Billboard Number 1 Songs of 1964 Quiz

Answer: There! I've Said It Again

"There! I've Said It Again" was recorded By Bobby Vinton in one take. Remaking the song was suggested to him by a DJ who was the emcee at a Cincinatti rock concert Bobby was doing. It was number one for four weeks. "Since I Fell For You" charted the same week for Lenny Welch at number four.

The number five spot was Bobby Rydell's "Forget Him." "Everybody" was a top ten for Tommy Roe the previous month.

Answer: I Want to Hold Your hand

"I Want to Hold Your hand" Was the first of several chart toppers for the Fab Four. It not only started the domination of the Billboard charts by the Beatles, but heralded the entire British Invasion for the next few years. "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was recorded on October 19, 1963. Manager Brian Epstein believed that the song could be the one that could dent the United States charts. "Twist and Shout," "Love Me Do" and "Please Please Me" were other early Beatles hits.

Answer: Louis Armstrong

At age 63, Louis put the brakes on the Beatles' chart topping reign. "Hello Dolly" was composed by Jerry Herman to have Carol Channing perform as the second act opening to the musical, "Hello Dolly." Prior to "Hello Dolly" Armstrong charted a version of "Mack The Knife" three years before Bobby Darin. Louis was born on the Fourth of July and learned trumpet while staying at the Waif's Home For Boys.

He got the name "Satchmo" because the other kids in the school called him "Satchel Mouth." Johnny Rivers had several hits including a cover of Chuck berry's "Memphis." Dean Martin had many Billboard songs such as "Return To Me." Roy Orbison hit the charts with "Running Scared" and went on to enjoy several hits.

Answer: My Guy

"My Guy" was not Mary's first chart success. She previously sang "The One Who Really Loves You" and scored the first top ten for Motown. Mary was initially disappointed to be signed to what was then an unknown label, but she stayed with Berry Gordy's label.

In addition to writing the song, Smokey Robinson produced it. Mary was only 21 when her song gave the Beatles some competition. "My Boy Lollipop" was recorded by Millie Small. "Dancing in the Street" was a hit for Martha and the Vandellas and "She's a Fool" was one of Lesley Gore's hits.

Answer: The Dixie Cups

The Dixie Cups were the only American group to have a number one single in the first six months of 1964. Songwriters Leiber and Stoller started the Red Bird label and the Dixie Cups were brought to his attention when they won a talent contest. They changed their name from Little Miss and the Muffets when they signed with the label.

The song was originally written for The Ronettes. The Red Bird label folded in 1966 and the girls didn't see chart success after they signed with ABC Records. The Marvelettes sang "Please Mr. Postman." The Ray Charles Singers sang "Love Me With All of Your Heart" the previous month and The Shangri-Las saw success with "Leader of the Pack."

Answer: Peter and Gordon

Peter and Gorden had chart success with "World Without Love." While appearing together at The Pickwick Club in London they were heard by an EMI engineer and signed to that label. Peter's sister, Jane Asher, was dating Paul McCartney and Paul didn't think "World Without Love" was right for the Beatles. Peter and Gordon went on to have more chart success with "Nobody I Know" and "Lady Godiva." The group amicably broke up in 1967 due to their desire to seek different ambitions. Chad and Jeramy sang "Summer Song." Sam and Dave were Stax recording artists who sang "Soul Man," among other hits. Don and Juan were a fifties duo who did "What's Your Name?"

Answer: I Get Around

"I Get Around" was the first number one by an American male singing group in eight months. Previously called Carl and the Passions and The Pendletones, the Beach Boys wrote a surfing song when their publisher expressed interest in original material. They wrote "Surfin'" and it became a local hit.

They followed with "Surfin' Safari" which hit number three, beginning a string of hits for the band. "I Get Around" was also their first British top ten song due in part to Rolling Stones' singer Mick Jagger praising the band after hearing them in the US. "Good Vibrations" was a later hit for the Beach Boys.

Answer: The Animals

Eric Burdon first heard the traditional folk song as a young boy. As he grew up he developed a love for American R&B music. He didn't intend to become an entertainer and went to college to study art design. Alan Price was a piano player who had a group called The Alan Price Combo. Burdon joined them in 1962.

They included "House of the Rising Sun" in their set and eventually recorded it in two takes at Kingsway Studios. The Dave Clark Five were almost as popular as the Beatles and had did "Bits and Pieces" among several other hits. Manfred Mann saw chart success covering the song "Doo Wha Diddy," and The Searchers recorded Sonny Bono and Jack Nitzche's composition "Needles and Pins."

Answer: Oh! Pretty Woman

"Oh! Pretty Woman" was a big hit for Orbison. It was also a number one in Britain. One day when Roy asked his wife, Claudette, if she needed money for shopping. Roy's songwriting partner Bill Dees remarked that a pretty woman never needed money and the idea for the song was born. "Oh! Pretty Woman" was the last of Roy's nine top ten singles.

He left the Monument label, signed with MGM and acted in "The Fastest Guitar Alive" but never entered the top twenty again as a solo artist. "Bread and Butter" charted the same week for the Newbeats. "Everybody Loves Somebody" was a number one for Dean Martin on August 15, 1964. "Mr. Lonely" was a December, 1964, number one hit for Bobby Vinton.

Answer: Lorne Greene

Lorne Greene was the second Canadian to top the charts, Paul Anka being the first. He started his career as a radio broadcaster who founded "The Academy of Radio Arts". Among his accomplishments is inventing a clock that runs backwards to count down remaining time on a broadcast.

He gravitated to acting by doing guest appearances. The entire "Bonanza" Cartwright cast did an album titled "Welcome to the Ponderosa," which led to Lorne doing the single "Ringo." Marty Robbins was known for gunfighter ballads such as "El Paso" and "Big Iron." Pernell Roberts and Michael Landon played two of Lorne Greene's sons in "Bonanza".

Although Pernell Roberts had success with Broadway work after Bonanza he never had a number one Billboard song.