Twin-Pick: Memorial Day 2009 Music Trivia Quiz
This is a special edition of the Twin-Pick music trivia quiz. Memorial Day is a day when we salute those who have given the ultimate sacrifice serving our country.
Music, like books, reflects the society that we live in. Over the years, there have been many popular songs that included lyrics about our soldiers. Some of those songs have been serious in tone, others lighter. The one thing every song on the list below has in common is that it was popular. Let's give it a go on this Memorial Day 2009. If you do not know how Twin-Pick works, it is simple.
The rules are always the same -- there are no losers -- only those who get to try and try again. If you are correct, your right answer will give you a free ride on the time machine back to an important event in music history. You will see the original hit artist perform the original song. If you get it wrong, well, then you get, for Memorial Day only, a patriotic symbol for your troubles. Remember, you are scored online -- no need to ask me if you are right or wrong. When you click on an answer, you will know. Here comes our very special Memorial Day question.
The following list comprises big hits from the Top 40 here in the USA. Which song was the biggest hit and is listed by Billboard Magazine as having been the #85 most popular song of all time? Just to put it all in perspective, that makes this one song more popular historically than "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles.
A. Soldier Boy -- The Shirelles
B. Battle Hymn of the Republic -- Mormon Tabernacle Choir
C. Battle of New Orleans -- Johnny Horton
D.. Ballad of the Green Berets -- Barry Sadler
E. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B -- Bette Midler
Now that you have completed the contest, if you want to learn more about this featured Memorial Day song, you can read the story here.
For more "Stories Behind the Music" click on the guitar 
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's. I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.
21 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • May 24 2009 10:29AMComments
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Well-- these are all GREAT SONGS! I pick letter B when do I get to find out the answer?
I got this one wrong----but that is because the correct answer is too impossible to comprehend.
Deborah,
Just click on the choices. Get it right and you go to a video of the song. It scores you online..
Chuckie Bee,
You are so misguided. I got one up my sleeve that will really tweak your pre-conceived little notions.
Steven, I love that song! I remember singing it in the car on road trips as a child. We listened to it in college. And I still love to hear it when it comes on the radio. Thanks.
Maria,
Yep, everyone likes it except Charlie Bee. He is stuck with his Herman's Hermits and Monkees greatest hits and does not know real music.
Steve, New Orleans has WAY bigger battles with the ocean than what the song is about:)
Charlie,
People do not appreciate your cynical comments. Nutsy told me so.
Steve, I didn't even come close this time. I'm assuming that the others are MORE popular? LOL
Connie,
Nope that is the most popular. #85 of all time per Billboard. I played it a lot in both country and rock radio days. The next most popular would be Barry Sadler.
I got it right the first time again. I guess I'm getting better. I love these little quizes.
Barbara,
I got a few other humdingers coming up.
Do you believe I remembered that from one of you previous posts.
Jack,
I bet you did. I had not stated it quite the same, but close enough. If I were guessing, without knowing, I would have thought Barry Sadler.
I got it on the second try. Those songs are all very old wax.
James,
No there is nothing too recent there. I suppose we could have put in Billy Don't Be A Hero. Remember that one. However, that goes back to 1974.
I do remember that one. Wasn't that the theme to the movie Billy Jack?
Mr James,
The boss asked me to answer your question, due to the Hollywood connections that I have that neither you, nor the boss, have. As it is, my Uncle Swift-Kick Wallenda starred in the version of Billy Jack that was released in Australia. He also was the stunt double for Tom Laughlin in the US version. I am afraid that Billy Don't Be A Hero was a teeny-bopper song. The real theme from Billy Jack was One Tin Soldier. There were a couple versions. One was by Original Cast and the other by Coven The one by Coven was used in the movie. You can tickle your memory gland, as the boss would say, right here. I put a copy of the video cover, of Uncle Swift-Kick, below for your enjoyment.
Nutsy at your service
Howdy there Steven
Got it! Sure has always been a grand song to hear. Real toe tapper.
Thank ya for the congrats.
Ya needed to also have had. Hang Down Your Head Tom Dooley from 1958, by The Kingston Trio. It sold over six million copies. Their song also inspired the film The Legend of Tom Dooley. The film was made in 1959.
Hope you and your family, have had a fine day!
Say Howdy to Nutsy, for me.
God Bless America! The land we love!
Well, I know someone that DOES need a good swift kick:)
Dale,
You are pretty sharp at these.
Charlie,
I have no clue what you are talking about.
Yes, I do remember now. I had the two songs mixed up.