Songs with carnival and circus theme titles Quiz

Answer: James Darren

The song reached number three. In addition to being a singer James was a student of acting coach Stella Adler and made his name in a series of teen flicks. He found it difficult to escape the teen-idol image he got in pictures like "Gidget" and "Gidget Goes Hawaiian".

His film work tapered off in the 1960s, but he did much TV work and had two hit series, "The Time Tunnel" and "T.J. Hooker". Singers Fabian and Frankie Avalon were also teen genre movie actors. Dion had hits such as "Runaround Sue" and "Teenager in Love".

Answer: Henry

Lennon related that he wrote the song after being inspired by a nineteenth century circus poster for Pablo Fanque's circus. He had purchased it in an antique shop in early 1967 while filming a promotional video for the song "Strawberry Fields Forever" in Kent, England.

The song was banned from airplay on the BBC, supposedly because the phrase "Henry the Horse" combined two words that were known as slang for heroin. Lennon denied that the song had anything to do with heroin. The song is performed by The Bee Gees and George Burns in the 1978 film "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", and by Eddie Izzard in the 2007 film "Across the Universe".

Answer: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

"The Tears of a Clown" was the first Motown record to hit number one in the UK. Following the British success of the single Motown released it on their Tamla label and it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Smokey had announced plans to leave the group, but on the heels of the song's success he stayed for two more years.

The Temptations recorded hits such as "Just My Imagination", which was co-written by Smokey. They were supposed to record "Do You Love Me" but Berry Gordy had the Contours record the hit song.

The Four Tops had such hits as "Bernadette" and "Reach Out (I'll Be There)".

Answer: The Hollies

With the polished voices of Allan Clarke, Graham Nash and Tony Hicks, the Hollies locked their trademark harmonies into place and earned a reputation as more than just another beat group. They are known for other hits such as "Look Through Any Window" and "Bus Stop".

The Searchers broke through with "Needles and Pins". The Dave Clark Five recorded several top twenty hits and starred in the movie "Catch Us if You Can". Despite having great harmonies Vanity Fare had only a few hits, such as "Hitching a Ride".

Answer: Freddy Cannon

A tribute to New Jersey's Palisades Amusement Park, "Palisades Park" is an up-tempo tune with a a distinctive organ part throughout the song. It also incorporates amusement park sound effects in the solo. It was first released by Swan Records as a B-side to the song "June, July and August". "Palisades Park" broke in Flint, Michigan, when a radio station played the B-side by mistake. Lou Christy had a unique falsetto voice and sang "Two Faces Have I" and "The Gypsy Cried" among other hits. Johnny Rivers is known for many hits as well as singing the theme to televisions's "Secret Agent Man" and Chubby Checker popularized "The Twist".

Answer: Johnny Thunder

"Loop de Loop" is a popular amusement ride but the song is based on a children's song called "Looby Loo". This was the only hit for Johnny Thunder, a Floridian whose given name is Gil Hamilton. He was briefly a member of The Drifters but left following the success of "Loop de Loop".

In a Rolling Stone interview Bob Dylan said "Johnny Thunder is the best live performer I've ever seen". Johnny Horton is known for ballads such as "North to Alaska" and "The Battle of New Orleans". "Johnny Angel" was actress Shelley Fabares' only number one song. Johnny Ace had a huge hit with "Pledging My Love".

Answer: Leon Russell

Leon Russell played on, produced, arranged and wrote some of rock 'n' roll's most important records. George Benson's cover of Leon's Grammy winning composition "This Masquerade" was the first song in music history to occupy the number one spot on jazz, pop and R&B charts.

He has released four Gold Albums and performed with George Harrison at "The Concert for Bangladesh". Ray Charles did a version of Leon's "A Song For You" and BB King recorded his composition "Hummingbird". Joe Cocker had a signature hit with Leon's "Delta Lady".

Answer: Cathy's Clown

"Cathy's Clown" was first recorded in 1960 by The Everly Brothers. Their version peaked at number 1 in the U.S. charts in May of 1960. It is one of The Everly Brothers' biggest hit singles. It was covered by country music artist Reba McEntire on her album "Sweet Sixteen". Her version was also a hit, reaching number one on the Hot Country Songs chart in 1989.

Answer: The Ohio Players

The song was from their 1975 album "Honey". It was a hit, reaching the top of both the R&B and pop charts. It still sees wide airplay on classic funk and R&B stations. The song uses the roller coaster as a metaphor for the ups and downs of relationships.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers covered "Love Rollercoaster" for the film "Beavis and Butt-head Do America". The Spinners first hit the charts in 1961 with "That's What Girls Are Made For". The O'Jays had their first hit with "Lonely Drifter" in 1963. "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" is a 1974 hit single by MFSB featuring vocals by The Three Degrees.

Answer: Three Dog Night

"The Show Must Go On" was written by Leo Sayer. Sayer took the song to number two in Britain in 1973. It deals with a circus performer who must let the show go on despite his shortcomings. Three Dog Night is an American band best known for their hits such as "One", "Joy to the World" and many more. CCR released the LP "Bayou Country" in 1969. "Proud Mary" was culled from the LP and went to number two. Little River Band is an Australian band formed in 1975 named after a road sign.

They scored 13 American Top 40 hits including "Reminiscing". Tucky Buzzard is notable for having Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones as their producer.