1999 UK Number Ones Trivia Quiz

Answer: Westlife

Westlife is an Irish boy band that formed in 1998. Their debut single 'Swear It Again' was released in April 1999 and went straight to number one on the UK Singles Chart, where it remained for two weeks.

This success marked the beginning of a string of fourteen UK number ones for the group. 'Swear It Again' was written by Steve Mac and Wayne Hector. Steve has also written songs for Ed Sheeran, Melanie C, Pink and others.

Answer: Blondie

Blondie took 'Maria' to number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1999. The song was the lead single from their album 'No Exit' and became the band's sixth UK number one single. It was written by keyboardist Jimmy Destri and marked Blondie's return to the top of the charts after an absence of nearly two decades.

The success of 'Maria' introduced the band to a new generation of listeners and gave them their first UK number one since 'The Tide Is High' in 1980.

Answer: Ronan Keating

Ronan Keating, lead singer of Irish boy band Boyzone, released 'When You Say Nothing At All' in 1999. It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart. The song was originally written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz and was first recorded by country artist Keith Whitley in 1988.

Ronan's version was featured in the film 'Notting Hill' and stayed at the top of the UK charts for two weeks. He was initially hesitant to record the song but was persuaded by his producer that it would be a hit.

Answer: Five

'Keep On Movin' reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1999 and was performed by the boy band Five, also known as 5ive. The group formed in 1997 and had a string of hits during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The song was one of three UK number ones for the band.

Despite disbanding in 2001, Five reunited several times in subsequent years.

Answer: Geri Halliwell

Geri Halliwell was known as Ginger Spice during her time with the Spice Girls. Her single 'Lift Me Up' reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1999. It was her third solo single after leaving the group and reached the top of the charts in several countries.

The music video features Geri driving through the Spanish countryside, where she encounters a group of stranded aliens trying to repair their spaceship.

Answer: Lou Bega

German singer Lou Bega's single 'Mambo No. 5' was number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1999. His version was based on an instrumental piece recorded by Cuban bandleader Dámaso Pérez Prado in 1949.

Lou added new lyrics and a modern pop sound to the song, which topped the charts in numerous countries throughout 1999.

Answer: Eiffel 65

Eiffel 65 is an Italian music group best known for their hit song 'Blue (Da Ba Dee)'. The single reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1999 and also topped the charts in several other countries. It also received a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording.

The song is built around a distinctive synthesiser riff and pitch-corrected, harmonised vocals, a sound the group used again on several follow-up singles.

Answer: Martine McCutcheon

Martine McCutcheon, an English actress and singer, took 'Perfect Moment' to number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1999. The song became her only UK number one single and remained at the top of the charts for two weeks.

Originally recorded by Polish pop star Edyta Górniak in 1997, the song found greater commercial success when Martine released her version. Best known at the time for her role as Tiffany Mitchell in the TV soap 'EastEnders', she released the single while still appearing in the show.

Answer: Mr Oizo

Mr Oizo, also known as Quentin Dupieux, is a French electronic musician who recorded 'Flat Beat'. It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1999. The song gained widespread attention after featuring in a Levi's advertisement, which also introduced audiences to Flat Eric, a yellow puppet who appeared alongside the song in the campaign.

In addition to his music career, Dupieux has directed several films, including the surreal comedy 'Rubber', about a homicidal tyre.

Answer: Boyzone

Boyzone's single 'You Needed Me' was a number one hit on the UK Singles Chart in 1999. The song was originally recorded by Anne Murray in 1978 and was a hit in both the US and Canada. Boyzone's cover was released from their album 'By Request'.

The Irish group formed in 1993 and had considerable success throughout the 1990s. Despite disbanding in 2000, they reunited in 2007 and continued to record and tour.