Swinging Little Guitar Man Trivia Quiz

Answer: Jerry Reed

Jerry Reed was a session guitarist and songwriter. In 1967 he wrote and recorded "Guitar Man" and had some success with it, reaching number fifty three on the country music charts. Elvis Presley released a cover version in the same year, which was only a minor hit for him. Some years later, in 1981, it was re-released with a new arrangement. This went to number one on the country chart and number twenty eight on the Billboard Hot Hundred chart.


Question by Christinap

Answer: Donovan

A hurdy gurdy is an instrument that resembles those that used to be played by organ grinders. It is played by a combination of turning a handle and pressing keys. Donovan wrote and recorded "Hurdy Gurdy Man" in 1968. It reached number four on the UK singles chart.


Question by Christinap

Answer: Ken Dodd

Ken Dodd is a stand up comedian from Liverpool. He also has a good singing voice and over the years has made several records. "Love Is Like a Violin" was his first hit single, reaching number eight in the UK Singles Chart in 1960. Other songs with which he is associated are "Happiness" and "Tears".



Question by Christinap

Answer: Distant Drums

"Distant Drums" gave Jim Reeves a posthumous UK number one single some two years after his death. It was his only number one in the UK. It stayed in the charts for around 45 weeks. It was also a posthumous hit for him in America topping the Country Music Chart for four weeks.



Question by Christinap

Answer: Bell

Ward became a one-hot wonder after releasing "Ring My Bell" in 1979. The song was originally written for another artist who left the record label, so Anita Ward stepped into the breach. The song not only made the number one spot on the UK singles chart, it also reached the pinnacle of the Billboard charts.

The song has been covered many times by many artists, including Blondie and Collette.


Question by Leith90

Answer: Guitar

Harrison claimed he was inspired to write the song after reading the "I Ching" and that he penned it while at his mother's house.
The song was listed at number ten on "Rolling Stone" magazine's list of The Beatles' 100 greatest songs.



Question by Leith90

Answer: Mr Tambourine Man

Dylan wrote the song "Mr Tambourine Man" in 1964 and it was released on his 1965 album "Another Side of Bob Dylan". The chorus of the song is about his fans who would follow him around asking him to sing for them and he premiered the song at a at London's Royal Festival Hall concert.

The Byrds also released the song in 1965 on their album by the same name.


Question by Leith90

Answer: Piano Man

"Piano Man" was written about Joel's experience as a piano-lounge singer in Los Angeles. It was the title track of his second album, released in 1973, and has been included on several of his "Greatest Hits" albums.
It peaked at number 25 on the 1974 "Billboard Hot 100" list.



Question by Leith90

Answer: Duelling Banjos

"Duelling Banjos" was composed by Arthur Smith under the original name "Feuding Banjos" in 1955. In 1973 a version by Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell performed well in the Hot 100 reaching number two on that chart. It achieved popular recognition after it was played in an exciting scene in the film where one of the men, who was in the party travelling to the Cahulawassee River, played a casual riff on his guitar and a young banjo play responded. The excitement built and the volume and tempo of the playing increased until it reached a very satisfactory climax. It is one of the best instrumental performances I have ever seen on film. Smith was not acknowledged by Warner Brothers as the composer but he sued and was granted royalties for his work.


Question by Calpurnia09

Answer: Seventy Six Trombones

"Music Man" was written by Meredith Wilson and was a hit on Broadway in 1957 and won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The theme "Seventy Six Trombones" runs through the soundtrack of the 1962 film and provides a magnificent finale when all the characters in the film join joyously in the big parade.


Question by Calpurnia09

Answer: Different Drum

Mike Nesmith wrote "Different Drum" in 1965 and in 1966 it was included in the Greenbriar Boys' album "Better Late than Never!" It became a classic and Linda Ronstadt's first hit when she recorded it with the Stone Poneys in 1967. It reached number 13 in the Billboard Hot 100. It shows off her lovely voice perfectly particularly as the backing, using a harpsichord and strings, is somewhat at variance with her melody.


Question by Calpurnia09

Answer: Talking Heads

Talking Heads' original line up included David Byrne, Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth, who had been at art school together. Later their first professional performance was opening for The Ramones in 1975. In 1977 Jerry Harrison joined the band adding his considerable musical skills to the group. They released their first album, "Talking Heads: 77" in that year. Although it only reached number 97 on the Billboard charts it is one of the four Talking Heads albums that was on the Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums of All Time in 2003. With the recording of their second album, "More Songs About Buildings and Food", their association with the legendary producer Brian Eno began and they became one of the most critically acclaimed groups of the New Wave era. "Sax and Violins" was on the soundtrack of "Until the End of the World" and was also a number one single on US Modern Rock Tracks chart.


Question by Calpurnia09

Answer: The Blue Jays

The Blue Jays were Justin Hayward and John Lodge, both of them members of the Moody Blues.
The song 'Blue Guitar' features on the Blue Jays' 1987 re-release of their 1975 original album, as an additional number.
The song is credited to Hayward and Lodge, but in fact it is performed by Justin Hayward backed by 10CC.

Question by Invinoveritas

Answer: Green Tambourine

The Lemon Pipers were a band from Oxford, Ohio, and performed from 1966 to 1969.
They were known for psychedelic and bubble gum music. 'Green Tambourine' reached number one in the USA in 1968 and is regarded as the first bubble gum chart topper.

Question by Invinoveritas

Answer: Ukulele

George Formby (1904-61) was a British Actor/singer songwriter.
He was probably best known for his comic songs, which included 'When I'm Cleaning Windows' and ' Leaning on a Lamp Post'. The song 'With my Little Ukulele in my Hand' was one of his most famous, and the lyrics are mildly suggestive.
Formby also played the banjolele.

Question by Invinoveritas