Famous Figures in Lyrics Trivia Quiz

Answer: Joseph (from the Bible)

Joseph is mentioned in Dolly Parton's heartwarming 1971 song "Coat of Many Colors": "As she sewed, she told a story, from the Bible she had read, about a coat of many colors, Joseph wore, and then she said..."

The song draws a parallel between Parton's own childhood experience and the biblical story of Joseph, who received a coat of many colors (ketonet passim in Hebrew) as a gift from his father, Jacob. It highlights themes of love, resilience, and the idea that true wealth lies in emotional and spiritual values rather than material possessions.

Answer: Mickey Mouse

Mickey Mouse is mentioned in David Bowie's classic 1971 song "Life on Mars?": "It's on America's tortured brow, that Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow." There is no definitive answer to what Mickey Mouse represents in the song, but the line likely conveys a sense of disillusionment. Mickey Mouse, a symbol of childhood innocence, "growing up a cow" may suggest mundanity, conformity, or the corruption of youthful ideals.

This interpretation aligns with the song's broader theme of shattered dreams and the artificiality of entertainment-driven escapism.

Answer: Vladimir Lenin

There are numerous references to famous figures in Don McLean's 1971 song "American Pie". The line "And while Lenin read a book on Marx" refers to both John Lennon and the historical Lenin. According to McLean: "Communism radicalized John Lennon, and Lenin was radicalized by Marx."

Answer: Gollum

If you're familiar with the history of classic rock, you've likely heard about Led Zeppelin's admiration for the legendary author J.R.R. Tolkien. Their famous song "Ramble On," released in 1969, was inspired by his "The Lord of the Rings" books. The mention of Gollum in the lyrics, "I met a girl so fair, but Gollum and the evil one crept up and slipped away with her."

Robert Plant later admitted feeling embarrassed by the Tolkien references, as they didn't quite fit the story's logic: "a fair maiden wouldn't be found in Mordor, and Gollum would want nothing to do with her anyway".

Answer: Kurt Cobain

Nirvana's legendary frontman, Kurt Cobain, is mentioned in the Red Hot Chili Peppers' 1999 song "Californication": "And Cobain, can you hear the spheres singing songs off Station to Station?" For those who don't know, "Station to Station" is a 1976 album by David Bowie.

Answer: King David

Another biblical figure mentioned is King David in Leonard Cohen's immortal 1984 song "Hallelujah". He appears in the famous line: "I heard there was a secret chord that David played, and it pleased the Lord, but you don't really care for music, do ya?"

In the "Book of Samuel", David is called "the sweet psalmist of Israel." According to tradition, the Book of Psalms is attributed to him. In light of this, it's no surprise that God would recognize his music as divine :)

Answer: Sugar Ray Leonard

The legendary boxer Sugar Sugar Ray Leonard is mentioned in Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five's iconic and socially critical 1982 hip-hop song "The Message". The lyrics paint a vivid picture of life in the hood. Sugar Ray Leonard is mentioned in this line: "My brother's doin' bad, stole my mother's TV, says she watches too much, it's just not healthy. All My Children in the daytime, Dallas at night, can't even see the game or the Sugar Ray fight."

Answer: Alice (from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland")

The title itself gives a clue. The innocent girl Alice from the magical book by Lewis Carroll, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", is mentioned in this Jefferson Airplane 1967 song a few times. For example: "One pill makes you larger, and one pill makes you small. And the ones that mother gives you don't do anything at all. Go ask Alice, when she's ten feet tall."

Grace Slick was drawn to Alice because she wasn't the typical damsel in distress. She follows her own path, driven by curiosity, even when things take a troubling turn. During the "go ask Alice" part, the music transitions to major chords, reflecting a sense of triumph and determination as she navigates her journey.

Answer: Tom Sawyer

This mischievous, yet brave and loyal boy, who deeply cares for his friends, is mentioned in this 1982 rowdy and down-home country rock song. Randy Owen, the writer of the song, was influenced by his early years on Lookout Mountain, where his family operated a small cotton farm. Owen recalls being an energetic teenager who enjoyed swimming in the river and climbing trees (from "Rolling Stone" site).

In the song, he expresses his longing for a carefree, nostalgic life connected to nature and simpler times.

He imagines himself "drifting away like Tom Sawyer, riding a raft with ol' Huck Finn"-both characters from Mark Twain's books.

Answer: Anastasia Nikolaevna

The Grand Duchess of Russia, Anastasia Nikolaevna, is mentioned in the dark 1968 Rolling Stones song "Sympathy for the Devil" in these lines about the Russian Revolution of 1917: "Stuck around St. Petersburg, when I saw it was a time for a change. Killed the Tsar and his ministers. Anastasia screamed in vain."

Anastasia Nikolaevna, the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, was executed along with her family by Bolshevik forces in 1918. Despite rumors of her survival, she died with her parents and siblings during the execution, and the remains were identified many years later.