Memorable Songs From Memorable Movies Quiz

Answer: My Heart Will Go On

Composer James Horner originally intended the music to be instrumental but changed his mind and decided to add lyrics. When he approached director James Cameron with the idea of adding lyrics, Cameron declined. He felt it might make the film too commercial.

It wasn't until the composer brought in Will Jennings to pen the lyrics and Cameron heard the finished product that he finally agreed. Getting Celine Dion, then at the top of her career, to sing the song presented another obstacle. She turned the offer down at first.

It wasn't until her husband and manager, Rene Angelil, encouraged her to sing it that the song became, dare I say it, a titanic success.

Answer: Somewhere, My Love

French composer Maurice Jarre, who scored the movie, and director David Lean had worked together a few years before when they collaborated on the epic film "Lawrence of Arabia." Jarre had six weeks in which to compose the entire score for "Doctor Zhivago," no easy task for any composer.

It took several revisions of "Somewhere, My Love" before Lean was satisfied. Paul Francis Webster provided the lyrics.

Answer: Take My Breath Away

Italian composer Giorgio Moroder, along with Tom Whitlock, wrote the music and lyrics for this Academy Award winning song, winner for Best Original Song, and Golden Globe winner for Best Song in 1987. A respected musician as well as composer, Moroder's interest in synthesized music of the early 1970s has kept him on the cutting edge of electronic music.

He has worked with many big names in the music business such as Donna Summer, Janet Jackson, and Debbie Harry(Blondie).

Answer: Moon River

Singer Andy Williams' smooth rendition is probably the best known since he performed it many times over the years. "Moon River," first sung by Audrey Hepburn in the film, was written especially for her vocal range. The song won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and two Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

Answer: Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head

Burt Bacharach has composed many well-known pop hits such as "The Look of Love" and "That's What Friends Are For." When he was asked to compose a song for the film's bicycle scene, he later explained that the phrase 'raindrops keep falling on my head' kept running through his mind. Singer B.J. Thomas helped to send this song soaring to the top of the charts.

Answer: St. Elmo's Fire

Performed by musician John Parr, "St. Elmo's Fire" was written to honor Paralympian Rick Hansen who's 1985 'Man in Motion' tour brought global awareness to spinal cord injuries, much like Christopher Reeve did ten years later.

Answer: I Will Always Love You

I have heard both versions and I have to say, while Dolly's rendition is sweet and simple, Whitney's is powerful and emotionally charged. The difference between the two versions has to do with the purpose of the song. When Dolly wrote it back in the 1970s, she had her dear friend Porter Wagoner in mind and sang it as a valentine to him. Whitney sang it as a love song underscoring the romantic feelings both her character and Kevin Costner's character had for each other in the film.

Answer: The Candy Man

"The Candy Man" is the one song I most associate with Sammy Davis, Jr. The music was written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse provided the charming lyrics. Incidentally, Aubrey Woods, who played the Candy Shoppe owner in the film, sang the original version.

Answer: The Way We Were

Composed by Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, this song is considered to be one of the best movie tunes ever written. It ranks #8 on the American Film Institute's Top 100 film songs. Hamlisch was a true wunderkind. He was accepted to the prestigious Julliard School of Music a few months before he turned 7, the youngest person ever to be admitted to that school.

Answer: The Rainbow Connection

Many singers, from Justin Timberlake to Sarah McLachlan, have covered that song which was nominated for Best Song and Best Score in 1980. Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher composed the music and wrote the lyrics for both the song and the movie score.