Tunes That Name Names Trivia Quiz

Answer: His latest flame

"(Marie's the Name) of his Latest Flame" was a number one hit for Elvis in 1961.

"A very old friend came by today
'Cause he was telling everyone in town
Of the love that he just found
And Marie's the name of his latest flame."

Of course his mate's latest flame sounded suspiciously like Elvis's girl! Trouble ahead I guess. I always preferred the other side, "Little Sister", (check out Ry Cooder's version on "Bop 'Til You Drop").
A little while later Elvis was in love with "The Girl of My Best Friend" so a case of swings and roundabouts I guess.

Answer: Help me

"Help Me Rhonda" was a 1965 Billboard number one hit in the USA but in Britain only reached number twenty-seven. How was Rhonda to help?

"For you to help me Rhonda
Help me get her out of my heart."

Another broken heart it seems; first Elvis and then The Beach Boys, fickle lot these American girls.

Answer: Dancing

"John, I'm Only Dancing" was a stand alone single from David Bowie in 1972. It did not appear on either "Ziggy Stardust" ('72) or "Aladdin Sane" ('73) but usually appears on various Bowie Compilations.

"John, I'm only dancing,
She turns me on
But I'm only dancing."

Was he reassuring a jealous partner about his intentions with his girl or was he reassuring his gay partner that he wasn't interested in the girl? As David Bowie had admitted to having partners of both sexes I guess you could take it either way.

Answer: A message

"Message to Martha" was originally recorded by Jerry Butler in 1963 but that version was not released in the UK. Covers by Adam Faith (number 12) and by Lou Johnson (36) were also released in 1963. Dionne Warwick covered the song with the changed title "Message to Michael" some three years later.

Answer: The road

Or more accurately Ray's backing singers told him to "Hit the road, Jack" back in 1961 when the single reached number six in the charts. Ray Charles was a great blues singer but his only UK number one was with the ballad "I Can't Stop Loving You" in 1962.

Answer: Disguise

"Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)" was a piece of nonsense by John Fred and The Playboy Band. It was a kind of parody of The Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds".

"Judy in disguise, hey that's what you are
Lemonade pie, hey got your brand new car.
Cantalope eyes come to me tonight
Judy in disguise, with glasses."

It did OK in the charts, reaching number three in 1968. Rather mercifully John Fred didn't bother the chart compilers again.

Answer: The Diary of Horace Wimp

The single "The Diary of Horace Wimp" was taken from the album "Discovery" and reached number eight in 1979. According to the sleeve notes by Jeff Lynne it is, "...a song about a lucky lad who somehow defies the odds and gets the girl". Quite so, for a 'wimp' he certainly moved fast; on the Monday he didn't have a girl, he only asked her out on the Wednesday and got married on the Friday... way to go Horace!

Answer: What's the Frequency, Kenneth?

"What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" refers to an incident when CBS presenter, Dan Rather, was attacked by two men in Manhattan. One of the two men kept shouting out, "What's the frequency, Kenneth" (or something very similar) as they were attacking him. REM's song reached number nine in 1994.

Answer: A hero

"Billy, Don't Be a Hero" was an anti-war song written by Mitch Murray and Peter Callander. It is believed to refer to the Vietnam War although the sentiments could well apply to any conflict. Paper Lace took their version to number one in Britain in 1974. In the USA the most successful version was by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods.

Answer: Nothing

"William, It Was Really Nothing" was number seventeen hit in 1984 for Morrissey's Manchester mirth-makers. The song is apparently about the break-up of a relationship from the girl's perspective; "nothing" meaning marriage.

"How can you stay with a fat girl who'll say:
"Oh! Would you like to marry me?
"And if you like you can buy the ring."
She doesn't care about anything."

Or was the song title about Billy MacKenzie of The Associates with whom Morrissey had had a friendship? I don't suppose The Associates song "Stephen, You're Really Something" was connected in any way?