Fictional Song Names Trivia Quiz

Answer: Simon and Garfunkel

The song first appeared in the movie "The Graduate" in 1967. According to Simon, it was written in more of an ad hoc/stream of consciousness style rather than a carefully written and thought out song.
Simon describes some of the background to the song in an interview with Dick Cavett.

Answer: Barry Manilow

"Her name was Lola she was a showgirl" and this fictional character worked in the Copacabana club in New York.
"Copacabana" was written after Manilow visited the famed bar in 1978.
In 1985, Manilow made a full-length TV movie called "Copacabana" based on the story in the song.

Answer: Michael Jackson

"Billie Jean" was written in 1982 and appeared on the best-selling album "Thriller" in 1983.
The fictional song describes a groupie who claimed the narrator was the father to her child. Jackson later explained that this was based on a true story about one of his brothers.

Answer: Plain White T's

"Oh, it's what you do to me" is the catchy refrain of "Hey There Delilah".
The story is made up though the persona was real. Yes, there really was a Delilah who was of interest to the writer. Though the song is not about her, it was written apparently to impress her.

Answer: Halsey

Halsey released this song in 2019 on her 25th birthday to note a new period of her life. She was inspired by the lead character in the movie "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", played by Kate Winslet.
In an interview with "Rolling Stone" magazine regarding this song, she said "it was really exciting for me to see a woman on film who was proud and liberated in her own weirdness."

Answer: Chuck Berry

The name Johnny is borrowed from a member of his band. In addition, Berry was born with the family living on Goode Avenue.
So, although there was no Johnny B. Goode, the name was borrowed from different parts of Berry's life.
The song was released in 1958.

Answer: Lady Gaga

The song, published in 2010, was written about a fictional lover who the singer chose to break up with due to emotional difficulties of being in a long-term relationship.
There are those who claim that this emotional difficulty is somewhat autobiographical for Lady Gaga as well.

Answer: Erykah Badu

Released in 1997 after a successful live performance of the same song, "Tyrone" was a number one hit on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
The song had been an unfinished product that the band would use in rehearsals while jamming. The first time it was really played fully and the first recording of the song was also from that live performance.

Answer: Goo Goo Dolls

Written for the movie "City of Angels" in 1998 by John Rzeznick, the writer was impressed to write this song by the storyline of this romantic movie with Meg Ryan and Nicolas Cage.
The name Iris was reportedly borrowed from an ad Rzeznick saw for a concert by singer Iris DeMent.

Answer: Neil Diamond

"Sweet Caroline...bah dam bum bum."
Diamond once said that the source of the name was JFK's daughter though the song was not about her. The song was released in 1969 and has been on numerous top 20 lists.

Answer: Elton John

Written by Bernie Taupin and sung by Elton, this song was about a Vietnam vet coming home and just wanting to settle in. It was released in 1973 as the war was winding down and people were starting to understand the need to relate differently to the vets.
The song ends with Daniel realizing he can find no peace at home and moves on to Spain. There is a legendary missing verse which gives some more background for Daniel's story.

Answer: Bright Eyes

An addict looks to Lua as the one bright spot of his life.
Interesting to note that he sings about the moonlight at the end - the name Lua means moon in Portuguese.
The song was released in 2004.
It is also a rarity in that only a single guitar was used in the release.

Answer: The Regents/Beach Boys

"Bar-bar-bar-bar-Barbara Ann."
The Regents originally recorded it and released it in 1961.
The Beach Boys reworked it and put out their version in 1965 when the song jumped to number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The original didn't do so badly either and hit number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The name Barbara Ann actually belonged to a sister of one of the band though the song was not about her.

Answer: Alvvays

The song, "Archie marry Me", was apparently a comment on society and certain accepted norms asking questions young couples ask when deciding if and how to settle down..
It was released in 2013 by Alvvays. (I had to check the spelling three times - yes 2 v's)

Answer: The Beatles

This name appears in the song "Eleanor Rigby". I thought using the name Eleanor Rigby would be way too easy. In addition, the name Eleanor Rigby may have been a name from John and Paul's past (legend has it that the name was on a stone in a graveyard by the church where they first met) though Paul later denied knowledge of the name.