Can You Match These Classic 45s to The Year In Which They Were Released?

By: Robin Tyler
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Match These Classic 45s to The Year In Which They Were Released?
Image: powerofforever / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Before iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and other digital music services, the good old 45 ruled. The 45 record was introduced in 1949 by RCA. It was smaller than a 78 and more durable and had two sides with just two recordings. It quickly became known as a "single" or the 7-inch (based on the size of the record itself). The physical sales of those singles saw them listed weekly on the charts, with the No. 1 single selling the most copies during that week. So artists would not only release an LP (long-playing) record of their latest album, they would also release singles from it, Most LPs would have anywhere from three to five singles released during a period of time. Some were marketed for longer, thanks to their popularity.

Some of the best-selling singles of all time include "Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley and his Comets, "It's Now or Never" by Elvis Presley, "I Want To Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles and "I'm a Believer" by The Monkees. But just how much do you know about classic 45s? Would you be able to identify the year they were released? If you think you can, then let's see how you fare on this quiz. Good luck!

 



Chubby Checker
Wiki Commons
Not just a song but a dance as well, "The Twist" was a hit for Chubby Checker in ______?
1960
1965
1970
1971
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Originally released by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters as a B-side, it was Chubby Checker's cover of "The Twist" that was a massive hit that even sparked a dance craze. It reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard charts and stayed there for a week in 1960.

Advertisement

The Beatles
Wiki Commons by United Press International
"Love Me Do" was the first single released by the Beatles. Do you know what year it was?
1967
1959
1962
1969
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Beatles' debut single, "Love Me Do" was written by Paul McCartney while he was still in school, although it is credited to Lennon-McCartney with Paul himself saying that John Lennon added elements. It reached No. 17 on the U.K. charts in 1962 and No. 1 on the U.S. charts in 1964.

Advertisement

Freddie Mercury
Wiki Commons by Carl Lender
Certainly their biggest hit, "Bohemian Rhapsody" is a Queen masterpiece. When was it released?
1975
1955
2000
1981
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Written by Freddie Mercury, "Bohemian Rhapsody" was a massive hit for Queen. Released in 1975, it was featured on their album, "A Night at the Opera." Not many record executives thought the song would ever be popular due to the fact that it was more than six minutes long. Most songs that received airplay on the radio in the 1970s​ clocked in at about three minutes.

Advertisement

Bob Dylan
Wiki Commons from the 1964 yearbook of St. Lawrence University
Bob Dylan had many hits during the 1960s. "Like a Rolling Stone" was one of them. Can you tell us which year it hit the charts?
1960
1969
1965
1972
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Like a Rolling Stone" was a departure from his signature sound for Bob Dylan. More of a rock song than a folk song, it also clocked in at more than six minutes long, making his record company hesitant to release it. When they finally did, it went to No. 2 on the U.S. charts.

Advertisement

Van Morrison
Wiki Commons by Billboard / Warner Bros. Records
In what year did Van Morrison sing about his "Brown Eyed Girl"?
1971
1967
1981
1960
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Still an absolute classic after all these years, "Brown Eyed Girl" was released by Van Morrison in 1967. Morrison claims he received no royalties from the song because of the contract structure he had signed with the recording company before its release.

Advertisement

John Lennon
Wiki Commons by Roy Kerwood
John Lennon's solo career was filled with a number of brilliant songs, none more so than "Imagine." When was this released as a 45?
1990
1971
1995
1965
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

John Lennon's solo career began soon after the Beatles ended. In 1971, he released "Imagine." It proved to be a huge hit, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard chart. It was re-released in 1980 after Lennon was gunned down by Mark Chapman and went straight to the top of the charts.

Advertisement

Marvin Gaye
Wiki Commons by J. Edward Bailey
Any ideas as to when Marvin Gaye released "I Heard It Through The Grapevine"?
1991
1985
1971
1968
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, Marvin Gaye recorded "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" in 1968. The song had brought success for Gladys Knight and the Pips a year earlier. Gaye's version has become a soul classic, however.

Advertisement

Aretha Franklin
Wiki Commons by Atlantic Records
Aretha Franklin released her version of "Respect" in what year?
1970
1967
1981
1950
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Respect" was originally released by Otis Redding in 1965. Aretha Franklin's version was released in 1967 and became a massive hit, winning her two Grammy Awards.

Advertisement

Jimi Hendrix
Wiki Commons by Warner/Reprise Records
In what year did Jimi Hendrix release "All Along The Watchtower"?
1972
1963
1968
1961
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Originally a Bob Dylan song, Jimi Hendrix released "All Along The Watchtower" in 1968. It proved a difficult track to record with the process taking more than nine months. This was due to the fact that Hendrix wasn't very happy with certain parts of the early recordings and kept on overdubbing guitar tracks. When released, it reached No. 20 on the U.S. charts, the highest-charting Hendrix single in that country. It fared better in the United Kingdom, reaching No. 5.

Advertisement

Moody Blues
Wiki Commons by Joost Evers / Anefo
The biggest hit for the Moody Blues, "Nights In White Satin" remains a classic to this day. Do you know which of these below is the year in which it was released?
1961
1965
1967
1960
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

OK, a bit of a trick question. "Nights In White Satin" was initially released in 1967 but it didn't perform that well. On re-issue in 1972, it went to No. 2 on the U.S. charts and stayed there for two weeks. But initially, it was released in 1967, so that is the answer.

Advertisement

The Beatles 1965
Wiki Commons by ingen uppgift / Scanpix
One of the most covered songs in history, do you know in what year the Beatles released "Yesterday"?
1965
1971
1969
1960
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Yesterday" was released by The Beatles in 1965. Essentially, it is a Paul McCartney song and features only his vocals. It was created as a Lennon/McCartney writing collaboration, however. More than 2,200 artists have covered this classic.

Advertisement

Don McLean
Wiki Commons by Herbert S. Gart, management
Don McLean drove his Chevy to the levee in "American Pie" in what year?
1970
1971
1974
1980
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A song about the airplane crash that claimed the life of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper, Don McLean's "American Pie" certainly is a classic. It remained at No. 1 on the U.S. charts for four weeks.

Advertisement

Otis Redding
Wiki Commons by Billboard / Volt Records
Do you know in which year the classic soul hit by Otis Redding, "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay," was released?
1961
1971
1963
1968
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" proved a massive hit for Otis Redding, who died in an airplane crash a month before its release. The song reached No. 1 on the U.S. charts, the first posthumous single to do so. Across the Atlantic, it reached No. 3 in the United Kingdom.

Advertisement

Chuck Berry
Wiki Commons by Pickwick Records
"Johnny B. Goode" has one of the greatest rock and roll riffs ever created. When did Chuck Berry release his most famous hit?
1958
1960
1963
1971
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Johnny B. Goode" reached No. 8 on the Billboard charts in 1958, giving Chuck Berry his first major hit. The song is semi-autobiographical and is certainly one of rock and roll's most classic tunes.

Advertisement

Procol Harum
Wiki Commons by Fisle
"A Whiter Shade of Pale" was the debut single by British band Procol Harum. And what a debut it was. Do you know when it was released?
1970
1962
1967
1971
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"A Whiter Shade of Pale" was a smash hit for Procol Harum. It reached No. 1 on the British charts and managed to stay in that position for a month and a half. To date, it has sold more than 10 million copies!

Advertisement

The Who
Wiki Commons by Jean-Luc
People tried to put them down but The Who persisted! Their classic rock track, "My Generation," was released in what year?
1961
1965
1979
1970
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Released in 1965, "My Generation" is one of the most recognizable tracks from the British rock band, The Who. It reached No. 2 on the U.K. singles chart. Although it only reached No. 74 in America, it gave the band a new audience in that country.

Advertisement

Mick Jagger
Wiki Commons by Jack de Nijs / Anefo
The song that introduced The Rolling Stones to the world, "(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction" was released in what year?
1960
1962
1971
1965
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction" gaveThe Rolling Stones with their first U.S. No. 1 single. Released in 1965, it was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and is noted for its catch three-note guitar riff. This was meant to be replaced by horns in the final recording. Thankfully, it wasn't.

Advertisement

ABBA
Wiki Commons by AVRO
ABBA dominated the disco era. One of their hits, "Waterloo," was released in _______.
1974
1981
1969
1970
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Waterloo," the first single released by ABBA, was originally going to be called "Honey Pie." ABBA sprung into the limelight in 1974 by winning Eurovision, thanks to "Waterloo." It went on to sell more than 6 million copies!

Advertisement

Elvis 1956
Wiki Commons
In what year did Elvis hang out at "Heartbreak Hotel" after his baby left him?
1956
1961
1960
1966
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Written by Tommy Durden and Mae Boren Axton, Elvis released "Heartbreak Hotel" in 1956. It was an immediate hit, going to No. 1 on the Billboard charts and staying there for seven weeks. It the first single that Elvis recorded that sold 1 million copies.

Advertisement

Gerry Rafferty
Wiki Commons by Eddie Mallin
In what year did Gerry Rafferty go down "Baker Street"?
1968
1978
1971
1970
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's that saxophone riff that you remember! "Baker Street," recorded by Scottish singer/songwriter Gerry Rafferty, was a hit around the world in 1978. It was included on the album, "City to City."

Advertisement

Led Zeppelin
Wiki Commons by Dina Regine
Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" first hit the charts in what year?
1971
1969
1981
1977
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Stairway To Heaven" helped to really put Led Zeppelin on the musical map. Released in 1971, it became a staple of rock station airplay throughout the 1970s and remained popular in the United States despite the fact that it was never released as a single. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest rock songs of all time.

Advertisement

Free
Wiki Commons by Rob Mieremet (ANEFO)
Free's "All Right Now" was released in which of the years below?
1970
1963
1967
1975
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

English rock group Free released their biggest hit, "All Right Now," in 1970. It went to No. 1 in more than 20 countries and reached No. 2 on the U.K. charts. Re-released in 1981, "All Right Now" again performed well, reaching No. 8 on the U.K. charts.

Advertisement

The Temptations
Wiki Commons by Motown Records
"My Girl" gave singing group The Temptations their first No. 1 hit. When was the single released?
1971
1959
1964
1968
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"My Girl" by The Temptations was released toward the end of 1964. It reached No. 1 on the U.S. pop chart as well as the R&B chart. It was the first single to feature David Ruffin singing lead. The song was first offered to The Miracles, who turned it down.

Advertisement

Eagles
José Mário M C via YouTube
Can you tell us in which year The Eagles released "Hotel California"?
1977
1970
1980
1981
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Such a classic, "Hotel California" was first released by The Eagles in 1977. It won them a Grammy in 1978 for Record of the Year. Needless to say, it was a No. 1 single for the band in America and a host of other countries.

Advertisement

Michael Jackson
Wiki Commons by Drew H. Cohen ©1988
Michael Jackson and hit singles are a dime-a-dozen. One of his greatest, however, was "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough" which was released in what year?
1981
1979
1971
1974
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Don't Stop Till You Get Enough" came off Michael Jackson's fifth studio album, "Off The Wall." It was a smash hit, staying at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart for seven weeks. To date, it has sold more than 1 million physical copies and 3 million digital downloads.

Advertisement

Johnny Cash
Wiki Commons by Johnnycash1950-2003
A country classic, do you have any idea when Johnny Cash recorded "Ring of Fire"?
1963
1971
1981
1955
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Ring of Fire" was released by Johnny Cash in 1963. The song was not written by him but by June Carter and Merle Kilgore. Carter married Cash in 1968. "Ring of Fire" stayed at No. 1 on the Country charts for seven weeks.

Advertisement

Ray Charles
Wiki Commons by Eric Koch / Anefo
"What’d I Say" by Ray Charles was first released in what year?
1980
1959
1949
1965
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ray Charles came up with "What'd I Say" when jamming to fill the final 12-minutes of a concert. The reaction of the crowd showed Charles that he had to record his improvisation! After initial struggles because of its sexually charged lyrics, it soon became popular and gave Charles his first gold record.

Advertisement

Elvis Presley 1969
Wiki Commons by MGM
It was only when Elvis Presley recorded "Suspicious Minds" that it became a hit. What year was that?
1969
1965
1971
1955
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Suspicious Minds" originally was written and recorded by Mark James in 1968. It never charted. It was then handed to Elvis, who recorded his version soon after his '68 Comeback Special. It turned into a massive success and launched the second phase of Elvis' career.

Advertisement

The Rolling Stones
Wiki Commons by Bert Verhoeff (ANEFO)
"Paint it Black" by The Rolling Stones is a favorite of rock lovers around the world. Do you know when it was released?
1966
1971
1975
1960
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A massive hit for The Rolling Stones, "Paint it Black" reached No. 1 on both the U.K. and U.S. singles charts. It was first released in 1966. Written by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, it is the first song featuring a sitar to hit the top of the charts.

Advertisement

The Sex Pistols
Wiki Commons by Riksarkivet (National Archives of Norway)
Somewhat controversial, when did The Sex Pistols release "God Save the Queen"?
1977
1981
1970
1969
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Released in the same year as the Queen of England's silver jubilee, "God Save the Queen" is certainly the most recognized song from the United Kingdom punk movement. Written by Johnny Rotten (John Lydon), lead singer with the band, it reached No. 2 on the official U.K. charts with many claiming a fix had occurred to stop it from reaching No. 1.

Advertisement

Black Sabbath
"Wiki Commons by Warner Bros. Records"
Considered by many to be the fathers of Heavy Metal, Black Sabbath released "Paranoid" in what year?
1963
1968
1970
1979
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Released in 1970, "Paranoid" was the first single from an album of the same name by Black Sabbath. It reached No. 4 on the U.K. charts and No. 61 in the United States. VH1 ranks "Paranoid" as the greatest Heavy Metal song ever. The band claims it was written in a matter of minutes.

Advertisement

The Kinks
Wiki Commons by W. Veenman
The Kinks released "Lola" in which year?
1965
1963
1970
1979
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Lola" was written by Ray Davis and performed by British group, The Kinks. Released in 1970, it reached No. in the United Kingdom and No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

Advertisement

Dave Brubeck
Wiki Commons by Carl Van Vechten
Jazz was at the forefront of popular music at once point. "Take Five" from Dave Brubeck proved to be a massive hit in what year?
1980
1963
1971
1959
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Take Five" was composed by Paul Desmond and recorded by the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1959. It was a massive hit, becoming the greatest selling jazz single of all time but not straight away. Reissued in 1961, it reached No. 25 on the U.S. Billboard chart.

Advertisement

The Beach Boys
Wiki Commons by Capitol Records
No doubt, The Beach Boys were one of the most influential artists in the 1960s. Their hit, "Good Vibrations," was released in what year?
1961
1966
1969
1961
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Released in 1966, "Good Vibrations" was written by Brian Wilson (composer) and Mike Love (lyrics). Recorded over a period of seven months, up to that point, it was the costliest single ever recorded. More than 90 hours of tape were put down for a song of 3 mins and 35 seconds! It is recognized as one of the greatest songs of the 20th Century.

Advertisement

The Beatles - Help
Wiki Commons by Nick Newbery
They certainly didn't need "Help!" the Beatles, did they? When did the band release that single, though?
1960
1959
1965
1969
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Help!" was the lead single from the album of the same name as well as a movie featuring the Beatles. It was released in 1965. Of course, it was a hit, reaching No. 1 in both the U.K and the United States.

Advertisement

Elvis Presley
Wiki Commons by CBS Television
Any idea as to when Elvis Presley's "That's All Right" was released?
1965
1959
1960
1954
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During some downtime in recording at Sun Studio in 1954, Elvis Presley started singing an upbeat version of "That's Alright," a Blues song from 1946. He was soon joined by the band in the studio and unbeknownst to them, their performance was recorded. After it was given to a DJ who played it on a local radio station, it quickly became a hit.

Advertisement

Bill Haley
Wiki Commons by Decca Records
A true rock and roll classic, when did Bill Haley release "Rock around the Clock"?
1954
1956
1971
1960
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Released in 1954, Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock" was a massive hit. It sold 75,000 copies... not bad for a song that was released as a B-side. It was helped thanks to the fact that it appeared in the Hollywood classic, "The Blackboard Jungle" in 1955.

Advertisement

The Animals
Wiki Commons by F. van Geelen
It was their most popular hit. Do you know what year The Animals released "House Of The Rising Sun"?
1959
1969
1968
1964
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Animals' take on a traditional folk song, "The House of the Rising Sun," was a massive hit for the band, reaching No. 1 in both the United Kingdom and the United States. This was the first time a British band other than the Beatles had achieved a No. 1 song in the U.S.A.

Advertisement

Pink Floyd
Wiki Commons by Billboard / Capitol Records
Pink Floyd's classic single, "Wish You Were Here," was released in what year?
1975
1980
1969
1971
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Wish You Were Here" was the first single from the 1975 Pink Floyd album of the same name. It was written by Dave Gilmour and Roger Waters. It is included on the Rolling Stone Top 500 Songs of All Tim list at No. 324.

Advertisement

David Bowie
Wiki Commons by AVRO
"Space Oddity" from David Bowie was released when?
1971
1974
1969
1976
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The U.K. and U.S. singles of "Space Oddity," released in 1969, differ in length. The U.S. version is 3.26 minutes long and the U.K. version 4.33. "Space Oddity" reached No. 1 in the U.K. and No. 15 in the U.S.

Advertisement

You Got:
/40
powerofforever / E+ / Getty Images