Performing Arts in Songs Trivia

1. This 1970 Chicago song is about the difficulties in songwriting, specifically staying awake through the night trying to write songs.

From Quiz Rock Songs About Being a Rock Star

Answer: 25 or 6 to 4

The numbers in the title are a reference to the time in the morning the writer was up trying to write: at 25 or 26 minutes before 4 am = 25 or 6 to 4.

From Quiz Let The Children Sing!

Answer: Pink Floyd

"Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)" was released as a single and reached number one in the UK. The single sold over four million copies throughout the world and was nominated for a Grammy award. The protest song, written by bassist Roger Waters, includes a children's choir and lyrics protesting corporal punishment, abuse and rigid rules. The children's choir were from the Islington School and did not receive any royalties for their part in the song. They received tickets to a concert, an album and a single. The school received some money but there was no contract with the children to pay them. They lodged a successful claim for royalties in 2004.

From Quiz The Singer Not The Song (part 5)

Answer: Ray Charles and Donny Hathaway

"He's tried to make me go to rehab I won't go, go, go I'd rather be at home with Ray I ain't got seventy days 'Cause there's nothing, there's nothing you can teach me That I can't learn from Mr. Hathaway" I gave you a wee bit of help in that Don Cornelius, although a bigwig in the music industry, was not a singer. Rather, he was was the television show host and producer who created the dance and music show "Soul Train." Ray Charles and Donny Hathaway were two of Amy's musical inspirations in soul music. The song won Song Of The Year, Female Pop Vocal Performance and Record Of The Year at the 2008 Grammy awards. Winehouse also won for Best New Artist, and the song's producer Mick Ronson won for producer of the year.

From Quiz The Singer Not The Song (part 4)

Answer: Madonna

The song is "Hey Soul Sister" and it's by the group Train. But the singer you had to name was Madonna: "Just in time, I'm so glad you have a one-track mind like me You gave my life direction, a game show love connection we can't deny I'm so obsessed, my heart is bound to beat right out of my untrimmed chest I believe in you, like a virgin, you're Madonna And I'm always gonna wanna blow your mind." The song was written by Train's frontman Pat Monahan. It was the first single released from the band's fifth album, "Save Me San Francisco" (2009).

From Quiz The Singer Not The Song (Part 3)

Answer: Aretha Franklin

"Hey Nineteen That's 'Retha Franklin She don't remember the Queen of Soul It's hard times befallen The sole survivors She thinks I'm crazy But I'm just growing old." The song is from the group's 1980 album "Gaucho". Steely Dan was known, even amongst other bands, as a group with excellent musicianship. It shows on their records, and they used many different studio expert musicians throughout their career. The top shelf percussionist Steve Gadd appears on this album. The first programmable drum machine sold to the public was called the LM-1 and it came out the same time as the "Gaucho" album. Maybe that's why some people thought Steely Dan used it on their album, that and the fact that Steely Dan has a cutting edge kind of reputation. But they had none of it. The drums - or drum-playing rather - on the album is all man-made.

From Quiz The Singer Not The Song (Part 2)

Answer: Hank Williams

The lyrics also mention the Grateful Dead: "Walkin' with the devil on a twisted road Listenin' to The Dead on the radio" And the lyrics also mention by inference Roy Orbison: "Singin' in the place where I first saw Roy Playin' that place gave me so much joy." The lyrics also give a nod to Bob Dylan, however no mention of him is specifically given, not even a nickname or just his first name: "First time I heard 'Like A Rolling Stone' I felt that magic and took it home."

From Quiz Singer In a Song

Answer: T. Rex

Originally meant for David Bowie's album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars", he offered the song to Mott the Hoople upon hearing of their impending break up. Bowie even went as far as to arrange studio time for the band, produce the song, play guitar and sing backing vocals. The song went to third place on the UK Singles charts, but was not as successful in the US, although it did break into the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. T. Rex, led by Marc Bolan, were an English glam rock band active from 1967 to 1977. From 1970 to 1977, the band managed twenty top fifty singles with four number one singles and ten top ten singles on the UK Singles chart. Some of these spectacular songs are "20th Century Boy", "Get It On" and "Children of the Revolution".

From Quiz More Bands and Artists Mentioned in Songs

Answer: ZZ Top

"I got some money and some wheels to drive old beat up guitars and old ZZ Top." The band ZZ Top (not the members, but the band itself) was over 40 years old when "North Side Gal" came out. They were best known for 1983 hit song "Legs." Joe McPherson started releasing albums in the 2010s. His style of music is similar to 1950s rockabilly artists. His first album "Sign and Signifiers" was released in 2010 and it debuted at 161 on the Billboard 200 chart.

From Quiz Bands and Musical Artists Mentioned in Songs

Answer: Buddy Holly

Buddy Holly was a a rock and roll musician who wore glasses. He became famous for hit songs like "Oh Boy" and "Peggy Sue." He died in a plane crash in 1959 at just 22 years old. His death was referred to as "The day the music died" in Don McLean's 1971 hit song "American Pie." Weezer released a hit song called "Buddy Holly" in 1994, in which lead singer Rivers Cuomo says that he looks like Buddy Holly. That was true. Cuomo's face was similar to Holly's and they both wore glasses.

From Quiz Pop Goes Classical

Answer: "A Whiter Shade of Pale" - Procol Harum

"We skipped the light fandango Turned cartwheels cross the floor..." "A Whiter Shade of Pale" was a hit in both the USA and the UK. It featured inspiration from J.S. Bach's "Suite No 3 in D Major", composed in about 1730 - as well as one of the most memorable Hammond organ pieces in popular music. "What does the song mean?", many people asked. Years later, Gary Brooker, who co-wrote the lyrics, admitted he did not have a clue either. Brooker and Keith Reid were initially credited as the writers, but several decades on Matthew Fisher was granted a co-writing credit for the organ parts in a ruling by an English court.

From Quiz Bands Singing About Other Bands

Answer: Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura formed in Glasgow in 1996 and released their debut album, 'Biggest Bluest Hi Fi', in 2001 which was produced by Belle & Sebastian frontman Stuart Murdoch. The album brought them to the attention of legendary DJ John Peel who consistently championed the band. Camera Obscura were soon asked to record a Peel session for his Radio 1 show and made regular appearances in John Peel's influential annual 'Festive Fifty' chart. The band are known for their lush 60s inspired indiepop sound and Campbell's beautiful and often melancholy lyrics. 'Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken' was taken from the band's third album, 2006's 'Let's Get Out of This Country', is one of Camera Obscura's most upbeat tracks and is a popular floor-filler at British indiepop club nights. The song is a response to 'Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken?', a song taken from Lloyd Cole and the Commotions excellent 1986 album 'Rattlesnakes', which is full of the band's trademark charm and wit.

From Quiz Classical Pop

Answer: Pet Shop Boys

The tune for the song was based on the 'Canon in D Major' by Johann Pachelbel, which has been plundered for several pop songs including 'All Together Now' by The Farm and 'When a Man Loves a Woman', sung by Percy Sledge in 1966. The Village People version reached only number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100, although it did rather better in the UK, managing number 15 on the UK Singles Chart. The Pet Shop Boys extended the song's introduction, which made the resemblance to the source material even more noticeable. It paid off for them, with the song becoming a hit around the world.

From Quiz Singing Like a "Rockstar"

Answer: Baseball

"I want a brand new house on an episode of cribs, and a bathroom I can play baseball in, and king size tub big enough for ten plus me." This song was from the 2005 album "All the Right Reasons". The single was first released in 2006, but was re-released in 2007 along with its music video. The spoken word lyrics between verses were by ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons.

From Quiz Choirs and Unique Backing Groups Featured in Pop

Answer: You Can't Always Get What You Want

"You Can't Always Get What You Want" was scheduled to be the "B" side to the "Honky Tonk Women" single from their 1969 "Let It Bleed" album. Jack Nitzsche managed to book the London Bach Choir for the session and arranged the choir production. Artists who also sang backing vocals on the recording included Doris Troy, Madeline Bell and Nanette Workman. Producer Jimmy Miller replaced Charlie Watts on drums for the session and Al Kooper played the distinct french horn part as well as piano and organ. "In Another Land" and "Dandelion" were 1967 recordings by the Stones. "Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)" was released in 1973 and featured Billy Preston on clavinet.

From Quiz Rock N' Roll Songs

Answer: Rock And Roll Music

'Rock And Roll Music' was written and originally performed by Chuck Berry. It was released as a single and included on his 1957 album 'One Dozen Berrys'. The Beatles recorded a cover of the song and released it on their 'Beatles '65' album (1964). The Beach Boys released their version on their 1976 album '15 Big Ones'.

From Quiz That's "Rock and Roll"

Answer: Rock and Roll Music

"Rock and Roll Music" is the title of the Chuck Berry penned tune that he made popular in 1957. The song reached number eight on the Billboard charts that year. Another act you may have heard of, The Beatles, released a cover of the song and it went to number one in several countries during late 1964. It was not released as a single in the U.S. or U.K., but appeared on the U.S. released album "Beatles 65". The Beach Boys also covered the tune in 1976, and got to a number five placing on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts. Going back to Berry's original, it made the Rolling Stone Magazine list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" at number 128.

From Quiz Songs About "Songs"

Answer: Simon and Garfunkel

Simon and Garfunkel recorded "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" in 1966 for the "Parsley Sage, Rosemary and Thyme" album and released the song in 1966. It was released as a B-side recording. The A-side was a song called "At The Zoo". The result was a number 16 placing on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts. The song was covered by a local California band named Harper's Bizarre in 1967 and the cover went to number 13 on the charts.

From Quiz Pop Music with Jazz Influence

Answer: I see trees of green

It was a hit in 1968.

From Quiz Musical Allusion

Answer: George Harrison

Clapton was secretly in love with Pattie Boyd who at the time was married to his friend George Harrison of the Beatles. So he wrote "Layla" for her. In 1977 Boyd divorced Harrison and in 1979 she married Clapton--with Harrison in attendance! However, the hunt was better than the kill, so to speak, and the Clapton/Boyd marriage ended in divorce in 1988.

From Quiz Band Names In Song Titles

Answer: Ray Charles

It's been at least 40 years since "Busted" was a hit, and Matt, Charlie and James only formed their band in the 2000's. It's doubtful the boys took this song title as inspiration for the bands name!

From Quiz Rock Songs About Being a Rock Star

Answer: Juke Box Hero

Mick Jones states that the song was inspired by a fan who stood waiting outside an arena for hours in the rain. Impressed, Jones decided to take him in and give him a glimpse of what happens backstage at a concert.

From Quiz Let The Children Sing!

Answer: We Belong

"We Belong" was released in 1984 as the lead single from her sixth studio album. The song was a departure from the usual hard rock type vocals and feel and did well for Benatar. It reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and also reached top ten in Australia, Germany, Switzerland and Netherlands. She received a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. While shooting the video for the song, she discovered she was pregnant with her first child. A children's choir, heard in the song, are included in the video.

From Quiz The Singer Not The Song (part 5)

Answer: Frank Zappa

"We all came out to Montreux On the Lake Geneva shoreline To make records with a mobile We didn't have much time Frank Zappa and the Mothers Were at the best place around But some stupid with a flare gun Burned the place to the ground." The story told in "Smoke on the Water" describes a fire that broke out in the Casino at Montreux, Switzerland on December 4, 1971. Deep Purple was supposed to record their "Machine Head" album there following a Frank Zappa concert. But during Zappa's concert, someone fired a flare gun at the ceiling, setting the place on fire. The Deep Purple band members watched the fire from a restaurant nearby, and observed afterward that a layer of smoke covered Lake Geneva, next to the casino. Bass player Roger Glover was inspired by the image and came up with the song title "Smoke On The Water," and then lead singer Ian Gillan wrote the lyrics.

From Quiz The Singer Not The Song (part 4)

Answer: Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra was the singer and fellow New Jerseyite that Bon Jovi referred to in their 2000 song "It's My Life": "Like Frankie said I did it my way I just want to live while I'm alive It's my life" It came from their album "Crush." This song "It's My Life" was the song Bon Jovi played at the "Concert For New York" to benefit victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. They also performed it at 2002 Winter Olympics closing ceremonies at Salt Lake City.

From Quiz The Singer Not The Song (Part 3)

Answer: Sam Cooke

"Well our hearts beat like thunder I don't know why they don't explode You got your hands in my back pockets And Sam Cooke's singin' on the radio." This is a great track from Mellencamp's 1980 album "Nothin' Matters And What If It Did." It was his fourth studio album and it was during the years he was going by the name John Cougar. His name would evolve to John Cougar Mellencamp from there and then simply John Mellencamp.

From Quiz The Singer Not The Song (Part 2)

Answer: Jimmy Buffett

Jimmy Buffett's "Escape to Margaritaville" opened in San Diego in 2018 and then on Broadway in February of 2018. It received tepid at best reviews and closed after 124 performances. The song "Mota" features him in this lyric: "I don't know if I'm understood Buy hearing Jimmy Buffett never sounded so good Your memory's gone and so is your life (your life)"

From Quiz The Singer Not the Song

Answer: Bobby Womack

"I can't sleep at night when you are on my mind Bobby Womack's on the radio singing to me If you think you're lonely now, wait until tonight Boy I'm feeling all out of my element Throwing things, crying, trying to figure out where the hell I went wrong The pain reflected in this song is not even half of what I'm feeling inside I need you, need you back in my life, baby (let's go)" The lyrics in "We Belong Together" borrow from Bobby Womack's 1981 song "If You Think You're Lonely Now" so he is even given songwriting credit on the song.

From Quiz Singer In a Song

Answer: The Seeker

The Who recorded and released "The Seeker" as a single in 1970. It reached nineteenth position on the UK Singles chart and forty-fourth position on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and was then included a year later on their 1971 album "Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy". Despite Pete Townshend, who wrote the lyrics, saying, "I suppose I like this least of all the stuff", it still is one of my favourite songs recorded by The Who.

From Quiz More Bands and Artists Mentioned in Songs

Answer: Johnny Cash

"Well, they'll take away my freedom and my expression or action. Johnny says I'll walk the line." Although you wouldn't know it from two artists' different musical styles, Social Distortion singer/songwriter Mike Ness was clearly a huge fan of Johnny Cash. This reference is just one piece of evidence of that. Johnny Cash songs that have been covered by Social Distortion include "Ring of Fire" and "Folsom Prison Blues"; the latter wasn't on an album at the time this quiz was made but they had done it at live shows.

From Quiz Bands and Musical Artists Mentioned in Songs

Answer: KISS

KISS were a band known as "shock rock." They did catchy hard rock songs and they wore make-up and had explosions onstage. They were known for their stage show and for hit songs like "Rock and Roll All Night" and "Beth." Jimmy Buffet's song "Manana" goes "Don't try to describe a KISS concert if you've never seen one." Weezer song "In The Garage" goes "My favorite rock group KISS" and mentioned guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss. In Marilyn Manson's song "Lunchbox," the title object had a picture of KISS on it. The Black Spiders have a song called "KISS Tried to Kill Me."

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Last Updated Dec 21 2024 5:50 AM

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