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Quiz about US Hits With NonEnglish Lyrics

U.S. Hits With Non-English Lyrics Quiz

When "Top 40 Radio" ruled the airwaves you would get a variety of songs. Here are songs with non-English lyrics that made the Billboard Charts.

A multiple-choice quiz by JRooowe. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
JRooowe

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
404,623

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
248

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 81 (2/10), Guest 120 (3/10), Guest 98 (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The theme song from 1962 film "Rome Adventure" reached Number Six on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts.
The Italian tune was "Al Di La"... but who had the hit? Hint

Topo Gigio

Carmen Basilio

Louis Prima

Emilio Pericoli

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Question 2 of 10

2. In 1963 Kyu Sakamoto became the first (and so far only) singer to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart singing in Japanese. What was the song? Hint

Sukiyaki

Bali Hai

Tokyo Nights

Ling Ting Tong

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. In 1963 Ray Barretto made the Billboard Hot 100 charts with this Spanish spoken-word/instrumental record. What was that unusual hit? Hint

Amor

Seven Spanish Angels

Los Hokey Pokey

El Watusi

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Question 4 of 10

4. Sung in German, "Sailor (Your Home Is the Sea)" entered the Billboard Hot 100 charts in October of 1960. It made it to Number Five. Who sang this international hit? Hint

Little Peggy March

Lolita

Gitte

Connie Francis

5. It was a massive U.S. hit, reaching Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1958. Translated, the original lyrics began: "I think such a dream will never come back I painted my hands and my face blue." What is the title most associated with this song? Hint

Darling Je Vous Aime Beaucoup

Volare

The Three Bells

Eh Cumpari

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Question 6 of 10

6. Sung in French by The Singing Nun (Soeur Sourire), "Dominique" spent four weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts in late 1963. Eventually The Singing Nun left the convent. What name did she assume? Hint

Jeannine Deckers

Claudine Longet

Edith Piaf

Janice Joplin

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. In 1967 Miriam Makeba managed to land a Top 20 hit record on the Billboard Hot 100... singing in Xhosa. What was the song? Hint

The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh)

Pata Pata

Zabadak

African Waltz

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. In January of 1974 Mocedades entered the Billboard Hot 100 with their only hit record. It was a big one though, and reached the Top Ten. What was that song? Hint

Spanish Eyes

The Macarena

Vaya Con Dios

Eres Tu (Touch the Wind)

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. In late 1957 a rollicking German-language song by Will Glahe and his Orchestra entered the Billboard Top 100 charts. It stayed for 23 weeks. What was the name of this tune? Hint

The Liechtensteiner Polka

Wonderland By Night

Berlin Melody

Wooden Heart

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Some song titles would make you think they have non-English lyrics (other than just the title). Which of these recordings actually does? Hint

"Spanish Harlem" - Ben E. King

"Fraulein" - Bobby Helms

"Guantanamera" - Sandpipers

"Pepino the Italian Mouse" - Lou Monte

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Nov 15 2024 : Guest 81: 2/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The theme song from 1962 film "Rome Adventure" reached Number Six on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts. The Italian tune was "Al Di La"... but who had the hit?

Answer: Emilio Pericoli

The film starred Troy Donohue and Suzanne Pleshette; they eventually were married (for a short time) in real life. Pericoli never had another U.S. hit record. When last seen Topo Gigio was a gondolier in Venice.

2. In 1963 Kyu Sakamoto became the first (and so far only) singer to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart singing in Japanese. What was the song?

Answer: Sukiyaki

He was a very popular singer in Japan. "Sukiyaki" held the Number One spot on the Billboard Hot 100 charts for three weeks; it was his only Top 40 hit in the U.S. In 1985 Kyu was killed, along with 519 others, when their airliner crashed into a mountain in Japan. He was only 43 years old.

3. In 1963 Ray Barretto made the Billboard Hot 100 charts with this Spanish spoken-word/instrumental record. What was that unusual hit?

Answer: El Watusi

Ray's record made it to Number 17 on the charts and was his only Billboard hit. In 1993 Ray won a Grammy for his album "Ritmo en el coraz�n ("Rhythm in the Heart")." It featured Celia Cruz and was for "Best Tropical Latin Album."

4. Sung in German, "Sailor (Your Home Is the Sea)" entered the Billboard Hot 100 charts in October of 1960. It made it to Number Five. Who sang this international hit?

Answer: Lolita

The song was recorded by many singers in several languages. Petula Clark's English version was her first Number One UK hit. Besides the U.S., Lolita's version was a major hit in in such diverse countries as Germany, Australia, Japan, and Norway.

Answer: Volare

The Italian song "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)" by Domenico Modugno held the top spot on the Billboard charts for five weeks. It was covered by many artists (under the title "Volare") including Dean Martin, Bobby Rydell, Al Martino, and the McGuire Sisters. Modugno's version won the FIRST Grammy as "Record of the Year" as well one for "Song of the Year." It was Modugno's only Top 40 hit in the U.S.

Answer: Jeannine Deckers

She was the first Belgian born singer to have a Number One hit in the U.S. In 1983, after enduring career setbacks and ongoing financial hardship Jeannine and her close friend, Annie Pechler, committed suicide by taking overdoses of barbiturates and alcohol. Ms. Deckers was only 51 years old.

7. In 1967 Miriam Makeba managed to land a Top 20 hit record on the Billboard Hot 100... singing in Xhosa. What was the song?

Answer: Pata Pata

Xhosa is an official language of South Africa and Zimbabwe. It is spoken by over 20 million people. In 1965 Ms. Makeba was the first African singer to win a Grammy; she won for her album "An Evening With Belefonte/Makeba."

8. In January of 1974 Mocedades entered the Billboard Hot 100 with their only hit record. It was a big one though, and reached the Top Ten. What was that song?

Answer: Eres Tu (Touch the Wind)

"Eres Tu" made it to Number Nine, and was in the "Hot 100" for 17 weeks. The song was Spain's entry in 1973s Eurovision Song Contest. It came in second. There was some controversy over the song because the refrain melody was identical to that of a Yugoslavian entry of 1966. Nobody pursued the matter and it passed.

9. In late 1957 a rollicking German-language song by Will Glahe and his Orchestra entered the Billboard Top 100 charts. It stayed for 23 weeks. What was the name of this tune?

Answer: The Liechtensteiner Polka

"The Liechtensteiner Polka" peaked at Number 17. Back in 1939 Glahe's recording of "Beer Barrel Polka" reached the Number One spot on the Billboard charts. He had three other Top 20 hits within a year.

10. Some song titles would make you think they have non-English lyrics (other than just the title). Which of these recordings actually does?

Answer: "Guantanamera" - Sandpipers

The Los Angeles trio made it to Number Nine on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in the summer of 1966. The Liza Minnelli film "The Sterile Cuckoo" featured The Sandpipers' recording of "Come Saturday Morning." It was their last Top 40 hit.

Source: Author JRooowe

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