The Circus in Songs Trivia

1. Which John Prine song talks about a clown putting on his make-up upside down?

From Quiz Stop Clowning Around

Answer: Other Side of Town

Country and folk singer, John Prine released the album "Fair & Square" which included the song "Other Side of Town" in 2005. The album reached #55 on the US Billboard 200, #2 on the Billboard Top Independent albums and #55 on the Billboard Top Internet albums. Some of the lyrics include the following: "A clown puts his makeup on upside down So he wears a smile even when he wears a frown You might think I'm here when you put me down But actually I'm on the other side of town."

From Quiz Songs with carnival and circus theme titles

Answer: James Darren

The song reached number three. In addition to being a singer James was a student of acting coach Stella Adler and made his name in a series of teen flicks. He found it difficult to escape the teen-idol image he got in pictures like "Gidget" and "Gidget Goes Hawaiian". His film work tapered off in the 1960s, but he did much TV work and had two hit series, "The Time Tunnel" and "T.J. Hooker". Singers Fabian and Frankie Avalon were also teen genre movie actors. Dion had hits such as "Runaround Sue" and "Teenager in Love".

From Quiz Stop Clowning Around

Answer: Bob Dylan

"Like a Rolling Stone" (1965), by Bob Dylan, reached #2 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song gained worldwide popularity despite its length of over six minutes. On the Canadian RPM Singles Chart it reached #3, Dutch Singles Chart #9, German Singles Chart #13, Irish Singles Charts #9 and UK Singles Chart #4. "You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns When they all come down and did tricks for you You never understood that it ain't no good You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you"

From Quiz Songs with carnival and circus theme titles

Answer: Henry

Lennon related that he wrote the song after being inspired by a nineteenth century circus poster for Pablo Fanque's circus. He had purchased it in an antique shop in early 1967 while filming a promotional video for the song "Strawberry Fields Forever" in Kent, England. The song was banned from airplay on the BBC, supposedly because the phrase "Henry the Horse" combined two words that were known as slang for heroin. Lennon denied that the song had anything to do with heroin. The song is performed by The Bee Gees and George Burns in the 1978 film "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", and by Eddie Izzard in the 2007 film "Across the Universe".

From Quiz Stop Clowning Around

Answer: Mr. Tambourine Man

"Mr. Tambourine Man" was written and sung by Bob Dylan in 1965. The Byrds recorded this song, the same year, as their very first single. It reached #1, for The Byrds, on the Billboard Hot 100 and also the UK Singles Chart. "And if you hear vague traces of skippin' reels of rhyme To your tambourine in time, it's just a ragged clown behind, I wouldn't pay it any mind, it's just a shadow you're Seein' that he's chasing."

From Quiz Songs with carnival and circus theme titles

Answer: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

"The Tears of a Clown" was the first Motown record to hit number one in the UK. Following the British success of the single Motown released it on their Tamla label and it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Smokey had announced plans to leave the group, but on the heels of the song's success he stayed for two more years. The Temptations recorded hits such as "Just My Imagination", which was co-written by Smokey. They were supposed to record "Do You Love Me" but Berry Gordy had the Contours record the hit song. The Four Tops had such hits as "Bernadette" and "Reach Out (I'll Be There)".

From Quiz Stop Clowning Around

Answer: Clown

"Clown" was the 28th #1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs for Conway Twitty. The song was written by Wayne Carson, Brenda Barnett, Charlie Chalmers and Sandra Rhodes "Ah, but someday when it's over and we bring the big top down You can say it was one big circus and I was just the clown. And I'll do tricks for you, just like you want me to I'll do anything it takes just to hang around I'll paint a smile for you to cover up my frown 'Cause you love the circus, but you don't love the clown."

From Quiz Songs with carnival and circus theme titles

Answer: The Hollies

With the polished voices of Allan Clarke, Graham Nash and Tony Hicks, the Hollies locked their trademark harmonies into place and earned a reputation as more than just another beat group. They are known for other hits such as "Look Through Any Window" and "Bus Stop". The Searchers broke through with "Needles and Pins". The Dave Clark Five recorded several top twenty hits and starred in the movie "Catch Us if You Can". Despite having great harmonies Vanity Fare had only a few hits, such as "Hitching a Ride".

From Quiz Stop Clowning Around

Answer: Frank Sinatra and Judy Collins

"Send in the Clowns" has been recorded by such greats as Barbra Streisand, Shirley Bassey and Dame Judi Dench. Frank Sinatra recorded it in 1973 and Judy Collins recorded it in 1975. These artists made the song popular with their recordings. The 1973 musical "A Little Night Music" introduced this song by Stephen Sondheim. In the musical the characters of Desiree Armfeldt and Fredrik Egerman sang this number. "Isn't it bliss? Don't you approve? One who keeps tearing around, One who can't move Where are the clowns? Send in the clowns."

From Quiz Songs with carnival and circus theme titles

Answer: Freddy Cannon

A tribute to New Jersey's Palisades Amusement Park, "Palisades Park" is an up-tempo tune with a a distinctive organ part throughout the song. It also incorporates amusement park sound effects in the solo. It was first released by Swan Records as a B-side to the song "June, July and August". "Palisades Park" broke in Flint, Michigan, when a radio station played the B-side by mistake. Lou Christy had a unique falsetto voice and sang "Two Faces Have I" and "The Gypsy Cried" among other hits. Johnny Rivers is known for many hits as well as singing the theme to televisions's "Secret Agent Man" and Chubby Checker popularized "The Twist".

From Quiz Stop Clowning Around

Answer: Everly Brothers

"Cathy's Clown" was written and recorded by the Everly Brothers in 1960. This hit sold eight-million copies around the world and was on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for five weeks as #1. This song is #149 on the Rolling Stone magazine list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Don and Phil Everly had their fourth number one hit with this song. "Don't want your love anymore. Don't want your kisses, that's for sure. I die each time I hear this sound: "Here he comes. That's Cathy's clown."

From Quiz Songs with carnival and circus theme titles

Answer: Johnny Thunder

"Loop de Loop" is a popular amusement ride but the song is based on a children's song called "Looby Loo". This was the only hit for Johnny Thunder, a Floridian whose given name is Gil Hamilton. He was briefly a member of The Drifters but left following the success of "Loop de Loop". In a Rolling Stone interview Bob Dylan said "Johnny Thunder is the best live performer I've ever seen". Johnny Horton is known for ballads such as "North to Alaska" and "The Battle of New Orleans". "Johnny Angel" was actress Shelley Fabares' only number one song. Johnny Ace had a huge hit with "Pledging My Love".

From Quiz Stop Clowning Around

Answer: Everybody Loves a Clown

"Everybody Loves a Clown" (1965) was a #4 hit single for Gary Lewis and the Playboys on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Gary Lewis, the son of comedian Jerry Lewis, and the Playboys had seven top 10 hits with their first seven singles. The group appeared on the Ed Sullivan show five different times in the 1960s. "Everybody loves a clown, so why don't you? Everybody laughs at the things I say and do They all laugh when they see me comin' But you don't laugh, you just go home runnin' Everybody loves a clown, so why can't you? A clown has feelings, too"

From Quiz Songs with carnival and circus theme titles

Answer: Leon Russell

Leon Russell played on, produced, arranged and wrote some of rock 'n' roll's most important records. George Benson's cover of Leon's Grammy winning composition "This Masquerade" was the first song in music history to occupy the number one spot on jazz, pop and R&B charts. He has released four Gold Albums and performed with George Harrison at "The Concert for Bangladesh". Ray Charles did a version of Leon's "A Song For You" and BB King recorded his composition "Hummingbird". Joe Cocker had a signature hit with Leon's "Delta Lady".

From Quiz Stop Clowning Around

Answer: Moe Bandy

Marion Franklin Bandy, Jr., professionally known as Moe Bandy, was born in Meridian, Mississippi on February 12, 1944. His popularity, during the 1970s, brought him several hit songs both as solo artist as well as with his partner Joe Stampley. "Bandy the Rodeo Clown" reached #7 on the US Country Charts and #4 on the Canadian Country Charts. "Who was once a bull hooking son of a gun Now who keeps a pint hid out behind chute No1 Who was ridin' high till a pretty girl rode him to the ground Any kid knows where to find me I'm Bandy the rodeo clown."

From Quiz Songs with carnival and circus theme titles

Answer: Cathy's Clown

"Cathy's Clown" was first recorded in 1960 by The Everly Brothers. Their version peaked at number 1 in the U.S. charts in May of 1960. It is one of The Everly Brothers' biggest hit singles. It was covered by country music artist Reba McEntire on her album "Sweet Sixteen". Her version was also a hit, reaching number one on the Hot Country Songs chart in 1989.

From Quiz Stop Clowning Around

Answer: His Band and The Street Choir

"Virgo Clowns" appears on Van Morrison's album, "His Band and The Street Choir" (1970). This was the fourth solo album by Morrison. The album peaked at #18 on the UK Albums Chart, #32 on the US Billboard 200 and #48 on the Dutch Albums Chart. "Come on Sit down funny face Oh, let your laughter (yeah) Let your laughter fill the room" 10. Bobby Goldsboro, known for his hit "Honey" (1968) had a hit with a clown song. Do you know which song? See the Funny Little Clown The Way of a Clown Clown Shoes Death of a Clown "See the Funny Little Clown" (1963) was #9 on the US Billboard Top 100 Chart and #3 on the US Hot Adult Contemporary Chart. It appeared on "The Bobby Goldsboro Album" (1964) as well. Here are some of the lyrics from "Virgo Clowns": "See the funny little clown, He's hiding behind a smile. They all think he's laughing But I know he's really crying all the while"

From Quiz Songs with carnival and circus theme titles

Answer: The Ohio Players

The song was from their 1975 album "Honey". It was a hit, reaching the top of both the R&B and pop charts. It still sees wide airplay on classic funk and R&B stations. The song uses the roller coaster as a metaphor for the ups and downs of relationships. The Red Hot Chili Peppers covered "Love Rollercoaster" for the film "Beavis and Butt-head Do America". The Spinners first hit the charts in 1961 with "That's What Girls Are Made For". The O'Jays had their first hit with "Lonely Drifter" in 1963. "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" is a 1974 hit single by MFSB featuring vocals by The Three Degrees.

From Quiz Stop Clowning Around

Answer: See the Funny Little Clown

"See the Funny Little Clown" (1963) was #9 on the US Billboard Top 100 Chart and #3 on the US Hot Adult Contemporary Chart. It appeared on "The Bobby Goldsboro Album" (1964) as well. "See the funny little clown, He's hiding behind a smile. They all think he's laughing But I know he's really crying all the while"

From Quiz Songs with carnival and circus theme titles

Answer: Three Dog Night

"The Show Must Go On" was written by Leo Sayer. Sayer took the song to number two in Britain in 1973. It deals with a circus performer who must let the show go on despite his shortcomings. Three Dog Night is an American band best known for their hits such as "One", "Joy to the World" and many more. CCR released the LP "Bayou Country" in 1969. "Proud Mary" was culled from the LP and went to number two. Little River Band is an Australian band formed in 1975 named after a road sign. They scored 13 American Top 40 hits including "Reminiscing". Tucky Buzzard is notable for having Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones as their producer.

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