Sad Sappy Songs - Part 1 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Teen Angel

'Teen Angel' was released in 1959 and sung by Mark Dinning. The song was banned in the U.S. and the U.K. but eventually made it to number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In case you don't remember, she went back to get his high school ring.

Answer: Stagger Lee

'Stagger Lee', sung by Lloyd Price, was released in 1959. The song was first recorded in 1924. Dick Clark made Price change parts of the song because he thought it was too morbid for American Bandstand. The song with the original lyrics went to number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and is one of 'Rolling Stone's' 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time.

Answer: Tell Laura I Love Her

'Tell Laura I Love Her', as sung by Ray Peterson, went to number seven on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and the same year (1960), it was recorded by Ricky Valance and went all the way to number one on the U.K. Singles chart.

Answer: Moody River

Pat Boone sang 'Moody River' in 1961 and it went to number one in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was originally performed by a rockabilly singer and later covered by Johnny Rivers, Frank Sinatra, and John Fogerty. You really need the tissues for this one.

Answer: Patches

Dickey Lee released 'Patches' in 1962. It was banned on several radio stations because, in the song, he threatens to join Patches in the river. The record still managed to sell over 500,000 copies. Clarence Carter also sang a sad song called 'Patches'; not the same song and not the type song I think of when I hear his name.

Answer: Dead Man's Curve

Jan and Dean's hit from 1964, 'Dead Man's Curve', has become the common name for any bad curve on the U.S. highway system. The curve from the song is real, it is in Beverly Hills, CA, 90210. The Sting Ray and the Jag XKE eventually reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.

Answer: Ode to Billie Joe

Bobbie Gentry wrote and recorded this 1967 ballad that is now included on the "Rolling Stone" 500 Greatest list. 'Ode To Billie Joe' was nominated for eight Grammys and sold over three million records.

Answer: Running Bear

For three weeks in January, 1960, 'Running Bear' was the number one record in the U.S. and eventually in the U.K. The Big Bopper (J P Richardson) wrote the song and gave it to his friend Johnny Preston to record. The song has been covered by The Who, Led Zeppelin, an Irish punk band, and more.

Answer: Leader of the Pack

The story behind the Shangri-Las' 1964 hit goes like this; there was an urgent need for a song so the producer went to his shower with a cigar and champagne and wrote 'Leader Of The Pack' with his kids crayons. The song is on the "Rolling Stone" list of 500 Greatest of All Time.

Answer: Tom Dooley

The earliest known recording of 'Tom Dooley' is 1929. It is based on a tale or song passed down through the years of a man who was hanged in 1866. The Kingston Trio recorded the folk tune in 1958. It was a country music hit, an R&B hit, and number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.