Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. One of the most enigmatic songs of all time was the one that Motown boss Berry Gordy said was the worst track he had ever heard and refused to have it recorded, but after negotiations he relented. In March 1971 it reached number two on the Billboard Top 40 charts for three weeks but was halted by Three Dog Night's "Joy To The World" which was starting it's six week reign in the top position. Most astoundingly, the protest song in question grew in stature over the years to be ranked number four on the 2004 "Rolling Stone" magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. (So you have every right to answer the question).
2. A very familiar song recorded in 1957 and featured in the film "Jamboree" with Fats Domino and Buddy Knox, also hit number one on the UK singles chart and topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart, but stayed four weeks in second position on the Billboard Top 40 list. The song, recorded by a legend of the early rock scene, could not shift "At The Hop" by Danny and the Juniors that hogged top spot for seven weeks. He is one of the famous group that pioneered "Sun Records" in the mid fifties. (Has he ever been tried for murder?)
3. A tribute song released in 1975 as a "B" side became more popular than it's more highly ranked counterpart, which had reached number one on the Billboard Top 40, and helped the disc back to the number two spot for four weeks. The song holding it back from making the record a double-sided number one was Neil Sedaka's "Bad Blood".(Greek mythological nymph)
4. "Flashdance....What A Feeling" by Irene Cara and "Every Breath You Take" by The Police stopped a record quickly moving up the Billboard Top 40 charts in mid-1983 when it scored top ranking in Cashbox Magazine and also the Canadian Top Singles Chart. However it was destined to spend five weeks in the number two position even though it got great publicity by featuring in the 20th season premiere of The Simpsons. ( If you can get this one correct then you'll get a big kick out of it)
5. The first release by an act that was to become very successful in the fifties and sixties had to contend with second spot despite taking top place in the Billboard Country Charts and on the Cashbox ratings. (see you later alligator)
6. A song that was rejected by Babys' vocalist John Waite as "too syrupy" was taken on by an American group who added it to their album "Escape" and went to number two for six weeks on the Billboard Top 40 Charts when released as a single in early 1982. The songs preventing its elevation were "Centerfold" by the J Geils Band and "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. (if you get this one right you'll get a hug)
7. In 1981 a famous musician wrote a song to honor his good friend and former band member who had died the year before, and called in all his old colleagues to help make the song successful. It ran quickly up the Billboard Top 40 Charts and then ,you guessed it, it stalled in the number two position. Unfortunately the song encountered the monster hit "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes that ruled the charts for nine weeks and so it stayed in second place for three of these.(I couldn't IMAGINE that you would need a clue for this one}.
8. Creedence Clearwater Revival made an art form when finishing in second place on five occasions without making it to the top. "Proud Mary" was the first one on this list and stayed the longest for three weeks. The song that held it from the top also topped the list on the UK and Canadian music charts and second in Australia. The impeding singer scored his second number one after his debut song, which he wrote when just fourteen years old, went to the top in 1962. The song in question has since been covered by several artists including Boney M and Billy J Kramer. (a very insecure song).
9. In 1958 a legend of rock and roll wrote a song while on tour and had been pleasantly influenced by the young audiences that he played to, especially a persistent female autograph hunter. Still trying for his first number one Billboard Top 40 hit after three previous Top Tens failed, this song got to number two for two weeks after being blocked by the Champs' classic instrumental "Tequila". The song did, however, top the R&B Best Sellers Chart. The song is now part of the rock era's folklore and has been covered by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys and countless others. (you'll "be good" to get this one)
10. In 1967 The Mamas and the Papas released "Dedicated To The One I Love" to follow up a string of Top Ten Billboard Top 40 hits, including "Monday Monday" that stayed on top for three weeks. Unfortunately it ran into the song that took top position from The Beatles' " Penny Lane" and left it in second position for three weeks. The group that took the song over after it was rejected by a lot of other artists had a first up Billboard Top 40 Top Ten with a Bob Dylan composition but had a very lean run since then. The song's title became the name of their album. The group from Los Angeles finished up with five top Tens on the Billboard Top 40 charts but this song was their only number one. (a very close knit group)
Source: Author
muffin1708
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1nn1 before going online.
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