Christmas Number Ones Trivia

1. Who was asking "Why" in this number one song at Christmas in 1959?

From Quiz US Number One Hits of Christmas Past

Answer: Frankie Avalon

"Why", written by Robert Marcucci/Peter De Angelis was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for Frankie Avalon in 1959/60 It peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart in 1960. He never reached the Billboard Top 20 again. Frankie Avalon had a previous number one hit when "Venus" topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks in 1959. Two more successful versions of "Why" entered the UK Singles Chart in the 20th century. Anthony Newley's version was number one for four weeks in 1960 and Donny Osmond's version peaked at number three in 1972.

From Quiz UK Number One Hits of Christmas Past

Answer: Walking

"Just Walking In The Rain" was written by Johnny Brag/Robert S. Riley. It was number one for seven weeks on the UK Singles Chart for Johnnie Ray in 1956. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Top 100 the same year and was his biggest hit in the USA. "Just Walking In The Rain" became number one in the UK on the 16 November 1956. It was the second of three UK number one hits for Johnnie Ray, the other two being "Such A Night" (number one for one week in 1954) and "Yes Tonight Josephine" (number one for three weeks in 1957).

From Quiz Number One UK Christmas Songs

Answer: I Love You

Cliff Richard is possibly the most successful British pop artist ever. *Useless information* Cliff Richard was the only artist to have a number one single in the UK in each of the five consecutive decades 1950s through to the 1990s. He has also had a number one selling single CD in the UK in the 2000s, but this was outsold by digital downloads. He is one of only two artists to have a single chart in the UK in each of the six decades (1950s - 2000s), the other artist being Elvis Presley.

From Quiz UK Christmas No 1's

Answer: Here in my Heart

The UK charts began in November 1952. Al Martino was not only the first person to reach the top spot he stayed in that position until Christmas. He never had another No.1 in the UK, but he remained very popular with songs such as "I Love You Because" and "Spanish Eyes".

From Quiz 80s, 90s and 00s UK Christmas Number Ones

Answer: St. Winifred 's School Choir

Benny Hill had a Christmas number one in 1971 with 'Ernie the Fastest Milkman in the West'. Slade also had a Christmas number one with 'Merry Christmas Everybody' in 1973. The St. Winifred's School Choir remained at number one for two weeks.

From Quiz UK Xmas Number 1's Of The 70s

Answer: "I Hear You Knockin" by Dave Edmunds

Dave Edmunds was born in Cardiff, Wales in 1944. In the late sixties he formed a band called Love Sculpture. In 1968 the group scored a U.K. Top 5 hit with "Sabre Dance," but broke up shortly after. He then did a few solo projects one which was releasing a Smiley Lewis cover "I Hear You Knockin'."

From Quiz UK Xmas Number 1's Of The 80s

Answer: "There's No One Quite Like Grandma" by St Winifred's School Choir

John Lennon was a former member of one of Britain's most successful bands of the 60's The Beatles. He was shot and killed on December 8th 1980. Subsequently his earlier solo records, "(Just Like) Starting Over", "Woman" and "Imagine" were released and they all hit the Number One spot. However, "(Just Like) Starting Over" was beaten to the post as the Christmas Number One by a song sung by a primary school choir, in honour of the Queen Mother's birthday.

From Quiz US Number One Hits of Christmas Past

Answer: Are You Lonesomer Tonight

"Are You Lonesome Tonight" was written by Roy Turk/Lou Handman (1926). It was number one for six weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Elvis Presley in 1960/61. It was number one for four weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1961. The parody version of "Are You Lonesome Tonight" was recorded in 1969 but not releaased until 1980, as part of the Elvis Aron Presley box set. In 1982 this "laughing version" was popular on radio in the UK where it was released as a single and peaked at number 25 on the UK Singles Chart.

From Quiz Number One UK Christmas Songs

Answer: The Scaffold

OK! So they are not the most well-known group in history with only three records reaching the top ten in the UK. *Useless information* Mike McGear (one of the trio known as The Scaffold) was named at birth as Peter Michael McCartney. He is the younger brother of Paul McCartney of Beatles fame.

From Quiz Sing-a Long-a-Christmas

Answer: I Want to Hold Your Hand

'I Want to Hold Your Hand ' stayed at the top of the UK charts for five weeks. The song was also The Beatles' first number one hit single on the US Billboard Hot 100, which started what was known as the 'British Invasion'.

From Quiz UK Christmas No 1's

Answer: Boney M

Boney M were amongst the most flamboyant groups of the 1970's. Before they split Boney M had major hits with songs such as "Rivers of Babylon" "Brown Girl in the Ring" and "Rasputin".

From Quiz 80s, 90s and 00s UK Christmas Number Ones

Answer: Cliff Richard

The 1988 Christmas number one was 'Mistletoe and Wine'. Sir Cliff also had another Christmas number one two years later, in 1990 with 'Saviour's Day'.

From Quiz UK Xmas Number 1's Of The 70s

Answer: "Ernie(The Fastest Milkman In The West)" by Benny Hill

Born Alfred Hawthorn Hill on January 21, 1924 in Southampton, England he soon became one of the best loved comedians in Britain. After a few radio and TV shows came the birth of what is fondly regarded as a Iritish institution. In 1955 he started "The Benny Hill Show", featuring skits and songs from the saucy school of British humour. His number 1 christmas hit was actually a sketch on this programme. Hill also appeared occasionally in films, including "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang" and " The Italian Job." In the 1970s The Benny Hill Show made it to the U.S. and Hill became an international star of TV comedy until his show was cancelled in 1989. He died a fews years later in April 1992.

From Quiz UK Xmas Number 1's Of The 80s

Answer: "Don't You Want Me?" by The Human League

This song was number one for 5 weeks. It was from their third and most successful album, "Dare". The Human League formed in the late 70's. Their first single to be released was "Being Boiled" in 1978.

From Quiz US Number One Hits of Christmas Past

Answer: I Feel Fine

"I Feel Fine" was written by John Lennon but credited to Lennon/McCartney. It was number one for three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Beatles in 1964/65. It was number one for five weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1964/65. John Lennon admitted that the guitar riff in "I Feel Fine" was heavily influenced by the guitar riff in Bobby Parker's "Watch Your Step", a number 51 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. In 1964 (their first year on the Billboard Hot 100), The Beatles had six number one hits and spent a total of 18 weeks at number one.

From Quiz UK Number One Hits of Christmas Past

Answer: Milkman

"Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West)" was written by Benny Hill. It was number one for four weeks on the UK Singles Chart for Benny Hill in 1971/72. Ten years earlier in 1961, Benny Hill had his first UK hit with "Gather In The Mushrooms" which peaked at number 12. In the same year he had his second UK chart entry with "Transistor Radio" which peaked at number 24. In 1963 he had a third chart entry with "Harvest Of Love" which peaked at number 20. That was it until "Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West)" made it to number one, which it also did in Australia.

From Quiz Number One UK Christmas Songs

Answer: 1970

'I Hear You Knocking' was written in 1955 by Dave Bartholomew and Pearl King. The original recording by Smiley Lewis reached number two on the Billboard 100.

From Quiz UK Christmas No 1's

Answer: Return to Sender

The song made a return to the charts a month after Elvis died in 1977. This time it only reached No 42. Elvis had 18 UK No.1s in his career and a posthumous No 1 with "A Little Less Conversation" in 2002.

From Quiz 80s, 90s and 00s UK Christmas Number Ones

Answer: Reet Petite

Although not a particularly festive song, Jackie Wilson was at number one for four weeks with this one.

From Quiz UK Xmas Number 1's Of The 70s

Answer: "Long Haired Lover From Liverpool" by Little Jimmy Osmond

The youngest member of the renowned Osmond family, Little Jimmy Osmond had a huge hit with "Long Haired Lover From Liverpool" at the tender age of 9. It stayed at the number 1 spot for five weeks.

From Quiz UK Xmas Number 1's Of The 80s

Answer: "Save Your Love" by Renee and Renato

The favourites for the Christmas number one this year was 'Shakin' Stevens'. But like in so many other years, a completely unknown act came along with what is usually described as a 'novelty record' and took the honours. In this particular year it was 'Renee and Renato', who managed a four-week stay at the top. They followed it with "Just One More Kiss" the following February but just failed to secure a second hit.

From Quiz US Number One Hits of Christmas Past

Answer: My Sweet Lord

"My Sweet Lord" written by George Harrison was number one for four weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for George Harrison in 1970/71. It was number one for five weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1971. "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" written by Paul McCartney/Linda McCartney was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for Paul McCartney in 1971. It was not released as a single in the UK. "Photograph" written by Richard Starkey/George Harrison was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for Ringo Starr in 1973. It peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart the same year. "Whatever Gets You Through The Night" written by John Lennon was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for John Lennon in 1974. It peaked at number 36 on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

From Quiz UK Number One Hits of Christmas Past

Answer: Grandma

"There's No One Quite Like Grandma" was written by Gordon Lorenz. It was number one for two weeks on the UK Singles Chart for the St. Winifred's School Choir in 1980/81. This was the only UK chart hit for St. Winifred's School Choir whose lead singer was eight-year old Dawn Ralph. However they did sing backing vocals on "Matchstalk Men And Matchstalk Cats And Dogs" by Brian and Michael which was number one for three weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1978. Another achievement for the choir was to replace "(Just Like) Starting Over" at number one and then be replaced by "Imagine" which was in turn replaced by "Woman" giving John Lennon three posthumous number one hits in three months.

From Quiz Number One UK Christmas Songs

Answer: Liverpool

'Little' Jimmy Osmond was the youngest member of the seventies sensations The Osmonds. In 1972 he was top of the charts for five weeks. *Useless information* Jimmy Osmond was the youngest person to reach number one in the UK charts being only 9 years, 8 months old.

From Quiz UK Christmas No 1's

Answer: four

First in 1963 it was "I Wanna Hold Your Hand". The following year it was "I Feel Fine". In 1965 they had their hat trick of Christmas No 1's with "Day Tripper/ We Can Work It Out". Two years later in 1967 they had their final Christmas hit with "Hello Goodbye".

From Quiz UK Xmas Number 1's Of The 70s

Answer: "Merry Xmas Everybody" by Slade

An all time christmas classic! A four piece band from Wolverhampton who were famous for being loud. They had a string of hits in the early '70's such as "Cum on Feel The Noize" and "Gudbye To Jane" Then in 1973 they released this Christmas belter. Even now 30 years on it is still as popular as ever.

From Quiz UK Xmas Number 1's Of The 80s

Answer: "Only You" by The Flying Pickets

"Only You", a cover of a song by Yazoo, was done acappella style(without music) and went straight to number 1 in the UK charts and was to remain there for five weeks over the Christmas of 1983.

From Quiz US Number One Hits of Christmas Past

Answer: Pina Colada

"Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" written by Rupert Holmes was number one for three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Rupert Holmes in 1979/80. It peaked at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart in 1980. Ruoert Holmes was born David Goldstein in Northwich, Cheshire, England, in 1947. The family moved to Nanuet, New York, when he was six years old. He had one other Top 20 hit when "Him" peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980. He wrote the 1985 musical "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and created the TV show "Remember WENN".

From Quiz UK Number One Hits of Christmas Past

Answer: Reet Petite

Originally "Reet Petite" written by Berry Gordy/Billy Davis/Gwen Gordy Fuqua, peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart for Jackie Wilson in 1957. It was number one for four weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1986/87. Originally "Jailhouse Rock" was number one for three weeks on the UK Singles Chart for Elvis Presley in 1958. It peaked at number 27 in 1983. Originally "Stand By Me" peaked at number 27 on the UK Singles Chart for Ben E. King in 1961, It was number one for three weeks in 1987. Originally "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart for The Hollies in 1969, it was number one for two weeks in 1988.

From Quiz Sing-a Long-a-Christmas

Answer: Jimmy Osmond

Jimmy Osmond is the youngest of The Osmonds. He sang 'Long Haired Lover from Liverpool', which stayed for five weeks at the top of the UK singles chart. He was just nine years old at the time. The song also reached number 38 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Australian Singles Chart.

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Last Updated Nov 16 2024 5:51 AM

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