Music from 1974 Trivia

1. This tune, by the Swedish group ABBA, not only topped the charts in several countries, but became their first top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Can you name it?

From Quiz Flashback to 1974

Answer: Waterloo

In 1974 "Waterloo" won the Eurovision Song Contest, which gave ABBA the chance to tour Europe and perform on major television shows. The added exposure was a huge boost for both the band and the song. "Waterloo" went to number one in nine countries, reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and has sold nearly six million copies to date.

From Quiz Top Albums of 1974

Answer: David Bowie

"Diamond Dogs" (1974) was recorded by David Bowie. It went to number one in the UK album charts and the Canadian RPM album charts. It was also received well in the US and got to number five in the US Billboard 200. "Diamond Dogs" (1974) has references to the novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four" by George Orwell which can be seen in songs "1984" and "Big Brother".

From Quiz One Word Title US Top Forty Hits of 1974

Answer: Americans

Byron MacGregor was not in the entertainment business but rather a news anchor in his native Canada. By the time he was 19 he had become the news director of a station in Windsor, Ontario, which had signals to several states in the US in addition to Canadian provinces. In 1973 MacGregor read an editorial regarding America written by Gordon Sinclair and decided to narrate the piece on his program. When he received considerable response he recorded the narrative using the The Detroit Symphony Orchestra's rendition of "America the Beautiful" as a backing track. The recording became a hit in both the US and Canada. MacGregor donated proceeds from the recording to the American Red Cross. Gordon Sinclair released his own version of the editorial titled "The Americans (A Canadian's Opinion)" that reached Number 24 in the US.

From Quiz Pop Music Songs of 1974

Answer: 8:15

Randy Bachman, Fred Turner and their group from Winnipeg reached the number 12 position in the U.S. singles charts in 1974 with their foot-stomping hit "Takin' Care of Business." The opening lyrics to this song read: "You get up every morning from your alarm clock's warning Take the 8:15 into the city There's a whistle up above, and people pushin' people shovin' And the girls who try to look pretty..." "Takin' Care of Business" remains a staple to this day in sports arenas around the world; it is often played after the home team has just secured a victory.

From Quiz Music From 1974 - Two Hit Wonders

Answer: Bloodstone

Bloodstone was an R&B group from Kansas City, Missouri. Two original group members died in 1973.

From Quiz Billboard Number One Hits of 1974

Answer: Steve Miller Band

In college Steve and Boz Scaggs performed together in local bands around the University of Wisconsin. After college Miller formed the Goldberg-Miller band with keyboard player Barry Goldberg. They soon became popular local favorites. Miller then gravitated to San Francisco, put together a band and within four days the group performed at the Avalon Ballroom. Scaggs returned from a folk gig in Europe and reunited up with Miller when a record deal seemed imminent. Boz Scaggs eventually went on to a successful solo career. Steve reformed the band and kept on plugging away, releasing several successful albums and building a following until "The Joker" broke nationally. Paul McCartney and Wings took their "Band on the Run" to number one June 8, 1974. Bachman-Turner Overdrive took "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" to the top spot in November, 1974 and Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods had a number one with "Billy Don't be a Hero" on June 15,1974.

From Quiz The Sound of 1974

Answer: Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton is nicknamed "Slowhand". The reference is not from his style of play though. Eric Clapton was a member of the band The Yardbirds, also featuring Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. One of my favourite albums is "Unplugged", released in 1992. An acoustic version of "Tears in Heaven" is on the album. A very sad song about the death of his son Conor in 1991.

From Quiz Hits of 1974

Answer: Terry Jacks

"Seasons in the Sun" was based on a song by Jacques Brel called "Le Moribond" (The Dying Man). Terry Jacks revised the lyrics to give the song a lighter feel.

From Quiz BRI's Top Ten Hits of 1974

Answer: One Hell of a Woman

Written by Davis and James, "One Hell of a Woman" was a big hit for Mac Davis. It's the second song in the BRI lists that I have no recollection of at all, not even when I play a clip off of the internet. Perhaps it was more of a hit other places in the world than it was in the corner of Canada where I grew up.

From Quiz Solo Artists of 1974

Answer: Dave Loggins

Dave Loggins is the cousin of singer Kenny Loggins.

From Quiz Music History - 1974

Answer: You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet

Although "Takin' Care of Business" has stood the test of time, and become a much-used anthem in motion pictures and TV advertising, "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" hit number 1 on the charts in 1974. "Takin' Care of Business" landed just shy of the top 10.

From Quiz Who Sings What In 1974

Answer: George McCrae

From Quiz Flashback to 1974

Answer: The Joker

"The Joker" was the Steve Miller Band's first number one, hitting the top spot in January of 1974. In 1990, sixteen years after the song topped the U.S. charts, it reached number one on the U.K. Singles Chart, thanks to its inclusion in a television ad for Levi's jeans. One of the more unusual lines in the song, "'Cause I speak of the pompatus of love", had listeners wondering what in the world the word "pompatus" meant; well, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, it means "to act with pomp and splendor." Who knew?

From Quiz Top Albums of 1974

Answer: Deep Purple

"Burn" (1974) was recorded by Deep Purple. It got to number one in Norway, Austria and Germany's album charts and number three in the UK. David Coverdale was introduced as the new vocalist for this album taking over from Ian Gillan.

From Quiz One Word Title US Top Forty Hits of 1974

Answer: Blue Magic

Blue Magic formed in Philadelphia in the early seventies and quickly became a popular Soul group. The original lineup was looking for a lead singer when Ted Mills from Shades of Love joined the group. They secured a contract with Atco Records and their initial releases made the US Rhythm and Blues charts. When "Sideshow" was released it went Gold, topped the Rhythm and Blues charts and reached Number Eight on the Billboard charts. Their follow up singles "What's Come over Me?" and "Three Ring Circus" also fared well. The group focused on harmonies and choreography then continued to perform into the 21st century with occasional personnel changes. "Can This Be Real" by Natural Four reached Number 31. B.T. Express took "Do It (Til You're Satisfied)" to Number Two. "Life is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)" was a Top Ten from Reunion.

From Quiz Pop Music Songs of 1974

Answer: Harry Chapin

"Cat's in the Cradle" became a hit single for Harry Chapin in December 1974. The Brooklyn, New York, performer was beloved for his folk melodies, interesting lyrics, and humanitarian actions. The song "Cat's in the Cradle" told the story of a father who was too busy to enjoy his son's development. The opening lyrics read: "A child arrived just the other day He came to the world in the usual way But there were planes to catch and bills to pay He learned to walk while I was away..." In 1974, Carl Douglas had a hit with "Kung Fu Fighting", Elton John scored with "Bennie and the Jets", and Dave Loggins sang "Please Come to Boston."

From Quiz Billboard Number One Hits of 1974

Answer: Al Wilson

Al Wilson was one of many pop and rock artists to have his roots in Gospel. While in the Navy he realized he wanted to be a professional singer. Upon his release he migrated to California and worked with a group called the Rollers. They went on to chart a song in the Top 100 called "The Continental Walk". Manager Marc Gordon was helping Johnny Rivers find talent for his new label and Wilson was signed to record some titles for Johnny's Soul City label but had little success. By the early seventies Wilson was signed to Gordon's new label, Carousel records, and recorded "Show and Tell". It would prove to be his only top ten hit. Gladys Knight and her Pips had the number four the same week with "I've Got to Use My Imagination". Byron MacGregor had a top five in February, 1974, with the song "Americans" and Jackson Five had a top five in May of 1974 with "Dancing Machine".

From Quiz The Sound of 1974

Answer: Mud

Mud were an glam rock band. Band members were Rob Davis, Les Gray, Dave Mount and Ray Stiles. Other hits from the bad included "The Cat Crept In"(1974); UK number 2. "Dyna-mite"(1973); UK number 4. "Lonely This Christmas" (1974); UK number 1.

From Quiz Hits of 1974

Answer: Barbra Streisand

"The Way We Were" was Barbra Streisand's first number one single in the US. It came from the movie also named "The Way We Were" (1973).

From Quiz Solo Artists of 1974

Answer: John Denver

John Denver, one of the top recording artists of the 1970's, wrote "Annie's Song" for his wife Annie Martell. He died tragically in 1997 while at the controls of his light plane.

From Quiz Music History - 1974

Answer: The Poppy Family

The Poppy Family scored a top 40 hit with "Which Way You Going Billy?". The group was made up of Terry and his then-wife Susan.

From Quiz Who Sings What In 1974

Answer: The Rubettes

From Quiz Flashback to 1974

Answer: Harry Chapin

Harry Chapin started his career in 1966, performing with his brothers, Tom and Steve. They released one album together called "Chapin Music!", but it was unsuccessful. Harry decided to start a solo career and released his first album, titled "Heads and Tales", in 1972. It yielded a moderate hit with the tune "Taxi", which reached number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 from 1972. "Cat's in the Cradle", which was written by Chapin and his wife Sandy, was by far his most successful recording and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011. Chapin also fought tirelessly to end world hunger and participated in the creation of the Presidential Commission on World Hunger in 1977. Chapin, who died in 1981, was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1987 for his humanitarian work.

From Quiz Top Albums of 1974

Answer: Barry White

"Can't Get Enough" was recorded by Barry White. It got to number one in the US album charts and number four in the UK. "You're the First, the Last, My Everything" (1974) was one of the songs released from this album. It was a number one hit in both the US and UK.

From Quiz One Word Title US Top Forty Hits of 1974

Answer: James Taylor

In 1963 Inez and Charlie Foxx adapted and recorded "Mockingbird". James Taylor heard them performing at the Apollo Theater in the sixties and later recorded it with Carly Simon for her fourth album, "Hotcakes". Carly released "Mockingbird" as the lead single from the album and it reached Number Five. Dr. John played piano on the session and Robbie Robertson contributed guitar work. Dusty Springfield and Aretha Franklin are among the many artists who have released versions of the song. Carly reunited with Taylor during the 1979 "No Nukes Concert" to perform "Mockingbird" live. Neil Diamond had his own Number Five single with "Longfellow Serenade" in 1974. "Come Monday" was a 1974 Top Forty by Jimmy Buffett. Art Garfunkel had a Number 34 solo single with "Second Avenue".

From Quiz Music From 1974 - Two Hit Wonders

Answer: Blue Swede

The Swedish group's other hit, "Never My Love", hit #7. The other choices were one hit wonders. Blues Magoos hit #5 in 1967 with "(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet". The Blue Stars' only hit was the #16 "Lullaby Of Birdland" in 1956. Finally, Blues Image went gold with their only hit "Ride Captain Ride" in 1970.

From Quiz Billboard Number One Hits of 1974

Answer: Sunshine on my Shoulders

John Denver was an Air Force brat who was born Henry John Deutschendorf in Roswell, New Mexico. He particularly enjoyed spending time on his grandmother's Oklahoma farm. He began playing guitar in high school bands and eventually headed to California to be part of the folk scene. He was selected out of 250 people auditioned to replace Chad Mitchell in the Chad Mitchell Trio. He began writing songs during his three-year tenure with the trio, including Peter, Paul and Mary's hit, "Leaving on a Jet Plane". Ironically, he didn't compose his first top twenty song "Take Me Home, Country Roads". He kept recording songs such as 1973's number nine "Rocky Mountain High" but his ninth single, "Sunshine on my Shoulders", was the number one charm. He had a second number one in 1974 with "Annie's Song" in July. "Be Thankful for What You've Got" was a top five in June, 1974, for William DeVaughn.

From Quiz The Sound of 1974

Answer: Pilot

A group from Scotland formed in 1973. Their biggest hit was "January" released in 1975. Artists in the band were David Paton, Billy Lyall ,Stuart Tosh and Ian Bairnson.

From Quiz Hits of 1974

Answer: Carl Douglas

"Kung Fu Fighting" reached number one in both the UK and the US. This song with a martial arts theme proved to be his only number one.

From Quiz Solo Artists of 1974

Answer: Maria Muldaur

The line is from "Midnight At The Oasis", which at #6 was Maria Muldaur's highest-charting hit in the U.S. She later got involved in making Inspirational music.

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