Magic in Song Trivia Quiz

Answer: Every Little Thing She Does is Magic

"Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" was slightly different than most songs from The Police, because it included a piano part. Most songs from the band had Sting on bass guitar and vocals, Andy Sumners on guitars, and Stewart Copeland on the drums. The piano part in this song was played by Jean Roussel.

The sound worked: the song charted at #1 in weekly singles in Canada and the U.K., and in the top ten in the U.S. and Australia.

Answer: Magic Man

"Magic Man" was Heart's first top ten single in the U.S. from their debut album, "Dreamboat Annie." The core of the group Heart was sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, wth a variety of other musicians joining for different albums. "Dreamboat Annie" contained not just the hit "Magic Man" abut also "Crazy On You." Ann Wilson indicated that the real Magic Man was her boyfriend, the the band manager, of whom her mother did not approve.

Answer: Love Potion No. 9

"Love Potion No. 9" was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, a song-writing duo responsible for over 70 hits, including "Stand By Me" performed by Ben. E. King and "Jailhouse Rock" performed by Elvis Presley. The Clovers are a doo-wop group that originated in Washington, D.C. "Love Potion No. 9" has been covered many times and served as the premise of a 1992 movie of the same name Sandra Bullock and Tate Donovan.

Answer: Black Magic Woman

"Black Magic Woman" was written by guitarist Peter Green, who was an early member of Fleetwood Mac. Santana's original version blends Green's song with another song, the instrumental "Gypsy Queen," by Hungarian guitarist Gábor Szabó. "Black Magic Woman" was a hit for Santana, who saw it reach number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in January, 1971.

Answer: Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John, born in England and raised in Australia, was making her way up the charts as a singer when she co-starred in the movie "Grease" with John Travolta and subsequently hit it big. Her version of "Hopelessly Devoted to You" from the movie was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song (1979).

Answer: The Lovin' Spoonful

The Lovin' Spoonful was formed in 1964 by John Sebastian, Zal Yanovsky, Jan Carl, and Joe Butler, though other musicians came and went as well. Sebastian wrote "Do You Believe in Magic" and the band released it as their first single in 1965. They inspired a handful of producers to create a television show based on their fun personalities and songs, but when publishing rights became an issue, the producers created "The Monkees" instead.

Answer: Superstition

"Superstition" was the lead single on Stevie Wonder's 1972 album "Talking Book", released by Motown Records. Its lyrics touch upon several superstitions:

"Very superstitious, writings on the wall,
Very superstitious, ladders bout' to fall,
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass,
Seven years of bad luck, the good things in your past."

A year after its release, Wonder performed this song on the children's program "Sesame Street." In 1986, Stevie Ray Vaughn recorded a live version.

Answer: You Can Do Magic

"You Can Do Magic" was written by Russ Ballard for America's 1982 album "View from the Ground." He has written songs for or performed with such musicians as Santana, ABBA, and Bad English. America was so pleased with the results of "You Can Do Magic" that the band invited Ballard to produce their next album.

Answer: Abracadabra

Steve Miller, who wrote "Abracadabra", has indicated that his American record company, Capitol Records, didn't believe the song would be a hit, so the band released it instead in Europe with Phonogram. It was only after it was a major hit in Europe that Capitol agreed to released it in the U.S., where it hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 (1982).

The band Sugar Ray recorded a cover version of "Abracadabra" in 1999.

Answer: Magical Mystery Tour

Both Paul McCartney and John Lennon are credited with writing "Magical Mystery Tour" but John indicated in 1972 that it was for the most part Paul's creation. Paul has said that the song provides a musical version of a drug trip. The record version included John's introduction in the style of carnival barker: "Roll up, roll up for the Magical Mystery Tour! Step right this way! Hurry, hurry, hurry!"