Boomers-The Formative Years (B-TFY) 2 Trivia Quiz | Music

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This song was from a 1950s musical. Ostensibly it was sung about Tuptim and Lun Tha. But could it have been about Tom and Anna? Yul only be able to make an informed decision on this if you guess the right song, look up its context in the musical and read Anna's autobiography. But back to the quiz, what is the song? "I know how it feels to have wings on your heels, And to fly down the street in a trance. You fly down a street on the chance that you meet, And you meet -- not really by chance."

Answer: Hello, Young Lovers

It was 1951. Alan Freed first used the phrase "rock n roll". "I Love Lucy" debuted on TV. President Truman fired General MacArthur. And this musical hit the Broadway stage.

The musical was "The King and I" by Rodgers and Hammerstein II which was based on Anna Leonowens', n�e Edwards, experiences in Siam in the 1800s.

Tom was Tom Leon Owens who later changed his name to Leonowens. Anna resisted the temptation to change her name to Anna Edwardsleonowens. Having a lengthy last name, I can understand why.

Tuptim and Lun Tha did not come to a good end. I hope they got to know each other before that. Perhaps kissed in a shadow. That would have been something wonderful.

"The Sound of Music" had some common overtones with "The King and I" namely lots of children. Given that the King of Siam had 82 children, they did not include all of them in the play nor the movie. (Different mothers.) Trivia fact, none of the King's children were named Kurt or Liesl. This statement was not fact checked.

Gertrude Lawrence, who was played by Julie Andrews in the movie "Star!" and Yul Brynner were in the Broadway show. Deborah Kerr starred in the movie of the musical along with Yul.

2. This song was written by Arthur Hamilton in 1953 and was a hit in 1955 for Julie London. Try to remember. Did you? Remember what? "Remember, I remember all that you said Told me love was too plebeian Told me you were through with me and Now you say you love me Well, just to prove you do"

Answer: Cry Me A River

It reached number nine on the US BillBoard (BB) chart. I have never disliked any song that contained "plebeian" in the lyric.

According to Wikipedia, this song was originally written for Ella Fitzgerald to sing in the movie "Pete Kelly's Blues" The lead in the movie was Jack Webb of "Dragnet" fame. He was married to Julie London. They were divorced and Julie then married Bobby Troup. Both starred in the TV show "Emergency!". Which was directed by--------> Jack Webb. One degree of separation.

Now Julie's birth name was Nancy Peck. I am wondering if she was any relation to Gregory Peck. I am researching.

A snippet of the song was used in "Repo Man".

An update on the Peck investigation will be addressed after my milk and cookies. It will be included either here or in the wrap up at the end of the quiz.

3. This song, "Goodnite Sweetheart, Goodnite", was written by Calvin Carter and James "Pookie" Hudson in 1953. It reached number five on the R&B Best Sellers Chart. Who sang it? "Goodnight sweetheart, well, it's time to go Goodnight sweetheart, well, it's time to go I hate to leave you but I really must say Goodnight sweetheart, goodnight"

Answer: The Spaniels

You guessed Bichon Frises? C'mon. Even guessing Dalmatians would be spotty.

Or was it "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight"?

It was used in a couple of movies of note, "American Graffiti" and "Three Men and a Baby". The latter starred Commissioner Reagan, Sam Malone and Cary Mahoney.

In "Graffiti" it is played as Curt is saying goodbye to everyone and about to leave on a jet plane.

Time to say goodnite.

4. This song was a hit for The Cadillacs in 1955. One line of the lyric is provided for assistance. This should be the only one you need if you're from that era. If not, you haven't a chance, so guess. So, do you feel lucky? "But my real name is Mr. Earl."

Answer: Speedoo

"Well now, they often call me Speedoo" is the lead in to the lyric line (Some sites suggest it is "Now they up and call me Speedoo")

Now as to the authors, it is not clear. Most sites seem to stay away from identifying who wrote it or assign writers with caveats. I decided to stay above the fray. Thanks to whoever it was. It struck a chord with me, liked the rhythm and the lyric.

The song reached number 17 on the US BB chart that year.

Paul Simon covered the song in his album "There Goes Rhymin' Simon" in 1973. He also wrote what I believe was a sequel to that song, "Baby Driver". Paul's version didn't make the charts but it awoke something in the brain, recalling the The Cadillacs' version and also images of floating eyes, a man with large scissors and a faceless man holding a deformed wheel. Both held me spellbound.

Drop an "o" and you can get wet.

I always thought it was "Speedin'".

5. This song was written by Louiguy in 1950, that is the melody. There were lyrics written by Mack David en anglais. The version I remember was an instrumental one by Perez Prado in 1955. Here is an excerpt from the French version of the lyrics.. Parlez vous francais? Quel est le nom? "Quand nous jouions � la marelle Cerisiers roses et pommiers blancs"

Answer: Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White

Perez Prado's version reached number one on the BB chart and was there for ten weeks! The song was the theme for the Jane Russell movie, "Underwater". How many of you have seen it? Raise your hands. I thought so, me neither.

Louiguy's real name was Familyguy but he had to change it when the animated sitcom became popular. Quel dommage. Actually his real name was Mr. Earl and he changed it. Oops, wrong song. His real name was Louis Guglielmo and he changed it to Louiguy. The Familyguy name was a joke.

Given the popularity of this song you might say this was the best song he wrote. Why would you say that? He also wrote the melody for "La Vie en Rose" which married up with Edith Piaf's lyrics which edged out "Cherry Pink" by 1 1/2 points in a head to head competition.

6. This was a 1959 song by The Coasters written by Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller. Put on your best round head and choose wisely. "Fe-fe, fi-fi, fo-fo fum I smell smoke in the auditorium"

Answer: Charlie Brown

This song reached number two on the US BB chart.

A little known fact is they would have made much more money if they didn't have to pay royalties to the author of "Jack and the Beanstalk". Maybe not a fact, but definitely little known unless this quiz gets a lot more plays the previous ones.

It's sad to hear that Charlie grew up to be a juvenile delinquent, I blame it on Lucy. And where was his father during his early years. Answer that Daddy-O.

7. Here is another instrumental. This one was written by Paul Desmond and recorded by The Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1959. So you'll get no lyrics in any language. But there was another related song written and performed by Michael Franks with the following lyrics. Does this help? "Life was good. It's hard to describe. How simple times Would then just being alive Was all the thrill we need And I still remember the day I heard..."

Answer: Take Five

The lyric I included came from transcribing the recording I have so the punctuation and phrasing may not be perfect but you get what you pay for.

Carmen McRae did record a version with lyrics which I had not heard before now. I like the Brubeck instrumental version more even though I love Carmen McRae.

The Brubeck Quartet released another version in 1961 which went to 25 on the BB Hot 100. Not bad for jazz.

The Franks song was a tribute to "Take Five" and its impact on music. He wrote good songs too for example "Popsicle Toes". Look for him in future questions.

I'll bet Maynard G. Krebs loved "Take Five".

8. Written and recorded by Sam Cooke in 1957 it made it to number one on the BB chart despite having to split the vote with Teresa Brewer who also recorded it. Did you come up with it? "At first I thought it was infatuation But wooh, it's lasted so long Now I find myself wanting To marry you and take you home"

Answer: You Send Me

Wooh. Good song. It made it to number 115 in Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Cooke had a smooth voice and great taste in music. Too bad he did not live longer. He wrote/performed a number of songs. One of the best, a B-side, was "A Change Is Gonna Come" which wasn't a big hit. That could be because of the times and not the song. It should have been a number one.

"You Send Me" was in the movie, "The Holiday" starring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz and Jude Law. It was sung by Aretha Franklin.

9. Here lies a song with a classical tie-in. It was written and performed by Chuck Berry in 1956. Do you know it? "You know, my temperature's risin' And the jukebox blows a fuse My heart's beatin' rhythm And my soul keeps on singin' the blues

Answer: Roll Over Beethoven

Tell me you didn't get this one wrong. Okay so it was just you two that did. Tsk, tsk.

It made it to 29 on the Billboard Pop chart and seven on the R&B chart. The Beatles hit 68 on the BB Chart in 1964 but don't tell Tchaikovsky. He gets jealous.

In 2003 it was chosen by Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry. And it was ranked number 97 in the Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

10. This song was written by Irving Berlin in 1942 but in my mind, the definitive version was recorded and released in 1954 and hit the BB R&B charts that year and the next two years. It also hit BB Top 100 singles chart at number 80. It got new life in 1990 when it was sung in the movie "Home Alone".

Answer: White Christmas

Okay, some hack by the name of Bing Crosby also had a hit with it but it didn't boast an animated version with singing reindeer.

Doo Wop meets Berlin and the winner: Everybody. The Drifters' version is so different from the Crosby one that even a traditionalist like me can appreciate it. This should be on everyone's playlist at Christmas. At least those celebrating Christmas. "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the waaay."

I plan on looking at the results for this question to see how many have been naughty.

Source: Author gfitz47

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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Boomers-The Formative Years (B-TFY) 2 Quiz

So it's the same drill as the first B-TFY, songs either written or recorded in the Boomer years, concentrating on the fifties and not restricted to a specific genre. So return with me now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. (yawn)

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