Pop Music Hits: 1960-1963 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Willow

Elvis Presley sang about a weeping willow in the lyrics of "It's Now or Never." This record was released in July 1960 and climbed to the top of the U.S. Billboard charts. Presley sang these words,

"Just like a willow, we would cry an ocean
If we lost true love and sweet devotion...
It's now or never, come hold me tight..."

Answer: The Angels

The Angels were a female singing group that topped the U.S. singles charts in 1963 with "My Boyfriend's Back." The group consisted of Peggy Santiglia (lead vocals) and sisters Barbara and Phyllis Allbut. In the song, The Angels promised retribution for a male tormentor. The ladies sang these lyrics:

"My boyfriend's back, he's gonna save my reputation
(Hey la, hey la, my boyfriend's back)
If I were you, I'd take a permanent vacation..."

Answer: Judy

A rival named Judy stole Johnny from the singer in Lesley Gore's "It's My Party". Gore sang that Judy was wearing Johnny's ring- a terrible "birthday surprise" on a day when Johnny was supposed to be dating the singer. As Gore sang, "It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to..." This song was released in April 1963, and it climbed all the way to the top of the U.S. Billboard singles charts.

Answer: Bristol

In 1961, The Dovells had success with a song called "The Bristol Stomp" - a tribute to the town of Bristol, Pennsylvania, located about 20 miles from Philadelphia. The lead singer for The Dovells was Len Borisoff (Len Barry). The group sang these words:

"The kids in Bristol are sharp as a pistol
When they do the Bristol Stomp
Really somethin' when the joint is jumpin'
When they do the Bristol Stomp..."

Answer: Goffin and King

Hall of Fame composers Gerry Goffin and Carole King wrote the classic pop song "Will You Love Me Tomorrow". This dynamic duo composed dozens of pop music hits for various artists throughout the 1950s and 1960s. "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" became a hit song for The Shirelles, featuring Shirley Owens, in late 1960 / early 1961. Carole King recorded her own version of this tune on her "Tapestry" album in the early 1970s.

Answer: Palisades Park

Palisades Amusement Park was the subject of a hit song by Freddy Cannon in 1962. This park operated in New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City, between 1898 and 1971. Cannon's song reached the number two spot on the U.S. Billboard charts in March 1962. This upbeat tune featured a distinctive organ sound and cheerful lyrics. Cannon sang these words:

"You'll never know how great a kiss can feel
When you stop at the top of a Ferris wheel
When I fell in love down at Palisades Park..."

Answer: Big Girls Don't Cry

The Four Season hit the top of the U.S. Billboard charts in November 1962 with "Big Girls Don't Cry". This song featured the incomparable vocals of Frankie Valli and a pulsating rhythm which practically leaped off the turntable. Valli sang these words:

"Told my girl we had to break up
Hoped that she would call my bluff
Then she said to my surprise
Big girls don't cry?
Big girls don't cry..."

Answer: The Cascades

The Cascades achieved success in 1963 with "Rhythm of the Rain". This song featured John Gummoe on lead vocals, and it rose to the number three position on the U.S. Billboard singles charts. The Cascades sang these lyrics:

"Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain
Telling me just what a fool I've been
I wish that it would go away and let me cry in vain
And let me be alone again..."

Answer: Chemistry

Can love for a young woman turn a lazy student into a scholar? This subject was explored by Sam Cooke in his classic song "Wonderful World". The singer admitted that he didn't know much about trigonometry, algebra, or geography; however, he promised to study these subjects if becoming an "A" student would win over his favorite girl.

The subject of chemistry was never mentioned in Cooke's song.

Answer: Hey! Baby

Bruce Channel had a number one hit single in the U.S. with "Hey! Baby". This song featured the distinctive harmonica sounds of Delbert McClinton, and it became a number one song in the USA in March 1962. Channel, from Texas, sang the following lyrics: "Hey, hey baby! I want to know if you'll be my girl..." Dion sang "The Wanderer," Chris Montez performed "Let's Dance," and Rick Nelson did "Young World".