Music Trivia Questions

Music trivia questions with answers

A sample from the music bank — tap any question to reveal the answer. Good for quiz nights, classrooms, or settling arguments.

1. What special Grammy Award did Aretha Franklin receive in 1991?

   Living Legend Award

2. This great alto player was an important part of The Dave Brubeck Quartet.

   Paul Desmond

3. This famous documentary by director Grant Gee follows the alternative rock band Radiohead on their world tour after the release of the album OK Computer.

   Meeting People is Easy

4. The Next Time I Fall was a big hit song for this duo in 1986.

   Peter Cetera and Amy Grant

5. What celebrated artist wrote the ballad Nothing Compares 2 U, which was later covered by Sinead OConnor and topped the charts in many countries?

   Prince

6. American hip hop performer James Todd Smith III is better known by his stage name, LL Cool J, which stands for what?

   Ladies Love Cool James

7. Which one of these German Eurovision entries is famous for its wacky performance?

   Guildo hat euch lieb!

8. This former Yale dropout and music producer, who spent almost 50 years developing and supporting jazz musicians, was Benny Goodmans brother-in-law.

   John Hammond

9. What artist was honored with the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1991?

   Phil Collins for Another Day in Paradise

10. Though never a major commercial success, this garage rock-band had a semi-hit with Lets Talk About Girls.

    Chocolate Watchband

11. The song Sailing sailed all the way up the U.S. charts to #1 for this singer in 1980.

    Christopher Cross

12. This animal song was written by Nelly Furtado and was the first single from her 2000 debut album Whoa, Nelly!.

    Im like a Bird

13. Dont fear the Reaper is a song from the 1976 album Agents of Fortune, recorded by which group?

    Blue Öyster Cult

14. Which one hit wonder had a huge hit in 1984 with the song Somebodys Watching Me?

    Rockwell

15. Who introduced the amplified guitar in jazz music?

    Eddie Durham

16. Finish the missing words from the song Papa Dont Preach by Madonna: But my friends keep telling me to give it up, saying Im too young, I ought to live it up. What I need right now is ....

    Some good advice

17. The Bellamy Brothers had a number one smash with Let Your Love Flow in 1976. They tried this lame pick-up line the next time around, and it peaked at number 39.

    If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold it Against Me

18. Donna Fargo was best known for what signature song from 1972?

    The Happiest Girl In the Whole USA

19. Genre: Bubblegum Pop Sugar, Sugar was the best selling song of 1969. It was written by Andy Kim (Rock Me Gently - 1974) but was released by this manufactured band.

    The Archies

20. Which 1960s American folk rock band sang a song containing the line: We hold but a moment, sunlight fading into gray.?

    Youngbloods

21. What colorful song did Canadian singer Alannah Myles release in 1989?

    Black Velvet

22. People today are still living off the table scraps of the sixties. They are still being passed around - the music and the ideas. Who said this?

    Bob Dylan

23. The song featured in the audio clip was a top ten hit for this duo, which consisted of a funk session musician and a Hispanic a cappella vocalist.

    Sly Fox

24. This singer performed the song Never Gonna Give You Up, which after being released in 1987, spent five weeks at the top of the British charts.

    Rick Astley

25. Im So Miserable Without You, Its Almost Like Youre Here was written and performed by this artist whose claim to fame is his daughter Miley and another song Achy Breaky Heart. Who is he?

    Billy Ray Cyrus

26. Which musical, featuring the songs Youre the Topand I Get a Kick Out of You, was written by Cole Porter?

    Anything Goes

27. Vanilla Fudge was an American psychedelic rock band, whose members included organist Mark Stein, bassist Tim Bogert, lead guitarist Vince Martell, and this well-travelled and versatile rock drummer.

    Carmine Appice

28. The music video of which single by Chris Brown portrays a school dance inside a gym, where Brown meets an attractive girl?

    Run It

29. Diana Ross received a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination for Best actress for portraying this jazz singer in the 1972 movie Lady Sings the Blues?

    Billie Holiday

30. Complete this line from Beyonce's song 'Naughty Girl': 'Baby, the minute I feel your ... your vibe is just taking over me'.

    Energy

31. Baby Dont Forget My Number was a big hit song for this band in 1989.

    Milli Vanilli

32. What year did the song Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves skyrocket to the top of the charts?

    1971

33. He was the drummer on Green Onions with Booker T and the MGs.

    Al Jackson

34. Elvis Presley recorded this dog song in 1956.

    Hound Dog

35. Paul Wall graduated from what Texas-based High School?

    Jersey Village High School

36. For much of the 1960s, Misty was the theme song for this TV show.

    Today

37. The line Mucho mistrust, loves gone behind, which we often hear as Ho Chi Minhs trust, lost on the behind" is from which song by Blondie?

    Heart of Glass

38. Which album contained Frank Zappas second hit single Valley Girl?

    Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch

39. What quartet got its start on Johnny Cashs TV show?

    The Statler Brothers

40. David Bowie was on the front cover of the album Pinups with which English model, actress, and singer?

    Twiggy