'Snake, Rattlers and Crawl'- Reptiles in Songs Quiz

Answer: See You Later, Alligator

A great way of saying 'so long' that is still in use some fifty years after the song first came out. The phrase, "see you later, alligator" was in use before songwriter Robert Charles Guidry incorporated it into his lyrics. Bill Haley's version was first released in the UK in 1955 as a follow-up to "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and "Rock Around the Clock" but it didn't chart until the following year when it reached number seven.

Answer: Elenor

The Turtles were a good singalong band whose best known hit is probably "Happy Together". "Elenor" was a number seven hit for the Californian outfit in 1968.
It contains one of the lamest couplets I know;

"I really think you're groovy,
Let's go out to a movie" hmmm,

Not content with that it also contains the lyric;

"You're my pride and joy etcetera", which I think roughly translates as:
'Well I do love you Elenor, but not enough to be bothered to think of a decent line.'

"Emma" was a number three hit for Hot Chocolate in 1974.
"Eloise" got to number two for Barry Ryan in 1968 and was later covered by The Damned.
"Emily" must have been a popular girl; at least three songs have charted in Britain with that as a title. Steve Fretwell, Adam Green and Bowling for Soup have all been besotted with her.

Answer: REM

The title, "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" is a parody of the song title "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" (REM put a version of "TLST" on the 'B' side of the single).
The single got to number seventeen in 1993. It was taken from the number one album "Automatic for the People". The album also contains "Man on the Moon" which includes the lyric;

"Egypt was troubled by the horrible asp. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah."

Snakes alive!

Answer: Don't Shoot Me I'm only the Piano Player

"Crocodile Rock"; Elton John and Bernie Taupin's homage to the doo-wop era appeared on "DSMIOTPP" in 1973 (the single had been released ahead of the album). The album reached number one. Other tracks on the album include "Daniel", "High Flying Bird" and "Have Mercy on the Criminal".

Answer: The Flying Lizards

"Money (That's What I Want)" was originally a hit for Barrett Strong in the States in 1959 and holds a place in music history as it was the first hit record for Berry Gordy's Motown flagship label. Many people have covered the song over the years including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.
The Flying Lizards struggled to follow up their success and only scored one more minor hit with "TV".
The Stray Gators were a group of musicians who provided backing on Neil Young's "Harvest" album.
There is no band called Skink Anansie; the first word is Skunk and disappointingly Herb Alpert's band were the Tijuana (not iguana) Brass.

Answer: Rod Stewart

"In a Broken Dream" was first recorded in 1969 with Rod Stewart on lead vocals but was not a hit single until 1973 when it reached number three. The line up of Python Lee Jackson varied greatly through the 'sixties and 'seventies with members from both Australia and the UK.

Answer: Karma Chameleon

"Karma Chameleon" was a number one hit for Culture Club in 1984.
"Rattlesnake Shake" is a track from Fleetwood Mac's brilliant "Then Play On" album, first released in 1969. Peter Green left the band the following year.
Perez Prado originally wrote a version of "Mambo No. 5" (not 'Mamba') in 1952. It has been covered several times and in 1999 Lou Bega took his version to number one.

Answer: Whitesnake

The lyrics are from Whitesnake's 1987 hit "Here I Go Again". It was a reworking of an album track and got to number nine in Britain.
Black Cobra are a metal band from California.
Blackadder was a successful British comedy series.

Answer: Jim Stafford

Jim Stafford had a few (mostly light-hearted) hit singles in The States but only charted twice in Britain. "Spiders and Snakes" was a hit in 1973 and Jim followed that up with "My Girl Bill" in 1974.
Ray Stevens also had several novelty hits in the 'seventies including "Briget the Midget" and "The Streak".
Loudon Wainwright III has never scored a hit single in the UK but I did buy "Dead Skunk" all those years ago.

Answer: The Life of Brian

"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" was written and performed by Eric Idle as part of the crucifixion scene in "The Life of Brian". The film had been shelved by the original film company and may never have been completed but for the financial imput of former Beatle, George Harrison, who put in a substantial amount of his own money to help finance the movie. In 2006 it was voted the best comedy movie of all time by viewers of Britain's Channel 4.
The single reached number three in 1991.