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Quizzes > Music

Motown trivia: Test your memory of classic hits and legends

Quick, free Motown quiz to test your knowledge of classic hits. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Hector CastilloUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for Motown trivia quiz featuring classic hits and legendary artists on teal background

This Motown trivia quiz helps you test your memory of the hitmakers, signature songs, and stories behind the sound. When you are done, try classic hits quiz or dive into the decade with a 60s music quiz, and if you want a spotlight challenge, check out our Michael Jackson quiz.

Who founded Motown Records?
Berry Gordy
Clive Davis
Quincy Jones
Ahmet Ertegun
Berry Gordy founded Motown Records in Detroit in 1959 after selling his family-owned car dealership to fund the label. His innovative approach blended mainstream pop with African American soul music, propelling the company to international success. Gordy structured rigorous artist development programs to polish performers for broader audiences.
What nickname is Motown Records famously known by?
Music City
Hit Factory
Soul City
Hitsville U.S.A.
Motown Records earned the nickname "Hitsville U.S.A." after its first Detroit headquarters on West Grand Boulevard became synonymous with chart-topping records. The nickname represents the label's consistent run of hit singles throughout the 1960s. This moniker is still used today at the Motown Museum in Detroit.
Which female trio scored hits with songs like "Stop! In the Name of Love" and "You Can't Hurry Love"?
The Vandellas
The Marvelettes
The Supremes
Martha and the Vandellas
The Supremes, featuring Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard, were Motown's most successful female group. They scored multiple number-one hits in the 1960s including "Stop! In the Name of Love" and "You Can't Hurry Love." Their polished performances and crossover appeal helped define the Motown sound.
Which song was the Temptations' first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100?
My Girl
Get Ready
I Can't Get Next to You
Ain't Too Proud to Beg
"My Girl," written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, became the Temptations' first number-one hit in 1965. The song's memorable bass line and David Ruffin's lead vocals helped cement the group's legacy. It remains one of Motown's most enduring classics.
Which of these artists was never signed to Motown Records?
Gladys Knight
Marvin Gaye
Stevie Wonder
Aretha Franklin
Although Aretha Franklin is an iconic soul singer, she was never signed to Motown Records, recording primarily for Columbia and Atlantic. Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Gladys Knight all had significant tenures at Motown. Franklin's career was largely separate from the Motown catalog.
Which artist wrote and originally recorded the song "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours"?
Stevie Wonder
Lionel Richie
Smokey Robinson
Marvin Gaye
Stevie Wonder co-wrote and released "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" in 1970. The song became one of his signature hits, showcasing his unique voice and dynamic instrumental talents. It highlighted the growing creative control Wonder had at Motown.
Motown is a portmanteau combining which two words?
Motor and Town
Moto and Town
Motor and Tone
Motive and Town
The name "Motown" is derived from "Motor City," a nickname for Detroit, and was coined to reflect the label's roots in the city. It perfectly captured the industrial spirit of Detroit and the soulful music coming out of its studios. The term became iconic as the label's brand.
In what year did Motown relocate its headquarters from Detroit to Los Angeles?
1970
1968
1975
1972
Motown moved its main office and recording operations to Los Angeles in 1972 seeking broader entertainment opportunities in film and television. The relocation marked the end of the classic Detroit era known as "Hitsville U.S.A.". This strategic shift allowed Motown to expand beyond music production.
Which group served as the primary house band for Motown recordings in the 1960s?
The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section
Booker T. & the M.G.'s
The Wrecking Crew
The Funk Brothers
The Funk Brothers were Motown's in-house band, playing on numerous hit records throughout the 1960s. Their tight, soulful grooves defined the classic Motown sound behind artists like The Supremes and Marvin Gaye. They remained largely uncredited on album sleeves until decades later.
Who was the original lead singer of the Four Tops?
Eddie Kendricks
Levi Stubbs
David Ruffin
Smokey Robinson
Levi Stubbs was the powerful lead vocalist for the Four Tops from their inception in Detroit. His emotive baritone drove hits like "Reach Out I'll Be There" and "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)". Stubbs remained with the group for decades, becoming a soul music legend.
Which Motown single was the first to sell over one million copies?
Shop Around
Please Mr. Postman
My Girl
You Can't Hurry Love
"Shop Around," recorded by The Miracles in 1960, became Motown's first million-selling single. The song's crossover appeal established Motown as a commercial powerhouse. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the charts for months.
Which Motown artist released the album "What's Going On", widely acclaimed as one of the greatest albums ever?
Marvin Gaye
Smokey Robinson
Michael Jackson
Stevie Wonder
Marvin Gaye released "What's Going On" in 1971, a concept album addressing social issues like war and poverty. Its lush production and heartfelt lyrics marked a departure from Motown's pop formula. The album is regularly listed among the greatest of all time.
Who co-founded Motown and was the lead singer of The Miracles?
Smokey Robinson
Mickey Stevenson
Berry Gordy
Lionel Richie
Smokey Robinson co-founded Tamla Records, which became Motown, and fronted The Miracles, writing many of their hits. His songwriting and production skills helped shape the Motown sound in its early years. Robinson later served as Motown's vice president while continuing his music career.
Which Motown group recorded the 1963 hit song "Heat Wave"?
The Velvelettes
The Marvelettes
Martha and the Vandellas
The Supremes
"Heat Wave," released in 1963, was performed by Martha and the Vandellas and written by the Holland - Dozier - Holland team. The song's energetic beat and powerful vocals made it a top 10 hit. It remains one of the group's signature tracks.
Which artist released the critically acclaimed album "Innervisions" under Motown in 1973?
Marvin Gaye
Stevie Wonder
Gladys Knight
The Commodores
Stevie Wonder released "Innervisions" in 1973, exploring themes from politics to social justice. The album featured hits like "Higher Ground" and won the Grammy for Album of the Year. It demonstrated Wonder's evolving artistry and use of synthesizers.
Who were the songwriting duo behind Motown's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"?
Ashford & Simpson
Holland - Dozier - Holland
Smokey Robinson & Ronald White
Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong
"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1966. The song became a signature hit for Marvin Gaye and also achieved success with Gladys Knight & the Pips. Whitfield's production and Strong's lyrics created a haunting soul classic.
Which Motown label subsidiary was dedicated to jazz music?
MoJazz
Tamla Motown
Soul
Gordy
MoJazz was launched by Motown in 1980 as a jazz imprint, featuring both emerging and established jazz artists. It represented Motown's effort to diversify beyond soul and pop. The label released notable albums but was short-lived compared to Motown's mainstream labels.
Who produced Stevie Wonder's hit single "My Cherie Amour" for Motown?
Henry Cosby
Smokey Robinson
Berry Gordy
Norman Whitfield
Henry Cosby co-produced "My Cherie Amour" alongside Stevie Wonder and Sylvia Moy in 1969. His smooth production style complemented Wonder's vocals and the song's romantic lyrics. The single became a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
Which Detroit studio served as the primary recording location for early Motown hits?
Sun Studio
Chess Studios
Hitsville U.S.A. Studio A
Abbey Road Studios
Hitsville U.S.A. Studio A, located at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, was the main recording studio for Motown from 1959 to 1972. The small, converted house studio produced countless hits with artists like The Supremes and Marvin Gaye. Today it is preserved as the Motown Museum.
Which Motown single was the first to reach number one on the UK Singles Chart?
Dancing in the Street
My Girl
I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Shop Around
Marvin Gaye's version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" topped the UK Singles Chart in early 1969, becoming Motown's first UK number-one hit. Its haunting melody and soulful delivery resonated with British audiences. The song's success helped expand Motown's international influence.
What was the role of Motown's Quality Control department?
Designing album artwork
Managing royalties
Reviewing recordings to determine single releases
Training backup singers
Motown's Quality Control department reviewed all recorded material and decided which tracks were strong enough to be released as singles. The team, which included Berry Gordy, met weekly to evaluate songs based on commercial viability. This process ensured a consistently high hit rate for Motown releases.
Which was the first Motown group to feature a white member?
The Commodores
The Miracles
The Jackson 5
Rare Earth
Rare Earth was the first white band signed to Motown in 1969, chosen for their rock-soul crossover appeal. Their 1970 hit "Get Ready" reached the Top 20 and established Motown's diversification into rock markets. The group's signing marked a significant moment in Motown history.
Which songwriting team left Motown in 1967 to form their own labels Invictus and Hot Wax?
Holland - Dozier - Holland
Ashford & Simpson
Smokey Robinson & Pete Moore
Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong
Holland - Dozier - Holland were Motown's primary songwriting and production team, crafting hits for the Supremes, Four Tops, and others. Frustrated by royalty disputes, they departed in 1967 to establish Invictus and Hot Wax Records. Their new labels continued to produce hits throughout the late 1960s.
What was the first all-female group signed to Motown to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100?
The Velvelettes
The Supreme Sisters
The Marvelettes
Martha and the Vandellas
The Marvelettes achieved a number-one hit with "Please Mr. Postman" in 1961, making them the first all-female group on Motown to top the Billboard Hot 100. Their success paved the way for future girl groups like The Supremes. The song remains a landmark in Motown history.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Classic Motown Hits -

    Retrieve key details about songs like "My Girl" and "Dancing in the Street" to sharpen your motown songs trivia knowledge.

  2. Identify Legendary Artists -

    Match vocals, stage presence, and contributions of icons such as Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye for effective motown trivia performance.

  3. Explain Motown's Historical Impact -

    Outline the label's groundbreaking moments and its role in shaping soul music through this motown history quiz.

  4. Analyze Musical Styles -

    Compare and contrast the sounds, arrangements, and lyrical themes of early hits versus later soul classics in our motown soul quiz.

  5. Assess Your Music Knowledge -

    Gauge your current understanding of Motown's catalog and legacy by completing the motown music quiz and identifying areas for deeper exploration.

  6. Appreciate Cultural Context -

    Connect Motown's artistic achievements to broader social movements and cultural shifts for a richer motown trivia experience.

Cheat Sheet

  1. The Visionary Founding of Motown -

    Berry Gordy Jr. launched Motown Records in 1959 in Detroit, crafting a systematic "assembly line" approach to songwriting and production that emphasized consistent quality - a strategy detailed by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. A simple mnemonic "GORDY" (Gospel roots, Originality, Rhythm, Drive, Youth appeal) can help in any motown trivia or motown history quiz to recall his formula for success.

  2. Defining the "Motown Sound" -

    Characterized by tambourines accenting the backbeat, melodic basslines from James Jamerson, and handclaps, the signature progression I - vi - IV - V (1 - 6 - 4 - 5) appears in classics like "My Girl" (1964). Music theory analyses from the Journal of Music Theory and Smithsonian archives emphasize this formula's role in countless motown songs trivia questions.

  3. Chart-Topping Artists and Hits -

    Diana Ross & The Supremes (12 No.1 hits), The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder represent Motown's backbone, as confirmed by Billboard archives and University of Michigan research. Familiarity with songs like "Where Did Our Love Go" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" is essential for acing any motown music quiz.

  4. The Funk Brothers: Unsung Heroes -

    The Funk Brothers - Motown's in-house studio band - provided the groove behind hundreds of hits, with James Jamerson's "lifting" bass and Benny Benjamin's driving drums often cited in NPR and Rock & Roll Hall analyses. Remember "FB=Groove Engine" as a mnemonic for motown soul quiz prompts focusing on instrumentation.

  5. Cultural Impact and Legacy -

    Motown broke down racial barriers during the Civil Rights era, creating crossover gold that transformed American music, as documented by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visiting Hitsville U.S.A. or practicing with motown history quiz and motown trivia flashcards deepens understanding of its enduring influence.

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