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Quiz about Popular Songs Written Before 1940

Popular Songs Written Before 1940 Quiz

All these well-known songs were written before 1940. They were often popularized by more recent artists.

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

Author
wardcogge

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
331,669

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
653

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What comical song was written by James Henry and Grant Clarke in 1921, and recorded by Barbra Streisand in 1965? Hint

The Lady Is a Tramp

People

Second Hand Rose

I Got Plenty of Nothin'

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Question 2 of 10

2. A song that Milton Ager and Jack Yellen wrote in 1927 became a Tin Pan Alley classic. Dozens of people, including Lilian Roth, Guy Lombardo and Frank Sinatra, recorded it. It was also used in an episode of "You Rang M'Lord?". What's the title? Hint

Tea for Two

I Get a Kick Out of You

Swanee

Ain't She Sweet?

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Question 3 of 10

3. In 1928 Cole Porter wrote a list song for the Broadway musical "Paris". Louis Armstrong recorded it with Ella Fitzgerald in 1957. Do you know the song? Hint

I Wanna Be Loved by You

These Foolish Things

Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love

A Kiss to Build a Dream On

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Question 4 of 10

4. A song with ambiguous lyrics was written by Hoagy Carmichael (music) and Stuart Gorrell (lyrics) in 1930. The most famous version was recorded by Ray Charles in 1960. Can you name it? Hint

What'd I Say

I Can't Stop Loving You

Hit the Road Jack

Georgia on My Mind

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Question 5 of 10

5. "Stars shining bright above you..." These lyrics by Gus Kahn were set to music by Fabian Andr� and Wilbur Schwandt in 1931. What's the name of this pop standard? Hint

Someone to Watch over Me

Embraceable You

Dream a Little Dream of Me

It Had to Be You

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Question 6 of 10

6. Felix Barnard (music) and Richard Smith (lyrics) wrote a famous Christmas song in 1934. It was recorded by more than a hundred artists, including Guy Lombardo & the Andrews Sisters, Bob Dylan, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Eurythmics and Jewel. Which song is it? Hint

Winter Wonderland

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Raindeer

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Question 7 of 10

7. The song "If" was written by Tolchard Evans (music) and Hargreaves and Damerell (lyrics) in 1934, and turned into a hit by Perry Como in 1950. Can you give the complete first line? Hint

If they made me a king

If I were a swan

If a picture paints a thousand words

If I don't pick up the phone

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Question 8 of 10

8. One of the most famous duos of songwriter and lyricist is George & Ira Gershwin. Which song from "Porgy and Bess" has been recorded over 20,000 times? Hint

I Got Rhythm

Summertime

Let's Call the Whole Thing Off

The Man I Love

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Question 9 of 10

9. In 1937 Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart wrote a song for the Broadway musical "Babes in Arms". It became a jazz standard after being recorded by Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis. Which song is it? Hint

My Funny Valentine

Autumn Leaves

April in Paris

Blue Moon

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which song was written by Harold Arlen (music) and E. Y. Harburg (lyrics) in 1939, and sung by Judy Garland in a musical film in the same year? Hint

Someday My Prince Will Come

When You Wish upon a Star

There's No Business Like Show Business

Over the Rainbow

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What comical song was written by James Henry and Grant Clarke in 1921, and recorded by Barbra Streisand in 1965?

Answer: Second Hand Rose

In this song Rose complains that everything in her life is second hand. Even her lover was married before.

Answer: Ain't She Sweet?

It's a typical song of the Roaring Twenties. Milton Ager wrote it for his daughter Shana, who later became the political commentator Shana Alexander.

3. In 1928 Cole Porter wrote a list song for the Broadway musical "Paris". Louis Armstrong recorded it with Ella Fitzgerald in 1957. Do you know the song?

Answer: Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love

The song gives a list of people and animals that "do it". The logical conclusion is that we should "do it" too. Porter wrote this song for the French singer Ir�ne Bordoni.

4. A song with ambiguous lyrics was written by Hoagy Carmichael (music) and Stuart Gorrell (lyrics) in 1930. The most famous version was recorded by Ray Charles in 1960. Can you name it?

Answer: Georgia on My Mind

"Georgia" can be interpreted in two ways: as Hoagy Carmichael's sister or as the American state. According to Carmichael's autobiography the second interpretation is the correct one. It's the official state song of Georgia.

5. "Stars shining bright above you..." These lyrics by Gus Kahn were set to music by Fabian Andr� and Wilbur Schwandt in 1931. What's the name of this pop standard?

Answer: Dream a Little Dream of Me

The most popular versions were recorded by Ozzie Nelson, Frankie Laine, Doris Day and Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald. In 1968 it become a hit for Mama Cass with the Mamas & the Papas.

Answer: Winter Wonderland

The song depicts a traditional Christmas in the snow. The first recording was by Richard Himber and his Hotel Carelton Orchestra.

7. The song "If" was written by Tolchard Evans (music) and Hargreaves and Damerell (lyrics) in 1934, and turned into a hit by Perry Como in 1950. Can you give the complete first line?

Answer: If they made me a king

"If (They Made Me a King)" should not be confused with "If (a Picture Paints a Thousand Words)", a song by Bread in 1971 which was covered in the same year by the then 59 year old Perry Como.

8. One of the most famous duos of songwriter and lyricist is George & Ira Gershwin. Which song from "Porgy and Bess" has been recorded over 20,000 times?

Answer: Summertime

Some famous recordings were made by Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Janis Joplin. "Porgy and Bess" is an opera about Afro-American life in South Carolina in the early twenties.

Answer: My Funny Valentine

It was recorded by more than 600 artists. In the musical Billie Smith asks Valentine LaMar not to change in spite of his weaknesses.

10. Which song was written by Harold Arlen (music) and E. Y. Harburg (lyrics) in 1939, and sung by Judy Garland in a musical film in the same year?

Answer: Over the Rainbow

The musical film was "The Wizard of Oz". Judy Garland played Dorthy Gale, a farm girl from Kansas who visits the magical land of Oz.

Source: Author wardcogge

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