Music from "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" 50s - 60s Quiz - Volume 2 | Music

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This song was recorded by the Beatles in 1963 and released on their second album. Paul McCartney had heard Peggy Lee's version but had no idea it originated as a showtune. What song is this?

Answer: Till There Was You

"Till There Was You" was written by Meredith Willson and originally recorded in 1950 as "Till I Met You." The revised song was popularized as part of "The Music Man." The first Billboard hit recording was by Anita Bryant in 1959 and reached number 30. Peggy Lee's version released in 1961 was a minor hit in the UK.

In "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," Midge (Mrs. Maisel) dances to this song with Lenny Bruce.

2. The song "Just Leave Everything to Me" is from the musical "Hello, Dolly!" Which artist recorded the song in 1969 as part of the film version?

Answer: Barbra Streisand

Dolly was of course Carol Channing's signature role on Broadway. Ethel Merman and Mary Martin were both offered the role but turned it down. However, both later played the role. The musical was extremely successful winning ten Tony Awards and becoming the longest running Broadway show in its time with 2,844 performances. The film version was released in 1969 starring Barbra.

In "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," the song is used as background for a long shot near the opening of season 2 which starts on a street in Manhattan, flows into a department store with choreographed patrons, down a mail chute and into the basement where Midge (Mrs. Maisel) is working. This shot helped the show win the Emmy for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single- Camera Series in 2019.

3. "Tequila," released in 1958, was the only number one Billboard hit for which group?

Answer: The Champs

The Champs were formed by Gene Autry's Challenge Records company. They took their name from Autry's horse named Champion. The song was initially the B-side to a Dave Burgess (who was part of the Champs) single but rocketed to number one in just three weeks on the Billboard Pop and R&B charts and number five in the UK.

4. "Luck Be a Lady" became one of Frank Sinatra's signature songs. He originally sang it in the 1955 movie version of "Guys and Dolls."

Answer: False

Frank Sinatra played the role of Nathan Detroit in the 1955 film version of "Guys and Dolls." However, the song is sung by the character Sky Masterson who was played by the "renowned" song and dance man Marlon Brando. Sinatra first released the song on a 1963 "Reprise Musical Repertory Theater" four record set.

In "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," this song is a perfect one to be played as Mrs. Maisel and her manager Susie arrive at a Las Vegas casino and start playing slots.

5. "It's a Lovely Day Today" was recorded by several singers including Doris Day, Perry Como, Ella Fitzgerald and Rosemary Clooney. It was written for the musical "Call Me Madam" by which composer(s)?

Answer: Irving Berlin

Berlin had had great success with "Annie Get Your Gun" in 1946 but his next show, "Miss Liberty," did not do well. Hoping to rebound, he wrote the score for "Call Me Madam" and Ethel Merman was persuaded to star in the production. It ended up being quite successful, running for 644 performances on Broadway.

6. This song was released by Louis Armstrong in 1967. It was a number one hit on the UK Singles Chart but didn't initially perform well in the US. It was used in a Robin Williams 1987 film which triggered its rediscovery in the US and it is now the most downloaded Armstrong song on Spotify. Which song is this?

Answer: What a Wonderful World

Although "What a Wonderful World" was a number one hit in the UK, the president of the US record company didn't like the song so it wasn't promoted in the US. After its success in the movie "Good Morning, Vietnam," it was re-issued as a single in 1988 and reached number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It continued gaining popularity and, in 1999, Armstrong's version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

7. The song "Puppy Love" was apparently written by the composer about Annette Funicello whom he had a crush on. Who wrote and performed "Puppy Love?"

Answer: Paul Anka

Anka's single reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960. Donny Osmond recorded his version in 1972 and it reached number three on the same chart. In March of 1972, a DJ in Los Angeles played the song for 90 minutes straight on the radio prompting calls to the police.

8. This song was a number one hit in the UK in 1958 for Perry Como and also did well in the US even though it was released as the B-side to "Catch a Falling Star." It was one of the first hits for the prolific writing team of Hal David and Burt Bacharach. Which song is this?

Answer: Magic Moments

In 1956, Bacharach and David were both working for Famous Music and began publishing songs together. Their first breakthrough hit was "The Story of My Life" which was recorded by Marty Robbins and reached number one on the Billboard Country Chart in 1957. "Magic Moments" soon followed.

9. "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?" was written for the movie "Ocean's 11." Who originally sang the song?

Answer: Dean Martin

The music was written by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Sammy Cahn. The single was recorded with arrangement and direction by Nelson Riddle. Dean Martin's version never charted but was popular enough to be included on several of his greatest hits albums. Oddly enough, a cover version by the Irish boy band Westlife reached number four on the UK Download Chart in 2004.

10. The musical score for "Camelot" was written by Lerner and Lowe and included the song "How to Handle a Woman." The version in the 1967 film adaptation was sung by which performer?

Answer: Richard Harris

Richard Burton played the role of King Arthur and Robert Goulet played Lancelot in the Broadway production which opened in 1960. Richard Harris actively sought the King Arthur role in the movie and was initially turned down due to his perceived lack of singing abilities but his persistence paid off.

Source: Author andshar

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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Music from "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" 50s - 60s Quiz

Volume 2

You don't need to have watched "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" to enjoy this quiz. The questions will be about popular songs that were used in the show. Hopefully, some of you will be inspired to watch this wonderful series.

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