Which Musical Era Do You Belong In?

By: Zoe Samuel
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Which Musical Era Do You Belong In?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

When we learn history in school, all too often, we are taught it through a framing of politics first. We learn about kings and queens, prime ministers and presidents - and we learn about war. We see the two most important events of the 20th century as being the World Wars. It's very sad, really, to consider that we learn about times that humans got enthusiastic about killing each other before we learn about ways we began helping each other, developing better ideas, or making great art. 

If we're lucky, we get to hear about history in terms of technology and social justice next - but somehow, culture is left until last. This is a shame, as the culture of an era is one of the ideal ways to study its history.

Music may be left out of the official lessons, but we all know that it is the soundtrack of history - and more than that, it helped to convey messages, to change minds, and to move history as well as illuminate it. If you hear a harpsichord, you may not even know what it is, but you'll immediately be transported back to Medieval times. A trumpeter will tell you of a cavalry charge, and church bells dominating a village announce which religion has the cultural reins there. 

A Baroque lay conjures its own period, with its social mores and weaponry and technology. Gospel music and later jazz, blues, tap, and hip-hop developed out of the culture of Black spirits persisting in the face of unbearable oppression. Rock 'n' roll helped to level a hierarchical society.

History is the story of us, and the music that appeals to us tells us everything about the parts of it to which we are drawn. Which are yours?

What sort of concert venue do you like best?
Hole in the wall clubs.
Stadiums.
Dance clubs.
Concert halls.

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What was the best decade for baseball?
The 1920s.
The 1950s.
The 1980s.
Before the formation of the National League.

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What do you like to imbibe at a concert?
Hooch.
Beer.
Vodka.
Wine.

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Who is your favorite president?
T.R.
Kennedy.
Reagan.
Lincoln.

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What's the most important function of your favorite music?
It gave a voice to the voiceless.
It helped break up the status quo.
It was subversive at a time it was hard to be.
It was optimistic in a tough time.

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What national crisis would you like to see up close?
WW1.
The Cuban Missile Crisis.
The fall of the Soviet Union.
The American Civil War.

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What do you think of contemporary music?
It's too paint-by-numbers.
It doesn't have a soul.
It's pretty cool.
It's just noise.

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How do you relate to mainstream culture?
I'm fascinated by the roots of everything in it.
I feel a bit oppressed by it.
I try to ignore it.
It's pointless.

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What part of the USA produces the best music?
Chicago.
New York.
California.
New England.

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What foreign nation makes the best music?
France.
The UK.
Germany.
Austria.

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What contemporary artist are you listening to these days?
Diana Krall
The Boss
Boards of Canada
Mark Anthony Turnage

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What kind of paintings do you enjoy?
Abstract expressionism.
Surrealism.
Graffiti.
Romantic.

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What are your attitudes towards government?
It usually gets things wrong the first time around.
You can't trust it.
You can't rely on it.
Government is great!

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With whom do you go to live music venues?
I go alone.
I go with my other half.
I go with my friends.
I go with my family and colleagues.

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What is your favorite musical?
"Ragtime"
"Rock of Ages"
"American Idiot"
"Phantom of the Opera"

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How do you like to travel?
In a fast car.
In a bus full of friends.
By skateboard.
By airline.

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What gift would you give someone you liked, when you were in high school?
Movie tickets.
A book.
A mix tape.
Poetry I wrote.

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How do you like to dress up?
I like it formal and old school.
I don't!
A bit gothic.
Very formal, but modern.

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What do you go as on Halloween?
A bootlegger.
Nixon.
A cyborg.
A knight.

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What do you do to celebrate New Year's Eve?
Have dinner in a hot music venue.
Throw a massive party.
Get together with a couple friends and drink the night away.
Watch the fireworks from the roof of a hotel.

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What sport do you despise?
Football.
Basketball.
Baseball.
Boxing.

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How do you take notes?
I have a battered notebook.
I use notecards.
I use my phone.
I have a diary and a fountain pen for that.

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How do you keep track of time?
I ask other people.
I wear a watch, with the face on the inside of my wrist.
My trusty Casio G-Shock.
My iPhone X.

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How do you pay for things?
Cash.
Check.
Contactless payment.
Plastic.

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What historical era would be dangerous for you to visit?
The 1840s.
The 1200s.
The Roman era.
None, really.

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What music do you hate the most?
Electronic music.
Rap music.
Classical music.
Pop music.

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How do you feel about kids these days?
They don't know any of their own history.
The wheel turns and little changes.
They're all right.
I try to ignore them.

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What kind of dancing do you like to do?
Swing dancing.
Line dancing.
Wildly gyrating, randomly.
Ballroom dancing.

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How much exposed skin is appropriate?
Really as much as you feel comfortable with.
Show what you want. Woo-hoo!
Anything that gets you busted.
Anything below the neck.

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What musical instrument do you like the sound of best?
The trumpet.
The guitar.
Synths.
The cello.

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You Got: