Big 500 Countdown - the British Contributions Quiz

Answer: Nights in White Satin

Formed in Birmingham in 1964, the Moody Blues had a huge hit with this poignant song, which was written by band member Justin Hayward. The song was off their album "Days of Future Passed", which was the first to be recorded with the accompaniment of a full symphony orchestra, and one of the first to be recorded in stereo.
"House of the Rising Sun", by the Animals, was #10 on the countdown, "Brown Eyed Girl", by Van Morrison was #18, and "Release Me", by Englebert Humperdinck, was #159.

Answer: I Should Have Known Better

"I Should Have Known Better" was performed in the Beatles' first movie, "A Hard Day's Night", and released on the movie's soundtrack album. In the U.S. it was released as the B side to the single "A Hard Day's Night".
Also by the Beatles, "Nowhere Man" was #172 on the countdown, "We Can Work It Out" was #128, and "All My Loving" was #39.

Answer: She's a Lady

Born Thomas Jones Woodward, Tom Jones started singing in the school choir when he was growing up in Wales. Due to a battle with tuberculosis, he was stuck in bed for a year. During this time he spent a lot of time listening to rock and roll on the radio, developing a passion that would shape his future.
"Macarthur Park", by Richard Harris, was #72 on the countdown, "Long Cool Woman", by the Hollies, was #211, and "Glad All Over", by the Dave Clark Five, was #105.

Answer: Silence is Golden

Originally know as Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, the group kept going after Poole left the band. Poole ended up working in his family's butcher shop, while the Tremeloes had more hits without him. "Silence is Golden" hit #1 in the UK, but only made it to #3 in the U.S.
"A Whiter Shade of Pale", by Procol Harum, was #237 on the countdown, "Alone Again (Naturally)", by Gilbert O'Sullivan, was #383, and "It's All Over Now", by the Rolling Stones, was #429.

Answer: Maggie May

After playing football (or soccer as it's called on my side of the pond) for a couple of years, Rod Stewart decided to try his hand in the music industry. He sang with different groups over the years, including Long John Baldry's Hoochie Coochie Men, the Jeff Beck Group, and Faces. Spending 5 weeks at #1 on both the UK and US charts, "Maggie May" is arguably his most well known hit.
"Release Me", by Englebert Humperdinck, was #159 on the countdown, "Over and Over", by the Dave Clark Five, was #299, and "Ticket to Ride", by the Beatles, was #278.

Answer: Summer Holiday

Born in India to English parents, Cliff Richard moved to England when he was 8 years old. He sang in a number of bands, including the Drifters and the Shadows, before becoming a solo artist and England's version of Elvis Presley. The song "Summer Holiday" was from the movie of the same name, which also starred Cliff Richard.

Answer: Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey

Despite the silly lyrics, this was the first #1 hit (UK) for Paul McCartney after he left the Beatles. It was released on his album "Ram" and credited to Paul and Linda McCartney, just before the formation of Wings.
By the Beatles, "Yellow Submarine" was #398 on the countdown, "A Day in the Life" was #406, and "I Want to Hold Your Hand was #12.

Answer: Ruby Tuesday

Although discography sources also list "Ruby Tuesday" as being on the Rolling Stones "Flowers" album in '67, the date cited on the countdown indicates that it was the '69 version of the song from the "Through the Past Darkly" album that was the hit. This was the year that Brian Jones left the group, and was later found floating in his swimming pool.
Also by the Rolling Stones, "Brown Sugar" was #43 on the countdown, "Jumpin' Jack Flash" was #100 and "Honky Tonk Women" was #323.

Answer: Downtown

Often referred to as the British Shirley Temple, a young Petula Clark did her patriotic duty by entertaining the troops during the Second World War. Written by Tony Hatch, "Downtown" is arguably her biggest hit ever, making it to #1 in the States.

Answer: How Do You Do It

Gerry and the Pacemakers were a very big part of the Mersey scene, and were the second group signed by Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein. The song "How Do You Do It" was originally offered to the Beatles by George Martin, who felt it had the potential to be a #1 hit (which it was). They turned it down in favour of one of their own songs.
Also by Gerry and the Pacemakers, "Walk Hand in Hand' was #202 on the countdown, and "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" was #292. "Can't You Hear My Heartbeat", by Herman's Hermits, was #199 on the countdown.