Sing Along With Max Trivia Quiz

Answer: Hands

"You need hands to hold someone you care for
You need hands to show that you're sincere
When you feel nobody wants to know you
You need hands to brush away the tears."

The song was originally recorded in 1958 on a 78rpm record. It was written by Max using the name Roy Irwin. Some years later the Sex Pistols made a cover version, which was not one Max would necessarily have recognised.

Answer: Blue

"You're a pink toothbrush, I'm a blue toothbrush
Have we met somewhere before?
You're a pink toothbrush and I think toothbrush
That we met by the bathroom door."

Although never released as a single, only an album track, "Pink Toothbrush" was very popular and was for many years not only a integral part of Max Bygraves stage show, but was often played on radio as part of record request shows.

Answer: Tulips

"When it's Spring again I'll bring again
Tulips from Amsterdam
With a heart that's true I'll give to you
Tulips from Amsterdam."

This was originally released as part of a Double A side on 78rpm in 1958. It proved enduringly popular and became one of his signature songs that he really could not leave out of any live performance.

Answer: Royal Command Performance

The Royal Command Performance or Royal Variety Show is something that most performers never get invited to appear on. It is held once a year, usually in November, in the presence of members of the Royal Family and is for charity. Most performers think themselves lucky if they are asked to appear once.

A select few, such as The Crazy Gang and Gracie Fields, were invited back several times. The fact that he was asked to appear 20 times is a testament to the enduring popularity of Max Bygraves.

Answer: Fings ain't what they used to be

"They changed our local Palais into a bowling alley and
Things ain't what they used to be
There's Teds in drainpipe trousers and Debs in coffee houses and
Things ain't what they used to be."

"Fings ain't what they used to be" was originally written as a play depicting cockney low life, but Lionel Bart's score turned it into a musical comedy. Max recorded the theme song in 1960, and it made number five on the UK singles chart.

Answer: Anthony Bygraves

Anthony Bygraves did appear in both "Max", and "Max Bygraves at the Royalty", two television series starring his father. He also appeared in his stage show at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London. However, he decided that the life in front of the public was not necessarily for him, and he became his father's manager.

He has also produced two videos of his father's life, one of which he also wrote, as well as appearing in an "Arena" special on the life of Max.

Answer: A lollipop

"When you come to the end of a lollipop,
To the end, to the end, of a lollipop,
When you come to the end of a lollipop,
Plop goes your heart!"

This was one of several comedy type songs recorded by Max Bygraves that never bothered the charts but which were enormously popular on radio. "When You Come to the End of a Lollipop", "What Noise Annoys an Oyster" and "Pink Tootbrush" were regular requests on "Children's Favourites". This was a Saturday morning BBC radio show especially for children.

Answer: Educating Archie

"Educating Archie" ran from 1950 to 1958 and was where Max Bygraves made his name. It featured ventriloquist Peter Brough and his doll, Archie Andrews. Odd though a radio ventriloquism act now seems, as very few houses in the UK had televisions at that time, they somehow got away with it. Max played tutor to Archie Andrews, and even recorded two duets with the doll.

These were "The Dummy Song" and "Lovely Dollar Lolly".

Answer: Dream

The full title of the song is "Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen by the Sea." often just referred to as "Gilly Gilly by the Sea". Max recorded it in 1954, scoring a number seven on the UK singles chart. In America it was recorded by The Four Lads.

Max became well known for sing along type performances and this song often featured in those.

Answer: The War Years

From the early 1970s until 1989 Max Bygraves became known for Singalongamax. He made several albums of sing along songs and most of his live performances were based around these. He hosted "Family Fortunes" on television from 1983 to 1985, taking over from Bob Monkhouse.

By the late 1980s he was in his late 60s. Other than for an appearance as Bud Flanagan in the TV movie "Call Up The Stars" in 1995 he virtually retired.