"Surfin' U.S.A." was credited to Chuck Berry and Brian Wilson. This song has become emblematic of the California Sound. "Surfin' U.S.A." is part of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll list.
2. "The End of the World"
Answer: Skeeter Davis
"The End of the World" was written by composer Arthur Kent and lyricist Sylvia Dee. "The End of the World" peaked in March 1963 at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, number two on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart, number one on Billboard's Easy Listening chart and number four on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart.
It is the only time that a song has cracked the Top Ten (and Five) on all four Billboard charts.
3. "Rhythm of the Rain"
Answer: The Cascades
"Rhythm of the Rain" was written by Cascades band member John Claude Gummoe. The sounds of rain and thunder are heard at the beginning and end of the song. The song also features the distinctive use of a celesta.
4. "He's So Fine"
Answer: The Chiffons
"He's So Fine" was written by Ronnie Mack. The song was shopped to ten labels before being placed with Laurie Records. Billboard magazine named the song number 73 on their list of the 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.
5. "Blue Velvet"
Answer: Bobby Vinton
"Blue Velvet" was written and composed in 1950 by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris. Probably Vinton's most famous song, it was originally a minor hit for Tony Bennett in 1951.
6. "Hey Paula"
Answer: Paul & Paula
"Paul" was the song's writer, Ray Hildebrand and "Paula" was Jill Jackson, the niece of the owner of the boarding house where Ray lived. Hildebrand and Jackson did the song on a local radio station and it soon became popular enough for the duo to make a professional recording.
7. "Fingertips"
Answer: Little Stevie Wonder
"Fingertips" was written and composed by Stevie Wonder's mentors, Clarence Paul and Henry Cosby. The song, with only a few stanzas of lyrics, is essentially an instrumental meant to showcase Wonder's abilities on the bongos and the harmonica.
8. "Can't Get Used to Losing You"
Answer: Andy Williams
"Can't Get Used to Losing You" was written by Jerome "Doc" Pomus and Mort Shuman. Williams' vocals on the verses were double-tracked simultaneously, and overdubbed on the choruses so to the listener the effect is of Andy singing harmony with himself.
9. "My Boyfriend's Back"
Answer: The Angels
"My Boyfriend's Back" was written by the songwriting team of Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein and Richard Gottehrer. Humorist Dave Barry is a fan of this song and often refers to it in his books and columns. Billboard magazine named the song number 24 on their list of the 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.
10. "Sukiyaki"
Answer: Kyu Sakamoto
"Ue o Muite Arukō", ("I Look Up as I Walk", also titled "Sukiyaki") is by Japanese crooner Kyu Sakamoto. The song topped the charts in a number of countries. It became one of the world's best-selling singles of all time, selling over 13 million copies worldwide.
11. "So Much in Love"
Answer: The Tymes
"So Much in Love" was written by George Williams and Bill Jackson, and arranged by Roy Straigis. This song by the Tymes was the group's first hit single, topping the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on August 3, 1963, and holding there for one week, as well as peaking at number four on the Hot R&B Singles chart.
12. "Puff, the Magic Dragon"
Answer: Peter, Paul & Mary
"Puff, the Magic Dragon" was written by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary from a poem by Leonard Lipton. Lipton was friends with Yarrow's housemate at Cornell. He used Yarrow's typewriter to write the poem. He then forgot about it until years later, when a friend called and told him Yarrow was looking for him, to give him partial credit for the lyrics.
13. "Blowin' in the Wind"
Answer: Peter, Paul & Mary
"Blowin' in the Wind" was written by Bob Dylan in 1962. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1994. In 2004, it was listed as number 14 on Rolling Stone magazine's chart of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
14. "Wipe Out"
Answer: The Surfaris
"Wipe Out" is an instrumental composed by Bob Berryhill, Pat Connolly, Jim Fuller and Ron Wilson. The song, including both the Surfaris' version as well as cover versions, has been featured in over 20 films and television series since 1964.
15. "I Love You Because"
Answer: Al Martino
"I Love You Because" was written and recorded by country music singer and songwriter Leon Payne in 1949. Al Martino recorded this song (the most popular version), which peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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