Number One Hits of 1961 - Part 1 Quiz

Answer: I'm Gonna Knock on Your Door

Eddie Hodges enjoyed four weeks at number one with "I'm Gonna Knock on your Door". The song reached number twelve in the USA and Number 37 in the UK.

Answer: Runaway

"Runaway" became Del Shannon's signature tune, staying on the Billboard pop charts for 17 weeks. Equally popular outside the USA, the song charted 18 weeks in Australia and 22 weeks in the UK. Sadly, Del Shannon's fortunes in the USA waned by the end of 1961, but he remained immensely popular in Europe and the UK.

It was in Australia where Del was the biggest chart star, indeed he had two further number ones on the Aussie charts.

Answer: Are You Lonesome Tonight

Originally recorded by Charles Hart in 1927, "Are You Lonesome Tonight" became Elvis Presley's best selling single outside the USA. The record backed with "I Gotta Know" stayed at number one in the UK for four weeks, six weeks in the USA and eight weeks in Australia. Trivially, "I Gotta Know" was written by Paul Evans, who also wrote, "When" for the Kalin Twins and "Roses Are Red" for Bobby Vinton. Paul Evans enjoyed two top ten singles himself, "Seven Little Girls" in 1959 and "Happy Go lucky Me" in 1960.

Answer: The Everly Brothers

The Everly Brothers reached number one for the four weeks in the UK with "Walk Right Back/Ebony Eyes". The record was a top ten hit for the boys in the USA and Australia with both sides charting individually.

Answer: A Quarter to Three

"A Quarter to Three" made it to the top ten in the UK and of course number one in the USA. Ironically, despite much airplay in Sydney and Melbourne, the song did not make an impact on the Aussie charts.

Answer: Wooden Heart

"Wooden Heart" was based on a German folk song, "Muss I Denn". It reached number one for four weeks in Australia and two weeks in the UK. It was not released as a single in the USA. However, a cover version by Joe Dowell reached the top spot of the Billboard singles chart for one week in 1961.

Answer: Blue Moon

"Blue Moon" was written by Rodgers and Hart in 1934. The "Bom ba ba bom ba bom ba bom bom ba ba bom ba ba bom ba ba dang a dang dang ba ba ding a dong ding blue moon moon blue moon" doo-wop intro to this version of the evergreen song was unforgettable.

The Marcels' record reach the top on the Billboard chart for three weeks and the UK Chart for two weeks; in Australia it reached the top ten. The song remained on the the charts in USA, UK and Australia for over four months.

Answer: Goodbye Cruel World

"Goodbye Cruel World" made it all the way to number one in Australia. It reached the top ten in the US and the UK. Of the other songs listed "Her Royal Majesty" and "Gidget" were both good charting songs. "Because They're Young" only charted briefly in Australia, the instrumental version by Duane Eddy received all the chart success.

Indeed as far as chart success goes, "Because They're Young" was Duane Eddy's biggest hit.

Answer: Will You Love Me Tomorrow

Number one on the Billboard chart for two weeks in January 1961. The record made it to Number four in the UK and number six on the Aussie charts. All of the options made the top ten in the US, "Soldier Boy" was number one for three weeks in 1962. Two songs originally recorded by The Shirelles, "Boys" and "Baby It's You" were recorded by the Beatles for their first album "With The Beatles"

Answer: Calcutta

"Calcutta" was a catchy instrumental at a time when they were quite popular. Lawrence Welk was a bandleader who had his own TV show in America from 1956 through 1982. "Calcutta" was a top ten hit in Australia but did not chart in the UK.