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I Write the Music Trivia Quiz

This quiz is about composers of music from a variety of genres in the 20th century. It helps to know a little jazz, a little country, a little rock, a little hip-hop, etc.

A multiple-choice quiz by bernie73. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
bernie73

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
376,562

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
250

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. One of the first or oldest songs to be written about a car was composed in 1905 by Guy Edwards (with an assist from lyricist Vincent P. Bryan). A happy example of which auto make was the subject of the song? Hint

Ford

Rolls Royce

Studebaker

Oldsmobile

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Question 2 of 10

2. Originally written in 1918 for a World War One musical revue, this song found new popularity on the eve of World War Two. Who wrote "God Bless America"? Hint

Jerome Kern

George M. Cohan

George Gershwin

Irving Berlin

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which popular Broadway and movie composer wrote "Rhapsody in Blue" in 1924? Hint

Ira Gershwin

George Gershwin

Paul Whiteman

Lorenz Hart

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Question 4 of 10

4. It is one of the songs most associated with the Duke Ellington orchestra. Who wrote "Take the 'A' Train" in 1939? Hint

Duke Ellington

Billy Strayhorn

Mercer Ellington

Woody Herman

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Question 5 of 10

5. In 1947, which cartoon character from Walter Lantz Productions received his own theme song, written by George Tibbles and Ramey Idriss? Hint

Woody Woodpecker

Felix the Cat

Bugs Bunny

Courageous Cat

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Question 6 of 10

6. This song is nearly an instrumental. Which alcoholic beverage is named three times, the only words in this 1958 song from Daniel Flores? Hint

Beer

Margarita

Tequila

Whiskey

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Question 7 of 10

7. "Yesterday" is one of the best-known songs by the Beatles. Which Beatle wrote and performed the song in 1965? Hint

John Lennon

Paul McCartney

George Harrison

Ringo Starr

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who wrote the song "You've Got a Friend" in 1971? Hint

James Taylor

Neil Sedaka

Carole King

Gerry Goffin

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Question 9 of 10

9. Who wrote the 1980 song "9 to 5" as performed in the movie of the same title by Dolly Parton? Hint

Kris Kristofferson

Dolly Parton

Carole King

Tanya Tucker

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Question 10 of 10

10. Who wrote and recorded "Doo Wop (That Thing)" in 1998? Hint

Macy Gray

Lauryn Hill

Christina Aguilera

Mariah Carey

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Oldsmobile

The song is "In My Merry Oldsmobile." Oldsmobile used the tune in its advertising for many years. The song was considered racy for 1905, but no so much today: "Come away with me Lucille/ In my Merry Oldsmobile!/ own the road of life we'll fly/ Automobubbling you and I."

2. Originally written in 1918 for a World War One musical revue, this song found new popularity on the eve of World War Two. Who wrote "God Bless America"?

Answer: Irving Berlin

The best known rendition of the song might be by Kate Smith. In the 1940 US Presidential campaign, Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt and Republican Wendell Wilkie each used the song as his campaign theme. Talk about bipartisanship!

3. Which popular Broadway and movie composer wrote "Rhapsody in Blue" in 1924?

Answer: George Gershwin

Ira Gershwin was George Gershwin's brother as well as long-time lyricist. Paul Whiteman commissioned the song in 1924. In the last few years, "Rhapsody in Blue" has been used in, among other places, a series of commercials for United Airlines.

4. It is one of the songs most associated with the Duke Ellington orchestra. Who wrote "Take the 'A' Train" in 1939?

Answer: Billy Strayhorn

The 'A' train was a subway line in New York City. The title comes from directions to his home that Duke Ellington gave to Billy Strayhorn. The song has been recorded by, among other people, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, and Sarah Vaughan.

5. In 1947, which cartoon character from Walter Lantz Productions received his own theme song, written by George Tibbles and Ramey Idriss?

Answer: Woody Woodpecker

"The Woody Woodpecker Theme" begins with the distinctive sound of Woody's laughter. It's hard to imagine one of his cartoons without this music. The original voice artist for Woody was Mel Blanc.

6. This song is nearly an instrumental. Which alcoholic beverage is named three times, the only words in this 1958 song from Daniel Flores?

Answer: Tequila

"Tequila" was a Number One hit on both the Billboard Pop and the R&B charts. Daniel Flores was also the saxophonist for the recording. "Tequila" is a popular song to this day and has been covered dozens of times.

7. "Yesterday" is one of the best-known songs by the Beatles. Which Beatle wrote and performed the song in 1965?

Answer: Paul McCartney

In early drafts, the song was called "Scrambled Eggs." According to the 2009 Guinness Book of World Records, "Yesterday" is one of the most recorded songs of all time, with over 2,200 covers.

8. Who wrote the song "You've Got a Friend" in 1971?

Answer: Carole King

It was first recorded for Carole King's album "Tapestry." "You've Got a Friend" provided Grammy wins for both Carole King (Song of the Year) and James Taylor (Best Male Vocal Performance).

9. Who wrote the 1980 song "9 to 5" as performed in the movie of the same title by Dolly Parton?

Answer: Dolly Parton

The movie "9 to 5" starred Dolly Parton along with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. Dolly Parton's recording reached Number One on Billboard's Country, Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary Charts. The Sheena Easton song titled "9 to 5" in the United Kingdom, was retitled "Morning Train" when it was released in the US.

10. Who wrote and recorded "Doo Wop (That Thing)" in 1998?

Answer: Lauryn Hill

The song came from Lauryn Hill's "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." She won two Grammy Awards at the 1999 ceremonies for this song: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B song.

Source: Author bernie73

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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