Earlier this week on an episode of Danger, I was intrigued by one of the unusual categories presented by presenter Alex Trebek. The answers had to consist of words with exactly five syllables, two of which I got the questions right.
Two of the five-syllable words I missed were “Abolitionist” and “Unbeatable,” two I should have gotten. Long after the game was over and the classic Final Jeopardy theme song had faded, I was still trying to think of relatively common words that had five syllables.
My attention turned, as it usually does, to popular music. Here are ten one-word song titles that fit the Jeopardy category of five-syllable words.
Elvis Costello opportunity
This tune, like most others on Nick Lowe’s produced get happy album, is riddled with lines like “Her bedroom eyes were like a button she was pressing.”
Carly Simon Anticipation
Preceding the smash hit “You’re So Vain” by a few years, this title track is the highlight of the diva’s second album.
“Imagination” of Earth, Wind and Fire
The soul band had a ton of hits besides this one, including “Fantasy,” “Shining Star,” and “September.”
“Radioactive” by Gene Simmons
The long-tongued Kiss bassist had a minor hit with this title on his first solo album, but Paul Rodgers wrote a more popular tune when he formed The Firm after Bad Company’s demise.
“No Complications” by Elvis Costello
Five albums after his first five-syllable title track, Elvis struck again with this opening song from the blood and chocolate album.
“Infatuation” by Rod Stewart
Former Yardbirds guitarist Jeff Beck appears on this single from the legendary pop rocker, who also convinced Beck to make a cameo in the corresponding video.
“Undeniable” by Mat Kearney
This single comes from the second album of the indie rocker, Nothing to lose.
Ambrosia’s “Apothecary”
Bassist Joe Puerta sings the theme song for this smooth, drug-themed gem from Life beyond Los Angeles., the album that first put the band on the charts thanks to “How Much I Feel”.
“Aphrodisiac” by Loudon Wainwright III
Popular legend incorporated this melody into the Therapy album, which perfectly fits a song about a veteran singer’s one-night stand with a catchy corner.
Randy Newman’s Louisiana
The great Mississippi flood of 1927 is the subject of this tune, which appears on the veteran composer’s album. good old boys album.
