Sun Kings: The Beatles Trivia Quiz

Answer: Abbey Road

"Sun King" clocks in at 2:32 and is part of a medley that dominates Side B of the album. Written by Lennon, it features a melange of noises from cowbells and bubbling water to crickets and bird whistles.

The lion's share of the tune is a made up language with a very Spanish feel. Paul can be heard on harmonium, Ringo on bongos and even John on maracas.

(Incidentally, King Louis XIV of France was dubbed "The Sun King" - there is no mention in the song).

Answer: George Harrison

Harrison plays acoustic and double-tracked lead guitar on his own song. He can also be heard on the song's defining instrument: Moog synthesizer.

John Lennon missed the initial recording as he was healing after a car crash. Beatles folklore reveals that George actually penned the tune whilst sitting in friend Eric Clapton's backyard in England.

Though Clapton appears on some Beatles' tracks, notably "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", he was not present for the recording of "Here Comes The Sun".

Answer: Good Day Sunshine

These lyrics are from the opening chorus of "Good Day Sunshine", written by McCartney and released as the first cut on Side B of the 1966 album Revolver.

Paul sings lead(and plays piano)with Harrison and Lennon joining in for the upbeat chorus. It is a perfect summertime song!

For the record "Walking on Sunshine" was NOT a song recorded by The Beatles.

Answer: Follow

"I'll Follow The Sun" was actually written by Paul five years earlier at his home in Liverpool. It is a sad song about the break up of a relationship with the protagonist lamenting, "One day you'll find that I have gone. But tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun".

McCartney sings solo with double-tracking throughout.

Answer: Two of Us

"Two of Us" was initially another throwaway song; written by McCartney for a teenage group from New York called Mortimer.

It is bittersweet to hear Lennon and McCartney sing the lyrics on the last album released by The Beatles. Die hard Beatles fand know that no bass guitar was used on this track, George reached down low on his electric guitar to get the bass notes.

Acoustic guitar is prominent and the number fades out to the sound of Lennon whistling.

Answer: Yellow Submarine

Starr does the vox though the other Beatles join him throughout the chorus of this fun song. The "sea of green" and related lyrics appear prominently in the 1968 animated movie of the same name.

The Beatles were largely in favour of being portrayed in cartoon so as to avoid the rigors of filming the third component of a three-picture deal with United Artists.

Answer: The Fool on the Hill

The full lyric from this song, off 'Magical Mystery Tour', is:

"But the fool on the hill
Sees the sun going down
And the eyes in his head
See the world spinning round"

Paul is lead vocal and plays piano, Ringo's contribution is finger cymbals with George and John on harmonicas. Paul also plays the prominent flute on the tune.

Others including Sergio Mendes and Shirley Bassey have recorded this popular song.

Answer: I Am The Walrus

The inspiration for these lyrics could not be more literal.

Seeking refuge from the pandemonium of Beatlemania, John would often sit alone for hours a day just contemplating life at his home in Weybridge . The ryhthm of distant sounds like a police car siren was often all Lennon needed to inspire a song.

Answer: Lemonade

'Rain' was released as the B-Side of a 1966 single ('Paperback Writer') and was written by John Lennon.

If one listens to the song carefully one can hear the original vocals played backwards at the song's fade out: e.g. RAIN=NAIR. Ringo has repeatedly cited this tune as an example of his finest drumming.

Answer: She Came In Through The Bathroom Window

Strange lyrics, no?

Apparently the song recounts an actual incident whereby a fan tried to get into McCartney's home using a ladder. Some accounts of the recording note Harrison playing bass and Paul on lead guitar.

Just a plain old rock song!

Answer: Lady Madonna

This light McCartney tune featured an interesting recording, including Paul on piano, Lennon and Harrison's guitars pumped through the same amplifier and all four Fabs singing with their hands cupped around their mouths.

Established jazz musician Ronnie Scott added the song's distinctive saxophone solo.

If you listen carefully you will hear every day of the week mentioned in the tune...except Saturday.

Answer: Prudence (Dear Prudence)

John wrote this in India about Prudence, the sister of actress Mia Farrow. Prudence would spend longer than anyone meditating in her room after instruction from The Maharishi. He urges her to come out and enjoy the sunshine and "greet a brand new day".

Answer: Million

The full lyrics read:

"Limitless undying love which shines around me like a
Million suns, and calls me on and on
Across the universe
Jai guru deva om"

The track appears on the last album released by The Beatles: "Let It Be". The refrain "Jai guru deva um" is reputedly a Sanskrit phrase with origins as a mantra.

Lennon's working title for the song was "Nothing's Gonna Change My World".

Answer: Silver

The full lyric reads:

"Set me on a silver sun, for I know that I'm free
Show me that I'm everywhere, and get me home for tea".

Composer Harrison sings a double-tracked lead with Paul and John joining in for the long fade out chorus. The film soundtrack for 'Yellow Submarine' features a longer version than the one found on the album.

Answer: Light

John sings lead on this track with Paul assisting. McCartney is on Hammond organ and George plays an African drum.

Here are some lyrics from the kitschy tune:

"And the night you don't come my way.
I'll pray and pray more each day,
'cause we love you, Mr. Moonlight".