FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Quiz about Popular Songs Written Before 1940
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.
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. Music Trivia
  6. »
  7. Music by Year
  8. »
  9. 1930s Music and before

Author
wardcogge
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
331,669
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
639
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 216 (4/10), marianjoy (4/10), Guest 50 (0/10).
- -
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


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


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


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


Question 5 of 10
5. "Stars shining bright above you..." These lyrics by Gus Kahn were set to music by Fabian André and Wilbur Schwandt in 1931. What's the name of this pop standard? Hint


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


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


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


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


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



(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

arrow Select a User ID:
arrow Choose a Password:
arrow Your Email:




Most Recent Scores
Mar 17 2024 : Guest 216: 4/10
Mar 10 2024 : marianjoy: 4/10
Mar 05 2024 : Guest 50: 0/10
Feb 23 2024 : gogetem: 6/10

Score Distribution

quiz
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.
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?

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 Irčne 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 André 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.
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?

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.
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?

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

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ertrum before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
3/28/2024, Copyright 2024 FunTrivia, Inc. - Report an Error / Contact Us