Big 500 Countdown, 2005 Version - Part 4 Quiz | Music

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What song made it all the way up to number 40 on the 2005 Countdown, despite not appearing on the 2004 list? "There's a feeling I get, When I look to the west, And my spirit is crying for leaving. In my thoughts I have seen, Rings of smoke through the trees, And the voices of those who stand looking. Ooh, it makes me wonder."

Answer: Stairway to Heaven

Although never officially released as a single, "Stairway to Heaven" was a huge hit for British group Led Zeppelin. The group took their name from a comment that Keith Moon (former drummer of The Who) made about "going over like a led zeppelin".
"Nights in White Satin", by the Moody Blues, was the only song from among these choices that made the 2004 list, registering at 281. It was down from that on this year's Countdown, at number 384. "Brandy", by Looking Glass, occupied spot number 163, and "Lean on Me", by Bill Withers, was number 190.

2. Not appearing in the 2004 list, what song squeaked into the number 500 spot in 2005? "Pulled out of San Pedro late one night, The moon and the stars was shinin' bright, We was drivin' up Grapevine Hill, Passing cars like they was standing still. All of a sudden in a wink of an eye, A Cadillac sedan passed us by, I said, boys, that's a mark for me, By then the tail light was all you could see."

Answer: Hot Rod Lincoln

"Hot Rod Lincoln" was written, and originally performed, by Charlie Ryan in the mid 50s. The song was a tribute to the Hot Rod that he'd made out of a Lincoln Zephyr. The car went on tour with him. It was resurrected in 1972 by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, as their biggest hit, peaking at number nine.
"Who'll Stop the Rain", by CCR, was number 31 on the 2005 countdown and "Vehicle", by the Ides of March was number 487. Neither of these songs was on the 2004 Countdown. "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet", by Bachman Turner Overdrive, was number 237 in 2005, down from 198 in 2004.

3. Also not appearing on the 2004 list, what song was number 169 in 2005? "Stayed in bed all morning just to pass the time. There's something wrong here, There can be no denying. One of us is changing, Or maybe we've just stopped trying."

Answer: It's Too Late

Carole King started selling her music when she was still a teenager. When she hooked up with Gerry Goffin, lyricist and eventual husband, they made a dynamic writing team, whose success was unparalleled until McCartney/Lennon came along. In '71 she surprised everyone by releasing one of the greatest selling albums of all time, "Tapestry". "It's Too Late" was a number one hit from that album, that also won the Grammy for Record of the Year. "Old Time Rock and Roll", by Bob Seeger, was number 86 in 2005, down from number eight in 2004. "Green Eyed Lady", by Sugarloaf, was 225 in 2005 and 182 in 2004, and "She's a Lady", by Tom Jones, occupied spots 491 and 411 respectively.

4. What song, not on the 2004 Countdown, squeaked onto the 2005 list at number 470? "Hey have you ever tried, Really reaching out for the other side? I may be climbing on rainbows, But, baby here goes. Dreams they're for those who sleep, Life is for us to keep, And if you're wondering What this song is leading to..."

Answer: Make It with You

Front man for the group Bread, David Gates both wrote and crooned the song "Make It with You". Known for their soft rock approach, Bread had a number of hits in the early seventies.
"I Think I Love You", by the Partridge Family, was number 492 in 2005, down from 332 on the 2004 Countdown. "Joy to the World", by Three Dog Night, was number 35 in 2005, up from 94 in 2004, and "Venus", by Shocking Blue, occupied spots numbered 370 and 293 respectively.

5. Down from number seven in 2004, what song was number 29 on the 2005 Countdown? "A long, long time ago, I can still remember, How that music made me smile. And I knew if I had my chance, That I could make those people dance, And, maybe, they'd be happy for a while."

Answer: American Pie

Don McLean's tribute to the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of rock legends, the Big Bopper, Buddy Holly and Richie Valens, has long been analyzed and dissected for meaning. Don McLean just smiles, and refuses to get drawn into any discussion to set the record straight.
"American Woman", by the Guess Who, was number 14 in 2005, up from number 26 on the 2004 Countdown. "Maggie May", by Rod Stewart, was number 20 in 2005, way up from 319 in 2004, and "My Sweet Lord", by George Harrison, which did not appear on the 2004 Countdown, made it to number 195 in 2005.

6. What song, up from 89 in 2004, was number 80 on the 2005 Countdown? "When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness, She is standing right in front of me, Speaking words of wisdom, let it be."

Answer: Let It Be

Recorded during the disastrous attempt to make a documentary music film, "Let It Be" was a huge hit even before Phil Spector got his hands on it and prettied it up. McCartney wrote the song as the result of a dream he'd had, during the time that the Beatles were having the difficulties that eventually resulted in the dissolution of the group.

In this dream Paul's deceased mother, Mary, came to him to tell him everything was going to be fine. Paul maintains that there was never any religious meaning to the song, as has often been surmised.

7. What song, not on the 2004 list, occupied position number 339 on the 2005 Countdown? "Well I keep on thinking 'bout you, Sister golden hair surprise. And I just can't live without you, Can't you see it in my eyes? I've been one poor correspondent, I've been too too hard to find. But it doesn't mean, You ain't been on my mind."

Answer: Sister Golden Hair

With their fathers all American military personnel stationed in England, Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek met while attending high school in London England. "Sister Golden Hair" was a number one hit for them, off of their fifth album, "Hearts".
"Takin' Care of Business", by BTO, was number 326 on the Countdown, down from 272 in 2004. "Love Grow", by Edison Lighthouse, was number 376 in 2005, despite not being on the 2004 Countdown. "Colour my World", by Chicago, was also not on the 2004 Countdown, but made number 185 in 2005.

8. What song, not on the 2004 Countdown, was number 429 in 2005? "You can stretch right up and touch the sky. When the weather's fine, You got women, you got women on your mind. Have a drink, have a drive, Go out and see what you can find."

Answer: In the Summertime

"In the Summertime" was the first, and biggest, hit for Mungo Jerry, released around the time of their first public appearance at a rock festival in Newcastle under Lyme. It hit number one on the charts in the UK, but only made it to the number two spot in the US.
"Where Evil Grows", by the Poppy Family, was number 405 on the 2005 Countdown, way down from number 146 in 2004. Neither "Day After Day", by Badfinger, or "Band of Gold" by Freda Payne, made it to the 2004 list, but they occupied spots numbered 414 and 418 on the 2005 Countdown.

9. What song was number 364 on the 2005 Countdown, although not present on the 2004 list? "What'll you do when you get lonely, And nobody's waiting by your side? You've been running and hiding much too long. You know it's just your foolish pride."

Answer: Layla

Fronted by guitar god Eric Clapton, the musicians for Derek and the Dominoes (including Duanne Allman) were brought together for one album, "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs". The song "Layla" is believed to be Clapton's love song to Patti Harrison, who was married to George Harrison at the time.
"Your Song", by Elton John, was number 440 in 2005, down from 311 in 2004. "Venus", by Shocking Blue, was number 370 in 2005 and 293 in 2004. Not on the 2004 list, "Tighter, Tighter", by Alive and Kicking, was number 423 in 2005.

10. What song, up from 498 in 2004, was number 407 in 2005? "When I think back on all the crap, I learned in high school. It's a wonder, I can think at all. And though my lack of education, Hasn't hurt me none. I can read the writing on the wall."

Answer: Kodachrome

Because "Kodachrome" was also a registered trademark name, belonging to a Kodak film, it was not allowed to be played on the radio in the UK. So even though it was a huge hit for Paul Simon, from his album "There Goes Rhymin' Simon" (peaking at number two on the US charts), it did not chart at all in the UK.
"Imagine", by John Lennon, was number 43, up from number 62 in 2004. "Brown Sugar", by the Rolling Stones was 130 in 2005 and 43 in 2004, and "Long Cool Woman" by the Hollies, occupied spots numbered 175 and 211, respectively.

Source: Author skunkee

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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Big 500 Countdown, 2005 Version - Part 4 Quiz

My local radio station, Oldies 1150 (CKOC Hamilton), has published this year's version of the Big 500 Countdown, compiled from listeners' votes. Can you guess the names of these songs, released in the '70s, that made the list?

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