That Was The Year That Was: Pop Music 1963 Quiz

Answer: Go Away Little Girl

"Go Away Little Girl" was written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King. It was number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Steve Lawrence in 1963. It did not chart in the UK.

Steve Lawrence was a regular on the US TV show "The Tonight Show" with Steve Allen, in the '50s. Also on the show was singer Eydie Gorme who Lawrence married in 1957. Between 1957 and 1961 he had four Top Ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100 but he never reached the Top 20 again after his only number one hit "Go Away Little Girl".

Steve Lawrence is also an actor and has appeared in many TV shows and movies since the '50s. He has appeared in the TV shows "Police Story", "Murder She Wrote", "CSI" and "Two and a Half Men". He played Maury Sline in the movies "The Blues Brothers" and the sequel "Blues Brothers 2000".

"Go Away Little Girl" was first recorded by Bobby Vee and it appeared on his 1963 album "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes".

Answer: Walk Like A Man

"Walk Like A Man" written by Bob Crewe/Bob Gaudio was number one for three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for The 4 Seasons in 1963. It peaked at number 12 on the UK singles chart the same year.

Francis Castelluccio (Frankie Valli), formed The Variatones in 1955, they became The Four Lovers. They then became The 4 Seasons with the 1961 lineup of Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. They took the name The 4 Seasons, from a bowling alley in New Jersey.

Between 1962 and 1976 The 4 Seasons had 21 Top 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, 15 of which were Top Ten hits. These five singles made it to number one, "Sherry" (number one for five weeks in 1962), "Big Girls Don't Cry" (number one for five weeks in 1962), "Walk Like A Man" (number one for three weeks in 1963), "Rag Doll" (number one for two weeks in 1964) and "December '63 (Oh, What A Night)", (number one for three weeks in 1976).

Answer: Diamonds

"Diamonds" was written by Jerry Lordan. It was number one for three weeks on the UK singles chart for Jet Harris & Tony Meehan in 1963. It did not chart in the US.

An amazing sequence on the UK singles chart happened in 1963 involving Cliff Richard and his sometime backing group The Shadows. On the 3 January Cliff Richard and The Shadows had a double A-side number one hit for three weeks with "The Next Time"/"Bachelor Boy". This was replaced at number one on the 24 January by "Dance On", which was number one for one week for The Shadows. This was replaced at number one on the 31 January by "Diamonds" which was number one for three weeks for two ex-members of The Shadows Jet Harris & Tony Meehan.

There was a three week break when "The Wayward Wind" was number one for Frank Ifield. Then on the 14 March "Summer Holiday" hit the top and was number one for two weeks for Cliff Richard and The Shadows. This was replaced at number one on 29 March by "Foot Tapper" which was number one for one week for The Shadows. This would be the last of five UK number one hits for The Shadows although they would have UK chart hits until 1981.

Answer: Billy Fury

"In Summer" was written by V. & E. Murtagh/Adams. It peaked at number five on the UK singles chart for Billy Fury in 1963. It did not chart in the US.

"Billy Fury" was born Ronald Wycherley in Liverpool in 1940, (the same year as John Lennon). Lennon asked for and got Fury's autograph after The Beatles had played at auditions to be his backing group; they did not get the gig.

Between 1959 and 1965 Billy Fury had 19 Top 20 hits on the UK singles chart, 11 of which were Top Ten hits. He never had a UK number one hit or any hits at all on the Billboard Hot 100. Many early UK Rock 'n' Roll singers styled themselves on the likes of Elvis Presley, Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent. Billy Fury was different and ahead of his time in that he wrote many of his own songs. The trouble was that many of his songs were relegated to album tracks and B-sides by his record company Decca records.

He appeared in three movies. He played Billy Universe in "Play It Cool" (1962), with Helen Shapiro, Bobby Vee, Michael Anderson Jr. and Dennis Price; Billy in "I Gotta Horse" (1965), with The Bachelors and Jon Pertwee (the third Dr. Who); and Stormy Tempest in "That'll Be The Day" (1973), with David Essex, Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, James Booth and Brenda Bruce.

Answer: Surfin' U. S. A.

"Surfin' USA." written by Brian Wilson/Chuck Berry, peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Beach Boys in 1963. It peaked at number 34 on the UK singles chart the same year.

The best known Beach Boys lineup was the brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine. Between 1962 and 1988 they had 25 Top 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, 15 of which were Top Ten hits. Four of these Top Ten hits were number one hits, "I Get Around" (number one for two weeks in 1964), "Help Me, Rhonda" (number one for two weeks in 1965), "Good Vibrations" (number one for one week in 1966) and "Kokomo" (number one for one week in 1988).

Drummer Dennis Wilson drowned while diving at Marina Del Rey, Los Angeles, California, USA, in 1983 aged 39. Special intervention by President Ronald Reagan allowed him to be buried at sea. Lead guitarist Carl Wilson died of lung cancer in Los Angeles, California, USA, in 1998 aged 51.

Answer: Let It Rock

"Let It Rock" written by Chuck Berry peaked at number six on the UK singles chart for Chuck Berry in 1963. It peaked at number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960.

It is amazing that "Let It Rock" was Chuck Berry's first Top Ten hit on the UK singles chart. His first Billboard Top 100 hit in the US was "Maybellene" which peaked at number five in 1955 but did not chart in the UK. His first hit on the UK singles chart "School Day" peaked at number 24 in 1957, it peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year.

It is even more amazing that Chuck Berry, being one of the founding members of Rock and Roll and a major influence, only had one number one hit. It was the comedy record "My Ding-A-Ling" which spent two weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and four weeks at number one on the UK singles chart in 1972.

Answer: Chuck Berry

"Roll Over Beethoven" written by Chuck Berry was covered by The Beatles on their 1963 UK album "with the beatles". The lead vocal was sung by George Harrison.

The original version of "Roll Over Beethoven" by Chuck Berry, peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1956. It did not chart in the UK. The Beatles also covered another Chuck Berry song "Rock And Roll Music", on their 1964 album "Beatles For Sale". The lead vocal was sung by John Lennon.

Also on the "Beatles For Sale" album they covered Buddy Holly's "Words Of Love", with lead vocal by John Lennon & Paul McCartney. Again on the "Beatles For Sale" album they covered the Carl Perkins' songs "Honey Don't" with lead vocal by Ringo Starr and "Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby" with lead vocal by George Harrison.

The Beatles recorded the Larry Williams penned song "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" for their 1965 album "HELP!", with lead vocal by John Lennon. Although the song appeared on the album it did not appear in the movie.

Answer: Gerry & The Pacemakers

"How Do You Do It" written by Mitch Murray, hit the top of the UK singles chart on the 11 April 1963. It was number one for three weeks for Gerry & The Pacemakers. It peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964.

"From Me To You" written by John Lennon/Paul McCartney hit the top of the UK singles chart on the 2 May 1963. It was number one for seven weeks for The Beatles. It peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964.

"Sweets For My Sweet" written by Doc Pomus/Mort Shuman, hit the top of the UK singles chart on the 8 August 1963. It was number one for two weeks for The Searchers. It did not chart in the US.

"Bad To Me" written by John Lennon/Paul McCartney hit the top of the UK singles chart on the 22 August 1963. It was number one for three weeks for Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas. It peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964.

Answer: Stevie Wonder

"Fingertips - Pt 2" written by Clarence Paul/Henry Cosby reached the top on the Billboard Hot 100 on the 10 August 1963. It was number one for three weeks for Little Stevie Wonder but did not chart in the UK.

"Superstition" written by Stevie Wonder reached the top on the 27 January 1973. It was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for Stevie Wonder and peaked at number 11 on the UK singles chart the same year.

In between his two number one hits, Stevie Wonder had 14 Top 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. These included 11 Top Ten hits. During the same period The Beatles debuted on the US single charts and had 20 number one hits and disbanded. Also, George Harrison and Paul McCartney both had individual US number one hits.

Answer: George Harrison

"Do You Want To Know A Secret" was the first song written by Lennon/McCartney that George Harrison sang the lead vocal on, on a Beatles' album. It was also the first Beatles' song sung by George Harrison to make the Billboard Top Ten were it peaked at number two in 1964. It was not released as a single in the UK.

"Do You Want To Know A Secret" written by Lennon/McCartney, peaked at number two on the UK singles chart for Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas in 1963. It did not chart in the US.

Out of the six singles by Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas to make the UK singles chart four of them were credited to Lennon/McCartney. "Do You Want To Know A Secret" (number two in 1963), "Bad To Me" (number one in 1963), "I'll Keep You Satisfied" (number four in 1963) and "From A Window" (number ten in 1964). Although all four songs were credited to Lennon/McCartney, the first three were written by John Lennon and the fourth one by Paul McCartney.

Answer: Paul & Paula

"Hey Paula" written by Ray Hildebrand was number one for three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Paul & Paula in 1963. It peaked at number eight on the UK singles chart the same year.

"Surf City" written by Brian Wilson/Jan Berry was number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Jan & Dean in 1963. It peaked at number 26 on the UK singles chart the same year.

"Deep Purple" written by Peter DeRose/Mitchell Parish was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for Nino Tempo & April Stevens in 1963. It peaked at number 17 on the UK singles chart the same year.

"I'm Leaving It Up To You" written by Donald F. Harris/Dewey Terry was number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Dale & Grace in 1963. It peaked at number 42 on the UK singles chart in 1964.

Answer: The Searchers

The Searchers were managed by Les Ackerly who was later sidelined by London agent Tito Burns.

Brian Epstein had gone to see The Searchers at the Cavern in Liverpool when Johnny Sandon was their lead singer. The group were not very good on the night owing to their consumption of alcohol and no deal was done. Epstein did however try to sign them again later and it was even reported in some newspapers, that he had. It turned out to be just be a rumour. Epstein always regretted not signing up The Searchers and the group themselves thought that they may have gained more respect and longevity if he had.

The Searchers had ten Top 20 hits on the UK chart between 1963 and 1966. This included six Top Ten hits of which three were number one hits, "Sweets For My Sweet" (1963), "Needles And Pins" (1964) and "Don't Throw Your Love Away" (1964).

Answer: The Wayward Wind/Confessin' (That I Love You)

"The Wayward Wind" written by Stanley Lebowsky/Herb Newman was number one for three weeks on the UK singles chart for Frank Ifield in 1963. It did not chart in the US.

"Confessin' (That I Love You)" written by Doc Daugherty/Ellis Reynolds was number one for two weeks on the UK singles chart for Frank Ifield in 1963. As "I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)" it peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year.

Many singers have recorded "The Wayward Wind", first recorded in 1956. The biggest hit version on the Billboard Top 100 in 1956 was by Gogi Grant. It was number one for eight weeks. The biggest hit version on the UK singles chart in 1956 was by Tex Ritter. It peaked at number eight, one position higher than the Gogi Grant version.

"Confessin' (That I Love You)" was first written as "Lookin' For Another Sweetie" by Chris Smith/Sterling Grant in 1929 and first recorded by Thomas "Fats" Waller & His Babies in 1929. It was re-written as "Confessin'" in 1930 with new lyrics and music by Al Neiburg/Doc Daugherty/Ellis Reynolds. It was recorded by Louis Armstrong, Chester Gaylord, Guy Lombardo and Rudy Vallee, all in 1930.

Answer: (You're The) Devil In Disguise

"(You're The) Devil In Disguise" written by Bill Giant/Bernie Baum/Florence Kaye, peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 for Elvis Presley in 1963. It was number one for one week on the UK singles chart the same year.

In 1963 the song made its debut to a British audience on the BBC television show "Juke Box Jury". The celebrity guest John Lennon, voted the song "a miss" stating that on the new song Elvis Presley was "Like Bing Crosby now". In spite of his comments the song went on to be the only number one ht by an American singer on the UK singles chart in 1963.

"(You're The) Devil In Disguise" was the first number one hit on the UK singles chart by an American since "Return To Sender", coincidentally also sung by Elvis Presley. "Return To Sender" reached the top on the 13 December 1962 where it remained for three weeks.

Answer: Japanese/French

"Sukiyaki" written by Rokusuke Ei/Hachidai Nakamura, was number one for three weeks on the the Billboard Hot 100 for Kyu Sakamoto in 1963. It peaked at number six on the UK singles chart the same year.

Kyu Sakamoto was born Hisashi Sakamoto in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, in 1941. He became the first Asian singer to have a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. He died in the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123 in 1985 aged 43.

"Dominique" written by Jeanne Deckers, was number one for four weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Singing Nun (Soeur Sourire) in 1963. It peaked at number seven on the UK singles chart the same year.

The Singing Nun (Sister Smile) was born Jeanne-Paule-Marie Deckers in Laeken, Brussels, Belgium, in 1933. She became a member of the Dominican Order in Belgium, as Sister Luc-Gabrielle. She was the first and only nun and Belgian singer to top the Billboard Hot 100 as of 2017. She committed suicide in 1985 aged 51.