The "Man" of the Hour Quiz | People in Songs

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Ricky Nelson's man "Made a lot of stops all over the world". What man was this?

Answer: Travelin

"Travelin' Man" was a 1961 top selling hit by teen heartthrob Ricky Nelson. The song's lyrics depicted a man who traveled the world to such places as Hong Kong, Waikiki, Alaska and Mexico among his many stops. The song went to the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts during its run that year.

2. James Taylor recorded a cover version of "Handy Man" in 1977. The original version was recorded in 1960 by another artist. Who was he?

Answer: Jimmy Jones

Yes, it was a Jones. Jimmy Jones was a singer-songwriter who began his career in 1954. "Handy Man" was a rework of a song he originally wrote and recorded with a group called Sparks of Rhythm. His rework went on to become a major hit in 1960, climbing to number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts. James Taylor's slower tempo cover reached number four in the U. S. in 1977.

3. "I'm a Man" was a fast paced hit co-written by Steve Winwood during his tenure with The Spencer Davis Group in the late 1960s. What other super band covered the song and made it a hit in 1969?

Answer: Chicago

It was Chicago who covered the song "I'm A Man" in 1969. Their version could only muster a number 49 placing on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, mainly because it was released as a B-side recording. The A-side was "Question 67 and 68". The Winwood (original) version placed at number ten on the Billboard charts in 1967.

4. "There's a man who lives a life of danger.." begins this classic tune by Johnny Rivers. What kind of man was Rivers singing about?

Answer: Secret Agent

Johnny Rivers recorded "Secret Agent man" which was released as a single in 1966. The tune was actually used as the theme song to a British television series called "Danger Man". The show was also aired in the U.S. as "Secret Agent" in the mid 1960s. Rivers' release of the tune in 1966 scored a peak number three placing on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts.

5. Neil Diamond had a 1966 single called "Solitary Man". The song was Neil's first U.S. top 10 hit.

Answer: False

"Solitary Man" was Diamond's first release as a recording artist. He had written songs for others but never recorded one on his own until this one. Although the song is one of his most well known, when it was released it only charted at a high of number 55 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts. Good thing for his fans that he didn't give up.

His next tune, "Cherry, Cherry" made it to the Top 10 and he was on his way. Diamond went on to a career that has spanned over 40 years, and is considered in some circles to be the "Jewish Elvis".

6. The Beatles 1966 hit "Nowhere Man" never charted in the UK as a single.

Answer: True

Surprisingly true. The song "Nowhere Man" inexplicably was never released as a single in the U.K. (it was released as an E.P.). The Lennon/McCartney collaboration did reach the top of the charts in Canada and Australia and had a number three placing on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts.

7. "Sunshine Superman" by Donovan is generally considered one of the first psychedelic songs. In the lyrics there is another comic book superhero mentioned besides Superman. Can you remember which one it was?

Answer: Green Lantern

"Superman or Green Lantern ain't got a-nothin' on me, I can make like a turtle and dive for your pearls in the sea, yeah!" So go the lyrics from part of "Sunshine Superman", Donovan's signature song from 1966. The song reached number one in the U.S. on the Billboard charts in the summer that year, and number two in the U.K. when it was released about six months later due to a contractual dispute.

8. David Gates and his group Bread scored a Billboard Top 20 hit singing about this musical man in 1972. Which man?

Answer: The Guitar Man

"The Guitar Man" was a composition written by David Gates, the lead singer of the group Bread, a top selling rock/easy listening group from the early 1970s. The song peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 during its stay on the charts in 1972.

9. Sammy Davis Jr. was not exactly a rock and roll icon, but he did have one of his biggest hits with this sweet tune, and it fits the category of the quiz. Name it.

Answer: The Candy Man

The immortal Sammy Davis Jr. took this song, which was specifically written for the 1971 film "Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory", and turned it into one of his biggest hits. The song went to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts when it was released in 1972.

Interestingly, Davis originally disliked the song, and had to be coaxed to work it into his act. He eventually came around, and now the song is one of his most recognizable tunes.

10. "Ramblin' Man" was the only Allman Brothers tune to break into the Top 10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Answer: True

Surprising but true. The song "Ramblin' Man" got as high as number two in 1973 when it was riding the charts. One of the pioneer groups in the genre known as "Southern Rock", they mostly concentrated on live performances and although they did release some singles during their heyday, no other song could even break into the Top 20.

Source: Author fredsixties

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Dalgleish before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

The "Man" of the Hour Trivia Quiz

All these popular songs from the 1950s through the 1970s have a 'man' somewhere in the title. Please identify them. You may be asked for the title, artist, or fact. Good luck

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>