Pleasant Dreams! Trivia Quiz

Answer: River of Dreams

Singer/songwriter Billy Joel has had an amazing career. From the 1970s through to the 1990s he had no less than thirty three Billboard top forty hits, all of which he wrote himself. "River of Dreams" was a single from the album of the same name, which was the only album he released during the 1990s. It peaked at number three on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles chart.

Answer: The Springfields

The trio, who comprised Dusty Springfield, Tom Springfield and Tim Feild, were the UK equivalent of Peter, Paul and Mary. Tim Feild was replaced by Mike Hurst fairly quickly. Thanks to some records that had considerable radio play, as well as television appearances, the group achieved early popularity. "Island of Dreams" was released in 1963 and rose to number five on the UK singles chart.

However, towards the end of 1963 Dusty Springfield left the group to pursue a solo career and they disbanded.

Answer: Follow That Dream

"Follow That Dream" was a 1961 film, one of many that Elvis made, and by no means one of the worst. There weren't as many songs as in later films; in fact the soundtrack release warranted only a four track EP rather than a full album. The title song "Follow That Dream" made number fifteen on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, whilst the full EP was the number one EP in the UK for a total of 20 weeks.

Originally six songs were written for the film. Elvis was not happy with one of them, "Sound Advice" so it was left off the EP.

The sixth, "A Whistling Tune" never made it to the film, instead it was used in "Kid Galahad", his next film.

Answer: Bobby Darin

In addition to recording it Bobby Darin also wrote "Dream Lover". It was a multi-million seller, but was kept out of the number one spot in America by "The Battle of New Orleans" by Johnny Horton. Neil Sedaka, who was still waiting for his breakthrough hit at the time, played piano on the record.

Bobby Darin had a very successful recording career, but unfortunately suffered from ill health. He had suffered rheumatic fever in childhood which left him with heart problems. He died following a heart operation aged only 37.

Answer: In Dreams

Roy Orbison started his career at the legendary Sun Records, along with Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins. His unique voice and very distinctive look soon ensured him success. Between 1960 and 1964 he had 22 songs place on the Billboard Top 40 chart. "In Dreams", released in 1963, peaked at number seven.

It was later featured in the David Lynch film "Blue Velvet" (1986), which help to rekindle Orbison's career, which had gone somewhat into the doldrums. He joined the Travelling Wilburys as Lefty Wilbury.

The supergroup, comprising Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty recorded two albums. Roy Orbison unfortunately died before the second album was completed.

Answer: California

Written by John and Michelle Philips of The Mamas and the Papas, "California Dreamin'" was released by them in 1965. At the time they wrote it they were both living in New York and were members of a folk group, "The New Journeymen".
This group eventually evolved into The Mamas and the Papas.

The song proved popular with others and has had many cover versions over the years. The Carpenters, America, R.E.M. and the Four Tops all did versions. The Beach Boys recorded their version for their album "Made in U.S.A."

Answer: Green Day

"Boulevard of Broken Dreams" sold millions of records world wide, earned the Grammy for Record of the Year in 2006, and is probably the best known Green Day song. In response to Hurricane Katrina Green Day donated all of the iTunes proceeds of the song for 2006 to the American Red Cross to aid with disaster relief.

Answer: Les Miserables

When a middle aged, somewhat frumpy lady took to the stage for her audition on "Britain's Got Talent" you could sense both the judges and the audience sitting back and waiting for something awful. Instead she made them sit up and take notice with a beautiful rendition of "I Dreamed A Dream" from "Les Miserables". Although Susan Boyle did not win the final - that went to dance group "Diversity" - she has gone on to sell millions of albums world wide, do sell-out tours, and there has even been a musical of her life.

Answer: Into his car

"Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car" was a 1988 recording by Billy Ocean. It went to number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Black Singles chart. The title comes from a line in the Ringo Starr song "You're Sixteen".
It was used on the soundtrack of the 1988 film "License to Drive" and a cover version featured in the film "NASCAR Thunder 2003".

Answer: Scotland

It has become something of a tradition for British world cup squads to have a team song, either done by the squad, or by high profile supporters. In 1982, as in other years, Scotland may have had a dream, but they didn't get past the first round. They were eliminated on goal difference. In fact Scotland have never gone past the first round of a world cup tournament.

The best known of the British football anthems is probably "Three Lions" (football's coming home) which was recorded as the England official anthem for the 1996 European Championships. It has longevity though, regularly getting air play and being heard in pubs and clubs around the time of major football tournaments.