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Quiz about Songs Inspired by Real Events

Songs Inspired by Real Events Trivia Quiz

Of course you know the songs. But do you know what caused them to be written?

A multiple-choice quiz by tncvols. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
tncvols

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
330,993

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
852

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. "Wuthering Heights" is a song inspired by the book with the same title. It was a 1978 UK number one hit for which artist? Hint

Kate Bush

George Michael

Sting

Elton John

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Question 2 of 10

2. Jim Morrison wrote "Been Down Too Long" after which event? Hint

Recovery from a bad drug trip

Breaking up with a girlfriend

Reading a book with that title

Seeing a homeless person

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Question 3 of 10

3. Fleetwood Mac's song "Albatross" inspired which Beatles song? Hint

Penny Lane

Norwegian Wood

Sun King

Lucy in The Sky With Diamonds

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Question 4 of 10

4. So what was one of the most often cited inspiration for "Lucy in The Sky With Diamonds"? Hint

A school drawing by Julian Lennon

Flying in an airplane for the first time

Paul's purchase of a diamond ring for Linda

The "Diamonds are Forever" movie

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Question 5 of 10

5. The Kingston Trio recording "Tom Dooley" was based on an 1866 murder in what state? Hint

West Virginia

North Carolina

Kentucky

Alabama

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Question 6 of 10

6. Don McLean's epic "American Pie" noted the music had died. Whose death inspired this song? Hint

All of them

J. P. Richardson

Buddy Holly

Richie Valens

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Question 7 of 10

7. "I Don't Like Mondays" by the Boomtown Rats was inspired by what 1979 San Diego event? Hint

Bank robbery shootout

Macdonald's shooting

A shooting at a school

Post office shooting

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Question 8 of 10

8. Dire Staits wrote the 1985 hit "Money for Nothing" for which reason? Hint

Replying to homophobic comments

The sudden MTV fame enjoyed by the band

Overhearing a delivery man complaining about rock stars

Loving being paid to perform

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Question 9 of 10

9. REM had a hit in 1994 with "What's the Frequency Kenneth" after the 1986 random assault of which man? Hint

Ronald Reagan

Dan Rather

Pope John Paul

Kenny Rogers

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Question 10 of 10

10. The opening track of Slayer's 1986 album "Reign in Blood" is titled "Angel of Death" and refers to which Nazi? Hint

Adolf Hitler

Martin Bormann

Albert Speer

Josef Mengele

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "Wuthering Heights" is a song inspired by the book with the same title. It was a 1978 UK number one hit for which artist?

Answer: Kate Bush

Her producer had advised against releasing this song. He finally agreed to do it thinking it would bomb and Kate would then heed his advice.

2. Jim Morrison wrote "Been Down Too Long" after which event?

Answer: Reading a book with that title

Richard Farina published this book and tragically was killed two day later in 1966. He had also been acquainted with Bob Dylan and may have been the story behind Dylan's satirical "Positively 4th Street".

3. Fleetwood Mac's song "Albatross" inspired which Beatles song?

Answer: Sun King

In a 1987 George Harrison identified the inspiration for this song. He said the band like the reverb sound in "Albatross" and decided to "sound like" Fleetwood Mac, even though that was not the result.

4. So what was one of the most often cited inspiration for "Lucy in The Sky With Diamonds"?

Answer: A school drawing by Julian Lennon

Julian brought home a drawing he titled "Lucy, in the sky with diamonds" and John patterned the song on that. Speculation that it was a drug reference led to a its ban on the BBC.

5. The Kingston Trio recording "Tom Dooley" was based on an 1866 murder in what state?

Answer: North Carolina

Tom Dula was convicted of the murder of Laura Foster. On the gallows he stated he had not harmed Foster but probably deserved his punishment. This lead to speculation he was covering for another woman who may have killed Foster out of jealousy.

6. Don McLean's epic "American Pie" noted the music had died. Whose death inspired this song?

Answer: All of them

This 1971 hit recounted the aftermath of the 1959 plane crash that claimed those early rockers. Radio stations initially played only one side of the 45 single but its popularity soon forced it to be played in its entirety.

7. "I Don't Like Mondays" by the Boomtown Rats was inspired by what 1979 San Diego event?

Answer: A shooting at a school

Sixteen year old Brenda Spencer shot and killed two adults and wounded eight kids and a police officer. When she was interviewed and asked why she did it she said "I don't like Mondays; this livens up the day."

8. Dire Staits wrote the 1985 hit "Money for Nothing" for which reason?

Answer: Overhearing a delivery man complaining about rock stars

Mark heard this man in an appliance store and actually credits him with some of the lyrics. Knopfler actually borrowed pen and paper and wrote the lyrics in the store.

9. REM had a hit in 1994 with "What's the Frequency Kenneth" after the 1986 random assault of which man?

Answer: Dan Rather

A man made an unprovoked attack on Rather and reportedly said the title of the song multiple times as he beat Rather. Rather later claimed this was the actual question- "Kenneth, what is the frequency?" William Tager, the attacker, later claimed his attack came because he thought the media had taken control over him.

10. The opening track of Slayer's 1986 album "Reign in Blood" is titled "Angel of Death" and refers to which Nazi?

Answer: Josef Mengele

Jeff Hanneman wrote this song after reading about Mengele and having the stories in his head during a recording session. The lyrics reference some of the actual atrocities that were committed. The band's original distributor refuse to release this song because of the controversy surrounding it.

Source: Author tncvols

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ralzzz before going online.
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