John Lennon Trivia Question

[Hal...]

A number of years ago, I read something about one of Lennon's #1 hits, post-Beatles. In the back of my brain a little voice was saying, "that can't be right," so I did a little digging.

It turns out he wrote or co-wrote three songs that reached #1 on the Billboard Top 100 charts – in the span of less than one year!

My question: what are the three songs?

I'm sure most of you could name at least one, maybe even two. All three?

I have a hint, if anyone needs it.

Also, we're on the honor system here. Try to figure it out without googling. Altho, I admit this is a bit of a head scratcher. But that's the fun of trivia, no?


I already told this to ronmac, so Ron, you don't get to play. Sorry buddy.

[SteveSly]

A number of years ago, I read something about one of Lennon's #1 hits, post-Beatles. In the back of my brain a little voice was saying, "that can't be right," so I did a little digging.

It turns out he wrote or co-wrote three songs that reached #1 on the Billboard Top 100 charts – in the span of less than one year!

My question: what are the three songs?

I'm sure most of you could name at least one, maybe even two. All three?

I have a hint, if anyone needs it.

Also, we're on the honor system here. Try to figure it out without googling. Altho, I admit this is a bit of a head scratcher. But that's the fun of trivia, no?


I already told this to ronmac, so Ron, you don't get to play. Sorry buddy.

I am pretty sure "Whatever Gets You Through The Night" was one of them as he had a bet with Elton John about it. I would guess "Imagine" was one of them? My 3rd guess.......maybe "Happy Christmas War Is Over"?

[Hal...]

You're right about the first song, Steve.

Hint: not all three songs were recorded by him.

[Tangram]

I think the only solo song of his that hit #1 was with Elton. Guessing he wrote for others then. I don’t have a clue who.

[Dave (in MA)]

Bowie-Fame, which came to mind before the hint.

[Hal...]

I think the only solo song of his that hit #1 was with Elton. Guessing he wrote for others then. I don’t have a clue who.

Starting Over hit #1, as well.

[Hal...]

Bowie-Fame, which came to mind before the hint.

That's #2. And it was the thing that got me digging in the first place.

[Gravedigger]

Did Elton hit #1 with "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds?

[progmatist]

Did Elton hit #1 with "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds?

Wasn't that a Beatles song?

[Hal...]

Did Elton hit #1 with "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds?

Yep. That's the third.

Here are the dates each hit #1:

"Whatever Gets You Through the Night" "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" "Fame"

16 Nov 74 04 Jan 75 20 Sep 75

Actually, Paul came really close to having three #1s in a year, also, but missed it by 41 days:

"Band on the Run" "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" "Listen to What the Man Said"

08 Jun 74 04 Jan 75 19 Jul 75

[Hal...]

Wasn't that a Beatles song?

Yes, but Elton John recorded it and released as a single in November of '74 which, obviously Lennon co-wrote.

[Hal...]

This thread reminded me of something else I learned a few years ago.

So, bonus trivia question...

Only one former Beatle had a #1 hit with the same song in over 10 countries. There may have been more countries where it hit #1 but the ones I could find are:
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Germany
Ireland
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Sweden
Switzerland
UK
US

The question: who was it and what song was it?

[interbellum]

My first thought was Live Or Let Die, but when I checked a Dutch book (Hit Dossier) I noticed it didn't even make it to number 1 there.
Then I thought of Mull of Kintyre by The Wings.

[Sturgeon's Lawyer]

Good Lord >choke< -- was it "Ebony and Ivory"?

[Hal...]

No and no.

[Sturgeon's Lawyer]

Then that only leaves ... "My Sweet Lord," by George Harrison.

[Hal...]

Correct.

[Tangram]

Yep. That's the third.

Here are the dates each hit #1:

"Whatever Gets You Through the Night" "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" "Fame"

16 Nov 74 04 Jan 75 20 Sep 75

Actually, Paul came really close to having three #1s in a year, also, but missed it by 41 days:

"Band on the Run" "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" "Listen to What the Man Said"

08 Jun 74 04 Jan 75 19 Jul 75

As a huge Elton fan and already knew about Lennon's and Elton's hit "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night", how did I forget Lucy? It's tough getting old, the synapses don't fire as well as they used to. Dr Winston O'Boogie played on Lucy too!

[Koreabruce]

Even back in the day, I always thought Elton's version of Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds was a great cover of a great song. To me, though, a hit song featuring a memorable flute solo - and a MELLOTRON flute solo at that! - is something pretty special, regardless of the lo-fi aspect.

[ronmac]

Late to this thread. I would have not guessed My Sweet Lord.

When I was in 8th grade (1975), a teacher asked the class what their favorite song was. One kid answered "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds." Being a Beatles fan, I was pleasantly surprised. Then I learned that he was referring to Elton's cover, which I wasn't aware of. It's a still good cover. But I don't think it holds up particularly well.

[Hal...]

As a huge Elton fan and already knew about Lennon's and Elton's hit "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night", how did I forget Lucy? It's tough getting old, the synapses don't fire as well as they used to. Dr Winston O'Boogie played on Lucy too!

Don't feel bad. I forgot John played on Elton's Lucy.

[Hal...]

When I was in 8th grade (1975), a teacher asked the class what their favorite song was. One kid answered "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds." Being a Beatles fan, I was pleasantly surprised. Then I learned that he was referring to Elton's cover, which I wasn't aware of. It's a still good cover. But I don't think it holds up particularly well.

Hell, I haven't heard it since it was first released and I didn't particularly like it then. But I'm not an Elton fan, so...

Actually, even though I love Walls and Bridges, I have never liked Whatever Gets You Through The Night. I think it's the weakest song on the album.

I can still remember my reaction to hearing Fame for the first time. My friends and I thought it was just about the coolest song we had heard that year. It's still my second favorite Bowie song, next to Golden Years.

[Koreabruce]

I'm not a fan of Lennon's vocals in this one. I mean it's okay, but I've always preferred EJ's voice to this.

[ronmac]

Hell, I haven't heard it since it was first released and I didn't particularly like it then. But I'm not an Elton fan, so...

Actually, even though I love Walls and Bridges, I have never liked Whatever Gets You Through The Night. I think it's the weakest song on the album.

Ever hear this version?

[interbellum]

My first thought was Live Or Let Die, but when I checked a Dutch book (Hit Dossier) I noticed it didn't even make it to number 1 there.
Then I thought of Mull of Kintyre by The Wings.

My guess was being confirmed by Wiki (mentions 11 countries where it reached #1), so maybe I didn't understand the question.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mull_of_Kintyre_(song)