Heavens Above Trivia Quiz

Answer: He had pawned his guitar

'Livin' on a Prayer' was a number-one hit single on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1987 for the U.S. Rock band Bon Jovi. It also reached number four on the UK Singles Chart in 1986. It relates the story of a couple whose names are Tommy and Gina and how they are struggling financially.

The lyric 'Tommy's got his six-string in hock' implies that he has pawned his guitar to acquire some much-needed money.

Answer: Dundee

The band Danny Wilson was formed in Dundee, Scotland, by brothers Kit and Gary Clark along with their friend Ged Grimes. Gary and Ged were childhood friends who played together in school bands. The band originally named itself Spencer Tracy; however, following objections from the actor's estate, they had to change it and chose the name Danny Wilson, which was inspired by the title of a Frank Sinatra film.

The single 'Mary's Prayer' (1987) reached number three on The UK Singles Chart and number six on the U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

Answer: The Platters

'My Prayer' was released in 1956 by the iconic U.S. vocal group The Platters who hailed from Los Angeles, California. It attained number four on the UK Singles Chart, where it remained for 13 weeks. It was also a number-one for them in America and is one of their biggest hits.

Other hits include 'Only You (And You Alone)' and 'The Great Pretender'. The group was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Answer: Aretha Franklin

'Say a Little Prayer', written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, was a 1968 hit by an American singer known as 'The Queen of Soul', Aretha Franklin, born in Memphis, Tennessee, (1942). It reached number ten on The U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It also reached number four on The UK Singles Chart.

The song was previously a number-four hit in 1967 for Dionne Warwick. Fans of Aretha regard it as being one of her signature songs.

Answer: Duran Duran

'Save a Prayer' was recorded by the British band Duran Duran, who originated from Birmingham, England. It gave them a number two hit on the UK Singles Chart. A live version of it was subsequently released in America in 1985 and peaked at number 16 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The band continue to make music and has sold over 100 million records worldwide.

Answer: Take That

Written by band member Gary Barlow, 'Pray' was sung by the legendary British boy band Take That, formed in Manchester, England, in 1990. The song gave them their first chart-topping single achieving the number-one spot on the UK Singles Chart, remaining there for four weeks.

The single appears on their album 'Everything Changes'. It also won British Single of the Year at The Brit Awards in 1984.

Answer: 1989

'The Queen of Pop', aka, Madonna, released the song 'Like a Prayer' in 1989. It proved to be a big hit for her, reaching number one on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. The song was considered controversial owing to its provocative video and lyrics, which some interpret as having sexual connotations.

The single also reached the top of the charts in several other countries including Italy, Australia and Mexico.

Answer: True

Gerry Rafferty, born in Paisley, Scotland, in 1947, was a singer-songwriter and record producer who was one of the founding members of the British band Stealers Wheel. Among his solo hits are 'Baker Street' and 'Night Owl'. 'On a Wing & a Prayer' was his seventh studio album, released in 1972. Following years of drinking heavily, he passed away from liver failure in 2011.

Answer: Mario Lanza

Mario Lanza's version of 'The Lord's Prayer' was released in 1952 as a ten-inch single, recorded by His Masters Voice (RCA). It featured on his album 'The Mario Lanza Christmas Album'. He also gave a rendition of the song when he appeared in the 1952 film 'Because You're Mine', which involves his playing an opera singer who is drafted into the U.S. Army.

Born in 1921 in Philadelphia, Mario was renowned for his powerful, emotive tenor voice and he was one of the most popular opera singers of his era.

He died in 1959, aged 38, after suffering a heart attack.

Answer: George Michael

From his album 'Listen Without Prejudice', 'Praying for Time' was released as a single in 1990 by British singer and songwriter George Michael. It was number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and achieved number six on The UK Singles Chart. Born in East Finchley, London, in 1963, George, along with Andrew Ridgeley, was formerly one half of the duo Wham!. Following their split, he went on to have a highly successful solo career.

He died from heart disease and a fatty liver in 2016.