Something Borrowed Trivia Quiz

Answer: Gilbert Becaud

Gilbert Becaud, also known as "Monsieur 100.000 Volt", composed "Et Maintenant" in 1961; the single release in the same year topped the French Charts for six consecutive weeks ousting Edith Piaf's definitive rendition of her trademark song "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien". Even though there had been many cover versions of "Et Maintenant" over the years, not all of them chose to stay true to the dark atmosphere of the original French lyrics which is so vividly conveyed already in the first introductory notes, in its original arrangement played on a sole piano.

Besides "Et Maintenant" which was covered by over 150 artists, also Becaud's 1955 song "Je t'appartiens" became as "Let It Be Me" an international hit in 1967 with singers like Nina Simone or Bob Dylan presenting their own renditions of it.

Answer: Shirley Bassey

The lyrics of "What Now My Love" were written by Carl Sigman, who adapted the French lyrics and even though using a more flowery language, was able to keep the tragic story of lost love and accurately recreated the dark and sinister atmosphere of Becaud's original.

Shirley Bassey recorded this song for her 1962 album "Let's Face the Music" on which she collaborated with Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra, whose musical arrangement in combination with Bassey's interpretation emphasized the sadness and desperation inherent in the song.
Her rendition of "What Now My Love" was also released as a single and spent four months in the UK Charts.

Answer: Judy Garland

Judy Garland was - after Jane Morgan - one of the first American singers to present "What Now My Love". Even though recorded in November 1964 already, the concert album "Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli 'Live' at the London Palladium" wasn't officially released until 1965; in the meantime though, Garland popularized the song by singing it on TV as well as in her concerts.

Using a different musical arrangement than Shirley Bassey, Judy Garland's rendition also kept true to the original meaning and content of the song, giving it an even rougher edge in vocally accentuating especially the last verses (starting with "What now my love?/ Now that it's over/ I feel the world closing in on me/ Here come the stars tumbling around me/ There's a sky where the sea should be") while the bolero rhythm implacably hammers on.

Answer: Marianne Faithfull

Marianne Faithfull scored a hit in 1964 with the Mick Jagger/ Keith Richards song "As Tears Go By", but following that was in the news mostly because of her relationships with several members of the Rolling Stones as well as her drug abuse, which brought her career to a halt for a decade. She revived it in 1979 with the release of the punk-influenced album "Broken English".
Her recording of "Et Maintenant" seems quieter in comparison to some other versions, but equally conveys the spirit of the song.

Answer: Frank Sinatra

Negating the lyrics Frank Sinatra sang "What Now My Love" as swing number, making words like "No one would care/ No one would cry/ If I should live/ If I should live or die" sound like a finger snipping joyous statement.
The album itself though - which included his renditions of "Lara's Theme" from "Doctor Zhivago", "The Impossible Dream" from "Man of La Mancha", another Becaud song called "Sand and Sea" and of course the title song which became a classic in his repertoire - was a huge success for the singer.

Answer: Tijuana Brass

Naturally, apart from the basic melody, this interpretation didn't have much in common with Gilbert Becaud's original song; nevertheless it was rather popular and also featured in the TV specials of the band. The album of the same name, which was one of the most successful for Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, contained among others Alpert's version of "It Was a Very Good Year" (Frank Sinatra's interpretation in d-minor became the most well known), "If I Were A Rich Man" from the Musical "Fiddler on the Roof" and "The Shadow of Your Smile", the love theme from "The Sandpiper" (a rather melodramatic movie directed by Vincente Minnelli and starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor).

Answer: Sonny & Cher

"What Now My Love" was included on the couple's second studio album, "The Wondrous World of Sonny and Cher", which reached No. 34 in the Billboard album charts. Other than many other versions this one didn't apply the characteristic swelling bolero rhythm and instead used a rather upbeat musical arrangement dominated by guitars.

It seems rather odd though, thinking that this song about lost love and forlornness was sung as a duet here.

Answer: Barbra Streisand

After the albums "My Name is Barbra" and "My Name is Barbra Two", the French equivalent "Je m'appelle Barbra" was released in 1966, contaning songs of French origin even though often sung in their English translations. The arrangement Barbra Streisand used - though very characteristic for her style - seems strangely inappropriate for the song, as it opens with a slower sung French part, blending into a more upbeat portion (in the style of 60s pop music) sung in English, before ending with the original French lyrics. For this album Streisand collaborated for the first time with Michel Legrand (arranger and conductor except for "What Now My Love"), who would later write the music for "Yentl" (with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman), one of the singer's most well known movies.

Answer: Hawaii

"Aloha from Hawaii" took place on January 14, 1973 in the International Convention Center Arena in Honolulu and was seen by millions of people worldwide, while the accompanying soundtrack album (released shortly afterwards) was Presley's first chart-topping album in the USA since 1965.

Besides his big hits like "Suspicious Minds", "Hound Dog", "Blue Suede Shoes" or "Can't Help Falling in Love", Presley also presented an incredible rendition of "My Way" (usually associated with Frank Sinatra) and Peggy Lee's signature song "Fever". Presley chose the "classical" arrangement with the bolero rhythm for "What Now My Love" and especially in the last notes showed off an excellent vocal range, which added even more emphasis to the poignant final words " ... only my last Goodbye".

Answer: Isabelle Boulay

Isabelle Boulay, born in Sainte-Félicité, Quebec, released her debut album "Fallait pas" in 1996, and scored a considerable hit with her song "Parle-moi" in 2000. Even though born in Canada she achieved rather great success on the other side of the pond in the French speaking countries and regions of Europe. Even though primarily a recording artist, she also performed on stage as an actress, namely in Luc Plamondon's rock opera "Starmania"; one of its hit songs, the captivating "Monopolis", is also included on the concert album "Au moment d'être à vous", which reached Platinum in France. Boulay's strong and slightly husky voice gives an edge to the sad lyrics - especially the repeated "rien" (nothing) - and forms a perfect blend with the music, making hers one of the most impressive renditions of this beautiful song.