Songs That Rock! Trivia Quiz

Although the history of the song "Rock Around the Clock" is a little hazy, most sources agree that it was written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers, and was first recorded by Sonny Dae and His Knights in March 1954. Bill Haley and His Comets released the song two months later, and theirs was the version that stayed number one on the US "Billboard Hot 100" chart for two months; "Rock Around the Clock" was named the number two song for 1955.

Considered to be the first rock and roll record to top the charts, the song was used in "Blackboard Jungle" (1955), "American Graffiti" (1973), and was the opening theme for the first two years of "Happy Days" (1974-1984). The song charted again at 39 in 1974.

While looking at the lyrics, the song seems to be about the joy that is found in listening to rock music at any time of the day or night. After its use in "Blackboard Jungle", a movie about juvenile delinquency in high school, however, it became associated with teen rebellion against social norms.

Written by David White, and first released by Danny & the Juniors in 1958, "Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay" reached 19 on "Billboard Hot 100". In 1969 it was Sha Na Na's first hit single and the name of their debut album. It was also featured in the movie "Grease" (1978).

The song was used as a response to some conservatives who thought that rock and roll music was corrupting the youth of the day. It had even reached the point where some radio stations were breaking rock and roll records while on the air. Is it true that rock and roll "will never die"? The genre does seem to have an enduring popularity.

A mixture of rock and roll and Hawaiian folk music, "Rock-A-Hula Baby" was featured on Elvis' movie, "Blue Hawaii" (1961). Written by Ben Weisman, Fred Wise, and Dolores Fuller, the song only reached 23 on the US "Billboard" chart. Released as a single in the UK with "Can't Help Falling in Love" on the A-side, however, the song made it to number one for four weeks.

Weisman revealed that he found that the rhythm of the hula worked well with the twist, and he combined the two to create a song about a guy who loves to watch his "little hula miss" dance. He doesn't get to kiss her, though, because she would rather dance!

Released by Peter, Paul and Mary in 1967, "I Dig Rock and Roll Music" was written by Paul Stookey, James Mason, and Dave Dixon. The song reached number nine on the U.S. "Bilboard Top 100".

While the song seems to compliment the group's favorite artists - The Mamas & the Papas, Donovan, and the Beatles, upon closer inspection one finds quite a satirical number that suggests that The Mamas & the Papas' songs have poor lyrics, and that Donovan's lyrics are "dream-like" in a "tripped out way". Lastly, the song implies that the Beatles write about love because it sells records.

Evidently Peter, Paul and Mary tried to walk their comments back by saying it was an "affectionate parody". While it is true that the song also spoke out about the censorship of rock music at the time, it could be that the folk group was feeling a bit threatened by the popularity of the new genre.

Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and released in late 1972, "Crocodile Rock" was John's first number one single in the United States. It's really a sad song about a dance, the Crocodile Rock, that the singer used to enjoy with his girl, Susie, in the 1950s and 1960s; he laments that Susie has left him and the dance has been forgotten.

The upbeat tempo to the song really masks the melancholy that one might feel while listening, however, it is a reminder of past actions and events that are no longer celebrated. In a 2011 interview Taupin revealed that it was not a song he wanted to hear, and in 2021 Elton John stated that he only played it because fans wanted to hear it.

The first single from the album of the same name, "It's Only Rock 'n Roll" was credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, although others apparently worked on it too. It was released by the band in 1974, and reached the top ten on the "OCC" in the UK, and charted at number 16 on the US "Billboard Top 100".

Jagger once said that the origin of the song came from the frequent criticism that the band received regarding that their releases weren't "as good as the last one". The lyrics paint a picture of a songwriter who wonders what he must do to satisfy his audience. The stanza concludes with, "I said I know it's only rock 'n roll but I like it", which seems to insinuate that it doesn't matter what the critics say as long as members of the band are happy with their work.

With the exception of a guitar solo by the song's writer Brian May, the beat and rhythm of "We Will Rock You" is kept by clapping hands and stomping feet. May said that he wanted to create a song that invited audience participation. In 1977 is reached number four on the US "Billboard Hot 100" and number two in the UK. By coincide, Freddie Mercury penned "We Are the Champions" (1977) at about the same time. It typically follows "We Will Rock You" when played.

The song is about the three life stages of Buddy, taking him from childhood to adulthood, and then to old age. Buddy wants to change the world, and has hopes and dreams to do that, but as an old man he faces certain failure in meeting his goal. Some say that the chorus "We will rock you" really doesn't seem to fit with the story that is told. May has said that "'We will, we will rock you' is a cry, full of surety and confidence, that we will rock everything. But it's also the realization that our power is limited".

Written by Alan Merrill and Jake Hooker, "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" was first released by their band, The Arrows, in 1975, but it was Joan Jett's cover version of the song in 1981 that caused it to skyrocket to the top of record charts all over the world. It was selected as number 72 on US "Billboard Hot 100" all-time chart from 1958-2018.

This is a song about loving to dance to rock and roll music - and, of course, finding a new boyfriend. The video that was released showed Jett and her group, the Blackhearts, singing the song in a small bar with the customers shouting out the song's chorus. Her song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2016.

Written by Topper Headon, The Clash's drummer, "Rock the Casbah" went to number three on Australia's "Kent Music Report", but peaked at number eight on the US "Billboard Hot 100". It was the group's only top ten hit in the United States.

There has been a lot of discussion about the theme of the song. While some say that it encouraged a rock revolution, others say that it was a protest about the ban on Western music that took place during the Iranian Revolution. Even though the king in the song tried to take away rock music, the people refused to let it go. When he ordered the fighter jets to bomb the people, they played rock music instead.

"R.O.C.K. in the USA" was written by John Mellencamp and was included on his third album, "Scarecrow" (1985) quite by accident, as he had planned to only include the song as a bonus party track on the cassette and CB copies. His manager, however, loved the song and it peaked at number two on the "Billboard Hot 100".

There can be no mistake regarding the theme of this song as it is subtitled "A Salute to 60s Rock". Mellencamp even mentioned the names of his favorites, including Mitch Ryder, Jackie Wilson, and the Shangra-Las. He has stated that these people, while taking the risk to embrace a new type of music, influenced his early sound. "[They] filled our head full of dreams, turned the world upside down.".