Musical Remakes Made Easy Quiz | Music Mixture

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The song, "All Along the Watchtower" was famously covered almost immediately in a version by Jimi Hendrix in 1968. Who recorded the original in 1967?

Answer: Bob Dylan

This is one of the most covered songs in history, and has been redone by so many different artists that a two disk set was released of covers of the song, all by unique groups. Bob Dylan was so pleased with Hendrix's version he was quoted as saying "I took license with the song from his version, actually, and continue to do it to this day."

2. Vanessa Carlton released a cover of the song "Paint it Black" on her 2002 album. Which group originally recorded and released the song in 1966?

Answer: The Rolling Stones

Vanessa Carlton's version appears on her debut album "Be Not Nobody", released in 2002. The song is easily recognizable by its very distinct sitar as one of the instruments. Brian Jones played the sitar part, after having worked with George Harrison of The Beatles and teaching himself to play the instrument during his visit.

3. The cover of the song "I'm a Believer", by Smash Mouth appears in the movie "Shrek". Most people attribute the original version to The Monkees, but who originally wrote the song in 1966, releasing his own version in 1967?

Answer: Neil Diamond

It is interesting to note that Neil Diamond did not release his version of the song until 10 months after The Monkees released theirs. Neil Diamond wrote the song specifically for The Monkees to record, but decided to release his version on his second album, "Just For You". Neil Diamond wanted to just be a song writer, but had difficulty in selling his songs, eventually becoming the singer song writer that we know him as today.

4. Before Guns N' Roses recorded the cover of the song "Live and Let Die" in 1991, it was originally written as the title track to the Bond movie with the same name. Who was the original recorded by in 1973?

Answer: Paul McCartney & Wings

Paul McCartney was asked to write the theme song for the movie even before the movie was finished being written. Originally, the director wanted a different group to perform it, but Paul McCartney refused to let them use the song unless he and his band Wings performed it.

The song has been covered several times, but only the original and the Guns N' Roses versions were nominated for Grammy awards.

5. Aretha Franklin is well known for her version of the song "Respect", which she released in 1967. The original artist wrote the song in 1965, and is much more famous for his single hit, "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay", who was he?

Answer: Otis Redding

Both versions of the songs are told from a very different perspective, with some of the lyrics differing between the two versions. Aretha's version, of course, is the anthem of a strong woman demanding respect from her man. Otis' version of the song is quite different, with the man wanting his due respect when he gets home, with respect being a euphemism. Sadly, Mr. Redding died shortly after recording his only hit in 1967, in a plane crash into Lake Monona.

6. Counting Crows had a hit with the cover of "Big Yellow Taxi" in 2005, and featured Vanessa Carlton on the vocals. Which artist sang the original version in 1970?

Answer: Joni Mitchell

"Big Yellow Taxi" has been covered by a number of artists, often charting well over the years. In addition to Counting Crows, the song was reasonably successful as a cover for Maire Brennan and Amy Grant, as well as less well received covers. Bob Dylan recorded a version of the song in 1970, but it was not released as a single.

7. Eric Clapton released the more famous version of the song "I Shot the Sheriff" in 1974, as a solo artist. Which group wrote the original version, and was quite successful in their own right?

Answer: Bob Marley & the Wailers

This song, when it appeared almost single-handedly introduced the genre of Reggae to the American public in 1974. Many elements of Reggae are still present in many recently popular songs, and Bob Marley still tops the Reggae charts to this day. This song was the only #1 Top Billboard hit for Eric Clapton in the United States, this despite him being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times.

8. Johnny Cash performed the song "Hurt" in 2002, the video of which served as a tribute to him as he died shortly after. Which artist originally wrote and performed the song in 1994?

Answer: Trent Reznor

The Johnny Cash video for "Hurt" shows many scenes from his life, including some of the last times he was ever caught on film. The video won the Grammy award for best short video in 2004, and is quite powerful and sad. Trent Reznor wrote the original as part of the album "Downward Spiral" for his group Nine Inch Nails. Reznor was at first hesitant to allow Cash to cover it, but was so moved by watching the video he gave his full support to the release.

9. When "The Bodyguard" came out in 1992 in theaters, it was the cover of "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston that many people remembered. Which artist was the original one to sing the song in 1974?

Answer: Dolly Parton

While Dolly Parton's version of the song managed to make it to the top of the Billboard Country charts, it was Whitney Houston's version that was far more successful. Whitney Houston's version became the first 4x Platinum single sold by a female artist in the US, and it managed to finish the year of 1993 at the top of both the Billboard Hot 100 and R & B 100 charts.

When Houston won the Grammy in 1994 for Record of the Year, it was Parton who presented her with the award.

10. In 1964 The Beatles released a now famous version of the song "Twist and Shout" on their first studio album "Please Please Me". Which group wrote the earlier version of the song and first recorded it in 1962?

Answer: The Isley Brothers

When The Beatles recorded their album "Please Please Me", it was remarkable in that it was done in a single 10 hour day in one session. John Lennon, who sings the lead vocals on the song managed the recording on the first take. Lennon's vocal chords were so shot, that they had to abandon the second take, as he couldn't even finish the song.

The Isley Brothers enjoyed their own success with the song, as it was their first top 40 hit on both the pop and R &B charts when it released.

Source: Author bushidox

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ertrum before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Musical Remakes Made Easy Trivia Quiz

Having perused the cover song quizzes, I decided that there is a shortage of easier quizzes for this category. This quiz will give you a cover version of a song and task you with naming the original singer/group.

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>