Music from 1959 Trivia

1. Number one in 1959 was "A Big Hunk of Love", for which megastar of Rock 'n' Roll?

From Quiz Number One Hits of 1959 - Part One

Answer: Elvis Presley

Elvis took "A Big Hunk of Love" to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1959. This was Presley's twelfth number one hit single in the USA. Cliff Richard was one of England's Elvis imitators, as was Marty Wilde. Little Richard did not record the song. The song was part written by Aaron Schroeder who composed a number of hits for Elvis including, "It's Now or Never", "Stuck on You" and "Good Luck Charm".

From Quiz Lyrics From 1959

Answer: Personality

On Billboard's Hot 100 in 1959, Lloyd Price's "Personality" made number two. Topping the chart was "Stagger Lee" at number one. "I'm Gonna Get Married" reached number three. And, at number 20, was "Come Into My Heart".

From Quiz Musical Memories - Lyrics of 1959

Answer: "Come Softly to Me" - The Fleetwoods

"Come Softly to Me" was recorded by The Fleetwoods and written by Gretchen Christopher, Barbara Ellis and Gary Troxel. It can be found on their 1959 album "Mr Blue". It was a number one hit in the US and Canada and got to number six in the UK.

From Quiz Whose Line Was It Anyway? US Number One Hits 1959

Answer: Smoke

The first number one of 1959 was The Platters 4th and last number one hit, "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes". It was number one for three weeks on the US pop chart. It reached number one for one week on the UK chart the same year. It was their only UK number one hit.

From Quiz Billboard Number 1 Songs of 1959

Answer: The Platters

This song was written by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach for the 1933 stage production "Roberta." Jerome Kern's widow initially filed an injunction to keep the song from being released. She relented when she learned that her lawyer had encouraged the Platters to record, and thus revive, the song. The Platters enjoyed tremendous success until August of 1959 when the four male members were arrested on morals charges. After receiving a reprimand from the judge they continued performing until their lead singer, Tony Williams, left the group in 1960. Various copy versions of the Platters have surfaced prompting lawsuits. The Ink Spots were a notable 1940s group, the Del-Vikings are credited with being the first inter-racial vocal group and the Five Satins recorded "In the Still of the Night".

From Quiz The Top Hits of 1959

Answer: Mack The Knife & Mac The Knife

Over the years, a multitude of artists have recorded this song and several of these issues were popular enough to achieve Hot 100 chart status. It was originally recorded in 1956 with one of two titles, either "Moritat" or "Theme From 'The Three Penny Opera'". Five versions of the song charted that year ranging in peak position from number eight, The Dick Hyman Trio's rendition, to Billy Vaughn's number 37. All were pure instrumentals except for Louis Armstrong's number 20 release that featured Satchmo's vocals. Bobby Darin recorded the classic version of 1959. It accumulated 2317.71 points based on 26 weeks in the Hot 100, 22 weeks in the top 40, 16 weeks in the top 10 and nine weeks at number one and it led all recordings in each of these respective categories for the year. Needless to say, it was Darin's biggest hit of his career and his trademark recording. Berthold Brecht and Kurt Weill wrote the song in 1928 as part of "The Threepenny Opera" based on John Gay's "The Beggar's Opera". Marc Blitzstein wrote the English adaptation in the mid-1950s and probably deserves most of the credit for the colorful lyrics.

From Quiz Transistor Memories (U.S.) 1959

Answer: The Bell Notes

The Bell Notes were from Long Island, New York and this was their only hit.

From Quiz Hits Of 1959

Answer: Ritchie Valens

From Quiz Number One Hits of 1959 - Part One

Answer: Col Joye & The Joy Boys

Australia's own Col Joye & The Joy Boys had their first number one hit on the Australian charts with "Bye Bye Baby". It was written by Frank McNulty in 1958 and first recorded by Sonny Williams on Coin Records. A New York record producer shipped the single around the world, where it was played by an Aussie DJ who mentioned the song to Col Joye. Many other versions of the song were released, a version by Teresa Brewer and a version sung in Japanese by Col Joye. Col Joye's version of the song was number one in Sydney Australia for ten weeks based on sales and airplay sources for this are the 2UE Top 40 and the 2UW Top Thirty. Because record companies also released sales figures the charts were not always accurate, so radio station charts came from their playlists and their own research of record retailers. This record barely charted outside of Sydney or Melbourne in the other Australian states, but its strong performance in those cities forced into the Australian lexicon.

From Quiz Lyrics From 1959

Answer: Bobby Sox To Stockings

Frankie Avalon (born Francis Avallone) sang "Bobby Sox To Stockings," a number eight song on the Hot 100 in 1959. That year, "Venus" and "Why" both hit number one, and "Just Ask Your Heart" made number seven.

From Quiz Billboard Number 1 Songs of 1959

Answer: Frankie Avalon

Before donning his swimsuit and teaming up with Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon charted some hit singles. His first single solo effort was "Teacher's Pet" from the film "Disc Jockey Jamboree" but it failed to chart. He followed with a song he sang while holding his nose called "Dede Dinah." It went to number seven and Frankie's career took off. Shortly thereafter, "Venus" was recorded in nine takes and four weeks after entering the charts at number 99 it was number one. Fabian, Bobby Rydell, and Frankie all grew up in the same neighborhood. Fabian recorded "Hound Dog Man." Bobby Rydell's string of hits included "Kissin' Time," and James Darren recorded hits such as "Goodbye Cruel World."

From Quiz Transistor Memories (U.S.) 1959

Answer: The Class

Chubby Checker's very first hit snuck into the Top 40 in June 0f '59.

From Quiz Hits Of 1959

Answer: lipstick

Of course you knew Connie Francis sang this!

From Quiz Number One Hits of 1959 - Part One

Answer: Dave "Baby" Cortez

"The Happy Organ" was for Dave "Baby" Cortez his first and only number one hit. He had another top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962 with "Rinky Dink" but after that had no more chart success. "The Happy Organ" has the distinction of being the first 'Rock' instrumental to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

From Quiz Lyrics From 1959

Answer: Frankie

"Frankie" (B side) at number nine and "Lipstick On Your Collar" (A side) at number five gave Connie Francis (born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero) a double hit in 1959. Also on the Hot 100 were "Among My Souvenirs" at number seven and "If I Didn't Care" at number 22.

From Quiz Musical Memories - Lyrics of 1959

Answer: "Broken Hearted Melody" - Sarah Vaughan

"Broken Hearted Melody" was recorded by Sarah Vaughan and written by Hal David. It reached number seven in both the UK and the US. It can be found on her 1958 album "Sarah Vaughan's Golden Hits".

From Quiz Billboard Number 1 Songs of 1959

Answer: Kansas City

Written in 1952 by the great songwriting team of Lieber and Stoller, "Kansas City" was first recorded by Little Willie Littlefield as "K C Lovin'." Wilbert Harrison achieved notoriety in the early fifties after winning a singing contest. In 1957 he asked his label if he could cover "Kansas City" but it didn't get recorded right away. In 1959 Wilbert's version of "Kansas City" had the distinction of being the first number one single to start its climb to the top of the charts at number 100. He didn't have another chart success until ten years later with "Let's Stick Together," which climbed to 32. "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" was a Freddy Cannon cover of a Louis Armstrong tune. "Tallahassee Lassie" and "Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy" were also Cannon recordings.

From Quiz Transistor Memories (U.S.) 1959

Answer: Thomas Wayne

Thomas, whose real last name was Perkins, was the brother of Luther Perkins. Luther was for many years, the guitarist for Johnny Cash.

From Quiz Hits Of 1959

Answer: Paul Anka

From Quiz Number One Hits of 1959 - Part One

Answer: Lloyd Price

"Personality" reached number one in Australia during June of 1959, staying at the top of the charts for four weeks. This was the first and only number one for Lloyd Price. Price had two other top ten hits in 1959 on the Aussie charts. "Personality" made the top ten in both the UK and US charts, indeed it spent three weeks in the number two position on the Billboard Hot 100.

From Quiz Musical Memories - Lyrics of 1959

Answer: "Lipstick On Your Collar" - Connie Francis

"Lipstick On Your Collar" was recorded by Connie Francis and written by Edna Lewis and George Goehring. It got to number three in the UK and number five in the US. Artists that have recorded cover versions include Maureen Evans and Dana.

From Quiz Whose Line Was It Anyway? UK Number One Hits 1959

Answer: Craig Douglas

Ex Isle of Wight milkman Craig Douglas had his only UK number one hit with "Only Sixteen" for four weeks in 1959. It failed to chart in the US. After four consecutive number nine hits on the UK chart in the early '60s his chart career went the same way as many others post Beatles. That was after once being top of the bill of a show The Beatles were on. Sam Cooke's origional version of "Only Sixteen" reached number 23 on the UK chart in 1959, it reached number 28 on the US pop chart the same year. Al Saxon's version of "Only Sixteen" reached number 24 on the UK chart in 1959 but did not chart in the US. Roy Orbison had a UK number one for two weeks with "Only The Lonely" in 1960, it reached number two on the US pop chart the same year.

From Quiz Billboard Number 1 Songs of 1959

Answer: Johnny Horton

This song was the second number one song to immortalize an American city, "Kansas City" being the first. It was also the first hit for Horton. Prior to recording "The Battle of New Orleans" he had been recording country songs for a small label since 1951. Horton went on to record "Sink the Bismarck" and "North to Alaska," which was the theme song for the John Wayne movie of the same name. On November 5, 1960, Horton left the Skyline Club in Austin, Texas, which was the last venue where Hank Williams had performed. He was struck and killed by another driver on a foggy road. In an ironic coincidence, Horton's ex-wife, Billie Jean, had also been married to Hank Williams. Marty Robbins recorded "El Paso," Larry Verne sang "Please Mr. Custer." Stonewall Jackson charted with "Waterloo."

From Quiz Transistor Memories (U.S.) 1959

Answer: Red River Rock

A number 5 hit in August of '59.

From Quiz Hits Of 1959

Answer: Scarlet

You probably didn't need the hint, did you?

From Quiz Number One Hits of 1959 - Part One

Answer: Craig Douglas

According to "The Complete Book of British Charts" Craig Douglas scored a number one hit with "Only Sixteen" on the British pop chart. The song was written and originally recorded by Sam Cooke, who had a US top thirty hit and did not chart in Australia. Craig Douglas did not chart in Australia until 1961 when his recording of "Time" reached the top ten. "Only Sixteen" was covered by Dr Hook in the mid 1970s and is by far the most successful version of the song. Brook Benton and Ritchie Valens did not record the song. Sam Cooke's' original version of the song only made it to number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and did not chart in Australia.

From Quiz Lyrics From 1959

Answer: It's Late

Ricky Nelson (born Eric Hilliard Nelson) had three number nine hits on the Hot 100 in 1959: "It's Late," "Just A Little Too Much," and "Sweeter Than You." "Never Be Anyone Else But You" reached number six.

From Quiz Musical Memories - Lyrics of 1959

Answer: "Put Your Head On My Shoulder" - Paul Anka

"Put Your Head on My Shoulder" was recorded and written by written by Paul Anka. It can be found on the 1959 album "Paul Anka Sings His Big 15". It got to number two in the US and number seven in the UK.

From Quiz Whose Line Was It Anyway? US Number One Hits 1959

Answer: Organ

"The Happy Organ" gave Dave 'Baby' Cortez a number one for one week on the US pop chart in 1959. It never charted in the UK. This was the first instrumental number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. Cortez had previously been in groups The Pearls and The Valentines.

From Quiz Whose Line Was It Anyway? UK Number One Hits 1959

Answer: Summer

Jerry Keller had a number one hit for one week with "Here Comes Summer" on the UK chart in 1959. It only reached number 14 on the US pop chart and was his only chart hit on either chart. Even the timing was wrong, it reached number one in October.

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Last Updated Jun 14 2025 5:50 AM

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