IT’S THE END OF THE YEAR AS WE KNOW IT

It’s a wrap for 2013.  For the final few days of the year and the first few of 2014, we’re giving you lyrics from songs that were # 1 during the final weeks of various years.  All you have to do is guess the song.  We might even give you the name of the artist to help you along, ‘cause that’s the kind of holiday elves we are. 

Happy New Year to all...and to all, a good night.     

      

QUESTIONS

1.  This song was the ‘King of Rock and Roll’s’ 15^th # 1 hit.  Part of the song was spoken and the rest was sung.  These are some of the lyrics: “Does your memory stray to a brighter sunny day.  When I kissed you and called you sweetheart?  Do the chairs in your parlor seem empty and bare?  Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there?  Is your heart filled with pain?  Shall I come back again?”  Can you name this song?              

      

2.  Some of the lyrics for this Michael Jackson 1991/92 # 1 hit are: “They print my message in the Saturday Sun.  I had to tell them I ain’t second to none.  And I told about equality.  And it’s true.  Either you’re wrong, or you’re right.”  It was a colorful song (HINT ALERT).  So what’s the name of this MJ # 1?                           

                

3.  The year was 1972.  This song was this singers’ ONLY # 1 hit.  He charted 3 more times after this one, but never cracked the Top Ten again.  A portion of the lyrics are: “We meet ev’ry day at the same café.  Six thirty, I know she’ll be there.  Holding hands, making all kinds of plans.  While the jukebox plays our favorite song.”  Michael Buble later released his version of this song which featured Emily Blunt.  Can you name this # 1 hit from ‘72?   

                  

4.  Prior to this # 1 hit, Mariah Carey had nine previous chart toppers.  This song was one of two # 1’s for Mariah in 1995.  The first one was “Fantasy” which spent 8 weeks in the top spot on Billboards’ Hot 100 chart.  This hit, which featured Boyz II Men,  came a few months later and lasted at # 1 much longer than “Fantasy”.  The opening lyrics are:  “Sorry I never told you.  All I wanted to say.  And now it’s too late to hold you.  ‘Cause you’ve flown away.  So far away.”  Can you name Mariah’s ‘Sweet’ hit? (HINT ALERT)        

    

5.  She was Sandy in the original movie version of “Grease”, but for this 1981 # 1 hit, Olivia Newton-John transformed herself into a workout queen, complete with white headband and teal and purple workout outfit.  Based on the lyric section we’re giving you, this one should be easier than any question ever.  “Let’s get physical, physical.  I wanna get physical.  Let’s get into physical.  Let me hear your body talk, your body talk.  Let me hear your body talk.”  Any ideas on the title of this smash hit?  Hmmmmmm?                   

             

ANSWERS

1.  Elvis Presley’s “Are You Lonesome Tonight” was the # 1 song for the last 6 weeks of 1960.  It was written in 1926 and first published in ’27.  Over the years, many performers  covered the song, but Elvis’ version was the most successful.  Often during live performances, he would change the words to the spoken part to amuse himself and the audience.  This hit version peaked at # 3 on Billboards’ R&B chart in 1960 as well.                   

2.  “Black Or White” from Michael Jackson is the song in question.  It was Billboard Magazines’ Hot 100 # 1 for the last three weeks of 1991 and the first three of ’92.                      

    

3.  Rounding out the last three weeks of 1972 at # 1 was Billy Paul’s smash hit, “Me And Mrs. Jones”, written by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame songwriters/producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff (along with a third writer, Cary Gilbert).  Billy Paul’s version was released on Gamble & Huff’s record label, Philadelphia International.  Besides Billboards’ Hot 100, “Me And Mrs. Jones” climbed to # 1 on that magazine’s R&B singles chart as well, where it remained for 4 weeks.                                 

   

4.  Holy cow!  Sixteen weeks at # 1, spanning both the last weeks of 1995 and the first 11 weeks of ’96, the song was “One Sweet Day”.  Mariah, Boyz II Men and producer Walter Afanasieff wrote that hit.  Mariah has said that the original idea was to pay tribute to her former collaborator, David Cole and other friends and family that had passed away.  Mariah and Boyz II Men performed “One Sweet Day” on the 38^th Grammy Awards ceremony in February of 96.  Although the song was nominated for 6 awards that year, it didn’t win any.                     

5.  Yes indeed, it was “Physical”.  For the final 6 weeks of 1981 and the first 3 weeks of ‘82, Olivia Newton-John’s smash “Physical” held onto the # 1 spot on Billboards’ Hot 100 chart.  The song had been written by John Kipner and Terry Shaddick, who had originally intended it for Rod Stewart.  Olivia beat Rod to it and “Physical” became her 5^th and final # 1 hit on Billboard.