Songs About Words Trivia Quiz

Answer: Buddy Holly

Although "Words of Love" was not a big hit for Buddy Holly when it was released it has become highly regarded as one of his better recordings and covered by many artists. Buddy had Top Ten hits in 1957 with "That'll Be The Day", "Peggy Sue", "Oh Boy" and "Not Fade Away".
The Diamonds released a version the same year that fared better than Buddy's, reaching Number 13 on the US Billboard charts.
The Beatles recorded a version on their US release "Beatles VI" in 1965. John Lennon and Paul McCartney sang the harmonies that Holly originally double tracked himself.
Buddy Knox had a hit in 1957 with "Party Doll". "Diana" was Paul Anka's first hit in 1957. Ricky was on the charts in 1957 with "Be-Bop Baby" and "A Teenager's Romance".

Answer: The Rivingtons

The Rivingtons were originally called The Sharps when they released "Little Bitty Pretty One" in 1957. The following year they provided the vocal noises on Duane Eddy's hit "Rebel Rouser". In 1961 they recorded as The Crenshaws before releasing "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" as The Rivingtons in 1962. They followed up in 1963 with "The Bird's the Word".
The Trashmen released a medley called "Surfin' Bird" combining the two songs and had to credit The Rivingtons as writers.
Columbia Records dropped The Rivingtons in the early seventies because of lack of commercial success but they continued performing. The Rivingtons appeared in a 1989 episode of "L.A. Law" (1986) as "The Sensations".
"Bongo Stomp" by Little Joey and The Flips was a 1962 Top Forty. The Dovells took "Bristol Twistin' Annie" to Number 27 in 1962 and "I Love You' by The Volumes was a Number 22 release in 1962.

Answer: Dave Davies and Ray Davies

"Word of Mouth" was the twentieth studio from The Kinks. Dave Davies, Ray Davies and Pete Quaife formed the London based group in 1963 and added Mick Avory on drums. The group went through several name changes before becoming The Ravens and hiring a manager who could get them club bookings but not a record deal.

They changed their name to The Kinks and released a cover version of Little Richard's "Long Tall Sally" which flopped. After a second unsuccessful single release Pye Records was about to let them go when "You Really Got Me" became a hit in 1964 adding the Kinks to the list of British Invasion bands. Gerry Marsden and Freddie Marsden were part of Gerry and the Pacemakers. Mark Knopfler and David Knopfler were original members of Dire Straits. Malcolm and Angus Young formed AC/DC in 1973.

Answer: The Mamas and the Papas

The single written by John Phillips peaked at Number Five in the US for The Mamas and Papas. John Phillips and Denny Doherty did not contribute vocals to the song. Mama Cass Elliot sang lead and Michelle's contribution was shouting "No" before the chorus. "Words of Love" was backed by a cover of "Dancing in the Street" originally done by Martha and the Vandellas.
"Words of Love" was from the group's second album, "The Mamas and the Papas". "I Saw Her Again" was another successful single release from the LP. Ray Manzarek of the doors played the organ solo on the album cut "No Salt on her Tail". Jill Gibson also contributed vocals on the album while she briefly replaced Michelle.
"Different Drum" was by Linda Ronstadt and The Stone Poneys. The Cowsills had a Top Ten with "Indian Lake".

Answer: False

In 1985 "Conga" made it to Number Ten in the US. Their next release, "Bad Boy", went to Number Eight the next year followed by the Number Five "Words Get in the Way". "Words Get in the Way" was the third single from their second English album "Primitive Love".

Although known for their uptempo Latin rhythms the ballad became the most successful single release from the album. Vocalist Gloria Estefan composed "Words Get in the Way". In 1975 the band was formed under the name Miami Latin Boys and gained popularity when adding Gloria to the lineup two years later.

They began recording for a local Miami label and eventually signed with Epic/Columbia. In 1987 the group became Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine. They topped the US charts the following year with "Anything for You".

Answer: Love

"It's so fine, it's sunshine It's the word, love" is repeated at the end of the verses and "Say the word, love" is repeated while the song ends. John Lennon was the main contributor and lead vocalist for the Lennon-McCartney composition. George and Paul sang harmonies. The harmonium solo is by producer George Martin. "The Word" was not released as a single.

Answer: Nuno Bettencourt

Nuno Bettencourt played the acoustic guitar on "More Than Words" and harmonized with the band's singer, Gary Cherone. Nuno was born in Portugal and his family emigrated to Massachusetts when he was young. He had little interest in music while growing up and preferred playing sports. When he decided to take up the guitar he immersed himself in learning the instrument and formed a Boston area band called Sinful. In 1985 he joined Extreme and they signed with A&M Records, releasing the "Pornograffitti" in 1991 which contained "More than Words".
In 1997 Bettencourt released his first solo album, "Schizophonic" and has worked with a variety of other projects and groups since.
Zakk Wylde worked with Ozzie on the 1991 release "No More Tears". Kerry King was a guitarist for Slayer and Dave "The Snake" Sabo played guitar for Skid Row.

Answer: Cameo

New York based Funk band Cameo formed in the seventies as New York City Players but changed their name to avoid confusion with The Ohio Players. In 1977 they released their first album, "Cardiac Arrest" which went to Number 16 on the album charts. "Rigor Mortis" became a successful single release and began a string of popular Dance and Disco style releases. "Word Up!" reached Number Six in the US in 1986 followed by the Top Forty "Candy" the same year.
"I Miss You" by Klymaxx and "Who's Johnny" by El Debarge were other 1986 releases.

Answer: Piano Man

"Piano Man" was a hit single from the Billy Joel album of the same name. "Captain Jack" provided exposure for Billy Joel when a Philadelphia area radio station began playing a concert version of the song.
"Piano Man" was Billy's second album and his first for Columbia Records. "Piano Man" was released as a single and reached Number 25 on the US charts. "Travelin' Prayer" made it to Number 77 as a single and "Worse Comes to Worst" peaked at Number 80.
Billy Joel went on to place 33 songs on the US Billboard Top Forty over the next three decades and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
"The Stranger" was a 1977 release, "52nd Street" came out the following year and "Cold Spring Harbor" was a 1971 release.

Answer: Bee Gees

"Words" was a single rather than an album release from The Bee Gees. It was their fifth US Top Forty single, their first being the Number 14 "New York Mining Disaster 1941" in 1967. They continued to chart hits in the US but would have to wait until 1971 for their first Number One, "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?".
Barry Gibb, Robin and Maurice Gibb first had chart success in Australia after signing with with Festival Records in 1963. In 1967 the group relocated to England and signed with Polydor Records.
The Association had a hit with "Everything That Touches You", "Green Light" by The American Breed barely broke the 1968 Top Forty and "Jennifer Eccles" was from The Hollies.