It’s been far too long since we rocked a Friday lyrics quiz around this place. In his wisdom, Roommate Joe decided it was time for a new one, and he cooked up this little brain teaser.
And get this: He gave the quiz a hidden theme! BONUS FUN!
When you post your asnwers, see if you can also guess the secret theme that unites all the songs. That will give you EXTRA GLORY.
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The Rules: Joe has selected thirty songs from his iPod that suit his secret theme. After the jump, you will see 30 lines from those songs. You provide artist and title, and if possible, you provide the theme that unites all the quiz entries.
Please don’t look up the lyrics on the web. That’s lame.
And please don’t provide more than three answers per day. That way, more people can play.
The Answers: Answers will be posted in the comments section of this post next Friday.
And now… let’s do this thing!
1. “Even your emotions had an echo”
2. “Don’t try to find me, please don’t you dare”
3. “Look at this face, I know the years are showing”
4. “I’m taking it back to the old school, ’cause I’m an old fool who’s so cool”
5. “My heart’s all tangled up, my tongue is tied”
6. “I know your business, but I don’t know your name”
7. “On to bigger, better things than some horny tricks”
8. “Long-stem roses are the way to your heart”
9. “Let’s get drunk, it’s gonna bring us closer”
10. “We sailed on together, but drifted apart”
11. “Trying hard to fill the emptiness; the piece is gone”
12. “How could you be so Dr. Evil?”
13. “Baby let your conscience go”
14. “I never wanted to be your weekend lover”
15. “Love cuts a million ways; shakes the devil when he misbehaves”
16. “I wasn’t looking, but somehow you found me”
17. “And I’ll take with me the memories to be my sunshine after the rain”
18. “I might be weak, child, but I’ll give you strength”
19. “Outrageous, so contagious, make you crave it”
20. “Wishing you the best, pray that you are blessed”
21. “But that’s just how the story unfolds; you get another hand soon after you fold”
22. “I’m walking down the line that divides me somewhere in my mind”
23. “If I could wear your clothes, I’d pretend I was you”
24. “They say Spain is pretty, though I’ve never been”
25. “So I found another way to make him pay for it all”
26. “You said you’d be here by nine; instead you took your time”
27. “Want you in my rear window, baby it’s sick”
28. “I know just how to whisper, and I know just how to cry”
29. “I can understand how you’d be so confused; i don’t envy you”
30. “How come I never hear you say ‘I just want to be with you’?”
41 responses so far ↓
1 Chris // Apr 15, 2011 at 11:31 am
Honestly, I clicked through just to see if there was a Roxette reference. =) #6 is from Dangerous. Don’t know enough of the rest to pick out the theme.
2 Mark Blankenship // Apr 15, 2011 at 11:36 am
Hi Chris! You are right. I love that you looked specifically for Roxette. You know us too well.
3 jmd // Apr 15, 2011 at 11:36 am
2 – All I wanna do is make love to you – Heart
5 – I get weak – Belinda Carlisle
8 – Express Yourself – Madonna
Theme… theme… Hmmm, how about something like relationships and the way they are expressed?
4 Guy Lodge // Apr 15, 2011 at 11:36 am
2. All I Want To Do Is Make Love To You – Heart
3. Don’t Know Much – Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt
20. Survivor – Destiny’s Child
5 Rube Goldberg // Apr 15, 2011 at 11:39 am
8. “Express Yourself” – Madonna
25. “Live it Up Style (Oops)” – Blu Cantrell
27. “Bad Romance” – Lady Gaga
Is the theme women kicking ass and taking names?
6 Mark Blankenship // Apr 15, 2011 at 11:42 am
Hi Rube … That’s a theme that runs through my life, but it is not the theme of this quiz.
So far, everyone’s answers are correct.
7 Danny // Apr 15, 2011 at 11:42 am
I can only get a few of these at first glance… the most obscure ones I can answer are:
20. Survivor – Destiny’s Child
25. Hit ‘Em Up Style – Blu Cantrell (I think…?)
29. Bitch – Meredith Brooks
At a total loss for the hidden theme.
8 Nich // Apr 15, 2011 at 11:45 am
Damn, almost all the ones I know have been gotten already.
26 is Heartbreak Hotel – Whitney Houston with Faith Evans
I’m stuck on the theme.
9 Danny // Apr 15, 2011 at 11:45 am
Oh no… two of my answers got taken while I was answering! Then I’ll add..
12. Heartless – Kanye West
21. Airplanes – B.o.B
10 Trey // Apr 15, 2011 at 11:47 am
4. “Whoomp There It Is” – Tag Team
9. “Work It” – Missy Elliott
12. “Heartless” – Kanye West
18. “Chain of Fools” – Aretha Franklin
11 Alison // Apr 15, 2011 at 11:51 am
1 – Gnarls Barkley, Crazy
18 – Aretha (or the Commitments!), Chain of Fools
28 – Air Supply, Making Love Out of Nothing At All
The theme is definitely relationship problems of some sort but I fear that’s too braod.
12 Liz // Apr 15, 2011 at 11:56 am
10. Open Arms – Journey
23. Don’t Let Go – En Vogue
24. Daniel – Elton John
13 Elise // Apr 15, 2011 at 11:57 am
1. Crazy by Gnarls Barkley (spelling?)
no clue on the theme, though
14 Adam // Apr 15, 2011 at 12:00 pm
17. Boys II Men – It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye
24. Elton John – Daniel
15 Nora // Apr 15, 2011 at 12:22 pm
#6 is Touch Me (All Night Long) by Cathy Dennis
#30 is Since U Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson
16 Jeni // Apr 15, 2011 at 12:24 pm
30. Since U Been Gone – Kelly Clarkson
17 Kerri // Apr 15, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Only three?!? OK, fine.
3. I Don’t Know Much, But I Know I Love You (actual title?), Neville Brothers or Aaron Neville
4. Whoomp! (There Is Is), Tag Team
6. Dangerous, Roxette
18 K. // Apr 15, 2011 at 12:41 pm
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! I LOVE these.
A bunch of the ones I knew were taken but:
7. Warren G/Nate Dogg (RIP), “Regulate”
11. Christina Aguilera, “Beautiful”
22. Green Day, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”
27 has been named but I thought the line was “Want you in my rear window, baby YOU’RE sick.” No?
Theme … empowerment through failed relationships/experiences?
19 Mark Blankenship // Apr 15, 2011 at 12:52 pm
Hi K. — I’m 98% certain the Gaga lyric is “baby it’s sick.” But I’m feeling too lazy to actually listen to the song. I can hear it both ways in my head
20 Mark Blankenship // Apr 15, 2011 at 12:53 pm
NOTES TO ALL:
1. You’re all doing a great job! I’m impressed that you’ve gotten some of these.
2. The theme is NOT connected to the lyrical content of the songs.
21 Nora // Apr 15, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Ugh, I got my numbering wrong. 13 is the Cathy Dennis.
22 Mark Blankenship // Apr 15, 2011 at 1:05 pm
Nora, I love that you got that song. It’s one of my all-time favorites.
23 Louise // Apr 15, 2011 at 1:08 pm
14. Purple Rain – Prince
15. Cradle of Love – Billy Idol
Yay!
24 Emily // Apr 15, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Most of the songs I recognize are answered already, but:
14. Purple Rain, Prince
25 Destiny // Apr 15, 2011 at 2:11 pm
16. Nobody Does it Better- Carly Simon
I think the theme is songs featured in movies or TV. “Nobody Does it Better” is a Bond Theme, Purple Rain is the movie theme, Don’t Let Go is from “Set if Off”, “Whoomp There It Is” is in that phone commercial…..
26 Nora // Apr 15, 2011 at 2:19 pm
@Mark My long-dead, Ohio Valley, small town top 40 station played that to death. I remember singing that one and “Just Another Dream” [featuring RICK ASTLEY] at the bus stop in middle school.
27 Mark Blankenship // Apr 15, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Destiny — A good guess on the theme, but still not correct. And good on you for getting “Nobody Does It Better”
Nora — That was Rick Astley doing those sexy “just another dream” vocals in the background? Amazing!
Man, I really used to love Cathy Dennis. Those songs, “Too Many Walls,” “C’Mon and Get My Love.” She was my girl. Did you know that she’s a successful songwriter now? She co-wrote “Toxic” by Britney Spears and “I Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry, among several others.
28 Roommate Joe // Apr 15, 2011 at 2:34 pm
You guys are INSANELY good at this quiz. As quiz originator, Mark has empowered me to give a hint: The Roller Derby team in “Whip It!” would fully endorse these songs. And you can watch the trailer if you don’t believe me.
29 Ben // Apr 15, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Is the theme that all these songs are from a Genius Playlist off of some popular song? “E.T.” is what I’m thinking since it’ll give you the Kanye and rap as well as the pop.
30 Mark // Apr 15, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Are these all #2 songs?
31 ferretrick // Apr 15, 2011 at 3:17 pm
Well, all the ones I knew (including Nobody Does It Better-love my Bond themes) have been guessed.
However, the Gaga lyric IS “Baby YOU’RE sick”, or at least it was when my Chorus just performed it. 50 gay men in tuxedos singing Gaga. It was fabulous.
32 Danny // Apr 15, 2011 at 3:20 pm
The “we’re number 2!” chant at the end of the Whip It! trailer had me thinking these were all the 2nd tracks off their respective albums. After checking “Survivor,” “Since U Been Gone” and “Hit ‘Em Up Style” I thought I was onto something… but “Beautiful” and “Heartless” don’t continue the trend. Oh well. #overthinkingprobably
33 Maria // Apr 15, 2011 at 4:31 pm
Wait!!!! I think I have the theme!
All of these songs peaked at #2?!?!?!
34 Christy Baker // Apr 15, 2011 at 5:23 pm
Ok, this is all I could get without cheating. And what do they have in common besides the fact that they are all also on my iPod?! (Well, not the Aaron Neville song… I don’t have that one. But I should! And I shall!)
2. All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You- Heart
3. Don’t Know Much- Aaron Neville/ Linda Ronstadt
4. Whoop! There It Is
9. Work It- Missy Elliott
10. Open Arms- Journey
11. Beautiful- Christina Aguilera
12. Heartless- Kanye West
17. It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye- Boyz II Men
19. 1,2 Step- Ciara
20. Survivor- Destiny’s Child
23. Don’t Let Go- EnVogue
27. Bad Romance- Lady Gaga
35 K. // Apr 15, 2011 at 5:30 pm
“Since U Been Gone” never made it to #1? TRAVESTY.
36 hansen9j // Apr 15, 2011 at 6:11 pm
#6 was killing me, but I think it’s Roxanne- Dangerous.
37 Mark Blankenship // Apr 15, 2011 at 7:47 pm
Hey guys! Maria and Mark are CORRECT. The secret theme is that every song on this quiz peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
And with Christy correctly guessing 1,2 Step, I think you may have gotten the answers to every lyric. (I’d have to double check, but I’m fairly certain.)
38 Mark Blankenship // Apr 15, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Ferretrick — Thanks for the clarification, and for letting me have the amazing image of a gay mens’ chorus singing Lady Gaga.
39 Christy Baker // Apr 15, 2011 at 8:23 pm
Of course I got 1,2 Step. My Flygirls did a dance routine to it for basketball season! Clearly an obvious choice. Still considering an all-90s hits throwback season coming up. I’m brushing up on my typewriter and running man, just in case.
40 Christy Baker // Apr 15, 2011 at 8:25 pm
I must say, I do enjoy song #23. EnVogue. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that.
41 Mark Blankenship // Apr 21, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Hi everyone. I think all the answers have been guessed, but here’s a completed answer form, just in case.
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SECRET THEME: #2 Singles on the Billboard Hot 100
ANSWERS:
1. “Even your emotions had an echo†— “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley
2. “Don’t try to find me, please don’t you dare†— “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You” by Heart
3. “Look at this face, I know the years are showing†— “Don’t Know Much” by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville
4. “I’m taking it back to the old school, ’cause I’m an old fool who’s so cool†— “Whoomp! There it is” by Tag Team
5. “My heart’s all tangled up, my tongue is tied†— “I Get Weak” by Belinda Carlisle
6. “I know your business, but I don’t know your name†— “Dangerous” by Roxette
7. “On to bigger, better things than some horny tricks†— “Regulate” by Warren G feat. Nate Dogg
8. “Long-stem roses are the way to your heart†— “Express Yourself” by Madonna
9. “Let’s get drunk, it’s gonna bring us closer†— “Work It” by Missy Elliott
10. “We sailed on together, but drifted apart†— “Open Arms” by Journey
11. “Trying hard to fill the emptiness; the piece is gone†— “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera
12. “How could you be so Dr. Evil?†— “Heartless” by Kanye West
13. “Baby let your conscience go†— “Touch Me (All Night Long)” by Cathy Dennis
14. “I never wanted to be your weekend lover†— “Purple Rain” by Prince
15. “Love cuts a million ways; shakes the devil when he misbehaves†— “Cradle of Love” by Billy Idol
16. “I wasn’t looking, but somehow you found me†— “Nobody Does It Better” by Carly Simon
17. “And I’ll take with me the memories to be my sunshine after the rain†— “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye” by Boyz II Men
18. “I might be weak, child, but I’ll give you strength†— “Chain of Fools” by Aretha Franklin
19. “Outrageous, so contagious, make you crave it†— “1, 2 Step” by Ciara
20. “Wishing you the best, pray that you are blessed†— “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child
21. “But that’s just how the story unfolds; you get another hand soon after you fold†— “Airplanes” by B.o.B. feat. Hayley Williams
22. “I’m walking down the line that divides me somewhere in my mind†— “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day
23. “If I could wear your clothes, I’d pretend I was you†— “Don’t Let Go (Love)” by En Vogue
24. “They say Spain is pretty, though I’ve never been†— “Daniel” by Elton John
25. “So I found another way to make him pay for it all†— “Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops)” by Blu Cantrell
26. “You said you’d be here by nine; instead you took your time†— “Heartbreak Hotel” by Whitney Houston feat. Faith Evans and Kelly Price
27. “Want you in my rear window, baby it’s sick†— “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga
28. “I know just how to whisper, and I know just how to cry†— “Making Love Out of Nothing At All” by Air Supply
29. “I can understand how you’d be so confused; I don’t envy you†— “Bitch” by Meredith Brooks
30. “How come I never hear you say ‘I just want to be with you’?†— “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson
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