Female Names in Song Titles: Part I Quiz

Answer: Janis Joplin

The song was written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster and was originally recorded by Roger Miller in 1969. It was also performed by Kris, himself, The Grateful Dead and Kenny Rogers. However, when recorded by Janis Joplin it reached number one on the US charts in March,1971 for two weeks. Janis Joplin (1943-1970) passed away before the song peaked at number one, being only the second time that a posthumously released song had reached number one.

The song is about two drifters and narrated by a man and his girlfriend named Bobby McGee.

Answer: Boston

"Amanda" was performed by the American rock band from Boston. Massachusetts, namely, Boston. The release of the song is unusual in that it was one of only a few singles from the 1980s that did not have a music video. The song reached number one for two weeks in November, 1986. The band, Boston, achieved their most notable success during the 1970s and 80s.

Answer: The Beatles

"Hey Jude" topped the US charts for nine weeks from September 28 to November 23, 1968. The song was written by Lennon-McCartney to comfort John Lennon's son, Julian, during his parents divorce. The song evolved from the original title" Hey Jules". It was the first song to be released from The Beatles own record label Apple Records.

Answer: Kim Carnes

The song was written in 1974 by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon. Jackie DeShannon recorded the song in 1974 but it was not until the release by Kim Carnes that it became a success. The song spent nine weeks at number one in the US in May-July, 1981. After the song was released and successful, Bette Davis (1908-1989) sent thank you letters to Carnes, Weiss and DeShannon as well as roses after their Grammy awards.

Answer: Frankie Avalon

Frankie Avalon is an American singer, actor and a former teen idol. "Venus" was Avalon's first number one hit and is a man's plea to Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty to send him a girl he could love. He also released a disco version of the song in 1976.

A song of the same name,"Venus",released by the Dutch rock band Shocking Blue also reached number one in the US in February, 1970.

Answer: Starship

Starship was an American rock band formed in 1984. The song was sung by Mickey Thomas and written by Peter and Ina Wolf. The song was named after Mickey's wife at the time, Sara (née Kendrick). The song reached number one in the US for one week in March 1986.

Answer: The Knack

The Knack were an American rock band based in Los Angeles and it was their first hit single of "My Sharona" that gave them international fame in 1979. The groups lead singer and guitarist was Doug Fieger and he fell in love with a girl named Sharona Alperin. Fieger and another member of the group Berton Averre claim they wrote the song in 15 minutes. "My Sharona" spent six weeks at the top of the US charts in August-September, 1979.

Answer: Michael Jackson

"Billie Jean" was written and performed by Michael Jackson and produced with Quincy Jones. The song is based on the girl groupies that he and his brothers met while members of the Jackson 5. The song peaked at number one on the USs Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks in March-April, 1983.

Answer: Dion

"Runaround Sue" is a pop song by Dion (Dion Frances DiMucci) a singer and songwriter. The song peaked at number one on the US charts for two weeks in October 1961. The song was written by Dion and Ernie Maresca and is about a girl named Sue, who was completely unfaithful to man who loved her.

Answer: John Denver

John Denver (1943-1997) wrote the song as an ode to his wife at the time, Annie Martell Denver. The song reached number one in the US for two weeks in July-August, 1974. The song has been released and translated into Finnish and Czech. Glen Campbell also recorded a version of the song in 1995.