The Sincerest Form of Flattery? Quiz

Answer: Snow Patrol

The song was originally recorded by Snow Patrol on their album 'Final Straw' in 2003. It was a hit for the band, reaching number five on the UK Singles Chart in 2004. Leona Lewis's version did even better, reaching number one in 2008. If you think you don't know the song, the lyrics 'Light up, light up' might ring more of a bell.

Answer: The Zutons

The Zutons recorded the song in 2006, when it featured on their album 'Tired of Hanging Around'. The single did quite well for them, reaching number nine on the UK Singles Chart. Only a year later, a cover version was released by record producer Mark Ronson, with Amy Winehouse lending her distinctive vocals. This version got to number two on the UK Singles Chart.

Answer: Prince

Sinead O'Connor's 'Nothing Compares 2 U' was a massive hit in 1990, making it to number one on the singles charts in the US, UK, Ireland, Australia, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland (to name just a few). The song was written by Prince and first appeared on his band, The Family's, eponymous album in 1985. Prince's version of the single was re-released in 2018 following his death.

Answer: Buddy Holly

Recorded by Buddy Holly and the Crickets in 1957, this song was originally released as the B-side of "Oh, Boy!". The Rolling Stones had their hit with it when they covered the song in 1964.

James Taylor also covered the song on his "Covers" album in 2008 with his regular touring group.

Answer: Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston

The song "When You Believe" was originally sung in the animated "The Prince of Egypt", and won Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1999. It was written and composed by Stephen Schwartz, and Babyface created additional music and lyrics. The original version is performed in the feature, and the second version was used for the end credits and soundtrack album.

Leon Jackson was the winner of the UK show "The X Factor" in 2007 and his recording of the song was released in December of that year. A music video was also released featuring some of "The X Factor" cast.

Answer: Nine Inch Nails

Written by the band's singer, Trent Reznor, 'Hurt' was a hit in 1995 for Nine Inch Nails. For Johnny Cash to record the song might seem surprising, but his version is highly regarded, helped by a video showing events from Cash's life. It was one of the last songs to be recorded by him before his death in September 2003.

Answer: Gloria Jones

Soft Cell's take on 'Tainted Love' is probably the most famous version of the song, which was written by Ed Cobb and first released by Gloria Jones in 1965. Jones's version was originally released as a B-side to her other song 'My Bad Boy's Coming Home' and failed to make it into the charts. By contrast, Soft Cell's version was a number one hit in several countries round the world (and made it to number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100).

Answer: Oasis

'Wonderwall' was written by Noel Gallagher of the Britpop band Oasis and first released as a single in 1995 when it reached number two on the UK Singles Chart and number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100. Country singer Ryan Adams included a cover version of it on his 2003 album 'Love is Hell, pt 1'.

Answer: Tears for Fears

'Mad World' was originally recorded in 1982 by Tears for Fears.

Gary Jules and Michael Andrews recorded their version of the song for the soundtrack of the film "Donnie Darko" in 2001. It would reach number one in the UK on December 21, 2003.

Answer: Lori Lieberman

'Killing Me Softly' by The Fugees was a cover of a song that was originally released in 1972 by Lori Lieberman as 'Killing Me Softly with His Song' (a longer version of one of the song's key lines). However, there was another version released by Roberta Flack in 1973 that spent several weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and is often, mistakenly, believed to be the original. The song was actually written by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel.