Chart Toppers by the Decade Trivia Quiz

Answer: Harry James

"I've Heard That Song Before" was a popular song in 1942 and was first introduced in the movie ""Youth on Parade". Harry James (1916-1983) and his orchestra made the song famous in 1943. This version of the song was also in the Woody Allen comedy-drama of 1986 "Hannah and Her Sisters". Harry James was a trumpet playing band leader who led his band from 1939-1946.
Artie Shaw 1910-2004) was a clarinetist, composer, bandleader and author. He is probably best known for his recording in 1938 "Begin the Beguine". His recording of the Spanish song "Frenesi" (meaning frenzy) spent 12 weeks at the top in 1940.
Tommy Dorsey (1905-1956) was a trombonist, composer and bandleader. He was known as the "Sentimental Gentleman of Swing" and his hit "I'll Never Smile Again" spent 12 weeks at the top in 1940.
Glenn Miller (1904-1944) was a composer and big bandleader. From 1939-1943 he was the biggest selling recording artist of the big bands. His arrangement "Moonlight Cocktail" spend ten weeks at the top in 1940. Sadly, he was killed in 1944 when his plane disappeared over the English Channel when he was on his way to entertain US troops in France.

Answer: Louis Armstrong

The song was first composed and written in Berlin in 1928 for an opera called "Die Dreigroschenoper" (The Threepenny Opera). Louis Armstrong introduced the song to the US Hit Parade in 1956. However, Bobby Darin is the performer mostly associated with the song.

Answer: The Beatles

The Beatles had the most number one hits during this period with 18 over 55 weeks. "Hey Jude" topped the charts for nine weeks and "I Want to Hold Your Hand" for seven weeks. The Supremes had 12 chart toppers with 22 weeks in total. Elvis Presley had seven number one hits over a 22 week period. The Rolling Stones had five chart toppers and totalled 13 weeks.

Answer: You Light Up My Life

"You Light UP My Life " by Debbie Boone topped the charts for 10 weeks(1977). Both "Night Fever" (1978) by the Bee Gees and "Tonight's the Night (Gonna be Alright)" (1976) by Rod Stewart lasted eight weeks at the top. "Shadow Dancing" (1978) by Andy Gibb lasted seven weeks at the top.

Answer: The Bee Gees

The Bee Gees had nine hits at number one: "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" (1970), "Jive Talkin'" (1975), "How Deep Is Your Love" (1977), "You Should Be Dancing" (1978), "Stayin' Alive" (1978), "Night Fever" (1978), "Too Much Heaven" (1978), "Tragedy2 (1979) and "Love You Inside Out" (1979). Paul McCartney and Wings had six number one hits, while The Jackson 5 and KC & The Sunshine Band both had four number one hits during the 1970s.

Answer: Physical

"Physical" by the Australian, Olivia Newton-John, topped the charts for the most weeks (ten) in the 1980s from November 28, 1981- January 23, 1982.
"Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes spent nine weeks at the top in 1981. "Endless Love" by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie also spent nine weeks at the top in 1981. "Every Breath You Take" by the British rock group The Police spent eight weeks at the top in 1983.

Answer: Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson (1958-2009) topped the charts for 27 weeks during the 1980s with nine number one hits, the most successful being "Billie Jean" for seven weeks. Lionel Richie topped the charts for 21 weeks, Paul McCartney and George Michael both had 16 weeks at the top during the 1980s.

Answer: One Sweet Day

"One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men, who all wrote the song, spent 16 weeks at number one from December 2, 1995 to March 16, 1996. Boyz II Men's other single number one hits were "I'll Make Love to You" (14 weeks), "End of the Road" (13 weeks) and "On Bended Knee" (6 weeks).

Answer: Elton John

Elton John with his 1997 hit "Candle in the Wind 1997" was the first single to be certified Diamond since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking music sales in 1991. This was a re-write of his 1973 hit "Candle in the Wind". The 1997 version was a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales and all proceeds of the hit were to go to Diana's charities.
Kenny Rogers with his album "Greatest Hits" released in 1980 was awarded Diamond in 1997. Mariah Carey with her album "Music Box" released in 1993 was awarded Diamond in 1997. Bing Crosby (1903-1977) with his version of "White Christmas" is the biggest selling single of all-time.

There have been quite a number of artists that have had a Diamond certificate prior to Elton John in 1997, however, they were all for albums; his was the first single to achieve the award.

Answer: The Black Eyed Peas

The Black Eyed Peas are a rap group and had two consecutive number one hits totalling 26 weeks with "Boom Boom Pow" (12 weeks) immediately followed by "I Gotta Feeling" (14 weeks). Mariah Carey has spent 19 weeks at the top with her most successful number one being "We Belong Together" (14 weeks). Usher is a songwriter, singer, dancer and actor who has a total of 41 weeks at the top in the 2000s. Eminem spent 12 weeks at number one with "Loose Yourself" in 2002.