Pop Music Potpourri: 1968-1969 Quiz

Answer: A tavern

Mary Hopkin's "Those Were The Days" became an immensely popular song of nostalgia throughout the world. Most of the action in this tune took place at "the tavern"- a place where the singer and her friends could drink, laugh, and remember the good old days of their youth. Unfortunately, the tavern mirror also reminded the singer that she was getting "older but no wiser." In the USA, "Those Were the Days" was released in September 1968; it eventually climbed to the number two spot on the Billboard charts. Paul McCartney produced this classic song. Hopkin sang these lyrics to open the song:

"Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
And dreamed of all the great things we would do?"

Answer: Kiss

In October 1969, a group from Bridgeport, Connecticut, named "Steam" released a song called "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye." Little did these three members of Steam know in 1969 that "Kiss Him Goodbye" would eventually become an international sports anthem.

The group consisted of Gary DeCarlo (vocals), Paul Leka and Dale Frashuer. In the USA, this song rose to the top of the Billboard charts by the autumn of '69. "Na Na Hey Hey" is sung by sports crowds around the world to taunt the opposing team and their supporters when a victory has been secured.

Answer: Houston

Archie Bell was actually born in Henderson, Texas, but in the introduction to the song "Tighten Up", he claimed that his group hailed from the city of Houston. "Tighten Up" was released in March 1968, and it peaked at the number one position on the U.S. Billboard charts. Bell intoned these words at the beginning of "Tighten Up":

"Hi, everybody
I'm Archie Bell of the Drells
From Houston, Texas
We don't only sing but we dance
Just as good as we walk..."

Answer: The Guess Who

The Guess Who hailed from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and featured some excellent musicians such as Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman. In April 1969, the song "These Eyes" was released in the USA; it had already been a Canadian top ten hit in 1968. "These Eyes" rose to the number six position on the U.S. Billboard charts. The Guess Who sang these words from the song's opening verse:

"These eyes cry every night for you
These arms long to hold you again
The hurtin's on me, yeah
But I will never be free, no
You gave a promise to me, yeah
You broke it, you broke it ..."

The Box Tops were formed in Tennessee; The Spiral Starecase and The Union Gap were from California.

Answer: John Paul Jones

Scottish singer Donovan Leitch became famous for his acoustic hit songs. However, in June 1968 Donovan electrified the pop music world with a tune entitled "Hurdy Gurdy Man." John Paul Jones, future member of the mega-group Led Zeppelin, played bass on this track.

There is still controversy as to which musician played the electric guitar solo on "Hurdy Gurdy Man." Jones has claimed that Alan Parker was the guitarist; Donovan has insisted that Jimmy Page played the lead guitar. In both the U. K. and the U.S., this song became a top five hit.

Here comes the Hurdy Gurdy Man, indeed!

Answer: The Temptations

In late 1968, Diana Ross & The Supremes joined forces with The Temptations to create a hit song called "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me." Eddie Kendricks and Otis Williams of The Temptations shared the spotlight with Ross on this hit song. In the U.S., "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" peaked at the number two position on the Billboard charts in January 1969. These superstars sang the following lyrics:

"My love is strong, you see
I know you'll never get tired of me (Oh, baby)
And I'm gonna use every trick in the book
I'll try my best to get you hooked
Hey baby..."

Answer: Crazy

The British group Crazy World of Arthur Brown consisted of Arthur Brown, Vince Crane (organ), Carl Palmer (drums), and Sean Nicholas (guitar). Brown really sounded crazy on the hit song "Fire", which was released in the USA in September 1968. This tune definitely had a psychedelic sound as Arthur Brown shrieked thse lyrics:

"I am the god of hell fire!
And I bring you fire...
Fire, I'll take you to burn
Fire, I'll take you to learn...
You're gonna burn!"

Answer: Girl Watcher

The song "Girl Watcher" became a hit in 1968 for The O'Kaysions, a band from North Carolina. This tune was released in the USA in August of '68 and eventually climbed to the number five spot on the Billboard singles charts. Donnie Weaver was the lead vocalist and organ player for the O'Kaysions. Weaver sang these lyrics:

"I'm a girl watcher, I'm a girl watcher
Watching girls go by - my, my, my!
I'm a girl watcher, I'm a girl watcher
Here comes one now..."

"Midnight Confessions" was recorded by The Grass Roots; "Little Green Apples" was performed by O.C. Smith; and "Stoned Soul Picnic" was recorded by The Fifth Dimension.

Answer: Experience

Three Dog Night's first major hit single in the USA was "One." It was written by Nilsson and released in May 1969. "One" climbed as high as the number five position on the U.S. Billboard charts. Chuck Negron and his bandmates sang these lyrics:

"No is the saddest experience you'll ever know
Yes, it's the saddest experience you'll ever know
"Cause one is the loneliest number that you'll ever do..."

Answer: Getting married

Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge had a major hit in the New York City area in late 1968 and early 1969 with "The Worst That Could Happen." A heartbroken Maestro belted out, "Girl, I heard you're getting married, heard your getting married, this time you're really sure." Maestro continued with these words:

"Maybe it's the best thing
Maybe it's the best thing for you
But it's the worst that could happen to me..."

This song was written by Jimmy Webb, and it climbed to the number three slot on the U.S. Billboard charts in early 1969.