My Favorite Songs of the 1950s - Part 8 Quiz

Answer: 76

"Seventy-Six Trombones" was written by Meredith Willson for the Broadway musical "The Music Man."
Harold Hill (Robert Preston) sings it in the show when he tries to sell a Boys' Band. Preston also sang it in the 1962 movie, where he reprised his role as Hill. Another song in the musical, "Goodnight, My Someone," has the same tune but is sung much slower. "Goodnight, My Someone" is sung right before "Seventy-Six Trombones." Later, Marian (played on Broadway by Barbara Cook, and played by Shirley Jones in the 1962 movie) and Harold sing both songs at the same time, then they switch, so that she is singing "Seventy-Six Trombones" and he is singing "Goodnight, My Someone."

In the finale of the show, the song is reprised as Hill is in trouble with the town for conning them. The boys' band starts badly but suddenly can play perfectly.

The song is popular with bands.

It has been covered by the Boston Pops Orchestra, and Howard Keel sang it with a brass band, Andre Rieu and his band. In 2003, in the TV version of "The Music Man" it was sung by Matthew Broderick, who played Hill, along with the rest of the cast.

Answer: fussy

Meredith Willson wrote the song "Shipoopi" for the 1957 Broadway musical. It was first sung by Iggy Wolfington, who played Marcellus Washburn. The word is not explained in the song and was invented by Willson as a term of endearment.

In the 1962 movie, the song is sung by Buddy Hackett, who played Marcellus.

In an episode from the fourth season of "The Family Guy," the cast sang this song after a touchdown was scored.

Answer: We wear short shorts.

Tony Austin, Bill Crandell, Bill Dalton, and Bob Gaudio, the members of The Royal Teens, wrote and performed "Short Shorts" in 1957. It reached number two on the charts. The lyrics were born from seeing a girl walking in shorts on a hot day one day, according to the group.

The song has been covered by others, including Tiny Bradshaw and His Orchestra, Freddie and the Dreamers, Tommy Sands, and the cast of the Broadway show "The Jersey Boys."

Answer: out of reach

"Something's Coming" was written by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim for the 1957 Broadway musical, "West Side Story." The song was first performed by Larry Kert, who played Tony in the original Broadway cast.

In the 1961 movie, Jimmy Bryant sang the song. Bryant sang for Richard Beymer, who played Tony. Then in the 2021 remake, Ansel Elgort sang the part when he played Tony.

It has also been covered by artists such as Sammy Davis Jr., Vic Damone, Barbara Streisand, and Shirley Bassey.

In an episode of "Glee" (2009-2015), Blaine (played by Darren Criss) performed the song.

Answer: 16

"Luther Dixon and Allyson R. Khent wrote "16 Candles" (also written as "Sixteen Candles") in 1958, and it was recorded the same year by the Crests. The song reached number two on the charts.

The song was featured in the 1973 movie "American Graffiti" and the 1984 movie "Sixteen Candles."

The song has been covered by artists such as Jerry Lee Lewis, The Jackson 5, Stay Cats, and Sha Na Na.

Answer: I'm dreaming my life away.

Boudleaux Bryant wrote "All I Have to Do Is Dream" in 1958. The Everly Brothers recorded the number, and it reached number one on the charts. The song was listed as number 141 on the "Rolling Stone" magazine's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.

The song has been covered by musicians such as Richard Chamberlain, Roy Orbison, Sheila, and Bobbie Gentry.

Answer: Chantilly Lace

J.P. Richardson (the Big Bopper's real name) wrote "Chantilly Lace" in 1958 and recorded it that same year. The song reached number six on the charts.

The song was also covered by Jerry Lee Lewis and Bruce Channel.

The Big Bopper died in 1959 in a plane crash that also killed Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens.

Answer: Hula hoop

Ross Bagdasarian (better known by his stage name David Seville) wrote "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" in 1958. Alvin, Simon, and Theodore (the Chipmunks) were named after three executives at Liberty Records. To get the Chimpunks' voices, he sped up the tapes to make them sound higher.

All three want "a plane that loops the loop," but only Alvin asks for a "hula hoop." The hula hoop was a popular new toy in 1958.

Bagdasarian performed the song with chipmunk puppets on "The Ed Sullivan Show.'

The song has been covered by Amy Grant, the Chipmunks with Kenny G, the Goo Goo Dolls, and The Philly Specials.

Answer: Donna

"Donna" was written in 1958 in honor of Valens's girlfriend, Donna Ludwig. Ritchie Valens recorded it, and it reached number two on the charts.

Los Lobos covered the song in the 1987 movie "La Bamba" about Ritchie Valens.

It has also been covered by performers such as Donny Osmond, Gary Glitter, Cliff Richard, and Siluete.

Answer: Flower Drum Song

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote "I Enjoy Being a Girl" for their 1958 Broadway musical "Flower Drum Song." It was first sung by Pat Suzuki, who played showgirl Linda Low. In the movie version, B.J. Baker dubbed Nancy Kwan in the song when Kwan played Linda.

The song has since been covered by many people, including Doris Day, Peggy Lee, Florence Henderson, and Phranc.

Answer: Johnny B. Goode

Chuck Berry wrote the song "Johnny B. Goode" about a country boy from New Orleans. The partially autobiographical song originally referred to a "colored boy," but Berry changed the lyrics to be sure all the radio stations would play it. Berry was born on Goode Avenue in St. Louis. It reached number two on the charts.

The song is featured in the 1973 movie "American Graffiti." It was also used in the 1985 movie "Back to the Future."

The song has been covered by artists such as Buck Owens, Jimi Hendrix, Peter Tosh, and Judas Priest.

Answer: Lollipop

Julius Dixson and Beverly Ross wrote "Lollipop" in 1958. It was first recorded by Ronald & Ruby (Beverly Ross was the Ruby in the duo). She used the name Ruby because her mother was concerned about her safety, working with thirteen-year-old Ronald because they were an interracial duo.

The more popular version of the song was recorded later that year by The Chordettes, a female quartet. This version reached number two on the charts.

It has been covered by other artists such as The Mudlarks, Bobby Vee, and Dell.

In the "Cheers" episode from season nine called "The Days of Wine and Neuroses," Cliff (John Ratzenberger) and Norm (George Wendt) sing the song first in regular voices, then later with helium.

Answer: The Sound of Music

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" for their 1959 Broadway musical "A Sound of Music." Patricia Neway, who played Mother Abbess in the original Broadway production, first sang it.

In the 1965 movie adaptation, the song was sung by Margery MacKay, who dubbed the singing for Peggy Wood, who played Mother Abbess.

It has since been covered by many others, including Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, Tammy Wynette, and Barbra Streisand.

Answer: Do-Re-Mi

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote "Do-Re-Mi" for their 1959 Broadway musical "The Sound of Music." The song was first sung by Mary Martin (as Maria) and the children who played the Von Trapp kids in "The Sound of Music."

In the 1965 movie version, Julie Andrews sang the song with the children. This version was ranked 88 in "AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs."

The song has been covered by people such as Carrie Underwood (in the TV movie version), Barbra Streisand, and Connie Fisher.

Answer: High Hopes

James Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn wrote "High Hopes" in 1959. It was first sung by Frank Sinatra in the 1959 movie "A Hole in the Head." The song won an Oscar for Best Original Song at the 32nd Academy Awards.

The song has been covered by artists such as Sammy Davis, Jr., Doris Day, Harry Kalas, and Robbie Williams.