NOSTALGIAQUIZ
THE city of Manchester has inspired many songs over the decades – including two unlikely Number Ones! The two singles were There’s No One Quite Like Grandma, which topped the charts over Christmas 1980, and Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs in April 1978.
Other songs about Manchester have made the charts too – but how well do you remember them? Why not test your knowledge in our latest quiz?
Many of the questions in our quizzes come from Clive Hardy’s brilliant Around Manchester books on the 1950s, 60s and 70s. They’re packed with unmissable pictures from the M.E.N. archive.
The books are on sale now for £14.99 including postage and packing. Just go to inostalgia.co.uk or ring 01928 503777 to place your order.
Answers are at the bottom of the page.
1. Prestwich band The Fall recorded four songs about Manchester. They included Cheetham Hill and Fit and Working Again, referring to the reception room at Victoria station. In what year did lead singer Mark E. Smith form the group? A) 1976; B) 1978; C) 1980?
2. The 1978 Number One single Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs was about which artist? A) David Hockney; B) L.S. Lowry; C) Edwin Landseer?
3. The classic anthem Dirty Old Town, made famous by the Dubliners in 1968, was inspired by the streets of Salford in 1949. Who wrote it? A) Ewan MacColl; B) Ralph McTell; C) Paul Simon?
4. Monkees’ lead singer Davy Jones, born in Openshaw, recorded the song Manchester Boy about his home city. What role did he play in the stage musical Oliver in 1960? A) Oliver; B) The Artful Dodger; C) Workhouse boy?
5. Bury group Elbow recorded the song Great Expectations about the 135 Bury to Manchester bus route. Later, lead singer Guy Garvey wrote the BBC theme music for 2012 London Olympics. What was it called? A) New York Morning; B) First Steps; C) Forget Myself?
6. Manchester group The Stone Roses wrote the song Mersey Paradise.
Their debut album Stone Roses has been acclaimed by many as one of the greatest British albums ever recorded. In what year was it released? A) 1989; B) 1991; C) 1993?
7. Herman’s Hermits recorded the song It’s Nice to be Out in the Morning about Manchester in 1964.
What was their only UK Number One, also released in 1964?
A) Silhouettes; B) Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat; C) I’m Into Something Good?
8. Take That immortalised the A57 (M) and A635 (M) urban motorway in their song Mancunian Way.
In what year did Robbie Williams leave the band? A) 1993; B) 1995; C) 1997?
9. Thin Lizzy wrote the song Clifton Grange Hotel about the Manchester hotel owned by lead singer Phil Lynott’s mother – and in May 1976 reached No. 6 with The Boys Are Back in Town about the band’s visits to the city. What city were Thin Lizzy originally from? A) Cork; B) Liverpool; C) Dublin?
10. Morrissey and the Smiths have recorded the songs Rusholme Ruffians, Cemetery Gates and Miserable Lie about Manchester. In what year was their single Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now released? A) 1980; B) 1982; C) 1984?