I'm Dying To Be Heard Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bohemian Rhapsody

"Bohemian Rhapsody" made the English group Queen famous all over the world. The song consists of several separate but interlocking parts, and was written by Queen's lead singer, Freddie Mercury. It was rather unique in terms of being an unlikely hit single, as it is nearly six minutes in length. "Bohemian Rhapsody" was included on the album "A Night at the Opera".

Answer: Johnny 99

"Johnny 99" is from the album "Nebraska" (1982). This album was quite unique at the time as it featured Springsteen singing alone, with just his acoustic guitar to accompany him. All the incorrect choices are also songs by Bruce Springsteen, from different times in his career.

Answer: Cher

The death referred to by the singer is not a literal one, but rather, a psychological extinction. In the rather chilling last verse, she says: "He didn't even say goodbye, he didn't take the time to lie." The song was written by Sonny Bono, who was married to Cher at the time.

Answer: B.J. Thomas

When Billy went off to war, it is not specified which war it was; given the timing of the song's writing and release, it is usually assumed that B.J. Thomas was singing about the war in Vietnam. Although Billy and Sue had been childhood sweethearts, the blame for Billy's death is placed squarely on Sue's shoulders. "Back home, Sue was runnin' 'round." and later, "Billy tore the letter open and he read, 'Dear John'"". We are finally informed "He didn't die from a bullet but he died from a broken heart." Yet broken hearts have seldom resulted in any deaths.

Answer: Queen's manager at the time

Part of the lyric says: "Is your conscience alright, does it plague you at night, do you feel good, feel good," and again, "Dog with disease, you're the king of the sleaze". A particularly notable line says: "But now you can kiss my ass goodbye." That particular manager, and Queen, who believed he was ripping them off financially, parted ways around that time.

Answer: Folsom Prison Blues

Johnny Cash first recorded "Folsom Prison Blues" in 1956 for an album called "With His Hot and Blue Guitar." It gained much more fame when he performed it live at the actual Folsom Prison in California, in 1968. Johnny Cash, who was known for being a champion of oppressed people, was an advocate of prisoners' rights. The incorrect choices were also hits for this great American artist.

Answer: Stagger Lee

"Stagger Lee" was a smash hit for black idol Lloyd Price, who also is known for other songs such as "Personality" and "Take Time To Know Her." In the story, Stagger Lee shot Billy, because Billy accused him of cheating at dice. He went ahead with the killing, despite Billy's plea: "'Stagger Lee', cried Billy, 'Oh please don't take my life, I got three little children and a very sickly wife.'"

Answer: Bobby Darin

In 1728, John Gay, an English author, wrote a play called "The Beggars' Opera" that featured a highwayman called Macheath. Oddly enough, this character lived on into the twentieth century; there was a German musical (1928) called "The Threepenny Opera" with words by Bertolt Brecht and music by Kurt Weill, that became an international sensation. Bobby Darin's modern version mentioned Mack the Knife himself as being highly suspect in the murders of Louis Miller and two unknown murder victims. Nice.

Answer: Prisoner on the way to be executed

The movie "Dead Man Walking" is a thought-provoking look at the issue of capital punishment for convicted killers. It stars Susan Sarandon as a Roman Catholic nun, who agrees to act as spiritual adviser to a man on Death Row in a Louisiana prison. Sean Penn plays the part of the convicted murderer and rapist.

The song, which is heard as the credits appear, was not one of Bruce Springsteen's hit singles; however it acts as a bleak and sparse commentary on state-sanctioned killing.

Answer: He killed another man first

The singer in "El Paso" got jealous because the girl he took such a shine to, (named Felina) seemed more interested in another man. "One night a wild young cowboy came in, wild as the West Texas wind..." The men got in a gunslinging match, and "..In less than a heartbeat, the handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor." This song propelled the late Marty Robbins to the top of the country charts, and also became a huge crossover hit.