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Quizzes > Music

Music IQ Test: How Well Do You Know Songs and Artists?

Quick musical IQ test to check your song knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Arne WillemsUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for musical IQ quiz highlighting vinyl records headphones and notes on teal background.

This music IQ test helps you identify songs and artists across eras with fast, fair questions and instant results. Warm up with a song knowledge quiz, broaden your skills in a music trivia quiz, or zero in on hits with a pop music quiz. Play at your own pace.

Which band released "Bohemian Rhapsody" in 1975?
Queen
Led Zeppelin
The Beatles
Pink Floyd
Queen released "Bohemian Rhapsody" in October 1975 as part of their album A Night at the Opera. The track is renowned for its operatic section, elaborate production, and unconventional structure. It topped the UK Singles Chart for nine weeks and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Who is known as the "King of Pop"?
Prince
Michael Jackson
Justin Bieber
Elvis Presley
Michael Jackson earned the nickname "King of Pop" through his groundbreaking music, dance moves, and record-breaking sales. His albums Thriller and Bad set numerous sales records worldwide. Jackson's cultural impact and influence on music videos cemented his royal title.
Which song begins with the lyrics "Just a small town girl"?
Sweet Home Alabama
Don't Stop Believin'
Livin' on a Prayer
Summer of '69
Journey's anthem "Don't Stop Believin'" opens with the line, "Just a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world." Released in 1981, the song became one of rock's most enduring hits. Its uplifting chorus and driving piano riff have made it a pop-culture staple.
Which artist sang "Rolling in the Deep"?
Beyoncé
Rihanna
Adele
Taylor Swift
Adele released "Rolling in the Deep" in 2010 as the lead single from her album 21. The song topped charts worldwide and won multiple Grammy Awards. Its soulful vocals and driving percussion showcase Adele's powerful range.
Which band recorded "Smells Like Teen Spirit"?
Soundgarden
Alice in Chains
Pearl Jam
Nirvana
Nirvana released "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in 1991 as part of their album Nevermind. The song defined grunge music and became an anthem for Generation X. Its distorted guitar riff and Kurt Cobain's raw vocals are instantly recognizable.
Which album features the iconic crossing at a zebra crossing on its cover?
Abbey Road
Revolver
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Let It Be
The Beatles' Abbey Road, released in 1969, features the band walking across a zebra crossing outside Abbey Road Studios. The cover has become one of the most imitated images in popular music. Abbey Road is celebrated for tracks like "Come Together" and "Here Comes the Sun."
Which female artist released the hit single "Firework" in 2010?
Katy Perry
Lady Gaga
Britney Spears
Madonna
Katy Perry released "Firework" in 2010 as part of her album Teenage Dream. The song became an empowerment anthem, topping charts worldwide. Its vibrant music video and uplifting message helped solidify Perry's pop stardom.
Which song starts with the line "Oh, life is bigger, it's bigger than you and you are not me"?
Everybody Hurts
Losing My Religion
Shiny Happy People
Man on the Moon
R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" opens with the lyric, "Oh, life is bigger". Released in 1991 on the album Out of Time, it became the band's highest-charting hit in the U.S. Its mandolin riff and introspective lyrics helped define '90s alternative rock.
Which protest song did John Lennon release in 1969 calling for an end to war?
Working Class Hero
Instant Karma!
Give Peace a Chance
Imagine
"Give Peace a Chance" was recorded during Lennon and Yoko Ono's Bed-In for Peace in June 1969. The song became an anti-war anthem and was widely adopted by the peace movement. It was Lennon's first solo single and remains one of his most recognized solo works.
Which funk band released the album "Mothership Connection" in 1975?
Kool & the Gang
Parliament
Earth, Wind & Fire
Sly and the Family Stone
Parliament released "Mothership Connection" in December 1975, pioneering the P-Funk sound. The album introduced themes of intergalactic funk and featured the hit "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)". George Clinton's vision cemented Parliament-Funkadelic's place in funk history.
What is the real first name of the artist known as Sting?
Peter
Simon
Gordon
Sting
Sting was born Gordon Sumner in Wallsend, England, in 1951. He earned his nickname while playing rugby, wearing a striped sweater that made him look like a wasp. He rose to fame as the lead singer and bassist for The Police before a successful solo career.
Which Beatles song opens with a bass riff composed by Paul McCartney on "Abbey Road"?
Something
Here Comes the Sun
Octopus's Garden
Come Together
"Come Together" begins with one of Paul McCartney's most famous bass riffs. Released in 1969 on Abbey Road, the song was written by John Lennon but featured McCartney's distinctive bass line at its core. It became a chart-topping single worldwide.
Which British electronic duo released "Teardrop" in 1998?
Orbital
The Chemical Brothers
Massive Attack
Underworld
Massive Attack released "Teardrop" in 1998 as part of their album Mezzanine. The song features Elizabeth Fraser's ethereal vocals and became one of the group's signature tracks. Its use as the theme for the TV series House further boosted its popularity.
Which singer collaborated with Daft Punk on the tracks "Get Lucky" and "Lose Yourself to Dance"?
Pharrell Williams
Nile Rodgers
Julian Casablancas
André 3000
Pharrell Williams provided lead vocals for Daft Punk's 2013 hits "Get Lucky" and "Lose Yourself to Dance" on the album Random Access Memories. His smooth falsetto and catchy hooks helped both songs achieve global success. The collaboration earned multiple Grammy Awards.
What term describes a short recurring melodic phrase in music composition?
Arpeggio
Ostinato
Cadence
Modulation
An ostinato is a motif or phrase that persistently repeats in the same musical voice. It is used in many genres, from classical to rock. Famous examples include the bass line in Pachelbel's Canon and the riff in "Billie Jean."
Which American rock band released the album "Marquee Moon" in 1977?
The Velvet Underground
Talking Heads
Television
Patti Smith Group
Television's debut album, "Marquee Moon," was released in February 1977 on Elektra Records. The album is hailed as a post-punk classic and features extended guitar solos and intricate interplay between Richard Lloyd and Tom Verlaine. Critics consider it one of the greatest albums of the 1970s.
Which composer wrote the "Goldberg Variations"?
Ludwig van Beethoven
George Frideric Handel
Johann Sebastian Bach
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Johann Sebastian Bach composed the Goldberg Variations in 1741. The work consists of an aria and 30 variations, showcasing Bach's mastery of variation form. It is considered one of the most important keyboard works in classical repertoire.
Which Roots song featuring Erykah Badu samples Galt MacDermot's "Coffee Cold"?
Proceed
What They Do
The Seed (2.0)
You Got Me
"You Got Me" was released by The Roots in 1999, featuring Erykah Badu on vocals. It prominently samples Galt MacDermot's "Coffee Cold" for its distinctive instrumental loop. The track won the Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2000.
Jeff Buckley's version of which Leonard Cohen song became a signature cover?
Famous Blue Raincoat
Bird on a Wire
Suzanne
Hallelujah
Jeff Buckley recorded his version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" for his 1994 album Grace. Buckley's haunting vocals and guitar arrangement have made it one of the most celebrated covers of all time. His rendition introduced the song to a wider audience beyond Cohen's original.
Which Björk album features the track "Pluto"?
Debut
Vespertine
Volta
Homogenic
Björk's third studio album, Homogenic, was released in 1997 and includes the aggressive electronic track "Pluto." The album blends string arrangements with electronic beats and is considered one of her most cohesive works. Homogenic marked a departure from her earlier trip-hop influences.
Which progressive rock band released the album "Close to the Edge" in 1972?
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Yes
King Crimson
Genesis
Yes released Close to the Edge in September 1972, featuring a side-long title track and two shorter songs. The album is celebrated for its complex structures, virtuosic performances, and thematic cohesion. It remains a landmark work in progressive rock history.
Which major key signature has three sharps?
B major
E major
A major
D major
The key of A major has three sharps (F#, C#, and G#) in its key signature. This is a standard fact in music theory for major scales. E major has four sharps, D major has two, and B major has five.
Which avant-garde composer wrote "Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima"?
Karlheinz Stockhausen
Krzysztof Penderecki
György Ligeti
Iannis Xenakis
Krzysztof Penderecki composed "Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima" in 1960 for 52 string instruments using novel graphic notation and extended techniques. The piece is renowned for its emotional intensity and avant-garde sonorities. It has become one of the defining works of 20th-century contemporary music.
Which microtonal scale of 43 tones per octave did Harry Partch develop?
31-tone scale
43-tone scale
53-tone scale
19-tone equal temperament
Harry Partch developed a 43-tone scale based on just intonation principles to explore microtonality beyond the 12-tone system. He built custom instruments to perform his works, such as the Chromelodeon and Cloud-Chamber Bowls. Partch's innovations influenced experimental and contemporary composers.
Which synthesizer introduced in 1983 was one of the first commercial digital polyphonic FM synthesizers?
Yamaha DX7
Moog Minimoog
Korg MS-20
Roland Jupiter-8
The Yamaha DX7, released in 1983, was the first commercially successful digital FM (frequency modulation) synthesizer with full polyphony. Its electric piano and bell-like sounds defined much of 1980s pop music. It remains one of the best-selling synthesizers ever produced.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recognize Iconic Tracks -

    Identify famous songs and hidden gems across genres by recalling signature riffs, melodies, and lyrical hints.

  2. Differentiate Musical Styles -

    Distinguish between rock anthems, pop hits, and niche subgenres by analyzing key characteristics and instrumentation.

  3. Recall Music Trivia Essentials -

    Memorize important details like release years, chart positions, and artist backstories to enhance your music trivia test performance.

  4. Analyze Audio Clues -

    Decode instrumental snippets and vocal phrases under time pressure to accurately name tracks in the iq music test.

  5. Apply Improvement Strategies -

    Use feedback from this challenge to refine listening skills and confidently test your musical IQ in future quizzes.

  6. Evaluate Your Music Mastery -

    Compare your score against global averages and set goals to climb the leaderboard and prove your music genius status.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Interval Recognition with Solfege -

    Mastering intervals is critical for any music trivia test and musical IQ test alike. Use solfege syllables (do, re, mi…) and practice with the "Do to Mi is a major third" formula; studies from Berklee College of Music show daily 10-minute drills boost interval recall by 30%. Try the mnemonic "Up a Fifth? Say 'So'" to cement perfect fifths.

  2. Circle of Fifths and Key Signatures -

    The circle of fifths maps relationships between all 12 keys, helping you quickly identify sharps and flats on a music trivia test. Oxford Music Online highlights the mnemonic "Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle" to remember the order of sharps. Visual drills - drawing the circle from C to G to D - are proven to cut recognition time in half.

  3. Rhythmic Patterns and Time Signatures -

    Recognizing common rhythms like syncopation or the waltz's 3/4 feel is essential for an iq music test. According to Grove Music Online, clapping exercises for 4/4, 6/8, and 5/4 signatures reinforce pattern memory. A handy trick: "Strong, weak, weak" helps internalize 3/4 meter instantly.

  4. Chord Quality Identification -

    Identifying major, minor, and seventh chords by ear powers up your ability to test your musical IQ. The Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy recommends training with four chords - Cmaj, Amin, G7, Fmaj - cycled in inversion drills to recognize timbral differences. Labeling chord formulas (e.g., 1-3-5 for major) anchors each quality in your memory.

  5. Music History Milestones -

    A strong music trivia test performance depends on recalling key historical facts, from the Baroque's 1600s to the birth of rock 'n' roll in 1955. Smithsonian archives suggest creating a rhyming timeline - "Baroque in 1600s, Classical neat-o in 1750s" - to lock in dates. This technique enhances recall speed during timed musical IQ test rounds.

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