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Quiz about More Number Two Hits  Never Reaching Top Spot
Quiz about More Number Two Hits  Never Reaching Top Spot

More Number Two Hits Never Reaching Top Spot Quiz


There are still a great number of high quality songs that lingered on the Billboard Top 40 charts for three weeks or more. Here are ten others along with the hits stopping them. (Cryptic clues will help)

A multiple-choice quiz by muffin1708. Estimated time: 7 mins.
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Author
muffin1708
Time
7 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
387,399
Updated
Jul 17 22
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
320
Last 3 plays: Guest 209 (9/10), Hayes1953 (7/10), Guest 199 (6/10).
Question 1 of 10
1. One of the most enigmatic songs of all time was the one that Motown boss Berry Gordy said was the worst track he had ever heard and refused to have it recorded, but after negotiations he relented. In March 1971 it reached number two on the Billboard Top 40 charts for three weeks but was halted by Three Dog Night's "Joy To The World" which was starting it's six week reign in the top position. Most astoundingly, the protest song in question grew in stature over the years to be ranked number four on the 2004 "Rolling Stone" magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. (So you have every right to answer the question). Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. A very familiar song recorded in 1957 and featured in the film "Jamboree" with Fats Domino and Buddy Knox, also hit number one on the UK singles chart and topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart, but stayed four weeks in second position on the Billboard Top 40 list. The song, recorded by a legend of the early rock scene, could not shift "At The Hop" by Danny and the Juniors that hogged top spot for seven weeks. He is one of the famous group that pioneered "Sun Records" in the mid fifties. (Has he ever been tried for murder?) Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. A tribute song released in 1975 as a "B" side became more popular than it's more highly ranked counterpart, which had reached number one on the Billboard Top 40, and helped the disc back to the number two spot for four weeks. The song holding it back from making the record a double-sided number one was Neil Sedaka's "Bad Blood".(Greek mythological nymph) Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. "Flashdance....What A Feeling" by Irene Cara and "Every Breath You Take" by The Police stopped a record quickly moving up the Billboard Top 40 charts in mid-1983 when it scored top ranking in Cashbox Magazine and also the Canadian Top Singles Chart. However it was destined to spend five weeks in the number two position even though it got great publicity by featuring in the 20th season premiere of The Simpsons. ( If you can get this one correct then you'll get a big kick out of it) Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. The first release by an act that was to become very successful in the fifties and sixties had to contend with second spot despite taking top place in the Billboard Country Charts and on the Cashbox ratings. (see you later alligator) Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. A song that was rejected by Babys' vocalist John Waite as "too syrupy" was taken on by an American group who added it to their album "Escape" and went to number two for six weeks on the Billboard Top 40 Charts when released as a single in early 1982. The songs preventing its elevation were "Centerfold" by the J Geils Band and "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. (if you get this one right you'll get a hug) Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. In 1981 a famous musician wrote a song to honor his good friend and former band member who had died the year before, and called in all his old colleagues to help make the song successful. It ran quickly up the Billboard Top 40 Charts and then ,you guessed it, it stalled in the number two position. Unfortunately the song encountered the monster hit "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes that ruled the charts for nine weeks and so it stayed in second place for three of these.(I couldn't IMAGINE that you would need a clue for this one. Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Creedence Clearwater Revival made an art form when finishing in second place on five occasions without making it to the top. "Proud Mary" was the first one on this list and stayed the longest for three weeks. The song that held it from the top also topped the list on the UK and Canadian music charts and second in Australia. The impeding singer scored his second number one after his debut song, which he wrote when just fourteen years old, went to the top in 1962. The song in question has since been covered by several artists including Boney M and Billy J Kramer. (a very insecure song). Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. In 1958 a legend of rock and roll wrote a song while on tour and had been pleasantly influenced by the young audiences that he played to, especially a persistent female autograph hunter. Still trying for his first number one Billboard Top 40 hit after three previous Top Tens failed, this song got to number two for two weeks after being blocked by the Champs' classic instrumental "Tequila". The song did, however, top the R&B Best Sellers Chart. The song is now part of the rock era's folklore and has been covered by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys and countless others. (you'll "be good" to get this one) Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. In 1967 The Mamas and the Papas released "Dedicated To The One I Love" to follow up a string of Top Ten Billboard Top 40 hits, including "Monday Monday" that stayed on top for three weeks. Unfortunately it ran into the song that took top position from The Beatles' " Penny Lane" and left it in second position for three weeks. The group that took the song over after it was rejected by a lot of other artists had a first up Billboard Top 40 Top Ten with a Bob Dylan composition but had a very lean run since then. The song's title became the name of their album. The group from Los Angeles finished up with five top Tens on the Billboard Top 40 charts but this song was their only number one. (a very close knit group)






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Most Recent Scores
Mar 19 2024 : Guest 209: 9/10
Mar 17 2024 : Hayes1953: 7/10
Mar 12 2024 : Guest 199: 6/10
Mar 11 2024 : Guest 162: 7/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. One of the most enigmatic songs of all time was the one that Motown boss Berry Gordy said was the worst track he had ever heard and refused to have it recorded, but after negotiations he relented. In March 1971 it reached number two on the Billboard Top 40 charts for three weeks but was halted by Three Dog Night's "Joy To The World" which was starting it's six week reign in the top position. Most astoundingly, the protest song in question grew in stature over the years to be ranked number four on the 2004 "Rolling Stone" magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. (So you have every right to answer the question).

Answer: "What's Going On" - Marvin Gaye

After Berry Gordy's refusal to promote "What's Going On", Marvin Gaye told him that if the song could not be used, he would stop his own recordings until the problem was solved. With Marvin Gaye being his biggest meal ticket at that time, Gordy suddenly found some merit in the song.

It's lyrics dealt with racial and other problems on the home front as well as citizens being sent overseas to risk their lives in the Vietnam war. Incidentally, the song retained number four on "Rolling Stone"s top 500 list in 2011.

In comparison, Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" which topped the Billboard Top 40 charts for seven weeks was ranked number eighty on the "Rolling Stone" Top 500.(Surprisingly there was no question mark ever recorded at the end of 'What's Going On"s title as the cryptic clue could have suggested.)
2. A very familiar song recorded in 1957 and featured in the film "Jamboree" with Fats Domino and Buddy Knox, also hit number one on the UK singles chart and topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart, but stayed four weeks in second position on the Billboard Top 40 list. The song, recorded by a legend of the early rock scene, could not shift "At The Hop" by Danny and the Juniors that hogged top spot for seven weeks. He is one of the famous group that pioneered "Sun Records" in the mid fifties. (Has he ever been tried for murder?)

Answer: "Great Balls Of Fire" - Jerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis, known affectionately as "The Killer", again went close to the top with "Great Balls Of Fire" after finishing at number three with his first entry into the Billboard Top 40namely, "Whole Lot Of Shakin' Goin' On" which was his debut single earlier that year. Rock and Roll's first great wild man was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
3. A tribute song released in 1975 as a "B" side became more popular than it's more highly ranked counterpart, which had reached number one on the Billboard Top 40, and helped the disc back to the number two spot for four weeks. The song holding it back from making the record a double-sided number one was Neil Sedaka's "Bad Blood".(Greek mythological nymph)

Answer: "Calypso" - John Denver

John Denver's "Calypso" was inspired by his sailing with Jacques-Yves Cousteau, the great ocean explorer, on his British-built ship "Calypso". The backing song "I'm Sorry" was John's fourth number one in his past six entries onto the charts. Over the years he received a host of awards for his great contribution to music including emmys and grammys and an induction into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in 1996.

He was a great talent lost when dying in a 1997 airplane crash.
4. "Flashdance....What A Feeling" by Irene Cara and "Every Breath You Take" by The Police stopped a record quickly moving up the Billboard Top 40 charts in mid-1983 when it scored top ranking in Cashbox Magazine and also the Canadian Top Singles Chart. However it was destined to spend five weeks in the number two position even though it got great publicity by featuring in the 20th season premiere of The Simpsons. ( If you can get this one correct then you'll get a big kick out of it)

Answer: "Electric Avenue" - Eddy Grant

Eddy Grant's debut single "Electric Avenue" was also second on the UK singles Chart, and the Australian Kent Music List. It was nominated for the 1983 Best Rhythm and Blues Emmy Award but lost out to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean".
5. The first release by an act that was to become very successful in the fifties and sixties had to contend with second spot despite taking top place in the Billboard Country Charts and on the Cashbox ratings. (see you later alligator)

Answer: "Bye Bye Love" - The Everly Brothers

In fact about thirty artists had previously rejected "Bye Bye Love" before the Everly Brothers recorded it mainly for the sixty four dollars each was to receive for the session but showed no enthusiasm for it. The song was a trailblazer for the duo as it also scored a Top Ten on both the Canadian and UK Charts. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel bought the single as kids and included it on their top album "Bridge Over Troubled Water", and George Harrison included it on his album "Dark Horse".
6. A song that was rejected by Babys' vocalist John Waite as "too syrupy" was taken on by an American group who added it to their album "Escape" and went to number two for six weeks on the Billboard Top 40 Charts when released as a single in early 1982. The songs preventing its elevation were "Centerfold" by the J Geils Band and "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. (if you get this one right you'll get a hug)

Answer: "Open Arms" - Journey

When co-author Steve Perry offered "Open Arms' to the Journey crew, Neal Schon hated it and Jon Cain thought John Waite was right but Steve obviously had the main say and the recording went ahead. The group's album "Escape" topped the Billboard 200 Album Chart and produced two other Billboard Top Ten hits "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Who's Crying Now".
7. In 1981 a famous musician wrote a song to honor his good friend and former band member who had died the year before, and called in all his old colleagues to help make the song successful. It ran quickly up the Billboard Top 40 Charts and then ,you guessed it, it stalled in the number two position. Unfortunately the song encountered the monster hit "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes that ruled the charts for nine weeks and so it stayed in second place for three of these.(I couldn't IMAGINE that you would need a clue for this one}.

Answer: "All Those Years Ago" - George Harrison

George Harrison and John Lennon remained good friends even after The Beatles had disbanded and George took John's death in 1980 very hard. So he set about writing this heartfelt tribute song "All Those Years Ago" and was ably assisted on drums by Ringo Starr and backing vocals supplied by Paul and Linda McCartney, with Beatles supremo George Martin producing the song.
8. Creedence Clearwater Revival made an art form when finishing in second place on five occasions without making it to the top. "Proud Mary" was the first one on this list and stayed the longest for three weeks. The song that held it from the top also topped the list on the UK and Canadian music charts and second in Australia. The impeding singer scored his second number one after his debut song, which he wrote when just fourteen years old, went to the top in 1962. The song in question has since been covered by several artists including Boney M and Billy J Kramer. (a very insecure song).

Answer: "Dizzy" - Tommy Roe

Tommy Roe's "Dizzy" was his most successful song with four weeks at the top and his last record of any significance except for "Jam Up Jelly Tight" which reached number eight on the Billboard Top 40 later in 1969. His initial number one was "Sheila" for two weeks before "Sherry" by The Four Seasons took over. Creedence must be considered very unlucky to have five number twos in a period of fifteen months, but you can't say that they were inconsistent.
9. In 1958 a legend of rock and roll wrote a song while on tour and had been pleasantly influenced by the young audiences that he played to, especially a persistent female autograph hunter. Still trying for his first number one Billboard Top 40 hit after three previous Top Tens failed, this song got to number two for two weeks after being blocked by the Champs' classic instrumental "Tequila". The song did, however, top the R&B Best Sellers Chart. The song is now part of the rock era's folklore and has been covered by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys and countless others. (you'll "be good" to get this one)

Answer: "Sweet Little Sixteen" - Chuck Berry

After "Sweet Little Sixteen" failed to reach the top and his follow up smash hit "Johnny B. Goode" only reached number eight, Chuck Berry must have thought that his chances of topping the charts were very slim. However, miraculously, fourteen years later and after a recording hiatus of eight years, he came upon a slightly risqué song composed in 1952 by Dave Bartholomew called 'My Ding-A-Ling" and decided to give it a try by adding it to his "The London Chuck Berry Sessions" in 1972.

When released as a single, the response to this "simple" song was phenomenal as it topped the charts in Ireland, Canada,The UK and the US Billboard Top 40 charts. Just as well he "hung in there".
10. In 1967 The Mamas and the Papas released "Dedicated To The One I Love" to follow up a string of Top Ten Billboard Top 40 hits, including "Monday Monday" that stayed on top for three weeks. Unfortunately it ran into the song that took top position from The Beatles' " Penny Lane" and left it in second position for three weeks. The group that took the song over after it was rejected by a lot of other artists had a first up Billboard Top 40 Top Ten with a Bob Dylan composition but had a very lean run since then. The song's title became the name of their album. The group from Los Angeles finished up with five top Tens on the Billboard Top 40 charts but this song was their only number one. (a very close knit group)

Answer: ''Happy Together'' - The Turtles

The Turtles broke up in 1970 and some of the band became studio musicians. When the romantic comedy movie "Happy Together" starring Patrick Dempsey and Helen Slater premiered in 1989 the Turtles version of "Happy Together" was featured in the film and on the soundtrack album.
Source: Author muffin1708

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