Image: ti-ja/E+/Getty Images
About This Quiz
Some things in life just seem to go together. Cookies and milk. Peas and carrots. Simon and Garfunkle. Classic cars and good music. After all, people don't go out of their way to jazz up a car stereo for no reason. There's an old urban legend that an 18-year-old named George Frost, who owned a Ford Model T in 1922, was the first person ever to attach a radio to the door of his car so he could listen to music while he went for a drive. Is it true? Hard to say. But there's no doubt someone had to have been the first person to think driving with some music playing would be better than driving in silence.ÂÂ
By the late 1920s, car radios started appearing, and in the 1930s, you could get the Motorola 5T71 in many cars. The rest is history. Music and cars have been together ever since. Whether it's top 40 hits, talk radio, a tape in the cassette deck or streaming some music from your favorite playlist, it's still one of the coolest things to do in your car. So let's see how well you can link the classic cars and biggest songs in history. Do you think you know which songs were No. 1 when these cars came out? Take the quiz!
Wiki Commons by Morio
When the Lincoln Continental Mark II came out in 1956, what song was No 1?
"Poor Little Fool" by Ricky Nelson
"The Chipmunk Song" by the Chipmunks
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was all over the charts in 1956, but "Heartbreak Hotel" was the standout. He also charted with songs like "Love Me Tender" and "Hound Dog." The Continental Mark II didn't last quite as long as Elvis and was produced for only two years.
"My Prayer" by The Platters
Wiki Commons by Sicnag
John Wick drives a '69 Boss 429 Mustang. What song might have been on the radio the year it was produced?
"Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies
John Wick's car is incorrectly identified as a 1969 Boss 420 Mustang in the movie when it's actually a 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1. Admittedly they're basically the same car but not 100% the same.
"I Heard it Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye
"Dizzy" by Tommy Roe
"Honey Tonk Women" by The Rolling Stones
Wiki Commons by Charles01
Which song stormed the airwaves when Volkswagen released the Jetta in 1979?
"Respect" by Aretha Franklin
"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper
"Dancing with Myself" by Billy Idol
"My Sharona" by The Knack
The Knack scored the No. 1 song in 1979 with "My Sharona." That same year, Volkswagen released the Jetta, and it has been in production ever since. The Jetta is Volkswagen's top-selling car. Over 14 million have been sold.
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Maurizio Pesce
You could argue that the Tesla Model S really jump-started the electric car revolution in 2012. What song rocked the charts the same year?
"Thrift Shop" by Macklemore
"Tik Tok" by Kesha
"Rolling in the Deep" by Adele
"Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye
The Tesla Model S appeared in 2012, the same year that Gotye charted with "Somebody That I Used to Know." The Model S in 2019 has the longest range of any electric car on the market, capable of hitting 370 miles on one charge.
Wiki Commons by Blood Destructor
Which song was burning up the airwaves in '84 when the Ferrari Testarossa was burning up the highways?
"Thriller" by Michael Jackson
"When Doves Cry" by Prince
Prince's "When Doves Cry" was the No. 1 song of 1984, the same year that Ferrari introduced its iconic Testarossa. Nearly 10,000 Testarossas were produced during its run between 1984 and 1996, which makes it one of the most produced Ferraris ever.
"Careless Whisper" by Wham!
"Endless Love" by Diana Ross
Wiki Commons by CZmarlin
Love it or hate it, the 1975 AMC Pacer made a mark on automotive history. Which song made a mark the year it debuted?
"Call Me" by Blondie
"Let's Get it On" by Marvin Gaye
"Love Will Keep Us Together" by Captain & Tennille
"Love Will Keep Us Together" by Captain and Tennille was the top song of 1975, the same year that AMC introduced its Pacer. The car is pretty iconic as far as '70s vehicles go. It had a minor resurgence in popularity thanks to the '90s comedy, "Wayne's World."
"Good Times" by Chic
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Magnolia677
Do you know which peppy tune everyone was grooving to when Ford introduced the Model T in 1908?
"Are You Sincere" by Elise Stevenson
"O Solo Mio" by Emilio DeGogorza
"Take Me Out to the Ballgame" by Billy Murray and Haydn Quartet
The thing you have to remember about 1908, the year Ford's Model T debuted, is that music was different back then. That's why "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was not only the No. 1 song of the year, but versions by different singers charted at No. 7, No. 9, and No. 29 that same year.
"Adam and Eve" by Grace Cameron
Wiki Commons by nakhon100
Which tune hit the scene at the same time as Ford's legendary Mustang in 1965?
"I Can't Help Myself" by the Four Tops
1965 was a pretty big year for music and cars with the Ford Mustang hitting the road alongside the extremely catchy "I Can't Help Myself" by the Four Tops. The Mustang is famous not just for looking awesome but for creating the whole "pony car" class of automobiles.
"To Sir with Love" by Lulu
"I'll Be There" by the Jackson 5
"Hello Darlin'" by Conway Twitty
Wiki Commons by IFCAR
Do you know which song might have inspired you to buy a 1982 Nissan Sentra?
"Endless Love" by Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie
"Stop to Love" by Luther Vandross
"Physical" by Olivia Newton-John
In 1982 you could either get "Physical" with Olivia Newton-John or sightly less physical by driving the new Nissan Sentra. The Sentra was a rebadged version of a car that in Japan and other parts of the world was called the Nissan Sunny.
"Look Away" by Chicago
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
Studebaker probably could have picked a better name for its Dictator model. What song was keeping people entertained in 1937, the year the model was dropped?
"Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)" by Benny Goodman
The Studebaker Dictator was a beast on the road, but the manufacturer dropped it in 1937 at the same time "Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)" by Benny Goodman was rockin' and boppin' on the charts. The name was removed from the Studebaker line in direct response to the rise of Adolf Hitler.
"Caravan" by Duke Ellington
"Prisoner of Love" by Perry Como
"Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens" by Louis Jordan
Wiki Commons by Steve Glover
Which song was No. 1 when Bentley's R-Type came out in 1952?
"Pledging My Love" by Johnny Ace
"All Shook Up" by Elvis Presley
"Blue Tango" by Leroy Anderson
"Blue Tango" by Leroy Anderson topped the charts in 1952 alongside Bentley's very posh R-Type. The car was only produced for three years before Bentley moved on to the S series.
"Tossin' and Turnin" by Bobby Lewis
Wiki Commons by Thesupermat
James Bond drove an Aston Martin DB5. What was the No. 1 song when he did so in 1963?
"Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight
"All Shook Up" by Elvis Presley
"I Fall to Pieces" by Patsy Cline
"Surfin' USA" by the Beach Boys
The classic Aston Martin DB5 came out in 1963, the same year "Surfin' USA" by the Beach Boys made everyone want to go for a swim. Bond drove one in the movie, "Goldfinger," although in the book version he was behind the wheel of a DB3.
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Rainmaker47
Which song peaked in 1972 when Honda introduced the Civic?
"Feel Like Makin' Love" by Roberta Flack
"The First Timer Ever I saw Your Face" by Roberta Flack
"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was the biggest pop hit of 1972 when Honda released its Civic. The Civic has remained one of Honda's most popular cars ever and even managed to transition from a cheap subcompact car to a sporty street racer.
"Rhinestone Cowboy" by Glen Campbell
"Disco Lady" by Johnnie Taylor
Wiki Commons by Hugh Llewelyn
We all know how cool a DeLorean is. What was the top song when it came out in 1981?
"Float On" by The Floaters
"Emergency" by Kool & the Gang
"Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes
1981 was the year the DeLorean came back from the future and brought "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes with it. The DeLorean was a shortlived car and only produced for three years before the company folded.
"Call Me" by Blondie
Wiki Commons by Sicnag
Do you know which song was at the top in 1959 when the Austin Mini came out?
"The Battle of New Orleans" by Johnny Horton
The Austin Mini was one of those classic British cars that seemed emblematic of the '60s, although the first model came out in 1959. That was the same year Johnny Horton topped the charts with "The Battle of New Orleans."
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Evis Presley
"California Dreamin'" by the Mamas and the Papas
"I Want to Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by KGC626
The Yugo may not have been pretty, but it made a splash in 1980. So did this song. What is it?
"Good Times" by Chic
"Shadow Dancing" by Andy Gibb
"Call Me" by Blondie
The Blondie hit, "Call Me," came out in 1980 alongside the remarkably unattractive Yugo. If you don't remember seeing one as early as 1980, it may be because it was not imported to the U.S. until 1985.
"Always on My Mind" by Willie Nelson
Wiki Commons by sv1ambo
Remember the Ford Fairmont? It came out in 1978, the same year as what hit song?
"Rumors" by Fleetwood Mac
"Shadow Dancing" by Andy Gibb
Andy Gibb took the top spot on the charts in 1978 with "Shadow Dancing," the same year Ford's Fairmont rolled off the line. It only lasted until 1984 when Ford replaced it with the Tempo, which pretty much everyone int he '80s seemed to have.
"Let's Get Serious" by Jermaine Jackson
"The Gambler" by Kenny Rogers
Wiki Commons by Buch-t
Which song was everyone grooving to when the Packard One-Ten first appeared in 1940?
"When You Wish Upon a Star" by Cliff Edwards
"I'll Never Smile Again" by Frank Sinatra
"Blueberry Hill" by Glenn Miller
"In the Mood" by Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller's "In The Mood" was rocking the old-timey radios of 1940 when the Packard One-Ten hit the roads. The One-Ten was a cheaper model than Packard's previous luxury models as part of an effort on Packard's behalf to improve its bottom line.
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
When Dodge introduced the Diplomat in 1977, what song reigned supreme on the radio?
"Every Breath You Take" by The Police
"Sexual Healing" by Marvin Gaye
"The Way We Were" by Barbra Streisand
"Tonight's the Night" by Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart was sending folks swooning in 1977 with "Tonight's the Night," the very same year the Dodge Diplomat hit the roads. For a time, the Diplomat was a favorite among police forces in both the U.S. and Canada.
Wiki Commons by Sicnag
Do you know what was a cool car? The 1967 Pontiac Firebird. What was the coolest song the same year it came out?
"Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies
"Respect" by Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin's "Respect" was huge in 1967, just in time for everyone to enjoy the new Pontiac Firebird that came out that same year. It was a muscle car that was meant to be Pontiac's answer to cars like the Camaro and the Challenger.
"I Want To Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles
"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly
Wiki Commons by HSV
Which song's radio dominance coincided with the release of the Jaguar XK120 in 1948?
"The Woody Woodpecker Song" by Kay Kyser
"Too Young" by Nat King Cole
"Twelfth Street Rag" by Pee Wee Hunt
Jaguar's very sleek XK120 was a sports car that was produced from 1948 to 1954. That first year saw "Twelfth Street Rag" by Pee Wee Hunt take the top spot on the charts. It sold more than 3 million copies, which is pretty impressive.
"Buttons and Bows" by Dinah Shore
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Sicnag
Do you know the name of the song that topped the charts in 1958 when the Ford Galaxie came out?
"Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu" ("Volare") by Domenico Modugno
1958 saw the release of the Ford Galaxie as well as the song "Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu" which you likely better know as "Volare." The Galaxie is not to be confused with the Galaxy minivan, which is also made by Ford.
Kiddio" by Brook Benton
"My Heart Skips a Beat" by Buck Owens
"Wooly Bully" by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs
Wiki Commons by Sicnag
What No. 1 hit dominated the charts in 1949 when Oldsmobile introduced the 88?
"Cold, Cold Heart" by Hank Williams
"Near You" by Francis Craig
"Goodnight, Irene" by Gordon Jenkins
"Riders in the Sky" by Vaughn Monroe Orchestra
Despite what you might think, the Oldsmobile 88 didn't come out in 1988. Instead, it came out in 1949, the same years the Vaughn Monroe Orchestra came out with "Riders in the Sky." For reasons unknown, the 88 became the Eighty-Eight in 1989.
Wiki Commons by Charlie
Can you tell us what song rocked to No. 1 in 1976 when Honda introduced the Accord?
"Blue Tango" by Leroy Anderson
"Silly Love Songs" by Wings
1976 was the year of the Honda Accord. What was its soundtrack? "Silly Love Songs" by Wings. Maybe that's what propelled the Accord to become one of the best-selling cars in North America for decades.
"Hey Jude" by the Beatles
"Float On" by The Floaters
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Sicnag
Which song climbed the charts alongside the release of the 1950 Nash Rambler?
"Goodnight, Irene" by Gordon Jenkins & The Weavers
When "Goodnight, Irene" was topping the charts in 1950, the Nash Rambler was rolling to its first of five production years. Though Nash isn't around anymore, they manufacturer can be considered the creator of the compact car market in America.
"Tossin' and Turnin'" by Bobby Lewis
"Gone" by Ferlin Husky
"I Fall to Pieces" by Patsy Cline
Wiki Commons by Larsrhk
Fewer than 2,000 Lamborghini Countach models were made, including in 1974, when which song was No. 1?
"Every Breath You Take" by The Police
"My Sharona" by The Knack
"Stop to Love" by Luther Vandross
"The Way We Were" by Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were" was No. 1 in 1974 when Lamborghini introduced its exotic Countach model. If you want to pick one up these days, it's going to set you back upwards of $300,000, depending on its condition.
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
One of Chevy's most popular models was the 1962 Chevy II Nova. Do you know what song was No. 1 when it hit the road?
"My Heart Skips a Beat" by Buck Owens
"Stranger on the Shore" by Mr. Acker Bilk
The year was 1962, and "Stranger on the Shore" was the chart-topping song when the Chevy II Nova was released. By 1969, the "Chevy II" part of the name was dropped, and from then on, the car was known as the Chevy Nova.
"Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash
"Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Herranderssvensson
Remember the 1951 Hudson Hornet? How about the song that was No. 1 that same year?
"Too Young" by Nat King Cole
Nat King Cole's "Too Young" charted the same year that Hudson's Hornet was rolled out. The Hornet was popular with people who liked to race, thanks to its low center of gravity and great handling.
"Lawdy Miss Clawdy" by Lloyd Price
"Honky Tonk" by Bill Doggett
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley
Wiki Commons by Michael Barera
What was the top song in 1960 when Pontiac released the Tempest?
"Stagger Lee" by Lloyd Price
"Hold On! I'm Coming" by Sam and Dave
"Sugar Shack" by Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs
Theme From "A Summer Place" by Percy Faith
The theme from "A Summer Place" didn't get an official name for whatever reason. The version Percy Faith recorded was entirely instrumental, but the song does have actual lyrics that have been included in other versions.
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
The restyled Buick Skylark was a big release in 1954. Do you know which song was No. 1 that year?
"Little Things Mean a Lot" by Kitty Kalen
Kitty Kalen's "Little Things Mean a Lot" was No. 1 when Buick released a tweaked version of the Skylark. It had first come out in 1953, but in 1954, they did an extensive overhaul of the design, including amping up those fins and high profile wheel cutouts that could be painted to contrast the body.
"Pledging My Love" by Johnny Ace
"Crazy Arms" by Ray Price
"All Shook Up" by Elvis Presley
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
Buick's Regal was a massive personal luxury machine in 1973. Do you remember what song was big at the same time?
"Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley
"I'll Be There" by The Jackson 5
"Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree" by Tony Orlando and Dawn
Tony Orlando's hit, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree," is the story of a convict being released from prison and hoping he's welcome to return home. It was so popular, James Earl Jones even starred in a movie about it. The song also coincided with the return of soldiers from the war in Vietnam, helping to catapult it both in popularity and on the charts.
"Disco Lady" by Johnny Taylor
Wiki Commons by Michael Barera
The biggest car of 1953 was clearly Chevy's Corvette. What was the biggest song to go alongside it?
"Song From Moulin Rouge" by Percy Faith
Maybe the people of 1953 weren't fully prepared for the Corvette since the extremely mellow "Song From Moulin Rouge" was the top song that year, in a bit of a contrast to the powerhouse sports car that was the Corvette. Only 300 were hand-assembled in that first year.
"Wild Side of Life" by Hank Thompson
"Treat Me Nice" by Elvis Presley
"Calypso" by Harry Belafonte
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
Which tune was all over the radio when the Chevy Malibu came out in 1964?
"Still" by Bill Anderson
"Soul Twist"by King Curits
"I Want To Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles
The Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand" dominated the airwaves in 1964 when Chevy's Malibu showed up. The Malibu was the Chevelle when it first appeared, and the Malibu part was just a trim package available for it, officially making it the "Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu." It only fully became a Malibu in 1978.
"Respect" by Aretha Franklin
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by sv1ambo
Australia got the very cool Chrysler Valiant Charger in 1971. Which song complemented its arrival?
"My Life" by Bill Anderson
"Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night
It was Three Dog's Night "Joy to the World" that took the No. 1 spot in 1971. That same year, the Chrysler Valiant Charger was a huge hit in Australia, becoming Wheels magazine's Car of the Year.
"Feel Like Making Love" by Roberta Flack
"Easy Lovin'" by Freddie Hart
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
Do you know which song hit the top of the charts when the massively redesigned 1955 Chevy Bel Air came out?
"Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley
"Stagger Lee" by Lloyd Price
"Soul Twist" by King Curits
"Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" by Perez Prado
Perez Prado charted with "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" in 1955, an instrumental song that didn't stand the test of time quite as well as the Chevy Bel Air, which was greatly redesigned from the '54 with a massive V8 and that Ferrari-styled grille.
Wiki Commons by CZmarlin
The AMC Gremlin may be one of the best-named cars ever. What was the No. 1 song on the radio when it showed up in 1970?
"Rhinestone Cowboy" by Glen Campbell
"Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash
"My Hang-Up Is You" by Freddie Hart
"Bridge Over Troubled Waters" by Simon and Garfunkle
Simon and Garfunkle's "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" was a huge hit in 1970. The Gremlin, on the other hand, is widely derided as one of history's ugliest cars, but it still managed to sell nearly 700,000 units during its full run.
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Sicnag
One of Ford's coolest cars was the Fairlane 500 Skyliner from 1957. Do you know the song that charted No. 1 that year?
"All Shook Up" by Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley's "All Shook Up" scorched the airwaves in 1957 alongside Ford's extremely cool Fairlane 500 Skyliner. The Skyliner had a retractable hardtop and was only the second car ever produced to have one.
"Wolverton Mountain" by Claude King
"Work With Me, Annie" by Hank Ballard & The Midnighters
"In the Jailhouse Now" by Webb Pierce
Wiki Commons by sv1ambo
Which song was top dog in 1968 when Plymouth introduced its Road Runner?
"Ballad of the Green Berets" by SSgt. Barry Sadler
"Hey Jude" by the Beatles
One of the biggest hits from the Beatles, "Hey Jude" was originally written as "Hey Jules" for John Lennon's son, Julian. The same year, Plymouth paid Warner Brothers to license the Road Runner name for use with its lower-priced muscle car.
"Hello Darlin'" by Conway Twitty
"Part Time Love" by Little Johnny Taylor
Wiki Commons by DeFacto
In 1961, Jaguar's E-Type hit the road alongside what song?
"Please Help Me, I'm Falling" by Hank Locklin
"All the Time" by Jack Greene
"Tossin' and Turnin'" by Bobby Lewis
"Tossin' and Turnin" was a good song to accompany you behind the wheel of a '61 Jaguar E-Type considering the intense ride it provided. The E-type boasted a 0 to 60 acceleration in under 7 seconds and a top speed of 160 mph.
"To Sir wth Love" by Lulu
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Mytho88
Which song reached No. 1 when Toyota released its popular Corolla in 1966?
"California Dreamin'" by The Mamas and the Papas
"California Dreamin'" by The Mamas and the Papas was the top song in 1966 when Toyota's Corolla was introduced. Since then, the Corolla has become the best-selling car in the world and tens of millions of them have been sold.
"I Want To Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles
"Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight
"Easy Loving" by Freddie Hart
You Got:
/40
ti-ja/E+/Getty Images