"Great" Songs Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sun Records

"Great Balls of Fire" was first recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis in October of 1957 and released the next month by Sun Studios, the Memphis studio which also released many of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash's early hits. It was Sun 281. The song rose to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was a number one hit in the UK and on the Billboard Country charts. Jerry Lee recorded with Sun from 1956 to 1963.

Lewis did release albums on Smash, Mercury and Elektra but much later in his career.

"Great Balls of Fire" holds a special place in the hearts of fans of "Top Gun." It was Anthony Edwards at the piano in the 1986 film. The 2022 sequel pays tribute to the original by having Miles Teller (playing Goose's son Bradley) also play the song.

Answer: woman's hips

According to David Byrne "The world moves on a woman's hips." Bryne got the idea for the line after reading Robert Farris Thompson's book "African Art in Motion". This is one of many African influences that can be found on "Remain in Light." Jerry Harrison, Chriz Frantz, Tina Weymouth, Brian Eno and Byrne are all credited with writing "Great Curve.".

"The Great Curve" appears on the Taking Heads 1980 album "Remain in Light," widely considered their masterpiece.

Answer: The Virgin Mary

"Cigarettes, ice cream and figurines of the Virgin Mary" is part of the chorus of the "Great Deceiver". Mary is mentioned six times in the song.

"The Great Deceiver" is a name commonly used by Satan, and the reference to " a cloven foot" would seem to infer the song is about the Devil.

The song was written by Robert Fripp (the band's guitarist/keyboardist), John Wetton (bassist/vocalist) and Richard Palmer-James (guitarist for Supetramp). It was part of the multi-album "Great Deceiver" set released in 1992, although the music was recorded in 1973 and 1974.

Answer: Nine Inch Nails

Nine Inch Nails was formed by Trent Reznor in 1988. The band has sold over 20 million records and won two Grammy Awards. It is widely regarded as one of the most influential bands of the modern rock era.

"The Great Destroyer" is track 13 on the 2007 album "Year Zero." The album condemns US government policies by displaying a dystopian vision of the year 2022. Fortunately, Trent Reznor is a better musician than prophet.

The song seems to be an assassin or terrorist speaking of their potential for mass destruction. Apparently it refers to an "Angry Sniper" who is part of the universe Reznor created for the "Year Zero" album.

The album was released in April 2017. It was highly successful, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 200 album chart, and top 10 status in many other countries, including Canada, the UK and Scandinavia.

Answer: Joannie Sommers

Joannie Sommers was a brief sensation in the early 1960s, with her biggest hit being the 1962 song "Johnny Get Angry". Her 1968 song "The Great Divide" was actually a protest song about economic inequality, written in a country style.

Gene Watson's 1989 version is a pretty standard break up song, telling of story of a divorced couple who "made it across the great divide."

"The Great Divide" from the Swedish band The Cardigans appears to be about an argument between two people, although it could be a larger reference. The song was on their 1996 album "First Band on the Moon."

Scott Stapp, former singer of Creed, released his first solo album "The Great Divide" in November 2005. The title track was a modest hit, reaching #20 on the Mainstream Rock charts.

Answer: Rick Wright

Rick Wright wrote the original music and then came up with the lyrics, which were sung by Clare Torry. The song is the last track on side 1 of "Dark Side of the Moon." It synchs up with the tornado scene in "The Wizard of Oz."

"Dark Side of the Moon" was one of the most successful albums in history, appearing on the Billboard Charts for 962 weeks (over 18 years). It sold over 45 million copies and was the band's biggest album. The song "Great Gig in the Sky" is a strange reflection on death.

Answer: The Platters

The Platters released the first version of "Great Pretender" in November 1955. The singer claims to be putting on a facade of happiness, while inside he is lonely, apparently in the wake of a break-up with someone. The song was written by Samuel "Buck" Ram, a prodigious songwriter and one of the more successful record producers of the 20th century.

Bobby Rydell released his version in August 1960. Roy Orbison recorded his version in 1962. And Pat Boone recorded a version in June 1961.

Answer: Icehouse

Icehouse first released "Great Southern Land" in August 1982. The lyrics themselves are a somewhat bleak view of Australian history, especially in regards to its treatment of aboriginal peoples. The song was a hit in Australia reaching #5 on the pop charts. .

The album "Great Southern Land" came out in October 1989. The title track is number four in Australia, number five in the US.

Icehouse's biggest hits in the US were "Electric Blue" (number 7) and "Crazy" (number 14) from their 1987 album "Man of Colours."

Answer: gospel

The song tells of a "great speckled bird ... recorded on the pages of God's holy word." It is based on Jeremiah 12:9 which tells of a great speckled bird. It was written by Charlie Swain, and recorded by Acuff in 1936.

Other country singers who have covered it include Johnny Cash (1959), Marty Robbins (1966) and Lucinda Williams (1978).

Answer: KISS

"Great Expectations" is from the 1976 Kiss album "Destroyer." The song is the fourth track on the album, right after "Detroit Rock City." It was written by Gene Simmons and Bob Ezrin.

In 1976, KISS were among the kings of arena rock. So the song, with is call for the audience to the sell their souls to become rock stars, was either an ironic joke or the ultimate in egomania. KISS was one of the most successful rock bands of all time with 14 platinum albums.