Words and Music By... Trivia Quiz

Answer: Michael Nesmith

Nesmith wrote the song in 1965, and it was initially recorded in 1966 by The Greenbriar Boys for their album "Better Late Than Never". The Stone Poneys released their version in 1967 and it peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January of 1968. Unable to duplicate the success of "Different Drum", Ronstadt decided to embark on a solo career in late 1968, and The Stone Poneys broke up soon after that.

Answer: Cat Stevens

Cat Stevens(born Steven Demetre Georgiou), wrote and recorded "Here Comes My Baby" in 1967 for inclusion on his first studio LP "Matthew and Son". Where Stevens' version was slower and more laid back, The Tremeloes' recording was much more upbeat, which turned out to be a smart move.

Although the group had enjoyed a lot of success in the U.K., "Here Comes My Baby" was their first single to chart in the U.S., reaching number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. Stevens, who changed his name to Yusuf Islam after converting to Islam in 1977, starting touring again in 2009, after a nearly thirty year absence.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

Answer: Chuck Barris

Chuck Barris created, produced and hosted some of the best known game shows of the '60s and '70s, including "The Gong Show", which he hosted and "The Dating Game", which he created. The inspiration for the song came from Palisades Amusement Park, which was located in New Jersey, just across the Hudson River from New York City, and was in operation from 1898 until 1971. "Palisades Park" became the biggest hit of Cannon's career, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962.

Answer: Otis Redding

"Respect" was written and initially recorded by Redding in 1965. It went on to become one of his most successful singles, reaching number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the Billboard R&B chart. The version by Aretha Franklin became one of her signature songs and her first number one, a feat she would not duplicate for another twenty years, when the tune "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet she performed with George Michael, reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1987. Sadly, Otis Redding was killed in a plane crash in early December of 1967, just days after recording his biggest hit, "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay".

Answer: Neil Diamond

"I'm a Believer" was the very last number one of 1966, reaching the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 on December 31, and remaining there for seven weeks. Neil Diamond was just one of many songwriters who composed music for The Monkees; others in that group included, Gerry Goffin and Carole King, and Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Diamond also wrote "A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You", which was also a big hit for The Monkees, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in the spring of 1967.

Answer: Randy Newman

"Mama Told Me Not to Come" was Three Dog Night's first number one on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching the top spot in July of 1970. Newman wrote the tune in 1966, and it first appeared on Eric Burdon's 1967 album "Eric Is Here". He began writing professionally in 1960, and his songs have been recorded by numerous artists, including Petula Clark, Gene Pitney and Dusty Springfield.

In 1983 Newman wrote and recorded "I Love L.A.", which didn't do to well nationally, but was well received in Los Angeles, and is still played at sporting events around the city.

Answer: Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell wrote the song in 1969, shortly after the Woodstock Music & Art Fair had ended, and was included on her 1970 album "Ladies of the Canyon". Although she did not attend the festival, Mitchell was inspired to write the tune after seeing reports from Woodstock on television and then talking with her boyfriend, Graham Nash, about his experiences there.

The version by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970, while Matthews Southern Comfort's cover topped the UK Singles Chart in October of 1970, and peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May of 1971.

Answer: Mac Davis

Mac Davis was not only a talented songwriter, but he had a very successful recording career as well. Davis had two top ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100, "Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me", which topped the chart in 1972, and "Stop and Smell the Roses", which peaked at number nine in 1974. "In the Ghetto" was a major comeback hit for Presley, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969.

It also did very well internationally, topping the charts in Ireland, Norway, Australia and New Zealand.

Answer: Bruce Johnston

In December of 1964, The Beach Boys hired Glen Campbell to replace Brian Wilson, who had decided to quit touring so he could focus more on his studio work. After three months, Campbell left the band to pursue a solo career, and he was replaced by Bruce Johnston in April of 1965. Johnston eventually became a permanent member of the group, and was a big part of The Beach Boys' continued success for the remainder of the '60s and into the 1970s. Johnston wrote "I Write the Songs" in 1975, and it was originally recorded by The Captain & Tennille for inclusion on their debut album "Love Will Keep Us Together". Manilow released his version in late 1975, and it became his second number one, topping the Billboard Hot 100 in January of 1976.

Answer: Barry Gibb

Barry Gibb is probably best known for his work with The Bee Gees, a pop trio he formed with his brothers, Maurice and Robin, in 1958. Besides writing or co-writing the majority of songs recorded by The Bee Gees, he has also had a number of his compositions successfully recorded by other artists.

The song was performed by former Four Seasons front man Frankie Valli, and the single was released just prior to the films opening. "Grease" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in August of 1978, and was the final number one of Valli's career.