There are many pieces on this Blog that mention Pop Master, the BBC Radio 2 mid-morning quiz. You can hear it live on the Ken Bruce Show Monday to Friday at 10.30am or use BBC Sounds to listen back to any shows from the previous 30 days. You can also download the last 30 days’ worth of episodes as Podcasts. Since May 2020 that is how I have usually followed the show, and have ended up over a month behind most people who keep up with the UK’s most listened-to radio quiz.
Every now and then I have a binge and listen to several episodes back to back. I still keep a note of my scores every day (as first noted here) and often make detailed notes of the questions and answers.
Last autumn (week ending Friday 6 November 2020) I had my best Pop Master week ever: highest average score (37.2 out of a possible 39) and joint-highest number of maximum scores of 39 (6 out of a possible 10). All of the questions and answers are listed in this earlier piece, including the four questions during the week that I got wrong.
Last week I achieved a new record: 8 maximum scores out of a possible 10. Unfortunately the four questions that I got wrong were all bonus questions, so my average score per round was slightly down on last November’s (36.6 out of a possible 39). Even so, as a record of my best Pop Master week ever (in terms of maximum scores), here are the 100 questions and answers, and the 3 in 10 rounds for last week.
As with earlier pieces, the questions appear first, for the whole week, then they are repeated (with the answers in brackets) [and notes or reminders in square brackets]. At the very end of this piece is a summary of the 4 questions that caught me out (all from Bonus Rounds, worth 6 points each).
The Questions
Monday 29 March 2021
Round 1 Bonus Questions: Firsts and lasts [Not Big Down Under]
The songs Fall at your feet in 1991, Weather with you in 1992 and Distant Sun in 1993 were all hits for which band?
Scissor Sisters spent 4 weeks at #1 in 2006 with which song?
BONUS: In 1978 this performer made his first and last Top 20 entry into the UK charts with this [a version of Stay]; who is he?
In 1982 Kim Wilde had a hit with the song View From
The surnames are Berryman, Buckland, Champion and Martin; which group is it?
BONUS: The 1981 debut hit for this group, [Lyrics include: “You’re looking at Planet Earth”]; who are they?
Who made her chart debut in the 1970s with a Top 3 version of Never can say goodbye?
In which year were the songs at 30 20 and 10 in this week’s chart Shell Shock New Order, No-one is to blame Howard Jones, Move Away Culture Club?
BONUS: Here’s the last Top 40 hit achieved by a group that had 3 consecutive #1s in 1963 [Lyrics: “When lovers such as we / Walk hand in hand / Be not afraid”]; can you identify them from this clip?
Complete the title of this 1997 song for Sheryl Crow: A change would
Round 2 Bonus Questions: Something beginning with X [Not Big Down Under]
What was In a Bottle according to the title of Christina Aguilera’s #1 from 1999?
The songs Walk like an Egyptian in 1986, Walking down your street in 1987 and Hazy shade of winter in 1988 were all hits for which group?
BONUS: This is a Top 5 hit from 2002 featuring David Byrne on vocals [Lazy]; can you name the act he’s guesting with?
What type of house did Ed Sheeran sing about on his 2011 Top 5 hit?
The song If the kids are united was a Top 10 single in the summer of 1978 for which group?
BONUS: In 1996 this remake of a TV theme by DJ Dado reached the Top 10; can you name the show?
The group Debarge had a Top 5 hit in 1985 that featured on the soundtrack to the film The Last Dragon; what was the song?
In which year were the following songs new entries in this week’s chart? Four Minutes Madonna & Justin Timberlake, Sweet About Me Gabriella Cilme, American Boy Estelle
BONUS: Please name the group responsible for this 1978 Top 20 hit [Germ-Free Adolescents]
The songs I drove all night in 1988 and The world is stone in 1992 were the final Top 40 hit of the 80s and first of the 90s for which singer?
3 in 10: Billy Ocean
Tuesday 30 March 2021
Round 1 Bonus Questions: A Bit Tight [Not Real Names]
The song Sailing was #1 in 1975 for which singer?
What was Annie Lennox Walking On according to the title of her 1992 Top 10 single?
BONUS: Samantha Fox reached the charts in 1986 with this song [Hold on Tight], but can you give the full title of her debut hit?
Which early 90s Top 10 hit for Madness is a cover of a Labi Siffre hit from the 70s?
In which year were the following songs new entries in this week’s chart? Unchained Melody Gareth Gates, Fly By Two Blue, Home and Dry Pet Shop Boys
BONUS: This is Tight Fit, their version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight; who took the song into the charts first?
Who was riding Shotgun according to the title of his #1 song in 2018?
The American singer and guitarist Robbie Neville had both of his UK Top 40 hits in the second half of the 80s; please name either of them
BONUS: This is the debut chart hit from 1985 by Simply Red [Money’s too tight to mention]; who had the original hit with it in 1982?
Scream if you want to go faster is the title of a Top 10 single and a Top 5 album in 2001 for which singer?
Round 2 Bonus Questions: 60s Revivals [Not Real Names]
The 1981 chart debut was also the group’s first #1 and the Eurovision winning song that year; what was it called?
What were onerepublic Counting according to the title of the group’s 2013 #1 single?
BONUS: Here’s a 1958 #1 hit by Tommy Edwards [It’s all in the game]; name the British singer who took the song back into the Top 10 in 1963
Jimmy Ruffin had a 1966 Top 10 hit with a song that would eventually be a #1 cover for Robson and Jerome 30 years later; what is that song?
The songs Black Horse and the Cherry Tree, Other side of the world and Suddenly I See were all hits in 2005 for which singer?
BONUS: This is a 1966 hit for the Supremes [You can’t hurry love]; it reached #1 in 1983 for which male singer?
In which year were the songs at 30 20 and 10 in this week’s chart Anything 3T, Going for gold Shed 7, Stupid Girl Garbage?
The band The Skids first reached the Top 40 in 1979 with the song Into what?
BONUS: This is the 1994 debut hit song by CJ Lewis [Sweets for my sweet], but it was originally the debut chart entry and first #1 for which group?
Name the uncredited singer on the Crusaders 1979 hit Street Life who went on to have several hit singles of her own in the 1980s
3 in 10: Rose Royce
Wednesday 31 March 2021
Round 1 Bonus Questions: The Hollies [Not Debut Hits]
Brotherhood of Man spent 6 weeks at #1 in 1976 with which Eurovision-winning song?
Which group sang about Love Plus One on their 1982 Top 3 single?
BONUS: Here’s the second of two #1s achieved by The Hollies [He ain’t heavy he’s my brother]; can you name the other one?
The songs One for sorrow in 1998, Love’s got a hold on my heart in 1999 and Deeper shade of blue in 2000 have all been hits for which group?
In which year did this week’s Top 3 have Girlfriend Avril Lavigne at 3, Walk This Way Sugababes v Girls Aloud at 2, I’m Gonna be 500 Miles Proclaimers featuring Brian Potter and Andy Pipkin at 1?
BONUS: Part of a verse from 1967 a Top 10 hit by The Hollies [Lyrics include: “When we were at school our games were simple / I’d play the janitor you’d play the monitor”]; what is the song?
The song Feel the need in me was a Top 5 single in 1973 for the band called Detroit what?
What was On My Mind according to the title of Sam Smith’s #1 in 2014?
BONUS: In 1966 The Hollies reached the Top 20 with this song [If I needed someone]; can you name the famous person who wrote it?
What one-word title provided Godley and Crème with their final Top 40 hit in 1985?
Round 2 Bonus Questions: Debut Hits [Not Cats and Dogs]
Anderson, Felkskorg, Lingstat and Ulvaeus are the surnames of the four members of which group?
What took place On the Dancefloor according to the title of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s 2001 Top 3 hit?
BONUS: This is the last Top 40 achieved by Seal in the 90s [Fly like an eagle]; his first solo hit was in 1990, what was it?
In 1998 Culture Club were back in the Top 10 for the first time in 12 years with their Top 5 song titled I Just what?
In which year did this week’s Top 3 consist of Robert de Niro’s Waiting Bananarama, It’s raining men The Weather Girls, Hello Lionel Richie?
BONUS: The instrumental part of the debut hit for Elvis Presley [very distinctive tinkling piano]; what song is it?
The songs Summer Love Sensation in 1974, Money Honey in 1975 and Love me like I love you were all 1976 Top 5 hits for which group?
Passenger spent 14 weeks in the Top 10 in 2013 with his first Top 40 hit; what was it called?
BONUS: A 1990 debut hit that made the charts again in 1998 when this act re-recorded it [Naked in the rain]; who are they?
The 1983 Top 10 song Love on your side was the first Top 40 single for which chart act?
3 in 10: Marmalade
Thursday 1 April 2021
Round 1 Bonus Questions: Elvis and The Beatles [Not The Motown Sound]
The 1984 single Wake me up before you go-go was the first of 5 #1s for which duo?
According to the title of The Cure’s 1992 Top 10 single, on what day of the week say he was in love?
BONUS: Part of a verse from a 1968 hit by Elvis Presley [Lyrics include: “Well I nearly ‘bout starved to death down in Memphis / I run out of money and luck”]; what’s it called?
Barry White had his only UK #1 in 1974 with which song?
What kind of Games did Lana Del Rey sing about on her Top 10 debut hit in 2011?
BONUS: Here’s one song from a 1967 double A sided single by The Beatles [Strawberry Fields Forever]; what is the other song?
Which Australian singer’s career in the charts began in 2003 with 2 Top 5 singles called Born to try and Lost without you?
In which year did this week’s Top 3 consist of This time I know it’s for real Donna Summer, Too many broken hearts Jason Donovan, Like a Prayer Madonna?
BONUS: From 1966 here is one of 2 chart-toppers from that year by The Beatles [Paperback Writer]; how many #1s did the group have in total?
The songs It’s a man’s man’s man’s world in 1966, Get up offa that thing in 1976 and Living in America 1986 were all hits for who?
Round 2 Bonus Questions: Sorry seems to be the hardest word [Not The Motown Sound]
Wet Wet Wet spent a month at #1 in 1992 with a song called Goodnight what?
Which band sang about a Glittering Prize on their 1982 hit single?
BONUS: In 1997 Peter Cetera, one-time lead vocalist with Chicago, was featured on this revival of one of the band’s hits [Hard for me to say I’m sorry]; which band is he singing with here?
In which year did this week’s Top 3 consist of Smooth Santana featuring Rob Thomas, The Time is now Moloko, Never be the same again Melanie C?
Connolly, Priest, Scott and Tucker are the surnames of which successful Glam Rock group’s classic line-up?
BONUS: The last chart hit for S Club 8, formerly known as S Club Juniors, it was their only release not to make the Top 10; can you name it?
Which song spent 7 weeks at #1 for Lewis Capaldi in the early spring of 2019?
The singles The Crunch in 1977 and Clouds Across the Moon in 1985 were Top 10 hits for which act?
BONUS: From 1960 this is part of a hit from an American who had a total of 19 Top 40 entries [I’m sorry]; who is she?
Guns ‘n Roses had their final Top 10 single to date in 1995 with a version of which Rolling Stones song?
3 in 10: Toni Braxton
Friday 2 April 2020
Round 1 Bonus Questions:
Round 1: Emotions [Not Oh so quiet]
Bryan Adams spent 16 weeks at #1 in 1991 with which song?
The song Black Coffee was #1 in 2000 for which group?
BONUS: In 1991 this singer achieved her 2nd UK Top 20 hit with this [Emotion]; who is she?
In which year were the songs at 30 20 and 10 in this week’s chart Together OC Smith, Saturday Night Earth Wind and Fire, Boogie Nights Heatwave?
What musical instrument features in the titles of a 1980 Top 5 hit for Diana Ross and Brenda Russell’s Top 40 single in 1988?
BONUS: The female vocal group the Emotions had two Top 5 hits in the late 70s; this song, alongside Earth Wind and Fire [Boogie Wonderland] and which other hit?
Who is the Canadian singer who made her only Top 40 appearance with Black Velvet? it was a Top 3 hit in 1990
Released in 2014, what did James Bay want to Hold Back according to the title of his Top 3 song?
BONUS: Played here by the San Remo strings, can you identify this famous Smokey Robinson song that was also once covered by Japan? [Bear in mind that the subject is Emotions]
Having had a run of Top 10 hits in the first half of the 70s, who had further Top 10s in the first half of the 80s with the songs Pretend and I won’t run away?
Round 2 Bonus Questions: Oh So Quiet [Not Original Versions]
The 1974 hit Tiger Feet was the first of 3 #1s for which group?
Where did the band Deep Blue Something take Breakfast according to their 1996 #1?
BONUS: Here’s Billy Joe Royle’s original version of a song [Hush] that reached #2 in 1997 for which band?
Lily Allen’s chart career began in 2006 with which #1 single?
In which year did this week’s Top 3 consist of Can I play with madness Iron Maiden, Drop the boy Bros, Don’t turn around Aswad?
BONUS: This is the Carpenters version of There’s a kind of hush, from 1976; who had the original version in 1967?
The song Love me like you do spent a month at #1 in 2015 for which singer?
Where or what was Burning according to the title of The Ruts 1979 debut hit?
BONUS: Here’s Simon & Garfunkel, their recording of Sound of Silence; name the act who reached the Top 5 with their version of it in 1966
The songs I owe you one, There it is and Dead Giveaway were all hits in the first half of the 80s for which group?
3 in 10: Neil Sedaka
Questions and Answers
The answers are in brackets (like this); Answers IN CAPITALS indicate questions that I got wrong; notes or explanations are in square brackets [like this]. The word “YES” indicates a question I guessed correctly and was pleased about.
Monday 29 March 2021
Round 1 Bonus Questions: Firsts and lasts [Not Big Down Under]
The songs Fall at your feet in 1991, Weather with you in 1992 and Distant Sun in 1993 were all hits for which band? (Crowded House)
Scissor Sisters spent 4 weeks at #1 in 2006 with which song? (I don’t feel like dancing)
BONUS: In 1978 this performer made his first and last Top 20 entry into the UK charts with this [a version of Stay]; who is he? (Jackson Browne)
In 1982 Kim Wilde had a hit with the song View From (A Bridge)
The surnames are Berryman, Buckland, Champion and Martin; which group is it? (Coldplay)
BONUS: The 1981 debut hit for this group, [Lyrics include: “You’re looking at Planet Earth”]; who are they? (Duran Duran)
Who made her chart debut in the 1970s with a Top 3 version of Never can say goodbye? (Gloria Gaynor)
In which year were the songs at 30 20 and 10 in this week’s chart Shell Shock New Order, No-one is to blame Howard Jones, Move Away Culture Club? (1986)
BONUS: Here’s the last Top 40 hit achieved by a group that had 3 consecutive #1s in 1963 [Lyrics: “When lovers such as we / Walk hand in hand / Be not afraid”]; can you identify them from this clip? (Gerry and the Pacemakers)
Complete the title of this 1997 song for Sheryl Crow: A change would (do you good) YES
39 for me, 15 for her
Round 2 Bonus Questions: Something beginning with X [Not Big Down Under]
What was In a Bottle according to the title of Christina Aguilera’s #1 from 1999? (Genie)
The songs Walk like an Egyptian in 1986, Walking down your street in 1987 and Hazy shade of winter in 1988 were all hits for which group? (Bangles)
BONUS: This is a Top 5 hit from 2002 featuring David Byrne on vocals [Lazy]; can you name the act he’s guesting with? (Xpress 2)
What type of house did Ed Sheeran sing about on his 2011 Top 5 hit? (Lego)
The song If the kids are united was a Top 10 single in the summer of 1978 for which group? (Sham 69)
BONUS: In 1996 this remake of a TV theme by DJ Dado reached the Top 10; can you name the show? (X Files)
The group Debarge had a Top 5 hit in 1985 that featured on the soundtrack to the film The Last Dragon; what was the song? (Rhythm of the night)
In which year were the following songs new entries in this week’s chart? Four Minutes Madonna & Justin Timberlake, Sweet About Me Gabriella Cilme, American Boy Estelle (2008)
BONUS: Please name the group responsible for this 1978 Top 20 hit [Germ-Free Adolescents] (X-Ray Spex)
The songs I drove all night in 1988 and The world is stone in 1992 were the final Top 40 hit of the 80s and first of the 90s for which singer? (Cyndi Lauper)
39 for me, 21 for her
3 in 10: Billy Ocean, yes for her and for me
Billy Ocean (29 March 2021): Red light spells danger / Caribbean Queen / When the going gets tough the tough get going / Suddenly [and others]
Tuesday 30 March 2021
Round 1 Bonus Questions: A Bit Tight [Not Real Names]
The song Sailing was #1 in 1975 for which singer? (Rod Stewart)
What was Annie Lennox Walking On according to the title of her 1992 Top 10 single? (Broken Glass)
BONUS: Samantha Fox reached the charts in 1986 with this song [Hold on Tight], but can you give the full title of her debut hit? (Touch me I want your body)
Which early 90s Top 10 hit for Madness is a cover of a Labi Siffre hit from the 70s? (It must be love)
In which year were the following songs new entries in this week’s chart? Unchained Melody Gareth Gates, Fly By Two Blue, Home and Dry Pet Shop Boys (2002)
BONUS: This is Tight Fit, their version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight; who took the song into the charts first? (THE TOKENS) [NOPE, I really should have got that]
Who was riding Shotgun according to the title of his #1 song in 2018? (George Ezra)
The American singer and guitarist Robbie Neville had both of his UK Top 40 hits in the second half of the 80s; please name either of them (C’est la vie) Dominoes
BONUS: This is the debut chart hit from 1985 by Simply Red [Money’s too tight to mention]; who had the original hit with it in 1982? (THE VALENTINE BROTHERS) [NOPE, like The Tokens in the previous Bonus Question, there have been times when I would have known this answer; not this week; for the record, the Valentine Brothers version had 1 week at #73 in the UK charts, the Simply Red version got to #13]
Scream if you want to go faster is the title of a Top 10 single and a Top 5 album in 2001 for which singer? (Geri Halliwell)
15 for him, 27 for me, 2 tricky bonus questions
Round 2 Bonus Questions: 60s Revivals [Not Real Names]
The 1981 chart debut was also the group’s first #1 and the Eurovision winning song that year; what was it called? (Making your mind up) [40 years ago on Sunday]
What were onerepublic Counting according to the title of the group’s 2013 #1 single? (Stars)
BONUS: Here’s a 1958 #1 hit by Tommy Edwards [It’s all in the game]; name the British singer who took the song back into the Top 10 in 1963 (Cliff Richard)
Jimmy Ruffin had a 1966 Top 10 hit with a song that would eventually be a #1 cover for Robson and Jerome 30 years later; what is that song? (What becomes of the broken-hearted)
The songs Black Horse and the Cherry Tree, Other side of the world and Suddenly I See were all hits in 2005 for which singer? (KT Tunstall)
BONUS: This is a 1966 hit for the Supremes [You can’t hurry love]; it reached #1 in 1983 for which male singer? (Phil Collins)
In which year were the songs at 30 20 and 10 in this week’s chart Anything 3T, Going for gold Shed 7, Stupid Girl Garbage? (1996) YES
The band The Skids first reached the Top 40 in 1979 with the song Into what? (The Valley)
BONUS: This is the 1994 debut hit song by CJ Lewis [Sweets for my sweet], but it was originally the debut chart entry and first #1 for which group? (Searchers)
Name the uncredited singer on the Crusaders 1979 hit Street Life who went on to have several hit singles of her own in the 1980s (Randy Crawford)
18 for him, 39 for me, much easier bonuses that Round 1
3 in 10: Rose Royce, yes for me, not for him
Rose Royce (30 March 2021): Car Wash / Love don’t live here anymore / Is it love your after / Wishing on a star / I want to get next to you [and others]
Wednesday 31 March 2021
Round 1 Bonus Questions: The Hollies [Not Debut Hits]
Brotherhood of Man spent 6 weeks at #1 in 1976 with which Eurovision-winning song? (Save your kisses for me)
Which group sang about Love Plus One on their 1982 Top 3 single? (Haircut 100)
BONUS: Here’s the second of two #1s achieved by The Hollies [He ain’t heavy he’s my brother]; can you name the other one? (I’m Alive)
The songs One for sorrow in 1998, Love’s got a hold on my heart in 1999 and Deeper shade of blue in 2000 have all been hits for which group? (Steps)
In which year did this week’s Top 3 have Girlfriend Avril Lavigne at 3, Walk This Way Sugababes v Girls Aloud at 2, I’m Gonna be 500 Miles Proclaimers featuring Brian Potter and Andy Pipkin at 1? (2007)
BONUS: Part of a verse from 1967 a Top 10 hit by The Hollies [Lyrics include: “When we were at school our games were simple / I’d play the janitor you’d play the monitor”]; what is the song? (Carrie Anne)
The song Feel the need in me was a Top 5 single in 1973 for the band called Detroit what? (Emeralds)
What was On My Mind according to the title of Sam Smith’s #1 in 2014? (Money)
BONUS: In 1966 The Hollies reached the Top 20 with this song [If I needed someone]; can you name the famous person who wrote it? (George Harrison) YES
What one-word title provided Godley and Crème with their final Top 40 hit in 1985? (Cry)
6 for her, 39 for me
Round 2 Bonus Questions: Debut Hits [Not Cats and Dogs]
Anderson, Felkskorg, Lingstat and Ulvaeus are the surnames of the four members of which group? (Abba)
What took place On the Dancefloor according to the title of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s 2001 Top 3 hit? (Murder)
BONUS: This is the last Top 40 achieved by Seal in the 90s [Fly like an eagle]; his first solo hit was in 1990, what was it? (Crazy)
In 1998 Culture Club were back in the Top 10 for the first time in 12 years with their Top 5 song titled I Just what? (Want to be loved)
In which year did this week’s Top 3 consist of Robert de Niro’s Waiting Bananarama, It’s raining men The Weather Girls, Hello Lionel Richie? (1984)
BONUS: The instrumental part of the debut hit for Elvis Presley [very distinctive tinkling piano]; what song is it? (Heartbreak Hotel)
The songs Summer Love Sensation in 1974, Money Honey in 1975 and Love me like I love you were all 1976 Top 5 hits for which group? (Bay City Rollers)
Passenger spent 14 weeks in the Top 10 in 2013 with his first Top 40 hit; what was it called? (Let her go)
BONUS: A 1990 debut hit that made the charts again in 1998 when this act re-recorded it [Naked in the rain]; who are they? (Blue Pearl)
The 1983 Top 10 song Love on your side was the first Top 40 single for which chart act? (Thompson Twins)
15 for him, 39 for me
3 in 10: Marmalade, yes for me, not for him
Marmalade (31 March 2021): Reflections of my life / Ob-la-di Ob-la-da / Falling apart at the seams / Loving things [and others]
Thursday 1 April 2021
Round 1 Bonus Questions: Elvis and The Beatles [Not The Motown Sound]
The 1984 single Wake me up before you go-go was the first of 5 #1s for which duo? (Wham)
According to the title of The Cure’s 1992 Top 10 single, on what day of the week say he was in love? (Friday)
BONUS: Part of a verse from a 1968 hit by Elvis Presley [Lyrics include: “Well I nearly ‘bout starved to death down in Memphis / I run out of money and luck”]; what’s it called? (Guitar Man)
Barry White had his only UK #1 in 1974 with which song? (You’re the first, my last, my everything)
What kind of Games did Lana Del Rey sing about on her Top 10 debut hit in 2011? (Video Games)
BONUS: Here’s one song from a 1967 double A sided single by The Beatles [Strawberry Fields Forever]; what is the other song? (Penny Lane)
Which Australian singer’s career in the charts began in 2003 with 2 Top 5 singles called Born to try and Lost without you? (Delta Goodren) is my guess YES
In which year did this week’s Top 3 consist of This time I know it’s for real Donna Summer, Too many broken hearts Jason Donovan, Like a Prayer Madonna? (1989)
BONUS: From 1966 here is one of 2 chart-toppers from that year by The Beatles [Paperback Writer]; how many #1s did the group have in total? (17)
The songs It’s a man’s man’s man’s world in 1966, Get up offa that thing in 1976 and Living in America 1986 were all hits for who? (James Brown)
13 for him, and YES, another 39 – the SEVENTH of the week [21/04/2021 11:21] I haven’t made notes on Friday 2 April yet but I got a 39 there
Round 2 Bonus Questions: Sorry seems to be the hardest word [Not The Motown Sound]
Wet Wet Wet spent a month at #1 in 1992 with a song called Goodnight what? (Girl)
Which band sang about a Glittering Prize on their 1982 hit single? (Simple Minds)
BONUS: In 1997 Peter Cetera, one-time lead vocalist with Chicago, was featured on this revival of one of the band’s hits [Hard for me to say I’m sorry]; which band is he singing with here? (Blue) is my guess NOPE (AS YET), never heard of them
In which year did this week’s Top 3 consist of Smooth Santana featuring Rob Thomas, The Time is now Moloko, Never be the same again Melanie C? (2000)
Connolly, Priest, Scott and Tucker are the surnames of which successful Glam Rock group’s classic line-up? (Sweet)
BONUS: The last chart hit for S Club 8, formerly known as S Club Juniors, it was their only release not to make the Top 10; can you name it? (Sorry) is my guess NOPE (DON’T TELL ME YOU’RE SORRY)
Which song spent 7 weeks at #1 for Lewis Capaldi in the early spring of 2019? (Someone you loved)
The singles The Crunch in 1977 and Clouds Across the Moon in 1985 were Top 10 hits for which act? (The Rah Band)
BONUS: From 1960 this is part of a hit from an American who had a total of 19 Top 40 entries [I’m sorry]; who is she? (Brenda Lee) [NOT Connie Francis, I was torn between the two and went for the right one]
Guns ‘n Roses had their final Top 10 single to date in 1995 with a version of which Rolling Stones song? (Sympathy for the Devil)
12 for him, 27 for me, TOUGH bonus questions there
3 in 10: Toni Braxton, none for him, 2 for me (the first 2 below)
Toni Braxton (1 April 2021): Unbreak my heart / He wasn’t man enough / Breathe again [and others]
Friday 2 April 2020
Round 1 Bonus Questions:
Round 1: Emotions [Not Oh so quiet]
Bryan Adams spent 16 weeks at #1 in 1991 with which song? (Everything I do I do it for you)
The song Black Coffee was #1 in 2000 for which group? (All Saints)
BONUS: In 1991 this singer achieved her 2nd UK Top 20 hit with this [Emotion]; who is she? (Mariah Carey)
In which year were the songs at 30 20 and 10 in this week’s chart Together OC Smith, Saturday Night Earth Wind and Fire, Boogie Nights Heatwave? (1977)
What musical instrument features in the titles of a 1980 Top 5 hit for Diana Ross and Brenda Russell’s Top 40 single in 1988? (Piano)
BONUS: The female vocal group the Emotions had two Top 5 hits in the late 70s; this song, alongside Earth Wind and Fire [Boogie Wonderland] and which other hit? (Best of my love)
Who is the Canadian singer who made her only Top 40 appearance with Black Velvet? it was a Top 3 hit in 1990 (Alannah Myles)
Released in 2014, what did James Bay want to Hold Back according to the title of his Top 3 song? (The River)
BONUS: Played here by the San Remo strings, can you identify this famous Smokey Robinson song that was also once covered by Japan? [Bear in mind that the subject is Emotions] (I second that emotion)
Having had a run of Top 10 hits in the first half of the 70s, who had further Top 10s in the first half of the 80s with the songs Pretend and I won’t run away? (Alvin Stardust)
21 for her, 39 for me
Round 2 Bonus Questions: Oh So Quiet [Not Original Versions]
The 1974 hit Tiger Feet was the first of 3 #1s for which group? (Mud)
Where did the band Deep Blue Something take Breakfast according to their 1996 #1? (At Tiffany’s)
BONUS: Here’s Billy Joe Royle’s original version of a song [Hush] that reached #2 in 1997 for which band? (Kula Shaker)
Lily Allen’s chart career began in 2006 with which #1 single? (Smile)
In which year did this week’s Top 3 consist of Can I play with madness Iron Maiden, Drop the boy Bros, Don’t turn around Aswad? (1988)
BONUS: This is the Carpenters version of There’s a kind of hush, from 1976; who had the original version in 1967? (Herman’s Hermits)
The song Love me like you do spent a month at #1 in 2015 for which singer? (Ellie Goulding)
Where or what was Burning according to the title of The Ruts 1979 debut hit? (Babylon)
BONUS: Here’s Simon & Garfunkel, their recording of Sound of Silence; name the act who reached the Top 5 with their version of it in 1966 (Bachelors)
The songs I owe you one, There it is and Dead Giveaway were all hits in the first half of the 80s for which group? (Shalamar) [YES, I have got them confused with Shakatak so many times over the years,but got itright this time]
15 for her, 39 for me
3 in 10: Neil Sedaka, yes for me, not for her
Neil Sedaka (2 April 2021): Laughter in the rain / Breaking up is hard to do / Oh Carol / Happy birthday sweet 16 / Queen of 1964 [and others]
Summary of my scores, and the questions I got wrong
Monday 29 March 2021: 39, 39
[No questions wrong]
Tuesday 30 March 2021: 27, 39, The Tokens The lion sleeps tonight, The Valentine Brothers Money’s too tight to mention
BONUS: This is Tight Fit, their version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight; who took the song into the charts first? (THE TOKENS) [NOPE, I really should have got that]
BONUS: This is the debut chart hit from 1985 by Simply Red [Money’s too tight to mention]; who had the original hit with it in 1982? (THE VALENTINE BROTHERS) [NOPE, like The Tokens in the previous Bonus Question, there have been times when I would have known this answer; not this week; for the record, the Valentine Brothers version had 1 week at #73 in the UK charts, the Simply Red version got to #13]
Wednesday 31 March 2021: 39, 39
[No questions wrong]
Thursday 1 April 2021: 39, 27, As Yet version of Hard for me to say I’m sorry featuring Peter Cetera, S Club 8 final hit Don’t tell me you’re sorry
BONUS: In 1997 Peter Cetera, one-time lead vocalist with Chicago, was featured on this revival of one of the band’s hits [Hard for me to say I’m sorry]; which band is he singing with here? (Blue) is my guess NOPE (AS YET), never heard of them
BONUS: The last chart hit for S Club 8, formerly known as S Club Juniors, it was their only release not to make the Top 10; can you name it? (Sorry) is my guess NOPE (DON’T TELL ME YOU’RE SORRY)
Friday 2 April 2020: 39, 39
[No questions wrong]
a
The Compartments 