UK Chart Cover Versions - Mixture Quiz

Answer: Michelle

Formed in London in 1962, The Overlanders were a British folk-pop trio. They were originally influenced by artists such as Lonnie Donegan and Bob Dylan. Signed to Pye Records in 1963 under producer Tony Hatch, they released twelve singles with limited success before achieving their breakthrough.

Their cover of 'Michelle' was taken from the Beatles' 1965 album 'Rubber Soul'. It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in January 1966, where it remained for three weeks. The band were unable to follow up on their success and dissolved shortly afterwards when lead singer Paul Arnold left to pursue a solo career.

Answer: Gabrielle

Louisa Gabriella Bobb, known professionally as Gabrielle, was born in 1969 in Hackney, London, to parents of Dominican heritage. She had been singing from an early age and adopted her stage name, her middle name, whilst performing at a London club. Her debut single 'Dreams' entered the UK Singles Chart at number two in 1993. It was the highest chart entry for a debut act at that time. It climbed to number one the following week.

'Walk On By' was originally recorded by Dionne Warwick. It was released by Gabrielle as the fifth and final single from her self-titled second album in January 1997. It reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart and spent nine weeks on the chart in total.

Answer: All Day and All of the Night

The Stranglers were an English band formed in Guildford in 1974. They were originally associated with the punk movement before evolving into a more diverse new wave sound. Led by Hugh Cornwell alongside Jean-Jacques Burnel, Dave Greenfield and Jet Black, they had a string of UK chart hits throughout the late 1970s and 1980s.

'All Day and All of the Night' was originally a 1964 hit for The Kinks. It was released in December 1987 as a single from their live album 'All Live and All of the Night'. It reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart in January 1988, which matched the original Kinks recording's US chart position from 1965.

Answer: Atomic Kitten

Atomic Kitten was a British girl group formed in Liverpool in 1998. The original members were Liz McClarnon, Kerry Katona and Natasha Hamilton. After moderate early success, they achieved their breakthrough in 2001 with 'Whole Again', which spent four weeks at number one. By the time 'Eternal Flame' was released, Kerry Katona had been replaced by Jenny Frost.

Their cover of the Bangles' 1989 classic debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart in July 2001, where it remained for two weeks. It sold over 150,000 copies in its first week. It became an international hit, charting in the top five in over ten countries, and remains one of the best-selling singles by a British girl group in France.

Answer: The Troggs

The British band The Troggs formed in Andover, Hampshire in 1964. They were best known for their raw rock style and the 1966 number one hit 'Wild Thing'. 'Love Is All Around', inspired by a Salvation Army broadcast, was written by the band's frontman Reg Presley. It reached number five on the UK Singles Chart in November 1967.

Director Mike Newell approached Scottish band Wet Wet Wet to record a cover version for the soundtrack to his 1994 film 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'. The band chose it over 'I Will Survive' and 'Can't Smile Without You', recording it in January 1994.

Released in May 1994, it spent fifteen consecutive weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart, the third-longest chart reign in UK history at that time, before the band withdrew it from sale to focus on new material.

Answer: Housemartins

The Housemartins were a British indie rock band formed in Hull in 1983 by vocalist Paul Heaton and guitarist Stan Cullimore. They were later joined by bassist Norman Cook and drummer Dave Hemingway. They released two top ten UK albums before disbanding in 1988. After the split, Heaton and Hemingway formed The Beautiful South, while Cook went on to international fame as Fatboy Slim.

Their a cappella cover of 'Caravan of Love' was originally recorded by Isley-Jasper-Isley in 1985. It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in December 1986 and remained there for one week. It became the group's only UK number one and remains one of the most distinctive chart-toppers of the decade.

Answer: Nicki French

Nicki French was born in 1964 in Carlisle, Cumbria. She spent much of her early career as a session singer. She had recorded extensively in the background before being approached in 1994 to provide vocals for a dance version of Bonnie Tyler's power ballad 'Total Eclipse of the Heart', which was subsequently produced by Mike Stock and Matt Aitken (as Stock & Aitken).

Released in 1995, it reached number five on the UK Singles Chart during a three-month chart run, earning a silver sales award. It also peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, one of the highest US chart positions achieved by a British artist in that era. Nicki went on to represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2000, performing 'Don't Play That Song Again', which finished sixteenth.

Answer: Cathy Dennis

Catherine Dennis was born in 1968 in Norwich, Norfolk, and was discovered as a teenager by music manager Simon Fuller. She first came to prominence as a featured vocalist on the D Mob dance single 'C'mon and Get My Love' in 1989, before launching a solo career with her debut album 'Move to This' in 1990, which produced three US top ten singles including 'Touch Me (All Night Long)'.

Her cover of the Kinks' 'Waterloo Sunset' was released in 1997 and reached number eleven on the UK Singles Chart. Although her solo performing career wound down shortly afterwards, she became one of Britain's most successful songwriters, penning eight UK number ones including 'Can't Get You Out of My Head' for Kylie Minogue and 'Toxic' for Britney Spears.

Answer: Wet Wet Wet

Scottish band Wet Wet Wet formed in Clydebank in 1982, fronted by Marti Pellow alongside Graeme Clark, Tommy Cunningham and Neil Mitchell. The group had enjoyed considerable success with their debut singles 'Wishing I Was Lucky' and 'Sweet Little Mystery' before releasing their charity cover in 1988.

'With a Little Help from My Friends' was released as a double A-side with Billy Bragg's cover of 'She's Leaving Home', taken from the charity album 'Sgt. Pepper Knew My Father' in aid of Childline. It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in May 1988, giving Wet Wet Wet their first UK number one.

Answer: Gareth Gates

Gareth Gates was born in 1984 in Bradford, West Yorkshire. He rose to national fame in 2002 as a contestant on the first series of the television talent show 'Pop Idol'. His voice and well-publicised stammer made him one of the competition's most popular figures. Despite finishing as runner-up to Will Young, he was immediately signed to a recording contract.

His debut single, a cover of 'Unchained Melody', previously a hit for the Righteous Brothers and Robson and Jerome, entered the UK Singles Chart at number one in March 2002. It was voted Record of the Year by ITV viewers and went double platinum in the UK, making it one of the biggest-selling singles of 2002.