Posted in: Musicouching by R J Evans on April 6, 2010 | 35 Comments
Would you be able to recognize some of the world’s most famous and popular songs if they were represented by a chart instead of by their tune? Take a few minutes to look through these and see if you can guess the songs of the charts by, well, by the charts of the songs.
This one may take you back a few years – and it has been covered by many people over the years. Yet, who did the original version? It was released on a 1971 album (back when they had them!) and reached number three in the US charts. When the artist recorded it he was actually working in a factory. Not so strange in itself until you learn that the factory made toilet seats for jumbo jets! The song comes in at number two hundred and eighty in the Rolling Stone magazines “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. Now got it yet?
Moving forward to 1981, this band took the world by storm with their electro-pop grooviness, a lead singer with an incredibly floppy fringe and two girl singers who couldn’t really sing! In fact they made your average cat on a tin roof sound hot! This song is comfortably in the top thirty best selling singles of all time in the UK and was a global hit. A “Star Is Born” theme runs through this tune, and despite its success the band initially did not want it released viewing it as very much a second rate filler track for their album “Dare”. They insisted that a large poster be released with the song which then gracefully adorned bedsit walls for years to come. Has the “aaah” moment come?
From the album, Combat Rock, this single was recorded in the same year as second entry here but wasn’t for ten years that the song made it to number one, after numerous re-releases. What the song is about (specifically) remains a mystery, but the best bet is on that it concerns a relationship between a band member and a lady by the name of Ellen Folley, which was soon to go the way of so many relationships! Come on, this one is easy!
This gentleman has had numerous hits but this one remains a firm favorite of people around the globe. Reputedly, this track still gets played in clubs over a quarter of a million times a week, despite the fact that it was released in 1983. The song is still regarded as the signature for this artist, for several reasons. Firstly, the video was hugely successful, he performed a particularly famous dance routine of his while performing the song on live TV and there might also be something to do with a fedora and a single white, sequined glove as well.
Eunice Tan October 21st, 2008 at 4:23 am
Very interesting.
Rumi October 21st, 2008 at 5:59 am
very interesting article
Kim Buck October 21st, 2008 at 7:26 am
Thanks for making my mind work so early in the morning. You’re better than Starbucks!
Lost in Arizona October 21st, 2008 at 9:36 am
Brain teasers in the morning. My head hurts..lol. Although I did get a few, ha-ha! And I love many of the songs, The Clash, Rolling Stones and Human League are some good bands.
nobert soloria bermosa October 21st, 2008 at 9:52 am
nice way of presenting these blockbuster songs,
papaleng October 21st, 2008 at 10:35 am
i got two correct answers, its interesting, nice one indeed.
Glynis Smy October 21st, 2008 at 11:32 am
I guessed all but the last 3, great fun, thanks
Rookie Expert October 21st, 2008 at 11:47 am
Wow, it took me longet that i thought it would, great brain exercise. Interesting songs in charts, even more interesting to read in the comments what everyones score was..mine’s 4/10
thestickman October 21st, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I got four of them for sure, and fifth was a (correct) guess. Very clever article.
-thestickman
Hein Marais October 21st, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Very enjoyable. Thanks.
Joe Poniatowski October 21st, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Well, I got 6 out of the 10, but I have a distinct advantage over these youngsters reading this. Nicely done.
Anne Lyken-Garner October 21st, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Yeh!! I got all but one.
goodselfme October 21st, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Since music is not a daily food, I was not successful at all. Very interesting write.
C. Jordan October 21st, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Excellent RJ. You stumped me with Bill Withers and Jimmy Cliff and I got the wrong Michael Jackson song.WIll be nicking this for a visual quiz round for ome of the pub quizzes I write
Juancav October 21st, 2008 at 5:56 pm
I got only two,the hints so far away;10.000 Km. ,does not work for me.
Ruby Hawk October 21st, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Wonderful exercise for the brain. I won’t say how many I got. Great idea.
CHAN LEE PENG October 21st, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Great! Thanks!
Emily James October 22nd, 2008 at 4:20 am
Some excellent tunes here, although I’m ashamed to admit, I had to check out the answers on three of them! (I was born in 81 though so perhaps you’ll let me off)
Emily James
eddiego65 October 22nd, 2008 at 9:38 am
Great music. I still remember some of the songs.
Hannahgirl October 22nd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
This article really made me use my brain. Most of these songs I don’t know but give me a break I was born in 1990. Good article!
Brenda kay (brennie)Winters October 22nd, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Enjoyed this site even though it was a little over stimualting and time consuming. Do you work?
RJ Evans October 23rd, 2008 at 7:12 am
Er, well, some would say yes, some would say most definitely not!
shepboyz October 23rd, 2008 at 7:40 am
u rock dude i am a big fan of music. i have a friend just like u who knows all kinds of songs
Liane Schmidt October 23rd, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Vote for Obama!
Kristie Leong, MD October 23rd, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Vote for Obama!
RJ Evans October 23rd, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Ok, I’ll vote for Obama.
ScrewLuK October 23rd, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I’ve heard some of these, just dont no any names. -.-
can you check out mines please
http://www.authspot.com/Short-Stories/The-Fall-of-Quagmire.309261
Allen October 24th, 2008 at 2:04 am
Quite innovative!
GordonG October 24th, 2008 at 7:48 am
2 Cups of coffee and it still hurt to read this one and try and figure some of them out… lol… but I did love it .. always good to see your work
3cardmonte October 24th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I got all of them right!woo hoo! Satisfaction is a great song,especially if you are feeling a bit sorry for yourself.
Kevin October 24th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
If you liked this article, you will love…
http://www.graphjam.com
Brenda Kay Winters May 6th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Laurie Byrne Smith April 8th, 2010 at 5:19 am
You made me laugh…and it’s 12:40 in the morning…and it was still funny!
Brenda Kay Winters April 9th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Easy read-with so many musicians addicted these days, it is my sincere desire and wish they get help as Paula Abdul has and become a good example for generations to come. http;//www.healthmad.com/Addiction/Is-Alcohol-a-Drug.692635
Lulu April 10th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
it is really an amusing and heart worming kind of music
it makes me want to cry.