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Motown Music Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Motown Music Quizzes, Trivia

Motown Music Trivia

Motown Music Trivia Quizzes

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Fun Trivia
16 Motown Music quizzes and 180 Motown Music trivia questions.
1.
  Great Soul Groups of the 60s   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Remember them - the Motown groups, the Stax-Volt artists? If you were around during the 60s, you'll never forget how good they sounded. This quiz is about those influential singers and their music.
Easier, 10 Qns, robbieh, Jan 29 08
Easier
robbieh
6328 plays
2.
  More Motown Memories   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Another chance to test your knowledge of the fabulous Motown sound.
Average, 10 Qns, musicmonkeyman, Nov 08 18
Average
musicmonkeyman
Nov 08 18
9347 plays
3.
  Motown - Memories In Music   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A chance to check out your knowledge of the fabulous Motown sound. Have fun!
Average, 10 Qns, musicmonkeyman, Apr 22 23
Average
musicmonkeyman
Apr 22 23
8389 plays
4.
  Motown Memories IV   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Another chance to check out your knowledge of the fabulous sixties Motown sound. Enjoy!
Average, 10 Qns, musicmonkeyman, Feb 15 17
Average
musicmonkeyman
7528 plays
5.
Motown Sound
  Motown Sound    
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
The Motown Sound became a cultural phenomenon in the 1960s. This quiz deals with the formation of the record label, its creator and some of the associated acts.
Average, 10 Qns, Shadowmyst2004, Feb 29 16
Average
Shadowmyst2004
1007 plays
6.
  Song by Song: "Dancing in the Street"   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Test your knowledge of this Motown classic.
Easier, 15 Qns, skylarb, Nov 05 21
Easier
skylarb
Nov 05 21
564 plays
7.
  Motown Memories III   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Yet another chance to test your memories of the fabulous Motown sound. Enjoy!
Average, 10 Qns, musicmonkeyman, Sep 27 05
Average
musicmonkeyman
5575 plays
8.
  Lyrics of Motown   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some of the most memorable amd meaningful music of the 60s and the 70s came out of the Motown hit factory in Detroit. I've worked some of my favorites into this quiz. Enjoy.
Difficult, 10 Qns, matriplex, Nov 25 08
Difficult
matriplex
3044 plays
9.
  Song by Song: "Respect"   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz takes a look at the popular and often covered 1960s soul song "Respect."
Average, 10 Qns, skylarb, Nov 05 21
Average
skylarb
Nov 05 21
493 plays
10.
  Motown - Hitsville U.S.A.   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
If you were anywhere around Detroit in the 60s and early 70s, this should be a breeze.
Average, 10 Qns, LeeRoyBoy, Oct 12 21
Average
LeeRoyBoy
Oct 12 21
3507 plays
trivia question Quick Question
"All we need is ____, sweet _____." What is all we need in "Dancing in the Street?"

From Quiz "Song by Song: "Dancing in the Street""




11.
  Motown (1965-69)   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How well do you know your Motown music? This quiz focuses on the artists and songs of one of most famous labels in music history, covering the second half of the 1960s in both the UK and US.
Average, 10 Qns, CardoQ, Feb 24 16
Average
CardoQ gold member
877 plays
12.
  Forever Motown   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quiz offering a mixture of questions covering classic Motown music and information regarding it.
Average, 10 Qns, Deadwood003, Nov 10 20
Average
Deadwood003
Nov 10 20
517 plays
13.
  Motown (1959-64)    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How well do you know your Motown music? This quiz focusses on the artists and songs of the early years of one of most famous labels in music history; covering the period from 1959 to 1964 in both the UK and US.
Average, 10 Qns, CardoQ, Feb 15 16
Average
CardoQ gold member
598 plays
14.
  Motown Pleasure    
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
Here is some interesting info about Motown and their artists.
Very Difficult, 20 Qns, AshleyMotown, Apr 12 07
Very Difficult
AshleyMotown
1409 plays
15.
  Motown Music    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
How well can you remember the songs and artists of Motown, one of the most successful recording companies in music?
Difficult, 15 Qns, kenny986, Jun 27 20
Difficult
kenny986
Jun 27 20
2641 plays
16.
  Motown Mania    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a quiz about general info about the lovely Motown sound.
Very Difficult, 10 Qns, AshleyMotown, Apr 12 07
Very Difficult
AshleyMotown
1250 plays
Related Topics
  R & B and Soul [Music] (63 quizzes)

  Record Labels [Music] (32 quizzes)


Motown Music Trivia Questions

1. What American all-female vocal group brought "Dancing in the Street" to number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1964?

From Quiz
Song by Song: "Dancing in the Street"

Answer: Martha and the Vandellas

The song, after being released as a single in 1964, was included on the 1965 album "Dance Party," which was released on the Gordy (Motown) label. According to Rolling Stone magazine, the song was originally intended for - but turned down by - Motown singer Kim Weston.

2. What soul singer, also known as "The Mad Man from Macon" and "The King of Soul," originally wrote "Respect"?

From Quiz Song by Song: "Respect"

Answer: Otis Redding

At the age of two, Otis Redding moved to Macon, Georgia, and at 15, he dropped out of school to support his family as part of Little Richard's backing band. His first album, "Pain in My Heart," was released in 1964. "Respect" was included on his third studio album "Otis Blue" and was released in 1965 as a single with "Ole Man Trouble" on the B-Side. A cross-over hit, the song leaped from the Billboard's Black Singles Chart (where it hit the top five) to the white audience of pop radio.

3. Which group had their first US number one on the Billboard chart in 1965 with "My Girl"?

From Quiz Motown (1965-69)

Answer: The Temptations

Written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, and with lead vocals by David Ruffin, "My Girl" reached the top of the Billboard chart in 1965 for the Temptations.

4. "Shop Around" was this group's first top 10 hit in the US, and was also their first release in the UK. Smokey Robinson was their lead singer, who are the group?

From Quiz Motown (1959-64)

Answer: The Miracles

The song was released in 1960 and reached number 2 in the Billboard chart. Smokey Robinson's wife Claudette, whom he married in 1959, was also a member of the Miracles at this time.

5. Who never was a member of The Velvelettes?

From Quiz Motown Pleasure

Answer: Rosalind Ashford

Betty Kelley was an original member, but when Annette Sterling left Martha & The Vandellas, Kelley replaced her and was a member of that group with Martha Reeves and Rosalind Ashford. Sandra Tilley was also member of the Velvelettes, but replaced Ashford in 1969. Carolyn Gill was also an original member of The Velvelettes.

6. This San Francisco group was unique, multiracial, with male and female musicians. They broke new ground with hits like "Hot Fun in the Summertime" and "Everyday People". Name them.

From Quiz Great Soul Groups of the 60s

Answer: Sly and the Family Stone

Sly and the Family Stone were a rock band from San Francisco. Together from 1967 to 1983, they were pioneers, combining elements of funk, soul, and rock music as no band had before. Headed up by Sly Stone, along with several of his friends and family members, they were the first important multicultural rock band. Sly and his brother Freddie, saxophonist Jerry Martini, drummer Gregg Errico, trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, and bass player Larry Graham comprised the lineup; singer and keyboardist Rose Stone joined soon after. They recorded five top ten hits and four albums. In 1993 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

7. Which song by the Temptations isn't written by Smokey Robinson nor Norman Whitfield?

From Quiz Motown Mania

Answer: All I Need

This song is written by R. Dean Taylor, Eddie Holland and Frank Wilson and also produced by Wilson. Because Whitfield didn't produce this song, it didn't appear on the "Greatest Hits Vol. 2" album, where all the songs were Whitfield productions.

8. What famous Motown song was featured in the movie "You've Got Mail" (1998), starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan?

From Quiz Motown Music

Answer: "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours" by Stevie Wonder

"Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours" was featured on Stevie Wonder's album "Signed, Sealed & Delivered", which was released in 1970.

9. Who recorded "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" in 1972?

From Quiz Motown - Hitsville U.S.A.

Answer: Stevie Wonder

Stevie's inspiration was Ray Charles.

10. Complete this Four Tops song title: "If I Were a ______ ".

From Quiz Motown Memories IV

Answer: Carpenter

"If I Were a Carpenter" was a hit for The Four Tops in 1968. The song was written by folk singer Tim Hardin and originally recorded by Bobby Darin in 1966.

11. Which Motown artist had a hit with "I Was Made to Love Her" in the mid-sixties?

From Quiz Motown Memories III

Answer: Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder, born Steveland Judkins (which he later changed to Morris), hit the charts with "I Was Made to Love Her" in 1967. Stevie has had nine chart topping singles and sold more than 72 million albums. A multi-talented musician, Stevie not only writes and sings he also plays guitar, piano, drums, harmonica and synthesizer.

12. The Supremes were one of the sixties most popular groups. Who was the best known lead singer of this famous female trio?

From Quiz More Motown Memories

Answer: Diana Ross

The Supremes were originally known as the Primettes. They released their first single with Motown in 1961. Diana Ross was soon thrust into the lead vocal role. She left the Supremes to go solo in 1969.

13. Here's any easy starter.- Which Motown group had a hit with the song "Baby Love" in the early sixties?

From Quiz Motown - Memories In Music

Answer: Supremes

The Supremes, formed in 1959, are said to be the world's most successful female group. Originally known as The Primettes, the early line-up was Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Barbara Martin. Baby Love, released in 1964, is probably their most popular track.

14. "Dancing in the Street" was written (in part) by what American soul singer and songwriter perhaps best known for "What's Going On"?

From Quiz Song by Song: "Dancing in the Street"

Answer: Marvin Gaye

The song was co-written by Marvin Gaye, Ivy Jo Hunter, and William "Mickey" Stevenson. The single was released July 31, 1964 in the U.S. with "There He Is" on the B-side.

15. Whose modified version of "Respect" became her signature song and was named the fifth "greatest song of all time" by Rolling Stone magazine in 2004, and the number one greatest song in the magazine's updated 2021 list?

From Quiz Song by Song: "Respect"

Answer: Aretha Franklin's

Aretha Franklin recorded her version of "Respect" at Atlantic's New York studio on Valentine's Day in 1967. It was released as a single from her eleventh studio album "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You." The song became her first number one hit, and it remained at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for twelve weeks.

16. The Motown record label is currently the only record label to have its name in a dictionary. What dictionary is this?

From Quiz Forever Motown

Answer: Collins English

The Collins English Dictionary printed its first edition in 1979 in Glasgow, Scotland. Currently there are twelve editions available, and they have also printed dictionaries in four other languages including German and Spanish.

17. This group had previously reached the charts in both the US and UK with "Twist and Shout" in 1962. After joining Motown, they repeated the feat in 1966 with "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)". Who are they?

From Quiz Motown (1965-69)

Answer: The Isley Brothers

"This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)" was their only top 20 hit in the US for Motown, reaching number 12 on the Billboard chart. However, somewhat unusually for Motown acts, they had more success in the UK where they achieved four top 20 hits between 1966 and 1969, with "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)" being the highest placed at number three.

18. Which artist, who later formed a successful song writing partnership with Norman Whitfield, released the song "Money (That's What I Want)"?

From Quiz Motown (1959-64)

Answer: Barrett Strong

One of Motown's earliest releases in the US, it reached number 23 on the Billboard chart in 1959. It was Motown's only UK release in 1960 where it failed make it into the charts; however a cover version by The Flying Lizards did reach number 5 in 1979.

19. Which Stevie Wonder song wasn't co-written by Henry "Hank" Cosby?

From Quiz Motown Pleasure

Answer: For Once In My Life

"For Once In My Life" was written by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden. The original version of the song was recorded by Jean DuShon, a non-Motown artist. When Berry Gordy found out that Miller had given the song to an outside artist, Miller immediately had to make the song available for Motown artists. Though the song wasn't written or co-written by Cosby, he did produce the song in an upbeat tempo.

20. Which Motown act had a huge hit with the song "Quicksand"?

From Quiz Motown Mania

Answer: Martha & The Vandellas

It was the third hit for the group, eventually reaching number eight on the Billboard chart.

21. Which Temptations song contains this lyric: "You'll find a heart that you've always been looking for, how could anybody ask for much more..."

From Quiz Motown Music

Answer: "Treat Her Like a Lady"

"Treat Her Like a Lady" was released on the album, "Truly for You" in 1984. This song featured Ali-Ollie Woodson on lead vocals.

22. What was the first #1 hit for the Motown family, according to Billboard Magazine's pop chart?

From Quiz Motown - Hitsville U.S.A.

Answer: "Please Mr. Postman"

By the Marvelettes, 1961. "Please Mr. Postman" has been covered many times over the years, including versions by The Beatles and The Carpenters. Devotion to accuracy department: "Please Mr. Postman" was issued on the Tamla label (a subsidiary of Motown), while the first #1 pop hit to actually bear the Motown label itself was "My Guy" by Mary Wells in 1964.

23. Who was the lead singer with Motown group The Miracles in the 1960s?

From Quiz Motown Memories IV

Answer: Smokey Robinson

Singer songwriter Smokey, born William Robinson, fronted the Miracles from 1955 to 1972. The Miracles 1960s hits includes "Shop Around" (1960), "The Tracks of My Tears" (1965) and "I Second That Emotion" (1967).

24. Complete this Motown song title- "Too Busy Thinking 'bout My ______"?

From Quiz Motown Memories III

Answer: Baby

"Too Busy Thinking 'bout My Baby" was a top-ten hit for Marvin Gaye in 1969. Born Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. in 1939, he recorded one of the finest soul albums "What's Going On" in 1971.

25. The sixties saw the creation of many classic Motown songs. Which Motown act had a hit with "Bernadette" in the mid-sixties?

From Quiz More Motown Memories

Answer: Four Tops

The Four Tops hit the top with "Bernadette" in 1967. The "Tops", lead singer Levi Stubbs with Renaldo Benson, Abdul "The Duke" Fakir and Lawrence Payton have performed together for more than 40 years. Originally called The Four Aims, they were signed by Chess Records in 1956. The Four Tops joined Motown in 1963.

26. Who achieved their highest chart position in both the US and UK with "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted"?

From Quiz Motown (1965-69)

Answer: Jimmy Ruffin

Jimmy Ruffin is the brother of the Temptation's David Ruffin, and he reached the top ten in both the US and UK with "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" on its release in 1966.

27. "Please Mr Postman" was the first release in both the UK and US by which Motown girl group?

From Quiz Motown (1959-64)

Answer: The Marvelettes

In 1961 "Please Mr Postman" became Motown's first ever number 1 in the US. It was covered by the Beatles on their 1963 album "With the Beatles", along with two other Motown songs: Barrett Strong's "Money (That's What I Want)", and the Miracles' "You've Really Got a Hold on Me".

28. Which song of The Marvelettes features Melvin Franklin, speaking the first two verses?

From Quiz Motown Pleasure

Answer: My Baby Must Be A Magician

With his low voice, Franklin speakes the first two verses, impersonating the magician: "You are under my power. It's the power of love."

29. Besides the Motown label, Berry Gordy owned three other prominent record labels in the 60's. Can you name them?

From Quiz Motown - Hitsville U.S.A.

Answer: Tamla, Gordy, and Soul

Each label had their own stable of acts and writers.

30. "I was born in Lil' Rock. Had a childhood sweetheart. We were always hand in hand." These are the opening lyrics of which Motown hit single?

From Quiz Motown Memories IV

Answer: I Was Made to Love Her

"I Was Made to Love Her" was a top-ten hit for Stevie Wonder in 1967. Stevie, born Steveland Hardaway Judkins, signed to Motown records when he was just eleven-years-old. He was originally billed as "Little" Stevie Wonder.

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