Now that we’re
finally in May, let the warmth of the sun begin. To celebrate the merry month of May, our quiz
this time out is about # 1 songs that happened during May. The decades we’re looking for are – the 60’s,
70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Remember, these
songs were all HUGE hits, so it should be easy right. Yah I know, you say that every time. But maybe this time, you’ll be correct.
QUESTIONS:
1. The year
was 1985. This # 1 song had been at the
top of the chart since the week of April 13th. It was still # 1 during the first week in May
and featured dozens of world famous musicians singing for charity. Some of the performers included Sting, Bruce
Springsteen, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Willie
Nelson, Bette Midler, Bob Dylan, Kenny Rogers, Cyndi Lauper, Ray Charles, Smokey
Robinson, The Pointer Sisters, Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson. The last two names on that list also co-wrote
the song. It was a massive hit around
‘the world’ (HINT ALERT). So what’s the
name of this charitable # 1?
2. During
the first week in May, 1969 this song was # 1.
In fact, it had been sitting at the top of the charts since the week of
April 12th and continued in the # 1 spot for several more weeks. It
came from a successful Broadway play and since this was the ‘60’s, it was ‘the
dawning of the age of...?’ What’s the
name of this May 1969 masterpiece that was actually two songs combined.
3. Let’s check out the 1990’s shall we? This 1997 # 1 song came from a trio of
brothers who hail from Tulsa, Oklahoma – first names Isaac, Taylor and Zac. The # 1 song we’re looking for was their
first chart hit and their only # 1, although they did chart several other songs. Isaac was 16 when this song went to the top
of the charts – brother Taylor was 14 and the third sibling, Zac was 11. (HINT
ALERT) Mmmm, I wonder, what the title of this song could be?
4. This classic hit was # 1 for only one week,
but remains a regular staple on Classic Rock radio today. It’s from a group that were formerly Linda
Ronstadt’s back up band, but went on to bigger chart success on their own. The drummer of the group sang this hit and
also co-wrote the lyrics. A famous lyric
from the song is: “You can check out any
time you like, but you can never leave”.
What’s the name of this # 1 May hit?
5. In 1980, this song was # 1 for six weeks
during April and May. The band came from
New York’s new wave and punk scene of the mid 1970’s. This song was the second of four # 1 hits the
group would have. The female lead singer
was a former waitress and Playboy Club bunny and went on to have a successful
solo career with several mid to lower chart single hits. She also acted in a bunch of movies and a few
episodes of “Wiseguys” TV series. Her
‘heart’ was not definitely not made ‘of glass’ (HINT ALERT), so can you re ‘call’
the title of this song?
ANSWERS
1. If you interpreted that clue correctly, you
knew the song was “We Are The World”.
Quincy Jones conducted the session (collectively called U.S.A. For
Africa) on January 28th, 1985 at A&M recording studios in Los
Angeles. Proceeds from the sale of the
song went to help end hunger and AIDS in Africa.
3. “MMMBop” was # 1 for Hanson on Billboards’
Hot 100 chart for three weeks (the final two weeks of May 1997 and the first
week of June), then it stuck around at # 2 for an additional four weeks. “MMMBop” came from Hanson’s debut album, “The
Middle of Nowhere”. The three Hanson brothers
are still recording and touring.
4. It was The Eagles # 1 smash from 1977, “Hotel
California”. Drummer Don Henley sang
lead and also co-wrote the song with Don Felder and Glenn Frey. The following year, The Eagles won a Grammy
Award for ‘Record of the Year’ for “Hotel California”. In Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of the “500
Greatest Songs of All Time”, “Hotel California was ranked at # 49 while the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame lists “Hotel California” as one of the ‘500 Songs
That Shaped Rock and Roll’.
5. Blondie was the group. Debbie Harry was the lead singer. The song in question was “Call Me”, which won
a Grammy Award for ‘Best Rock Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocal’ in
1981. Blondie was inducted into the Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 alongside Black Sabbeth, Miles Davis, Lynyrd
Skynyrd and the Sex Pistols. Blondie’s
first # 1 hit was “Heart of Glass” in 1979.
“Call Me” was their second in ‘80.
“The Tide Is High” was their third chart topper in 1981 with “Rapture”,
also in ’81, as their fourth and final # 1.
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