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Music From Between The Wars Trivia Quiz

There were some great songs and tunes written in the 1920s. Many are still familiar today.

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

Author
Christinap

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
351,152

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
505

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. One of the most popular entertainers of the 1920s was Al Jolson. Of the following which was NOT one of his songs? Hint

Sonny Boy

Swanee

Ol' Man River

California Here I Come

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Question 2 of 10

2. "Rhapsody in Blue" made its first appearance in the 1920s. Who wrote it? Hint

Cole Porter

George Gershwin

Paul Whiteman

Richard Rogers

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Question 3 of 10

3. In the 1920s Hoagy Carmichael gave us which all time classic song? Hint

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

Star Dust

Only You

April Showers

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Question 4 of 10

4. "Singin' The Blues" was sung in the 1920s by Frankie Trumbaer. Which British singer, now best known as an all round entertainer, had a 1950s hit with a different song with the same title? Hint

Joe Brown

Marty Wilde

Tommy Steele

Lonnie Donegan

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Question 5 of 10

5. "Somebody Stole My Gal" was written by Leo Wood in 1918. A British band leader recorded it in 1931 and it became his theme tune. Who was this? Hint

Henry Hall

Joe Loss

Jack Parnell

Billy Cotton

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Question 6 of 10

6. Sung by such artists as Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis, "C.C. Rider" started life in 1924 under what title? Hint

Riding Blues

See What You Have Done

See See Rider Blues

See C. Rider

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Question 7 of 10

7. The Charleston and which other dance craze swept America in the 1920s? Hint

Waltz

Tango

Quickstep

Black Bottom

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Question 8 of 10

8. Made popular by Eddie Cantor in 1928, which song is this?

"Another bride, another June
Another sunny honeymoon" Hint

Making Whoopee

Love and Marriage

My Blue Heaven

What Is This Thing Called Love

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Question 9 of 10

9. Joe Venuti, Bing Crosby, Bix Beiderbecke and Jack Teagarden were all, at one time in their careers, working for which band leader known as "The King of Jazz"? Hint

Duke Ellington

Paul Whiteman

Count Basie

Lionel Rich

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Question 10 of 10

10. "I'll See You In My Dreams" was a very popular song. Written in 1924, it was later used in 1951 movie of the same title, a biography of the lyricist. Who was he? Hint

Louis Armstrong

Irving Berlin

Gus Kahn

Oscar Hammerstein

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. One of the most popular entertainers of the 1920s was Al Jolson. Of the following which was NOT one of his songs?

Answer: Ol' Man River

"Ol' Man River" was sung by Paul Robeson and comes from the musical "Showboat".
Al Jolson was one of America's biggest stars in the 1920s. He started as a black faced minstrel type singer, but in later years did away with the black face make up. His shows were known for over-running, as once he started he didn't want to leave the stage. "You ain't heard nothing yet" was a phrase associated with him.

2. "Rhapsody in Blue" made its first appearance in the 1920s. Who wrote it?

Answer: George Gershwin

Written by George Gershwin "Rhapsody in Blue" was first performed by Paul Whiteman and his orchestra, with George Gershwin on piano. Paul Whiteman actually commissioned Gershwin to write it. It has gone on to become a classic piece of music performed by symphony orchestras all over the world.

3. In the 1920s Hoagy Carmichael gave us which all time classic song?

Answer: Star Dust

"Star Dust" has become part of the Great American Song Book. Written by Hoagy Carmichael it has been recorded by over 1500 artists including Nat King Cole, Barry Manilow and Mel Torme.

4. "Singin' The Blues" was sung in the 1920s by Frankie Trumbaer. Which British singer, now best known as an all round entertainer, had a 1950s hit with a different song with the same title?

Answer: Tommy Steele

Tommy Steele and Guy Mitchell both recorded "Singin' The Blues" at approximately the same time. Both had number one hits on the UK singles chart with it on alternating weeks. Tommy Steele soon abandoned a career in pop music to do films such as "Half a Sixpence" and stage shows like "Singing In The Rain" and "Scrooge".

5. "Somebody Stole My Gal" was written by Leo Wood in 1918. A British band leader recorded it in 1931 and it became his theme tune. Who was this?

Answer: Billy Cotton

Billy Cotton and his band were music hall style entertainers. As variety began to die out they made a switch to radio, and "The Billy Cotton Bandshow" became a Sunday afternoon must listen to in many households. The show later had a successful run on BBC television, and was responsible for starting the career of pianist Russ Conway.

6. Sung by such artists as Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis, "C.C. Rider" started life in 1924 under what title?

Answer: See See Rider Blues

The song started life as a traditional 12 bar blues song. It was recorded by 'Ma' Rainey in 1924 as "See See Rider Blues". No writer is credited with it, it seems to be a traditional song whose origins go back many years before any recordings of it were known. It has also been called "Easy Rider".

7. The Charleston and which other dance craze swept America in the 1920s?

Answer: Black Bottom

Originating in New Orleans, the Black Bottom was introduced to New York in 1924 in the show "Dinah". Jelly Roll Morton wrote a popular tune "Black Bottom Stomp" and soon the dance eclipsed the Charleston in popularity.

8. Made popular by Eddie Cantor in 1928, which song is this? "Another bride, another June Another sunny honeymoon"

Answer: Making Whoopee

Featured in the 1928 musical "Whoopee", this is another song of this era that has gone on to feature in the Great American Songbook. It has been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington and many others.

9. Joe Venuti, Bing Crosby, Bix Beiderbecke and Jack Teagarden were all, at one time in their careers, working for which band leader known as "The King of Jazz"?

Answer: Paul Whiteman

Paul Whiteman was probably the most popular band leader of the 1920s. His orchestra had up to 35 musicians when most bands of the time had only ten or twelve. He was influential in starting many careers, including that of Bing Crosby. His influence was so great the media of the time christened him "The King of Jazz".

10. "I'll See You In My Dreams" was a very popular song. Written in 1924, it was later used in 1951 movie of the same title, a biography of the lyricist. Who was he?

Answer: Gus Kahn

Another song that has lived down the years. Joe Brown sang it accompanied by only a ukulele in the George Harrison tribute concert. Pat Boone, Doris Day, Mario Lanza and Tony Martin have all recorded it. The tune was written by Isham Jones.

Source: Author Christinap

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