I Love You, a Bushel and a Peck Quiz

Answer: The Trolley Song

Judy Garland sang "The Trolley Song" in the movie "Meet Me in St. Louis," released in 1944 but set in 1904, when trolleys were still a new and exciting mode of transportation. The same movie also introduced the classic song, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." "The Trolley Song" was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, and they were nominated for an Academy Award in 1945 in the Best Original Song category.

Answer: A dry measure equal to 9.3 gallons (one bushel) plus a quarter of a bushel (a peck)

Besides being a quarter of a bushel, "peck" has an appropriate double meaning of a kiss. The song, written by Frank Loesser, debuted in the Broadway musical "Guys and Dolls" in 1950 and was an instant hit. It was recorded by many artists, including Doris Day, Perry Como and Betty Hutton, and Margaret Whiting and Jimmy Wakely, whose versions were all released in 1950.

Answer: Hello My Baby

Now thought of as an innocent song from when the telephone was a novelty, "Hello My Baby" (or "Hello Ma Baby") started out in the 1899 tradition of "coon songs," making fun of African-Americans. The gentle humor of a man with a girlfriend he never sees and only talks to on the phone, could apply to anyone, and only one word needed changed in the lyrics, "coon" to "man", to make the song inoffensive, so the song has now become enjoyable for everyone.

The chorus in particular has become well known as one of the songs Michigan J. Frog sings in the 1955 Warner Brothers cartoon "One Froggy Evening."

Answer: Steam Heat

"Steam Heat" debuted in the Broadway musical "The Pajama Game," choreographed by Bob Fosse, and it was a show-stopper. Since then, other performers have recorded it or included it in their performances with varying degrees of success. Shirley MacLaine often performed it in her nightclub act.

Answer: Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby

"Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby" was co-written by Louis Jordan and Billy Austin, and released as a single in 1944. It did well in the folk/country, pop, and Rhythm and Blues charts, reaching first, second and third respectively. Dozens of singers have recorded it since, but many people remember it from reruns of a 1946 episode of Tom and Jerry, "Solid Serenade", where Ira Wood sang it in the cartoon.

Answer: Aba Daba Honeymoon

"Aba Daba Honeymoon" comes from 1914, when Arthur Fields and Walter Donovan wrote and published it, but another generation loved it when it was performed in "Two Weeks with Love,' a 1950 movie. Debbie Reynolds and Carlton Carpenter released their version from the movie as a single, which reached number three on the Billboard charts. Laverne and Shirley performed it in monkey costumes on roller skates in the 1978 season of that show.

Answer: If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a Cake

Eileen Barton is the best known singer of "If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a Cake." The song reached number one on the Billboard chart in 1950. It was written by Al Hoffman, Bob Merrill and Clem Watts. Many performers and shows have kept the song popular. Bob Hope and Bing Crosby sang it as a duet, and shows as diverse as "M*A*S*H" and "Sesame Street" have featured it in episodes.

Answer: Buttons and Bows

"Buttons and Bows" won an Academy Award for Best Original Song, after it was written for and performed in the 1947 movie "Paleface." The most well-known version was recorded by Dinah Shore that same year, and it reached number one on the Billboard chart the following year. Jay Livingston wrote the music and Ray Evans wrote the words.

Answer: How Much Is That Doggy in the Window

The most famous version of this song was recorded by Patti Page in 1952 and released in 1953. It reached number one on the Billboard chart and sold over two million copies. Lita Roza had similar success with her recording of it in the UK, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart. The barks at the end of some lines have made it a favorite with children who can contribute the sound effects.

The song sounded okay in the 1950s, but people began to realize that animals offered for sale in pet store windows probably came from unhealthy, inhumane puppy mills. In 2009, Patti Page recorded a version with words that encourage adoption from shelters. She gave the rights to that song to the US Humane Society and spoke out against puppy mills. Though Lita Roza in the UK simply disliked the song and never sang it again, she left 190,000 pounds to animal charities upon her death in 2008.

Answer: Tiptoe Through the Tulips

"Tiptoe Through the Tulips" was first published as a serious love song in 1929 written by Al Dubin and Joe Burke. It hit the top of the charts for a while. Looney Toons used it in 1930 in their first cartoon ever, starting its association with comedy.

When the original interest had long faded, Tiny Tim recorded it in 1968, reaching number 17 on the charts, and it quickly became his signature song. His falsetto voice and ukelele accompaniment made the song into a novelty, and since then, it's been difficult to imagine "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" as a serious love song anymore.