Who Recorded It First? Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Drifters

Originally recorded by The Drifters in 1954, the record raced up the Rhythm and Blues charts peaking at number two, the record received little or no airplay on mainstream radio as the song was deemed to be too suggestive. The song was written by Lincoln Chase who wrote a number of songs notably, "Jim Dandy" for LaVern Baker and "The Name Game" for Shirley Ellis.

In 1954 Johnnie Ray recorded "Such A Night" and took it to the top twenty on the Billboard pop chart. Elvis Presley included the song on his 1960 album "Elvis is Back" from which the song was lifted for a 1964 single release. Elvis's version was a top twenty hit on the Billboard hot 100 and the UK charts.

In Australia the single release was a huge hit and was climbing to its peak of number five when The Beatles with, "She's A Woman/I Feel Fine" and Elvis himself with "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby/Ask Me' Halted its progress.

Answer: The Band

"The Weight" was written and recorded by The Band for their album "Music From the Big Pink" and released as a single in 1968. Much has been written about The Band and their legacy to rock music. Suffice to say they were multi instrumentalists and a very tight playing ensemble and were an inspiration to many who followed.

There have been many cover versions of "The Weight". Aretha Franklin had a top twenty in 1969, Jackie DeShannon number 69 in 1968 both of these versions were on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1993 Jimmy Barnes with The Badloves had a top five hit with the song in Australia and New Zealand.

Answer: Badfinger

"Without You" was written by Peter Ham and Tom Evans of Badfinger and the song was included on the album "No Dice" in 1970. The song has taken on a life of its own and is a lament to lost love, "I can't live if living is without you". Ironically both of the writers died of suicide. the song achieved great success when recorded by (Harry) Nillson in 1972 staying at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks, it also topped the UK and Australian charts.

The version by Mariah Carey released in 1994 made number three in the US and Australia and topped the charts in the UK.

Answer: Willie Mae Thornton

Originally rerecorded by Willie Mae (Big Mama) Thornton in 1952 the song spent fourteen weeks on the Billboard R & B chart, seven of those at number one. Recorded in 1956 by both Elvis Presley and Freddie Bell and the Bellboys with altered lyrics, as the original lyrics were considered too racy for 1956. Freddie Bell's version was a big regional hit around the eastern USA but did not chart nationally. Alan Freed was impressed by this version so asked for them to be included in the movie "Rock Around the Clock".

It was however, Elvis Presley's version that we all are familiar with. "Hound Dog" backed with "Don't Be Cruel" became Elvis's best charting single spending eleven weeks atop the Billboard Pop Chart.

The song has been recorded by many artists including Australia's Sherbet who placed "Hound Dog' on the Australian top thirty in 1973.

Answer: Nat King Cole

Written by Jazz pianist and songwriter Bobby Troup, "Route 66" was first recorded by Nat King Cole in 1946 who had an R&B and Pop hit with the song. Also, in 1946 Bing Crosby released a version which made the top twenty of the best sellers list. Chuck Berry released a version of the song on his 1961 album "New Jukebox Hits".

The Rolling Stones recorded the song in 1964 and it was included on their first album. Using Chuck Berry's arrangement of the song it was released as a single in Australia in 1965 it was the group's fifth consecutive top ten hit.

The song has been recorded by many artists including an interesting arrange by The Brian Setzer orchestra where the middle break is "The Route 66" television theme.

Answer: The Top Notes

Written by Bert Russell (Bert Berns) and Phil Medley "Twist and Shout" was first recorded by The Top Notes in 1961. The Isley Brothers released a version in 1962 which was their best chart entry to date and it was this version the Beatles copied for their 1964 release.

The Beatles version was the best selling and best chart performing version of the song which has been recorded by many artists varying from Brian Poole and the Tremeloes to Bruce Springsteen.

Answer: Hank Ballard (and the Midniters)

Written and originally recorded by Hank Ballard in 1959, "The Twist" was the B-side of "Teardrops on Your Letter". The release barely charted, but in 1960 when Chubby Checker's version raced up the charts the record was re-released with "The Twist" as the A-side, Hank and his band, The Midniters had a hit in 1953 with "Work With Me Annie" and later with "Cute Little Ways" (originally titled "Sexy Ways") Both titles were deemed too risqué for the mainstream audience. Ballard had further top ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100 with, "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go and "Finger Poppin' Time" Hank Ballard's song "Cute Little Ways" with the lyric and tempo changed became a top ten hit in Australia for Johnny O'Keefe as "Shake Baby Shake".

When recorded by Chubby Checker in 1960 "The Twist" raced up the charts to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. This recording made the top ten in Australia and the top twenty in the UK. Chubby recorded the song again in 1961 and this version was number one again in 1962 on the Billboard Hot 100, number five in the UK and number three in Australia. The record started a cultural revolution; "The Twist" enabled people to dance with each other and not touch.
Furthermore, even the two left footed author of this quiz, could do the twist.

Answer: The Beatles

"How Do You Do It" was recorded, but not released, by the Beatles at the behest of George Martin, who had received the song from the writer, Mitch Murray. According to legend the Beatles reluctantly recorded the song then did not release it instead favouring their own composition "Love Me Do". George Martin then offered the song to Gerry and The Pacemakers, who recorded it and were the first to release it, took the song to number one on the British charts.

The version by The Beatles was not released until late 1995 on the "Anthology 1" album

Answer: Elvis Presley

Also known as "Let's Have A Party" the song was originally recorded by Elvis Presley as "Party" for his movie "Loving You". Released as a single in the UK, it raced up to the number two position which it held for three weeks. In 1960 the wild version by Wanda Jackson was released and became a top forty hit. Mud and Paul McCartney also recorded the song.

Answer: Larry Williams

Larry Williams recorded "Dizzy Miss Lizzie" in 1958. The song reached number 69 on the Billboard pop chart much less successful than his earlier hits, "Short Fat Fannie" and "Bony Moronie". "Dizzy Miss Lizzie" was recorded by The Beatles, Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks and the Plastic Ono Band. Larry Williams recorded some good songs in the 1950's but his chart successes were minimal. The Beatles recorded many of his tunes, "Bad Boy", "Slow Down" and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy". His original version of "Short Fat Fannie" is a rock and roll classic.