Flashback: Sixteen Tons

By Mick Harper

Pop, Rock, and Soul Trivia.

1. "In Sixteen Tons" by Tennessee Ernie Ford, what does the reference to owing your soul to the company store mean?

2. Who released the 1981 version of "Bette Davis Eyes"?

3. Name the artist who released "All Those Years Ago."

4. Who were the musical guests on the first "Saturday Night Live"?

5. Name the song that contains these lyrics: "I saw your lips, I heard your voice. Believe me, I just had no choice. Wild horses couldn't make me stay away."

Answers

1. The song is about coalminers. They were paid in scrip, not cash, and that scrip was only good at the company store. This kept the miners from saving cash and leaving.

2. Kim Carnes. The song netted Grammy awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

3. George Harrison, as a tribute to slain fellow Beatle John Lennon.

4. Janis Ian and Billy Preston, on Oct. 11, 1975.

5. "Hello Mary Lou," by Ricky Nelson, in 1961. There was a plagiarism problem when the record label was sued by a Catholic priest who'd formerly been in a band when he wrote "Merry, Merry Lou." The settlement included giving the priest co-writing credits and royalties.

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