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'What Did They Just Sing?'-Misunderstood Lyrics

Crafted by Trivia Architect mutchisman

Fun Trivia : Quizzes : Misheard Lyrics : 'What Did They Just Sing?'-Misunderstood Lyrics

Introduction:
"No not misheard lyrics but misunderstood lyrics. Here are some lyrics and songs that may have caused at least some confusion when they first crossed the Atlantic. A mixed bag of questions, name the song, name the artist, spot the definition etc, enjoy."


1. At the start of The Jam's "The Eton Rifles" Paul Weller sings, "Sup up your beer and collect your fags". What did he mean by 'fags'?
    Cigarettes
    Schoolboys who run errands
    Gay men
    Spicy meat balls


2. We Brits didn't really know what a "Homely Girl" was way back in 1974; can you remember who sang it?
    The Stylistics
    The Delfonics
    The Chi-Lites
    The Temptations


3. "Don't wanna be your monkey wrench
One more indecent accident
I'd rather leave than suffer this
I'll never be your monkey wrench"

So sang The Foo Fighters; which of these would be the British version of a 'monkey wrench'?
    A child practised in mechanics
    A primate with a twisted muscle
    An adjustable spanner
    Someone unwilling to part with ?500


4. The band Squeeze were more popular in the UK than they were in the States, possibly due to their liberal use of London vernacular. One of their big hits "Cool for Cats" contains these lyrics,

"The Sweeney's doing ninety 'cos they've got the word to go,
To get a gang of villains in a shed up at Heathrow"

"The Sweeney" is a rhyming slang reference to a section of the police force, but which particular section are they singing about?
    The Special Patrol Group
    The Flying Squad
    The Anti-Terrorist Squad
    Local Community Officers


5. When Californian band Love released their seminal album "Forever Changes" in 1967, there were a good many references which we didn't 'get' in Britain.
One title which I never understood until years later was:

"The Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This"

Which of these is a British equivalent of "The Good Humor Man"?
    A comedian
    A milk float
    A fish and chip van
    Mr Whippy


6. 1977 and music is given a well-deserved kick in the pants by punk-rock. The most infamous of the British bands were The Sex Pistols who deliberately courted controversy with the title of their album "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols". This would probably not raise many eyebrows in America but was considered very offensive in the UK and the title resulted in a famous court case.

Which definition of 'bollocks' was accepted by the judge which allowed for the continued sale of the album?
    An archaic term for a priest
    A veterinary term for dogs' healthy testicles
    An offensive term for male genitalia
    A range of hills in a remote part of Scotland


7. This is an old chestnut; here are some lyrics from British band Radiohead's "True Love Waits":

"And true love waits
In haunted attics
And true love wins
On lollipops and crisps."

What are crisps usually called across the pond?
    Potato chips
    Cookies
    Fries
    Nothing-they don't eat them


8. I guess the 'pavement versus sidewalk' debate is now fairly well rehearsed but can you remember which Cream song these lyrics come from?

"I can walk down the street, there's no one there
Though the pavements are one huge crowd.
I can drive down the road, my eyes don't see,
Though my mind wants to cry out loud."
    White Room
    I Feel Free
    Badge
    Strange Brew


9. Several acts including The Carpenters and Andy Williams covered the Neil Sedaka song "Solitaire", a rather sad song about a broken-hearted man who plays cards by himself to pass the time. In Britain solitaire is a not usually a game of cards but a small puzzle played with wooden or plastic pegs.
What do we call card games for one in Britain?
    Singles
    Patience
    Frustration
    Suits


10. This 1987 record was concerned with a dance style in The States originally known as the Carolina Shag and later was to feature in the 1989 film "Shag" starring Bridget Fonda. Which of these acts recorded the hit "There ain't nothing Like Shaggin'"?
    The O'Jays
    Archie Bell and The Drells
    The Tams
    The Spinners


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