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Fun Trivia: B : Backup Artists

Special Sub-Topic: Who's That Singing Backup?


Which of these one-name artists sang on the song "Money For Nothing" by Dire Straits?

    Sting. Sting is credited with co-writing "Money For Nothing" with Mark Knopfler. In September 1985, Sting was connected with three albums in the top ten of the U.S. album charts -- "Brothers In Arms" by Dire Straits, which included "Money for Nothing"; "No Jacket Required" by Phil Collins, which featured Sting singing backup vocals on "Long Long Way To Go" and "Take Me Home"; and Sting's own album "The Dream of the Blue Turtles."

Which songstress contributed her vocal talents to Neil Young's "Heart of Gold"?
    Linda Ronstadt. James Taylor also sings backup on "Heart of Gold."

The group Glass Tiger had the vocal help of which fellow Canadian artist on their hit "Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)"?
    Bryan Adams. Bryan Adams's songwriting partner, Jim Vallance, co-wrote several songs for Glass Tiger, including "Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)."

The distinctive vocals of which artist can be heard on the Steve Winwood song "Higher Love"?
    Chaka Khan. Steve Winwood won Grammy awards for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and Record of the Year in 1986 for "Higher Love."

Which of the following artists can be heard on the song "The Only Flame In Town" by Elvis Costello and The Attractions?
    Daryl Hall. "The Only Flame In Town" appears on the album "Goodbye Cruel World," which Elvis Costello has been quoted as saying is his "worst album."

Which member of the B-52's sang on the R.E.M. song "Shiny Happy People"?
    Kate Pierson. In addition to "Shiny Happy People," Kate sings on two other songs on R.E.M.'s "Out Of Time" -- "Country Feedback" and "Me In Honey."

Rockwell had a hit in 1984 with the song "Somebody's Watching Me." Which of the following artists can be heard in the background of this song?
    Michael Jackson. Actually, both Michael and Jermaine Jackson contribute vocals to "Somebody's Watching Me." Stevie Wonder appeared on Rockwell's song "He's A Cobra," but that tune didn't make it on to the U.S. charts. Rockwell's real name is Kenneth Gordy. He is the son of Berry Gordy, but his father allegedly had no involvement in his son's signing to Motown Records.

Which of the following artists contributes backup vocals to four songs on the Indigo Girls' album "Come On Now Social"?
    Joan Osborne. Crow, Ndegocello, and Schellenbach (of Luscious Jackson) all provide backing vocals on this Indigo Girls album, but only Osborne shows up on four songs. Osborne can be heard singing on "Go," "Trouble," "Peace Tonight," and "We Are Together."

Which all-girl group provides support to Cyndi Lauper on her song "Change of Heart"?
    The Bangles. In addition to the Bangles, Cyndi's album "True Colors" features many of her famous friends. Some of the other artists joining Cyndi include Billy Joel, Aimee Mann, Nile Rodgers, Adrian Belew, and even Pee Wee Herman.

Which of the following women can not be heard singing backup on Paul Simon's "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover"?
    Janis Ian. "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" is from the album "Still Crazy After All These Years," which was released in December 1975. Phoebe Snow sings with Simon on another track on that album, "Gone At Last." Simon and Snow performed "Gone At Last" on the second episode of "Saturday Night Live" on October 18, 1975. They appeared with The Jessy Dixon Singers, who also appear on the recorded version of the song. Simon performed "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" on the November 20, 1976 episode of "Saturday Night Live."


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