Famous Last Words - 1960s Edition Quiz

Answer: Positively 4th Street

"Positively 4th Street", which was written and recorded by Bob Dylan, is very similar in tone to his previous hit "Like a Rolling Stone", where it appears obvious that Dylan is lashing out at someone or something. While most of the so-called experts think the song is aimed at the folk community, who turned their backs on him once he went electric, no one knows for sure, and Dylan has never said. "Positively 4th Street" was Dylan's second consecutive top ten hit, peaking at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965.

Answer: Unchained Melody

Unchained Melody" was written by Alex North and Hy Zaret, and was initially used as the theme for the 1955 prison film entitled "Unchained", which explains the songs title. Three separate versions of the song were recorded in 1955 by Les Baxter, Roy Hamilton and Al Hibbler, with all three reaching the top ten on the Billboard pop chart. Probably the best-known version was recorded by the Righteous Brothers in 1965, and even though it was initially released as a B-side, it still managed to reach number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: For What It's Worth

"For What It's Worth" was Buffalo Springfield's highest charting single, reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. It was written by band member Stephen Stills and describes events that transpired during the Sunset Strip curfew riots in 1966.

In November of that year, residents and business owners around the Sunset Strip were becoming angry due to growing crowds of young people going to the clubs in the area, leading to an increase in noise and traffic congestion. In an effort to curb the activity, the city of Los Angeles imposed a 10:00 p.m. curfew, which was seen by many as an infringement of their civil rights.

A peaceful demonstration was planned for November 12, but after police arrived and ordered the crowd to disperse, some protesters refused and it eventually turned violent.

The resulting riot inspired Still's to write "For What It's Worth", which is considered to be one of the foremost protest songs from the 1960s.

Answer: Eleanor Rigby

"Eleanor Rigby" was included on The Beatles' seventh studio album "Revolver", and was released as a double A-side single along with "Yellow Submarine" in 1966. The single did okay in the U.S., peaking at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, but fared much better in the United Kingdom, spending four weeks at the top of the U.K. Singles Chart.

The instrumentation in the song was performed entirely by an eight piece string section, with Paul McCartney singing lead and John Lennon and George Harrison providing backing vocals.

In the 1980s a tombstone was discovered at St Peter's Parish Church in Woolton, Liverpool with the name Eleanor Rigby inscribed on it, but McCartney has stated that the name was made up and not based on an actual person.

Answer: The House of the Rising Sun

"The House of the Rising Sun" is a traditional folk song, which is believed to have been around since at least the early part of the 20th century. The earliest known recording of the song was by American country singers Clarence Ashley and Gwen Foster in 1933.

The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Woody Guthrie, Andy Griffith and Bob Dylan, but the most popular version was recorded by The Animals in 1964, which spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and also topped the U.K. Singles Chart. American rock band Frijid Pink also released a version of the song, and it became their biggest hit, peaking at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970.

Answer: Ruby Tuesday

"Ruby Tuesday" was The Rolling Stones' fourth number one, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in March of 1967. The song was from The Stones' "Between the Buttons" LP, and was released as the B-side to the album's lead single "Let's Spend the Night Together". Due to the suggestive lyrics of "Let's Spend the Night Together", many radio stations opted to play "Ruby Tuesday" instead, making it the hit. Due to the lack of airplay, the A-side suffered, and stalled at number 55.

Answer: Piece of My Heart

"Piece of My Heart" was originally recorded in 1967 by Aretha Franklin's older sister Erma Franklin. It became a moderate hit for the singer, reaching number nine on the Billboard R&B chart, but stalling at number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100. A year later Big Brother and the Holding Company, featuring Janis Joplin on lead vocals, recorded a version of the song, and it became the band's biggest hit, reaching number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968. "Piece of My Heart" has been covered many times since 1967, including a version by Faith Hill, which topped the Billboard Country chart in 1994.

Answer: If I Had a Hammer

"If I Had a Hammer" was written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hayes in 1949, and was recorded and released as a 78 rpm single by their band The Weavers in 1950. In the early part of the 1960s the song was revived, and became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement. Two of the best-known covers of the song come from this time period, and both were top ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Peter, Paul and Mary reached number ten with their version in 1962, and Trini Lopez released a live recording of the tune in 1963, which peaked at number three.

Answer: White Room

"White Room" was one of only a handful of singles that Cream would release in their existence, but it was one of their most successful, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100 in November of 1968. The music was composed by band member Jack Bruce, with lyrics by English poet Pete Brown, who also wrote the lyrics for the band's only other top ten hit "Sunshine of Your Love". Cream formed in 1966 and consisted of Eric Clapton on lead guitar, Bruce on bass guitar and Ginger Baker on drums. Although the band was very successful, ongoing tension between the three musicians led to the groups break up in late 1968.

Answer: Kicks

Written by the extraordinary songwriting team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, "Kicks" was Paul Revere & the Raiders' first U.S. top ten single. The song's anti-drug message was considered to be somewhat outdated at a time when recordings such as The Byrds' "Eight Miles High" and The Association's "Along Comes Mary", were depicting drug use in a more positive light.

It didn't seem to matter though, since "Kicks" went on to become the Raiders' biggest hit to date, spending 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966, peaking at number four.