Occupations in Songs Trivia

1. Although their biggest hit in USA and Australia was "Shiny Shiny", the biggest UK hit for this band was "John Wayne Is Big Leggy" in 1982. Who were the band?

From Quiz Musical Cowboys

Answer: Haysi Fantayzee

Amazingly for a song with risque lyrics and explicit sexual content to say the least, "John Wayne Is Big Leggy" wasn't banned by the BBC and received heavy airplay on Radio One, eventually reaching number 11 on the charts.

From Quiz Doctors in Songs.

Answer: David Seville

Fresno, California, native Rostom Sipan "Ross" Bagdasarian changed his name to David Seville before recording "Witch Doctor". He also voiced the witch doctor by speeding up the tape recorder after he recorded the lines. He was inspired to write and record "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" later the same year for which he earned two Grammy Awards in 1959. In the 1961-62 television season the Chipmunks had their own series called "The Alvin Show". Seville also had minor roles in over a dozen films between 1952 and 1961 including a songwriter in Alfred Hitchcock's "Rear Window" (1954). "The Purple People Eater" was a 1958 hit from Sheb Wooley. Jack Scott had a successful single with "My True Love" and "Rockin' Robin" by Bobby Day was another 1958 hit.

From Quiz A Musical Salute to Labor Day

Answer: Merle Haggard

"Working Man Blues" reached the number one position on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart on August 16, 1969. It featured some outstanding lead guitar licks by the legendary James Burton who was Elvis Presley's lead guitarist through the 70s. Prior to that he was a fixture in Rick Nelson's band.

From Quiz Cotton Fields And Steel Mills

Answer: railroad construction

The second stanza of the "Ballad Of John Henry" pretty well sums up the legend: "John Henry said to his captain: 'You are nothing but a common man; Before that steam drill shall beat me down, I'll die with my hammer in my hand." While there are many different versions of John Henry's story, in almost all of them he was said to be a large black man of great strength. During his employment with the railroad gangs who were pushing to build a network of railroads across the U.S. in the 19th century, his employer bought a steam-powered hammer to replace the work of the men. In a bid to save his job (and the jobs of others), John Henry made a proposal to his boss; to beat the steam-powered hammer and thus save the workmen's salaries. His boss agreed to the proposition, and John Henry won the battle, only to die as he finished the job. One story claims that he raced the steam hammer during construction of the Big Bend tunnel near Talcott, West Virginia, while another places him at the Lewis Tunnel, which lies between Talcott and Millboro, Virginia. Yet another tale claims that he won the famous race near Leeds, Alabama (a suburb of Birmingham). Talcott holds an annual summer festival named "John Henry Days", along with a statue and a memorial plaque that have been placed south of Talcott near the Big Bend tunnel. Leeds has also honors his legend in an annual autumn festival called the "Leeds Downtown Folk Festival & John Henry Celebration" since 2007. Past accounts of the surviving railroad workers seemed to indicate that John Henry was indeed a real person, but various aspects of the legend simply cannot be proven, nor disproven.

From Quiz Pop Songs with a Military Connection

Answer: Galveston

Jimmy Webb composed "Galveston" with no particular war in mind but the song became connected to the Vietnam War because of the year of Glen's single release. The lyrics depict a solider reminiscing about his home town and his girl while cleaning his gun and listening to cannons. The song was a single release from Campbell's thirteenth album also titled "Galveston". The Top Forty single "Where's The Playground Susie" was another release from the "Galveston" album and was the only other song on the LP composed by Webb. "Galveston" topped the US Country charts but stalled at Number Three on the Pop charts. "I Wanna Live" was released in 1968. "Valley of Death" was a Western song released by Campbell in 1961. "Tomorrow Never Comes" was a 1965 single from Glen's "Too Late to Worry, Too Blue to Cry" album.

From Quiz A Career In Music

Answer: The Beatles

"Paperback Writer" was released by The Beatles in 1966. It was a number one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 and got to number one in the UK singles chart. It was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and produced by George Martin. It has been covered by many artists such as Kris Kristofferson, Bee Gees and Tempest.

From Quiz Sing Me a Job

Answer: The Carpenters

"Please Mr Postman" was originally a hit for The Marvelettes in 1961 when it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. When the song was covered by The Carpenters in 1975, it rose to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Easy Listening charts. Their version also reached number one in Canada and Japan and number two on the UK Singles Chart. The song has been covered by other artists including The Beatles.

From Quiz Clergymen in Song

Answer: The Reverend Mr. Black

Bobby Darin and Faron Young each released a version of "The Reverend Mr. Black" in 1963 but The Kingston Trio had the most successful release. Johnny Cash also recorded a version of the song in 1971 and it has since been done by several artists. The song was written by the songwriting team of Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber and acknowledged a co-writer, Billy Edd Wheeler. The song was inspired by a 1931 song titled "The Lonesome Valley". The lyrics "lonesome valley" was in the opening line of each chorus. "Lonesome Valley" was performed by The Fairfield Four for the soundtrack of "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" in 2000.

From Quiz What's My Line?

Answer: bartender

"Bartender's Blues" by James Taylor..."Now I'm just a BARTENDER and I don't like my work, but I don't mind the money at all. I see lots of sad faces and lots of bad cases of folks with their backs to the wall." From the James Taylor album "JT" [CBS; 1977].

From Quiz Songs Referencing Gamblers and Gambling

Answer: Ned Miller

In 1957 Ned Miller recorded "From A Jack to A King" but the song failed to chart. Five years later the song was released again and reached Number Ten on the US Billboard chart, also rising to Number Two on the US Country charts. After being released from the Marine Corps in the mid-fifties Ned composed "Dark Moon" which was recorded by Bonnie Guitar and Gale Storm. Miller originally recorded "From A Jack to A King" for Fabor Records in 1957. Five years later he convinced the label to release it again and Dot Records handled national distribution. The song sold over two million copies and was the only single by an American to reach the Top Ten in Britain that year. Due to stage fright Miller retired from performing in the seventies. "From A Jack to A King" went to Number One on the Country charts in 1980 when it was recorded by Ricky Van Shelton. "Roses Are Red (My Love)" was a 1962 hit for Bobby Vinton. Bruce Channel's only US Top Ten single was "Hey Baby" (1962). In 1962 "Speedy Gonzales" was released by Pat Boone.

From Quiz Musical Cowboys

Answer: Manic Street Preachers

Manic Street Preachers covered this track on the "The Help Album" on which various artists recorded songs for charity War Child, to help their efforts in areas such as Bosnia and Herzegovina. The band also released it as the B side to their "Everything Must Go" single and included it on their 2003 album "Lipstick Traces (A Secret History of Manic Street Preachers)". In "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", the song is played as Butch (Paul Newman) rides a bicycle, pulling stunts to impress Etta (Katharine Ross).

From Quiz Doctors in Songs.

Answer: Jackson Browne

"Doctor, My Eyes" was a Top Ten single for Jackson Browne from his eponymous debut album, reaching Number Eight on the US Billboard chart. It would take ten years for Browne to see the Top Ten again with "Somebody's Baby". Clyde Jackson Browne was the son of a serviceman and was born in Germany. After relocating to California Browne began singing Folk songs in Los Angeles area venues such as The Troubador Club. After high school he became a member of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and the band recorded some of his compositions. He signed with Geffen Records in 1971 as a solo artist and released "Jackson Browne" in 1972, touring with Joni Mitchell and Linda Ronstadt to promote the LP. Several artists have recorded his compositions including the Eagles with "Take It Easy", co-written with Glenn Frey. Joe Simon released "Power of Love" in 1972. "I Saw the Light" was a hit from Todd Rundgren and Robert John released a version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" in 1972.

From Quiz If I Were a Carpenter

Answer: Rhinestone

"Rhinestone Cowboy" was recorded by Glen Campbell in 1975 and released on the album of the same name. It was originally written and recorded by Larry Weiss in 1974, but did not have the same success as Campbell's cover which topped the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles, US Billboard Hot 100, U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Track, Irish and Canadian charts. The most unusual cover version of this song was done by rock band Guns'N Roses in 2009.

From Quiz A Musical Salute to Labor Day

Answer: Oney

"Oney" was the second single from Cash's album "Any Old Way The Wind Blows". The song was written by famed producer and songwriter Jerry Chesnut. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1972.

From Quiz Cotton Fields And Steel Mills

Answer: Cotton Fields

"...In them old cotton fields back home It was down in Louisiana Just about a mile from Texarkana; In them old cotton fields back home." This verse of the song is, of course, a geographic impossibility, due to the fact that Texarkana, Texas/Arkansas is roughly 30 miles or so from the Louisiana border. Call it "poetic license". There is also some debate as to whether Huddie's name was actually Huddie (pronounced Hew-die) or Hudie. Another point of contention seems to involve the year in which he was born; either in 1888 or 1889. At any rate, he was the second child of Sallie Brown and Wesley Ledbetter. His older sister's name was Australia. Born in Louisiana's extreme northwest corner in Mooringsport, (a suburb of Shreveport), "Lead Belly" became a blues musician who had several scrapes with Louisiana and later, Texas law authorities. In fact, he served at least two terms in prison, and yet still managed to travel around the country, singing the blues, children's songs and folk style music. In 1949, Huddie Ledbetter had begun his first European tour in France, but fell ill and was never able to complete it; a few months later he succumbed to A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig's disease).

From Quiz Pop Songs with a Military Connection

Answer: Paper Lace

Despite topping the US charts in 1974 with "The Night Chicago Died" Paper Lace's release of "Billy Don't Be A Hero" failed to make the Top Forty in the US. It did top the charts in the UK. Cincinnati based Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods enjoyed their biggest chart success with "Billy Don't Be A Hero". The lyrics tell of a soldier who volunteers for a dangerous mission and ends up getting killed. While the song was associated with the Vietnam War it was written by Mitch Murray and Peter Callander to depict The US Civil War. The Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods version of "Billy Don't Be A Hero" didn't chart in the UK. The Brooklyn based B.T. Express released the Number Two "Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)" in 1974. "Happiness Is Just Around the Bend" and "Just Don't Want to Be Lonely" were 1974 Top Forty releases from Harlem, New York's The Main Ingredient. "Smokin' in the Boys' Room" by Michigan's Brownsville Station reached Number Three in the US.

From Quiz A Career In Music

Answer: Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton's cover version of "I Shot The Sheriff" can be found on his 1974 album "461 Ocean Boulevard". It was a number one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 and also got to number one in Canada and New Zealand.

From Quiz Sing Me a Job

Answer: James Taylor

"Handy Man" was originally recorded in 1959 by The Sparks of Rhythm, and then by Jimmy Jones, who had at one time been a member of that group. The version by Jimmy Jones rose to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960. In 1964 the song was covered by Del Shannon, and then by James Taylor in 1977. The version by James Taylor rose to number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Adult Contemporary Chart. James Taylor won a "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance" Grammy Award for "Handy Man".

From Quiz Teacher Feature - Educators in Song

Answer: "Leaning over me, he was trying to explain the laws of geometry"

A promotional video was made for the song - featuring Abba singer Agnetha as the schoolgirl, and Swedish actor Magnus Härenstam as the teacher - though it was never released as a single. I remember seeing the video as a kid and thinking it was the most romantic thing ever - boy was I disappointed when I got to high-school! Then again, Härenstam was the host of the Swedish version of "Jeopardy" for many years, and I did have a teacher who bore an uncanny resemblance to a young Alex Trebek... A notable cover-version of the song - if for no other reason than the title of the album it is on, "ExtrABBAganza!" - was released in 1997 by the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus.

From Quiz Clergymen in Song

Answer: Don't Be Cruel

"Don't Be Cruel" was recorded in the summer of 1956 at RCA's New York City studios. Elvis took 28 takes of the song and it was the final take that ended up as the single. He performed the song live on "The Ed Sullivan Show" two months later. Songwriter Otis Blackwell composed the song, but Elvis changed some of the lyrics and was credited as a co-writer on the release. Artists as diverse as Devo, Ringo and Neil Diamond have recorded versions of the song. "All Shook Up" and "Return to Sender" are other Otis Blackwell compositions that became successful Elvis hits. "Baby, Let's Play House" was written by Arthur Gunter and released by Elvis in 1955. "Love Me" was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and reached Number Seven for Presley in 1956. Winfield Scott and Otis Blackwell teamed up to write Elvis' 1962 hit, "Return to Sender".

From Quiz What's My Line?

Answer: boxer

"The Boxer" by Paul Simon..."In the clearing stands a BOXER and a fighter by his trade, and he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him 'til he cried out in his anger and his shame 'I am leaving, I am leaving', though the fighter still remains." From the Simon and Garfunkle album "Bridge Over Troubled Water" [Columbia; 1970].

From Quiz Songs Referencing Gamblers and Gambling

Answer: Dice

The lyrics relate that "Stagger Lee threw seven Billy swore that he threw eight Stagger Lee told Billy I can't let you go with that." Stagger Lee went on to return to the bar with a pistol and shoot Billy. The song had been recorded with different titles since Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians released it originally in 1923. Prior to WWII the song was called "Stack O'Lee". In 1950 "Stack-a-Lee" was released by John Leon Gross using the name Archibald. In 1958 Lloyd Price released a version crediting Lloyd Price and Harold Logan as composers that became a hit the following year. Louisiana native Lloyd Price first charted when he wrote and released "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" in 1952. Fats Domino played piano on the session. Price became known as "Mr. Personality" after his 1959 single "Personality" was released.

From Quiz Musical Cowboys

Answer: Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson

This track was originally recorded in 1975 by its co-writer Ed Bruce and was a minor hit for him, but it was Waylon and Willie that brought it to a larger audience when they took it to the top spot in both the American and Canadian country charts as well as winning a Grammy Award with it. The lyrics of the song advise that children shouldn't be allowed to become cowboys because of the rigours of the life, instead they should chose something easier like being a doctor or lawyer.

From Quiz Doctors in Songs.

Answer: Doctor Robert

The Lennon/McCartney composition "Doctor Robert" recorded by the Beatles was included on their seventh studio album, "Revolver", in 1966. Although the origin of Doctor Robert has remained a mystery some of the speculation included a mysterious doctor the group heard of while in New York, Bob Dylan, a character in the 1962 book "Island" named Dr. Robert MacPhail and that it was a nickname for John Lennon. The song was also included on the "Yesterday and Today" album. Blue Oyster Cult recorded "Dr. Music". "Dr Watson, I Presume" was by Elvis Costello and Great White recorded "Doctor Me".

From Quiz If I Were a Carpenter

Answer: Pope

"This Is Not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, the Establishment Blues" was recorded by Rodriguez for his album "Cold Fact" in 1970. Largely unknown in the US, the album was a great hit in South Africa and Australia achieving platinum status in both countries in 1998. "The Pope digs population, freedom from taxation Teeny Bops are up tight, drinking at a stoplight Miniskirt is flirting I can't stop so I'm hurting Spinster sells her hopeless chest."

From Quiz A Musical Salute to Labor Day

Answer: the coal mine

"Working In The Coal Mine" was written by legendary New Orleans songwriter Allen Toussaint. It was used as the theme song for the short-lived TV series "Working" which starred Fred Savage.

From Quiz Cotton Fields And Steel Mills

Answer: City Of New Orleans

"City Of New Orleans", a folk song written by Steve Goodman, was popularized by Arlo Guthrie, the son of American singer/songwriter Woody Guthrie. The opening lyrics to the song: "Riding on the City of New Orleans, Illinois Central - Monday morning rail; Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders, Three conductors and twenty-five sacks of mail. All along the southbound odyssey The train pulls out of Kankakee And rolls along past houses, farms and fields; Passin' trains that have no names, Freight yards full of old black men, And the graveyards of the rusted automobiles." This song is a tribute to the by-gone era of passenger trains, as it laments the passing of an iconic mode of travel around the nation. While there remains passenger service on the rails, it is not nearly so common as it once was, and the song reflects the author's regret at seeing it go by the wayside. The song has also been covered by Willie Nelson, John Denver, Johnny Cash, Judy Collins, Jerry Reed, Chet Atkins, Hank Snow, as well as other music artists. It was after Steve Goodman's death that he won a Grammy Award for "Best Country Song" in 1985. It was Willie Nelson's version that featured in that award.

From Quiz Pop Songs with a Military Connection

Answer: Staff Sergeant

Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler co-wrote "Ballad of the Green Berets" with Robin Moore while he was recovering from a leg wound sustained in the Vietnam War. Robin Moore was the author of the book "The Green Berets" that went on to become a 1968 film. "Ballad of the Green Berets" reached Number Two on the US Country charts. The song became extremely popular during an era when most songs on the pop charts were anti-war protest songs. Staff Sergeant Sadler dropped out of high school and enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 17. He later transferred to the Army, became a combat medic and was sent to Vietnam. After his injury he vowed to donate all proceeds of "The Ballad of the Green Berets" if he recovered, a promise he kept. Sadler was shot in the head while in a cab in Guatemala City in 1989 at the age of 49.

From Quiz A Career In Music

Answer: Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

"The Tears of a Clown" is from Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' 1967 album "Make It Happen". It was written by Stevie Wonder, Hank Cosby and Smokey Robinson. It got to number one on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and UK singles chart. It has been covered by artists such as Petula Clark, Phil Collins and La Toya Jackson.

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