Saturday, June 19, 2010

Song Quiz for Father's Day



1. This 1988 Eric Clapton song came from the perspective of a son feeling the loss of not having known his newly dead father.

2. A soul classic, Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong wrote this song that was recorded as a hit by the Temptations about a father who had no job, was a bigamist, was addicted to alcohol and women, and was a religious hypocrite.

3. This James Brown R&B dance classic has the Godfather of Soul proclaiming his novel ability to do the Jerk, the Fly, the Mashed Potatoes, and the Monkey.

4. One of the most famous father-daughter songs ever, it was recorded by the Mills Brothers of Piqua, Ohio, in 1950. The Mills Brothers became one of the most successful pop vocal quartets of the 20th century, who made more than 2,000 recordings that combined sold more than 50 million copies, and garnered at least three dozen gold records.

5. A dance-pop song by Madonna in 1986, this tune caused women's organizations and others in the family planning field to criticize her for encouraging teenage pregnancy, while groups opposed to abortion saw it as a positive pro-life message. The song also caused her first conflict with the Vatican, as she dedicated the song to Pope John Paul II.

6. This one of a kind '60's hit made up from nonsense syllables was released by the doo-wop group The Rivingtons, who appeared in an episode of 1989 episode of L.A. Law.

7. Bo Diddley released this recording on Checker in 1955 and the song became his second hit. It actually features Little Walter harmonica and the Moonglows on backup vocals. It was covered by Chris Isaac, among others, on his Heart Shaped World album.

8. Hank Williams' song with lyrics based on the blues felt by a father in prison for his "one ray of sunshine."

9. According to this song, written by Carl Perkins but released by Johnny and June Carter Cash, the patriarch sang this register.

10. Luther Vandross wrote this song with Richard Marx, and Vandross had his last top 40 hit with this song based on memories of his own father.

11. From Phil Collins' 1989 "...But Seriously," the end of the song features Collins lovingly telling his son, "Remember what I said / I'll always be with you, don't forget / Just look over your shoulder, I'll be there." 

12. A Neil Young song, it features James Taylor on six-string banjo and Linda Ronstadt and was actually written for the caretaker of his Northern Cailifornia Broken Arrow Ranch after the caretaker had asked Young, "Well, tell me, how does a young man like yourself have enough money to buy a place like this?"
Young reportedly replied, "Well, just lucky, Louie, just real lucky."
And the caretaker said, "Well, that's the darndest thing I ever heard."

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