The Beatles- All Wet Trivia Quiz

Answer: Rock and Roll Music

The preceding lyrics read:

"Way down South they gave a jubilee
Them country folks they had a jamboree"

Written by Chuck Berry in 1957 at the height of the "Rock 'n Roll" craze in the U.S. the Beatles would record the song in 1964 for their album 'Beatles For Sale'.

The fervor in John's double-tracked voice indicates how passionate Lennon was about singing this tune. The version on the album was recorded on the first take (double-tracking commenced thereafter). An astute listener will hear Lennon fluff the lyrics, singing "ought to got rock and roll music" at 2:19.

Answer: Come Together

"Come Together" is a tune by Lennon but the influence of Chuck Berry is once again present.

Lennon brought the song complete to the studio with a Berry-style strum on acoustic guitar set to the metre of Berry's "You Can't Catch Me". He was later sued by Berry not for the metre but for the unauthorized use of the opening line "Here come 'ol flattop, he come grooving up slowly".

By the way, "Come Together" is the only track listed above on the album "Abbey Road". The Dr. Pepper tune does not exist.

Answer: Octopus's Garden

Beatles' folklore states that during a tense moment recording "The Beatles" (White Album) Ringo stormed out and flew to Sardinia. Contemplating his next steps on a sea cruise, he was told of the habits of octopi and how they build 'gardens' at the bottom of the sea.

This struck a chord with Starr who half-jokingly stated that that's how he was feeling at the time. This classic became a children's favourite worldwide at the twilight of the band's career. Starkey earned writing credits for this number.

Answer: Ocean

The complete lyric reads:

"Julia, Julia, ocean child, calls me
So I sing a song of love, Julia
Julia, seashell eyes, windy smile, calls me
So I sing a song of love, Julia"

While "Julia" was clearly referring to John's mother who had died ten years prior to this recording he also used his lyrical prowess to reference Yoko. The words "ocean child" are a literal translation of her name in Japanese, 'yo' means ocean and 'ko' is child.

Musically, 'Julia' features an unusual arpeggio taught to John by musician Donovan whilst in India with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Answer: Yellow Submarine

The tune written by Lennon/McCartney is famous as a kids' song though several people claim evidence that it is filled with drug references. (The most commonly stated link is with a yellow, capsule-sized amphetamine found during the mid 1960s nicknamed the "Yellow Submarine".)

Written for Ringo, its simple melody and phrasing fit with his vocal range and the distinctness of his singing voice matches well the old sea-dog character suggested by the lyrics.

Answer: I'm a Loser

"I'm a Loser" was Lennon's first and most obvious copy of Bob Dylan's folk stylings. Notably, the way Lennon addresses the listener as 'friend' is reminiscent of the wording in the Dylan classic "Blowin' in the Wind".

During the long periods of touring in the early career of the band John became resentful that their music was not being heard or appreciated by the screaming fans. He also railed against the suit-and-tie image that was so critical to their early success.

This song and the articulate "HELP!" would see John return to the theme of feeling inadequate and under-appreciated. John summed up his condition quite succinctly in an interview just before his death in 1980 saying: "Part of me still suspects that I'm a loser and part of me suspects that I'm God Almighty".

Answer: Penny Lane

It is speculated that John's "Strawberry Fields Forever" re-awakened Paul's desire to write a song about their hometown Liverpool. Both songs appeared on a Beatles' single in 1967.

The two places are actually a stone's throw away from one another in Woolton, Liverpool. City officials have taken to writing the name "PENNY LANE" on the street's buildings as so many street signs have been stolen over the years.

The distinct sound of a piccolo trumpet (requested by Paul) can be heard throughout the song and during the fade out of the original tune in some U.S. versions.

Answer: Honey Pie

Paul was strongly influenced by 1930s dance band and showtime music in his childhood. This was passed on by his father Jim who played in a dance band during that era.

"Honey Pie" is McCartney's homage to the sound of the dance band orchestras with its swooping clarinets and saxophones.

Answer: Across the Universe

This unusual song had unusual music origins as well. The first recordings in February 1968 tried out a number of new musical effects like a wah-wah pedal on guitar, harp-like sound on the sitar, falsetto harmonies from two girl fans and even humming.

Three versions of the song now exist. An early take with the sitar can be heard on 'Anthology 2'. A second version appears on the 'Past Masters' compilation, remixed by George Martin in 1969, a third version has the touch of Phil Spector on the 'Let it Be' album.

Answer: The Ballad of John and Yoko

John's title alludes to Georgie Fame's 1968 hit "The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde". He clearly drew a parallel with the American bandit duo playing cat and mouse with the U.S. press and crossing state lines. John and Yoko were similarly pursued across Europe as they turned their wedding and honeymoon into a series of publicity stunts for peace.

His flippant mention of Jesus Christ got the song banned from many radio stations in the U.S. where it ended up reaching number eight on the nation's charts.