There's No Way You Can Match All These Hit Songs To The Artist
- by Rose Moore
- – on
- in Entertainment
24Are you someone who considers themselves a major music fan, who knows every artist and keeps up with the Billboard charts, or are you the kind of person who just hums along with whatever is on the radio and couldn't care less who is singing it, as long as it's a catchy tune? Maybe you love to keep up with current music, but doesn't know anything about the biggest hits of the past, or is devoted to a single genre, and that genre only?
From the classic hits of the '60s and '70s, to the biggest hit songs of the last decade, can you match up these thirty five huge hit singles to the bands and artists that wrote them, from just a short description and a photo? Some of these are record breakers who have held that coveted top spot for weeks at a time, while others are some of the biggest earworms and party anthems that we've ever heard... and be warned, we make no promises that after taking this quiz, you won't have at least one song stuck in your head for the rest of the day! Are you a total song superstar, who would kill it at any music trivia night, or are you just fine with being a casual listener?
'New Rules'
'New Rules' was the first number one single for this artist on the UK charts, and became a global hit. It's not the only major hit from this album, however! The same album also includes 'Be the One', 'Hotter than Hell', 'Blow Your Mind (Mwah)', and 'IDGAF', all of which have proven to be huge hits for this up and coming singer. 'New Rules', like most of her work, is all about empowerment - and making sure that she doesn't go back to a man who doesn't deserve her!
'Thank God For Girls
This 2015 alt-rock song is from a band that has been cranking out the hits since the early '90s, and that keeps going with music that always has a little bit of a perfect lazy twang to it. 'Thank God For Girls' is no exception, as the band sings about the women in their life that they couldn't do without - but this is far from the usual pop fodder! 'Thank God For Girls' is from the 2016 studio album known as the White Album.
'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together'
'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together' is a 2012 from the superstar popstress who got her start in country music. Like most of her other songs, 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together' is about relationships - and this is definitely not a good relationship! Instead, she sings to confirm that there is no way that their relationship could ever start again - no matter what! 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together' is from the Red album, released in 2012.
'No Excuses'
This feminist pop anthem was released in 2018, and is the lead single of the studio album of the same name: 'No Excuses'. 'No Excuses' is a song about expecting better from a man in her life, with the refrain that 'your Mama raised you better than that!'. This is not the first time that this songstress has made her high standards clear, as she often sings about self empowerment and the need to have people (especially men) in her life who appreciate her exactly as she is.
'Honey I'm Good'
This cute and uplifting song is all about fidelity in a relationship - and it's great to hear it coming from a male artist! The video for 'Honey I'm Good' is also adorable, cut together with clips of various couples holding up signs revealing how long they have been (happily) partnered up. This single is the second release from the 2014 album 'Magazines or Novels', and the triple-platinum single was this artist's highest charting so far, reaching number 9 on the Billboard charts.
'Hello'
The lead single from the 2015 album, '25', 'Hello' is a love ballad that became a total smash hit - and even won a Grammy for Song of the Year. 'Hello' is a song to an ex, from a lover who is still heartbroken, and looking to reconnect with the person that she loved - and it's haunting beauty kept it at the top of the charts for weeks on end. 'Hello' even broke records, including becoming the first song to sell over a million digital copies in a week!
'Try'
'Try' is an anthem of self-empowerment, released in 2014 as the lead single of the album 'Gypsy Heart'. The song breaks down the need to change yourself in order to fit in, with the refrain 'you don't have to try so hard'. The video is as simple and powerful as the song, with a collection of fans and other stars taking off their makeup on screen, and being happy and proud to be their most authentic self on screen for all to see.
'Hotline Bling'
'Hotline Bling' was a huge success for this Canadian rapper - and not just for the music itself. The music video, and the distinctive smooth moves that he shows off in it, spawned the birth of hundreds of memes and parodies - including some commercials! As a result, the video has become one of the most viewed on YouTube. The song itself sings to a woman who is no longer around, and that this rapper is mourning the loss of.
'Firework'
From the 2010 album 'Teenage Dream', 'Firework' is a song for all the fans that feel like they are under a little too much pressure, that they are losing faith in themselves - and asks the much-parodied question 'do you ever feel like a paper bag'? This pop hit made it to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as hitting the top five in charts all over the world, with the music video also finding success in the video charts.
'Poker Face'
'Poker Face' is one of the early hits of this massively successful artist, from her debut album 'The Fame'. Like most of her songs, it comes with a phenomenal beat and the usual synth-pop goodness, as well as an artistic music video featuring the artist in a range of skin tight and over the top costumes. 'Poker Face' was the best selling single of 2009 globally, and one of the best selling singles of all time - and still a party anthem nearly ten years later.
'Bangarang'
This 2012 release comes from the album of the same name, but you may be hearing a lot more of it lately, thanks to the inclusion of 'Bangarang' on the soundtrack for the movie Deadpool 2! The dubstep hit also features the vocals of rapper Sirah. The title (and some of the lyrics) are an homage to the movie 'Hook', from 1991, about the lost boys of the Peter Pan stories, and their rallying cry in this film - Bangarang!
'Praying'
This artist had to take a long break from her career, despite having a series of smash hit singles, when in 2013 she became embroiled in a lawsuit with her producer. However, in 2017 she was able to get back to recording, and released her third album, 'Rainbow' was the first release from the album, a song that speaks directly about her struggles and her ability to come out the other side even stronger for them - and hit platinum in multiple countries.
'Party Rock Anthem'
The 2011 pop hit 'Party Rock Anthem' is exactly what the title claims - an upbeat and rockin' song to bring any party to life. It also has a music video that starts with a song-induced apocalypse, that has the whole world dancing... and which was nominated for multiple awards. 'Party Rock Album' is the first single from the group's second album 'Sorry for Party Rocking', although the events of the video take place after the video for the album's titular song.
'I Gotta Feeling'
This song was produced by DJ David Guetta, and is the second single from the album 'The End', released in 2009. Along with the previous single 'Boom Boom Pow', the song gave the group the rare achievement of occupying the top two spots of the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time! 'I Gotta Feeling' is another party album, and the thumping exhortation to have an amazing night is what makes it a huge success, and a classic party anthem nearly ten years later.
'Grenade'
This 2010 song is from the album 'Doo-Wops and Hooligans' - the debut album from this artist. 'Grenade' is a pop ballad, all about the true love that this artist feels - so strong that he would do all kinds of things for her, including catching that titular grenade. 'Grenade' reached number one in fifteen different countries, and has been certified seven times platinum. It's also far from his only hit, with the same album including 'Just The Way You Are', 'The Lazy Song' and 'Marry Me'.
'Eye Of The Tiger'
While most of the songs on this quiz have so far been from the past decade, that doesn't mean that there aren't some classic hits that every music lover should know - including the ultimate rock anthem 'Eye of the Tiger'. Released in 1982, it is the theme song for the film Rocky III, and became an absolute smash hit - topping the charts for six consecutive weeks and becoming the number 2 single of the entire year - and unsurprisingly, is certified platinum.
'Somebody That I Used To Know'
This 2011 hit single is this band's most successful song to date - and spread their name far beyond Australia and New Zealand where it was originally released. A ballad, it is a simple song mourning a breakup that ended with the subject of the song completely cutting off the singer, without even acknowledging their past. 'Somebody That I Used To Know' also ended up helping another group, Walk Off The Earth, achieve online fame thanks to their YouTube cover of the song.
'Let's Get It On'
This motown hit from the 70s is one of the classics of the genre, so every music fan should know it - even if it was released long before they were even born! This mo town slow jam gets pretty explicit (especially for the time that it was released), as this artist sings about exactly how they feel about a woman in their life. 'Let's Get It On' has even been referenced in songs since then, like the 2015 hit from Charlie Puth.
'Saturday Night Fever'
This massive 1978 disco hit was the theme song to the film 'Saturday Night Fever', and 'Night Fever' became one of the biggest songs of the disco craze as a result. The song was written specifically for the film, and even had an impact on the name, as the movie was originally going to be called simply 'Saturday Night'. Since then, the song has gone on to top the charts, and would be the third of six consecutive number one songs for the band.
'This Is How You Remind Me'
This 2001 grunge rock hit is sung by one of Canada's best known rock bands - and is written about the dysfunctional relationship that the lead singer had with his ex girlfriend. 'This Is How You Remind Me' is the lead single from this band's third album, 'Silver Side Up', and has been regularly recognized as one of the best known and most played songs of the 2000s. It is also often seen as the signature song of this rock group.
'I Want To Hold Your Hand'
'I Want To Hold Your Hand' was this incredibly famous group's first American Number One hit, as the majority of their songs were more popular at home for them in the UK. It took a little while to hit that number one spot in the UK, though, as a previous single of the band's was so popular that it was almost impossible to beat! Having sold more than 12 million copies, this song is one of this band's biggest selling ever.
'Call Me Maybe'
The 2012 teen pop hit 'Call Me Maybe' became known not just for being a huge hit, but for being one of the biggest earworms of the year - and for launching dozens of memes based on the opening lyrics. The bouncy pop tune is about the same thing that most teen pop songs are about - young love, and the desire to get that guy you really like to give you a call. It reached number one in charts all over the world.
'Blurred Lines'
This 2013 hit was produced by Pharrell, and 'Blurred Lines' may have been a major hit, but that doesn't mean that everyone was happy about it. The song sings about a girl who clearly 'wants' the lead singer, even though she is telling him that she's not interested, which launched a massive controversy over the song being a sexist one - saying that 'no' actually means 'yes'. That's not the only controversy, either, as the song was the focus of a copyright lawsuit as well.
'I Will Always Love You'
'I Will Always Love You' was originally recorded by Dolly Parton, but was covered by another famous songstress as the theme song to the 1992 romantic movie The Bodyguard, that starred this singer opposite Kevin Costner. This version of the song spent 14 weeks at number one, giving it status as one of the best selling singles of all time - and only part of that comes from the popularity of the film itself - it's also the incredible voice that does it!
'I'm A Believer'
This 1966 single is one of the best known from this hugely popular '60s group - and 'I'm A Believer' spent seven weeks on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart - it also managed to split that reign over two years, making it the last number one of 1966, and the biggest selling single of 1967 at the same time! It's been covered multiple times since the original release, including by Smashmouth in 2001 for the animated kids movie Shrek.
'Royals'
'Royals' is arguably the song that put this New Zealand based singer on the map, as it quickly found fame beyond Australia and New Zealand, hitting top spots in the UK and on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has also won multiple awards awards including the Grammy Award for Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance and the APRA Silver Scroll Award - and was released to massive critical acclaim in the world of pop music.
'I Love Rock N Roll'
The Arrows may have been the first to record this incredible rock hit, but they weren't the ones to make it famous. Instead, it was this female artist who put 'I Love Rock N Roll' on the map, with her version holding the number one spot on the US Billboard Chart for seven weeks, as well as becoming Billboard's number three song for 1982. Since then, it has been covered again by artists including Britney Spears and boy band Five.
'All About That Bass'
'All About That Bass' is a body-positivity anthem by this blonde songstress, but her lyrics caused some controversy when the pop hit was released in 2014. By celebrating her size, many felt that she put down smaller women at the same time with lines like 'boys like a little more to hold at night' and 'I ain't no stick figure Barbie doll'. That didn't stop 'All About That Bass' from spending eight weeks at number one in the US, though!
'Moves Like Jagger'
This 2011 hit featuring Christina Aguilera is a dance pop/ electro pop song that became one of the biggest hits of the year for this band - hitting that coveted number one spot in charts in over eighteen countries. This puts it as the band's second most popular song of all time, with 'Moves Like Jagger' only topped by the earlier 'Makes Me Wonder'. The song itself is, of course, a reference to Mick Jagger, the lead singer of the Rolling Stones.
'Happy'
This 2013 pop hit won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance, topped the charts in over twenty countries, and is one of the biggest selling songs of all time. The song also lives up to the title with a bouncy beat and an exhortation for everyone to clap along, and to keep being happy. 'Happy' was one of the immediate hit songs for the summer, and has since been parodied by Weird Al Yankovic in 'Tacky' in 2014.
'Man, I Feel Like A Woman'
This sexy country pop song was one of the biggest hits of the late 90s, as this leopard print clad songstress belted out 'Man, I Feel Like A Woman'. Taken from this Canadian singer's third album, 'Come On Over', the female empowerment anthem may not have hit number one, but it rose to very respectable placement on charts all over the world and won the artist a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 2000 - making it one of her signature hits.
'Carry On Wayward Son'
'Carry On Wayward Son' was a reasonable hit when it was first released by this rock band in 1976, and rose to number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts in the US. However, since then it has found a second round of success, thanks to the genre show Supernatural. This show about demon-hunting brothers uses 'Carry On Wayward Son' as a theme song, with fans even referring to themselves as 'Wayward Sons', and loving this 70s rock hit anew.
'I Kissed A Girl'
'I Kissed A Girl' was one of the first pop hits for this singer, who has gone on to huge fame - proving that she is far more than just a one hit wonder. The raunchy pop hit is about two women kissing, and very much enjoying it - something that caused a bit of a stir with certain listeners. 'I Kissed A Girl' became one of the catchiest songs of 2008, rising to the top 5 after only a couple of weeks.
'Baby One More Time'
In 1998, one of the biggest starlets of modern pop burst onto the scene with 'Baby One More Time', a song that came with a schoolgirl music video and a catchy hook that would launch this artist to pop stardom. Since then, she has continued to crank out the hits, and despite some difficult years in her life, she is back on top again, with a show in Vegas and a series of business ventures... but she will always be remembered for this hit.
'Don't Stop Believin'
The opening bars of this rock anthem will be recognizable to any music fan, even though the song itself was released back in 1981. 'Don't Stop Believin' has become the kind of song to appear in multiple TV shows, films, and to be covered and re-recorded time and time again, and as well as climbing to number nine in the charts on its original release, 'Don't Stop Believin' has also recently been hitting the higher ends of the charts again, following a resurgence in popularity.