Think You’re Songwriter Savvy? Take This Test

Paul McCartney is the most popular songwriter of the modern pop era. On his own and with the Beatles, McCartney has written or co-written 169 recordings that made the Billboard Top 100 singles list.

But McCartney wouldn’t be a hard guess. Now for the real test.

Who placed second with 152 hits? (It’s not John Lennon).

That’s the opening question in a pop quiz inspired by information in “Top Pop Annual 1955-1999,” the latest in publisher Joel Whitburn’s invaluable series of pop reference books. It’s the first time Whitburn has included songwriters in his research.

1. What songwriter has the second-highest total of hits in the modern pop era?

(a) Bob Dylan

(b) Brian Holland

(c) Elton John

(d) Paul Simon

(e) Stevie Wonder

2. Of these ‘50s rock pioneers, who had the most chart success as a songwriter?

(a) Chuck Berry

(b) Fats Domino

(c) Buddy Holly

(d) Jerry Lee Lewis

(e) Elvis Presley

3. Bob Dylan is probably the most acclaimed songwriter of the rock era, but where does he finish in terms of number of hit recordings of his songs?

(a) No. 9

(b) No. 19

(c) No. 29

(d) No. 39

(e) No. 49

4. Who is the most successful female songwriter in terms of hit singles?

(a) Ellie Greenwich

(b) Carole King

(c) Madonna

(d) Cynthia Weil

(e) Diane Warren

5. Of songwriters whose careers started after 1985, only one is ranked among the 40 with the most hits. Who is it?

(a) Babyface

(b) Jimmy Jam Harris

(c) Rodney Jerkins

(c) R. Kelly

(e) Diane Warren

* See Page 74 for answers

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Answers to the Pop Quiz

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You’re a savvy pop historian if you knew Brian Holland was the second-most successful songwriter of the modern pop era. (See Bonus Track, previous page)

Best known as part of the Motown hit-making team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, the writer-producer is credited with 152 hit recordings, including “I Can’t Help Myself” for the Four Tops and “Stop! In the Name of Love” for the Supremes. His partners, his brother Eddie Holland and Lamont Dozier, amassed enough credits to finish No. 3 and No. 5, respectively, in Whitburn’s summary of hit-makers. (Lennon finished fourth.)

For the ranking, Whitburn awarded a writer points every time a song made the Top 100 chart and bonus points based on how high the recording placed. When co-writers were involved, each writer got the full number of points generated by the song.

The other answers:

2. Fats Domino (63 hits).

3. No. 49 (52 hits).

4. Carole King (No. 10 overall, 118 hits).

5. Babyface (No. 14 overall, 95 hits).

Besides ranking songwriters, “Pop Annual 1955-1999” lists every Top 100 single of the rock era, indicating the top chart position achieved by each record.

Information on the book and the dozens of other Whitburn music research books can be obtained by phoning (800) 827-9810 or e-mailing: books@recordresearch.com.