"Rivers of Babylon" was first recorded in 1970 by the Jamaican reggae group The Melodians. In 1978 Boney M recorded the song, which became a huge hit in Europe. The Boney M version reached number one in most European countries and even as far away as Australia and New Zealand. It peaked at number 30 in the USA charts in 1978.
2. "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay"
Answer: Otis Redding
Otis Redding (1941-1967) recorded the song in late 1967 just days before he died in a plane crash. He co-wrote "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" with Steve Cropper. It reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1968, becoming the first posthumous song to reach the top in the US charts.
3. "Ferry Cross the Mersey"
Answer: Gerry and the Pacemakers
"Ferry Cross the Mersey" was written by Gerry Marsden and reached number six in the USA and number eight in the UK in 1964. The "Mersey" in the title and song refers to the Mersey River that flows into the Irish Sea at Liverpool.
4. "Beyond the Sea"
Answer: Bobby Darin
"Beyond the Sea" was written in 1946 and has been performed by many artists. However, it is the Bobby Darin (1936-1973) version released in 1960 that is best remembered. The song reached number six on the US charts and number eight in the UK.
5. "River Deep - Mountain High"
Answer: Tina and Ike Turner
"River Deep - Mountain High" (1966) is credited to Tina and Ike Turner, however, the only singer on the song is Tina Turner. The single was successful in Europe but not in the US Charts. The song has since become one of Tina Turner's signature songs and in 1999 was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
6. "Bridge Over Troubled Water"
Answer: Simon & Garfunkel
The American musical duo of Simon & Garfunkel recorded "Bridge Over Troubled Water" in 1970. The song reached number one in the USA, UK, Canada, France and New Zealand.
7. "I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside"
Answer: Mark Sheridan
Mark Sheridan (1864-1918) was an English music hall singer and comedian. The song was written in 1907 by John A. Glover-Kind and Mark Sheridan recorded it in 1909.
8. "Moon River"
Answer: Audrey Hepburn
The song "Moon River" has been recorded by many artists, however, the first version was sung by Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993). She sang the song in the 1961 movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's". The song was composed by Henry Mancini and the lyrics by Johnny Mercer. At the 34th Academy Awards in 1961 it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
9. "Ol' Man River"
Answer: Paul Robeson
The tune " Ol' Man River" was written for the 1927 Broadway musical "Show Boat". It was recorded by Bing Crosby in 1928, however, the most famous version is sung by Paul Robeson (1898-1976) in that bass baritone voice in the 1936 film version of "Show Boat".
10. "Green River"
Answer: Creedence Clearwater Revival
"Green River" is a song written by John Fogerty of the American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival. The song reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1969. The name of the song was inspired by the name of a soda named Green River which was a bright green and lime flavored soft drink.
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