A Musical S-Stravaganza Trivia Quiz

Answer: Stone

'Papa Was a Rollin' Stone' was originally performed by the Undisputed Truth, but the longer version by the Temptations is, perhaps, the better-known one. It was their final Number One hit, released in September 1972, and Otis Williams believed it to be the last classic the group recorded. Tension arose between songwriter Norman Whitfield and the group during recording, as Whitfield made Dennis Edwards re-record his vocals several times.

Answer: Spike

'Spike' was the first solo album released by Costello on Warner Brothers' label. Two tracks, 'Veronica' - about Costello's grandmother, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease - and 'Pads, Paws and Claws', were co-written with Paul McCartney, who also played bass on the album. Costello's then partner, Pogues bassist Cait O'Riordan, co-wrote 'Baby Plays Around', and Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders sang on 'Satellite'.

Answer: Slade

Slade were a glam rock band from Wolverhampton, known for their terrible spelling of song titles ('Mama Weer All Crazee Now', 'Cum On Feel the Noize'), Christmas single 'Merry Xmas Everybody', and singer Neville 'Noddy' Holder's massive sideburns and hats. Metal bands such as Kiss, Poison and Twisted Sister have cited them as an influence. Both Holder and guitarist Jim Lea, the band's main songwriters, left the band in 1992, and the remaining members - led by guitarist Dave Hill and singer Mal McNulty - carried on initially as Slade II, before shortening the name of the band to Slade.

Answer: Sonne

If you're a German speaker, you'll get this one! 'Sonne' is a single off Rammstein's third album 'Mutter', and the title is German for 'Son'. It was originally written as entrance music for the Ukrainian boxer Vitali Klitschko ('Klitschko' was its working title).

The video for the song is a parody of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves', with the band working in a mine. Rammstein's gigs have always been heavy on the pyrotechnics, and during 'Sonne', flames would shoot into the air.

Answer: Space

Tommy Scott and Franny Griffiths were Space's singer/principal songwriter and keyboard player respectively, and the only two members who remained in the line-up when the band reunited in 2011. Their debut album 'Spiders' went platinum, peaking at Number Six on the UK album chart, and their highest-charting single in the UK was 'The Ballad of Tom Jones' at Number Three, though their most well-known singles are arguably the 1996 singles 'Female of the Species' and 'Neighbourhood'.

The band split in 2005 and embarked on solo projects, but got back together following the death of original drummer Andy Parle, with a new drummer, bassist and second keyboardist. Guitarist and second vocalist Jamie Murphy was present for the 2011 reunion, but left a year later.

Answer: Score

Before Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean embarked on their solo careers, they were members of the Fugees, along with Pras Michel. They released their debut album 'Blunted on Reality' in 1994 and 'The Score' two years later, with their cover of Roberta Flack's 'Killing Me Softly' becoming an international Number One smash, along with follow-up 'Ready or Not'.

The album also won a Grammy for Best Rap Album in 1997. Hill, the only non-Haitian member, released her solo debut 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' in 1998. Jean's debut solo album, 'Wyclef Jean Presents the Carnival', came out in 1997, and Jean also worked with various other artists, including Tom Jones, Youssou N'Dour and Mary J Blige.

Answer: Sadie

'Sexy Sadie' is a track on 'The White Album', and was written by John Lennon while the band were staying on an ashram in India. It was written as a 'take that' to the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, an Indian guru who made advances on Mia Farrow, who was also staying at the ashram. Lennon was disgusted at the Maharishi's behaviour and wrote the song in response, scratching the lyrics into a piece of wood.

The song was originally going to be called 'Maharishi', but Lennon changed the title at George Harrison's request. An early outtake has Lennon singing 'Maharishi' and swearing a lot.

Answer: Snake

Snake River Conspiracy were an industrial rock band fronted by Tobey Torres. They were founded by producer Eric Valentine and Jason Slater, formerly of Third Eye Blind. Other members included Martina Axen, formerly of Swedish metal band Drain STH, and Orgy drummer Bobby Hewitt. Snake River Conspiracy's debut (and only) album 'Sonic Jihad' was released in 2000; as well as 'How Soon is Now?' it also features a cover of the Cure's 'Lovesong'.

Answer: Spare

'Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?' (also known as 'Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime?') was written by 'Yip' Harburg and Joay Gorney during the Great Depression, and was part of the 1932 revue 'Americana'. The melody was based on a Russian lullaby that Gorney's mother used to sing to him. Republicans tried to ban the song, viewing it as anti-capitalist propaganda.

As well as George Michael, Bing Crosby and Rudy Vallee also sang it; Crosby's version was released before Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected as President, and was a bestselling record. Michael's version appeared on his 1999 covers album 'Songs from the Last Century'.

Answer: Suede

'Suede' was a track on Amos' fifth album 'To Venus and Back'. Suede were also a British band fronted by the nasal-voiced Brett Anderson, whose singles included 'Animal Nitrate', 'Trash' and 'Saturday Night'. They were formed in 1989, and an early line-up included Anderson's former girlfriend Justine Frischmann, who went on to front Elastica. Guitarist Bernard Butler left in 1994 after falling out with Anderson, and embarked on a solo career.

The band split in 2003, but got back together in 2010, playing a few gigs before touring and working on new material.