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Quizzes > Music

Oldies Music Trivia: How Many Classic Hits Can You Name?

Quick, free classic hits quiz to test your memory. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Luis FriasUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art styled vinyl record microphone music notes and quiz title on sky blue background

This oldies music trivia quiz helps you see how many classic hits you still remember from the 60s and 70s. Answer quick questions, check your score right away, and pick up a fun fact or two. When you are done, try a 60s music quiz, dive into Motown trivia, or switch it up with classic rock trivia.

Which group sang the 1963 hit "I Want to Hold Your Hand"?
The Beatles
The Rolling Stones
The Beach Boys
The Supremes
"I Want to Hold Your Hand" was recorded by the Beatles in 1963 and became their breakthrough hit in the US. The song spent seven weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It marked the start of Beatlemania in America.
What year did Elvis Presley release "Heartbreak Hotel"?
1954
1957
1955
1956
Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" was released in January 1956 as his first single on the RCA label. It quickly became his first number one hit on the Billboard pop chart. The song helped catapult Presley to national fame.
Which Motown group recorded the classic "My Girl" in 1964?
The Temptations
Martha and the Vandellas
The Four Tops
The Supremes
"My Girl" was recorded by The Temptations and released in December 1964. It features lead vocals by David Ruffin and became the group's first number one single on the Billboard Hot 100. The song remains a Motown classic to this day.
Which artist is widely known as the "King of Rock and Roll"?
Elvis Presley
Buddy Holly
Little Richard
Chuck Berry
Elvis Presley earned the nickname "King of Rock and Roll" due to his massive influence on the genre in the 1950s. He combined elements of country, blues, and gospel to create a new rock sound. His charismatic stage presence and hit recordings solidified this title.
Who originally wrote and recorded "Twist and Shout" in 1961?
The Top Notes
The Isley Brothers
The Beatles
The Beach Boys
"Twist and Shout" was written by Phil Medley and Bert Berns and first recorded by the Top Notes in 1961. Their version did not chart significantly, but the song gained fame through later covers. It became a hit for the Isley Brothers and then the Beatles.
Which 1965 hit by The Byrds was a cover of a Bob Dylan song?
The Times They Are A-Changin'
Like a Rolling Stone
Mr. Tambourine Man
Blowin' in the Wind
"Mr. Tambourine Man" was written by Bob Dylan but became a number one hit in 1965 for The Byrds. Their jangly 12-string guitar arrangement helped define the folk-rock genre. Dylan's original was more acoustic and reflective.
Who originally released "Stand by Me" in 1961?
Otis Redding
Ben E. King
Smokey Robinson
Sam Cooke
Ben E. King co-wrote and originally released "Stand by Me" in 1961. The song reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of his signature hits. It has since been covered by dozens of artists.
Which artist sang the 1967 classic "What a Wonderful World"?
Nat King Cole
Frank Sinatra
Dean Martin
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong's 1967 recording of "What a Wonderful World" became one of his most enduring songs. The track was initially more popular in the UK than in the US. Its optimistic lyrics and Armstrong's gravelly voice have made it a timeless standard.
Which song did Carole King release as a single from her 1971 album "Tapestry" that reached number one?
It's Too Late
Will You Love Me Tomorrow
You've Got a Friend
So Far Away
"It's Too Late" was released as a single from Carole King's 1971 album Tapestry and became her first and only number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The song features reflective lyrics about the end of a relationship. Tapestry went on to win multiple Grammy Awards.
Which instrument is featured prominently at the start of The Doors' "Light My Fire"?
Organ
Saxophone
Guitar
Piano
The Doors' "Light My Fire" opens with a distinctive organ riff played by Ray Manzarek. The Vox Continental organ sound became a signature element of the track. This introduction helped the song stand out on FM radio in 1967.
Which band released the psychedelic hit "Crimson and Clover" in 1968?
Simon & Garfunkel
The Rascals
The Hollies
Tommy James and the Shondells
"Crimson and Clover" was released by Tommy James and the Shondells in late 1968. The song's title came from two football player names that James saw mashed together in a newspaper. Its innovative use of tremolo created a distinctive psychedelic sound.
"Be My Baby" was famously produced by which legendary music producer?
Brian Wilson
Berry Gordy
Phil Spector
George Martin
Phil Spector produced "Be My Baby" for The Ronettes in 1963 using his trademark "Wall of Sound" technique. The track features layered instrumentation and a powerful drumbeat. It is considered one of the greatest pop records of the 1960s.
Which 1950s vocal group had a hit with "Only You (And You Alone)"?
The Platters
The Shirelles
The Drifters
The Coasters
The Platters released "Only You (And You Alone)" in 1955, and it became one of their signature ballads. The song reached number five on the Billboard pop chart. Its smooth lead vocals and romantic lyrics helped define the doo-wop era.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Classic Hits -

    After engaging in this oldies music trivia quiz, users can recognize and name iconic songs from the golden era of music.

  2. Recall Legendary Artists -

    Participants will be able to associate classic hits with their performers, from timeless bands to solo stars.

  3. Match Lyrics to Songs -

    Users will practice matching famous lyrics to their respective tracks, strengthening memory of old music trivia.

  4. Differentiate Subgenres -

    Readers will distinguish between rock 'n' roll, Motown, doo-wop, and other classic subgenres featured in oldies trivia.

  5. Demonstrate Trivia Mastery -

    Participants will measure their mastery by accurately answering a variety of music oldies trivia questions under quiz conditions.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Billboard Hot 100 Evolution -

    Understanding how the Billboard Hot 100 chart was calculated between the 1950s and 1970s is crucial; it originally balanced jukebox plays, retail sales, and radio spins. For example, early formulas weighted airplay and sales roughly equally (Billboard Archives, 1960). Remember "Jukebox, Retail, Radio" as the JRR mnemonic to recall its core metrics.

  2. Key Oldies Genres and Hallmarks -

    Oldies music spans doo-wop, Motown soul, and surf rock, each with distinct features: doo-wop's I-vi-IV-V progression, Motown's four-on-the-floor bass, and surf rock's reverb-heavy guitars. A 2018 article in the Journal of Popular Music Studies highlights the "I Very In Vogue" phrase to memorize the 50s chord cycle. Spotting these traits helps you quickly identify genre in trivia questions.

  3. Legendary Artists and Signature Hits -

    Iconic figures like Elvis Presley ("Heartbreak Hotel", 1956), The Beatles ("I Want to Hold Your Hand", 1964), and The Supremes ("Stop! In the Name of Love", 1965) defined the era. The Library of Congress recommends grouping artists by 'first major hit' date to form mental timelines. Try the "EBS" trio mnemonic (Elvis, Beatles, Supremes) to lock in headline acts.

  4. Historic Record Labels' Impact -

    Labels such as Sun Records (Elvis, Johnny Cash) and Motown (The Temptations, Marvin Gaye) shaped the sound and distribution of oldies. According to the Smithsonian, Sun's founder Sam Phillips churned out a "Memphis sound" that ignited rock 'n' roll's mainstream surge. Visualize the "Sun → Moon → Earth" sequence to link Sun Records before Motown (Moon) and Atlantic (Earth).

  5. Evolution of Recording Technology -

    Oldies music trivia often hinges on format shifts: from 45 RPM vinyl singles to eight-track tapes and early cassette demos. The UCLA Ethnomusicology Journal notes that tape echo and spring reverb units defined late-60s studio aesthetics. Recall "45, 8, Tape" to track the chronological rollout of these key formats.

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