General Awareness

Popular Music Trivia

3,302 Questions

Popular music trivia tests knowledge of global chart-topping songs, iconic music videos, and award-winning soundtracks. Questions cover various genres, famous artists, and cultural themes prevalent in modern music. This section is ideal for improving general knowledge for state level exams and trivia competitions.

Chart-topping hit songsMusic video conceptsFilm and television soundtracksAward-winning compositionsMusical genres and styles

Popular Music Trivia Questions

Multiple choice

Which instrumental song by The Shadows reached the top of the UK Singles Chart in 1960?

  1. Apache

  2. Walk, Don't Run

  3. Telstar

  4. The Theme from A Summer Place
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Shadows' instrumental hit "Apache" topped the UK Singles Chart in 1960, showcasing their innovative guitar work and becoming one of their signature songs.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the instrumental song by Bert Kaempfert that reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961?

  1. Wonderland by Night

  2. A Summer Place

  3. Exodus

  4. Moonlight Serenade
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Bert Kaempfert's instrumental track "Wonderland by Night" topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1961, showcasing his lush orchestral arrangements.

Multiple choice

Which instrumental song by Henry Mancini became a chart-topper in the United States in 1962?

  1. Moon River

  2. Peter Gunn

  3. The Pink Panther Theme

  4. Charade
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Henry Mancini's instrumental composition "Moon River" reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962, becoming a classic love song and winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Multiple choice

What was the title of the instrumental song by The Ventures that reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961?

  1. Walk, Don't Run

  2. Apache

  3. Telstar

  4. The Theme from A Summer Place
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Ventures' instrumental rendition of "The Theme from A Summer Place" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961, showcasing their ability to adapt popular melodies to their signature guitar sound.

Multiple choice

Which instrumental song by Santo & Johnny reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959?

  1. Sleep Walk

  2. Peter Gunn

  3. The Lonely Bull

  4. Walk, Don't Run
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Santo & Johnny's instrumental track "Sleep Walk" topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1959, becoming a classic example of the steel guitar's haunting melodies.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the instrumental song by The Tornados that reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1962?

  1. Telstar

  2. The Theme from A Summer Place

  3. Walk, Don't Run

  4. Apache
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Tornados' instrumental hit "Telstar" reached the top spot on the UK Singles Chart in 1962, becoming the first instrumental song to top the chart and showcasing their innovative use of electronic sounds.

Multiple choice

Which instrumental song by The Shadows reached number two on the UK Singles Chart in 1961?

  1. Apache

  2. Walk, Don't Run

  3. Telstar

  4. The Theme from A Summer Place
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Shadows' instrumental rendition of "The Theme from A Summer Place" peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart in 1961, showcasing their ability to adapt popular melodies to their signature guitar sound.

Multiple choice

What was the title of the instrumental song by Bert Kaempfert that reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962?

  1. Wonderland by Night

  2. A Summer Place

  3. Exodus

  4. Moonlight Serenade
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Bert Kaempfert's instrumental track "Exodus" topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1962, becoming a classic example of his lush orchestral arrangements and winning a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Performance.

Multiple choice

Which instrumental song by Henry Mancini became a chart-topper in the United States in 1963?

  1. Moon River

  2. Peter Gunn

  3. The Pink Panther Theme

  4. Charade
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Henry Mancini's instrumental composition "The Pink Panther Theme" reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963, becoming a classic example of his playful and catchy melodies.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the instrumental song by The Ventures that reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962?

  1. Walk, Don't Run

  2. Apache

  3. Telstar

  4. The Theme from A Summer Place
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Ventures' instrumental rendition of "The Theme from A Summer Place" peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962, showcasing their ability to adapt popular melodies to their signature guitar sound.

Multiple choice

Which instrumental song by The Shadows reached number three on the UK Singles Chart in 1962?

  1. Apache

  2. Walk, Don't Run

  3. Telstar

  4. The Theme from A Summer Place
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Shadows' instrumental hit "Telstar" reached number three on the UK Singles Chart in 1962, becoming a classic example of their innovative use of electronic sounds.

Multiple choice

Which song holds the record for the most weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart?

  1. Despacito - Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee

  2. Old Town Road - Lil Nas X

  3. One Sweet Day - Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men

  4. Smooth - Santana featuring Rob Thomas
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

One Sweet Day spent 16 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1995-1996.

Multiple choice

Which song was the first to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart?

  1. I Gotta Feeling - The Black Eyed Peas

  2. Tik Tok - Kesha

  3. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - Taylor Swift

  4. Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas was the first song to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2009.

Multiple choice

Which song holds the record for the highest debut on the Billboard Hot 100 chart?

  1. Despacito - Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee

  2. Old Town Road - Lil Nas X

  3. Shape of You - Ed Sheeran

  4. Perfect - Ed Sheeran
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Old Town Road by Lil Nas X holds the record for the highest debut on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, entering at number 19 in 2019.

Multiple choice

Which song was the first to debut at number one on the UK Singles Chart?

  1. I Gotta Feeling - The Black Eyed Peas

  2. Tik Tok - Kesha

  3. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - Taylor Swift

  4. Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas was the first song to debut at number one on the UK Singles Chart in 2009.