Measure of a Song Trivia Quiz

Answer: Chain Reaction

Diana Ross reached number one in the UK with "Chain Reaction" in 1985. The cover version by Steps in 2001 reached number two, also in the UK.

A chain is equal to 66 feet/22 yards and is the distance between the two sets of stumps on a cricket pitch. Furthermore four poles make a chain and ten chains make a furlong.

Answer: I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)

The song went to number one in the UK with Comic Relief whereas the original Proclaimers version had reached number 11 in the UK and number threein the US charts in 1988.

A mile is equal to 1760 yards, which is eight furlongs. The word mile comes from the Roman word "mille" as the distance was that a Roman centurian could cover with 1,000 paces - a pace being two steps, one with the left leg and one with the right leg.

Answer: Bushel and a Peck

"Bushel and a Peck" was written by Frank Loesser in 1950 and included in the stage version of "Guys and Dolls" although it was omitted from the film version.

A bushel is equal to eight gallons and a peck equal to four quarts which means that there are four pecks in a bushel.

Answer: Over my Head (Cable Car)

"Over my Head (Cable Car)" released in 2006 reached number eight in the US charts and number 19 in the UK. Despite "Cable Car" appearing in the title, the words do not actually feature in the lyrics.

A cable is a nautical measurement of approximately 600 feet or 100 fathoms. There are ten cables in a nautical mile.

Answer: Yard Sale

"Yard Sale" was one of the earlier hits for Sammy Kershaw reaching number 17 on the US country chart in 1992.

A yard is equal to three feet or 36 inches. The yard is one of the nine measurements shown on Da Vinci's "Virtuvian Man".

Answer: The Inch Worm

"The Inch Worm" was written by Frank Loesser for the 1952 film "Hans Christian Andersen". It has subsequently been recorded by various people including Anne Murray and Kenny Loggins.

An inch is equivalent to 2.54 cm. 12 inches are equal to a foot. The word inch is derived from the Latin word "uncia" which means one-twelfth part.

Answer: Stone in Love With You

Released in 1972 "Stone in Love With You" reached number ten in the US Hot 100 and number nine in the UK chart making it their third top ten single in both countries.

A stone is equal to 14 pounds and eight stones make a hundredweight. The stone was traditionally used as a measurement of agricultural goods for example two stone equals a tod, a weight which was commonly used for wool.

Answer: Footloose

The "Footloose" single reached number one in the US and number six in the UK. The "Footloose" album also reached number one, replacing Michael Jackson's "Thriller" at that position in the US album charts, in April 1984. "Thriller" had occupied the number one spot since February of the previous year.

A foot is equal to 12 inches, although in ancient times it was actually slightly shorter at 11 1/42 inches.

Answer: The Lullaby League

"The Lullaby League" was sung by The Munchkins in welcoming Dorothy to the Land of Oz. "The Wizard of Oz" also won the Oscar for best song with "Over the Rainbow".

A league is equal to three statute miles on land or three nautical miles at sea and is probably best known from the title of the Jules Verne book "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea".

Answer: Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps Please

The song reached number seven in the UK charts and in 2001 inspired the title of a BBC TV sitcom, starring Ralf Little and Will Mellor.

A pint is equal to four gills or 20 fluid ounces (or 16 fluid ounces in the US). Eight pints equal one gallon. In 1824 the UK parliament standardised many measurements including the gallon which was defined as the volume of ten pounds of distilled water.