Books

What song helped to inspire Stephen King’s The Stand?

Jacket illustration by John Cayea Jacket typography by Elizabeth Levine Photo by Lawrence Robins Blurring // Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain

People went insane when George Lucas went back and edited the original Star Wars trilogy, re-releasing the films with the dubious distinction of being special editions. So I can only imagine what they did when Stephen King revamped one of his most popular novels.

The Stand was originally released in the fall of 1978. While it was a breakout hit, King apparently realized it wasn’t up to snuff. So in 1990, he restored over 400 pages of originally cut material, moved the chapters around, and shifted the story to take place 10 years later — from 1980 to 1990. In the end, The Complete & Uncut Edition stands (see what we did there?) at 1,153 pages, making it his longest book.

That’s WAY more than Lucas ever did, yet I never see people going on internet forums screaming about how Stephen King ruined their childhoods.

King takes inspiration for his stories from a variety of places — in the case of The Stand, it came in the form of a popular song. Which song was it?

Click START to answer.

Read next

Who played Dr. Cornelius in 1968’s Planet of the Apes?

Who played Dr. Cornelius in 1968’s Planet of the Apes?

Discover the actor behind Dr. Cornelius in the original Planet of the Apes (1968). Dive into sci-fi history and test your movie trivia knowledge!...

Cowabunga Comic Con: TMNT Co-Creator Discusses Comics’ 40-Year History

Cowabunga Comic Con: TMNT Co-Creator Discusses Comics’ 40-Year History

TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman reflects on 40 years of Turtle Power at SDCC, sharing origin stories, behind-the-scenes tidbits, and teasing future projects....

What’s the name of the planet in The Dark Crystal?

What’s the name of the planet in The Dark Crystal?

Jim Henson had a restless mind. The Dark Crystal came out in 1982, and it has never received its fair due. What’s the name of the planet where The Dark Crystal takes place?...

In Jurassic Park, what animal’s DNA do they use to fill in the gap in dinosaur DNA?

In Jurassic Park, what animal’s DNA do they use to fill in the gap in dinosaur DNA?

Test your Jurassic Park knowledge: Which animal's DNA completed the dinosaur genome? Dive into this intriguing movie trivia and uncover the secrets behind the park's creation!...

What was Stephen King’s first novel?

What was Stephen King’s first novel?

Note: Some links may reveal today's trivia. Feel free to click them after guessing! Long before he became the literary boogeyman keeping readers up at night, Stephen King was just a kid from Portland, Maine with an overactive imagination and a penchant for the macabre. Born in 1947,...

Who was originally cast to voice Shrek before Mike Myers?

Who was originally cast to voice Shrek before Mike Myers?

Explore the journey of Shrek to a blockbuster franchise and challenges faced by DreamWorks Animation had along the way, including the shocking last-minute voice actor swap changed everything. Discover who was originally set to play the ogre before Mike Myers stepped in to the iconic role....

How many number 1 hits does Madonna have?

How many number 1 hits does Madonna have?

Discover Madonna's extraordinary impact on pop culture spanning four decades. From '80s icon to modern-day legend, test your knowledge of the Material Girl's chart-topping success. How many times has the Queen of Pop claimed the #1 spot on Billboard? Dive into our music trivia and find out!...

What’s the name of the pirate whose treasure the kids are looking for in The Goonies?

What’s the name of the pirate whose treasure the kids are looking for in The Goonies?

Dive into the world of The Goonies, '80s nostalgia, and real pirate history. Can you name the legendary buccaneer at the heart of this cult classic?...