Their First Number One Hit Trivia Quiz

Answer: MacArthur Park

The year 1978 was a pivotal year for Donna Summer. Her first number one song was "MacArthur Park", a remake of the Richard Harris hit written by Jimmy Webb. Summer was also a guest artist on Kiss bassist Gene Simmons' solo album released in 1978. Kiss and Summer were both signed to Casablanca Records at the time. That same year Donna released her first live album, "Live and More", which included "MacArthur Park". "Live and More" is Summer's first number one album, knocking Linda Ronstadt's triple-platinum "Living In The USA" out of the top slot. "Last Dance" reached number three the same year. "Love to Love You Baby" is one of her early hits, reaching number two in 1975. "Hot Stuff" reached the number one spot the following year.

Answer: I Want to Hold Your Hand

Brian Epstein suggested that Paul and John compose a song that would appeal to American audiences in preparation for their upcoming television and live appearance schedule. They retired to Paul's girlfriend's basement and wrote "I Want to Hold Your Hand".

While it is well known musical history that they appeared live on the "Ed Sullivan Show" in February, 1964, Jack Paar actually broadcast the first television program showing the Beatles when he played a film from England of the Liverpool Lads on his Friday night television show months earlier.

The Beatles were in their suite at the George V hotel in Paris after a concert when they received news that "I Want to Hold Your Hand" reached number one in America on February 1, 1964. "Love Me Do" hit the top of the charts in May, 1964, "She Loves You" reached the top March 21, 1964, and "A Hard Days Night" topped the charts in August, 1964.

Answer: Ben

Michael's early hits were not his own compositions. "Ben" was written by Don Black and Walter Scharf for the movie of the same name. After the duo composed the song it was Black who suggested that Michael would be right for the song. Michael immediately liked it and "Ben" became his first chart topper as a solo artist. Don Black already had an impressive track record of writing lyrics for movies.

He had done "Born Free" and "To Sir With Love" when Sharf asked him to put words to the music he had composed for "Ben".

The movie is about a boy who seeks revenge and the song provides a brief break from the mayhem when the lead character sits at the piano and played the song. "Got to Be There" was written by Elliot Willensky and topped out at number four in 1971. "Rockin' Robin" is a Roger Thomas song made popular by Bobby Day that made it to number two in 1972 for Jackson. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" is the first number one hit Michael Jackson wrote as a solo artist.

It topped the charts in 1978.

Answer: Vision of Love

"Vision of Love" is Mariah's first hit single. The song was written by Mariah and Ben Margulies and is a cut from Carey's 1990 debut album, "Mariah Carey". The song remained at the top of the Hot 100 from July 29 to August 25. It spent an additional 16 weeks in the Top Forty and was ranked sixth on the Hot 100 year-end chart.

It was one of the most popular songs on radio stations at the time and the RIAA soon certified it gold. Mariah admits that she didn't like the $450,000 video made in support of the song.

She wasn't fond of the hairstyle she had or the overall theme of the video. A live version of the hit is on the "MTV Unplugged" soundtrack of her performance on the show. "Someday" and "I Don't Wanna Cry" topped the charts in 1991 and "Dreamlover" is a 1993 number one.

Answer: (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

The Rolling Stones first recorded "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" on May 10, 1965, at Chess Studios in Chicago featuring Brian Jones on harmonica. They re-recorded it two days later at RCA Studios in Hollywood with a different feel and put the Gibson Maestro fuzzbox in place of the harmonica. Keith Richards wanted to redo the fuzz track with horns but was voted down by the rest of the band and the producer, Andrew Oldham.

The track was selected for release as a single from their album "Out of Our Heads" and reached number one in July of 1965. Artists who have since covered the song include Otis Redding, Devo, Gloria Trevi, Alejandra Guzmán, Vanilla Ice, Britney Spears and The Residents. "Get off of My Cloud" topped the charts in September of 1965.

The number one "Paint it Black" and number two "19th Nervous Breakdown" were 1966 releases.

Answer: Joshua

"Joshua" was written by Dolly. It tells the story of a young girl who meets and falls in love with a recluse. The single is from her "Joshua" album which was released in late 1970. The single reached number one on the Billboard country charts in February, 1971. Dolly is one of the most successful country artists with 26 number-one singles.

At the age of 21 she married Carl Dean in Ringgold, Georgia. She met him on her first day arriving in Nashville when she was just 18 at the Wishy-Washy Laundromat. Dean runs an asphalt-paving business in Nashville and has shunned Dolly's spotlight. Dolly is the godmother of singer and actress Miley Cyrus. "I Will Always Love You" reached the top spot in 1974, "Jolene" was a 1973 number one and "Mule Skinner Blues" made it to number three in 1970.

Answer: Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain

Strangely enough, Willie's first number one was not written by him. "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" is a song written by songwriter Fred Rose originally performed by Roy Acuff. Willie Nelson recorded the song as part of his 1975 album "Red Headed Stranger". Both the song and album would become legendary in country music history and begin Nelson's success as a recording artist. Willie enjoyed considerable success as part of the "outlaw" movement in country music by defying the conventions of Nashville recording practices.

He also recorded several songs as part of the Highwaymen. In 1978 Willie took the Hoagey Carmichael song "Georgia on My Mind" to number one. "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" went to number one in 1980 and "If You've Got the Money (Honey (I've Got the Time)" was a 1976 number one for Willie.

Answer: I Forgot to Remember to Forget

"I Forgot to Remember to Forget" is a country song written by Stan Kesler and Charlie Feathers. Elvis recorded it at Sun Studio with Scotty Moore and Bill Black in July, 1955, and it was released on August 20, 1955, along with "Mystery Train". It was released again in December, 1955, by RCA Victor after Elvis signed with the label.

It reached the Billboard national country music chart number one position by February, 1956, and remained there for 39 weeks. This is longer than any other Presley recording remained at the top spot.

This number one duration outlasted "Don't Be Cruel"/"Hound Dog" by 11 weeks. It was the first recording to make Elvis Presley a nationally known country music star. The Beatles covered the song during their BBC appearances and a version of it appears on their "Live at the BBC" album. "Baby Let's Play House" reached number five in 1955. "You're a Heartbreaker" made it to number 74 in 1955 and "That's Alright" has the distinction of being the first Elvis recording made on July 5, 1954.

Answer: Fingertips (Part 2)

"Fingertips" is a 1963 hit single recorded live by "Little" Stevie Wonder for Motown's Tamla label. It is the first live recording to reach number one on the Billboard Pop Singles chart. "Fingertips" was originally a jazz instrumental recorded for Wonder's first studio album, "The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie Wonder".

The live version was recorded in June, 1962, during a Motor Town Revue performance in Chicago. "Fingertips" is an instrumental piece meant to showcase Wonder's talents on the bongos and the harmonica. Both versions of the song feature drumming by future Motown star Marvin Gaye. "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" was a 1965 number three for Stevie.

In 1967 "I Was Made to Love Her" reached number two. In 1968 "For Once in My Life" also climbed to number two.

Answer: Where Did Our Love Go?

"Where Did Our Love Go?" was written by the Motown songwriting team for The Marvelettes. Lead singer Gladys Horton wasn't fond of the song and turned it down. The Supremes had already released eight singles without any success. When the song was offered to them they were in no position to be choosy. Even after they were offered the song Horton counseled them not to do it.

After recording "Where Did Our Love Go?" the Supremes weren't really happy with it. They were then booked with Gene Pitney, the Shirelles and Brenda Holloway on Dick Clark's "Caravan of Stars" bus.

Initially they were billed as "and others", but by August 22, 1964, "Where Did Our Love Go?" was number one and the Supremes were headlining the tour. "Baby Love" reached number one in October of the same year. "You Can't Hurry Love" topped the charts in September, 1966, and "Stop! In the Name of Love" was number one March 27, 1965.