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Quiz about I Beg Your Parody
Quiz about I Beg Your Parody

I Beg Your Parody Trivia Quiz


A songwriter or performer must surely know that he, or she, has entered the public consciousness when someone else produces a parody of one of their songs. Questions about these parodies relate to the real song, or the artists who sang or wrote it.

A multiple-choice quiz by darksplash. Estimated time: 8 mins.
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Author
darksplash
Time
8 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
321,983
Updated
Dec 02 22
# Qns
15
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
11 / 15
Plays
1469
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 24 (14/15), toddruby96 (13/15), elon78 (11/15).
Question 1 of 15
1. Road rage: it affects so many of us:
"The stupid car in front of me
Is driving way too slow
And I'm gonna be too late for work today
Maybe I should have stayed at home
And I simply do not understand it
It must be twenty-five years old
And I can see no signals
'Cause there are no signals
Get that heap of junk off of the ro-o-o-o-oad

(Tell me why) I don't like Volvos
(Tell me why) I don't like Volvos..."

Which band had one of their biggest hits parodied in this way?
Hint


Question 2 of 15
2. Many writers of parody songs shy away from the limelight, but one who did not was Al Yankovic. He had a US Top 20 hit with a parody that began thus:
"How come you're always such a fussy young man
Don't want no Captain Crunch, don't want no Raisin Bran
Well, don't you know that other kids are starving in Japan
So eat it, just eat it..."

Who wrote the song on which it was based?
Hint


Question 3 of 15
3. One artist who did not take umbrage at having a song parodied was the American folkie Tom Paxton. These are the lyrics of a parody of one of his most famous songs. Which one?
"Well I met this young girl at a folk club,
Like you do, like you do.
So I bought her a drink and we chatted,
Wouldn't you, wouldn't you.
And then after the show she invited me home,
And she said we were two of a kind...."
Hint


Question 4 of 15
4. Bob Dylan was an obvious target for the parody writers:
"There must be some way to win here, said the loser to the fool,
Too many cameras, I need to keep my cool.
Counting cards is dangerous. Guards are everywhere.
Let's try to avoid blackjack so that no one will care."

Which of his songs was parodied here?
Hint


Question 5 of 15
5. Some songs are easy targets for the parody writers: Take these parody lyrics:
"Imagine there's no brand names
It's easy if you try,
No Gucci or Armani
And no jeans from Levi
Imagine all the people
Living life in grey

Imagine there's no adverts
Examining your psyche
All you'd wear is trainers
Not Reebok or Nike
Imagine all the people
With unbranded shoes"

The original song was written by a former Beatle. Which one?
Hint


Question 6 of 15
6. It is not just pop songs that have been parodies, take these lyrics:
"I'm cursed, oh well
The gypsy did say
'Your sign is that Cancer
So you'll have to pay'
Yes, I'll have to pay more than just money
On a full moonlit night I'll act funny
Oh well, Oh well, Oh well, Oh well
Born is a werewolf, I've gone to hell."

Which Christian carol was getting the parody treatment?
Hint


Question 7 of 15
7. Many parody songs are written to be funny. These lyrics are actually a pretty accurate retelling of the Biblical story of The Good Samaritan:
"He was on his way to Jericho
When he was beaten half past dead
An old priest walked by him
He walked by and shook his head
'Hey mister can you help me?'
The beaten man tried to pray
He prayed to God that another man
Would come and stop and say

Take a load off brother
Take a load for free
Take a load off brother
And You put the load right on me."

Which song by The Band was the inspiration?
Hint


Question 8 of 15
8. In the 1990s a British band seemed to conquer the world. One of their songs earned this parody:

"Yo, I'll tell you what I drive, what I really really drive,
So tell me what you drive, what you really really drive,
I'll tell you what I drive, what I really really drive,
So tell me what you drive, what you really really drive,
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna really
really really wanna drive a hummer..."

Which British girl band sang the original?
Hint


Question 9 of 15
9. The imagination of parody sing writers knows few limits, it seems:
"I can't get no black ice traction
I can't get no black ice traction
I just slide and I slide and I slide and I slide
I can't get no, I can't get no..."

This was a parody version of one of the best-known songs by a British band. Which one?
Hint


Question 10 of 15
10. Millions of children have grown up watching "Sesame Street" and a tribute was paid to it in this song:
"Counting to five down on Sesame Street
Ernie and Bert are still fast asleep
Well another cookie gone, thanks to the Cookie Monster
It's time to learn your ABCs

And did you hear that Big Bird's nine feet tall?
And Bert and Ernie might not be straight guys at all
And it's taken you so long to recite your numbers
Well, this is what this show is for

You used to think that it was so easy,
You used to say that it was so easy...."

The original version featured a magnificent sax solo. Which Scottish rocker wrote it?
Hint


Question 11 of 15
11. Many country songs already sound like parodies, but who was the man who wrote a song that was parodied like this?
"I'm lazy, - lazy for feelin' so hungry.
I'm lazy, - lazy to make me' some food
I knew - I had to get up and make it myself,
And then someday....
I discovered take away that delivered

Worry, -I'm getting fat and I do worry?
Wond'rin' - exercise just wouldn't doo
I'm Lazy -for thinkin' my body looks good.
And I'm lazy I ain't tryin' - lazy for whining
And I'm lazy for needing the loo... "
Hint


Question 12 of 15
12. Sometimes even a parody song gets parodied!
"I got fed up with changing hoses each night,
When bits fell off it was a terrible sight,
Well now I've spent some money and I'm sure you'll agree,
This excavator is the best you will see

Chorus:
Well I've got a brand new excavator and I'll give you the key,
Come along now let's dig together in perfect harmony
I've got a Case Poclain and you've got a JCB
Now I've got a brand new excavator and I'll give you the key."

This was a parody of a song by a British west country band. Which one?
Hint


Question 13 of 15
13. If any singer set himself up for a parody, it was surely Barry Manilow. Consider these parody lyrics:
"I've been ablaze forever, and I toke my ceramic bongs
I bring the herbs and pottery together
It's amusing so I wrote this song

I light the bongs that make the T-H-C
I light the bongs of bud and incense springs
I light the bongs that make the munchies cry
I light the bongs, I light the bongs."

Which Manilow hit was being parodied here?
Hint


Question 14 of 15
14. Time was every Hollywood 'A list' star drove around in a Hummer. That prompted parodies like this:
"Some people call it the smoke belcher, yeah
Some call it the worst of GM
Some people call it a menace
Cause it reeks of the pumpingas of smog
People walk around it, baby
Say I'm doin' Earth wrong, doin' it wrong
I'm in a hurry baby
I hurry cause I can't steer, big rear, hit deer

Cause it's a Hummer
It's a guzzler
And it's a bummer
And it's a puzzler
I drive this loser when it runs
It's a junker
It's a clunker
It's a smog test flunker
I call the tow trucks-it's no fun..."

Which Steve Miller hit was the song based on?
Hint


Question 15 of 15
15. Sometimes artists can appear so pompous that the parody writers just itch to get after them:
"It's a little bit funny, these parodies I write
I can even do one 'bout someone who died
I don't have mucho dinero, but damn, if I did
I'd buy a guitar, and record a hit

If I was a sculptor, I would then quit, oh
I want a job where I'll make the best amount of dough
I know this ain't much, but it's the best I can do
I ruin your songs, and this one's by you."

Which bespectacled piano player was being parodied here?
Hint



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quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Road rage: it affects so many of us: "The stupid car in front of me Is driving way too slow And I'm gonna be too late for work today Maybe I should have stayed at home And I simply do not understand it It must be twenty-five years old And I can see no signals 'Cause there are no signals Get that heap of junk off of the ro-o-o-o-oad (Tell me why) I don't like Volvos (Tell me why) I don't like Volvos..." Which band had one of their biggest hits parodied in this way?

Answer: The Boomtown Rats

This parody of "(Tell Me Why) I Don't Like Mondays" by The Boomtown Rats was written by Phil Alexander.
The original song was a UK Number one for four weeks in the summer of 1979 but only reached Number 73 in the USA. It was based on fact, the story of 16-year-old Brenda Ann Spencer who shot and killed two adults and injured eight children in a school playground near her home in San Diego, California. A police officer was also injured. During police interviews she was asked why she did it and reportedly answered: ""I don't like Mondays; this livens up the day."
2. Many writers of parody songs shy away from the limelight, but one who did not was Al Yankovic. He had a US Top 20 hit with a parody that began thus: "How come you're always such a fussy young man Don't want no Captain Crunch, don't want no Raisin Bran Well, don't you know that other kids are starving in Japan So eat it, just eat it..." Who wrote the song on which it was based?

Answer: Michael Jackson

In fact 'Weird Al' took "Eat It" to Number 12 in the Billboard charts in 1984. It was a Number one in Australia.
The song on which it was based, "Beat It", was a Billboard Number one for Jackson in 1983.
3. One artist who did not take umbrage at having a song parodied was the American folkie Tom Paxton. These are the lyrics of a parody of one of his most famous songs. Which one? "Well I met this young girl at a folk club, Like you do, like you do. So I bought her a drink and we chatted, Wouldn't you, wouldn't you. And then after the show she invited me home, And she said we were two of a kind...."

Answer: The Last Thing On My Mind

The parody continued:
"Then she played me every record that Tom Paxton ever made,
And you know that was the last thing on my mind."
Paxton was known to sing this version of his most famous song in concert, and included it on at least one album, "Live In The UK". Strangely, I have not been able to pin down an author for the parody, though Paxton claimed someone found it on the internet and sent it to him.
4. Bob Dylan was an obvious target for the parody writers: "There must be some way to win here, said the loser to the fool, Too many cameras, I need to keep my cool. Counting cards is dangerous. Guards are everywhere. Let's try to avoid blackjack so that no one will care." Which of his songs was parodied here?

Answer: All Along The Watchtower

"All Along The Vegas Strip" was written by Tim Hall.
There are some who say that the Jimi Hendrix version of "All Along The Watchtower" was the best ever cover of a Bob Dylan song. It reached Number 20 in the US charts in 1968 and was Number five in the UK. Dylan was also reputed to have admired it.
5. Some songs are easy targets for the parody writers: Take these parody lyrics: "Imagine there's no brand names It's easy if you try, No Gucci or Armani And no jeans from Levi Imagine all the people Living life in grey Imagine there's no adverts Examining your psyche All you'd wear is trainers Not Reebok or Nike Imagine all the people With unbranded shoes" The original song was written by a former Beatle. Which one?

Answer: John Lennon

Released initially in 1971, "Imagine" only reached number six in the UK charts, but after his murder it was re-released and reached the top (January 1981). In 2004, 'Rolling Stone Magazine' rated "Imagine" Number three on a list of the '500 Greatest Songs of All Time'.
The parody was written by Phil Alexander.
6. It is not just pop songs that have been parodies, take these lyrics: "I'm cursed, oh well The gypsy did say 'Your sign is that Cancer So you'll have to pay' Yes, I'll have to pay more than just money On a full moonlit night I'll act funny Oh well, Oh well, Oh well, Oh well Born is a werewolf, I've gone to hell." Which Christian carol was getting the parody treatment?

Answer: The First Nowell

Matthew Stovarsky, a prolific parody writer who used the name Mattias was behind this one and more than 300 others.

Note on spelling: My hymn book gives it as "Nowell". That was the original when it was first published in 1833. Most sources that I've checked support "Nowell" as being the preferred spelling, with "Noel" as a later alternative.
7. Many parody songs are written to be funny. These lyrics are actually a pretty accurate retelling of the Biblical story of The Good Samaritan: "He was on his way to Jericho When he was beaten half past dead An old priest walked by him He walked by and shook his head 'Hey mister can you help me?' The beaten man tried to pray He prayed to God that another man Would come and stop and say Take a load off brother Take a load for free Take a load off brother And You put the load right on me." Which song by The Band was the inspiration?

Answer: The Weight

The parody "Take a Load Off Brother" was written by Paul Sappington.
"The Weight" was a better song than its Number 63 US chart position deserved. It reached Number 35 in Canada and Number 21 in the UK, all in 1968. The following year, Aretha Franklin took the song to Number 19 in the USA.
8. In the 1990s a British band seemed to conquer the world. One of their songs earned this parody: "Yo, I'll tell you what I drive, what I really really drive, So tell me what you drive, what you really really drive, I'll tell you what I drive, what I really really drive, So tell me what you drive, what you really really drive, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna really really really wanna drive a hummer..." Which British girl band sang the original?

Answer: The Spice Girls

Phil Hannan's parody "Wanna Drive A Hummer" continued:
"If you want a hummer forget the past,
If you wanna make the world better better make it fast,
Now don't go wasting that precious gas,
Get your act together we could be real fast"
Released in 1996, "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls topped the charts in 15 countries.
9. The imagination of parody sing writers knows few limits, it seems: "I can't get no black ice traction I can't get no black ice traction I just slide and I slide and I slide and I slide I can't get no, I can't get no..." This was a parody version of one of the best-known songs by a British band. Which one?

Answer: The Rolling Stones

"Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones became "Black Ice Traction" in the parody written by wannabemustangjockey. [sic]
Released in 1965, (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" topped both the US and UK charts.
10. Millions of children have grown up watching "Sesame Street" and a tribute was paid to it in this song: "Counting to five down on Sesame Street Ernie and Bert are still fast asleep Well another cookie gone, thanks to the Cookie Monster It's time to learn your ABCs And did you hear that Big Bird's nine feet tall? And Bert and Ernie might not be straight guys at all And it's taken you so long to recite your numbers Well, this is what this show is for You used to think that it was so easy, You used to say that it was so easy...." The original version featured a magnificent sax solo. Which Scottish rocker wrote it?

Answer: Gerry Rafferty

The parody song "Sesame Street" was written by Chris Bodily TM [sic] and was based on "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty.
Released in 1978 with a very distinctive sax solo, "Baker Street" reached number three in the UK charts and Number 2 in the US.
11. Many country songs already sound like parodies, but who was the man who wrote a song that was parodied like this? "I'm lazy, - lazy for feelin' so hungry. I'm lazy, - lazy to make me' some food I knew - I had to get up and make it myself, And then someday.... I discovered take away that delivered Worry, -I'm getting fat and I do worry? Wond'rin' - exercise just wouldn't doo I'm Lazy -for thinkin' my body looks good. And I'm lazy I ain't tryin' - lazy for whining And I'm lazy for needing the loo... "

Answer: Willie Nelson

The best known version of "Crazy" was by Patsy Cline, who made it a number two US Country hit in 1961. Nelson later described Cline's version of "Crazy" as his favourite cover of one of his songs by another artist.
Alex Zander wrote the parody.
12. Sometimes even a parody song gets parodied! "I got fed up with changing hoses each night, When bits fell off it was a terrible sight, Well now I've spent some money and I'm sure you'll agree, This excavator is the best you will see Chorus: Well I've got a brand new excavator and I'll give you the key, Come along now let's dig together in perfect harmony I've got a Case Poclain and you've got a JCB Now I've got a brand new excavator and I'll give you the key." This was a parody of a song by a British west country band. Which one?

Answer: The Wurzels

"I've Got A Brand New Combine Harvester" by The Wurzels reached Number two in the UK charts in 1976. It was itself parody of a song called "Brand New Key" that was a a US Number one and UK number four for Melanie. Her refrain went "I've got a brand new pair of roller skates and you've got a brand new key".
The parody of the parody was: "Well I've Got A Brand New Excavator" by Drew Coppinger and Sam Hillman.
13. If any singer set himself up for a parody, it was surely Barry Manilow. Consider these parody lyrics: "I've been ablaze forever, and I toke my ceramic bongs I bring the herbs and pottery together It's amusing so I wrote this song I light the bongs that make the T-H-C I light the bongs of bud and incense springs I light the bongs that make the munchies cry I light the bongs, I light the bongs." Which Manilow hit was being parodied here?

Answer: I Write The Songs

An even bigger joke was that Manilow did not write "I Write The Songs" - Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys did that. (And the "I" was supposed to be Brian Wilson). David Cassidy was the first to record the song and, to be fair to Mainlow, he was initially reluctant to cover it. Manilow took the song to the top of the Billboard charts in 1976 an it won a Grammy that year
"I Light the Bongs" was written by Lionel Mertens.
I found 129 Barry Manilow parodies on http://www.amiright.com/parody
14. Time was every Hollywood 'A list' star drove around in a Hummer. That prompted parodies like this: "Some people call it the smoke belcher, yeah Some call it the worst of GM Some people call it a menace Cause it reeks of the pumpingas of smog People walk around it, baby Say I'm doin' Earth wrong, doin' it wrong I'm in a hurry baby I hurry cause I can't steer, big rear, hit deer Cause it's a Hummer It's a guzzler And it's a bummer And it's a puzzler I drive this loser when it runs It's a junker It's a clunker It's a smog test flunker I call the tow trucks-it's no fun..." Which Steve Miller hit was the song based on?

Answer: The Joker

Rick Duncan wrote the parody "The Junker".
"The Joker" was a US chart topper for The Steve Miller Band in 1974.
15. Sometimes artists can appear so pompous that the parody writers just itch to get after them: "It's a little bit funny, these parodies I write I can even do one 'bout someone who died I don't have mucho dinero, but damn, if I did I'd buy a guitar, and record a hit If I was a sculptor, I would then quit, oh I want a job where I'll make the best amount of dough I know this ain't much, but it's the best I can do I ruin your songs, and this one's by you." Which bespectacled piano player was being parodied here?

Answer: Elton John

The parody song "It's My Song Now, Elton!" was written by Chris Bodily TM.
"Your Song", music by Elton John and words by Bernie Taupin, reached Number eight in the Billboard charts and number seven in the UK in 1973. Re-released in 2002, it reached Number four in the UK.
Source: Author darksplash

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