Pop Music Songs of 1972 Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Fourth of July

Robert Lamm of Chicago sang, "Saturday in the park, I think it was the Fourth of July..." and a hit was launched. This song rose to the number three spot on the U.S. Billboard singles charts. Lamm, of course, was referring to Independence Day, a very popular summer holiday in the USA. "Can you dig it? Yes, I can!"

Answer: Whatever you want to do

Al Green, born in Arkansas, became famous for his distinctive soulful singing style. "Let's Stay Together" was released in January 1972, and this song rose to the number one spot on the U.S. singles charts. Green crooned:
"I'm so in love with you
Whatever you want to do
Is alright with me..."
Green was inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Gospel Halls of Fame.

Answer: George Harrison

Badfinger had a close association with the members of The Beatles during the late 1960s and early 1970s - the group recorded most of their hits for Apple Records. Peter Ham was the lead singer and guitarist on the hit song "Day After Day." George Harrison produced this song and also played some of the slide guitar parts. Ham had already participated on Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" album in 1971. "Day After Day" reached American airwaves by the winter of 1972, and it climbed to the number four position in the U.S. Billboard charts. Some of the lyrics read:
"Day after day
Bring it home, baby, make it soon
I give my love to you..."

Answer: Johnny Nash

Johnny Nash, a singer from Houston, struck gold in 1972 with his reggae-style tune "I Can See Clearly Now." The song's distinctive melody and upbeat message made this record popular: it stayed at the number one spot in the U.S. charts for about one month. Nash sang:
"I can see clearly now, the rain has gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright..bright sunshiny day..."
Mac Davis hit the 1972 charts with "Don't Get Hooked on Me"; Bill Withers had success with "Lean on Me"; and Billy Preston charted with "Outa-Space."

Answer: Please beware

The Florida-based group Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose struck gold in 1972 with the tune "Too Late to Turn Back Now." The song opened with a warning line from mother to son:
"My mama told me, she said son please beware
There's this thing called love and it's everywhere..."
Naturally, the son didn't listen to his mom's advice, and he ended up with a broken heart. "Too Late to Turn Back Now" climbed to the number two spot in the U.S. Billboard charts in the summer of 1972.

Answer: Everybody Plays the Fool

The Main Ingredient, from New York City, were led by singer Cuba Goodling's powerful vocal style. The group's biggest top 40 hit in the U.S. was "Everybody Plays the Fool", a song which reached the number three position in the Billboard charts in the fall of 1972. The words to the chorus certainly ring true:
"Everybody plays the fool sometime
There's no exception to the rule
It may be factual, may be cruel
Everybody plays the fool..."
Jonathan Winters had a hit with "Sunshine Go Away"; the Stylistics did "Betcha By Golly Wow"; and Argent performed "Hold Your Head Up."

Answer: In a desert

America's song "A Horse With No Name" took place in a desert; indeed, the word "desert" was mentioned at least ten times in the lyrics. Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek sang:
"You see, I've been to a desert with a horse with no name
It felt good to be out of the rain
In the desert you can remember your name..."
The song climbed to the top spot on the U.S. Billboard charts in 1972.

Answer: The City of New Orleans

Arlo Guthrie, son of legend Woody Guthrie, took Steve Goodman's folk song about rail travel to the top 40 in the U.S. singles charts in 1972. "The City of New Orleans" immortalized the long trip from Illinois down to New Orleans, with the lyrics describing the people on board the train and also the cities which the train was passing through.

Answer: Harry and Sue

Harry Chapin, from New York, became popular for his catchy folk melodies and his social consciousness. His song "Taxi" reached the U.S. top 40 singles charts in 1972. The song concerned a taxi driver (Harry) and a passenger (Sue) who accidentally met several years after their romance had ended. Chapin sang:
"And she said, 'How are you, Harry?' I said, "How are you, Sue?'
Through the too many miles and the too little smiles
I still remember you..."

Answer: Eric Carmen

Eric Carmen, born in Cleveland, was an integral part of the band Raspberries: he did lead vocals and also wrote many of the group's songs. "Go All the Way" was released in July 1972 and eventually reached the number five spot in the U.S. singles charts. The hard-rocking song had some rather suggestive lyrics by 1972 standards, and it was banned in some countries. Some of the lyrics read:
"I never knew how complete love could be
'Til she kissed me and said, 'Baby please, go all the way
Just hold me close, don't ever let me go..."
Daniel Boone had a hit single with "Beautiful Sunday"; David Gates and Bread did "Everything I Own"; and Todd Rungdren sang, "I Saw the Light."