International U.S. Chart Toppers Multiple Choice Quiz | Music

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In 1961 a young Asian singer recorded a song in Japanese that made it to the number one spot on the U.S. charts in 1963. Do you remember the name of that song?

Answer: Sukiyaki

Kyu Sakamoto recorded the song which reached the top of the U.S Billboard charts in 1963. Despite the fact that it was sung entirely in Japanese, it met with great success in the U.S. "Ue o Muite Arukou" is the Japanese title and, if you read the English translation, the lyrics are quite poetic.

By the way, the title has nothing to do with the Japanese dish sukiyaki. It was so named to appeal to English speakers who were familiar with the dish.

2. The year is 1963 and a Belgian nun recorded a French language song that became an international hit. Name that song.

Answer: Dominique

Jeanine Deckers was known professionally as the "Singing Nun." "Dominique" became an international success and reached the top ten on the U.S. Billboard charts. The song is about Saint Dominic, a Spanish priest of the Dominican Order, the same order of which Jeanine herself was a member. Amazingly, after all these years, I still remember the tune and the French lyrics to that song... well, the chorus anyway.

3. In the mid-1960s, the style of Brazilian music called bossa nova became popular world-wide. In the U.S. one song in particular stood out and became very successful. Written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vin�cius de Moraes, which song was it?

Answer: The Girl From Ipanema

Originally titled 'Menina que Passa,' the title was changed to 'Garota de Ipanema' or 'Girl From Ipanema." It has been covered by numerous artists over the years. In 1964 the English version of the song reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy award for "Record of the Year" in 1965.

The song was inspired by a real girl, Helo�sa Eneida Menezes Paes Pinto, who lived in Ipanema, a neighborhood in the southern part of Rio de Janeiro.

4. In 1958 an Italian pop song made it to number five in the Eurovision Song Contest. Sung by Italian crooner Domenico Modugno, who co-wrote it, the single made its way to the top of the Billboard 100 in the U.S. Which single was it?

Answer: Volare

The actual title is "Nel blu dipinto di blu" but most Americans know it as "Volare." It became Billboard's 'Song of the Year' and 'Record of the Year' in 1959 and achieved great success in Europe. Singers Dean Martin and David Bowie both covered it. Like many vocalists of one hit wonders, Modugno never again achieved the success he enjoyed from that one hit single.

5. On July 10, 1962 a communications satellite was launched into space and a British group recorded an instrumental named for the satellite. That instrumental reached number one on the U.S. Billboard charts. Do you remember what it was called?

Answer: Telstar

The Tornados, not to be confused with the American group The Tornadoes, were an English back-up group for Joe Meek who wrote and produced "Telstar." It had the distinction of being the first British single to make it to the number one spot on the U.S. charts. Incidentally, "Celestial Soda Pop" is an awesome instrumental by Ray Lynch and is one of my favorites.

6. Most people will remember this Beatles' song partially sung in French. It first appeared on their "Rubber Soul" album. British duo, David & Jonathan, recorded the single and brought it to the top of the U.S. Billboard charts in the early 1960s. Name the song.

Answer: Michelle

Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook were better known as David & Jonathan. Their cover of the Beatles' song made it to number eighteen on the U.S. Billboard charts and number eleven on the UK Singles Chart. What happened to this duo after they recorded "Michelle"? They continued writing songs for other singers and groups such as Engelbert Humperdinck and The Hollies.

7. A popular song was first performed in French by a Greek vocalist. In 1967 it was Luxembourg's entry in the Eurovision song contest. Later, French orchestra leader Paul Mauriat found success in the U.S. with his instrumental version of the song. Which song was it?

Answer: Love Is Blue

Greek singer Vicky Leandros first performed "L'amour est bleu" in French. Mauriat's instrumental version reached the number one spot on the U.S. charts in the spring of 1968 and stayed on top for five weeks. His recording had the unique distinction of being the only performance by a French artist to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

8. Who can forget this one hit wonder recorded by the Spanish band Los Del Rios that hit the top of the U.S. charts in 1996 and even included requisite dance steps? If you remember the title, then you'll have no problem picking it out from the following choices.

Answer: Macarena

In 2002, VH1 ranked "Macarena" the '#1 Greatest One-Hit Wonder of all Time.' The dance steps were pretty easy to learn, too. "Macarena" was first recorded in 1992 as a samba. It wasn't until the Bayside Boys produced their own remix, translated the lyrics into English, and added their own beat that sales really took off in the U.S.

9. One of the greatest rock bands of all time, at least in my opinion, hails from Ireland. One of their most successful songs appeared on their 1987 album "Joshua Tree" and went on to become their first number one hit up until that time in both the U.S. and Canada. Which song was it?

Answer: With or Without You

This particular song is U2's second most covered, just behind "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." U2 consists of well-known band members Bono, The Edge, and Adam Clayton. Their hit song was well-received by the critics when it came out and continues to be one of the band's most popular songs.

10. If you remember hearing the songs of German orchestra leader/songwriter, Bert Kaempfert, on an easy listening radio station circa 1962, then you might remember this huge instrumental hit. Which of the following is it?

Answer: A Swingin' Safari

I still remember the melody to this happy song that became the theme song of the game show "The Match Game." Bert Kaempfert's music was played all over the radio during the '60s. Although Kaempfert didn't make it on the charts when he recorded the song in 1962, Billy Vaughn's cover reached number thirteen. Written by Kaempfert himself, "A Swingin' Safari" is a mix of South African music in the kwela style, a street style primarily written for the penny-whistle.

Source: Author nmerr

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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International U.S. Chart Toppers Quiz

To all you Boomers out there and anyone who is a fan of international music, don your thinking caps and see how many of these hit tunes you can remember. Have an enjoyable walk down memory lane.

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