A Real Rock N Roll Junkie Will Get 100% On This Music Quiz!
- by Kath Sparks
- – on
- in Entertainment
So, you think you're a wizard at rock music trivia, eh? Well, this quiz will reveal exactly how much you know. And this quiz will go back in time a few decades. It'll cover up to as early as the 1950s since that's when "rock and rock" originated in the United States. According to Wikipedia, it has its roots heavily staked in African-American genres of music, namely rhythm and blues. And--get this--it also has its roots in country music.
It has its similarities to pop music as well. Both are very broad genres of music, and they both tend to draw lyric inspiration from romantic love, social issues, and political topics. The Beatles seemed to have covered all those topics during their most pivotal decade in their careers during the 1960s. That was the classic-rock era. The rise of psychedelic rock happened during this decade as well, and it continued into the 1970s. However, it seemed to peak during the Woodstock festival of 1969. So, how much do you really know about the history of rock music and its subgenres? If you're a Beatles, Rolling Stones, or Led Zeppelin nerd, then take this quiz to find out where you stand!
Can you match the song title to these lyrics?
Here's a sample of the lyrics! Hopefully this isn't too easy for you! Load up on guns Bring your friends It's fun to lose and to pretend She's overboard, self assured Oh no I know, a dirty word Hello, hello, hello, how low [x3] Hello, hello, hello With the lights out, it's less dangerous Here we are now, entertain us I feel stupid and contagious Here we are now, entertain us A mulatto, an Albino A mosquito, my libido, yeah
Name each Beatle from left to right
The Beatles were a rock band that formed in Liverpool in 1960. They're regarded as the most influential players in the rock era. If you're a millennial, then your mom or dad probably went to one of their concerts back in the day. I know that I would've been one of their biggest fangirls if I were alive during their most popular moments. Even now, if I were to see Paul McCartney or Ringo Starr, I'd definitely lose my cool and become starstruck.
Who were the founding members of Pink Floyd?
Okay, I'll admit it--I had a huge crush on one of the founding members of this band. You may be able to guess who. It was under this man's leadership that they released one of their best albums, Piper at the Gates of Dawn. However, he had to leave the band due to his deteriorating health issues. In other words, he lost his mind due to all the different drugs he was experimenting with. The band's hit single Wish You Were Here is a song commemorating their original leader long after he left the band.
Can you guess this modern rock band?
Okay, this was my big-time favorite in high school. Their live performances are awesome (as far as I can tell from YouTube videos), and they came out with a hit album not too long ago called "AM." They're considered an English rock band, and they formed their group in 2002. My favorite song by them is Fluorescent Adolescent. But their most popular song as of late seems to be R U Mine?, Just because it was played on the radio CONSTANTLY.
Can you guess this band?
Oh oh, this is one of my favorite classic rock bands. And yes, I listened to them all the time walking down the hallways of my high school (my gosh, I still cringe at what a dork I was...). Their most famous songs are "Painted Black" and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction". Hopefully, that didn't give too much away. As for your last clue, they're an English rock band formed in London, England in 1962. Hmm... it seems most of our classic rock bands originated in Europe. Interesting!
Can you guess this modern rock band?
As before, the picture won't help you. This band is considered an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1994. One of their hits songs (and my personal favorite) is called Best of You. It was a radio smash hit about twelve years ago (if my memory serves me correctly). This next fact is a gimme: they're named after the UFOs spotted by the Allied Aircraft pilots during World War II. Do you know who the band is yet?
Match these song lyrics with the Led Zeppelin song name!
There's a sign on the wall But she wants to be sure 'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings In a tree by the brook There's a songbird who sings Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiving Ooh, it makes me wonder Ooh, it makes me wonder There's a feeling I get When I look to the west And my spirit is crying for leaving In my thoughts I have seen Rings of smoke through the trees And the voices of those who stand looking
Which album do the following three songs belong to?
All of these songs were written by The Doors (and they're some of my all-time favorites). I'm not sure if you went through a rocker-girl era like I did. I mean, the one where you wore only band t-shirts, were constantly blasting music into your earbuds, and wore only converse. Cringewothy? Yep, I know. Whatever! At least I walked away from that phase in my life learning about really good music. Here are the songs: Back Door Man Break On Through (To the Other Side) Light My Fire
Can you guess this classic rock band?
Nope, the picture won't help you. Nice try! But here's some background info on the band. They're an Australian rock band formed in 1973 in Sydney. My most favorite song by them is Hells Bells (I played it at my high school graduation party--Shhh!) They've been considered metal, but to them, they're just a classic rock and roll band. Can you guess who I'm talking about? Well, if not, then I'm sure this question will shake you all night long.
Can you guess this modern rock band?
This picture is sort of a hint, but don't read too much into it. However, this band loooves including the banjo in their songs. They're a British band that formed in West London in 2007, and they're considered the leaders of the 21st century folk revival genre. Their lyrical content comes from literary works such as William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing--especially their album called "Sigh No More." That album has my favorite song "Little Lion Man." Can you guess the band?
Can you guess this modern American rock band?
Okay, now this is my all-time favorite rock band. Some of my favorite albums by them are Picaresque and The Crane Wife. The latter is about a man who finds an injured bird and nurses it back to health. One day, the bird appears to him as a beautiful woman whom he falls in love with and marries. To make money, she helps him weave clothes. As he becomes greedier and greedier, she becomes thinner. We find out that she was making the clothes from her own feathers. Once he finds out, she flies away. Last clue: they're an indie rock band from Portland, Oregon.
Can you guess this band?
They're an American rock band that formed in 1992 in a suburb of Seattle, Washington. Aside from just rock, they're considered to be indie and alternative rock. Now, I didn't know this, but the album that jump-started their career is called "This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About." My favorite album (and probably yours, too) is a much more recent album. Having only come out in 2004, it's called Good News For People Who Love Bad News. And yes, that picture is the album art for it.
Can you guess this band?
They're an indietronica band that formed in 2007 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Their most beloved fan favorites are "Take a Walk" and "Sleepyhead." They're like MGMT, and their music falls under the categories of electropop, alternative dance, synthpop, indie pop, and neo-psychedelia. They are, of course, another favorite of mine, and if you're a true modern rocker, then they're probably your favorite, too. Okay, so this time, the picture is another clue, but is it enough to help you name what band I'm talking about?
Can you guess this band?
They're an American rock band formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The band's founding members are brothers Dennis, Brian, and Carl Wilson plus their cousin Mike Love and their friend Al Jardine. Their most famous albums are "Good Vibrations" and "Pet Sounds." My most favorite song by them is "Sloop John B," which is from the Pet Sounds album. Their subgenres include rock, pop, surf, and psychedelia rock. Think you can guess who this old, classic rock band is?
Can you guess this band?
They're yet another old-time, classic rock band that formed decades ago. They're an American rock band from Athens, Georgia that formed in 1980. Their subgenres include alternative rock, folk rock, college rock, and jangle pop. Hopefully, this next clue doesn't give it away too much, but one of their most famous songs is "Losing My Religion." Too easy? I promise to make these next five questions much, much harder. But til then, can you guess what band I'm alluding to?
Can you guess this band?
Okay to start off, they're an American rock band from Gainesville, Florida that formed in the 1970s. Their subgenres include rock (duh!) and heartland rock. This band was at the forefront of the Heartland rock scene along with Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, and John Mellencamp. Their lyrical content draws inspiration from relatable blue collar issues in the 1970s and 1980s. Can you guess this band that was a pioneer in its specific rock genre at the time? If not, then you're out of luck.
Can you guess this band?
This band has hipster written ALL over it. Have you seen (500) Days Of Summer? Well, if so, then here's a hint for you. Summer (played by Zooey Deschanel) sings part of their most famous song while in the elevator with her male counterpart, Tom (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt). If you haven't seen the movie, then just know that Summer sings part of the band's hit single "There's A Light That Never Goes Out." Based on all this info, can you guess the band I'm referring to? Oh, and the picture won't help you.
Can you guess this band?
Okay, last question, and the picture won't help you. This is another modern rock band, and their subgenres include indie rock and folk rock. The lead singer dedicates an entire album called "The First Days of Spring" to Laura Marling, the woman who broke his heart to lead a solo career. Some of the songs have definitely reduced me to tears and have been very helpful to me in some of my own heartaches. Can you guess the name of the band I'm talking about?
Can you guess this band?
Okay, so this time, the picture is another clue! But it will only help the most knowledgeable of rock music junkies. This band is pretty, well, quirky. I mean, even their song titles are strange. My favorite song (and album) by them is Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. They draw their influence from 1960s and 1970s psychedelic rock. And, oh man, I'm such a psychedelic rock fan. Here's your last clue: they're an American rock band formed in the 1980s.
Can you guess this band?
Yet again, here's another indie band whose early days began in none other than Seattle, Washington. And they've been releasing albums like crazy in the 2000s and 2010s. Their subgenres include indie rock, southern rock, alternative rock, and folk rock. They've been performing since 2004, so they're still a fairly new band. This may give it away, but my favorite song by them is a tie between "No One's Gonna Love You" and "The Funeral." Oh, and this time, the picture is a clue!
Can you match these lyrics to the correct Beatles song?
Okay we're going back in time to classic rock bands. This is a famous song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney of none other than The Beatles. You know I work all day to get you money to buy you things And it's worth it just to hear you say you're going to give me everything So why on earth should I moan, 'cause when I get you alone You know I feel OK When I'm home everything seems to be right When I'm home feeling you holding me tight, tight
Can you match these lyrics to the song title?
In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black And I held my tongue as she told me, Son, fear is the heart of love, so I never went back You and me we've seen everything to see From Bangkok to Calgary and the soles of your shoes Are all worn down The time for sleep is now But it's nothing to cry about 'Cause we'll hold each other soon in the blackest of rooms
Can you match these song lyrics to the song?
Okay, so I'm not giving any more hints than just the lyrics because honestly, the first stanza should be all you need to get this question right. Hello? Hello? Hello? Is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me Is there anyone at home? Come on now I hear you're feeling down Well I can ease your pain Get you on your feet again Relax I'll need some information first Just the basic facts Can you show me where it hurts?
Can you guess this band?
Okay, so we're back to modern times, and modern times are a good era for alternative rock music. Although the radio doesn't credit some of the major players in rock music right now, it doesn't mean they don't exist. You just have to shift through all the crap to find gold. Two of this band's most popular songs are "Two-headed Boy" and "In The Aeroplane Over The Sea." Can you guess which modern rock band I'm referring to? Let's see!
Can you guess this band?
Let's see if you can guess this next one. They're an indie rock band from Versailles, France. Their subgenres include indie pop, synthpop, new wave, and alternative rock. Their most prominent album is "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix," which was released in 2009. They went on tour playing this album until 2011 (right around when I graduated high school). They allude to famous moments in history like in their song called "Rome." Can you use these clues to guess this modern rock band?