UK One Hit Wonders Quiz for Experts

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "Tell Laura I Love Her" was a US top ten hit for Ray Peterson in 1960. Who recorded a cover version which reached number one in the UK in September 1960?

Answer: Ricky Valance

A Decca official considered the Roy Peterson version of "Tell Laura I Love Her" to be in bad taste and the copies of the single that had been pressed for UK release were destroyed.

EMI consequently released Welshborn Ricky Valance's cover version of "Tell Laura I Love Her". It was a hit in 14 countries and has sold over seven million copies.

Mark Dinning recorded "Teen Angel", another teen death record. Ritchie Valens died in 1959 along with The Big Bopper and Buddy Holly. Sir Cliff has had many number ones and is definately not a one hit wonder.

2. What fast instrumental was a UK number one hit for B. Bumble and The Stingers in May 1962?

Answer: Nut Rocker

B. Bumble and The Stingers were an American group of musicians who specialised in making rock and roll versions of classical tunes. "Nut Rocker", a rocked-up version of Tchaikovsky's "March Of The Wooden Soldiers" from "The Nutcracker", went to number one in the UK. It only reached number 23 on the US Billboard chart.

The other answers are all instrumentals. "Bumble Boogie" was an earlier Top 30 hit in the US for B. Bumble and The Stingers. "Telstar" was a hit for The Tornados in 1962. "Apache" was a hit for The Shadows in 1960.

3. "Michelle" was a UK one hit wonder for The Overlanders in 1966. Who recorded the original version of the song?

Answer: The Beatles

"Michelle" was written mainly by Paul McCartney (although as was customary, credited to Lennon/McCartney) and released on their 1965 "Rubber Soul" album. It was not issued as a Beatles' single in the UK.

The Overlanders were a British folk group who recorded a cover version of "Michelle" which was arranged by Tony Hatch. It reached number one in the UK in Janaury 1966.

4. Which 1968 single was a one hit wonder for The Crazy World of Arthur Brown?

Answer: Fire

"Fire" made it to number one in the UK in August 1968. It reached number two in the US. The Crazy World of Arthur Brown were an English psychedelic rock group, formed in 1967.

5. The actor Lee Marvin was an unlikely artist to have a UK number one single. Nevertheless he topped the chart for three weeks in 1970 with "Wand'rin' Star". Which 1969 film included the song "Wand'rin' Star"?

Answer: Paint Your Wagon

"Paint Your Wagon" was a Lerner & Loewe stage musical and film. The film starred Clint Eastwood, Lee Marvin and Jean Seberg. Although the 1969 film did not live up to expectations, the soundtrack was a success.

Lee Marvin's "Wand'rin' Star" kept "Let It Be" by The Beatles at number two in the chart.

The other answers were all film musicals released at around the same time.

6. Who had a UK hit in 1970 with "Spirit In The Sky"?

Answer: Norman Greenbaum

Norman Greenbaum wrote "Spirit In The Sky" and took it to number one in the UK charts in May 1970.

Cover versions by Doctor & The Medics and Gareth Gates and The Kumars also reached the number one spot, in 1986 and 2003 respectively.

Christie had a number one hit in 1970 with the song "Yellow River".

7. In 1977 The Floaters had a UK one hit wonder with what single?

Answer: Float On

The Floaters were formed by ex Detroit Emeralds' singer James Mitchell. "Float On" was number one for one week in the UK in August 1977. In the song, each member of the band introduced themselves and gave their astrological star sign.

8. Which American singer had a hit in 1982 with the song "I've Never Been To Me"?

Answer: Charlene

"I've Never Been To Me" was a hit for Charlene in the UK and the US in 1982. The song was originally released in 1976 in the US.

The song features in both the film and stage musical of "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert".

9. The first British number one dance hit containing samples from other songs was released in 1987 by M|A|R|R|S. What was the name of this influential one hit wonder?

Answer: Pump Up The Volume

M|A|R|R|S was an uneasy collaboration of the groups A R Kane and Colourbox. "Pump Up The Volume" was nominated for a Grammy in 1989 for best pop instrumental performance.

10. "Mad World" was originally a 1982 hit for Tears For Fears. A cover version by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules was recorded for the soundtrack to a 2001 film and became a 2003 Christmas number one in the UK. What was the name of the film?

Answer: Donnie Darko

The version of "Mad World" by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules is slower than the original with a simpler stripped back producution and a darker feel.

The film and DVD sparked a cult following in the UK and the song was taken off the soundtrack as a single. Following its success in the UK in the winter of 2003/2004 it has charted in a number of other countries.

The other answers were all films released in 2001.

Source: Author Helmar

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ralzzz before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

UK One Hit Wonders Quiz for Experts | International Music

All these singles were one hit wonders in the UK. Most will also be known internationally.

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