Classic Rock: Family Members In Song Quiz

Answer: Genesis

Wherever you are in the world "Mum", "Mom", "Ma" is an important part of the family. Genesis released the album "Mama" in 1983 which featured this title track. The song isn't actually about their mums, but I thought it a good introduction to the quiz.

Answer: Queen

Nobody said that family members have to be human. From the 1991 and last Queen album to be released in Freddy Mercury's lifetime, "Innuendo". "Delilah" tells of Freddie's favourite tortoiseshell cat. We all love our pets and they are very much a part of the family.

Answer: The Allman Brothers Band

Written in 1973 and released on the "Brothers And Sisters" album in 1973 "Jessica" is a stand out track. It was written by Dickie Betts to his daughter Jessica Betts. What a beautiful way for a dad to show his love.

Answer: The Who

Families often include a wife! John Entwistle the bass player with The Who wrote this song which featured on the 1971 "Who's Next" album. The singer is in fear of his wife after having been locked up for being drunk. Seems reasonable.

Answer: The Beatles

The Beatles sang this song to Julian Lennon, the son of the late John Lennon, in 1968. The song was actually written by Paul McCartney as a comforter for Julian whose parents were going through a divorce. It was originally penned as "Hey Jules". At seven minutes and eleven seconds long it's a marathon single but that didn't stop it going to number one around the world.

Answer: David Bowie

"Uncle Arthur" is an early, quirky David Bowie song appearing on the 1967 album "David Bowie". It tells of 32 year old Arthur who is single and lives with his mum. He meets a girl called Sally but it's not long before he's back home with mum.

Answer: Thin Lizzy

From the 1979 "Black Rose" album, Philip Lynott, with writing help from Gary Moore, introduces us to his new born daughter Sarah. She was named after Phil's grandmother who has a song dedicated to her on the "Shades Of A Blue Orphanage" LP also entitled "Sarah".

Answer: The Rolling Stones

Not really a family member but "sister" gets a mention. This is a Jagger/Richards composition with help from Maryanne Faithfull. It appeared on the "B" side of the Maryanne Faithfull 1969 single "Something Better" before showing on the 1971 Rolling Stones album "Sticky Fingers". I have a vinyl copy of the LP bought in Spain which is minus "Sister Morphine" and also sports a totally different cover design.

Answer: Eric Clapton

Although it had been performed earlier it wasn't until Eric Clapton's 1998 album "Pilgrim" was released that "My Father's Eyes" was available on disk. It is a song about how Eric wishes he had known the father he never met, who died in 1985.

Answer: Free

Let's wind up our visit to the family with "My Brother Jake". Free released the single in 1971; it also appeared as a bonus track on the 2002 reissue of the "Highway" album. Written by Paul Rodgers and Andy Fraser, it's my favourite Free song.