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Quizzes > Music

Pop Music Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Hits and Artists

Quick, free pop music trivia challenge. 15 questions, instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Cedric LeunenUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art displaying various musical symbols for Pop Culture Music Trivia Quiz

This pop music trivia quiz helps you check how well you know chart hits, artists, and big moments. Answer 15 quick multiple-choice questions and see your score right away. Explore more with song trivia, take a broader music trivia quiz, or switch it up with rock music trivia.

Who is widely known as the 'King of Pop'?
Justin Bieber
Prince
Elvis Presley
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson earned the nickname 'King of Pop' due to his groundbreaking influence on music, dance, and music videos. His album 'Thriller' remains the best-selling album of all time, cementing his title.
Which Beatles song became their first US number-one single in 1964?
Yesterday
Hey Jude
I Want to Hold Your Hand
Let It Be
'I Want to Hold Your Hand' was the Beatles' first song to top the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1964. Its success marked the beginning of the British Invasion in American pop music.
Which decade is most commonly associated with the rise of disco music?
1970s
1960s
1990s
1980s
Disco music reached its peak in the late 1970s with artists like the Bee Gees and Donna Summer dominating dance floors. The genre's heyday is tied closely to the cultural and nightclub scenes of that decade.
Which artist released the hit song 'Call Me Maybe' in 2011?
Taylor Swift
Selena Gomez
Katy Perry
Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen's 'Call Me Maybe' became a viral pop sensation in 2011 and topped charts worldwide. The track catapulted her to international fame and remains her signature song.
Which singer performed the chart-topping song that starts with the lyrics 'Hello, it's me'?
Rihanna
Adele
Beyoncé
Sia
Adele's single 'Hello' begins with the opening line 'Hello, it's me' and reached number one in multiple countries upon its release in 2015. The song showcases her powerful vocal style and emotional songwriting.
Which 2019 hit spent a record-breaking 19 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100?
Old Town Road
Shape of You
Blinding Lights
Despacito
Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' broke the Billboard Hot 100 record by remaining at number one for 19 weeks in 2019. Its blend of country and hip-hop elements marked a new trend in genre crossover.
What was the very first music video played on MTV upon its launch in 1981?
London Calling
Video Killed the Radio Star
Billie Jean
Money for Nothing
MTV premiered with The Buggles' 'Video Killed the Radio Star' on August 1, 1981, marking a landmark moment for music television. This choice highlighted the shift toward visual media in music promotion.
Which British artist's album '25' broke the record for first-week sales in 2015?
Adele
Sam Smith
Ed Sheeran
Coldplay
Adele's third studio album '25' sold over 3 million copies in its first week in the US, setting a new record in 2015. The album's massive commercial success reflected her broad global appeal.
What is the main lyrical theme of Adele's song 'Rolling in the Deep'?
Celebrating success
Bitterness after betrayal
Nostalgia for childhood
Social justice
'Rolling in the Deep' explores feelings of betrayal and emotional pain following a broken relationship. Adele's powerful vocals convey the song's themes of heartbreak and resilience.
Which 1991 song by Nirvana is credited with bringing grunge music into the mainstream?
In Bloom
Come As You Are
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Lithium
'Smells Like Teen Spirit' became an anthem for the grunge movement and propelled Nirvana to international fame in 1991. Its raw sound and angsty lyrics resonated with a generation and reshaped popular music.
Which subgenre is characterized by dominant use of synthesizers in 1980s pop music?
Synth-pop
Punk rock
Hip-hop
New wave
Synth-pop is defined by its heavy reliance on synthesizer technology and electronic production. Acts like Depeche Mode and Eurythmics helped popularize this style in the 1980s.
Which K-pop group achieved their first US Billboard Hot 100 number-one single with an all-English track in 2020?
Blackpink
BTS
Big Bang
EXO
BTS made history in 2020 when their single 'Dynamite' topped the Billboard Hot 100, the first all-English song by a K-pop act to do so. This milestone marked a major step in K-pop's global influence.
Which boy band dominated the late 1990s charts with hits like 'I Want It That Way'?
Backstreet Boys
Boyz II Men
Take That
NSYNC
The Backstreet Boys were central to the late-1990s boy band craze, scoring numerous top-charting hits including 'I Want It That Way.' Their harmonies and choreography defined the era.
Which remix featuring Justin Bieber helped bring Latin pop back to mainstream attention in 2017?
Mi Gente
Havana
Señorita
Despacito
The 'Despacito' remix featuring Justin Bieber became a global phenomenon in 2017, topping charts worldwide. Its crossover success reinvigorated interest in Latin pop and reggaeton.
What central theme does Katy Perry's song 'Firework' convey?
Self-empowerment
Social commentary
Road trip adventure
Unrequited love
'Firework' is an anthem of self-empowerment, encouraging listeners to embrace their individuality and shine. The uplifting lyrics and melody underscore personal confidence.
What vocal production effect, first used prominently in Cher's 1998 hit 'Believe', became a staple in modern pop music?
Auto-Tune
Pitch shifting
Flanging
Vocoder
Cher's 'Believe' popularized the use of Auto-Tune as a deliberate stylistic effect rather than just a corrective tool. This creative use of vocal processing influenced countless future pop productions.
Blondie's 1981 single 'Rapture' is notable for being the first mainstream pop song to do what?
Use electronic drums
Release as a double A-side
Incorporate rap vocals
Feature a guitar solo
Blondie's 'Rapture' is often cited as the first mainstream pop song to feature rap verses. Its crossover of rock, disco, and rap helped broaden the audience for hip-hop elements in popular music.
What innovative format did Beyoncé employ for her 2016 album 'Lemonade'?
A visual album with video for each track
A vinyl-only release
A live concert broadcast
A silent film accompaniment
Beyoncé released 'Lemonade' as a visual album, pairing every track with a corresponding film segment. This approach created a cohesive narrative experience that blended music and cinematic storytelling.
In 2012, Billboard updated its Hot 100 chart methodology to include which new metric?
YouTube views only
Vinyl sales
Syndicated radio play
On-demand streaming data
Billboard began incorporating on-demand streaming data into Hot 100 calculations in 2012 to reflect changing consumption habits. This shift acknowledged the growing importance of digital streams in popular music popularity.
Olivia Rodrigo's debut single 'Drivers License' is credited with popularizing which songwriting style in mainstream pop?
Political satire
Abstract surrealism
Confessional narrative songwriting
Science fiction themes
'Drivers License' uses confessional, journal-style lyrics that detail personal emotional experiences. Its raw narrative style helped spark a broader trend of intimate, diary-like songwriting in pop music.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse the evolution of pop chart-topping hits
  2. Identify iconic artists and their signature songs
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of music trends across decades
  4. Evaluate lyrical themes in popular music culture
  5. Master trivia about landmark pop music moments

Cheat Sheet

  1. Evolution of Pop Music - Pop has ridden seismic waves from the British Invasion of 1964 to the hip-hop boom of the 1990s, each era flipping the script on what makes a hit. Diving into these revolutions reveals how social change and creative rebels keep the genre fresh.
  2. Madonna's Reinvention Game - Dubbed the "Queen of Pop," Madonna's knack for reinvention - from "Like a Virgin" to "Vogue" - has set the gold standard for star power and longevity. Exploring her fearless style shifts teaches you how image and innovation fuel chart domination.
  3. Production Powerhouses - Behind every iconic hit, producers like Quincy Jones have masterminded the magic, blending orchestral flair with cutting-edge studio tricks. His work on Michael Jackson's "Thriller" shows how a producer's vision can turn songs into timeless anthems.
  4. Chart Longevity Secrets - Why do some songs sprint up the charts then vanish, while others hang around for months? Themes like love, punchy tempos, and the streaming revolution all play a part in making tunes stick in listeners' heads.
  5. Adele's Timeless Appeal - With raw emotion and powerhouse vocals, Adele bridges generations - proof that genuine storytelling and soul-stirring melodies never go out of style. Her album "25" shattered sales records and reminded the world why authenticity rules.
  6. Global Pop Phenomena - From BTS's synchronized dance breaks to BLACKPINK's genre-bending bops, K-pop's rise shows how pop culture can cross borders in a heartbeat. Studying these global trends highlights pop's expanding soundscape and fan communities.
  7. Diana Ross & The Motown Legacy - As the Queen of Motown, Diana Ross and The Supremes crafted lush harmonies and unforgettable stage moments that still echo in today's pop and R&B. Analyzing her catalog shows how diva charisma and tight production create timeless hits.
  8. Streaming and Modern Trends - Playlists, algorithms, and instant access have rewritten the rulebook for hitmaking - today's stars can break through on TikTok one day and head to #1 on Spotify the next. Understanding this shift is key to grasping pop's current pulse.
  9. Lyrical Themes & Cultural Impact - From anthems of love and empowerment to songs tackling social issues, pop lyrics reflect and shape the times. Spotting recurring themes offers insight into what moves audiences and why certain songs become cultural touchstones.
  10. Michael Jackson's Thriller Moment - When "Thriller" dropped, it rewrote the playbook for music videos, album sales, and pop stardom - turning Jackson into an international icon. Examining this landmark release shows how multimedia innovation can skyrocket a record's impact.
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