USA Number Ones Trivia

1. On November 14, 1998, what member of The Fugees debuted in the number one position with their track "Doo Wop (That Thing)"?

From Quiz We Debuted At Number One

Answer: Lauryn Hill

Hitting the charts from her debut single album ""The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill", this song rose straight to the top of the charts. "Doo Wop (That Thing" became the first debut single to ever debut at the number one spot and the first one by a rapper to do so. In doing so, it was only the tenth time in the history of the charts that a song ever debuted in the number one position.

From Quiz Artists that Knocked the Beatles from Number One.

Answer: Louis Armstrong

Carol Channing sang "Hello Dolly" while playing the role of Dolly Levi when the play opened in January, 1964. Louis Armstrong sang a demo of the song for promotional purposes. Armstrong's record label released "Hello Dolly" as a single and it topped the charts for one week ending a 14 week run by The Beatles. Armstrong became the oldest singer to that date to chart a Number One single. "Hello Dolly" went on to win a Grammy for "Song of the Year" in 1965. Armstrong earned Best Vocal Performance Male. "I Want to Hold Your Hand", "She Loves You" and "Can't Buy Me Love" combined 14 weeks on the charts. Armstrong sang "Hello Dolly" when the play was made into a film in 1969. Barbra Streisand appeared in "Funny Girl" in 1964. Julie Andrews was seen in "The Sound of Music" and Sammy Davis Jr. was in the cast of "Golden Boy".

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

Answer: The Theme from "A Summer Place"

"The Theme from "A Summer Place" was written by Max Steiner. It was number one for nine weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Percy Faith and his Orchestra in 1960. It peaked at number two on the UK singles chart the same year. It was written for the 1959 movie "A Summer Place" starring Richard Egan, Dorothy McGuire, Sandra Dee, Arthur Kennedy and Troy Donahue. It was recorded for the movie by Hugo Winterhalter and his Orchestra but it was not the main title theme. Max Steiner also recorded the track with The 101 Strings Orchestra. There were vocal versions released with lyrics by Mack Discant. The highest chart position was reached by The Lettermen, when their version peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965.

From Quiz First Number One of the Year

Answer: Come See About Me

"Come See About Me" followed "Where Did Our Love Go" and "Baby Love" as the third of a dozen Number One singles by The Supremes between 1964 and 1989. It was also the third of five consecutive Number One hits by the group. The song topped the Billboard charts in December of 1964 but was toppled by "I Feel Fine". It regained the top slot on January 16th, 1965, for a week becoming the first US Number One for the year. The hit song was composed by the Motown songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. The Supremes released a Number 95 single in 1962 titled "Your Heart Belongs to Me" and followed with five other unsuccessful singles before "Where Did Our Love Go" began their string of hits. "Chapel Of Love" by The Dixie Cups came out in the Summer of 1964. "Leader Of The Pack" by The Shangri-Las was also a 1964 release. "Nowhere to Run" by Martha and the Vandellas reached Number Eight in 1965.

From Quiz Number One Hits Written by Other Singers

Answer: The Big Bopper/J. P. Richardson

Jiles Perry Richardson, Jr, was the given name of The Big Bopper, composer of "Running Bear". He was a disc jockey at KTRM in Texas and while at the station he set a record for marathon broadcasting at the time, staying on the air for over five days. He was also a guitar player and songwriter. He took his nickname from a popular dance craze at the time called The Bop. Among his other compositions are George Jones' first Number One hit, "White Lightning". When his singles, "Chantilly Lace" and "The Big Bopper's Wedding", became popular he signed on to the "Winter Dance Party" with Buddy Holly and other artists in 1959. Although known as a game show host, Wink Martindale did a recording of T. Texas Tyler's song "Deck of Cards". Murray the K was New York deejay who also hosted television shows featuring musical guests and produced compilations albums such as "Murray the K's Blasts From the Past". The legendary Wolfman Jack was honored in the lyrics of several songs.

From Quiz US Number One Hits From the UK

Answer: Stranger on the Shore

"Stranger on the Shore" was a clarinet solo song released by Acker Bilk that was originally written for his daughter. The single knocked The Shirelles' "Soldier Boy" out of the top spot in the US. "Stranger on the Shore" stayed on the top spot for only one week, then was knocked off by Ray Charles' "I Can't Stop Loving You". It was later used as the theme for a BBC television show of the same name. "You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry" was a Number Three 1963 hit by the British girl duo The Caravelles. The Shadows' release, "Apache", topped the UK charts for five weeks, but not the US charts. A version by Danish guitarist Jørgen Ingmann reached Number Two on the US charts in 1961. "Telstar" became the second US Number One hit by a UK artist when it peaked at the top slot in December, 1962.

From Quiz Billboard Firsts and Milestones

Answer: "Catch a Falling Star"/Perry Como

Originally gold records were merely publicity gimmicks using gold paint on actual recordings done by various labels. The award recognized today as a Gold Record was started when the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) took a cue from those publicity stunts and trademarked the Gold Record. The first RIAA Gold Record single was awarded to Perry Como in 1958 for his recording of "Catch A Falling Star". Gold Records are awarded to releases that achieve 500,000 sales. The Penguins' rendition of "Earth Angel" is considered by many to be one of the first records which could be described as rock and roll to hit the national pop charts. When Elvis performed in Vegas in the fifties he went to The Sands to check out Freddie Bell and the Bellboys. Elvis heard their rendition of "Hound Dog" and asked Freddie if he had any objections if he recorded his own version. "Rock Around the Clock" is considered by many to be the song that put rock and roll on the map for good.

From Quiz Billboard Number One Songs of 1977

Answer: Mary MacGregor

Mary MacGregor appreciated the success of the song but not the message. She was happily married at the time but listeners got the impression the song was about herself. The song was actually co-written by Phil Jarrell and Peter Yarrow from Peter, Paul and Mary. Peter explains the song was written from a male perspective, although inspired in part by his wife's fondness for the movie "Dr. Zhivago". After the song was shopped to other artists, MacGregor recorded it for the Ariola American label. The success of the song instantly propelled Mary to stardom and touring. The constant separation put a strain on her marriage and she and her husband eventually and ironically divorced. Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. took "You Don't Have to be a Star (To Be in my Show)" to the top on January 8, 1977. Natalie Cole had top five success with "I've Got Love on my Mind" in April, 1977, and Linda Ronstadt also had a top five with her cover of Buddy Holly's "It's So Easy" in December, 1977.

From Quiz Their First #1 Hit Single - the 60s

Answer: The Twist

"The Twist" hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week on September 9, 1960. It reappeared at number one for two weeks starting on January 13, 1962. "Pony Time" spent three weeks at number one starting on February 27, 1961. "Slow Twistin" and "Limbo Rock" never made it to number one.

From Quiz Billboard's #1's (1980s)

Answer: Around the World in a Day

Behind Michael Jackson's "Thriller", the soundtrack to "Purple Rain" had the decade's second longest stint at #1. "Sign 'O' the Times" peaked at #6 in 1987 and "1999" only reached number nine.

From Quiz Billboard's #1s (1990s)

Answer: EFIL4ZAGGIN

This was the group's first and final LP without Ice Cube. It spent one week at number one on June 22, 1991.

From Quiz No. 1 Hits 1980-1985

Answer: The Police & Police

The group featured bass guitarist and lead vocalist Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, better known by his stage name, "Sting", guitarist and backing vocalist Andy Summers, and drummer-percussionist, backing vocalist Steward Copeland. The group produced 13 singles that reached the "Hot 100 Charts" in America, including their only number one blockbuster hit, "Every Breath You Take". The single, first released on the 1983 album "Synchronicity", was one of the biggest hits of that year, winning "Song of the Year", and "Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal" at the Grammy Awards in 1984. The song, written by Sting, sounds like a sedate and seemingly harmonious love ballad. It was actually written during the collapse of Sting's marriage to Frances Tomelty. The lyric describes not a well meaning love but the motivations of a stalker, who is watching "every breath you take/every move you make".

From Quiz Number One Hits on May 21 Pt. 2

Answer: Kim Carnes

"Bette Davis Eyes" was number one for five weeks and won a Grammy for Song of the Year.

From Quiz Number One Hits on May 21 Pt. 1

Answer: Rihanna

The Barbados-born Rihanna spent three weeks at the top with "SOS," which sampled Soft Cell's "Tainted Love."

From Quiz First Hits

Answer: My Chemical Romance

The song peaked at number four on the US Modern Rock Charts and number nineteen on the UK Singles Chart. The song was on their sophomore album, 'Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge'. Their first album, 'I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love', contained three singles; although it didn't break them into the North American mainstream, it gave them a fairly big underground fan base.

From Quiz I Thought That Was Number One!

Answer: Faithfully

"Faithfully" made it to number twelve in 1983. Journey never had a number one single in the U.S., although "Open Arms" hit number two in 1982.

From Quiz Their Fourth Number 1 hit (U.S.)

Answer: Love Letters In The Sand

"Ain't That A Shame" was his first No.1 hit. "I Almost Lost My Mind" was his second. "Don't Forbid Me" was his third. All were big hits for him in the mid-late fifties.

From Quiz Which Hit Came First?

Answer: I Just Wanna Stop

Gino was born 6/16/1952 in Montreal, Canada.

From Quiz Their First American Top 40 Hit

Answer: Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'

"Wheel In The Sky" was Journey's first single, charting at #57. "Lights" was their third chart hit topping out at #68. "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" was their fifth chart single charting at #16 in 1979.

From Quiz They Only Had One Number One (USA)

Answer: Dreams

Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours' spent 31 weeks at number one in 1977, "Dreams" being the second single released from the LP. John McVie and Mick Fleetwood are the only members of the group not to score a Top 40 single as a solo artist. The other members are Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, and Stevie Nicks.

From Quiz Artist's First Hit Is #1! (USA)

Answer: Get Down Tonight

"Get Down Tonight" and "That's The Way (I Like It)" both hit #1 in 1975, but "Get Down Tonight" was the first single to be released.

From Quiz Their Only No.1 (U.S.) #2

Answer: He's a Rebel

The Crystals consisted of Barbara Alston, Delores Kennibrew, Mary Thomas, Patti Wright, and Merna Girard.

From Quiz Their Only No.1. (U.S.) #1

Answer: Poor Side of Town

"Poor Side of Town" went to No.1 in 1966. Johnny River's real name is John Ramistella. "Memphis" went to No.2 in 1964. "Baby I Need Your Loving" went to No.3 in 1967. "Secret Agent Man" went to No.3 in 1966.

From Quiz Duets That Went to No.1

Answer: Michael McDonald

LaBelle and McDonald never met in the studio. She had already laid down her vocals, then went back to Philadelphia and he recorded his vocals in Los Angeles and they were dubbed together. Same way with the video, she shot her part in New York and he did his in Los Angeles. They met for the first time on 'The Tonight Show' where they performed the song.

From Quiz US No. 1 Hits of the 70s!

Answer: George

George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" hit No. 1 in 1970. Paul McCartney's "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" made it in 1971. Ringo Starr climbed to the top with "Photograph", in 1973. And John Lennon (with some help from Elton John), scored his first No. 1 in 1974, with "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night".

From Quiz No. 1 Hits of the 80s, Part I!

Answer: The Police - "Every Breath You Take"

While this was the No. 1 song of 1983, and the album "Synchronicity" was the most successful of The Police's career, the band had broken up by 1985.

From Quiz Music of the 1980s

Answer: Lipps Inc.

Lipps Inc.'s only trip to the top of the charts in May 1980.

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

Answer: Joy To The World

"Joy To The World" written by Hoyt Axton was number one for six weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Three Dog Night in 1971. It peaked at number 24 on the UK Singles Chart the same year. Not all of Three Dog Night liked the song or wanted to record it but singer Chuck Negron changed their minds. All seven group members sang on the record, not just the three main vocalists. When the song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Hoyt Axton joined his mother Mae as writers of number one hits, she co-wrote "Heartbreak Hotel" for Elvis Presley.

From Quiz Whose Line Was It Anyway? British US No.1 Hits

Answer: Peter and Gordon

"World Without Love" was written by Paul McCartney but credited to Lennon/McCartney. It was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for Peter And Gordon in 1964. Peter Asher was born in London, England, in 1944, and Gordon Trueman Riviere Waller was born in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1945. They met each other while attending Westminster School, in London, England. "World Without Love" was not only their only number one hit on the UK Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100, it was their only record that made the Top Ten in both countries. Although they had three other Top Ten hits in the UK and two others in the US, none were the same, which was unusual.

From Quiz Artists that Knocked the Beatles from Number One.

Answer: The Dixie Cups

"Chapel of Love" was originally written with The Ronettes in mind and recorded by Darlene Love in 1963. When the New Orleans based Dixie Cups recorded the song it became their first Number One single. The group was formed when sisters Rosa Lee and Barbara Ann Hawkins joined their cousin Joan Marie Johnson to form Little Miss and the Muffets. They inked a contract with Red Bird Records, changed their name and released "Chapel of Love" in April, 1964. Co-writers Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich were also producers of the recording along with producers Jerry Leiber Mike Stoller. After knocking "Love Me Do" from the top spot "Chapel of Love" remained at Number One for three weeks. "Love Me Do" was the first single from The Beatles. "Come See About Me" was a US Number One for The Supremes in December, 1964. The Chiffons had a Number One in 1963 with "He's So Fine" and The Angels topped the charts the same year with "My Boyfriend's Back".

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