UK Number Ones Trivia

1. The first UK Top 40 number one of 57 to date, was 15th December 1964, and the song was "I Feel Fine". This was the first of three number ones that this group had on my birthday in the UK Top 40. Which group?

From Quiz Birthday UK Top 40 Number Ones

Answer: The Beatles

The other two Beatles' UK Top 40 number ones on my birthday were "Day Tripper/We Can Work It Out" in 1965 and "Hello Goodbye" in 1967.

From Quiz UK '70s Music: Most Weeks at Number One

Answer: In The Summertime

"In The Summertime" written by Ray Dorset, was number one for seven weeks on the UK Singles Chart for Mungo Jerry in 1970. It peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year. The single sold in excess of 7,000,000 copies worldwide and jumped from number 13 to number one on the UK Singles Chart. It was the first three-track vinyl single to top the UK Singles Chart. It was the first of two number one hits on the UK Singles Chart for Mungo Jerry but their only hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

From Quiz Whose Line Was It Anyway? American UK No.1 Hits.

Answer: Tony Bennett

"Stranger In Paradise" was written by Robert Wright/George Forrest/Alexander Borodin. It was number one for two weeks on the UK Singles Chart for Tony Bennett in 1955. "Stranger In Paradise" was Tony Bennett's first hit and only number one hit on the UK Singles Chart. He had eight UK chart hits altogether from 1955 to 1965. Then, after a gap of 46 years he peaked at number 40 with "Body And Soul", a duet with Amy Winehouse. Six versions of "Stranger In Paradise" charted on the UK Singles Chart in 1955. Number 1. Tony Bennent Number 6. The Four Aces Number 6. Tony Martin Number 14. Eddie Calvert Number 17. Bing Crosby Number 19. Don Cornell

From Quiz UK '60s Music: Most Weeks at Number One

Answer: It's Now Or Never

"It's Now Or Never" was written by Wally Gold/Aaron Schroeder/Eduardo di Capua. It was number one for eight weeks on the UK singles chart for Elvis Presley in 1960. It was number one for five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year. "It's Now Or Never" was Elvis Presley's first UK number one hit of the '60s and entered the chart at number one. World wide it has sold in excess of 25 million copies. It was the first of four consecutive UK number one hits, "It's Now Or Never" (1960), "Are You Lonesome Tonight" (1961), "Wooden Heart" (1961) and "Surrender" (1961). "It's Now Or Never" was inspired by a song from the '40s sung by Tony Martin called "There's No Tomorrow" written by Al Hoffman/Leo Corday/Leon Carr/Eduardo di Capua. That song was inspired by an Italian song called "'O Sole Mio", which was written in 1898 by Giovanni Capurro/Eduardo di Capua.

From Quiz Their Only UK Number One Single

Answer: The Animals

The song was "The House of the Rising Sun", also sometimes called "Rising Sun Blues". Taken from The Animals' self-titled debut album and only their second single release, the song topped singles charts in Canada, Sweden and Australia as well as in the UK and US. The Animals had seven later Top Ten singles in the UK, notably "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" (which got to number three in 1965) and "We Gotta Get out of This Place" (number two in the same year), but never made it back to the number one spot. Two later re-releases of "House of the Rising Sun" again charted in the UK, reaching number 25 in 1972 and number 11 in 1982. Of the alternatives, all Newcastle-based bands, none ever reached number one in the UK chart.

From Quiz UK Number Ones

Answer: Bonnie Tyler

This was a hit for Bonnie Tyler in 1983 and became her biggest and most well known song, reaching number one in several countries. Her other songs include 'Holding Out For A Hero' and 'It's A Heartache'.

From Quiz UK Chart Toppers 1955-1975

Answer: Procol Harum

The hit was 'A Whiter Shade of Pale'. The band's name is said possibly to mean "far from these things" in Latin or to be the name of someone's cat. The Latin is dubious as the grammar is not right for any real meaning.

From Quiz UK Singles Charts

Answer: Paul McCartney

For many years, Elvis Presley held the record for the most UK number one singles, having scored a total of 21. With 17 Beatles number ones added to his chart-toppers with Wings and his solo hits, Paul McCartney has comfortably surpassed that number: "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother", featuring McCartney as part of the Justice Collective in 2012 was the 25th UK number one on which he had performed. Between "Living Doll" in 1959 and "The Millennium Prayer" in 1999, Cliff Richard had performed on 14 number one singles including some credited to The Shadows. Madonna's 2008 number one with Justin Timberlake, "4 Minutes", was her 13th. Michael Jackson had 12 solo #1 singles in the US, but only seven in the UK. He also topped the UK chart in 1985 with "We are the World" as a member of USA for Africa and in 1990 with "Do the Bartman" with The Simpsons. He also had four number one singles in the US as part of the Jackson 5, but none of those topped the UK chart, so his total in the UK stands as just 9.

From Quiz US Groups That Have Topped the UK Charts.

Answer: The Walker Brothers

The Walker Brothers took "Make It Easy on Yourself" to Number One in the UK in 1965 and followed up the next year with the Number One "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore". Gary Leeds had performed with P. J. Proby in England and convinced his band mates that their sound could be a hit in England. After releasing a few minor hits success eluded the group until they recorded a lavish production of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "Make It Easy on Yourself". Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio of The Four Seasons composed "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Any More" for Frankie Valli. The Walker Brothers recorded a version and enjoyed their second Number One UK hit. The Righteous Brothers topped the UK charts with "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin" and "Unchained Melody". The highest The Isley Brothers reached in the UK was Number Three with "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)" in 1966. "Time Has Come Today" was recorded by The Chambers Brothers in 1967.

From Quiz One in the Million Part Three

Answer: Ronald Reagan

The video shows then US president Reagan (played by an impersonator) sparring with a likeness of Soviet leader Konstantin Cherneko. 'Two Tribes' anti-war message is enhanced by the video which shows the fight culminating in the end of the world. Released 28 May 1984 'Two Tribes' spent nine weeks at number one in the UK singles' chart. It has sold 1.58 million copies.

From Quiz We're Number One!

Answer: Diana

Paul Anka was a successful American/Canadian singer and songwriter, known for his songs "Lonely Boy" and "Puppy Love". It is believed that he wrote "Diana" after a girl he once had a crush on and the song became popular on both sides of the Atlantic as well as Australia. Anka was also credited with writing the theme song for "The Tonight Show" hosted by Johnny Carson, and the lyrics to "My Way" made famous by Frank Sinatra.

From Quiz One in a Million Part Two

Answer: Lady Gaga - 'Poker Face'

The 'ma ma ma ma' hook of 'Poker Face' is taken from 1976's 'Ma Baker'. 'Mary's Boy Child - Oh My Lord' was a cover of Harry Belafonte's 1956 hit 'Mary's Boy Child' blended with original track 'Oh My Lord'. The song was released 27 November 1978. It spent four weeks at number one and has amassed sales of 1.85 million copies.

From Quiz One in a Million Part One

Answer: Princess Diana

Diana, Princess of Wales, was killed in a car accident in Paris on 31 August 1997. At her funeral on 6th September Elton John performed "Candle in the Wind 1997". "Candle in the Wind" was released on 13 September 1997 as a Double-A side with "Something About the Way You Look Tonight". It peaked at number one in the UK Singles Chart.

From Quiz UK, Single and Worth a Million

Answer: "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and the Comets

"Diana" was the second in 1957. These are the only appearances by Cliff or Elvis on the list. It shows that chart dominance doesn't necessarily equate with the biggest selling songs. Indeed, there are artistes of the calibre of Madonna, Rod Stewart, the Rolling Stones, the Police and the Bee Gees that don't appear at all.

From Quiz Their First Single to Chart in the UK in the 60s

Answer: Love Me Do

The Beatles were formed in Liverpool in 1957 as The Quarrymen. Other names were Johnny and the Moondogs, The Silver Beetles and The Beatals. They became The Beatles in 1960. Their first song reached number 17 before their third single 'From Me To You' topped the UK charts. Amazingly all The Beatles 17 number ones were in the 1960s.

From Quiz Most Popular UK No 1 Singles: 1 - 10

Answer: Under Pressure

"Under Pressure" was number one for two weeks in 1981. The bass line was sampled by Vanilla Ice for "Ice Ice Baby" in 1990 (originally without songwriting credits). The other choices are all collaborations. "Peace On Earth/ Drummer Boy" by David Bowie and Bing Crosby was originally recorded in 1977, a month before Bing Crosby died, and reached number three in the UK. "Dancing In The Street" was recorded by David Bowie and Mick Jagger for Live Aid in 1985. It reached number one in both UK and US. "Barcelona" was recorded by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballe in 1987. It originally reached number eight in the chart but was re-released in 1992 for the summer Olympics (held in Barcelona, Spain) and reached number two. Freddie died in 1991.

From Quiz Most Popular UK No 1 Singles: 11 - 20

Answer: Jailhouse Rock

"Jailhouse Rock" was number one in the UK for three weeks in 1958 and for one week in 2005. It was number one in the US for seven weeks in 1957, and went double platinum there. It is the highest placed Elvis single in this list of the 100 most popular number ones in the UK.

From Quiz Most Popular UK No 1 Singles: 21 - 30

Answer: The Monkees

"I'm A Believer" was number one in the UK for four weeks in 1967. It was number one in the US for seven weeks, and was the biggest selling record of 1967. The song was written by Neil Diamond. It was recorded as an album track by both The Fifth Element and Neil Diamond.

From Quiz Most Popular UK No 1 Singles: 31 - 40

Answer: The Kinks

"You Really Got Me" was the third single released by The Kinks and their first hit in the US. It rates high in polls of the best guitar songs and is cited by many heavy metal/ hard rock artists as a major influence. There are rumours that the guitar solo was played by Jimmy Page, then a session musician but later a member of The Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin. This has been refuted by Page himself, who credits it to Kinks member Dave Davies.

From Quiz Most Popular UK No 1 Singles: 41 - 50

Answer: Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick

"Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick" was the band's most successful single and spent one week at number one in January 1977, taking over from The Village People's "YMCA". Ian Dury, who contracted polio at the age of seven, died of cancer on March 27 2000.

From Quiz Most Popular UK No 1 Singles: 61 - 70

Answer: I Got You Babe

"I Got You Babe" by Sonny and Cher reached number one in the UK and the US in 1965. A cover by UB40 & Chrissie Hynde topped the UK charts 20 years later in 1985. Of the other possible answers provided, "Baby Don't Go" and "But You're Mine" were other singles released by Sonny and Cher. "It Ain't Me Babe" is a Bob Dylan song.

From Quiz Most Popular UK No 1 Singles: 71 - 80

Answer: Like A Prayer

"Like A Prayer" was released in March 1989. It reached number one in both the US and UK. Madonna was paid $5m by Pepsi Cola to appear in an advertising commercial that featured the video for "Like A Prayer". The advert was pulled after two airings. Madonna got to keep her fee.

From Quiz Most Popular UK No 1 Singles: 81 - 90

Answer: From Me To You

"From Me To You" made no impact in the United States when it was initially released there in May 1963. In the UK it was number one for seven weeks.

From Quiz Most Popular UK No 1 Singles: 91-100

Answer: School's Out

"School's Out" by Alice Cooper takes me right back to my childhood. This was THE summer hit of 1972 and I can remember us school kids chanting along with glee. This was in the days, of course, when summer (and school holidays) seemed to go on forever...

From Quiz UK Number One's Naughties 2000-2008

Answer: 2000

The song was "American Pie" written by Don McLean in 1971. It is thought that "American Pie" may be a symbol of the American dream during the 1950's, and its decline during the '60s. "American Pie" was also the name of the plane that crashed killing Buddy Holly.

From Quiz UK Number One Hit Singles

Answer: Making Your Mind Up

Bucks Fizz formed for the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest. They won the contest with their chart topping hit "Making Your Mind Up". They had three UK number one hits throughout their career.

From Quiz It's My Birthday and I'll Sing If I Want To

Answer: Three Steps to Heaven

Tragically dead in a car crash at 21, Eddie Cochrane could have been one of the greatest ever. Showaddywaddy rereleased their version in 1975. To anybody that thought it was 'Walking in the Air' (released 1985) - thank you!

From Quiz 60s UK Number 1s

Answer: Arthur Brown

On more than one occasion, Arthur set fire to himself while wearing the flaming headdress he used in this song.

From Quiz UK Charts - Even More Common Pop Quiz Mistakes

Answer: Baby One More Time

"Baby One More Time" reached number one in over a dozen countries including the UK and the US, and kickstarted a career that saw Britney top the UK chart a further four times before the end of 2006. Those other number ones were "Born To Make You Happy", "Oops!...I Did It Again", "Toxic" and "Everytime".

From Quiz UK Charts - More Common Pop Quiz Mistakes

Answer: The Best

Various sports stars have since used "The Best" as their theme song, including boxer Chris Eubank and the late Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna. Many sports teams have also adopted it whenever they win a trophy, which is annoying, because I never liked it!

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Last Updated Dec 14 2024 5:50 AM

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