Rolling Stone's All-Time 500 Numbers 21-30 Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Number 21: 1970s, "Born To Run". Name the New Jersey artist who wrote and sang this song.

Answer: Bruce Springsteen

The song is off the album by the same name released in 1975. The song reached number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. During 1975, Springsteen was featured on the covers of both "Newsweek" and "Time" magazines the same week. At one time, there was a movement to make "Born to Run" the state song of New Jersey.

As for Bob Dylan, he's the only one on the list not from New Jersey. He's from Minnesota.

2. Number 22: 1960s, "Be My Baby". Which girl group originally did this song?

Answer: The Ronettes

It is off the album "Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes" from 1963. The Ronettes hailed from Washington Heights, Manhattan in New York City. It was produced by legendary producer Phil Spector.

In "Allmusic" magazine, one critic noted that Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys called "Be My Baby" 'the greatest pop song ever'. He even said that his song "Don't Worry Baby" was an "answer" to that song.

As for the Bangles, they were little tots in 1963 and not recording yet.

3. Number 23: 1960s, "In My Life". Which British group originally performed this song?

Answer: The Beatles

The song was released in 1965 off the "Rubber Soul" album. According to Lennon, the impetus to write this song came from a challenge by English journalist Kenneth Allsop to write about his childhood. The song has been covered by many from Johnny Cash to Ozzy Osbourne to even Sean Connery.

4. Number 24: 1960s "People Get Ready". Which soul group first recorded this anthem?

Answer: The Impressions

The song was off the 1965 album of the same name. This song was also on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame list of 500 songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. This social conscious song was composed by the late, great Curtis Mayfield.

5. Number 25: 1960s "God Only Knows". Which California group originally sang this song?

Answer: The Beach Boys

The song was on the album "Pet Sounds" released in 1966. The song was written by Brian Wilson and vocalized by his brother Carl. "God Only Knows" was the B-side to the song "Wouldn't It Be Nice", which hit number two on the singles' chart in the UK and number eight in the USA.

An interesting side note. Brian Wilson and the producer agonized over the word "God" being in the title, something problematical in 1966. Wilson decided to go ahead with the title, and the rest is history.

6. Number 26: This Beatles song is the final track on the "Sgt. Peppers" album. Sample lyrics include, "I read the news today, oh boy, About a lucky man who made the grade, And though the news was rather sad, I just had to laugh ..." Name this Beatles tune.

Answer: A Day in the Life

The song was controversial in the 1960s, as many radio programmers thought this song, among others on "Sgt. Pepper", had reference to drug use. The final lyric in the song "I'd love to turn you on" was the final straw for the BBC who banned the song from their playlist until 1972. Lennon and McCartney often denied the song promoted drug use.

7. Number 27: 1970s, "Layla". Which guitar great's group first performed this song on vinyl?

Answer: Derek and the Dominos

This song was off the 1970 album "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs". The song peaked at number four on the UK Singles chart in 1972 and the Billboard Hot 100 in the US at number ten. The "unplugged" version won the Grammy for Best Rock Song in 1992 which was considered an upset of the favorite for the award, Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit".

According to sources, Duane Allman ended up playing with the Derek and the Dominos on "Layla" after Clapton saw an Allman Brothers show. Allman and Clapton became so close, that Clapton has been quoted as saying about Duane Allman he was the "musical brother I'd never had but wished I did". Tragically, Allman died in a motorcycle accident in 1971.

8. Number 28: 1960s, (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay". Which late soul singer wrote and sang this song?

Answer: Otis Redding

The song was on the album "The Dock of the Bay" released posthumously in 1968. Redding co-wrote the song with legendary session guitarist Steve Cropper. The song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA and number three in the UK. The lyrical part of him "watching ships roll in" was inspired by him watching ships from a houseboat in Sausalito, California, which is on the "'Frisco Bay".

9. Number 29: 1960s, Another Beatles' song on the list. Here are some sample lyrics: "When I was younger, so much younger than today, I never needed anybody's help in any way, But now these days are gone I'm not so self-assured, Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors". Name this song?

Answer: Help!

The song is off the soundtrack to the movie of the same name from 1965. The song was mainly written by John Lennon with a little help from Paul McCartney. In a magazine interview, Lennon mentioned his inspiration was from the stress of the Beatles' quick rise to success. The song hit number one in both the UK and the US on the singles' charts.

10. Number 30: 1950s, "I Walk the Line". Which country music legend wrote and sang this classic?

Answer: Johnny Cash

The song was released in 1956 from the album "With His Hot and Blue Guitar". In 2005, Joaquin Phoenix was nominated for an Academy Award for his role playing Cash in the movie "Walk the Line".

Source: Author Alepcot

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

Here is my third installment from Rolling Stone magazine's 2012 All-Time 500 songs list, numbers 21-30. Name the artist(s) or song from the list.

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>