One Hit Wonders in the USA Trivia Quiz

Answer: Get A Job

"Get A Job" written by Beal/Edwards/Lewis/Horton, was number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Silhouettes in 1958. It did not chart on the UK singles chart.

The Silhouettes were formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, in 1956, as The Thunderbirds. They toured with Sam Cooke, Clyde McPhatter, Jackie Wilson and others but never hit the Billboard Hot 100 again. The Silhouettes disbanded in 1968 but the original four members reformed in the 1980s and performed until 1993.

Answer: Laurie London

"He's Got The Whole World (In His Hands)" written by Robert Lindon/William Henry was number one for four weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Laurie London in 1958. It peaked at number 12 on the UK singles chart in 1957.

"He's Got The Whole World (In His Hands)" is a traditional American spiritual. It was first published in 1927 but was credited to British song writers Robert Lindon and William Henry. Laurie London was 13 years old when he recorded "He's Got The Whole World (In His Hands)". It was the biggest hit by a British male singer in the USA, in the '50s. It sold in excess of 1,000,000 copies and was awarded a Gold Disc.

Answer: Little Star

"Little Star" written by Vito Picone/Arthur Venosa was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Elegants in 1958. It peaked at number 25 on the UK singles chart the same year.

The Elegants, a doo-wop group were James Moschella, Vito Picone, Carmen Romano, Frank Tardogna and Arthur Venosa. One story going around for their lack of any follow up hits is, that they refused to pay payola to a prominent New York disc jockey. Payola, in the music industry, is the illegal practice of inducement by payment or other means by record companies for the broadcast of recordings on radio. Congressional Investigations into payola started in 1959.

Answer: A Cartoon Caveman

"Alley-Oop" written by Dallas Frazier was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Hollywood Argyles in 1960. It peaked at number 24 on the UK singles chart the same year.

The Hollywood Argyles as a group never existed. They were a musical ensemble created by Kim Fowley and Gary S. Paxton who was one half of Skip & Flip. Paxton was under contract to another record company so recorded "Alley Oop" with some friends and musicians. The recording studio was on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Argyle Street so the record was released under that name.

Answer: M

"Pop Musik" written by Robin Scott was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for M in 1979. It peaked at number two on the UK singles chart the same year.

M was a British new wave/synthpop music project from London, England, led by English musician/singer Robin Scott. The record "Pop Musik" featured his brother Julian Scott (bass), his wife Brigit Novik (backing vocals) and Wally Badarou (keyboards). M had three minor hits on the UK singles chart between 1979 and 1980 and a re-mix version of "Pop Musik" peaked at number 15 in 1989.

Answer: Vangelis

"Chariots Of Fire - Titles" written by Vangelis was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for Vangelis in 1982. It peaked at number 12 on the UK singles chart in 1981.

Vangelis was born Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou in Volos, Greece, in 1943. He had two further minor hits between 1981 and 1992. He also had two Top 10 hits on the UK charts in partnership with Jon Anderson (lead singer in the group Yes), "I Hear You Now" (number eight) in 1980 and "I'll Find My Way Home" (number six) in 1981.

Answer: Michael Jackson/Lionel Richie

"We Are The World" written by Michael Jackson/Lionel Richie was number one for four weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for USA For Africa in 1985. It was number one for two weeks on the UK singles chart the same year.

After Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" successful project in the United Kingdom in 1984, actor/singer Harry Belafonte came up with the idea for an American single for African famine relief. It was brought to fruition with the help from author/TV & film producer and music manager Ken Kragen. The single has sold in excess of 20,000,000 copies.

Answer: Jan Hammer

"Miami Vice Theme" written by Jan Hammer was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for Jan Hammer in 1985. It peaked at number five on the UK singles chart the same year.

The "Miami Vice Theme" is the theme to the television series "Miami Vice" starring Don Johnson as James "Sonny" Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs It ran for 112 episodes between 1984 and 1989. Jan Hammer hit the UK singles chart with a second instrumental from the show when "Crockett's Theme" peaked at number two in 1987.

Answer: Bobby McFerrin

"Don't Worry Be Happy" written by Bobby McFerrin was number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Bobby McFerrin in 1988. It peaked at number two on the UK singles chart the same year.

Robert Keith McFerrin Jr. was born in Manhattan, New York, New York, USA, in 1950. He is a jazz vocalist/conductor and a ten-time Grammy Award winner. "Don't Worry Be Happy" his only Billboard Hot 100 hit won Song of the Year and Record of the Year honors at the 1989 Grammy Awards. The song was included on the soundtrack of the 1988 movie "Cocktail" starring Tom Cruise and Bryan Brown.

Answer: How Do You Talk To An Angel

"How Do You Talk To An Angel" written by Steve Tyrell/Barry Coffing/Stephanie Tyrell was number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Heights in 1992. It did not enter the UK singles chart.

The fictional group "The Heights" was made up from cast members of the TV show "The Heights". The musical drama series ran for 13 episodes in 1992. The lead vocal was sung by Jamie Walters who also starred in "Beverly Hills, 90210". In 2004 he was working as a full-time firefighter/paramedic for the Los Angeles City Fire Department.