A Boy Named Sue Trivia Quiz

Answer: Johnny Cash

The lyrics of "A Boy Named Sue" were first written as a poem by Shel Silverstein. The song became a big hit for Johnny Cash in the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969.

Shel Silverstein, 1930-1999, later wrote a sequel to the lyrics, telling the story from the viewpoint of the father of "Sue". Silverstein was a popular poet who wrote mostly for children. One of his best-loved collections of poetry is "Where the Sidewalk Ends", just one of many of his popular books.

Answer: Danny Boy

Songwriter, Frederic Weatherly, using the old ballad tune, "Londonderry Aire", wrote the words in 1910.

It has been recorded by dozens of famous artists since then. But only one version has been banned by the BBC, that of Conway Twitty, in 1957. I wondered why, so listened to it on You Tube, now I know. I like Conway Twitty, but his version is bad. It starts out slow but then is jazzed up to the extreme.

The song is used sometimes for funerals, and was played at the funeral of Elvis Presley, who loved the song and recorded it.

Answer: Ruby

"Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town" was a big hit for Kenny Rogers and The First Edition, in 1969. It was number one in Britain's New Musical Express and number six on the U.S. Hot 100. Worldwide, it sold over seven million copies.

Others who successfully recorded the song include The Statler Brothers, Waylon Jennings and Roger Miller. It has been recorded in other countries and languages, as well.

Answer: The Beatles

The Beatles included it in their 1968 double album known as "The White Album" ("The Beatles"). "Rocky Raccoon" was written mostly by Paul McCartney, who was trying a Western Music theme with a western accent. It worked! In its rhythm and clever lyrics it was unforgettable.

"The White Album" was recorded in a time of political turmoil, but reached number one on British and American charts. Many critics (and listeners) see it as one of the greatest albums ever.

Answer: Johnny Angel

Johnny Angel became a number one hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1962, it was also popular in the U.K.

Fabares never considered herself a singer and that aspect of her career didn't last long. Shs never had another top 20 hit. Not to worry, though, her acting career carried on and she was a star on the tv show, "Coach", 1989-1997.

Answer: Sweet Betsy From Pike

This song tells the story about the kind of woman who traveled overland in a covered wagon. Not a Conestoga wagon, as some would tell you. Conestogas were too big and unwieldy to ever make it over the rough trails, much less the mountains. Travelers really used smaller farm wagons, with a cover added.

The Betsy of the song was from Pike County, Missouri. The song has continued to be sung from the 1800s to modern times, recently mostly sung by children and chorus groups.

This song was first published in 1858, but the tune came from a 17th century British ballad, "Willkins and Dinah".

Answer: Maria

"Maria" is from "West Side Story", based on Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet".
It was first a Broadway musical in 1957, then a movie in 1961. Music was written by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics were by Stephen Sondheim. It was a hit in both formats, and the movie won the 1961 Academy Award for Best Picture, as well as nine other Academy Awards.

As in "Romeo and Juliet", the musical revolved around two young lovers, Tony and Maria, the subjects of the question's song.

Answer: Laura

The melody, "Laura" was written for the movie of the same name, by David Raksin. The lyrics were written later by Johnny Mercer without his having seen the film, but he had some information as to what it was about.

The song became very popular in 1945, and also became a jazz standard. There are over 400 recordings of "Laura", perhaps the best-known is the Frank Sinatra version - it is now considered a classic.

Answer: Michelle

In 1966, "Michelle" became a huge hit in the U.S. and in other countries. It has been the most popular Beatles song in France. It was named the Grammy Song
of the year in 1967.

The song was written mostly by Paul McCartney, with some in-put from John Lennon.
It has been covered by many diverse artists, including Perry Como, Ben Harper and Diana Ross and The Supremes.

Answer: It was never revealed

The song never revealed what it was or why Billy Joe committed suicide. It remains a mystery and led to a lot of speculation as to what it might have been. Bobby Gentry has let it remain a mystery. In 1976 a movie was released,
it had an answer, but it was fictitious and nothing to do with the song's ending.

This was a very successful song for Gentry, she was awarded two Grammys and the arranger, Jimmy Haskell, one, among nine nominations. Rolling Stone named it among the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.