My Favorite Songs of the 1950s- Part 3 Quiz

Answer: Ohio

Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden and Adolph Green wrote "Ohio" for "Wonderful Town." It was first performed by Rosalind Russell and Edie Adams (as Ruth and Eileen Sherwood). Russell reprised her role in the 1958 movie version with Jacquelyn McKeever as Eileen.

In a 2010 episode of "Glee," Jane Lynch sings it with Carol Burnett. Burnett guest starred as Sue Sylvester's mother, Doris.

Other artists have also covered the song, including June Anderson and Bea Arthur, Rebecca Luker and Karen Mason, and Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald.

Answer: hippopotamus

John Rox wrote "I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas" in 1953. It was first sung by ten-year-old Gayla Peevey and reached 24 on the charts. According to Peevey in a 2007 interview, the Oklahoma City Zoo (Peevey is from OK) used the song's popularity to do a fundraiser to get Peevey a hippo for Christmas. The zoo wanted a hippo but didn't have the means to get it, so they used the song's popularity. The plan worked, and many contributed to the fundraiser. Peevey was given a hippo for Christmas, which she then donated to the zoo. Matilda, the hippo, lived for fifty years.

Others have since also sung the song, including Vicki Dale, The Three Stooges, Bob Keeshan, and LeAnn Rimes.

Answer: False

"Santa Baby" was written by Joan Javits and Philip Springer. It was first sung by Eartha Kitt with Henri Rene and His Orchestra. In the song she says, "Santa baby, I forgot to mention one little thing...a ring - I don't mean on the phone."

The song is a list song of things a woman wants - all elaborate and expensive gifts. Then, as the song goes on, you realize she wants to be Mrs. Claus.

The song has been covered by others such as Marilyn Monroe, Gwen Stefani, Madonna, and Kylie Minogue.

In 2021, a YouGov poll in the United States showed this song was considered the "most annoying Christmas song."

Answer: 3

George Bruns and Thomas W. Blackburn wrote "The Battle of Davy Crockett" in 1953. Fess Parker first sang it for the ABC TV series, "Disneyland". The song sings the praises of Crockett, giving absurd things that he did, such as "killed him a bear when he was only three," or "patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell."

Others have also covered this song, including Tennessee Ernie Ford, The Wellingtons, the Sons of the Pioneers, and Louis Armstrong.

Answer: Goodnight

Calvin Carter and James "Pookie" Hudson wrote "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight" (sometimes shortened to "Goodnight, Sweetheart"). The Spaniels recorded it first, and it reached number five on the charts.

Others have since recorded it, such as The McGuire Sisters, The Platters, Johnnie & Jack, and Sunny Gale.

In 1987, the movie "Three Men and a Baby" featured Ted Danson, Tom Selleck, and Steve Guttenberg singing it to baby Mary (played by twins Lisa and Michelle Blair).

Answer: The Penguins

Curtis Williams, Jesse Belvin, and Gaynel Hodge wrote "Earth Angel" in 1953. Williams was a member of The Penguins, who were the first to record the song. The song reached number ten on the charts. It was The Penguins' only hit.

It has since been covered by other artists, including the Crew-Cuts, Gloria Mann, Tiny Tim, and Johnny Tillotson.

In the 1985 movie, "Back to the Future," the song is sung at the dance. Marty McFly is playing guitar, and he is disappearing, so he has trouble playing. Then, when his dad finally kisses his mom, his hand starts to come back, and he finishes strongly.

Answer: Hernando's Hideaway

Jerry Ross and Richard Aler wrote "Hernando's Hideaway" in 1954 for their Broadway show "The Pajama Game." It was first sung by Carol Haney, who played Gladys in the show. The song is about a place lovers can go in secret to date. You need an invitation to get inside. The song says, "Just knock three times and whisper low that you and I were sent by Joe."

Haney reprised her role in the 1957 movie version.

Since then others have also recorded the song, including Archie Bleyer, Johnnie Ray, The Johnston Brothers, and Ella Fitzgerald.

Answer: Sid sang a duet with himself.

Richard Adler and Jerry Ross wrote "Hey There" for "The Pajama Game" in 1954. John Raitt, who played Sid in the original Broadway cast, was the first to sing the song. He reprised his role in the 1957 movie.

Since then other artists have recorded the song, including Rosemary Clooney, Sammy Davis, Jr, and Jonnie Ray.

In a season 9 episode of "Cheers," Kelsey Grammer (as Frasier Crane) sang the song on karaoke. He has been singing for a while and is asked to stop. Frasier replies, "In the middle of my salute to Adler and Ross? I think not!"

Answer: a dream

Pat Ballard wrote "Mr. Sandman" (also written as "Mister Sandman") in 1954. Vaughn Monroe & his orchestra were the first to record it. Later, that same year (1954), The Chordettes and The Four Aces both recorded the tune.

The "dream" in the song refers to a "dreamboat," an old-school term, meaning a handsome person who is the man/woman of the singer's dream.

Since then others have sung the song including Emmylou Harris, Chet Atkins, Bert Kaempfert, and The Fleetwoods.

Answer: tree

Erroll Garner wrote and first recorded "Misty," a jazz standard, in 1954. He wrote it as an instrumental. Later, Johnny Burke added lyrics to the song. In 1959, Johnny Mathis recorded the song, reaching number 12 on the charts. The song has become Mathis's signature song.

Others, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Ray Stevens, and Count Basie have also recorded the song.