UK number 1s 1962 Multiple Choice Quiz | 1960s Music

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What a year 1962 was. The number one singles that year spent an average of four weeks on the top spot. That being so how many records were actually number one and how many different artists reached number 1? Records/Artists

Answer: 12 / 8

There were 12 different number ones by eight different artists in the UK charts in 1962.
Elvis spent a total of 15 weeks in the top spot with four separate recordings.
The Shadows were there for eight weeks as a solo band and six weeks as Cliff Richards' backing group.
Frank Ifield spent 12 weeks on top with two different recordings

2. The first hit in the UK in 1962 was by Cliff Richard and the Shadows. Containing the lyrics: "Once in every lifetime Comes a love like this I need you,You need me Oh, my darling, can't you see That young dreams Should be dreams together And young hearts Shouldn't be afraid". What number one is this?

Answer: The Young Ones

The title song of the 1961 film 'The Young Ones' (American title 'Wonderful to be Young') was the first record to reach number one in the UK in 1962.

*Useless information* What can be said about Cliff Richard? The most successful UK artist ever, selling in excess of 150 million singles world wide. He is the only singer to have had a number one hit in every decade from 1950 - 2000 in the UK and was the only artist to have had top 40 Billboard hits in every decade between 1950 and 1980.

3. Frank Ifield spent a total of 12 weeks at number one with two recordings. Which one was his first hit of 1962?

Answer: I Remember You

Frank Ifield was born in England but emigrated to Australia at the age of 9.
'I Remember You' was written in 1941 by Victor Schertzinger with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Frank Ifield reached number one in the UK in July 1962 it also reached number five on the Billboard charts in the US.

*Useless information* 'I Remember You' was used as background music in the film 'Star Trek III: The Search For Spock'.
Frank Ifield recorded his first song in Australia at the age of 13. By the time he was 19 he was one of the top recording stars 'Down Under'.

4. B. Bumble and the Stingers reached number one in 1962 with which musical composition based on a ballet by Tchaikovsky?

Answer: Nut Rocker

'Nut Rocker' was based on 'The Nutcracker Suite'. Originally this track was recorded by H.B.(Pee Wee) Barnum under the name Jack B. Nimble and the Quicks.

*Useless information* The B. Bumble and the Stingers who recorded 'Nut Rocker' never actually existed, they were a group of session musicians who worked at the 'Rendezvous Records' recording studio in Los Angeles. The group that toured the UK were hastily formed to promote a follow-up single 'Apple Knocker'. This was based on 'The William Tell Overture'.

5. The first UK number one for Elvis in 1962 was 'Rock A Hula Baby'. Which film, starring Elvis Presley, was this record from?

Answer: Blue Hawaii

Yes, 'Rock Hula Baby' was a song from 'Blue Hawaii', Elvis' eighth film.

*Useless information* In 'Blue Hawaii' Angela Lansbury played the mother of Chad Gates (Elvis Presley) Angela was 35 years old when the movie was relesaed, Elvis was 26.

6. Scraping the bottom of the barrel with this song. Number one in the UK in June 1962 was a 'comedy' song recorded by Mike Sarne and Wendy Richard. A two word title, what was it called? 'Come...'

Answer: Outside

The story of a young lad (Mike Sarne) at a dance trying to persuade a girl (Wendy Richard) to 'Come Outside' with him for a bit of 'romancing!'. This is interspersed with her giving her excuses not to until she finally gives in (or did she?).

"Come outside,(lay off) come outside (shove it)
There's a lovely moon out there (you are a one)
Come outside,(all right) come outside (not for too long)
While we got time for a bit of slap and tickle (I'll slap and tickle you in a minute)
Oh come out for a bit of..."

*Useless information* Wendy Richard went on to become a succesful TV actress, best known for her portrayal of Miss Brahms in the TV sit-com 'Are You Being Served' and later as Pauline Fowler in the British soap 'Eastenders'.

7. Frankie Vaughan spent two weeks at number one with 'I Can't Stop Lovin' You'.

Answer: False

Ray Charles had a UK number one with 'I Can't Stop Lovin' You' in July 1962.
Frankie Vaughan did not.

8. 'Telstar' was a hit for The Tornados in October 1962 on both sides of the Atlantic. What was the song named after?

Answer: A communications satellite

Telstar was launched by the US in July 1962. It was the first satelitte to broadcast TV signals.
The Tornados began life as an 'in house' group, playing on many recordings that were produced by Joe Meek.

*Useless information* Joe Meek, the writer/producer of 'Telstar', was accused of plagiarism by a French composer (Jean Ledrut). Ledrut claimed that 'Telstar' was copied from his own composition, 'La Marche d'Austerlitz', which had been written for the French film 'Austerlitz'. The courts finally found in Meek's favour... three weeks after his death in 1967.

9. Another instrumental record was number one from the 22nd March 1962. It was entitled 'Wonderful Land', who played this wonderful track?

Answer: The Shadows

The Shadows. One of the most succesful instrumental bands in the world. 69 top 40 hits in the UK - 34 recorded as The Shadows and 35 as Cliff Richard's backing band.

*Useless information* 'Wonderful Land' topped the UK charts for eight weeks. the longest run of any recording during the 1960s.

10. The UKs Christmas number one in 1962 was sung by Elvis Presley. His fourth number one of the year was entitled 'Return to ...' who?

Answer: Sender

Of course it was 'Return to Sender'. This track was sung by Elvis in the 1962 film 'Girls, Girls, Girls'.

*Useless information* 'Return to Sender' has become a common song to be heard at funerals in England

Source: Author DaveH1960

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

UK number 1s 1962 Trivia Quiz

Now on to 1962 and the UK number one hits for this year.

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