the sea."
The song: Number One for a week and the 12th ranked hit for 1972.
Your task: Name the heroine and therefore, the song's title.
11. "If there is a load you have to bear that you can't carry
I'm right up the road, I'll share your load if you just call me"
I'm calling on you to name this song, a Number One hit for three weeks in 1972. It was ranked 14th for the year.
12. Slotted in the 15th position of year end rankings for 1972 was a song that had... ahem... some very interesting lyrics. Consider these lovely words!
"In the desert you can remember your name
'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain"
Beautiful! Snide remarks from the quiz crafter aside, the song topped the charts for three weeks and earlier in the year peaked at Number Three on the U.K. charts. What hit was it?
13. Ranked 23rd in 1972 was another Number One hit, this time just for one week. A couple of lines of the song follow:
"I've been to Hollywood, I've been to Redwood" and,
"I've been in my mind, it's such a fine line"
The artist who recorded these lines was a member of a "super group" that had four charting Top 40 hits. As a solo performer, he had only three more, yet he's an esteemed member of the R&R Hall of Fame. What song of his was this?
14. Moving down the rankings somewhat, the following song finished 1972 in the 43rd position after peaking at Number Six on the charts. It speaks to how ephemeral a rock star's status can be. What song are we discussing based on the following lyrical snippet?
"Played them all the old songs, thought that's why they came
No one heard the music, we didn't look the same
I said hello to "Mary Lou", she belonged to me
When I sang a song about a honky-tonk, it was time to leave"
15. "And tomorrow we might not be together
I'm no prophet, I don't know nature's ways
So I'll try to see into your eyes right now
And stay right here 'cause these are the good old days
These are the good old days
These are the good old days
And stay right here, 'cause these are the good old days"
These lyrics are from a song that only peaked at Number 13 on the charts in 1972 and wound up ranked 94th for the year. I include it because it was a darn fine song in my opinion and should have been more successful than it was. One more really good clue - although it wasn't a commercial success at the time, it became a "commercial" smash a few years later!
Source: Author
maddogrick16
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor
gtho4 before going online.
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