Songs of the Cities Trivia Quiz

Answer: London

"I've a pretty senorita waitin' for me down in old Mexico
If you're ever in Alaska stop and see my cute little eskimo
Oh my sweet fraulein down in Berlin town makes my heart start to yearn
And my China doll down in old Hong Kong waits for my return
Pretty Polynesian baby over the sea I remember the night
When we walked in the sands of-a Waikiki an I held you oh so tight"

"Travelin' Man" was written by Jerry Fuller. It was number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Ricky Nelson in 1961. It peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart as a double A-Side with "Hello Mary Lou" the same year.

"Travelin' Man" was Ricky Nelson's second and last number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also his last hit as Ricky Nelson, after that he dropped the y from his name to become Rick Nelson.

Answer: Winchester Cathedral

"Winchester cathedral
You're bringing me down
You stood and you watched as
My baby left town"

"Winchester Cathedral" was written by Geoff Stephens. It peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart for The New Vaudeville Band in 1966. It was number one for three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year.

The song was recoded in the style of the 1930's singer Rudy Vallee and when he heard about it, he recorded a version himself. He was in his late '60s at the time.

The cathedral in Winchester, Hampshire, England, was started in 1079 and building continued until 1532.

Answer: Last Train To Clarksville

"Take the last train to Clarksville
And I'll meet you at the station
You can be here by 4:30
'Cause I've made your reservation"

The Monkees are singing about the "Last Train To Clarksville" which was written by Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart. It was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Monkees in 1966. It peaked at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart in 1967.

"Last Train To Clarksville" was the first of three number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Monkees, "Last Train To Clarksville" (number one for one week in 1966), "I'm A Believer" (number one for seven weeks in 1966) and "Daydream Believer" (number one for four weeks in 1967). "I'm A Believer" was The Monkees' only number on hit on the UK Singles Chart, where it stayed for four weeks in 1967.

Micky Dolenz the group's drummer, sang lead vocals on "Last Train To Clarksville" and "I'm A Believer", Davy Jones sang lead vocals on "Daydream Believer".

Answer: Mossley Hill

Penny Lane is in Mossley Hill. The other three alternative answers are the areas of Liverpool where The Beatles were born. Ringo was born in Dingle, Paul was born in Walton and George & John were born in Wavertree. They were all born during WWII and we are lucky that they survived the bombing of Liverpool and the surrounding area.

"Penny Lane" was written by Paul McCartney but credited to Lennon/McCartney. It peaked at number two as a double A-Side with "Strawberry Fields Forever" on the UK Singles Chart for The Beatles in 1967. It was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year.

Answer: Waterloo

"But I don't need no friends
As long as I gaze on
Waterloo sunset
I am in paradise"

The event was a sunset and the place was Waterloo, London, UK.

"Waterloo Sunset" was written by Ray Davies. It peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart for The Kinks in 1967. It did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100. It waas their 10th Top 10 hit on the UK Singles Chart in 22 months between 1964 and 1966.

The Kinks were one of the few British invasion groups to have chart hits after the '60s. "Come Dancing" peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart in 1983 and peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year.

Answer: Durham

"I've gotta leave old Durham town
I've gotta leave old Durham town
I've gotta leave old Durham town
And that leavings gonna get me down"

Roger Whittaker was planning on leaving Durham town in the north east of England.

"Durham Town (The Leavin')" was written by Roger Whittaker and peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart for him in 1969. It did not enter the Billboard Hot 100.

Roger Whittaker originally wrote the song about Newcastle but later found that Durham sounded better. In the original Newcastle version he sang about the river Tyne but it was left in the Durham version even though it is the river Wear that runs through Durham. Being born in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1936 and not moving to Britain until 1959, his knowledge of local geography was a bit lacking.

Answer: Winslow

"Well, I'm a standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona
Such a fine sight to see
It's a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford
Slowin' down to take a look at me"

The song The Eagles are singing is "Take It Easy" which was written by Jackson Browne/Glenn Frey. It peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 for them in 1972. It did not chart on the UK Singles Chart. "Take It Easy" was The Eagles first hit single and was also the opening track on their first album "Eagles".

Travis Tritt covered the song for the 1993 Eagles' tribute album "Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles" All of The Eagles appeared together for the first time in 13 years on the video of Tritt's version of the song.

Answer: Glasgow

"I was sick and tired of everything
When I called you last night from Glasgow
All I do is eat and sleep and sing
Wishing every show was the last show"

"Super Trouper" was written by Benny Andersson/Bjorn Ulvaeus. It was number one on the UK Singles Chart for Abba in 1980. It peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981.

"Super Trouper" was the last of nine number one hits on the UK Singles Chart for Abba. They had one number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 when "Dancing Queen" spent one week at number one in 1977.

Answer: Vienna

"The feeling has gone, only you and I
It means nothing to me
This means nothing to me, Oh Vienna*

"Vienna" was written by Warren Cann/Chris Cross/Billy Currie/Midge Ure. It peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart for Ultravox in 1981. It did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

Between 1980 and 1986 Ultravox had 10 UK Top 20 hits, three of which were Top 10 hits. "Vienna" (number two 1981), "All Stood Still" number eight 1981) and "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes" number three 1984).

Lead singer Midge Ure was the man behind Band Aid, Live Aid and Nelson Mandela's birthday concerts.

Answer: Allentown

"Well we're living here in Allentown
And they're closing all the factories down
Out in Bethlehem they're killing time
Filling out forms standing in line"

"Allentown" was written by Billy Joel and released on his 1982 album "The Nylon Curtain". It was also released as a single and peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983. It did not chart in the UK.

Joseph Daddona the Mayor of Allentown at the time, praised the song as a gritty song about a gritty city, and awarded Billy Joel the key to the city.