Get in the festive spirit with our Christmas No1 singles quiz
Think your Christmas number one singles knowledge is up to scratch?
IT’S a sound as festive as the pulling of a cracker – the countdown to the Christmas No1 single.
Yesterday Ed Sheeran, with Perfect, joined the ranks of the history-makers dating back to 1952.
But do you know who have been the big-hitters in that roll of honour, who won when, the novelty tracks and the trivia surrounding the most sought-after chart position of the year? Here, NICK PRITCHARD tests your knowledge. Answers below.
Big Hitters
1. Which artist was festive No1 eight times, as part of different groups?
2. The Spice Girls had top song three years in a row. Name the first of these.
3. Queen were No1 in 1975 and 1991 with the same song. Which?
4. A version of Do They Know It’s Christmas has taken the spoils three times, including in 1988 and 2004. Which was the other year?
5. How many X Factor winners have taken the title?
6. True or false: Robbie Williams has had the top tune three times – but never as a solo artist.
Pop Pourri
1. Elvis was king in 1962, with which song?
2. In 2002 Girls Aloud and One True Voice battled it out after winning Popstars: The Rivals. Which set of twins from the same series were at No3?
3. Which song has won twice with two different artists?
4. Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You is the longest reigning Christmas chart-topper. How many weeks was it No1?
5. Which unusual festive No1 did David Cameron pick on Desert Island Discs?
Picture Round
NAME the act and their Christmas No1 from these music video stills.
Novelty Songs
1. IN 2009 a campaign to deny the X Factor winner the No1 spot by supporting Rage Against The Machine’s Killing in the Name came up trumps. Which X Factor winner lost out.
2. Paul McCartney’s brother Peter took the festive spoils in 1968 with The Scaffold. Name their winning song.
3. Mr Blobby, did the business in 1993 with a song of the same name. The video had an all-star cast that included a Sun columnist as his limo driver. Who was he?
4. Cliff Richard has celebrated victory with The Shadows and as part of Band Aid. But how many times has he been top of the pile as a solo artist?
5. Actor Neil Morrissey was No1 songster as a children’s TV character – which one?
Name The Year
WHEN did these songs sit at the summit of the Christmas rundown:
1. Skyscraper by Sam Bailey
2. Here in My Heart, Al Martino
3. Save Your Love, Renee and Renato
4. Somethin’ Stupid, Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman.
5. Moon River, Danny Williams
6. I Have a Dream, Westlife
ANSWERS
BIG-HITTERS:
1. Paul McCartney (The Beatles had four, Wings one, Band Aid two, The Justice Collective one); 2. 2 Become 1; 3. Bohemian Rhapsody; 4. 1984; 5. Seven; 6. True.
PICTURE ROUND:
1. The Human League – Don’t You Want Me; 2.Girls Aloud – Sound of the Underground; 3. Cliff Richard – Saviour’s Day; 4. Military Wives with Gareth Malone – Wherever You Are;
POP POURRI:
1. Return to Sender; 2. The Cheeky Girls; 3. Mary’s Boy Child – once for Harry Belafonte, once for Boney M; 4. Ten weeks; 5. Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West).
NAME THE YEAR:
1. 2013; 2. 1952; 3. 1982; 4. 2001; 5. 1961; 6. 1999.
NOVELTY:
1. Joe McElderry; 2. Lily the Pink; 3. Jeremy Clarkson; 4. Twice. 5. Bob the Builder.