Can You Identify at Least 20 Top Musicals of All Time by Just One Lyric?

By: Beth Hendricks
Estimated Completion Time
6 min
Can You Identify at Least 20 Top Musicals of All Time by Just One Lyric?
Image: Producer Circle Co. / Zadan/Meron Production

About This Quiz

Did you know that Broadway shows didn't even start out on Broadway? It's true! The first theater performances (think, lots of Shakespeare) took place on Nassau Street and musicals, as we know them today, didn't start finding their way to Broadway until theaters were erected there in the mid- to late-1800s. Why? Because real estate was cheaper, if you can imagine that ... in the heart of New York City! The very first Broadway musical, titled "The Elves," culminated in more than four dozen performances in the year 1850. 

Near the start of the 20th century, musicals began competing with films, prompting many to wonder if theater would be able to keep up. Then, along came "Oklahoma!" in the 1940s and the start of what many still consider the golden age of musicals. "Guys and Dolls," "Singin' in the Rain" and "The King and I" were born a short time later. Thirty years on, we got "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Les Misérables." Today, we have "Hamilton" and "Wicked" and – of all things – "Beetlejuice."

We've come a long way since those fledgling days of theater, and now have a rich history of musicals to look back on and admire. And, that includes a slew of popular songs from "The Surrey With the Fringe on Top" to "Aaron Burr, Sir." How well do you know your musical ... music? Can you identify "Castle on a Cloud" from "Defying Gravity?" Give it your best shot in this tune-focused trivia from some of the world's top musicals!

5-Cabaret-NEW
joshblake / E+ / Getty Images
This musical's Sally Bowles belts out, "What good is sitting alone in your room?/Come hear the music play." What is it from?
"Anything Goes"
"Sweet Charity"
"Chicago"
"Cabaret"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The song, "Cabaret," from the musical of the same name, comes during the musical's climax and is sung by lead character Sally Bowles (portrayed in the film version by Liza Minnelli). The song itself is an ode to carefree living.

7-Chicago-NEW
Ozgur Donmaz / DigitalVision / Getty Images
At the start of this musical, you'll hear a song with these words, "Come on, babe/Why don't we paint the town?/And all that jazz." Which one is it?
"She Loves Me"
"Chicago"
"Fosse"
"Nine"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The opening song for "Chicago," "All That Jazz" is an ironic tune with a party-like atmosphere that leads off a musical about a woman killing her boyfriend and sister who were having an affair. But, hey "Slick your hair/And wear your buckle shoes ... and all that jazz."

9-Singin-Rain-NEW
Tadamasa Taniguchi / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Gene Kelly made these lyrics famous in the movie version of which of these musicals: "What a glorious feeling/I'm happy again?"
"Singin' in the Rain"
"An American in Paris"
"Brigadoon"
"A Chorus Line"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"I'm singin' in the rain/Just singin' in the rain" is the start of the song, "Singin' in the Rain," from the movie and musical of the same name. Gene Kelly made the song famous in the film, which was later adapted for the stage.

Advertisement

hair
martin-dm / E+ / Getty Images
"This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius" is a line from a famous tune in which of these shows?
"The Fully Monty"
"Hair"
"Anything Goes"
"The Drowsy Chaperone"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Can you guess the title from these lyrics, "This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius/The Age of Aquarius/Aquarius! Aquarius!?" (Hint: It's "Aquarius.") The song is featured in the 1960s production of the rock musical, "Hair."

33-Sound-Of-Music-NEW
Alan Tunnicliffe Photography / Moment / Getty Images
"Raindrops on roses/And whiskers on kittens/Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens" appear as lyrics in a song featured in which of these hits?
"Anything Goes"
"The Sound of Music"
"Wonderful Town"
"Adding Machine"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"My Favorite Things" is a song featured in "The Sound of Music." You've probably heard the Julie Andrews version from the movie, released in 1965, but it was also featured onstage in 1959 Broadway production.

21-Les-Mis-NEW
suteishi / E+ / Getty Images
The songbird who sings, "I dreamed a dream in times gone by/When hope was high and life worth living," is pouring out her heart in which of these musicals?
"The Pajama Game"
"Follies"
"Les Misérables"
"Pippin"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fantine sings the mournful song, "I Dreamed a Dream," in the musical production of "Les Misérables." When the song occurs, Fantine has just lost her job and is remembering days when things were better.

Advertisement

27-Sweeney-Todd-NEW
Dansin / E+ / Getty Images
"Nothing's gonna harm you/Not while I'm around," comes from which of these Broadway musicals?
"Bye Bye Birdie"
"Sweeney Todd"
"Mame"
"Violet"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," frequently referred to as just "Sweeney Todd," got its start as a book by Hugh Wheeler. Featuring the song, "Not While I'm Around," it was turned into a musical for the first time in 1979.

performance
Tadamasa Taniguchi / DigitalVision / Getty Images
"Matchmaker, Matchmaker/Make me a match/Find me a find/catch me a catch" are lyrics from a song from which of these musicals?
"Chicago"
"Fiddler on the Roof"
"The King and I"
"Beauty and the Beast"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The song, "Matchmaker," is from the 1964 production, "Fiddler on the Roof." The story, set in Russia, follows a dad and his strong-willed daughters who are on the hunt for loving relationships.

performance
moodboard / Cultura / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Grizabella sings, "Memory, all alone in the moonlight./I can dream of the old days, life was beautiful then," in this blockbuster production. What is it?
"Mary Poppins"
"Dreamgirls"
"Evita"
"Cats"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Perhaps the most popular song from the musical, "Cats," "Memory" is sung by Grizabella to her fellow cats. The song is about remembering what was and how things could be in the future.

Advertisement

3-Guys-Dolls-NEW
izusek / E+ / Getty Images
Frank Sinatra popularized this song which starts, "They call you lady luck/But there is room for doubt." What musical is it from?
"Nine"
"Guys and Dolls"
"Kiss Me, Kate"
"A Little Night Music"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Luck Be A Lady" is from the musical "Guys and Dolls," but as a standalone song, it was popularized by Frank Sinatra. It debuted on the Broadway stage in 1950 and ran for more than 1,200 performances, earning a Tony Award.

theater
Ariel Skelley / DigitalVision / Getty Images
The opening of this musical begins, "Oh what a beautiful morning/Oh what a beautiful day." What is it from?
"Oklahoma!"
"Ragtime"
"Sweeney Todd"
"The Scottsboro Boys"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The opening song from "Oklahoma!," "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin,'" is sung by the musical's leading man, Curly. It was written by musical heavy-hitters Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.

theater
Nikada / E+ / Getty Images
A famous figure gets introduced into this musical with the lyrics, "If they tell my story/I am either gonna die on the battlefield in glory or/Rise up." Which production is it?
"110 in the Shade"
"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"
"1776"
"Hamilton"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

George Washington enters the musical, "Hamilton," with those lyrics from the song, "Right Hand Man." It goes on to say, "Here comes the general/The moment you've been waiting for/Here comes the general/The pride of Mount Vernon."

Advertisement

6-West-Side-Story
The Mirisch Company / Seven Arts Productions
"I feel pretty/Oh, so pretty/I feel pretty and witty and bright!" is a line from which of these musicals?
"Promises, Promises"
"West Side Story"
"Flower Drum Song"
"Bye Bye Birdie"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"West Side Story's" Maria sang the tune, "I Feel Pretty," a tribute to beauty and happiness in the 1957 Broadway musical. The original role of Maria was played by Carol Lawrence, who received a Tony Award nomination for the part.

8-Showboat
MGM
"Ol' Man River,/Dat Ol' Man River/He mus' know sumpin'/But don't say nuthin,'" are lyrics from the song,"Ol' Man River," which was part of which musical?
"Follies"
"The Music Man"
"The Fantasticks"
"Show Boat"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Makes sense that "Ol' Man River" and a musical with a name like "Show Boat" would go together, doesn't it? "Show Boat" is about workers on a Mississippi show boat and is adapted from a book of the same name written by Edna Ferber.

10-Jersey-Boys
GK Films / Malpaso Productions
This musical includes a number with these lyrics, "Oh, what a night/Late December back in '63." What production is it from?
"Promises, Promises"
"Jersey Boys"
"Hairspray"
"Bye Bye Birdie"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"December, 1963 (Oh What A Night!)" was originally written by the Four Seasons, but was included in the musical, "Jersey Boys." That musical, in fact, is a retelling of the story behind that group from the 1960s.

Advertisement

theater
Gizmo / E+/ Getty Images
"I Believe" features this lyric, "You cannot just believe part-way, you have to believe in it all," from one of the musicals below. Which is it?
"Book of Mormon"
"Grey Gardens"
"Rent"
"Hairspray"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"I Believe" is a song from the production of "The Book of Mormon," which first ran on Broadway in 2011. The musical is a comedic glance at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, produced by the men behind "South Park."

12-Phantom-NEW
Natalia Ganelin / Moment / Getty Images
This song, with lyrics that include "No more talk of darkness/Forget these wide-eyed fears," is sung from the top of a Paris opera house in which of these musical hits?
"Les Misérables"
"Cats"
"Phantom of the Opera"
"Evita"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"All I Ask of You" is a haunting duet from "Phantom of the Opera," which was adapted from a book of the same name written by Gaston Leroux. The song continues, "Say you love me every waking moment/Turn my head with talk of summertime/Say you need me with you now and always/Promise me that all you say is true/That's all I ask of you."

13-Hairspray
Ingenious Media / Zadan/Meron Productions / Storyline Entertainment / Offspring Entertainment
"Good morning, Baltimore/Every day's like an open door" is the peppy opening tune from one of these musicals. Which is it?
"Annie"
"Grease"
"Hairspray"
"The Producers"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tracy Turnblad and the cast of "Hairspray" open the musical with this number. "Good Morning Baltimore" is a musical journey through the early part of Tracy's day before she gets to school.

Advertisement

14-Jesus-Christ-Superstar
Universal Pictures
"I don't know how to love him/What to do, how to move him," is part of a song from this rock opera. What is its title?
"Jesus Christ Superstar"
"South Pacific"
"Hamilton"
"Into the Woods"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mary Magdalene's character in "Jesus Christ Superstar," sings, "I Don’t Know How To Love Him," a reference to her relationship with Jesus himself. "Jesus Christ Superstar" has been a musical on Broadway, an international tour, a film and a live TV concert, among other adaptations.

15-Producers-NEW
Izabela Habur / E+ / Getty Images
Unusually titled, a song from this musical features these lyrics, "Germany was having trouble/What a sad, sad story." What show is it from?
"Ragtime"
"The Producers"
"Brigadoon"
"Avenue Q"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Producers" is the musical where you'll find an unusually named tune by the moniker, "Springtime for Hitler." "The Producers" went to Broadway in 2001 and famously featured actors Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick.

16-Rent
Columbia Pictures / Revolution Studios / 1492 Pictures / Tribeca Productions
"Take me for what I am/Who I was meant to be," begins the chorus of a song from which of these productions?
"The Cradle Will Rock"
"Rent"
"Little Shop of Horrors"
"She Loves Me"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The musical, "Rent," features the song, "Take Me or Leave Me," which was sung by Idina Menzel (of "Wicked" fame) in the 1996 Broadway production. The musical won a Tony Award for "Best Musical" the same year.

Advertisement

17-Funny-Thing-Happened
United Artists
"Something familiar,/Something peculiar,/Something for everyone:/A comedy tonight!" perfectly sums up the plot of which of these Broadway shows?
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"
"Hello, Dolly!"
"42nd Street"
"The Cradle Will Rock"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" is a farcical romp through the work of an ancient Roman playwright, which doesn't immediately seem like it would be humorous, but it is. It first appeared on Broadway in the early 1960s.

18-Godspell
Columbia Pictures
"To see thee more clearly/Love thee more dearly/Follow thee more nearly" are words from a song in which of these productions?
"City of Angels"
"Godspell"
"Bat Boy"
"On the Town"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Godspell" is a trip through many of the parables of the Bible and includes the song, "Day by Day," with the lyrics mentioned above. The song itself is closely modeled after a song in a hymnal from the 1940s.

19-Carousel-NEW
andresr / E+ / Getty Images
Billy and Julie team up for a duet from which of these musicals that features these lyrics, "If I loved you/Time and again I would try to say/All I'd want you to know?"
"Sweet Charity"
"Mame"
"Man of La Mancha"
"Carousel"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"If I Loved You" is a sweet duet featuring characters Billy Bigelow and Julie from the musical "Carousel." "Carousel" was first produced on Broadway way back in 1945 and has gone through numerous revivals including the latest in 2018.

Advertisement

theater
moodboard / Cultura / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
"Far far away, someone was weeping/But the world was sleeping/Any dream will do," are lines from a song featured in which of these musicals?
"Wonderful Town"
"Ain't Misbehavin'"
"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"
"The Scottsboro Boys"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Any Dream Will Do" is a song from "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," which first appeared on Broadway in 1982. This story was the first co-created by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber to be performed publicly.

24-Camelot
Warner Bros. / Seven Arts
The 1960 production of this show featured a signature song with these lyrics, "Oh, no! not in springtime!/Summer, winter or fall!/No, never could I leave you at all!" What is it from?
"A Man of No Importance"
"Caroline, or Change"
"Falsettos"
"Camelot"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The song, "If Ever I Would Leave You," is a ballad featured in the romantic musical, "Camelot." This musical won four Tony Awards and was performing on Broadway nearly 900 times before its first run ended.

broadway
Rudi Von Briel / Photodisc / Getty Images
"It's time to try defying gravity/I think I'll try defying gravity" is a line of a song from this hit Broadway musical. What is it called?
"Into the Woods"
"Wicked"
"Mame"
"The Secret Garden"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 2016, "Wicked" joined elite company when it surpassed $1 billion in revenue. The only other musicals to do so are "The Phantom of the Opera" and "The Lion King." The song, "Defying Gravity," is from that show.

Advertisement

26-Chorus-Line
Embassy Films Associates / PolyGram / Filmed Entertainment
This show features a song with the following lyrics, "Step, kick, kick, leap, kick, touch ... Again!" What musical is it?
"A Chorus Line"
"The Light in the Piazza"
"Finian's Rainbow"
"Annie Get Your Gun"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"A Chorus Line" first appeared on Broadway in 1975 and tells the story of dancers seeking out a spot in a Broadway production. Before "Cats" came along, it was Broadway's longest-running show and features the song, "I Hope I Get It."

28-Evita
Hollywood Pictures / Cinergi Pictures / RSO Films / Dirty Hands Productions
You can hear these lyrics, "Don't cry for me Argentina/The truth is I never left you," in which of these productions?
"The Fantasticks"
"Evita"
"Lady in the Dark"
"Assassins"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" is a song from the musical, "Evita," which is sung by Eva Perón, a real-life person who was in Argentinian politics for a while. It appeared on Broadway for the first time in the late 1970s.

performance
joshblake / E+ / Getty Images
The start of this song begins with, "Why, this car is automatic!/It's systematic!/It's hydromatic!" What musical is it from?
"West Side Story"
"Hairspray"
"Grease"
"Sunday in the Park With George"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Did you guess "Grease?" This song, titled "Greased Lightnin,'" is one of the most popular songs from this musical that first appeared on Broadway in 1972. It has been performed all over the world and even made into a movie.

Advertisement

30-Newsies
CBS
These odd lyrics appear in a Broadway show that first appeared in 2012: "That's my cigar/You'll steal another/Hey, look, it's bath time at the zoo/I thought that I'd surprise my mother." What is the name of the show?
"Dreamgirls"
"She Loves Me"
"Ragtime"
"Newsies"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Newsies," which hit stages in 2012, was adapted from a movie of the same name. The song, "Carrying the Banner," is sung as the newsies (or newsboys) are getting ready for another day of work.

31-King-and-I
20th Century Fox
"Getting to know you/Getting to know all about you" is a song sung to children in a musical by which of these names?
"The King and I"
"Beauty and the Beast"
"Cinderella"
"South Pacific"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In "The King and I," the song, "Getting to Know You," is sung to the king's children. This 1951 musical is based on a book of real experiences called, "Anna and the King of Siam," written by Margaret London.

32-Dreamgirls
DreamWorks Pictures / Paramount Pictures
Cue the Jennifers! Both Jennifer Holliday and Jennifer Hudson sang these lyrics: "There's no way I can ever go/No, no, no, no way." What musical is it from?
"Showgirls"
"Dreamgirls"
"The Cradle Will Rock"
"Man of La Mancha"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"And I Am Telling You (I’m Not Going)" is a staple of the "Dreamgirls" world, both on stage and in theaters. Jennifer Holliday was its original singer, with Jennifer Hudson doing a mean job of singing it for the movie, released in 2006.

Advertisement

34-Annie
Columbia Pictures / Village Roadshow Pictures / Overbrook Entertainment
"Betcha they're young/Betcha they're smart/Bet they collect things/Like ashtrays, and art!" are lines from a song featured in which of these popular shows?
"Company"
"La Cage aux Folles"
"The Sound of Music"
"Annie"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The musical and movie, "Annie," features the song, "Maybe," where the orphan Annie is fantasizing about the family she came from. The song continues, "Betcha they're good/(Why shouldn't they be?)/Their one mistake/Was giving up me!"

theater
blackred / E+ / Getty Images
A song from this 1956 production states, "I could have danced all night/And still have begged for more." What is the show's name?
"My Fair Lady"
"Romance/Romance"
"Godspell"
"The Secret Garden"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"I Could Have Danced All Night" is a song from "My Fair Lady," sung by Eliza Doolittle and Mrs. Pearce. When it was first produced, it was the longest-running Broadway musical of its time period.

You Got:
/35
Producer Circle Co. / Zadan/Meron Production