Hey, Soul Sister Trivia Quiz

Born Jamesetta Hawkins, Etta James (1938-2012) recorded "At Last" in 1960, delivering an emotive performance supported by orchestral arrangements. The track reflects her early ability to merge blues, soul, and pop influences while rising above the challenges of a turbulent childhood.

"At Last!" rose to Number 12 on the Billboard Top Catalog Albums chart.

Mary Esther Wells (1943-1992) brought a gentle, polished vocal style to "My Guy," written and produced by Smokey Robinson. Released in 1964, it became her most successful song (reaching Number One on the Billboard Hot 100) with Motown before she moved on from the label later that year.

Fontella Marie Bass (1940-2012) showcased her strong, gospel‑rooted voice on "Rescue Me," recorded in 1965. The lively Chicago soul arrangement and collaborative studio environment helped shape what became her best‑known recording.

"Rescue Me" peaked at Number Four on the Billboard Hot 100, but reached Number One on the Billboard R&B chart.

The Supremes - comprised of Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard - recorded "You Can't Hurry Love" in 1966. Their tight harmonies and Ross's lead delivery, paired with Holland-Dozier-Holland's songwriting, produced one of the group's standout Motown releases.

While not the group's first chart-topping hit, "You Can't Hurry Love" was described by Billboard as "the group's most exciting side to date" (Wikipedia). It reached Number One on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.

'The Queen of Soul,' Aretha Franklin (1942-2018) transformed Otis Redding's 1965 hit "Respect" in 1967 by revising its structure (to give it a female's perspective) and lyrical emphasis. Her assertive performance helped distinguish the track within her early Atlantic Records period.

"Respect" was a huge success for Franklin, as the song shot to Number One on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles charts. It also earned her two Grammy Awards - Best Rhythm and Blues Recording and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance - in 1968.

Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien... better known as Dusty Springfield (1939-1999), recorded "Son of a Preacher Man" in 1968 for her album "Dusty in Memphis" (1969). Songwriters John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins originally intended the song for Aretha Franklin, but were persuaded by Atlantic Records producer and co-owner Jerry Wexler to consider Springfield. Her expressive interpretation paired naturally with the song's soulful, Memphis‑based production style.

The song reached Number Ten on the Billboard Hot 100, but bettered that by one in her own home country, reaching Number Nine on the UK Singles Chart.

Born Marlina Burgess, Marlena Shaw (1939-2024) recorded "California Soul" for her 1969 album "The Spice of Life." The original version was written by Ashford & Simpson and first released by The Messengers as the B-side of their single "Window Shopping" in 1967. Shaw's warm tone and rhythmic delivery complemented the track's bright, West Coast‑inspired soundscapes.

Roberta Cleopatra Flack (1937-2025) introduced a quiet, slow‑building interpretation of this 1957 folk song (written by Ewan MacColl) when she released her version in 1972. Her deliberate pacing and subtle dynamics emphasized the song's intimate qualities. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was a hit for Flack, reaching Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Easy Listening charts, as well as earning her a Grammy for Song of the Year.

Gladys Maria Knight (b. 1944) delivered a heartfelt lead vocal on "Midnight Train to Georgia," released in 1973, with the Pips providing responsive harmonies. Originally written and recorded by Jim Weatherly in 1972 as "Midnight Plane to Houston," Knight's version became the most well-known and successful rendition of the song.

It was their first song to reach Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 and also earned a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus.

Labelle - a group consisting of Patti LaBelle (b. 1944), Nona Hendryx (b. 1944), and Sarah Dash (1945-2021) - recorded "Lady Marmalade" (written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan) in 1974. Its disco‑leaning arrangement, New Orleans‑inspired storyline, and bold vocal interplay made it the group's most recognizable single. "Lady Marmalade" reached Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Top Soul Singles charts.