These Are a Few of My Favorite Songs: Part I Quiz

Answer: hundred

This song, which was immortalized by Tony Orlando and Dawn, stayed #1 on the charts for 4 weeks in 1973. It was rated the #24 song of the 1970s rock era. It was written by Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown. This is one of the sweetest songs I've ever heard, and it makes me feel happy everytime I hear it.

Answer: mocha

This song, which is usually sung by Ricky Martin, is featured as the finale song in "Shrek 2" (2004). It is sung by Puss-in-Boots (Antonio Banderas) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy). I love the beat of this song and the way it just makes me want to dance whenever I hear it.

Answer: paradise

"Sh-Boom" was originally sung by The Chords and is timeless, although a bit obscure. I first heard it in the movie "Clue" in the really strange scene when they're pretending to kiss the dead people (which is going to freak out anyone who hasn't seen the movie). It's one of my favorite Do-Wop songs of all time.

Answer: bleed, dream

This song, sung by Five for Fighting, is really unconventional. It was so interesting to think about what Superman must have been thinking about when he was saving the world. I didn't think of superheroes as real people with real insecurities, and that's the thought that this song capitalizes on.

Answer: nicotine

This song makes several references to coffee and cigarettes as the answer to a woman's problems. In my opinion, this is the quintessential blues song. It has a low, slow swing that just keeps going. The words are really depressing, but they conjure up strong images that stay in your mind after the song is done.

It has been sung by many artists, including Julie London and Ella Fitzgerald.

Answer: gold

This song, sung by a number of artists including Billie Holiday and Rosemary Clooney, doesn't have that many lyrics, but I love it anyway. Its one of those songs that starts out sad, but ends happily. The theme that the moon is a symbol for lovers extends through many songs over many decades (Ex: "Moonlight in Vermont", "Moondance", "In the Moonlight")

Answer: Alligator lizards

This song, sung by America, the same group who wrote "A Horse With No Name" doesn't make that much sense, but once you hear it, it doesn't really matter. The guitar in the background is perfect for the mood of the song and even though the lyrics don't follow logically, they suit each other well.

Answer: Norma Jean

This song was written by Elton John in honor of Marilyn Monroe, years after her death. The platinum blonde superstar was born Norma Jean Mortenson, but she later changed her name for publicity reasons. Elton John poignantly portrays her later life and career up to the time of her suicide and gives us a different take on the woman who became an American icon. I love this song, but it always strikes me as very sad.

Answer: hope

"Come Sail Away" is a masterpiece composed by Styx in the 1970s. It is clearly divided into two parts: the first is quieter and more reflective on the part of the composer, using a quieter piano accompaniment. The second is more rock based, with a lot of repetition of the song's title and a background of drums and guitar, as well as other assorted instruments. Perhaps this abrupt change in mood and style is one of the reasons I adore this song; I never really know what to expect.

Answer: young, free

I first heard this song when I was watching "The First Wives' Club", one of the best girl power movies of all time. The three main characters sing this at the very end of the movie, showing the world that they don't have to depend on any man. It's a very freeing song, written in the 1960s and sung by Lesley Gore.

Answer: Who you are

This song is the theme song for "American Gigolo", an intense drama starring Richard Gere, and is very appropriate for the movie. It's my favorite song from the 1980s, sung by Blondie, and it always makes me want to get up and dance around my living room. I won't say the lyrics are romantic, but they exhibit a sexual freeness which is certainly enticing.

Answer: rhyme

This song is one of those songs that just makes me want to curl up in front of the fire with a warm, fuzzy blanket and sleep for twelve hours. The pace is very relaxed, and it conjures up feelings of letting your mind drift from the world and being at peace. "Drift Away" is one of the best known songs sung by Dobie Gray.

Answer: peasants

"After the Gold Rush", sung by Neil Young, is one of those songs that you know means something profound but you can't quite figure out what it is. It gives the reader vivid, psychadelic images and sets scenes which don't seem to connect with each other, but somehow all get you to the same place.

Answer: green

"MacArthur's Park" is one of those really weird songs that has unexplainable lyrics, but no deeper meaning. After I heard it for the first time, my immediate thought was, "What the heck is wrong with this song?" After I heard it for a few times, however, the strange lyrics grew on me and it became on of my favorite songs.

It has a few versions, although Donna Summer's disco rendition is the best in my opinion.

Answer: give and take

This is one of my favorite Motown songs, made famous by the Supremes. It takes a realistic attitude on love, making the point that it takes compromise on both sides to make it work, as well as saying that it's never too late. It also flows nicely and the music works well with the lyrics.

Answer: rain

This song always makes me want to cry when I hear it. For those of you who didn't know, the artist, Train, wrote this after his mother passed away from cancer and he had a dream about her. It really paints a beautiful picture of death, namely that once we pass on, we can fly to the farthest reaches of the universe and see all the things we only dreamed of when we were alive.

Answer: kin

This is a great song from the Southern Rock genre, sung by Lynyrd Skynyrd. I've never actually been to Alambama, but I can certainly tell the writer of the song really loves it and cares enough about his roots and his family to write a song about them. Kudos to Lynyrd Skynyrd for this fabulous party song.

Answer: tonic

This is one of those songs that I absolutely adore just for the lyrics. It means something to me personally because I play the piano and I know how much songs can mean to people. Billy Joel creates this very real picture of a bar on a Saturday night and the people who go there to drink and listen to music and forget what's gone wrong with their lives.

Answer: morning star

This is a beautiful song, written by Five for Fighting, that chronicles a life from fifteen to ninety-nine. It poignantly shows us all of the different stages in our life on this earth and how some of our priorities change, but many stay the same. My favorite part is that in both the fifteen and ninety-nine verses it says "I'm counting the ways to where you are."

Answer: see your face

This is a quiet song, written by B*Witched, about what life is like after the breakup of an important relationship. Many of us have probably wanted to just blame our problems on someone else when they're really our fault just to make it less painful. We've probably also stared out the window at the falling rain, wishing for the sun again.

Answer: faith

This is a very inspirational song, sung by Lee Ann Womack, and probably my favorite of the country genre. It's all about having faith that everything's going to turn out all right and not being afraid to take chances, as well as appreciating the beautiful and amazing things all around you.

The lyrics remind of me of a quote by Mark Twain: "Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth."

Answer: crumble

This is the quintessential girl power song. If I had a scummy boyfriend who returned to me, expecting to be taken back, I would love to say all of this to him. Gloria Gaynor is telling women to stand up for themselves and not settle for someone who doesn't love them because they think it's the best they can do.

Answer: mold

"All Star" is a rocking song about how you can only really be a success if you're not afraid to be yourself and shoot for the stars. Smash Mouth is telling us to reject stereotypes and what other people want from us and not fear taking chances.

Answer: strawberry

This song is a really great montage of really random images that express what life is like if you're in love. Counting Crows uses lyrics such as "I'm a snowball running into the spring that's coming all this love." and "Belting out sunlight, shimmering love" to create vivid, disjointed images for the listener.

Answer: Hercules

We all read about the chivalrous Middle Ages with nights in shining armor who rescued maidens from fire-breathing dragons and the heroes of Ancient Greece who slew fantastic beasts and made amazing journeys. In this amazing song, Bonnie Tyler is wishing for a man like those of old, one who will surmount all obstacles to win her love.