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Quizzes > Music

90s music trivia: How well do you know the hits?

Quick, free 90s music quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Jonathan KhooUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art retro music quiz with cassette tape guitar vinyl record and 90s rock trivia text on teal background

This 90s music trivia quiz helps you check how much you remember from the decade's hits and artists. Answer quick questions and see instant results, then replay to beat your score and learn a few facts along the way. Love the era? Explore 90s pop culture trivia or warm up with 80s music trivia.

Which band's breakout album "Nevermind" was released in 1991 and featured the hit song "Smells Like Teen Spirit"?
Alice in Chains
Pearl Jam
Soundgarden
Nirvana
Nirvana's album "Nevermind" was released in September 1991 and propelled grunge into the mainstream, thanks largely to the single "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Produced by Butch Vig, the album became a cultural touchstone for 90s rock. Its success shifted the music industry away from 80s glam metal toward alternative rock.
Which female artist had a major hit in 1995 with the song "You Oughta Know"?
Jewel
Sheryl Crow
Alanis Morissette
Fiona Apple
Alanis Morissette released "You Oughta Know" as the lead single from her 1995 album "Jagged Little Pill," which became one of the best-selling albums of the decade. The song’s raw emotion and powerful vocals helped define the alternative rock female perspective. It won two Grammy Awards and cemented Morissette’s place in 90s music history.
What UK band released the album "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?" in 1995?
Pulp
Radiohead
Blur
Oasis
Oasis released "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?" in October 1995, and it produced hits like "Wonderwall" and "Don’t Look Back in Anger." The album played a key role in the Britpop movement and became one of the UK's best-selling records. It showcased the Gallagher brothers' songwriting and solidified Oasis as a major 90s band.
Which band had a hit single with "Under the Bridge" in 1992?
Jane's Addiction
Faith No More
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Guns N' Roses
"Under the Bridge" was released by the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1992 as a single from their album "Blood Sugar Sex Magik." The introspective track became one of their biggest hits and remains a staple of 90s rock radio. It showcased a more melodic and emotional side of the band.
Which American punk band released "Dookie" in 1994, spawning hits like "Basket Case"?
Green Day
The Offspring
NOFX
Rancid
Green Day released "Dookie" in February 1994, and singles like "Basket Case" and "When I Come Around" turned them into punk rock superstars. The album sold over 10 million copies in the U.S. alone and influenced countless alternative and pop-punk bands. It marked a major commercial breakthrough for punk in the mainstream.
Which Radiohead album, released in 1997, was a departure into more experimental and atmospheric sounds?
Kid A
Pablo Honey
OK Computer
The Bends
Radiohead’s third album, "OK Computer," came out in June 1997 and marked a shift towards layered production, abstract lyrics, and experimental instrumentation. It received critical acclaim and is often cited as one of the greatest albums of all time. The record expanded the boundaries of alternative rock and influenced future genres.
In 1996, which band's double album "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" topped the Billboard 200?
Soundgarden
The Smashing Pumpkins
Pearl Jam
Nirvana
The Smashing Pumpkins released "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" in October 1995; it spent multiple weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in early 1996. The double album featured hits like "1979" and "Bullet with Butterfly Wings." It showcased the band’s range, from heavy rock to orchestral ballads.
What is the title of Pearl Jam's debut album, released in 1991?
Vs.
Vitalogy
No Code
Ten
Pearl Jam’s debut album "Ten" was released in August 1991 and featured the singles "Alive," "Even Flow," and "Jeremy." It became one of the defining albums of the grunge era and has sold over 13 million copies in the U.S. The album’s raw emotion and powerful riffs cemented Pearl Jam’s legacy in 90s rock.
Which female artist's 1998 album "Ray of Light" incorporated electronic music and won multiple Grammy Awards?
Paula Cole
Britney Spears
Janet Jackson
Madonna
Madonna’s "Ray of Light" was released in February 1998, showcasing a fresh electronic and techno-influenced sound. It won four Grammy Awards and was praised for its innovation and mature songwriting. The title track and singles like "Frozen" became major hits worldwide.
Which 1994 grunge album by Soundgarden featured the hit "Black Hole Sun"?
Superunknown
Badmotorfinger
Down on the Upside
Ultramega OK
Soundgarden released "Superunknown" in March 1994; it included hits like "Black Hole Sun" and "Spoonman." The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and remains their most successful release. It showcased the band’s versatility, blending heavy riffs with psychedelic elements.
Which producer worked on Nirvana's "Nevermind" album?
Rick Rubin
Steve Albini
Butch Vig
Brendan O'Brien
Butch Vig produced Nirvana’s "Nevermind," recording it at Sound City Studios in early 1991. His polished production helped bring the band’s raw energy to a broader audience without sacrificing their grunge aesthetic. Steve Albini produced their subsequent album "In Utero."
Which tribute band featuring members of Pearl Jam and Soundgarden recorded the song "Hunger Strike" in 1991?
Temple of the Dog
Them Crooked Vultures
Audioslave
Mad Season
Temple of the Dog was formed as a tribute to Andrew Wood of Mother Love Bone, featuring Chris Cornell, Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard, and Jeff Ament. Their 1991 single "Hunger Strike" became a highlight, showcasing the collaboration of key Seattle grunge figures. The project bridged members of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam before both bands rose to fame.
Which 1991 album by U2 showcased a shift to alternative rock and featured the single "Even Better Than the Real Thing"?
Pop
Zooropa
Achtung Baby
The Joshua Tree
U2’s seventh studio album, "Achtung Baby," was released in November 1991 and embraced alternative rock, electronic dance, and industrial influences. The single "Even Better Than the Real Thing" exemplified this new direction. The album revitalized U2’s sound and inspired their Zoo TV Tour.
Which song did Foo Fighters release as their debut single in 1995?
Everlong
Big Me
Learn to Fly
This Is a Call
Foo Fighters released "This Is a Call" in February 1995 as the lead single from their self-titled debut album. Dave Grohl wrote it shortly after joining Nirvana as drummer and forming Foo Fighters following Kurt Cobain’s death. The song established the band’s post-grunge sound.
Which 1993 track from the Smashing Pumpkins' album "Siamese Dream" is known for its intricate dual guitar solos by Billy Corgan and James Iha?
Today
Cherub Rock
Mayonaise
Disarm
"Mayonaise" is celebrated by fans for its layered, interwoven guitar solos performed by Billy Corgan and James Iha. Although never released as a commercial single, it became a live favorite and is praised for its emotional depth and technical guitar work. It highlights the band’s signature sound on "Siamese Dream."
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Iconic 90s Hits -

    Recall the titles and artists behind the era's most memorable tracks in our 90s music trivia quiz.

  2. Recall Defining Lyrics -

    Match standout lyrics to their original songs to sharpen your familiarity with 90's music trivia questions and answers.

  3. Differentiate 90s Sub-Genres -

    Distinguish between grunge, pop, and rock styles to deepen your understanding of 90s rock music trivia.

  4. Analyze Music Trends -

    Recognize major shifts in 1990s music culture and how they shaped today's playlists.

  5. Apply Knowledge in Friendly Challenges -

    Use insights from the quiz to challenge friends and prove your status as a 90s music trivia champion.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Rise of the Grunge Movement -

    Grunge's breakout came with Nirvana's 1991 album Nevermind, which topped Billboard's charts and shifted rock's sound toward raw power chords and introspective lyrics (Billboard, 1991). Remember the "Teen Spirit" riff by thinking "SP-i-R-I-T" to recall the four-note pattern. Mastering this helps nail 90s music trivia quiz questions about Seattle's iconic scene.

  2. Teen Pop Explosion -

    By 1998, artists like Britney Spears and the Spice Girls dominated Billboard Hot 100, marking the teen pop era (RIAA certifications). Use the mnemonic "2B and 5G" to remember Britney and the five Spice Girls charting simultaneously. This fact is key for scoring in 90s music trivia questions and answers focused on pop hits.

  3. Golden Age of Hip-Hop -

    Dr. Dre's The Chronic (1992) and Snoop Dogg's debut Doggystyle (1993) popularized G-Funk, blending melodic synths with West Coast beats (Library of Congress archives). Think "GOOD FUNK = G-Funk" to recall the style's core. Knowing these releases makes many 90s rock music trivia and hip-hop questions a breeze.

  4. Rock Icons & One-Hit Wonders -

    Pearl Jam's Ten (1991) went diamond per RIAA, while bands like Semisonic ("Closing Time") epitomize 90s one-hit wonders (RIAA database). Group "Diamonds & Closings" mentally to link long-running albums and fleeting hits. This contrast often appears in 1990s music trivia sets.

  5. Digital Revolution in Music Distribution -

    The shift from cassettes to CDs peaked mid-90s and culminated in Napster's 1999 launch, which transformed music sharing (University of Michigan Digital Collections). Remember "C2C" for Cassette-to-CD transition. Questions on this tech upheaval are staples in any 90s music trivia quiz.

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