US Number One Hits of Christmas Past Quiz

Answer: Frankie Avalon

"Why", written by Robert Marcucci/Peter De Angelis was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for Frankie Avalon in 1959/60 It peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart in 1960. He never reached the Billboard Top 20 again.

Frankie Avalon had a previous number one hit when "Venus" topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks in 1959. Two more successful versions of "Why" entered the UK Singles Chart in the 20th century. Anthony Newley's version was number one for four weeks in 1960 and Donny Osmond's version peaked at number three in 1972.

Answer: Are You Lonesomer Tonight

"Are You Lonesome Tonight" was written by Roy Turk/Lou Handman (1926). It was number one for six weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Elvis Presley in 1960/61. It was number one for four weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1961.

The parody version of "Are You Lonesome Tonight" was recorded in 1969 but not releaased until 1980, as part of the Elvis Aron Presley box set. In 1982 this "laughing version" was popular on radio in the UK where it was released as a single and peaked at number 25 on the UK Singles Chart.

Answer: I Feel Fine

"I Feel Fine" was written by John Lennon but credited to Lennon/McCartney. It was number one for three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Beatles in 1964/65. It was number one for five weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1964/65.

John Lennon admitted that the guitar riff in "I Feel Fine" was heavily influenced by the guitar riff in Bobby Parker's "Watch Your Step", a number 51 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. In 1964 (their first year on the Billboard Hot 100), The Beatles had six number one hits and spent a total of 18 weeks at number one.

Answer: My Sweet Lord

"My Sweet Lord" written by George Harrison was number one for four weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for George Harrison in 1970/71. It was number one for five weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1971.

"Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" written by Paul McCartney/Linda McCartney was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for Paul McCartney in 1971. It was not released as a single in the UK.

"Photograph" written by Richard Starkey/George Harrison was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for Ringo Starr in 1973. It peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

"Whatever Gets You Through The Night" written by John Lennon was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for John Lennon in 1974. It peaked at number 36 on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

Answer: Pina Colada

"Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" written by Rupert Holmes was number one for three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Rupert Holmes in 1979/80. It peaked at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart in 1980.

Ruoert Holmes was born David Goldstein in Northwich, Cheshire, England, in 1947. The family moved to Nanuet, New York, when he was six years old. He had one other Top 20 hit when "Him" peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980. He wrote the 1985 musical "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and created the TV show "Remember WENN".

Answer: (Just Like) Starting Over

"(Just Like) Starting Over" written by John Lennon was number one for five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for John Lennon in 1980/81. It was number one for one week on the UK Singles Chart in 1980/81.

John Lennon had one other US number one hit with "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night". All three of the other former Beatles had a number of US number one hits before John Lennon had his first. George Harrison had two, Paul McCartney had three and Ringo Starr (the only former Beatle not to have had a number one hit in the UK), had two.

Answer: Like A Virgin

"Like A Virgin", written by Tom Kelly/Billy Steinberg, was number one for six weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Madonna in 1984/85. It peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart in 1994.

The first two releases by Madonna "Everybody" (1982) and "Burning Up (1983), failed to hit the Billboard Hot 100. Her first US chart entry was "Holiday" (number 16), followed by "Borderline" (number 10) and "Lucky Star" (number 4). Maddona went on to have 11 number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 28 weeks at number one, in the 20th century.

Answer: Dolly Parton

"I Will Always Love You" written by Dolly Parton was number one for 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Whitney Houston in 1992/93. It was number one for 10 weeks on the UK Singles Chart the same years.

In 1974 the original recording of "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton was number one on the Billboard Country Chart and in 1982 a re-recording of the song by Dolly Parton also went to number one on the Billboard Country Chart. The song peaked at number 53 for Dolly Parton on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982. In 1995 the song again entered the Billboard Country Chart and peaked at number 15 for Dolly Parton & Vince Gill. At one time Elvis Presley was interested in recording the song but when his manager demanded 50% of the publishing rights, Dolly Parton turned him down.

Answer: Blank Space

"Blank Space" was written by Taylor Swift/Max Martin/Shellback. It was number one for seven weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Taylor Swift in 2014/15. It peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart in 2014.

Taylor Swift made chart history in 2014 when she became the first woman to replace herself at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift was number one for two weeks in September, that was replaced at number one by Megan Trainer with "All About That Bass" for eight weeks in September, October and November. "Shake It Off" returned to number one for two weeks in November and was replaced at number one by Taylor Swift with "Blank Space" in November.

Answer: Mariah Carey

"All I Want For Christmas Is You" written by Mariah Carey/Walter Afanasieff was number one for three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Mariah Carey in 2019/2020. It was number one for two weeks on the UK Singles chart in 2020.

"All I Want For Christmas Is You" was originally released on Mariah Carey's 1994 album "Merry Christmas". It took over 25 years from its original release to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100. It was only the second Christmas song to reach the top. The first, "The Chipmunk Song", spent four weeks at the top for David Seville & The Chipmunks in 1958/59.