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"Sailing" : Story Of A Song Trivia Quiz

"I am sailing, I am sailing Home again, 'cross the sea..." These are the opening words of a song indelibly linked with Rod Stewart. See how much you know about it.

A multiple-choice quiz by darksplash. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
darksplash

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
290,524

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
543

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. On which album did Rod Stewart first record 'Sailing'?

Hint

Never A Dull Moment

Blondes Have More Fun

A Night On the Town

Atlantic Crossing

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Question 2 of 10

2. The song 'Sailing', was a huge hit for Rod Stewart. Which of these Scottish songwriters wrote it?

Hint

Gerry Rafferty

Iain Sutherland

Gavin Sutherland

Alex Harvey

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Question 3 of 10

3. What was the 'B' side of 'Sailing on its release by Rod Stewart in 1975? Hint

Still Love You

This Old Heart of Mine

Three Time Loser

All in the Name of Rock 'N' Roll

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Question 4 of 10

4. Rod Stewart boycotted MTV for three years because it refused to play 'Sailing' on the first day on air.

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. 'Sailing' was a number one hit for Rod Stewart in 1975 and a year later it was used as the theme music of a TV documentary. What was the show called?

Hint

Cruise '76

Warship

Sailor

Holiday '76

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Question 6 of 10

6. In 2005, a local councillor in the West Midlands of England suggested that 'Sailing' should replace another well-known song at Remembrance services. Which song did he wish to ditch?

Hint

God Save The Queen

Land Of Hope And Glory

Rule Britannia

For Those In Peril On The Sea

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Question 7 of 10

7. Rod Stewart's version of 'Sailing' reached the top of the charts in the UK in 1975. It was also a top 10 hit in the USA.

True

False

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Question 8 of 10

8. An instrumental version of the song 'Sailing' became enduringly associated with one of Britain's modern wars. Which one?

Hint

The Invasion of Afghanistan

The Falklands War

Operation Desert Storm

The Second Gulf War

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Question 9 of 10

9. On how many occasions did Rod Stewart's version of 'Sailing' reach the UK top 10?

Hint

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. In the UK in 1975, Rod Stewart's version of 'Sailng' was the second highest-selling single of the year. Which record was number one in the best sellers list?

Hint

Hold Me Close - David Essex

Give A Little Love - Bay City Rollers

Bye Bye Baby - Bay City Rollers

I Only Have Eyes For You - Art Garfunkel

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. On which album did Rod Stewart first record 'Sailing'?

Answer: Atlantic Crossing

'Atlantic Crossing' was released in 1975 and was Stewart's sixth solo album. It hit number one in the UK album charts and peaked at number 9 in the US Billboard charts. The song attracts mixed response, with some accusing it of being "mawkish" and "dull" while others, such as Neil McCormick, music critic of the Daily Telegraph, have claimed:"This is a song full of emotion that people do know and it's a song about aspiration, wishing to be somewhere.

It's a magical song that captures a magical moment.

It's got a fantastic melody and it's one of those songs that's bigger than it ever has any right to be."

2. The song 'Sailing', was a huge hit for Rod Stewart. Which of these Scottish songwriters wrote it?

Answer: Gavin Sutherland

Gavin Sutherland and his brother Iain were the songwriting duo behind The Sutherland Brothers Band, and The Sutherland Brothers and Quiver, and themseves recorded 'Sailing'. SBQ's biggest hit was 'Arms of Mary', which reached number 5 in the UK singles charts in 1976.

3. What was the 'B' side of 'Sailing on its release by Rod Stewart in 1975?

Answer: All in the Name of Rock 'N' Roll

All these featured on the 'Atlantic Crossing' album. Stewart lined up some top musicians for the record, including The Memphis Horns

4. Rod Stewart boycotted MTV for three years because it refused to play 'Sailing' on the first day on air.

Answer: False

'Sailing' WAS among the videos shown on MTV on August 1, 1981, the first day on-air. Of course everyone knows that 'Video Killed the Radio Star' by The Buggles was THE first song on MTV.

5. 'Sailing' was a number one hit for Rod Stewart in 1975 and a year later it was used as the theme music of a TV documentary. What was the show called?

Answer: Sailor

The BBC TV show examined the lives of the crew on board the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal. The carrier was commissioned in 1955 and decommissioned in 1978

6. In 2005, a local councillor in the West Midlands of England suggested that 'Sailing' should replace another well-known song at Remembrance services. Which song did he wish to ditch?

Answer: Land Of Hope And Glory

A BBC website recorded: "...Peter O'Neill, a councillor in Wolverhampton... said the words, [of 'Land of Hope and Glory'] which were added to Elgar's music, were 'too political'. He suggested the song be replaced with 'Sailing' by Rod Stewart, for the city's November festival, although he later dropped the proposal."

7. Rod Stewart's version of 'Sailing' reached the top of the charts in the UK in 1975. It was also a top 10 hit in the USA.

Answer: False

'Sailing' was number one for four weeks. It came from Stewart's first US-recorded album. Although he was to have many subsequent hits in the USA, this song only reached number 58 in the Billboard charts.

8. An instrumental version of the song 'Sailing' became enduringly associated with one of Britain's modern wars. Which one?

Answer: The Falklands War

'Sailing' was played by dockside military bands as a flotilla of British ships set sail from Southampton to reclaim the Falkland Islands after they were seized by Argentina in 1982

9. On how many occasions did Rod Stewart's version of 'Sailing' reach the UK top 10?

Answer: 2

In 1975 it was number 1 for four weeks and number three a year later when it was used as the theme for a BBC TV documentary. In 1975, the song caused barely a ripple in the US charts, reaching only the top 60.

10. In the UK in 1975, Rod Stewart's version of 'Sailng' was the second highest-selling single of the year. Which record was number one in the best sellers list?

Answer: Bye Bye Baby - Bay City Rollers

'Bye Bye Baby' was top for six weeks and 'Give A Little Love' for three. Art Garfunkel was at number one for two weeks and David Essex for three.

Source: Author darksplash

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Dalgleish before going online.
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