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Song Titles (In Parentheses) Trivia Quiz

I've long been intrigued by parenthesised song titles. Is the portion in brackets not as important? An afterthought? Or is it just there to cause confusion? Do you remember these parenthetical hits?

A multiple-choice quiz by wilbill. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
wilbill

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
353,414

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
514

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What was in the parentheses of John Lennon's 1980 hit, "(_____
_____) Starting Over"? Hint

Too Much

Let's Try

Just Like

How About

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Question 2 of 10

2. In 1965 James Brown's first Billboard Top ten record began life nearly seven minutes long. What hit was released as (Pt 1) at just over two minutes in length? Hint

Papa's Got A Brand New Bag (Pt. 1)

Cold Sweat (Pt. 1)

Papa's In The Groove (Pt. 1)

Funky Drummer (Pt. 1)

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. In November, 1966, The Monkees released a two-sided hit. "I'm A Believer" was the A-side. The B-side, written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, was "(I'm Not Your) ________
______" Hint

Number One

Steppin' Stone

Best Friend

Jumpin' Bean

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Question 4 of 10

4. "All Night Long (All Night)" was the third Billboard number one for what former Commodore? Hint

William King

Luther Vandross

Marvin Gaye

Lionel Richie

5. In 1966 the Temptations reached number one on Billboard's R&B chart and number eight on the Hot 100 with the classic Motown "(I Know) I'm Losing You". It became a much-covered title during the next several years. Which of these artists did not cover it? Hint

The Jackson 5

Rare Earth

The Rolling Stones

Rod Stewart

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. "(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet" made Billboard's Top Ten in 1967 for one of the earliest psychedelic bands, The Blues Project.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Peaking only at number 41 on the US Billboard chart, this Kinks song received more radio play on album oriented stations as a cut from the band's "Low Budget" LP. Can you complete "(Wish I Could Fly Like) __________"?

Answer: (8 letters. Look, up in the sky!)

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Question 8 of 10

8. The Greg Kihn Band hit number 15 on the Billboard chart in 1981 with a parenthetical title from their "Rockihnroll" album. What kind of song was "The ________ Song (They Don't Write 'Em)"? Hint

Backup

Shakeup

Breakup

Makeup

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" was a top ten hit in the USA for Carole King in 1967.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. In 1964 what were the Shangri-Las walking in? Hint

Remember (Walkin' In The Rain)

Remember (Walkin' Like An Egyptian)

Remember (Walkin' In The Street)

Remember (Walkin' In The Sand)

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was in the parentheses of John Lennon's 1980 hit, "(_____ _____) Starting Over"?

Answer: Just Like

This record reached number one in Billboard's Hot 100 less than three weeks after John Lennon's death. Sad irony for a song that's very optimistic and forward-looking.

2. In 1965 James Brown's first Billboard Top ten record began life nearly seven minutes long. What hit was released as (Pt 1) at just over two minutes in length?

Answer: Papa's Got A Brand New Bag (Pt. 1)

The Godfather Of Soul" was arguably the King Of (Pt. 1) Songs. In his prolific career, James Brown released (by my unofficial count) 37 singles bracketed Pt. 1, 2, 3, Pts 1&2 or Pts. 1&2. In 1969 Parts 1 and 2 of "Let A Man Come In And Do The Popcorn" both reached the Billboard Top 40.

3. In November, 1966, The Monkees released a two-sided hit. "I'm A Believer" was the A-side. The B-side, written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, was "(I'm Not Your) ________ ______"

Answer: Steppin' Stone

"Steppin' Stone" was first recorded by Paul Revere and The Raiders as an album track. The song's edginess made it a popular cover for punk and garage rock artists like The Trashmen, Johnny Thunders, S.O.A. and The Sex Pistols.

4. "All Night Long (All Night)" was the third Billboard number one for what former Commodore?

Answer: Lionel Richie

"Endless Love" with Diana Ross and "Truly" were Richie's first two solo singles post-Commodores and both reached number one. A few months later "All Night Long (All Night)" hit the top with a more dance oriented style.

Answer: The Rolling Stones

An edit of Rare Earth's ten minute version peaked at number seven in 1970. Rod Stewart covered it on his first solo album. So did the Jacksons. The Stones covered several Motown hits over the years, but not "(I Know) I'm Losing You".

6. "(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet" made Billboard's Top Ten in 1967 for one of the earliest psychedelic bands, The Blues Project.

Answer: False

"(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet" was by the Blues Magoos from their "Psychedelic Lollipop" album. The Blues Project was a more influential band whose incarnations produced early influences on psychedelic rock, jam bands, jazz-tinged rock, and other genres.

Answer: Superman

Ray Davies' wry lyrics make it seem unlikely he'll ever fly like Superman. "I looked in the mirror, what did I see? A nine stone weakling with knobbly knees."

8. The Greg Kihn Band hit number 15 on the Billboard chart in 1981 with a parenthetical title from their "Rockihnroll" album. What kind of song was "The ________ Song (They Don't Write 'Em)"?

Answer: Breakup

"The Breakup Song" also charted well on US album oriented radio stations. It's appeared on the soundtracks of several movies over the years.

9. "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" was a top ten hit in the USA for Carole King in 1967.

Answer: False

"...Natural Woman" reached number eight for Aretha Franklin. The song was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin and recorded by King on her "Tapestry" album in 1971.

10. In 1964 what were the Shangri-Las walking in?

Answer: Remember (Walkin' In The Sand)

The Shangri-Las were two sister pairs from Queens, NYC. Their next release, "Leader Of The Pack", was a number one US hit.

Source: Author wilbill

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