50 Pub Quiz Music Questions and Answers – Free UK Quiz

Looking for free pub quiz music questions and answers? Here are 50 ready-to-use questions across five rounds, covering the 1960s to the 2020s plus mixed music trivia. Each round includes its own answers, so you can choose ten questions for a quick pub quiz music round or use all five rounds for a longer event.

Suitable for pub quiz hosts, charity quiz nights, family gatherings and music-themed parties. Keep the answers hidden while teams play, then reveal them at the end of each round.

Planning a complete quiz night? Browse our Quizzes & Party Games for downloadable music quizzes, interactive rounds and ready-to-host entertainment.

Round 1: 1960s Music Questions

Questions:

1. Which band had a 1963 hit with "She Loves You"?
2. Who sang "Respect" in 1967?
3. What was the name of The Rolling Stones' first UK number one single?
4. Which artist released "Purple Haze" in 1967?
5. Who sang "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" in 1966?
6. Which band released "Good Vibrations" in 1966?
7. Which Beatles single reached UK number one in September 1968?
8. Who sang "Son of a Preacher Man" in 1968?
9. Which artist is known as "The King of Soul"?
10. What year did The Beatles release "Abbey Road"?

Answers:

1. The Beatles
2. Aretha Franklin
3. "It's All Over Now" (1964)
4. Jimi Hendrix
5. Nancy Sinatra
6. The Beach Boys
7. "Hey Jude" by The Beatles
8. Dusty Springfield
9. Otis Redding
10. 1969

Round 2: 1970s & 1980s Music Questions

Questions:

11. Which band released "Bohemian Rhapsody" in 1975?
12. Who sang "I Will Survive" in 1978?
13. What was ABBA's first UK number one?
14. Which artist released "Thriller" in 1982?
15. Who sang "Total Eclipse of the Heart" in 1983?
16. Which band had a hit with "Don't You Want Me" in 1981?
17. What was the name of the 1985 charity concert for African famine relief?
18. Who sang "Like a Virgin" in 1984?
19. Which band released "The Joshua Tree" in 1987?
20. Who had a hit with "Take On Me" in 1985?

Answers:

11. Queen
12. Gloria Gaynor
13. "Waterloo" (1974)
14. Michael Jackson
15. Bonnie Tyler
16. The Human League
17. Live Aid
18. Madonna
19. U2
20. a-ha

Round 3: 1990s Music Questions

Questions:

21. Which band released "Nevermind" in 1991?
22. Who sang "Killing Me Softly" in 1996?
23. What was the Spice Girls' debut single?
24. Which artist had a hit with "Gangsta's Paradise" in 1995?
25. Who sang "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" in 1991?
26. Which band had a hit with "Wonderwall" in 1995?
27. Which TLC hit from 1995 features a famous chorus about waterfalls?
28. Who released "Jagged Little Pill" in 1995?
29. Which boy band had hits with "Backstreet's Back" and "I Want It That Way"?
30. What was the best-selling UK single of the 1990s?

Answers:

21. Nirvana
22. Fugees
23. "Wannabe"
24. Coolio (featuring L.V.)
25. Bryan Adams
26. Oasis
27. "Waterfalls"
28. Alanis Morissette
29. Backstreet Boys
30. "Something About the Way You Look Tonight / Candle in the Wind 1997" by Elton John

Round 4: 2000s & 2010s Music Questions

Questions:

31. Which artist released "Back to Black" in 2006?
32. Who sang "Crazy in Love" in 2003?
33. What was PSY's viral hit in 2012?
34. Which band released "AM" in 2013?
35. Who had a hit with "Rolling in the Deep" in 2010?
36. What was Ed Sheeran's first UK number one single?
37. Which artist released "21" in 2011?
38. Who sang "Uptown Funk" with Bruno Mars in 2014?
39. Which Lewis Capaldi song was the biggest song of 2019 on the UK Official Chart?
40. Which band had a hit with "Mr. Brightside" in 2003?

Answers:

31. Amy Winehouse
32. Beyoncé (featuring Jay-Z)
33. "Gangnam Style"
34. Arctic Monkeys
35. Adele
36. "Sing" (2014)
37. Adele
38. Mark Ronson
39. “Someone You Loved”
40. The Killers

Round 5: 2020s Music & Mixed Trivia

Questions:

41. Which artist released "As It Was" in 2022?
42. Who sang "Easy On Me" in 2021?
43. What was Miley Cyrus's 2023 hit about self-love?
44. Which artist released "Midnights" in 2022?
45. Who had a viral hit with "Running Up That Hill" after Stranger Things in 2022?
46. Which artist is known as "The Queen of Pop"?
47. What was the first music video played on MTV in 1981?
48. Who wrote the English lyrics to Frank Sinatra’s signature song “My Way”?
49. Which band was originally called "The Pendletones"?
50. What is the best-selling album of all time?

Answers:

41. Harry Styles
42. Adele
43. "Flowers"
44. Taylor Swift
45. Kate Bush
46. Madonna
47. “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles
48. Paul Anka (English lyrics; adapted from the French song “Comme d’habitude”)
49. The Beach Boys
50. "Thriller" by Michael Jackson

How to Run a Great Pub Quiz Music Round

Format Tips:

• Read each question twice — clearly and at a steady pace
• Allow 20-30 seconds per question for teams to discuss and write answers
• Collect answer sheets at the end of each round before revealing answers
• Score between rounds to maintain flow and build anticipation
• Announce scores after each round to keep competition alive

Making It More Interesting:

• Add a music clip round — play short, recognisable extracts where permitted and ask for the artist and song title
• Include a picture round with album covers or artist photos
• Use a joker system — teams can double their points on one round of their choice
• Add a Music Bingo round between quiz sections for variety
• Offer a bonus point for the year of release on selected questions

Scoring:

• 1 point per correct answer (50 points available across all 5 rounds)
• Award half points for close answers at your discretion
• Have a tiebreaker question ready — nearest answer wins (e.g. "What year was X released?")

Combine Your Quiz with Music Bingo

Our printable Music Bingo games offer matching playlists to make planning easier. Check the details of your chosen game and arrange suitable music playback for your venue.

Try this format for a 2-hour pub music night:

• 0:00 — Welcome and Round 1 (1960s)
• 0:20 — Music Bingo Round 1
• 0:40 — Quiz Rounds 2 & 3 (70s/80s, 90s)
• 1:10 — Music Bingo Round 2
• 1:30 — Quiz Rounds 4 & 5 (2000s-2020s, Pot Luck)
• 1:55 — Final scores & prizes

Frequently Asked Questions

How many music questions should a pub quiz round have?

Ten questions is a practical length for one pub quiz music round. For a longer event, use several rounds and allow time for scoring, refreshments and optional music activities.

What makes a good pub quiz music question?

Choose questions with one clear answer, a mix of difficulties and a spread of decades. Avoid disputed “biggest hit” claims unless you specify the chart or measurement.

Can I use these questions for a free pub quiz?

Yes — these questions are free to use for non-commercial pub quiz events. For regular quiz nights, we recommend mixing in fresh questions each week to keep regulars on their toes.

How do I add music clips to my quiz?

Prepare a playlist of recognisable tracks and ask teams to identify the artist or title. Check the music service’s terms and any licences your venue needs for public playback; offline playback and clip controls vary by service.

Ready to Host Your Next Pub Music Quiz?

Use one round or all five, adapt the difficulty to your audience, and add a Music Bingo session if you want a more interactive break between trivia rounds.

Related Reading

• Music Quiz Questions: 100+ Questions for the Ultimate Quiz Night
• Music Trivia Questions: 100+ Questions Across All Decades
• How to Host a Music Bingo Night: Complete Party Planning Guide
• Creative Prize Ideas for Your Music Bingo Event