Music Is My Only Friend Trivia Quiz

Answer: Eleanor Rigby

Released in August 1966 both as a single and as part of "Revolver", The Beatles' seventh studio album, "Eleanor Rigby" was groundbreaking in a number of ways, and paved the way for the development of art rock. Its double string quartet arrangement went beyond what at the time was considered conventional for a pop song, as did its poignant lyrics that describe the utter loneliness of two people, Eleanor Rigby and Father McKenzie, the priest who celebrates her funeral. In the 1980s, a headstone bearing the name "Eleanor Rigby" was discovered in the cemetery of St Peter's Parish Church, in the Liverpool suburb of Woolton, where John Lennon and Paul McCartney used to spend time together as teenagers.

"Dear Prudence" and "Martha My Dear" appear on The Beatles' self-titled 1968 album (known as "The White Album"), while "Lady Madonna" was released as a single, also in 1968.

Answer: The Wall

"The Wall", Pink Floyd's eleventh studio album, was released as a double LP on November 30, 1979. Mostly written by bassist Roger Waters, and conceived as a rock opera, it tells the story of Pink, a character modeled after Waters himself and Pink Floyd's founding member Syd Barrett. The death of Pink's father during WWII reflects Waters' real life story, while the titular "wall" represents Pink's isolation from human contact. The album was the last to feature the classic Pink Floyd lineup of Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright. In 1982 the album was adapted into a film, directed by Alan Parker and starring Bob Geldof as Pink. In 1990 a production of "The Wall" was staged for charity in Berlin, on a site that had been previously occupied by part of the notorious Berlin Wall.

"A Saucerful of Secrets" was released in 1968, "Wish You Were Here" in 1975, and "The Division Bell" in 1994.

Answer: The Police

Written by bassist/vocalist Sting (who would later go on to become a highly successful solo artist), "Message in a Bottle" was the lead single from the band's second studio album, "Reggatta de Blanc". It was released on September 21, 1979, two weeks before the album, and became the first of The Police's UK Number One singles. Showcasing the band's trademark, reggae-inflected post-punk sound, the song is about finding comfort in the idea that feelings of loneliness and isolation are shared by many people.

The other three bands are all associated with the new wave movement. Unlike The Police and Talking Heads, Depeche Mode and Duran Duran are still active to this day.

Answer: People Are Strange

"People Are Strange" was one of the singles from The Doors' second studio album, "Strange Days", released in September 1967. Written by Jim Morrison and guitarist Robby Krieger, the song was not as successful as the previous year's "Light My Fire", peaking at Number 12 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Inspired by European cabaret music, "People Are Strange" is about feelings of isolation and alienation, reflecting Morrison's vulnerable state of mind at the time of writing.

"Light My Fire" and "The End" appear on The Doors's self-titled debut album (also released in 1967), and "Roadhouse Blues" on "Morrison Hotel"(1970).

Answer: The Cars

Released in 1984, "Drive" was the third single from The Cars' fifth studio album, "Heartbeat City". The song, written by guitarist Ric Ocasek and sung by bassist Benjamin Orr (who sadly passed away in 2000), reached Number Three on the US Billboard chart, and was equally successful in other countries. In July 1985 it was performed by Orr at the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia. "Drive" is also famous for its poignant video, depicting the breakdown of a relationship. Directed by Timothy Hutton, the video starred actress and model Paulina Porizkova, who would later become Rik Ocasek's wife.

Answer: Led Zeppelin

The almost ten-minute "Tea for One" resembles an earlier Led Zeppelin song, the much better-known "Since I've Been Loving You". It is based on Robert Plant's recollections of staying in a New York hotel during one of the band's massive world tours, and drinking "tea for one".

The song, which closes the band's seventh studio album, "Presence" (1976), was never played live by Led Zeppelin in its entirety; however, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant performed it with a full orchestra during their 1996 Japan tour.

Answer: Supertramp

Released in September 1974, "Crime of the Century" was Supertramp's third studio album, and their commercial breakthrough both in their native UK and in the US. Though "Crime of the Century" is not exactly a concept album, all the songs on it are loosely connected by rather weighty existential themes, such as alienation, disillusionment and mental illness. "Hide in Your Shell" was written by vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Roger Hodgson at the age of 23, when he was feeling vulnerable and insecure, yet unable to express his feelings.

The other three options are all bands associated with "art rock" or "progressive pop".

Answer: Whitesnake

Originally included on Whitesnake's 1982 album "Saints and Sinners", "Here I Go Again" became a hit single in 1987 when it was re-recorded with a new arrangement and a slight change in lyrics ("drifter" replacing "hobo" in the chorus). The song was featured on the band's seventh studio album, simply titled "Whitesnake" in the US, and "1987" in Europe. Famous for its video, starring actress Tawny Kitaen (who later became David Coverdale's second wife), the song reached Number One on the US Billboard chart.

The remaining options are all influential hard rock bands formed in the late Sixties or early Seventies. Whitesnake is actually a Deep Purple offshoot, as Coverdale was the band's lead singer from 1973 to 1976, and founding DP members Jon Lord and Ian Paice also played in the band for a time.

Answer: Rocket Man

Inspired by a short story by Ray Bradbury, "The Rocket Man" (1951), told from the point of view of an astronaut's child, "Rocket Man" was featured on Elton John's 1972 album "Honky Chateau". The song, which became a huge hit (Number Two in the UK and Number Six in the US), is still a staple of the artist's live performance. In 1991 it was covered by Kate Bush for an Elton John/Bernie Taupin tribute album titled "Two Rooms".

Of the remaining options, "Space Oddity" and "Starman" are songs by David Bowie; "Astronomy Domine" opens Pink Floyd's debut album, "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn".

Answer: Heart

For those used to sweeping side-long epics such as "Close to the Edge" or "The Gates of Delirium", the lively dance rhythm of "Owner of a Lonely Heart" felt like a betrayal of sorts. Released in 1983, the song was the first single from Yes' 11th studio album, "90125" - their first with South African guitarist Trevor Rabin, who influenced the band's sound in a more commercial direction.

The lyrics suggest that being lonely is better than having your heart broken. The song's striking video - shown in heavy rotation on MTV - was directed by Storm Thorgerson of Hipgnosis, famous for his collaboration with Pink Floyd. "Owner of a Lonely Heart" reached Number One in the US.