50 Music Trivia Quiz Questions and Answers
This page lists 50 real questions from the Quizlino Music Trivia Quiz category, each with four options, the correct answer and, where available, a short explanation. They are arranged from easy to hard, so you can start at the level that suits you. The full category contains 200 questions spread across its levels, so what you see here is a sample to study from, not the whole quiz.
- Cover the answer line, read the question and decide on your option first.
- Check the answer, then read the explanation even if you were right.
- Make a note of the questions you missed and come back to them after a few days.
- When you feel ready, play the timed Music Trivia Quiz to test yourself properly.
Music Trivia: Easy Questions
Warm-up questions that most players can answer.
Q1. Which British band, known for the album 'Abbey Road', included John Lennon and Paul McCartney?
Answer: B. The Beatles
Explanation: The Beatles, featuring Lennon and McCartney, released the iconic album Abbey Road in 1969.
Q2. Which American singer is widely known as the 'King of Pop'?
Answer: B. Michael Jackson
Explanation: Michael Jackson earned the title 'King of Pop' for his massive influence on popular music.
Q3. Which singer released the album '1989' and hits like 'Shake It Off'?
Answer: B. Taylor Swift
Explanation: Taylor Swift's 2014 album '1989' included the hit single 'Shake It Off'.
Q4. Which rock band, formed in Dublin, is known for songs like 'With or Without You'?
Answer: B. U2
Explanation: U2, formed in Dublin in 1976, is known for hits including 'With or Without You'.
Q5. Which singer is widely known as the 'Queen of Pop'?
Answer: A. Madonna
Explanation: Madonna earned the title 'Queen of Pop' over her decades-long career.
Q6. Which British rock band is known for the song 'Bohemian Rhapsody'?
Answer: B. Queen
Explanation: Queen, fronted by Freddie Mercury, released 'Bohemian Rhapsody' in 1975.
Q7. Which American singer released the record-breaking 1982 album 'Thriller'?
Answer: B. Michael Jackson
Explanation: Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' (1982) remains one of the best-selling albums of all time.
Q8. Which pop star is known for hits like 'Bad Guy' and 'Ocean Eyes'?
Answer: A. Billie Eilish
Explanation: Billie Eilish rose to fame with hits including 'Bad Guy' and 'Ocean Eyes'.
Q9. Which band, fronted by Freddie Mercury, delivered an iconic performance at Live Aid in 1985?
Answer: B. Queen
Explanation: Queen's 1985 Live Aid performance is considered one of the greatest live sets ever.
Q10. Which singer released the hit song 'Rolling in the Deep'?
Answer: A. Adele
Explanation: Adele's 'Rolling in the Deep' was a major hit from her 2011 album '21'.
Q11. Which American rapper is known for albums like 'The Marshall Mathers LP'?
Answer: B. Eminem
Explanation: Eminem released 'The Marshall Mathers LP' in 2000, one of his most acclaimed albums.
Q12. Which British girl group, formed in 1994, is known for songs like 'Wannabe'?
Answer: B. Spice Girls
Explanation: The Spice Girls became a global sensation with their 1996 hit 'Wannabe'.
Q13. Which American musician, nicknamed 'The Boss', is famous for songs like 'Born to Run'?
Answer: B. Bruce Springsteen
Explanation: Bruce Springsteen, nicknamed 'The Boss', is known for anthems like 'Born to Run'.
Q14. Which Canadian singer is known for hits like 'Hotline Bling' and 'One Dance'?
Answer: B. Drake
Explanation: Drake, a Canadian artist, is known for hits including 'Hotline Bling' and 'One Dance'.
Q15. Which British singer is known for the global hit 'Shape of You'?
Answer: A. Ed Sheeran
Explanation: Ed Sheeran's 'Shape of You' (2017) was one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Music Trivia: Medium Questions
A step up in difficulty, for players who know the basics.
Q16. Which annual US award show is often called 'Music's Biggest Night'?
Answer: B. Grammy Awards
Explanation: The Grammy Awards are widely referred to as 'Music's Biggest Night'.
Q17. Which rock band, formed in London in 1962, includes Mick Jagger and Keith Richards?
Answer: B. The Rolling Stones
Explanation: The Rolling Stones, formed in 1962, remain one of rock's most iconic bands.
Q18. Which singer holds the record for the most Grammy Awards won by any artist in history?
Answer: B. Beyoncé
Explanation: Beyoncé holds the record for the most Grammy Awards won by any artist.
Q19. Which band, formed in Seattle and fronted by Kurt Cobain, is credited with popularising grunge music?
Answer: B. Nirvana
Explanation: Nirvana, led by Kurt Cobain, brought grunge music into the mainstream in the early 1990s.
Q20. Which pop icon's real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta?
Answer: B. Lady Gaga
Explanation: Lady Gaga's birth name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.
Q21. Which British singer-songwriter released the album '÷ (Divide)'?
Answer: B. Ed Sheeran
Explanation: Ed Sheeran released '÷ (Divide)' in 2017, featuring the hit 'Shape of You'.
Q22. Which American girl group of the 1990s-2000s included Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams?
Answer: B. Destiny's Child
Explanation: Destiny's Child, featuring Beyoncé, was one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.
Q23. Which band's frontman is Chris Martin, known for songs like 'Yellow' and 'Fix You'?
Answer: A. Coldplay
Explanation: Coldplay, fronted by Chris Martin, is known for hits including 'Yellow' and 'Fix You'.
Q24. Which artist's real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty?
Answer: B. Rihanna
Explanation: Rihanna's full birth name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty.
Q25. Which iconic music festival, held annually in California, features major acts across many genres?
Answer: B. Coachella
Explanation: Coachella, held in California, is one of the world's most famous music festivals.
Q26. Which band, formed in 1968 in Birmingham, is credited with pioneering heavy metal music?
Answer: B. Black Sabbath
Explanation: Black Sabbath, formed in 1968, is widely credited as pioneers of heavy metal.
Q27. Which artist's 'Eras Tour' became one of the highest-grossing concert tours of all time?
Answer: B. Taylor Swift
Explanation: Taylor Swift's Eras Tour (2023-2024) became one of the highest-grossing tours in history.
Q28. Which musician, known as 'The King of Rock and Roll', is famous for 'Hound Dog' and 'Jailhouse Rock'?
Answer: B. Elvis Presley
Explanation: Elvis Presley earned the title 'King of Rock and Roll' for his massive cultural impact.
Q29. Which artist's birth name is Prince Rogers Nelson?
Answer: B. Prince
Explanation: Prince's full birth name was Prince Rogers Nelson.
Q30. Which British band's iconic album cover shows the four members crossing a zebra crossing in London?
Answer: B. The Beatles
Explanation: The Beatles' 'Abbey Road' album cover famously shows them crossing the street outside the studio.
Music Trivia: Hard Questions
Challenging questions for confident players.
Q31. Which Michael Jackson album remains the best-selling album of all time worldwide?
Answer: B. Thriller
Explanation: Thriller (1982) remains the best-selling album of all time worldwide.
Q32. Which band holds the record for the most number-one albums on the UK Albums Chart?
Answer: B. The Beatles
Explanation: The Beatles hold the record for the most UK number-one albums.
Q33. Which artist tied the record for most Grammy wins in a single night at the 2023 ceremony?
Answer: B. Beyoncé
Explanation: Beyoncé's wins at the 2023 Grammys tied the record for most awards won in a single ceremony.
Q34. Which 1969 music festival, held on a farm in New York state, became a symbol of 1960s counterculture?
Answer: B. Woodstock
Explanation: Woodstock (1969) became an iconic symbol of the 1960s counterculture movement.
Q35. Which British band, active since 1965, is known for concept albums like 'The Dark Side of the Moon'?
Answer: B. Pink Floyd
Explanation: Pink Floyd released 'The Dark Side of the Moon' in 1973, one of the best-selling albums ever.
Q36. Which weekly US music chart ranks song popularity based on sales, airplay, and streaming?
Answer: A. Billboard Hot 100
Explanation: The Billboard Hot 100 is the standard US chart ranking song popularity weekly.
Q37. Which record label did The Beatles found in 1968?
Answer: B. Apple Records
Explanation: The Beatles founded Apple Records in 1968 as part of their multimedia corporation, Apple Corps.
Q38. Which founding member of Fleetwood Mac wrote and sang the hit 'Dreams'?
Answer: B. Stevie Nicks
Explanation: Stevie Nicks wrote and sang lead vocals on Fleetwood Mac's 'Dreams' (1977).
Q39. Which historic London music venue, dating to the 1870s, has hosted legendary rock concerts for decades?
Answer: B. Royal Albert Hall
Explanation: The Royal Albert Hall has hosted countless legendary concerts since opening in 1871.
Q40. Which artist's song 'Old Town Road' set the record for most weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100?
Answer: B. Lil Nas X
Explanation: Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' spent a record-breaking 19 weeks at number one in 2019.
Music Trivia: Expert Questions
The toughest questions in the category, for true fans of the subject.
Q41. How many lines are there in a standard musical staff?
Answer: D. 5
Explanation: Music is written on a five-line staff.
Q42. Which Italian term means 'gradually getting louder'?
Answer: B. Crescendo
Explanation: Crescendo means a gradual increase in volume; diminuendo is the opposite.
Q43. How many keys does a standard modern piano have?
Answer: C. 88
Explanation: A standard piano has 52 white and 36 black keys.
Q44. To which family of instruments does the oboe belong?
Answer: A. Woodwind
Explanation: The oboe is a double-reed woodwind instrument.
Q45. What does 'a cappella' mean?
Answer: A. Singing without instruments
Explanation: A cappella music is performed by voices alone.
Q46. Which tempo marking means 'fast and lively'?
Answer: C. Allegro
Explanation: Allegro is a quick, cheerful tempo.
Q47. How many semitones are there in one octave?
Answer: B. 12
Explanation: An octave is divided into 12 semitones.
Q48. Which clef is also known as the G clef?
Answer: D. Treble clef
Explanation: The treble clef's curl circles the G line.
Q49. Which composer wrote the oratorio 'Messiah', which includes the 'Hallelujah' chorus?
Answer: C. George Frideric Handel
Explanation: Handel composed Messiah in 1741.
Q50. Which Italian composer wrote the operas 'La traviata' and 'Aida'?
Answer: A. Giuseppe Verdi
Explanation: Verdi is one of the most-performed opera composers.
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