The Beatles White Album Trivia Quiz

Answer: Helter Skelter

While Charles Manson claimed that "Piggies," "Revolution 9" and "Rocky Raccoon" had messages in them that he interpreted as incitements to murder, the most famous was "Helter Skelter," (because it was written in blood at the scene of the murder committed by Manson's "Family" [misspelled]) which U2 played at a concert after saying that Charles Manson stole it from the Beatles.

Answer: Wild Honey Pie

"Wild Honey Pie," at 1 minute 2 seconds, is the shortest of thirty songs. "Can You Take Me Back,?" which is about thirty seconds long, is not listed as a separate track on any record or compact disc.

Answer: Happiness is a Warm Gun

"When I hold you in my arms and I feel my finger on your trigger, I know nobody can do me no harm because Happiness is a Warm Gun." In the Kinfauns demos, a line very similar to this is heard in "I'm so tired."

Answer: 3

This phrase comes just before the lyric "Hey, Bungalow Bill! What did you kill, Bungalow Bill?" There seems to be a high-pitched beep right after the third time John says "All the children sing."

Answer: 4

George wrote "Piggies," "Savoy Truffle," "Long, Long, Long" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

Answer: Good Night

"Good Night" was written by John Lennon as a lullaby for his five-year-old son John Charles Julian Lennon and sung by Ringo Starr, along with the Mike Sammes Singers in the choir.

Answer: Lady Madonna

Lady Madonna was recorded in February 1968, nine months before the White Album was released. It ended up the A-side of a single with the B-side of George Harrison's "The Inner Light." "What's the New Mary Jane," "Child of Nature" and "Sour Milk Sea" were three songs first recorded in May 1968 in hopes that they be featured among the White Album's 30 songs, with several others that didn't make it. John suggested his song "What's the New Mary Jane" as a single (perhaps he was smoking some at the time), "Child of Nature" was dropped because of John's anger at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, whose lecture inspired the song (it was changed into "Jealous Guy"), and "Sour Milk Sea" was given to Jackie Lomax.

Answer: Late May 1968

Nobody seems to know the exact date this event occurred. I have seen on some websites that the date was May 26th, 1968, but the site may not be the best source. These thirty-some demos can be heard on Anthology 3 and on the bootleg "The Beatles Unplugged."

Answer: November 1968

The Beatles (the White Album) was released in the United Kingdom on November 22nd, 1968 and 3 days later in the U.S. The Yellow Submarine Soundtrack was the next release on January 17th, only 56 days later, the shortest gap between major releases.

Answer: Yoko Ono

John's then-girlfriend Yoko Ono sang this line, making her the first woman to sing lead on a Beatles record. Thank God it only lasted one-and-a-half seconds.

Answer: Linda McCartney

Yoko Ono sang on "The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill," "Birthday" and (not exactly sang) on "Revolution 9." Patti Harrison sang on "Birthday." Maureen Starkey sang on "The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill."

Answer: Revolution 9

At eight minutes and thirteen seconds, it was the longest non-live Beatles composition. John said about the song (which required days of recording and editing and basically people throwing tape around in the air and putting it together randomly) that he wanted to see what the revolution might sound like, and it came off too violent-sounding. I couldn't agree more.

Answer: I Will

Paul performed "Blackbird" with only his voice, acoustic guitar, foot tapping, and a blackbird helped. John, Paul and George were not present for the recording of "Good Night." John performed "Julia" with his voice and acoustic guitar. "I Will" had only Paul and Ringo (and possibly John).

Answer: Lennon

Julia Lennon, mother of John and wife of Alfred, was killed by a speeding car while leaving her sister's house on July 15th, 1958 when her son was 17. Farrow was the last name of Mia and Prudence, who were in India the same time as the Beatles. McGear is the last name of Paul's brother Mike.

Answer: The Inner Light

"The Inner Light" was recorded in February 1968 and ended up the B-side of the "Lady Madonna" single.