Crash and Burn Trivia Quiz

Answer: Oedipus

American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow included this song which she wrote, as the final track on her third studio album "The Globe Sessions" (1998).

Eteocles, Polynices and Ismene were Antigone's siblings; their parents were Oedipus (King of Thebes) and his mother, Jocasta. After the death of Oedipus, Eteocles and Polynices took turns ruling Thebes until a battle between the brothers saw them both killed.

Antigone wanted to bury her brother, Polynices, but the new King Creon would not permit this because he considered him a traitor. Antigone ignored his wishes and was arrested and incarcerated in a tomb. When Creon went to release Antigone, he found her hanged.

Haemon and Queen Eurydice, Creon's son and wife respectively, also killed themselves upon learning of Antigone's fate. Haemon had had been in love with Antigone.

When someone crashes and burns, the effects can be widespread.

Answer: Icarus died

Nadia Ali is a Libyan-born American singer-songwriter. "Crash and Burn" was a single she wrote from her debut solo album "Embers" (2009).

Daedalus was an artisan and he built the Labyrinth for King Minos of Crete where the Minotaur was housed. After Theseus killed the half-man half-bull creature, Minos imprisoned Daedalus on Crete, wrongly holding him responsible for the beast's fate.

Daedalus constructed wings for himself and Icarus, with feathers glued to wood using wax. The duo learned to fly, but knew that if they went too high, the sun would melt the wax; too low and the feathers would be soaked by sea water.

Icarus forgot about the danger and flew too high. The wax melted and he drowned after falling into the sea. Daedalus was able to make his way to Sicily where he joined the court of King Cocalus.

Sometimes, it is necessary to take risks but a "crash and burn" can result.

Answer: A contradiction between opposite ideas

The word "paradox" dates from the 16th century and has roots in French ("paradoxe"), Latin ("paradoxum") and Greek ("paradoxun"). Today it means something that seems self-contradictory yet is true.

Written by Jesse Frasure and Chris Stapleton, American country music singer Thomas Rhett released "Crash and Burn" from his second studio album "Tangled Up" (2015).

"I think love is overrated
But I don't like throwing it away
I know you could probably tell me
Right where I went wrong"

Human relationships are complex. One of this song's messages is that even though someone may have crashed and burned, it is important to learn from this experience.

Answer: Savage Garden

Australian pop duo Savage Garden formed in Logan City (South Brisbane) in 1994, producing two albums before disbanding in 2001. They released "Crash and Burn" as the third single from their second studio album, "Affirmation" (1999). The song was written by band members Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones.

The video of this song features Hayes using Auslan at the end for the song's final lyrics. Auslan is the Australian Deaf Community's majority sign language.

According to the song, it's okay to crash and burn when times are tough in order to get through the heartache and pain. In a crash and burn, it's also important to realise that "we are not alone" and others will help--if we let them.

Answer: Columbia Shuttle disaster

"You Said No" was part of Busted's eponymous debut album (2003). Busted first recorded "Crash and Burn" but the February 2003 Colombia Shuttle disaster caused them to rename and rework the song. Band members considered the title inappropriate and likely to cause offense. ["Busted boys gossip about fans and fame". Newsround. CBBC. 23 April 2003.]

February 1, 2003: the Space Shuttle "Colombia" disintegrated on re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere, killing all seven crew members. On February 19, 2003, an Iranian Ilyushin Il-76 military transport crashed with the deaths of 275 passengers and crew. The next day February 20, 2003, "The Station" nightclub in West Warwick, RI, USA caught fire, killing 100 people and injuring more than 200 others. In July and August of 2003, the European heat wave saw the highest temperatures on record since the 16th century; estimates put the death toll at 50,000-70,000 persons.

Busted's song was written by band members James Bourne and Charlie Simpson. It tells the story of a guy rejected by a girl at a disco and explores his feelings of humilitation:

"I asked you to dance at the disco
But you said no!
The whole world was watching and laughing
On the day that I crashed and burned
At your feet."

Although relationships are ripe with opportunities for crashing and burning, sometimes these pale in comparison to historical disasters.

Answer: Canada

Simple Plan formed in Montreal, Quebec in 1999. They were regular performers at the Vans Warped Tour and also played at the 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremony in Vancouver. Their version of "Crash and Burn" appeared on the "Vans Warped Tour (2004 Tour Compilation Album)".

"Do you remember the days
Way back when we used to say
Nothing can change us, no one will stop us
I'll never be like you
I'll watch you crash and burn
(You're never wrong and you keep moving on)"

Just how do you support a friend whose risky behaviours suggest that they're on a path to destruction and might lead to them crashing and burning? There are no easy answers, for often the first step is for someone to admit that they have a problem.

Answer: To eliminate the possibility of return or retreat

The Bangles formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981 and are well-known for their 1986 hit songs "Manic Monday" and "Walk Like an Egyptian". Their third studio album "Everything" (1988) included "Crash and Burn" written by Rachel Sweet and band member Vicki Peterson.

Burning bridges is about making decisions that cannot be changed. Another example of "burning one's bridges" is to behave unpleasantly in a situation one is leaving, to ensure that one will not be asked to return. Crashing and burning is one thing, but burning bridges as well is somewhat akin to throwing gasoline onto a fire. Destroying lifelines or connections that might be important in the future is sheer folly.

Answer: Jan Leyers

Jan Anna August Leyers was born in Wilrijk in the province of Antwerp, Belgium. As well as performing solo, he has also been a member of the Belgian group SoulSister.

Leyers wrote "Crash and Burn" and included it on his eponymous debut 2003 album. With lines such as "I think I'll need a map to get it right" and "It's obvious that I don't know just where to begin" the song emphasises the need for learning in relationships, despite the ever-present feeling that one might crash and burn.

Answer: Smoke & Mirrors

The answers are all titles of Lifehouse albums. This American rock band hails from Los Angeles, California. "Smoke and mirrors" is a magical technique used to make objects appear to float, using a hidden projector and a cloud of smoke.

"Crash and Burn" is found on the deluxe edition of "Smoke & Mirrors" (2010). This song was written by band member Jason Wade.

"You can only change the person you've become
I have to try and find a way
To leave it all behind
And if I fall and crash and burn
At least we both know that I tried"

In the midst of a crash and burn, it can be difficult to see beyond the present situation.

Answer: Swedish

Yngwie was born Lars Johan Yngve Lannerbäck in Stockholm, Sweden. His current surname is derived from his mother's maiden name, while his first name is an alteration of his third given name.

He is a guitarist, songwriter and bandleader. In 2009, Time Magazine rated him one of the top electric guitar players of all time. His seventh studio album "The Seventh Sign" (1994) includes "Crash and Burn" written by himself and Michael Vescara:

"My world's gone down in flames
But still I have no fear
You've lied
You told your tale
You tried
To make me fail
You took your best shot
Left me to rot
Through all this
I'll never crash and burn
Lesson learned"

A "crash and burn" incident while unpleasant at the time, is something to learn (and grow) from.