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Quiz about Who Wrote That Seventies Number One

Who Wrote That 'Seventies Number One? Quiz

All of these singles reached number one in the UK during the 'seventies. Do you know who wrote them? Most are easy but there maybe one or two surprises.

A multiple-choice quiz by Mutchisman. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Mutchisman

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
251,418

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1479

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Matthew's Southern Comfort had a UK number one in 1970 with "Woodstock", a song celebrating the famous rock festival. It was a cover of a number written by whom? Hint

Carly Simon

Judy Collins

Carole King

Joni Mitchell

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Question 2 of 10

2. On the back of his performances as TV cop Kojak, Telly Savalas had a surprise number one in 1974 with a cover of "If". Which of these people had written the song? Hint

David Gates

Glen Frey

David Crosby

Randy Newman

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Question 3 of 10

3. Rod Stewart had several number ones in the 70s including "First Cut is the Deepest" in 1977. Who had penned this originally? Hint

Neil Sedaka

Donovan

John Lennon

Cat Stevens

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Question 4 of 10

4. Well-known record producer Mike Batt could also turn his hand to songwriting; which of these number one hits did he compose? Hint

"Billy Don't Be a Hero "by Paper Lace

"Sad Sweet Dreamer "by Sweet Sensation

"Ring My Bell "by Anita Ward

"Bright Eyes" by Art Garfunkel

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Question 5 of 10

5. Lena Martell hit top spot with "One Day at a Time" in 1979. Any ideas who wrote this song? Hint

Leonard Cohen

Kris Kristfferson

Billy Joel

Neil Diamond

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Question 6 of 10

6. "Grandad" by Clive Dunn was a toe-curlingly awful novelty number one in 1971. It was co-written by Kenny Picket and which bassist? (Clue; he helped Lou Reed to "Walk on the Wild Side".) Hint

Herbie Flowers

Paul McCartney

Jack Bruce

John Paul Jones

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Question 7 of 10

7. Now for some real schmaltz! "Puppy Love" by Donny Osmond got to number one in 1972. Who was responsible for this? Hint

Billy Joel

Warren Zevon

Paul Simon

Paul Anka

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Question 8 of 10

8. Nicki Chinn and Mike Chapman were on a real roll as songwriters back in the early 70s. Which of these number ones did they NOT write? Hint

"Blockbuster" by Sweet

"Tiger Feet "by Mud

"Sugar Baby Love" by The Rubettes

"Can the Can" by Suzi Quatro

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Question 9 of 10

9. David Cassidy hit number one in 1972 with a double A-side. One song was "Daydreamer" written by Terry Dempsey. This was coupled with "The Puppy Song"; who do you think wrote this? Hint

Neil Diamond

Neil Sedaka

Harry Nilsson

Billy Joel

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Question 10 of 10

10. Scottish comedian Billy Connolly got to number one in 1975 with D.I.V.O.R.C.E..It was a parody of a song by which country artist? Hint

Tammy Wynette

Billie Jo Spears

Linda Ronstadt

Crystal Gayle

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Matthew's Southern Comfort had a UK number one in 1970 with "Woodstock", a song celebrating the famous rock festival. It was a cover of a number written by whom?

Answer: Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell neither performed at nor visited the Woodstock festival but wrote this song anyway. Matthew's Southern Comfort were a one hit wonder and never charted again.

2. On the back of his performances as TV cop Kojak, Telly Savalas had a surprise number one in 1974 with a cover of "If". Which of these people had written the song?

Answer: David Gates

David Gates' band Bread never had a number one hit in the UK. Two of his songs hit the top spot in the 'seventies recorded by other artists: In addition to Telly's rendition of "If", Ken Boothe took a reggae version of "Everything I Own" to number one, also in 1974.

3. Rod Stewart had several number ones in the 70s including "First Cut is the Deepest" in 1977. Who had penned this originally?

Answer: Cat Stevens

"First Cut is the Deepest" was a double A-side c/w "I Don't Want to Talk about It". Cat Stevens had five hit albums in the early 70s before becoming disenchanted with the music industry. He became a follower of the Muslim faith and changed his name to Yusuf Islam.

4. Well-known record producer Mike Batt could also turn his hand to songwriting; which of these number one hits did he compose?

Answer: "Bright Eyes" by Art Garfunkel

It was Mike Batt, of course, who produced the children's TV show "The Wombles", bringing us such classics as "Remember You're a Womble" and "We Wish You a Wombling Merry Christmas".
"Bright Eyes" featured in the animated movie "Watership Down".

5. Lena Martell hit top spot with "One Day at a Time" in 1979. Any ideas who wrote this song?

Answer: Kris Kristfferson

"One Day at a Time" was Lena's only hit single, although she did have several albums which made the top ten.
Kris Kristofferson joined a long list of singer/songwriters who relied on other artists taking one of their songs to number one.

6. "Grandad" by Clive Dunn was a toe-curlingly awful novelty number one in 1971. It was co-written by Kenny Picket and which bassist? (Clue; he helped Lou Reed to "Walk on the Wild Side".)

Answer: Herbie Flowers

So the guy who gave us one of the most instantly recognisable basslines in music history also helped to give us this! Cheers Herbie. Clive Dunn never bothered the charts again, so very sad.

7. Now for some real schmaltz! "Puppy Love" by Donny Osmond got to number one in 1972. Who was responsible for this?

Answer: Paul Anka

Paul Anka got to number one in the 50s with "Diana" when he was still a teenager.
Donny Osmond and his brothers scored another 70s number one with "Crazy Horses".

8. Nicki Chinn and Mike Chapman were on a real roll as songwriters back in the early 70s. Which of these number ones did they NOT write?

Answer: "Sugar Baby Love" by The Rubettes

"Sugar Baby Love" was written by Wayne Bickerton and Tony Waddington
Nicki Chinn and Mike Chapman wrote many hit records in the 'seventies including five number ones.

9. David Cassidy hit number one in 1972 with a double A-side. One song was "Daydreamer" written by Terry Dempsey. This was coupled with "The Puppy Song"; who do you think wrote this?

Answer: Harry Nilsson

1972 was a good year for Harry Nilsson; not only did he write this song for David Cassidy, he also had a number one success himself with "Without You", a song that would be taken back to the top by Maria Carey in 1994.

10. Scottish comedian Billy Connolly got to number one in 1975 with D.I.V.O.R.C.E..It was a parody of a song by which country artist?

Answer: Tammy Wynette

Tammy Wynette scored a number one hit with "Stand by your Man" in 1975. The follow-up "DIVORCE" only got to number twelve in the UK.
Billy Connolly went on to have three more hits, all of them parodies.

Source: Author Mutchisman

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