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Quizzes > Music

Michael Jackson quiz: Test your King of Pop knowledge

Quick, free Michael Jackson trivia challenge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Lidia CalabreseUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration featuring MJ silhouette hat and glove music notes vinyl record and quiz text on yellow background

This quiz helps you test your Michael Jackson knowledge across songs, albums, videos, and iconic moments. Warm up with Michael Jackson trivia, try a tougher Michael Jackson lyrics quiz, or check your score against a Michael Jackson quiz with answers. Get instant results and learn a few fun facts as you go.

Which album is Michael Jacksons best-selling of all time?
Thriller
Bad
Dangerous
Off the Wall
Michael Jacksons Thriller is his best-selling album worldwide, with over 66 million copies sold. It features iconic tracks like Beat It and Billie Jean, and it set a new standard for pop music and music videos. Thrillers success solidified Jacksons status as the King of Pop.
Which dance move did Michael Jackson famously popularize during performances of 'Billie Jean'?
The Moonwalk
The Slide
The Glide
The Robot
Michael Jackson popularized the moonwalk during his performance of 'Billie Jean' on the TV special Motown 25 in 1983. While he did not invent the move, his smooth execution captivated audiences and became one of his signature dance moves. The moonwalk remains iconic in pop culture.
Michael Jackson began his music career as a member of which family group?
The Jacksons
The Osmonds
The Jackson 5
The Jackson Brothers
Michael Jackson rose to fame as the lead singer of The Jackson 5, formed with his brothers in the late 1960s. The group produced hits like I Want You Back and ABC, establishing Michael as a standout vocalist. They were one of Motowns most successful family acts.
What nickname was Michael Jackson widely known by?
The King of Soul
The Prince of Pop
The Queen of Soul
The King of Pop
Michael Jackson was commonly referred to as the 'King of Pop' due to his groundbreaking contributions to pop music and culture. His record-breaking albums, innovative music videos, and signature dance moves earned him this enduring title. Fans and media worldwide recognized him by this nickname.
Who directed the music video for Michael Jacksons 'Thriller'?
Steven Spielberg
John Landis
Martin Scorsese
George Lucas
The music video for 'Thriller' was directed by filmmaker John Landis, known for his work on movies like 'An American Werewolf in London.' Landis collaborated with Jackson to create a groundbreaking short film that blended horror and dance. It remains one of the most influential music videos in history.
At which television special did Michael Jackson first perform the moonwalk live?
The Jacksons Variety Show
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
The Ed Sullivan Show
American Bandstand
Michael Jackson first stunned the world with the moonwalk during the Motown 25 special titled 'Yesterday, Today, Forever' in 1983. His performance of 'Billie Jean' included the move, which became a hallmark of his stage presence. That moment is often credited with popularizing the moonwalk.
What was Michael Jacksons first solo number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100?
Wanna Be Startin Somethin
Off the Wall
Ben
Dont Stop Til You Get Enough
'Ben' was Michael Jacksons first solo number one on the Billboard Hot 100, topping the chart in 1972. The song was the title track to the film about a boy and his pet rat, and it showcased Jacksons vocal maturity at a young age. It marked his emergence as a solo star separate from The Jackson 5.
Michael Jacksons duet 'Scream' was released to promote which album?
Bad
Dangerous
Invincible
HIStory
The duet 'Scream' by Michael and Janet Jackson was released as the lead single from Michaels 1995 album 'HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I.' The song addressed media scrutiny and public pressure. Its futuristic video broke production budgets at the time.
Which guitarist performed the solo on Michael Jacksons 'Beat It'?
Eddie Van Halen
Slash
Jimmy Page
Eric Clapton
Legendary rock guitarist Eddie Van Halen played the famous solo on 'Beat It.' Quincy Jones invited him to add a rock edge to the track, and Van Halen recorded his part in just a few takes. The collaboration bridged rock and pop music in a groundbreaking way.
Who produced Michael Jacksons album 'Thriller'?
Quincy Jones
Phil Spector
Dr. Dre
Rick Rubin
Quincy Jones produced 'Thriller,' marking the third collaboration between Jones and Jackson after 'Off the Wall' and 'One Day in Your Life.' Joness production expertise helped craft the albums diverse sound, blending pop, rock, and R&B. Thrillers polished production was key to its record-breaking success.
Michael Jackson collaborated with Paul McCartney on two singles. Which of the following was the second one?
State of Shock
The Girl Is Mine
Jackson Heart
Say Say Say
After 'The Girl Is Mine' in 1982, Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney teamed up again for 'Say Say Say' in 1983. The track appeared on McCartneys album 'Pipes of Peace' and became a worldwide hit. Their collaborations showcased a fusion of their distinct pop styles.
Michael Jacksons first solo album was released under which record label?
Columbia Records
Motown Records
Epic Records
RCA Records
Michael Jacksons first solo album, 'Got to Be There' (1972), was released on Motown Records. Although still part of The Jackson 5 contractually, he began his solo career under the same label. His Motown releases laid the groundwork for his later pop superstardom.
What was the working title for Michael Jacksons album 'Thriller'?
Moonwalk
Starlight
Starboy
Eclipse
Before settling on the name 'Thriller,' Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones considered titling the album 'Starlight.' The working title was changed late in production to better reflect the thematic content and the standout title track. 'Thriller' went on to become one of the best-selling albums ever.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Key Career Highlights -

    Recall Michael Jackson's major milestones and chart-topping hits to demonstrate your knowledge of his impact on music history.

  2. Differentiate Production Facts -

    Identify true or false statements - such as "Thriller was produced by Quincy Jones" - to sharpen your understanding of MJ's behind-the-scenes collaborations.

  3. Analyze Trivia Questions -

    Analyze a variety of quiz questions to deepen your grasp of Michael Jackson's life, albums, and memorable performances.

  4. Evaluate Fan Connections -

    Evaluate fun fan facts and explore whether "am I related to Michael Jackson" style questions can enrich your Jackson connoisseur status.

  5. Share and Compare Results -

    Share your quiz outcomes with friends or fellow fans to compare scores and spark lively discussions about the King of Pop.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Milestone Albums and Chart Records -

    When preparing for michael jackson quizzes, mastering his album sales and chart milestones is crucial. Michael Jackson's Thriller holds the Guinness World Record as the best”selling album, exceeding 66 million copies worldwide (RIAA, IFPI) and can be remembered with the mnemonic "Thriller 6×11."

  2. Production Credits and Key Collaborations -

    Knowing whether "Thriller was produced by Quincy Jones select one: true false" is essential - answer: True, Quincy Jones co-produced five of MJ's iconic albums (source: Quincy's autobiography and ACM). Use a memory phrase like "Q + M = Hit" to recall Jones's role on Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad, and verify via Motown and Epic Records liner notes.

  3. Signature Dance Moves and Choreography -

    Michael Jackson's moonwalk debuted publicly during a performance of "Billie Jean" in 1983 and is documented in dance journals like Dance Magazine's archives. Learn basic footwork by breaking the move into four counts - Back”Rock, Slide, Return, Pause - and practice with video analysis from Stanford's Digital Media Lab. The mnemonic "Back Slide, Back Slide, Freeze" helps internalize each step smoothly.

  4. Jackson Family Genealogy Skills -

    Tracing "am i related to michael jackson" starts with census records, birth certificates, and trusted genealogy databases like Ancestry.com and the National Archives. Focus on Joe Jackson's Mecklenburg County roots and Katherine Scruse's multi”ethnic heritage to build a family tree with primary source documents. A helpful trick is "Start at Your Grandparents, Then Move Up Joe's Line" to avoid dead”ends.

  5. Musical Composition and Theory in MJ's Hits -

    Many of Jackson's hits, such as "Billie Jean," use a i - VI - VII chord progression in a minor key to create tension and groove - fully explained in Oxford Music Online resources. Analyze rhythm patterns by tapping out the syncopated bassline in 4/4 time to feel the offbeat accent, as detailed in the Journal of Popular Music Studies. Remember the formula "Minor i, Major VI, Major VII" to decode his harmonic signature.

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