Billboard Number Ones - 1960 Online Quiz | 1960s Music

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The first hit of 1960 was sung by Marty Robbins. Can you recall which Texas town the narrator of the song was returning to when he was shot?

Answer: El Paso

Released in October 1959 'El Paso' reached number one on the Billboard charts on January 4th 1960.

*Useless information* In 1966 Marty Robbins released a sequel to 'El Paso', entitled 'Feleena (From El Paso)' this song told the life story of Feleena, the girl in the original song, and how she shot herself after 'our hero' died in her arms.

2. Who had a hit in 1960 with 'Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini'?

Answer: Brian Hyland

Brian Hyland is also known for 'Sealed With a Kiss' and 'Ginny Come Lately'. 'Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini' was his first hit, reaching the number one spot in August 1960.

*Useless information* There have been many cover versions of 'Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini' released around the world in many different languages including: Finnish "Pikku pikku bikiniss�"; Bulgarian 'Bathing Tulips'; and even a Cuban propaganda song entitled 'El Cohete Americano' (roughly 'American Rocket').

3. Whose orchestra had a number one hit in 1960 with 'Theme From a Summer Place'? First AND last name.

Answer: Percy Faith

Originally written for the 1959 film 'A Summer Place', where it was performed by Hugo Winterhalter, Percy Faith has recorded probably the best known version which reached number one in February 1960.

*Useless information* 'Theme From a Summer Place', by Percy Faith, spent an - at the time unprecedented - nine weeks at number one. A record that has not been beaten by an instrumental track since.

4. Mark Dinning reached number one in 1960 with a song which started with the words: 'That fateful night, the car was stalled, upon the railroad track. I pulled you out and we were safe, but you went running back.' Who did go running back?

Answer: Teen Angel

Reaching number one in February 1960 and spending two weeks in that spot, 'Teen Angel' was Mark Dinning's most successful recording. It is probably best remembered for the last few lines; "I'll never kiss your lips again, they buried you today!". This recording, along with 'El Paso' by Marty Robbins, began a run of similar style records in which somebody died tragically.

*Useless information* 'Teen Angel' was 'allegedly' banned by many radio stations because of the subject matter.

5. 'Cathy's Clown' was a number one for The Everly Brothers. What were their first names?

Answer: Don and Phil

Five weeks at number one for this classic tune (May 1960 to June 1960) which was The Everly's fourth and final US number one.

*Useless information* The Everly Brothers recorded 26 Billboard Top 40 singles and 35 Billboard Top 100 singles. They have had more Top 100 Billboard singles than any other duo and are second only to Hall and Oates for the most Top 40 singles by any duo.

6. Brenda Lee, Little Miss Dynamite, reached number one in July of 1960 with 'I'm Sorry'; how old was she when this song reached the top spot?

Answer: 15

Brenda Lee was born in December 1944 making her only 15 years and six months old when 'I'm Sorry' was released.

*Useless information* 'I'm Sorry' was originally recorded in early 1960 but Decca - Brenda Lee's recording label - thought that it was 'inappropriate' for a fifteen year old to be singing a love song of this nature. The song was finally released as the 'B' side to 'That's All You Gotta Do' (which reached number six on the Billboard charts) and reached the number one spot in its own right in July 1960.
In 1960 the Billboard 100 charts were based not only on record sales but also on the 'airplay' given to a recording by the radio stations.

7. In 1960 The Hollywood Argyles had a number one hit with a song about a teenager.

Answer: False

The Hollywood Argyles' 1960 hit was 'The Alley Oop', a song based on a cartoon strip about a caveman and NOT about a teenager.

*Useless information* The cartoon strip on which the song was based began life in 1932 and is still syndicated to over 500 newspapers in 2010.

8. How many number one hits did Elvis Presley have in 1960?

Answer: 3

'Stuck on You', 'It's Now or Never' and 'Are You Lonesome Tonight', a total of 14 weeks at number one.

9. Johnny Preston had his 1960 number one hit in the early part of the year, about (being politically correct) two Native Americans' love for each other. What was the title of this recording?

Answer: Running Bear

January 18th 1960... 'Running Bear' by Johnny Preston reaches the number one spot and remains there for three weeks.

*Useless information* 'Running Bear' was written by Mr J. P. Richardson (The Big Bopper) who died in the same plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly and Richie Valens.

10. Elvis Presley ended the year for us with 'Are You Lonesome Tonight'. I bet you thought that was an original song written for him. You'd be wrong... When was it written?

Answer: 1926

Thirty four years after the song was written Elvis took it to number one on the Billboard 100 charts.

Source: Author DaveH1960

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Dalgleish before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Billboard Number Ones - 1960 Trivia Quiz

All of these songs were number ones in 1960

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