Snippets from Fifties Gold Trivia Quiz

Answer: Jailhouse Rock

"Jailhouse Rock" is the song title from an Elvis Presley movie of the same name in 1957. There is a party in the county jail and prisoner number 47 wants prisoner number 3 to dance with him.

Answer: Green Door

"Green Door" was recorded in 1956 by Jim Lowe. The song has a certain mystique and eeriness to it. It delves in to the question of just what's behind the "Green Door" and plays to the listeners' curiosity.

Answer: The Purple People Eater

Sheb Wooley recorded "The Purple People Eater" in 1958. The late 1950s experienced a craze for novelty songs like "The Witch Doctor" by David Seville, "Transfusion" by Nervous Norvus and "Poison Ivy" by The Coasters. "The Purple People Eater" went on to be adopted by the Minnesota Vikings' fierce defense in the 1970s.

Answer: The Ballad of Davy Crockett

Bill Hayes recorded "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" in 1955. Disney created a series starring Fess Parker as Davy Crockett. A Davy Crockett craze spread across the country. Davy Crockett paraphernalia was everywhere. Coonskin caps to lunchboxes to book covers were part of most young boy's daily repertoire.
The song finished 1955 at number six on Billboard's Top 30.

Answer: Only You (And You Alone)

"Only You (And You Alone)" was, along with "The Great Pretender", a major hit for The Platters in 1955. All of The Platters' singles came to be known as "make-out" songs. The group was absent from the music scene in the U.S. for several years because one of their lead vocalists was arrested for violating a Jim Crow law in Ohio. The Platters moved to Europe as a result.
"Only You (And You Alone)" finished 1955 as number 29 on Billboard's Top 30.

Answer: The Wayward Wind

"The Wayward Wind" was released in 1956 and recorded by Gogi Grant. This beautiful ballad deals with the unpredictability of love and how it can be both fulfilling and heartbreaking. It reached number number one on the Billboard Chart.

Answer: The Great Pretender

"The Great Pretender" was released in 1955. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1955. The song is about pretending to be happy when you're sad. The Platters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Answer: Little Darlin'

The Diamonds were a Canadian '"do-wop" group who recorded "Little Darlin'" in 1957. Their version was actually a cover from the original by The Gladiolas. It reached number two on the Billboard charts and is one of those rare instances where the cover outperformed the original.

Answer: Young Love

Tab Hunter was a teen heartthrob in the 1950s and 1960s. "Young Love", as recorded in 1956 by Tab Hunter, reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also recorded the same year by Sonny James. His version reached number one on the Country charts.

Answer: (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear

"(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear" was recorded by Elvis Presley in 1957. It was number one on the Billboard Charts for seven weeks in 1957. The song was featured in Presley's second film, "Loving You".

Answer: It's All in the Game

"It's All in the Game" was originally recorded by Tommy Edwards in 1951. In 1958 he re-recorded it and it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Edwards became the first African American to reach number one.
The melody for "It's All in the Game" was written in 1912 by Charles G. Dawes while he was a bank president. Dawes later became Vice-President of the U.S. under Calvin Coolidge.

Answer: Just A Dream

"Just A Dream" is a 1958 song by Jimmy Clanton and His Rockets. Clanton wrote the song, and it reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100. He was scheduled to perform in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963, the day of JFK's assassination.

Answer: Tears On My Pillow

Little Anthony and the Imperials recorded "Tears On My Pillow" in 1958. It reached number four on the Billboard Chart that year. It's a doo-wop break-up song. The group was originally called The Imperials, but famed disc jockey Allen Freed heard them sing and dubbed the lead singer Anthony Gourdine as "Little Anthony" because his high-of pitched voice. The name stuck.

Answer: Put Your Head on my Shoulder

"Put Your Head on my Shoulder" was released in 1959. It was written and sung by Canadian Paul Anka. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: There Goes My Baby

"There Goes My Baby" was recorded by the Drifters in 1959. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

The group had a storied past. The original Drifters were led by Clyde McPhatter. He dropped out to pursue a solo career. His place was taken by Ben E. King when the group was known as The Five Crowns. A second incarnation of the Drifters was born in 1959.

Answer: Teenager in Love

"Teenager in Love" was recorded by Dion and The Belmonts in 1959. It reached number five on the Billboard chart. The group broke up after several more hits and Dion went on to record several hits ("Run Around Sue", "The Wanderer") on his own. The Belmonts also had some success ("Tell Me Why").

Answer: Lipstick On Your Collar

"Lipstick On Your Collar" was recorded by Connie Francis in 1959. The lyrics are about a boy cheating on his girlfriend (or why a boy should never wear a white shirt to a dance). The cheating boyfriend was caught "smoochin'" her best friend, Mary Jane. The song reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: Be-Bop-A-Lula

"Be-Bop-A-Lula" was released by Gene Vincent in 1956. He was Capitol Records answer to Elvis Presley, but he never again had a song as popular as "Be-Bop-A-Lula". Vincent had injured his leg while serving in the Navy; he reinjured it again in 1960. He died young of alcohol and drug abuse.

Answer: Stood Up

"Stood Up" sung by Ricky Nelson reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1957. "Stood Up" is an idiom which means someone failing to appear for a pre-arranged meeting or date without notice.

Answer: Dream Lover

"Dream Lover" was written and recorded by Bobby Darin in 1959. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The piano player for this song was Neil Sedaka.