Novelty Songs- Part 2 Quiz | Other Music

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Several novelty records have been inspired by either a TV programme or a film. Which hit from "The Firm" was based on a TV series set in space?

Answer: Star Trekkin'

Released in June 1987 this song spent 2 weeks at number one on the Official UK Singles Chart. A parody of "Star Trek", it was written by Rory Kehoe and arranged by John O'Connor and Graham Lister. At first no record label would release it so they had 500 copies pressed privately, which they passed out to radio stations together with their phone number. Simon Bates of BBC Radio 1 took a liking to it and gave it extensive publicity, and it became a hit.

"Spam" is by The Monty Python Team.
"The Time Warp" is from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show".
"Yoda" is by Weird Al Yankovic.

2. Charlie Drake had a hit record with a distinctly Australian theme to it. Was it?

Answer: My Boomerang Won't Come Back

Charlie Drake was a British comedian who first appeared on children's TV in 1955 as part of a duo called "Mick and Montmorency". He went on to have his own series, and many will remember his catchphrase "Hello My Darlings". He made several records among them "Volare" and "Splish Splash". Released in 1961 "My Boomerang Won't Come Back" was his best known, and it went to No. 1 on the Australian Singles Chart in 1962.

"Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport" and "Sun Arise" are both by Rolf Harris.
"My Wobble Board Got Eaten By A Dingo" does not, as far as I know, exist.

3. A very unlikely pairing came together in 1960. The song was "Goodness Gracious Me" and the male half of the duo was Peter Sellers. Who was the female?

Answer: Sophia Loren

Sophia Loren and Peter Sellers appeared together in "The Millionairess", following which he persuaded her to appear on a couple of tracks of his latest LP. The result was "Goodness Gracious Me" and "Bangers and Mash", both of which were released as singles.

4. A parody of 1950s "tragedy" songs, which Julie Brown song centres around a high school shooting?

Answer: The Homecoming Queen's Got A Gun

Recorded in 1984 this song recounts the story of Debbie, who, after being crowned, pulls a gun and shoots both teachers and fellow pupils before herself being shot by the Police. The song was originally a B Side to "I Like 'Em Big And Stupid" but after frequent radio plays it became the better known song.

"Dancin' Fool" is by Frank Zappa.
"Cows With Guns" is by Dana Lyons.
"Life Sucks Then You Die" is by The Fools.

5. Which British actor and comedian recorded "Right Said Fred" and "Hole In the Ground"?

Answer: Bernard Cribbins

Bernard Cribbins is better known as an actor and comedian, having appeared in many TV shows and films, including a recent stint in Dr. Who. He did however have a successful, if short lived, recording career. Ted Dicks and Myles Rudge wrote a song for him to perform in a stage revue, and, to their surprise, it had a degree of success, which made them decide to try again.

The result was "Right Said Fred" which made number ten in the Official UK Singles Chart and "Hole In the Ground" which made number nine, both in 1962.

A third release in the same year "Gossip Calypso" made only number twenty five.

6. David Bowie proved that even the coolest of pop stars succumbs to the desire to make a novelty record every so often with which 1967 offering?

Answer: The Laughing Gnome

When released in 1967 "The Laughing Gnome" failed to chart, however on it's re-release in 1973 it charted at number six in the Official UK Singles Chart.

"The Thing" was recorded by Phil Harris.
"Harvest of Love" was recorded by Benny Hill.
"Snoopy Vs The Red Baron" was recorded by The Royal Guardsmen.

7. Throughout the 1950's Lonnie Donegan had many hit singles in the United Kingdom. However, he only had one number one hit in America. What was it?

Answer: Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour?

"Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour (On The Bedpost Overnight)?" charted at number one on the Billboard charts, and was the only number one hit Lonnie Donegan had in America. "My Old Man's a Dustman" released in 1960, was another novelty song, and neither were especially popular with his skiffle fans, although both were always popular in his live shows.

"Lively" was a minor United Kingdom hit, and "Lumbered" was the B Side of "Michael Row The Boat Ashore".

8. "Time Warp" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" is an enduring novelty record and dance. Can you name the man who wrote the show?

Answer: Richard O'Brien

First released in the United Kingdom in 1975 this show has achieved cult status, with members of the audience dressing in basques, fishnets and high heels (and that's just the guys). It is continually touring and playing somewhere in the world and has made it's creator, Richard O'Brien, a very rich man.

9. Tom Lehrer recorded many satirical and parody songs. Which one would not have found favour with animal welfare organisations?

Answer: Poisoning Pigeons In The Park

Originally appearing on "An Evening Wasted With Tom Lehrer" recorded in 1959,the song parodies the delights of springtime in the local park.

10. Spike Jones was an early exponent of the novelty song with such classics as "Der Fuhrer's Face " and "Cocktails For Two". What was the name of his band?

Answer: The City Slickers

Spike Jones was recording novelty and parody songs as early as 1942. You can always tell one of his records by the gunshots, cowbells, whistles and other assorted weird noises that punctuate the lyrics.

During the 1940s and 1950s he toured extensively in the USA and Canada, as well as appearing on various radio programmes.

Source: Author Christinap

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

Novelty Songs- Part 2 Trivia Quiz

More Novelty Songs that have made us laugh, cry, or just cringe.

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