How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Randy Newman, Barry Gibb, Jeff Tweedy, Jamie Cullum, Mick Jagger, Morrissey, Paolo Nutini, Nick Cave, Rodriguez, JJ Cale, John Denver, Bruce Hornsby
They are the Male Balladeers selected among the 448 Posts we publish this week.
1. Which Randy Newman song was used in promotional material for a 2010 Disney/Pixar film but not included in the film’s official soundtrack?
- A We Belong Together
- B Losing You
- C You’ve Got a Friend in Me
2. What inspired the Bee Gees’ song ‘How Can You Mend a Broken Heart’ ?
- A Personal estrangement
- B A breakup
- C An accident
3. Which everyday activity is humorously juxtaposed with deep themes in Jeff Tweedy’s ‘Don’t Forget’ ?
- A Grocery shopping
- B Brushing your teeth
- C Making the bed
4. What romantic association did Jamie Cullum aim to highlight in ‘London Skies’ ?
- A Big Ben’s chimes
- B Foggy streets
- C London’s weather
5. Which notable producer collaborated with Mick Jagger on the album containing ‘Evening Gown’ ?
- A Quincy Jones
- B Rick Rubin
- C Phil Spector
6. Which musical influence did Morrissey request for ‘You’re The One For Me, Fatty’ ?
- A The Ramones
- B The Beach Boys
- C The Beatles
7. Which genre does Beyoncé’s song ‘Halo’ primarily belong to?
- A Hip hop
- B Pop and R&B
- C Classical
8. What is a staple of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ live performances?
- A Elaborate costumes
- B Intense lyrical delivery
- C Pyrotechnics
9. Which characteristic is shared by several songs on Rodriguez’s album “Cold Fact,” including ‘Like Janis’ ?
- A Titles repeated in lyrics
- B Lyrics allude to space
- C Titles not in lyrics
10. Which musician’s cover helped popularize JJ Cale’s song ‘Cocaine’ ?
- A Eric Clapton
- B Keith Richards
- C Neil Young
11. Where did John Denver write ‘Annie’s Song’ ?
- A On a flight
- B On a ski lift
- C In his living room
12. Which social issue is addressed in Bruce Hornsby’s ‘The Way It Is’ ?
- A Climate change
- B Economic inequality
- C Urban development
Tracklist
1 . Randy Newman . Losing You |
2 . Barry Gibb . How Do You Mend A Broken Heart |
3 . Jeff Tweedy . Don’t Forget |
4 . Jamie Cullum . London Skies |
5 . Mick Jagger . Evening Gown |
6 . Morrissey . You’re The One For Me FattyMorrissey releases his third album . ‘Your Arsenal’ produced by Mick Ronson (1992) |
7 . Paolo Nutini . High Hopes |
8 . Nick Cave . Do You Love Me? |
9 . Rodriguez . Like Janis |
10 . J.J. Cale . Cocaine |
11 . John Denver . Annie’s Song |
12 . Bruce Hornsby . The Way It Is |
And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. Randy Newman’s ‘Losing You’ was featured in promotional materials for the 2010 Disney/Pixar film, though it didn’t make the official soundtrack. The film instead prominently showcased ‘We Belong Together.’ This song’s Academy Award win contributed to Newman’s renowned reputation in musical scores.
2. ‘How Can You Mend a Broken Heart’ emerged after the Bee Gees’ reconciliation following a period of estrangement. It became their first U.S. number one hit, reuniting Barry and Robin Gibb with a lyrical exploration of emotional healing and reconciliation.
3. In ‘Don’t Forget,’ Jeff Tweedy cleverly mixes profound life reflections with mundane tasks, like brushing teeth. This contrast exemplifies his unique style of joining everyday activities with deeper existential musings, engaging listeners in contemplation.
4. Jamie Cullum wrote ‘London Skies’ to express the romantic qualities of London’s weather, initially for his girlfriend from Brazil. The song illustrates his affection for the city’s climate despite its often challenging misty conditions.
5. Mick Jagger’s album *Wandering Spirit*, featuring ‘Evening Gown,’ was produced by Rick Rubin. Their collaboration brought out varied musical influences and showcased Jagger’s range beyond his Rolling Stones persona.
6. Morrissey requested a musical vibe for ‘You’re The One For Me, Fatty’ inspired by The Ramones. Boz Boorer and Alain Whyte helped translate this request into an energetic track with rockabilly nuances matching Morrissey’s signature style.
7. From *I Am… Sasha Fierce*, Beyoncé’s ‘Halo’ combines pop and R&B ballad elements. The track’s lyrics depict uplifting love, accentuated by a powerful vocal delivery that earned critical acclaim and several prestigious awards.
8. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are celebrated for their intense and emotive lyrical delivery at live shows. This distinctive performance style elevates concerts into emotionally gripping experiences, resonating fully with audiences worldwide.
9. Rodriguez’s album ‘Cold Fact,’ particularly ‘Like Janis,’ features a characteristic where track titles don’t appear in the lyrics. This sparked intrigue and added depth, supporting the album’s longstanding appreciation.
10. Eric Clapton’s cover of ‘Cocaine’ significantly contributed to the song’s fame. Initially written by JJ Cale, the song’s fame grew with Clapton’s interpretation, which included nuanced messages about substance use.
11. John Denver spontaneously wrote ‘Annie’s Song’ on a ski lift in Aspen, Colorado. His inspiration was the surrounding natural beauty and his emotions for his wife, leading to this tangible reflection of intimate sentiment and scenery.
12. ‘The Way It Is’ by Bruce Hornsby addresses economic inequality and racial discrimination. With vivid storytelling, it highlights aspects of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, cementing its status as an impactful social commentary through music.
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