Lyrics! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Co-Co

Co-Co were the UK representatives in the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest, singing "Bad Old Days". They came eleventh. How much would a ship without a sea toss and turn? Why "tossed and turnin'" rather than "tossing and turning"? Perhaps songwriters Stephanie de Sykes and Stuart Slater could have told us?

Answer: The Killers

"All These Things That I've Done" was a single from The Killers' first album, "Hot Fuss" (2004). It didn't have the chart success the critical acclaim it received would have suggested. Other lyrics from Brandon Flowers in "All These Things That I've Done" include "don't you put me on the back burner", which I understand much more than "I got soul but I'm not a soldier".

Answer: Genesis

"Supper's Ready" was a 23 minute song by Genesis, that took up almost the whole of side 2 of their 1972 album "Foxtrot". The song was written by the five members of the group in a seven part quasi sonata form. It had critical acclaim, and is generally regarded as the high point of the group's output.

It was a firm favourite in concerts when Peter Gabriel, the lead singer, would don a red dress and fox mask to mimic the figure on the cover of the album. Gabriel's lyrics seem to have dated somewhat for some tastes - "There's Winston Churchill dressed in drag/ He used to be a British flag, plastic bag, what a drag", and "With the guards of Magog, swarming around / The Pied Piper takes his children underground", as well as "Mum diddley washing".

Answer: Yes

"Close to the Edge" was the 18-minute title song from the 1972 album by Yes, taking up the whole of side one. In four parts, it was co-written by vocalist Jon Anderson, and guitarist Steve Howe. The song was apparently inspired by Hermann Hesse's classic 1922 novel "Siddhartha". I loved this song as a teenager and still love it.

As a teenager I thought I would eventually understand the lyrics. Now I know I never will.

Answer: Co-Co

Co-Co's recording of "Bad Old Days" reached number 13 in the UK charts, a few weeks after they had performed it in the Eurovision Song Contest. It was the band's only hit single and they disbanded in 1980. Band member Cheryl Baker moved on to join Bucks Fizz shortly after that and went on to Eurovision immortality with "Making Your Mind Up" in 1981. Is it nice for someone to put their foot in your shoe?

Answer: Orange Juice

"I Can't Help Myself" was a single from the 1982 Orange Juice album, "Rip It Up". It was co-written by Edwyn Collins and David McClymont. The first verse is just so Orange Juice: "I always thought I could / Fall from a height / Land on my feet / Now I'm considering / Throwing in the towel / Admitting defeat / Just like the Four Tops /I can't help myself".

It references the 1965 classic Four Tops track, written by Holland-Dozier-Holland, "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)".

Answer: The Killers

"Human" was a single from The Killers' third studio album "Day & Age", and was written by the band. There was controversy about the line "Are we human or are we dancer?", with people mishearing the final word. Brandon Flowers apparently based it on a quote from Hunter S. Thompson that suggested that the US was raising a generation of conformist "dancers" who were afraid of putting a foot out of line.

Answer: Queen

"Don't Stop Me Now" was a 1978 worldwide hit single from Queen's album "Jazz" that was written by vocalist Freddie Mercury. It became one of Queen's most popular songs, celebrating the hedonistic and exciting lifestyle of the singer. As a teenaged science student I was appalled by the ridiculous lyrics, but, let's face it, it's a banger!

Answer: Scritti Politti

"Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)" was a 1984 single for Scritti Politti that was later on the album "Cupid and Psyche" (1985). It was written by singer Green Gartside. It references the Aretha Franklin classic song written by Bacharach and David, "I Say a Little Prayer" - "The moment I wake up / Before I put on my makeup / I say a little prayer for you."

Answer: New Order

"Crystal" was a 2001 single from New Order's album "Get Ready". It was written by the four members of the band. Not sure about this lyric - I bought some honey from Tesco the other day and I did it with money. The song was a comeback single for New Order, their first with a new song since 1993.

It was a critical and commercial success. The video for "Crystal" featured a band of cool youngsters miming to the song, with the name "The Killers", and that's where Brandon Flowers and his bandmates got their name.