Signature Songs-Part 20-The Finale Trivia Game | Music

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "Pretty Little Angel Eyes" (Pretty, pretty, pretty little angel eyes) Angel eyes you are so good to me And when I'm in your arms you be so heavenly You know I love you, my darlin' angel eyes" The one-hit wonder who sang those endearing lyrics also co-wrote "Pretty Little Angel Eyes". He was born in the Grand Canyon State, and enjoyed a brief career (1960-1968). Although he never had another song reach the Top 40 on the "Billboard Hot 100", he did take his signature song to number seven in 1961. Can you name this doo-wop and pop singer from Arizona?

Answer: Curtis Lee

Curtis Lee hailed from Yuma, AZ, having been born there on October 28, 1941.
He and a pal named Tommy Royce co-wrote "Pretty Little Angel Eyes" which was produced by the legendary Phil Spector, and released on the Dunes Record label. The threesome also teamed up on his only other song to break the Top 50 on "Billboard", "Under the Moon of Love" also in 1961, a Warner Brothers release which snuck in at number 46.
Curtis Lee left the music business in 1968.

Here's some more of his bright shining moment:

"I know you were sent from Heaven above
You rule my life with your wonderful love
I know we'll be happy for eternity
'Cause I know that our love is really real

(Angel eyes, angel eyes)
Angel eyes, I really love you so
Angel eyes, I'll never let you go
Because I love you, my darlin' angel eyes"

2. "There are times when a woman has to say what's on her mind Even though she knows how much it's gonna hurt Before I say another word let me tell you, I love you Let me hold you close and say these words as gently as I can" There's been another man that I've needed and I've loved But that doesn't mean I love you less And he knows he can't possess me and he knows he never will There's just this empty place inside of me that only he can fill Torn between two lovers, feelin' like a fool Lovin' you both is breakin' all the rules" And so begins "Torn Between Two Lovers", the tale of a guilt-ridden young lady, who has managed to fall in love with two men at the same time. The Minnesota born singer-songwriter who recorded it as her very first single, took it to Number One on the "Billboard Hot 100" list for two weeks in February, 1977. Her only other Top 40 hit was "Good Friend" (1979). Can you recall the name of the songstress who was "Torn Between Two Lovers"?

Answer: Mary McGregor

Mary McGregor's "Torn Between Two Lovers" also reached Number One in Canada, number four in the U.K., and hit number three on the U.S. Country Charts.
Her debut single sold over one million copies, but it turned out to be the only real highlight of her career. McGregor co-wrote "Torn Between Two Lovers" with Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary fame.
Mary McGregor released just a handful of albums between 1976-1980 and just nine singles, but she will always be remembered for her signature song.

Here are some more of Mary McGregor's cathartic lyrics:

"You mustn't think you've failed me
Just because there's someone else
You were the first real love I ever had
And all the things I ever said I swear they still are true
For no one else can have the part of me I gave to you

I couldn't really blame you
If you turned and walked away
But with everything I feel inside
I'm asking you to stay

Torn between two lovers, feelin' like a fool
Lovin' both of you is breakin' all the rules"

3. "Michael (Row the Boat Ashore)" was big hit for a quintet of Dean's List students who formed their group while attending Wesleyan University (CT). Featuring lead singer Dave Fisher, the group's signature song was a million plus selling single, as well as a "Billboard Hot 100" chart-topper. What was the name of that folk band? Perhaps these lyrics will help you choose: "Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah Sister help to trim the sail, hallelujah Sister help to trim the sail, hallelujah Jordan's river is chilly and cold, hallelujah Chills the body but not the soul, hallelujah"

Answer: The Highwaymen

The Highwaymen and "Michael" held the top spot on "Billboard" for three weeks starting in September 1961, and the song also topped the U.K.'s Singles Chart.
Its origins go back to the days of the American Civil War. The African-American spiritual was reportedly written by abolitionist Charles Packard Ware while the great battle waged.
The original five Highwaymen disbanded in 1964, after placing "Cotton Fields" (1962) as their only other "Billboard" Top 20 hit.

Englishman Lonnie Donegan covered "Michael" in 1961, and took it to number six in the U.K., while in 1962, Harry Belafonte featured it as track nine on his album, "Midnight Special".

Here's some more of this moving song:

"The river is deep and the river is wide, hallelujah
Milk and honey on the other side, hallelujah

Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah
Sister help to trim the sail, hallelujah
Sister help to trim the sail, hallelujah"

4. In 1961, a singer-songwriter came up with a tune which described the way he felt about the love of his life. It went like this: "Poetry in motion, walking by my side Her lovely locomotion keeps my eyes open wide Poetry in motion, see her gentle sway All waves out on the ocean could never move that way I love every movement, there's nothing I would change She doesn't need improvement, she's much too nice to rearrange" "Poetry in Motion" was the artist's most successful hit, climbing to the number two spot on the "Billboard Hot 100" list. Who is this Florida native, who also had a number six "Billboard" hit with "It Keeps Right On A Hurtin" in 1962?

Answer: Johnny Tillotson

Jacksonville, FL native Johnny Tillotson released more than 20 albums and 50 singles between 1959-2009. Fifteen songs cracked the "Billboard" top 40.
"Poetry in Motion" was an early hit for him as it was just the sixth single Tillotson released. A couple of his more popular singles include "Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On" (1962), and "Heartaches by the Number" (1965).

Here's some more about the feelings he had for his girl:

"Poetry in motion, dancing close to me
A flower of devotion, a swaying gracefully

Poetry in motion, all that I adore
No number nine love potion could make me love her more"

Johnny Tillotson was inducted into the Florida Artist's Hall of Fame in 2011.

5. "Don't leave Me This Way" reached number one on both the "Billboard Hot 100" and "Billboard R&B" lists in 1977. The disco hit also won the artist who recorded it a Grammy for Best Feminine R&B Vocal Performance. "Don't Leave Me This Way" was track two on just her second album, "Any Way You Like It", released on the Motown label in 1976. In addition to disco, she belted out R&B, gospel and soul music during a career which has lasted over five decades. Who is this versatile songstress? See if these lyrics from her signature song help you name her: "Don't leave me this way I can't survive, I can't stay alive Without your love, oh baby Oh baby, my heart is full of love and desire for you Now, come on down and do what you've got to do You started this fire down in my soul Now can't you see it's burning out of control? Then come on, satisfy the need in me 'Cos only your good loving can set me free"

Answer: Thelma Houston

Between 1969-2013, Mississippi native Thelma Houston released 15 albums and more than 50 singles, including six which cracked the "Billboard R&B Top 40" list. In addition to her signature song, "If It's the Last Thing I Do" (1976), and "You Used To Hold Me So Tight" (1984), were both Top 15 tunes on "Billboard". The height of her career came in the 1970s and 1980s, and after a 17 year hiatus, Ms. Houston recorded the album, "A Woman's Touch", in 2007. Thelma Houston also appeared in several Hollywood films, including a bit part in "Beloved" (1998), which featured Oprah Winfrey.

Here's some more of her plaintive number one hit:

"Don't, don't you leave me this way, no
Don't you understand, I'm at your command?
Oh baby, please, please don't leave me this way, no, baby

Don't leave me this way, now
I can't survive, I can't stay alive
Without your love, baby
Don't leave me this way"

6. A group of one-hit wonders scored big with "More Today Than Yesterday" (1969). They originated in 1964 as The Fydallions, (really), but had their name changed at the "request" of Columbia Records before they released their lone song to sell a million copies. Remember these lovely lyrics? "I don't remember what day it was I didn't notice what time it was All I know is that I fell in love with you And if all my dreams come true I'll be spending time with you Oh, I love you more today than yesterday But not as much as tomorrow I love you more today than yesterday But only half as much as tomorrow" Who was the California based quintet band that recorded "More Today Than Yesterday", on the only album they released before breaking up?

Answer: Spiral Starecase

"Spiral Starecase" was together for only a couple of years, and recorded just a handful of forgettable singles, but "More Today Than Yesterday" was a smash hit. The song climbed to number 12 on the "Billboard Hot 100" chart, and number seven on "Cash Box". Two years later the band broke up. Lead singer Pat Upton went on to become the proprietor of a club called P.J.'s Alley down Alabamy way, and it was there that Ricky Nelson played his last gig, on the day he later died in his tragic plane crash.

A few closing bars:

"I thank the Lord for love like ours that grows ever stronger
And I always will be true, and I know you feel the same way too

Oh, I love you more today than yesterday
But not as much as tomorrow
I love you more today than yesterday
But only half as much as tomorrow"

7. One of the bounciest tunes of 1959 was "Sea Cruise". It was a Top 20 "Billboard" hit for the recording artist known as "The New Orleans Dynamo". He had been born in LA back in 1939, and at age 70 was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Here are some lively lyrics to help jog your memory: "Old man rhythm is in my shoes No use 't sittin' and singin' the blues So be my guest, you got nothin' to lose Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise? Ooh, eee, ooh, eee, baby Ooh, eee, ooh, eee, baby Ooh, eee, ooh, eee, baby Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise? Feel like jumpin' baby, won't ya join me please? I don't like beggin' but I'm on bended knee I got to get 't rockin', get my hat off the rack I got to boogie woogie like a knife in the back So be my guest, you got nothin' to lose Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise"? OK, now can you name that artist?

Answer: Frankie Ford

Frankie Ford was pretty much a one-hit wonder although he did record over a dozen singles. His signature song was written by famed R&B singer, song-writer Huey "Piano" Smith, and released on the Ace record label. "Sea Cruise" was ranked number 89 on "Billboard's" list of the top 100 songs of 1959.
Frankie Ford is also a member of The Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Jimmy Buffett, Don McLean, Herman's Hermits, and The Beach Boys are among the many singers who have covered "Sea Cruise".

Here's more of Frankie Ford's signature song:

"I got to get 't movin' baby, I ain't lyin'
My heart is beatin' rhythm and it's right on time
So be my guest, you got nothin' to lose
Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise?

Feel like jumpin' baby, won't ya join me please?
I don't like beggin' but I'm on bended knee

Ooh, eee, ooh, eee, baby
Ooh, eee, ooh, eee, baby
Ooh, eee, ooh, eee, baby
Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise"?

By the way, Edward Smith was not a guy you'd have wanted to go on a sea cruise with...he was the captain of the ill-fated "Titanic".

8. "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" was a "Billboard Hot 100" chart-topper, reaching the number one spot in the Spring of 1973. It would turn out to be the artist's only song to crack the Top 40. A versatile performer, she also was an actress and comedienne. Can you give me the moniker of this Inglewood, CA performer? Turn on your lights and see if these verses can help you identify her: "He was on his way home from Candletop Been two weeks gone and he thought he'd stop At William's and have him a drink 'fore he went home to her Andy Wolloe said "Hello" And he said "Hi, what's doin', Wo?" "Seth, sit down, I got some bad news, it's gonna hurt" He said "I'm your best friend and you know that's right" "But your young bride ain't home tonight" "Since you been gone she's been seein' that Amos boy, Seth " Well, he got mad 'n' he saw red and Andy said "Boy, don'tcha lose your head" " 'cause to tell ya the truth, I been with her myself" That's the night that the lights went out in Georgia That's the night that they hung an innocent man"

Answer: Vicki Lawrence

Born Victoria Axelrad on March 26, 1949, she released "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" on the Bell Records label. The tune was penned by her hubbie at the time, Grammy winning songwriter Bobby Russell*.
Vicki Lawrence is perhaps more famous for her work on the small screen, starring on "The Carol Burnett Show" (1967-1978), for which she won an Emmy. She later starred as Thelma Harper/Mama, on "Mama's Family" (1983-84; 1986-1990).
*Bobby Russell won his Grammy for Song of the Year when he wrote "Little Green Apples" (1968). He also wrote "Honey", which Bobby Goldsboro recorded (1968).

Let's hear some more about "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia":

"Well, the Georgia Patrol was a'makin' their rounds
So he fired a shot just to flag 'em down
And a big-bellied sheriff got his gun and said "why'dya do it?"
And the judge said "Guilty" in a make-believe trial
And slapped the sheriff on the back with a smile
Said' supper's waitin' at home and I gotta get to it"

That's the night that the lights went out in Georgia
That's the night that they hung an innocent man
Well, don't trust your soul to no backwoods Southern lawyer
'cause the judge in the town's got bloodstains on his hands"

9. "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" first became known for being part of the soundtrack in the 1969 film, "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid". In fact it won the Oscar for Best Original Song. Written by legendary lyricist Hal David and equally famed composer Burt Bacharach, it became a Number One "Billboard" hit when it was released as a single. Many artists have recorded "Raindrops", but only one took it to the top of the charts. Here is some of Hal David's Academy Award winning work: "Raindrops keep falling on my head And just like the guy who's feet are too big for his bed Nothing seems to fit Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling So I just did me some talking to the sun And I said I didn't like the way he got things done Sleeping on the job Those raindrops are falling on my head they keep falling But there's one thing, I know The blues they sent to meet me won't defeat me It won't be long 'til happiness steps up to greet me" OK, Hal David wrote the above, but can you remember who sang the version which sat at the top of the "Billboard Hot 100" chart in January, 1970?

Answer: B.J. Thomas

Oklahoma born, Texas reared, Billy Joe Thomas held the Number One spot on "Billboard" from January 3-January 24, 1970. Not only did "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head", win an Oscar, it was also voted number 23 on the A.F.I. (American Film Institute) "100 Years...100 Songs" list (2004).
("Over the Rainbow", from "The Wizard of Oz" (1939) topped that list).

B.J. Thomas began churning out records back in 1966, and between then and 2013, he had released over 50 singles and more than 55 albums.
Thomas' "(Hey, Won't You Play) Another Somebody Did Somebody Wrong Song", also was a Number One "Billboard" hit in 1975.
Among a few of his other more popular tunes are: "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", (1966), "Hooked on a Feeling" (1968), and "I Just Can't Help Believing" (1970).

In 2013, B.J. Thomas' version of "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Get out your umbrella, here's some more:

"Raindrops keep falling on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red
Crying's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining
Because I'm free, nothing's worrying me

It won't be long 'til happiness steps up to greet me

Raindrops keep falling on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red
Crying's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining
Because I'm free, nothing's worrying me"

10. I thought a fitting song to end my Signature Songs series would be, "Reminiscing", after all, that's what we've been doing over this and the previous 19 "episodes". The sextet who made a big splash with "Reminiscing" in 1978 was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame in 2004. A couple of their other top ten Billboard Hot 100 hits were "Lonesome Loser" (1979), and "The Night Owls" (1981). Who is this sextet which began singing in Melbourne in the mid-1970s, when then they went by the sobriquet, Mississippi? Maybe some of these Graham Goble lyrics will refresh your memory: "Friday night, it was late I was walking you home We got down to the gate And I was dreaming of the night Would it turn out right? How to tell you girl? I wanna build my world around you Tell you that it's true I wanna make you understand I'm talkin' about a lifetime plan" Can you name that band from "down under?

Answer: Little River Band

The Little River Band placed "Reminiscing" as track two on just their fourth album, "Sleeper Catcher", and it would reach number 16 on the "Billboard" album chart. Between 1975-2013, The Little River Band would release over 20 albums, 35 singles, and sell over 25 million records worldwide.

Let's close out the lyrical part of my Signature Songs series with a bit more "Reminiscing":

"Now as the years roll on
Each time we hear our favorite song
The memories come along
Older times we're missing
Spending the hours reminiscing

Hurry, don't be late
I can hardly wait
I said to myself when we're old
We'll go dancing in the dark
Walking through the park and reminiscing"

Interesting fact: At the end of the 20th century, "Reminiscing" had been played on American radio more than any other song to come out of Australia...over four million times. Now, that's a lot of reminiscing!

Source: Author paulmallon

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

Signature Songs-Part 20-The Finale Quiz

Welcome to my 20th, and last "Signature Songs" quiz. Many singers have recorded a special tune with which they will long be associated. I'll give you the titles of ten songs. See if you can name the singer or group best known for singing them.

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