Sing-A-Long-A-Nature Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Andrews Sisters

All the artists named recorded the song, but Nat King Cole, Jo Stafford and Tab Hunter all did so after The Andrews Sisters. It was their version that reached number five on the Billboard chart in 1941. Patty, LaVerne and Maxene Andrews actually were sisters, which was rare for "sister" groups of the time. During the war years of the 1940s they entertained the troops, both via forces radio and with live performances.

They broke up in 1951, when Patty joined another group, but were back together again by 1956.

Their close harmony style was distinctive and has been much copied.

Answer: Bobby Day

"Rockin Robin" was the only hit Bobby Day had. He made it to number two on the Billboard 100 chart in 1958. Although further recording success may have eluded him he did have chart hits with songs he wrote, notably "Little Bitty Pretty One" and "Over and Over". As well as Michael Jackson "Rockin Robin" has been covered by, among others, The Hollies, McFly and Paul Anka

Answer: Stormy Weather

Lena Horne was one of the great American female vocalists who came to prominence in the 1930s and 1940s. She ranks alongside Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Peggy Lee and Dinah Washington. From the chorus line at the Cotton Club in 1933 she moved into films and revues.

In 1943 she made "Stormy Weather" and the title song from that film became almost her theme tune. For a while she was blacklisted during the infamous McCarthy era, and returned to her roots as a nightclub singer. In the mid 1950s through the 1960s she was often seen on television in variety shows and revues.

In 1981 her one woman show "Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music" won her a special Tony Award.

Answer: The window

"Autumn Leaves" started life as a French song. Johnny Mercer wrote English lyrics to it in 1947, and since then it has become a great standard. Jo Stafford was one of the first to record it. Nat King Cole recorded it as the title song for a Joan Crawford film of the same name in 1956. Singers as diverse as Edith Piaf and Jerry Lee Lewis have done cover versions of it.

Answer: An English country garden

The song "English Country Garden" lists flowers, insects and birds that can, or could, be found in a typical country garden. The song was originally popularized by Jimmie Rodgers, who took it to number five on the UK singles chart in 1962. The song is based on a folk song "Country Gardens". Jimmie Rogers is also known for his recordings of "Honeycomb" and "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine".

A head injury suffered in 1967 stopped him performing for around a year. Although he did come back he never had another chart hit single.

Answer: Texas

The song "Yellow Rose of Texas" has been around since approximately 1836. It was a popular Confederate song during the civil war period. Various lyrics have been used, depending on who was singing it, some of which could not be shown here for fear of giving offence. The lyrics most of us know today are from the 1955 version by Mitch Miller.

"There's a yellow rose in Texas that I am gonna see
Nobody else could miss her, not half as much as me
She cried so when I left her, it like to broke my heart
And if I ever find her we never more will part,"

Answer: Al Jolson

In his heyday Al Jolson was the equivalent of Elvis Presley. He sold out theatres all over America, was in demand for world tours and starred in films. He was America's best known and highest paid performer. His songs were sentimental and sometimes his performance was somewhat melodramatic.

He started performing in "blackface" make up, something popular at the time, although it would be frowned on now. He starred in "The Jazz Singer" (1927), the first talking movie. The story of his life was made in "The Jolson Story" (1946) and "Jolson Sings Again" (1949). Both starred Larry Park as Jolson with the singing dubbed by Jolson himself.

Answer: A blue lady

"Red Roses for a Blue Lady" has been recorded by many people. In January 1949 Vaughn Monroe and his orchestra took their version to number four on the Billboard chart. Vaughn Monroe was multi-talented. As well as being a good singer he was also a band leader and actor.

He hosted his own television variety show as well as making guest appearances on many others. A major RCA shareholder, once he stopped performing he remained with them as an executive, often acting as a talent scout.

Answer: winter wonderland

"Winter Wonderland" was written in 1934, and over the years has been recorded by many different people. Even though Christmas is never mentioned in the lyrics it has become known as a Christmas song. The lyricist, Dick Smith, is reputed to have had the inspiration for the song after seeing his local park covered in snow one morning. Because it has been recorded so many times it is not associated with any one artist, although the Perry Como version seems to be played most often in the UK.

Answer: Sweet violets

The next line of the lyric goes "Sweet violets, sweeter than the roses". It comes from an 1882 play "Fritz among the Gypsies". It is known as a "censored lyric" song, where the anticipated word is cut off and replaced by the first word of the next line.

There are more risque versions of the song. It had not been heard for some years when, in 1951, Dinah Shore recorded it and took it to number three on the Billboard chart. Mitch Miller also recorded it at around the same time.