US Top Forty Songs from 1966 with One-Word Titles Quiz

Answer: Cher

Cher and Cilla Black both released their of single "Alfie" in 1966. Dionne Warwick's version came out a year later. Cilla's version barely hit the US Billboard 100, topping out at Number 95. Cher reached Number 32 when the song was released as a single from her "Cher" LP but Warwick's single fared best when it made Number 15. It was included on her 1966 "Here Where There Is Love" album.
Sandie Shaw was originally offered the Burt Bacharach and Hal David composition for the soundtrack of the 1966 British film "Alfie" that starred Michael Caine but turned it down.

Carla Thomas had a Top Twenty single in 1966 with "B-A-B-Y". "How Does That Grab You, Darlin'?" went to Number Seven for Nancy Sinatra the same year. "I Couldn't Live Without Your Love" was a 1966 Petula Clark Top Ten.

Answer: Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney dated Peter Asher's sister Jane from 1963 to 1968. Paul composed the duo's 1964 US Number One single "A World Without Love" and went on to write "Nobody I Know" and "I Don't Want To See You Again". When he composed "Woman" he used the pseudonym Barnard Webb to see if the fact he had written the previous songs had any impact on their popularity. Although the song only reached Number 28 in Britain it was a US Top Twenty.
Peter Asher went on to become the head of A and R for Apple Records. Gordon Waller attempted a solo career when the duo dissolved in 1968.
Other cover songs released by Peter and Gordon included Del Shannon's "I Go to Pieces" and "True Love Ways" written by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty.

Answer: Recovery

"Recovery" was Fontella Bass' last US Top Forty single. Her mother was a Gospel singer who was a member of The Clara Ward Singers. By the age of five she was accompanying her mother on the piano and touring with her mother throughout the Southwest. In her teens she became attracted to Pop and Rhythm and Blues music and began performing at school functions, becoming a member of The Oliver Sain Soul Revue featuring Fontella and Bobby McClure.
She left the band and relocated to Chicago to pursue a solo career. After signing with a number of labels she released "Rescue Me" for Chess Records. It became the label's first million selling record in a decade.
"Goldfinger" was a 1965 Top Ten single by Shirley Bassey. "Free" was the title of a 1972 Fontella Bass album. In 2001 Fontella released her "Travelin'" album.

Answer: Spinout

"Spinout" starred Elvis Presley as a singer in a band who was also a part-time race driver. Shelley Fabares starred as his love interest. Only two singles were released from the movie soundtrack. "All That I Am" peaked at Number 41 and "Spinout" stalled at Number 40.
In an attempt to record a more contemporary soundtrack Elvis recorded a Bob Dylan composition, "Tomorrow is a Long Time" for the film but it was not released as a single. Bob Dylan related in a 1969 "Rolling Stone" interview that he treasured Elvis' rendition of the song.
The "Spinout" album was Elvis 27th album release. The album fared better than the singles, making it to Number 18 on the album charts.

"Roustabout" was a 1964 film. "Speedway" was released in 1968 and "Clambake" came out in 1967.

Answer: Satisfaction

Otis Redding recorded "Satisfaction" on his "Otis Blue" album in 1965. Redding didn't adhere closely to the lyrics as written and recorded by The Rolling Stones. Otis used a horn section for the signature riff of his version. Ironically Keith Richards wanted horns to play the riff for their 1965 US Number One single but compromised on a guitar.
The Rolling Stones recorded their original release at Chess Records studios in Chicago. Otis' version was done at The Stax Recording Studios in Memphis.

The Rolling Stones released "Dandelion" in 1967. "Happy" didn't come out until 1972 and "Think" was a cut from the Stone's 1966 "Aftermath" album.

Answer: Mame

Jerry Herman composed "Mame" in the fifties for the Broadway musical of the same name. The book the play was adapted from was titled "My Best Girl". Rosalind Russell played the lead on Broadway and in the 1958 film "Auntie Mame".
Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass scored their first major hit in 1962 with "The Lonely Bull". The band released successful albums and singles throughout the sixties. "S.R.O." was Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass' seventh album release. The album made it to Number Two on the charts.

"Mama" was a Number 22 single from B J Thomas. "Brasilia" was recorded for the "What Now My Love" (1966) album but not released as a single. "Popsicle" was a Number 21 single recorded by Jan and Dean.

Answer: True

"Along Comes Mary" was released in 1966 and made the US Top Ten, peaking at Number Seven. Later the same year "Cherish" topped the charts for The Association. Band member Terry Kirkman composed the ballad. Kirkman had worked with Frank Zappa before Zappa formed The Mothers of Invention. "Cherish" went to Number One where it stayed for three weeks.
A group of musicians calling themselves The Men began performing regularly at a Los Angeles club called The Troubadour. After a succession of potential members the band eventually formed as The Association.
In 1972 David Cassidy recorded a version of "Cherish" for his album "Cherish" (1972).

Answer: The Lovin' Spoonful

The Lovin' Spoonful released "Daydream" in 1966 and also scored a Number One single with "Summer in the City" that year. Elektra Records and Kama Sutra Records wrangled with each other for the rights to record The Lovin' Spoonful. Kama Sutra Records prevailed and the group from New York City's Folk scene released "Do You Believe in Magic" in 1965. The group evolved into songwriters and consistently placed songs in the US Top Forty including "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice", "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?" and "Six O'Clock".

"California Dreamin" by The Mamas and The Papas reached Number Four in 1966. Herman's Hermits had a Number Five hit single with "Dandy". "Respectable" was a Number 15 single from The Outsiders.

Answer: Hungry

Both "Hungry" and "Kicks" were Top Ten singles from Paul Revere and the Raiders in 1966. Although the band consistently placed it songs on the US Top Twenty in the sixties they would not have a Number One hit until 1971 with "Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)".
The year 1966 proved to be a good year for the band. Their three albums released that year; "Just Like Us!", "Midnight Ride" and "The Spirit of '67" all went Gold. They were also featured regularly on the television show "Where the Action Is".

"Gloria" was a Top Ten by The Shadows of Knight. "Barefootin'" was a Dance hit by Robert Parker that went to Number Seven in 1966 and "Somewhere" by Len Barry went to Number 26 the same year.

Answer: Billy Stewart

Billy Stewart began his singing career performing with his brothers as The 4 Stewart Brothers, eventually becoming regulars on a local radio show in the Washington, DC, area. Bo Diddley heard Stewart playing piano and recruited him for his backing band. The affiliation resulted in Stewart being signed with Diddley's label, Chess Records.In the early sixties he began releasing minor hit singles. In 1966 he included an uptempo rendition of "Summertime" on his "Unbelievable" album. The song became Stewart's biggest chart success.

"Backstage" was a Number 25 single by Gene Pitney. In 1966 Ronnie Dove released a version of "Cry" that went to Number 18. Bobby Hebb took "Sunny" to Number Two the same year.