Songwriting Duos: Part I Trivia Quiz

Answer: Lennon and McCartney

John Lennon (1940-1980) and Paul McCartney are one of the most successful musical collaborations in the history of music. The two first met in 1957 when John asked Paul to join his group called the Quarrymen. From this moment their partnership in songwriting began.

However, by agreement they decided that, whether a song was written individually or jointly it would be credited to both. From 1962-1969 they were credited with approximately 180 songs that sold over 170 million records. They produced 20 number one hits on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart. "I Want To Hold Your Hand" was the Beatles' first number one hit in the US reaching the top on January 18, 1964 and staying there for seven weeks, being replaced by their own "She Loves You".

Answer: Gilbert and Sullivan

W.S.Gilbert (1836-1911) and Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900) collaborated together on 14 comic operas between 1871-1896. Gilbert wrote the words and Sullivan composed the music. "The Pirates of Penzance", "H.M.S Pinafore" and "The Mikado" are the most famous of their compositions. Their operas have been translated and performed in numerous languages, ballets, children's books, musical theatre and films. "The Pirates of Penzance" opera debuted in New York on December 31, 1879.

Answer: Goffin and King

Gerry Goffin and Carole King collaborated on numerous hits for other artists. "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" (The Shirelles) was their first single to reach number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. Their other number one hits were "Take Good Care of My Baby" (Bobby Vee-1961), "The Loco-Motion" (Little Eva-1962) and "Go Away Little Girl" (Steve Lawrence-1962). Many of their songs were performed by numerous artists including Tony Orlando, The Monkees, The Drifters, Gene Pitney, James Darren, The Righteous Brothers, Dusty Springfield and The Chiffons. Carole King, herself, also recorded many of their songs.

Answer: Bacharach and David

Burt Bacharach (music) and Hal David (lyrics) collaborated together from 1957-1973. "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" (B.J.Thomas) reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks in January 1970. Their other number one hits were "This Guy's in Love with You" (Herb Alpert-1968), "(They Long to Be) Close to You" (The Carpenters-1970). "Walk On By" by Dionne Warwick peaked at number six in 1964. Dusty Springfield recorded their song "The Look of Love" in 1967 for the spoof James Bond movie "Casino Royale" and it received a nomination for Best Song at the 1968 Academy Awards.

Their song "One Less Bell to Answer" by 5th Dimension reached number two in the US in 1970.

Answer: Andersson and Ulvaeus

Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus of the Swedish group ABBA first became internationally recognised with their hit "Waterloo" that won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest. For ABBA they combined to make numerous hits which include "Dancing Queen", "SOS", Mamma Mia", "Fernando", "Chiquitita", "Take a Chance on Me", "Money, Money, Money" and "Thankyou for the Music".

Although they had many songs on that made the US charts it was only "Dancing Queen" that reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in April 1977.

Answer: Rodgers and Hammerstein

Richard Rodgers (1902-1979) composer and Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960) lyricist, collaborated on numerous successful musicals. These include "Oklahoma!", "Carousel", "The King and I" and "South Pacific". Their musicals were originally Broadway musicals that became so popular that they were also adapted to movies. Among their achievements of theatre and film they won 34 Tony Awards and 15 Academy Awards. "The Sound of Music" the movie, won five Academy Awards.

Answer: Felice and Boudleaux Bryant

Felice (1925-2003) and Boudleaux (1920-1987) Bryant were an American husband and wife songwriting team. Together they wrote country music and pop. "Wake Up Little Susie" by the Everly Brothers reached number one in 1957 on the Billboard Pop Chart and the Cash Box Best selling Records Chart. "Bye Bye Love" also by the Everly Brothers reached number two and one respectively on those same charts.

Their song "All I Have to Do Is Dream" was also recorded by the Everly Brothers and reached number one for five weeks in 1958.

The Bryant's other hits include "Love Hurts" and "Rocky Top".

Answer: George and Ira Gershwin

George (1898-1937) composer and his brother Ira (1896-1983) lyricist collaborated to create many memorable songs in the early part of the 20th Century. Together they wrote many Broadway shows with songs such as "I Got Rhythm", "Embraceable You", "The Man I Love", "S Wonderful" and "Someone to Watch Over Me". "I Got Rhythm" was published in 1930 and has become a jazz standard.

The song's chord progression has been used in numerous jazz compositions.

Answer: Livingston and Evans

Jay Livingston (1915-2001) composer and Ray Evans (1915-2007) lyricist created many songs for stage, films and television from the 1940s to 1990s.
"Mona Lisa" sung by Nat King Cole won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1950. "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" sung by Doris Day reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1956. "Buttons and Bows" written for the movie "Paleface" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1948. "Tammy" recorded by Debbie Reynolds was nominated for the Academy award for Best Original Song in 1957.

Answer: Lerner and Loewe

Alan Jay Lerner (1918-1986) and Frederick Loewe (1901-1988) collaborated on the music for the hit musicals "My Fair Lady", "Camelot", "Brigadoon", "Gigi", "Paint Your Wagon" and "The Little Prince". Many of their songs in these musicals, whether it be on stage or film have become famously associated with the musical.