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1930s Music and before Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles

1930s Music and before Trivia

1930s Music and before Trivia Quizzes

31 quizzes and 320 trivia questions.

A Glug from the Little Brown Jug at the End

Photo Quiz

10 Qns

American Chart songs from 1924-1939

Songs from the US charts, beginning in 1924, ending 1939.

Average, 10 Qns, heidi66, Feb 12 23

Average
heidi66

Feb 12 23
152 plays

Music from "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" - 1930s

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

You don't need to have watched "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" to enjoy this quiz. The questions will be about popular songs that were used in the show. Hopefully, some of you will be inspired to watch this wonderful series.

Average, 10 Qns, andshar, Aug 08 23

Average
andshar

Aug 08 23
102 plays

Songs From the 1930s I Like - Part 1 great trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

I found 87 songs from the 1930s that I like. So that means the 1930s section of my music-by-year quizzes will have eight parts. This is part one. It will cover songs from 1930 and 1931. Enjoy!

Easier, 10 Qns, Ilona_Ritter, Oct 26 22

Easier
Ilona_Ritter

Oct 26 22
298 plays

Great Songs of the 1920s: Part 2 great trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

There were many great songs written in the 1920s. Part two of my 1920s song series will look at ten of them from 1925-1927.

Easier, 10 Qns, Ilona_Ritter, Oct 10 22

Easier
Ilona_Ritter

Oct 10 22
275 plays

Music Hall Memories popular trivia quiz

Photo Quiz

10 Qns

A look back to the golden days of music hall.

Average, 10 Qns, 480154st, May 13 20

Average
480154st

May 13 20
225 plays

Great Songs of the 1920s: Part 3

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

This is the final quiz on my series of great songs from the 1920s. It has songs that came out in 1928 and 1929.

Easier, 10 Qns, Ilona_Ritter, Nov 16 22

Easier
Ilona_Ritter

Nov 16 22
277 plays

Songs of the Roaring Twenties editor best quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Bathtub gin, flappers, Capone, Fitzgerald and Lindbergh, bobbed hair, the Black Bottom and the Charleston... the list goes on. How many songs do you know from this wild period?

Average, 10 Qns, dobrov, Jun 22 19

Average
dobrov
Jun 22 19
4547 plays

Songs from the 1850s That I Like

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Here are ten songs that came out in the 1850s that are still sung today that I like. How many have you heard?

Very Easy, 10 Qns, Ilona_Ritter, Sep 05 22

Very Easy
Ilona_Ritter

Sep 05 22
333 plays

Great Songs from the 1920s - Part 1

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

There were many great songs written in the 1920s. This quiz will look at ten of them from 1922-1924.

Easier, 10 Qns, Ilona_Ritter, Oct 09 22

Easier
Ilona_Ritter

Oct 09 22
279 plays

10.

Songs from the 1910s That I Like popular trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

There were twenty-two songs from the 1910s that I liked. Here are ten of them. The years are at the beginning of each question. How many do you know?

Very Easy, 10 Qns, Ilona_Ritter, Oct 07 22

Very Easy
Ilona_Ritter

Oct 07 22
287 plays

Quick Question

Who wrote 'The March of the Toys'?

From Quiz "Good Old Songs"

11.

Songs from the 1860s That I Like popular trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

I liked a lot more songs from the 1860s than the 1850s, so there is one song from each year of the decade. How many do you know?

Easier, 10 Qns, Ilona_Ritter, Sep 09 22

Easier
Ilona_Ritter

Sep 09 22
287 plays

12.

Songs from 1900-1909

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

I found twelve songs that I liked between 1900 and 1909. This quiz is about ten of them. The year is always provided at the beginning of the question. All you have to do is answer the question about each song.

Very Easy, 10 Qns, Ilona_Ritter, Oct 05 22

Very Easy
Ilona_Ritter

Oct 05 22
267 plays

13.

I Love You, a Bushel and a Peck popular trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

These cheerful love songs, mostly from the 20th century US, have references one might not normally associate with love: new inventions, fractured grammar, cakes, clothes, a baboon. Can you guess the title after a character from the song describes it?

Average, 10 Qns, littlepup, Jul 18 22

Average
littlepup
Jul 18 22
452 plays

14.

Victorian and Edwardian Music Hall top quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

The British music hall has gone the way of the bustle, the gas mantle and the hansom cab, but a few snatches of its songs live on in the folk memory. This quiz covers some of the best known.

Average, 10 Qns, TabbyTom, Apr 24 09

Average
TabbyTom

759 plays

15.

Songs from the 1890s That I Like

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

As I was looking at songs from the 1890s, I discovered there are twelve that I like. This quiz is on ten of those songs.

Average, 10 Qns, Ilona_Ritter, Oct 05 22

Average
Ilona_Ritter

Oct 05 22
214 plays

16.

Music of the 1920s popular trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

This quiz is about songs that were popular in the 1920s. We'll look at one song that was a hit from each year from 1920 through 1929. You will be surprised at how many of these songs are still around!

Average, 10 Qns, daver852, Mar 26 15

Average
daver852

496 plays

17.

Music of the 1900s to 1920 popular trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

How many people remember the songs from 1900 to 1920? If you are as old as I am, it should be easy. Here are some of my favorites.

Easier, 10 Qns, grammiecake, Apr 24 09

Easier
grammiecake
1567 plays

18.

Broadway in the 1920s great trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

15 Qns

Broadway in the '20s: operettas, jazz, revues, Romberg, Kern, Friml, the Gershwins (both of them), and more.

Tough, 15 Qns, ignotus999, Apr 03 14

Tough
ignotus999
287 plays

19.

Sing As You Go great trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

The 1930s brought depression, hardship, the start of WW2, and some truly great songs to keep our spirits up.

Average, 10 Qns, Christinap, Jul 18 22

Average
Christinap
Jul 18 22
615 plays

20.

Music Hall Sing-A-Long popular trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Before cinema, before TV, and long long before the ipod nearly all the popular songs came from Music Hall. A lot are still familiar to us today. Can you complete these lyrics.

Average, 10 Qns, Christinap, Jul 18 22

Average
Christinap
Jul 18 22
559 plays

21.

Music From Between The Wars great trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

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

Average, 10 Qns, Christinap, Aug 06 13

Average
Christinap
497 plays

22.

When I Found He'd Left Me In The Lurch great trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Most music hall songs were quickly forgotten, but here are some that stood the test of time. See if you can play along without singing along.

Tough, 10 Qns, dellastreet, Aug 13 15

Tough
dellastreet

180 plays

23.

Carry on Singing 2 popular trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Ten more lesser known verses that introduced well-known songs of yore.

Tough, 10 Qns, andy_smith, Jul 18 22

Tough
andy_smith
Jul 18 22
645 plays

24.

I Got Rhythm: Female Singing Stars of the 30s top quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

The 1930s was a fascinating decade in popular music, with many talented performers and composers producing timeless songs. See if you can identify ten of the greatest female singing stars of the era by taking this quiz.

Tough, 10 Qns, Nicole13, Dec 14 15

Tough
Nicole13

310 plays

25.

Good Old Songs

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

This quiz is all about the good old songs we have heard most of our lives. Have fun!

Tough, 10 Qns, finlady, Aug 12 09

Tough
finlady
2317 plays

26.

Songs My Grandmother Used to Sing popular trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

From my earliest memories, Nanny used to sing as she did her housework, and such a variety of songs used to come forth. Here are just ten of those beloved tunes - do you know them?

Difficult, 10 Qns, ArleneRimmer, May 21 09

Difficult
ArleneRimmer
928 plays

27.

Popular Songs Written Before 1940 popular trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

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

Average, 10 Qns, wardcogge, Nov 09 10

Average
wardcogge
640 plays

28.

1920s, 1930s & 1940s Artists

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Had enough Heavy Metal, Punk Rock, Classic Rock, Rap and Hip Hop? Let's visit an era that is not often seen in Fun Trivia, the 1920s, '30s and '40s. I will give you a song title, a phrase, and/or a pseudonym connected to the artist, you name the artist.

Average, 10 Qns, froghair2, Jul 18 22

Average
froghair2
Jul 18 22
535 plays

29.

Those Unforgettable 1930s Evergreens

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Many best-loved evergreens have their origins in the depression era. Here's 10 more or less tough questions about them.

Difficult, 10 Qns, tvds75, May 19 06

Difficult
tvds75
802 plays

30.

Sing it Again, Ladies!!

Multiple Choice

15 Qns

My second quiz on the gals with the pipes! This one covers the 30's forward. I hope you like it!

Difficult, 15 Qns, rootsgrrl, Nov 18 03

Difficult
rootsgrrl
520 plays

31.

'On the Good Ship Lollipop'

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

How well do you know this childhood classic song?

Average, 10 Qns, morrigan716, Apr 24 09

Average
morrigan716

1028 plays

1930s Music and before Trivia Questions

1. "They Can't Take That Away from Me" and "Love Is Here to Stay" are wonderful 1930s' songs by which musical writing team?

From Quiz Music from "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" - 1930s

Answer: George and Ira Gershwin

Composer George Gershwin and his lyricist brother Ira began collaborating in 1924. After a string of mostly successful Broadway shows, they went to Hollywood in 1936. Their first commission there was to write a score for the movie "Shall We Dance" which included "They Can't Take That Away from Me" as sung by Fred Astaire. "Love Is Here to Stay" was written for the 1938 movie "Goldwyn Follies". It became more popular when sung by Gene Kelly in "An American in Paris" (1951).

2. 1930: This song was made famous by Ray Charles in 1960. What song about a U.S. state is this?

From Quiz Songs From the 1930s I Like - Part 1

Answer: Georgia on My Mind

Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrel wrote "Georgia on My Mind" in 1930. Carmichael was the first person to record the song. Ray Charles was born in Albany, Georgia, on September 23, 1930. It was his version of the song that became the state song of Georgia in 1979.

3. 1928: Although written for an operetta called "East is West," what musical is "Embraceable You" often associated with?

From Quiz Great Songs of the 1920s: Part 3

Answer: Crazy for You

George and Ira Gershwin wrote, "Embraceable You" in 1928. The operetta "East is West" went unpublished, and the song was instead used in the 1930 Broadway musical "Crazy for You." It was performed by Ginger Rodgers and choreographed by Fred Astaire that year. In 1944, Billie Holiday recorded the number, and in 2005, this version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. If you were thinking of the movie "Girl Crazy," the song "Embraceable You" is also in that movie. "Crazy for You" was mainly based on that movie but also had songs from other sources.

4. 1925: "I Want to Be Happy" was written for which Broadway musical?

From Quiz Great Songs of the 1920s: Part 2

Answer: No, No, Nanette

Vincent Youmans and Irving Caesar wrote "I Want to Be Happy" for the 1925 Broadway musical "No, No, Nanette." It is used many times in the show; the first is when Jimmy sings it to Nanette. It was also used in several films, including two (1930 and 1940) versions of "No, No, Nanette".

5. 1922: "Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina" when?

From Quiz Great Songs from the 1920s - Part 1

Answer: in the morning

Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn wrote "Carolina in the Morning." It was first sung in the Broadway musical revue "The Passing Show of 1922." William Frawley sang it in the 1934 version of "The Lemon Drop Kid" and again in an episode of "I Love Lucy." He then sang it one more time in 1963 in an episode of "My Three Sons."

6. 1910: Who was the eighth, he was, according to a song that Herman's Hermits once recorded?

From Quiz Songs from the 1910s That I Like

Answer: Henry

Fred Murray and R.P. Weston wrote, "Henry the Eighth" in 1910. It is also known as "I'm Henry the Eighth, I Am." The song is sung in cockney style; therefore, Henry is pronounced 'Enery. Herman's Hermits had a hit with the song when they recorded the song in 1965.

7. 1900: According to a song, what does Jesus want me to "shine for Him each day"?

From Quiz Songs from 1900-1909

Answer: sunbeam

"I'll Be a Sunbeam," also known as "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam," was written by Edwin O. Excell and Nellie Talbot. It is a children's Christian hymn. It tells of how God can use even children. "Jesus wants me to be loving and kind to all I see."

8. 1891: "After the Ball" was written in 1891, but what musical written in 1927 by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II was it used in?

From Quiz Songs from the 1890s That I Like

Answer: Show Boat

"After the Ball" was written by Charles K. Harris as a waltz. The song was used in "Show Boat," as the show takes place in the 1890s. The song tells the story of a man who didn't marry his sweetheart because he saw her kiss another guy. After the woman dies, the man learns the other man was just her brother.

9. 1860: Someone loves me, "this I know," but who is this person?

From Quiz Songs from the 1860s That I Like

Answer: Jesus

Anna Bartlett Warner wrote "Jesus Loves Me" as a poem. Since it was written, "Jesus Loves Me" has been recorded by several artists, including Whitney Houston.

10. In 1850 Stephen Foster wrote a song about some races that were "five miles long." What were they called?

From Quiz Songs from the 1850s That I Like

Answer: Camptown Races

"Camptown Races" is a minstrel song written by Foster. Many historians believe the song was based in the town of Camptown, Pennsylvania, USA. The song was used in Mel Brooks' movie "Blazing Saddles."

11. "When I'm calling you, oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo; will you answer too?" Will you answer - with the name of the 1924 musical featuring "Indian Love Call"?

From Quiz Broadway in the 1920s

Answer: Rose-Marie

Mounties, miners, snow, and great songs. The Canadian setting of "Rose-Marie" seemed exotic to Broadway audiences in the 1920s. Lyricists Oscar Hammerstein II (from New York City) and Otto Harbach (born in Utah) traveled to Quebec to steep in local culture by attending the annual "ice sculpture festival" - and found there was no such thing. Undeterred, they teamed with composers Rudolph Friml (a Czech emigre) and Herbert Stothart (from Wisconsin; he should have known better) to create an improbable but ultimately pleasing operetta.

12. Which artist from the 1920s, '30s and '40s used the words; "Yousah, Yousah, Yousah" to introduce his band?

From Quiz 1920s, 1930s & 1940s Artists

Answer: Ben Bernie

This was Ben Bernie (Bernard Anzelevitz). One of his best known compositions was "Sweet Georgia Brown".

13. The song to which the title of this quiz refers, "I Got Rhythm," was performed by this entertainer in her Broadway debut, the Gershwins' "Girl Crazy." Known for her brassy style, she became the preeminent American musical theater star of her era.

From Quiz I Got Rhythm: Female Singing Stars of the 30s

Answer: Ethel Merman

Some of my favorite of Merman's recordings are several duets she and fellow musical theater star Ray Bolger cut for Decca in the early 1950s. These included "Dearie" and "If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a Cake," which were minor hits.

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

From Quiz Popular Songs Written Before 1940

Answer: Second Hand Rose

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

15. "I'm following in_______". What completes the title?

From Quiz Music Hall Sing-A-Long

Answer: Father's Footsteps

"I'm following in father's footsteps, I'm following me dear old dad He's just in front with a fine big gal, So I thought that I'd have one as well. I don't know where he's going, But when he gets there I'll be glad! I'm following in father's footsteps, Yes, I'm following me dear old dad!" The song was written by E.W. Rogers in 1902, and was popularised by male impersonator Vesta Tilley.

16. In 1906 Carrie Jacobs-Bond wrote "I Love You ________".

From Quiz Music of the 1900s to 1920

Answer: Truly

Carrie was born 1862 and died 1946. She is best remembered for this song. She became the first woman to sell one million copies of the sheet music. It is still used for weddings over 100 years later.

17. "Pennies from Heaven" was a popular 1970's tv-series (and a movie few years later), but movie of that name was made also in 1936. Who sang the theme song so memorably in that movie?

From Quiz Those Unforgettable 1930s Evergreens

Answer: Bing Crosby

That song was one of Bing Crosby's biggest hits in that decade. Billie Holiday also made popular version of it.

18. Who used to wear 'cor-blimey trousers' and lived in a council flat?

From Quiz Songs My Grandmother Used to Sing

Answer: my old man

This song was a hit for Lonnie Donegan in 1960. He adapted an old army tune and his skiffle group took the country by storm with a natty song about a bull-headed dustman. My favourite part has got to be: He found a tiger's head one day, nailed to a piece of wood. The tiger looked quite miserable but I suppose it should. Just then from out a window, a voice began to wail, He said (Oi! Where's me tiger's head?) Four foot from its tail! (The words in brackets were said by someone else during the song).

19. For a brief time, the Artie Shaw band featured these two vocalists. Billie Holiday and:

From Quiz Sing it Again, Ladies!!

Answer: Helen Forrest

Billie and Helen were good friends, but at a lot of their performances, they could not sit together on the bandstand. Billie got fed up with the problems associated with being a Black singer touring with a White band. She quit after less than a year.

20. The decade was ushered in with cheerful pessimism expressed in a song that stated that "...there is nothing surer; The rich get rich and the poor get children; In the meantime, in between time..." What comes next?

From Quiz Songs of the Roaring Twenties

Answer: ain't we got fun?

'Ain't We Got Fun?' 1921, lyrics by Raymond B. Egan and Gus Kahn, music by Richard Whiting.

21. 'Tramp, Tramp, Tramp' was written at the height of which war?

From Quiz Good Old Songs

Answer: Civil War

In 1970 country singer Ray Steven's hit was 'Everything is Beautiful'. The music of the opening section is taken from the chorus of 'Tramp, Tramp, Tramp'.

22. 'On the Good Ship Lollipop, it's a sweet trip to the _____ ___?'

From Quiz 'On the Good Ship Lollipop'

Answer: candy shop

23. "Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)" was written and recorded by Louis Prima in 1936 including lyrics. It is unusual because, despite the title, the biggest hit was an instrumental version by whose big band?

From Quiz Music from "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" - 1930s

Answer: Benny Goodman's

Benny Goodman and His Orchestra recorded their version of "Sing, Sing, Sing" in 1937. It features Goodman on the clarinet, Gene Krupa on drums and Harry James on trumpet. The extended recording lasts over eight minutes and includes several solos which originated as spontaneous improvisations.

24. 1928: Song association time: If I say, Betty Boop, what song comes to mind?

From Quiz Great Songs of the 1920s: Part 3

Answer: I Wanna Be Loved By You

Herbert Stothart, Harry Ruby, and Bert Kalmar wrote "I Wanna Be Loved by You" in 1928 for the musical "Good Boy." Marilyn Monroe sang the song in the 1959 film, "Some Like It Hot." However, it was Helen Kane who first recorded the number in 1928. She was known as the "Boop-Boop-a-Doop Girl" because of the way she ended the number. Betty Boop was modeled after Kane.

25. 1925: I have some things down in my heart. Can you tell me what one of them is, from the song title?

From Quiz Great Songs of the 1920s: Part 2

Answer: Joy

George William Cook wrote "Joy in My Heart," also known as "I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy." The song is sung fast, and the verse that says, "I've got the wonderful love of my blessed Redeemer way down in the depth of my heart," is especially fast. After people sing the initial line, such as "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart." People often ask "Where?" before the next line.

26. 1922: The most famous recording of this 1922 song was probably the 1948 recording by Hank Williams. What kind of blues did Hank have?

From Quiz Great Songs from the 1920s - Part 1

Answer: Lovesick

Cliff Friend and Irving Mills wrote "Lovesick Blues." It was first sung in the 1922 musical, "Oh, Ernest." Hank Williams first sang it on the radio show "Louisiana Hayride" in 1948.

27. 1911: According to a well-known hymn, what is greater than all our sin?

From Quiz Songs from the 1910s That I Like

Answer: God's grace

Daniel B. Towner and Julia H. Johnston wrote: "Grace Greater Than All Our Sin" in 1911. The song was based on Romans chapter five. The words of the chorus say: "Grace, grace, God's grace. Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin!"

28. 1902: What song, originally written in German, talks about a type of beetle that "glimmer glimmers." What is the English title of this song made famous by the Mills Brothers?

From Quiz Songs from 1900-1909

Answer: The Glow Worm

"The Glow Worm" in German is "Das Gluhwurmchen." Paul Lincke wrote it for his operetta "Lysistrata." Heinz Bolten-Backers wrote the lyrics. Lilla Cayley Robinson wrote the Engish translation, which was used in the 1907 Broadway musical "The Girl Behind the Counter." Johnny Mercer changed this quite a bit for the recording done by the Mills Brothers.

29. 1892: Who am "I half crazy, all for the love of"?

From Quiz Songs from the 1890s That I Like

Answer: Daisy Bell

"Daisy Bell" is also known as "Bicycle Built for Two." Harry Dacre wrote it. One of the earliest examples of computers speaking was in 1961 when the IBM 704 was programmed to sing this song. Nat King Cole did the most famous recording of the song in 1961.

30. 1861: What word is repeated three times before "Lord God Almighty" in the song that also contains the words "God in three persons, blessed Trinity"?

From Quiz Songs from the 1860s That I Like

Answer: Holy

"Holy, Holy, Holy" was written by Reginald Heber and set to the tune of "Nicaea" by John Bacchus Dykes. The song was written to be used on Trinity Sunday, which is the first Sunday after Pentecost.

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Last Updated Apr 13 2024 5:47 AM

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