Uptempo Orbison Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sun Records

"Ooby Dooby" was written by Dick Penner and Wade Moore, two fraternity brothers at North Texas State University. Roy heard it while attending school there and recorded it for a small Texas label with his band The Teen Kings. Sam Phillips, owner of SUN Records, heard the song and signed them to a recording contract even though he had already rejected Roy the first time he auditioned for the label.

They recorded "Oooby Dooby" again for SUN.

Answer: It was written in honor of Roy's favorite actress Claudette Colbert.

Roy wrote "Claudette" for Claudette Frady, his girlfriend at the time. She became his wife in 1957. He performed the song regularly in concerts but it was never released as the "A" side of a single. The Everly Brothers recorded it and released it as the "B" side of their hit "All I Have To Do Is Dream".

In 1989 after his death Roy's biggest hit "Oh Pretty Woman" was re-released with "Claudette" as the "B" side.

Answer: Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)

"Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)" was written by legendary Nashville songwriter Cindy Walker. Roy's recording of the song peaked at number four in the US (Billboard chart) and number two in the UK in 1961. It was his third consecutive top ten record, following "Running Scared" (which went to number one) and "Crying" which peaked at number two.

The "B" side of "Dream Baby" was a ballad called "The Actress"--written by Roy and Joe Melson who co-wrote several of Roy's hits. Roy performed both songs on his "Black and White" HBO concert.

Answer: What'd I Say

Roy's cover of "What'd I Say" was intended to be the flip side of a song called "Borne On The Wind", but it got more airplay and even peaked at #8 on the Australian music chart. According to his discography he never recorded the other Ray Charles songs listed in the incorrect answers.

Answer: False

"Breaking Up Is Breaking My Heart" was co-written by Roy Orbison and Bill Dees. It was the second single released from his album "The Orbison Way". It peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965 but reached number two in New Zealand.

Answer: Cyndi Lauper

"I Drove All Night" was written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly who pitched it to Roy first. Cyndi Lauper and Roy both recorded it in 1987 but Roy's version wasn't released until 1992, four years after his death. His recording was produced by Jeff Lynne who re-mixed it prior to its' release. Cyndi saw the song as an empowering anthem about a woman taking charge of her own romantic destiny.

Her version peaked at number six. Roy's version was a big hit in the UK, peaking at number seven. Celine Dion also covered the song in 2003 and reached number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: Down The Line

Roy and his band The Teen Kings recorded "Go!Go!Go!" at SUN Studios in March, 1956. Sam Phillips released it as the flip side of "Ooby Dooby". It was Roy's first original song. Jerry Lee's version came out two years later. Re-titled "Down The Line" his record reached #51 on the Billboard pop chart.

Answer: Candy Man

"Candy Man" was released as the B side of "Crying" but it became a staple of Roy's live performances. The record begins with an bluesy instrumental riff featuring Charlie McCoy on harmonica and Boots Randolph on saxophone. On Roy's "Black and White Night" HBO special, taped in 1987 and packed with musical stars, Roy and Elvis Costello both play the harmonica.

Answer: Mean Woman Blues

Elvis Presley was the first artist to record "Mean Woman Blues". Jerry Lee Lewis was the next. He recorded his version while still on the SUN label as part of an EP (Extended Play 45) called "The Great Ball of Fire". British star Cliff Richard recorded the song in 1959. Roy's version was released as the B side of "Blue Bayou". That single went to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song was a staple of Roy's live concerts and featured his signature growl which always drew cheers of delight from the fans.

Answer: Break My Mind

"Break My Mind" was written by legendary songwriter John D. Loudermilk. It has been covered by several artists including George Hamilton IV, Vern Gosdin and even Sammy Davis, Jr. Roy's version was released in 1969 and while it failed to crack the US charts it did reach number 26 on the Australian chart.