Protest Songs Quiz: Can You Get 20/20?

Question 1

Which former Beatle recorded the anti-war anthem “Give Peace a Chance” with the Plastic Ono Band?

Accepted Answer

John Lennon

Question 2

Edwin Starr’s hit “War” famously asks “War, what is it good for?” Which conflict formed the principal contemporary backdrop to the song’s anti-war message?

Accepted Answer

The Vietnam War

Question 3

Which John Lennon song contains a direct call for ordinary people to challenge established authority?

Accepted Answer

Power to the People

Question 4

Paul McCartney and Wings caused controversy in 1972 with which song responding to the Northern Ireland conflict?

Accepted Answer

Give Ireland Back to the Irish

Question 5

“Free Nelson Mandela,” a major anti-apartheid protest hit, was recorded by which group?

Accepted Answer

The Special AKA

Question 6

Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Two Tribes” was released during the Cold War. What threat is central to its imagery and presentation?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear war

Question 7

Paul Hardcastle’s 1985 hit “19” protests the human cost of which war?

Accepted Answer

The Vietnam War

Question 8

Sting’s Cold War protest song “Russians” borrows a melody associated with which classical composer?

Accepted Answer

Sergei Prokofiev

Question 9

OMD’s “Enola Gay” takes its title from the aircraft associated with which wartime event?

Accepted Answer

The bombing of Hiroshima

Question 10

Midnight Oil’s “Beds Are Burning” calls attention to the rights of which people?

Accepted Answer

Indigenous Australians

Question 11

The Human League’s political single “The Lebanon” refers primarily to conflict in which country?

Accepted Answer

Lebanon

Question 12

Elvis Costello’s “Oliver’s Army” was inspired in part by his observations of British soldiers while visiting which place during the Troubles?

Accepted Answer

Belfast

Question 13

The Police’s “Invisible Sun” was strongly influenced by the violence of the Troubles. Which member of The Police wrote the song?

Accepted Answer

Sting

Question 14

Simple Minds reached No. 1 in the UK with “Belfast Child.” Its melody is based on which traditional song?

Accepted Answer

She Moved Through the Fair

Question 15

The Cranberries’ “Zombie” was written in response to an IRA bombing in which English town?

Accepted Answer

Warrington

Question 16

Manic Street Preachers took the title “If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next” from propaganda connected with which conflict?

Accepted Answer

The Spanish Civil War

Question 17

Green Day’s “American Idiot” was released during the presidency of which U.S. president?

Accepted Answer

George W. Bush

Question 18

The Black Eyed Peas’ “Where Is the Love?” features an originally uncredited singer on its famous chorus. Who is he?

Accepted Answer

Justin Timberlake

Question 19

Hozier’s “Take Me to Church” uses religious imagery while criticising institutional attitudes particularly toward what issue?

Accepted Answer

Sexuality and LGBTQ+ relationships

Question 20

Green Day’s “Holiday,” from the album American Idiot, contains criticism particularly associated with which war?

Accepted Answer

The Iraq War

Quiz Time - 20 Chart Topping Protest Songs

Quiz | 20 Protest Songs?