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Only true music fans will get all 15 right. Can you match the artist to their breakout single? Test your memory and see how many of these legendary debuts you remember!
1. What was Beyoncé’s first solo hit single?
- A) Irreplaceable
- B) Baby Boy
- C) Crazy in Love
- D) Déjà Vu
Beyoncé – Crazy in Love
Her first solo hit was “Crazy in Love.” When Beyoncé launched her solo career in 2003, this song exploded onto the charts, powered by that unforgettable horn riff and a fiery Jay-Z feature. It wasn’t just a hit—it was an announcement that Beyoncé was destined for global superstardom. “Crazy in Love” topped charts worldwide and kickstarted her reign as a solo icon.
2. What song gave Elton John his first US chart breakthrough?
- A) Rocket Man
- B) Tiny Dancer
- C) Your Song
- D) Candle in the Wind
Elton John – Your Song
The answer is “Your Song.” Released in 1970, this gentle ballad became Elton John’s first major US hit. Its heartfelt lyrics and classic melody made it a fan favorite, setting the stage for a career filled with timeless anthems. Even today, “Your Song” remains one of Elton’s most beloved tracks, often cited as one of the greatest love songs ever written.
3. Which hit marked Billie Eilish’s debut on mainstream charts?
- A) Bad Guy
- B) When the Party’s Over
- C) Everything I Wanted
- D) Ocean Eyes
Billie Eilish – Ocean Eyes
“Ocean Eyes” was the track that introduced Billie Eilish to the world. Uploaded to SoundCloud in 2015, the dreamy, haunting song went viral almost overnight. The ethereal vocals and moody production captured listeners instantly, ushering Billie into pop’s spotlight and paving the way for her future chart-topping success.
4. What was Bruce Springsteen’s first charting single?
- A) Born to Run
- B) Blinded by the Light
- C) Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
- D) Dancing in the Dark
Bruce Springsteen – Blinded by the Light
“Blinded by the Light” was Springsteen’s first charting single, released in 1973. While it’s often remembered for the Manfred Mann’s Earth Band cover, the original is pure Springsteen: poetic, rambunctious, and bursting with youthful energy. This song marked the beginning of “The Boss’s” legendary career in rock music.
5. What song launched Madonna’s career in 1983?
- A) Like a Virgin
- B) Borderline
- C) Lucky Star
- D) Holiday
Madonna – Holiday
Madonna’s breakthrough came with “Holiday.” Released in 1983, the track’s bouncy beat and infectious melody turned it into an instant dance-floor staple. It was Madonna’s first song to reach the Billboard Hot 100, and it set off a pop revolution that continues to influence artists today.
6. Which track was Taylor Swift’s first Billboard Hot 100 entry?
- A) Love Story
- B) Tim McGraw
- C) Teardrops on My Guitar
- D) Our Song
Taylor Swift – Tim McGraw
“Tim McGraw” was Taylor Swift’s debut single and her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Released in 2006, this country ballad introduced Swift’s knack for storytelling and heartfelt lyrics. It wasn’t just a nod to the country legend—it was the start of Swift’s incredible journey from Nashville prodigy to global superstar.
7. What was Prince’s first Top 40 hit in the US?
- A) Purple Rain
- B) When Doves Cry
- C) 1999
- D) I Wanna Be Your Lover
Prince – I Wanna Be Your Lover
With “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” Prince scored his first Top 40 hit in 1979. The song’s funky groove and infectious energy showcased Prince’s unique sound and musical prowess. It marked the beginning of his evolution into one of music’s most influential and enigmatic figures.
8. What single introduced Nirvana to the mainstream?
- A) Come As You Are
- B) Lithium
- C) Smells Like Teen Spirit
- D) In Bloom
Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” wasn’t just a song—it was a cultural explosion. Released in 1991, this grunge anthem introduced Nirvana to the world and changed the face of rock music overnight. Raw, rebellious, and packed with attitude, it made Kurt Cobain a reluctant spokesman for a generation.
9. Which song was Rihanna’s breakout hit in 2005?
- A) Umbrella
- B) Pon de Replay
- C) SOS
- D) Don’t Stop the Music
Rihanna – Pon de Replay
Rihanna burst onto the scene with “Pon de Replay” in 2005. The song’s Caribbean-infused dance beat and catchy chorus made it a club favorite and catapulted Rihanna to international stardom. It was the first step in a career filled with chart-topping anthems and bold reinventions.
10. Which song made Ed Sheeran a global star?
- A) Lego House
- B) Thinking Out Loud
- C) The A Team
- D) Shape of You
Ed Sheeran – The A Team
Ed Sheeran’s “The A Team” was his first big breakthrough in 2011. The song’s raw storytelling and gentle acoustic melody struck a chord with listeners around the world. Sheeran’s ability to blend vulnerability and catchy hooks set him apart, and “The A Team” was the perfect introduction to his heartfelt style.
11. What was Lady Gaga’s first major single?
- A) Poker Face
- B) Paparazzi
- C) Just Dance
- D) Bad Romance
Lady Gaga – Just Dance
Lady Gaga’s debut single “Just Dance” exploded onto the charts in 2008. With its irresistible beat and Gaga’s larger-than-life personality, the song quickly became a party anthem. “Just Dance” introduced the world to Gaga’s outlandish style and set the stage for her rise as a pop phenomenon.
12. Which debut single launched Olivia Rodrigo to No. 1?
- A) Deja Vu
- B) Drivers License
- C) Good 4 U
- D) Favorite Crime
Olivia Rodrigo – Drivers License
“Drivers License” was Olivia Rodrigo’s explosive debut single in 2021. Its emotional storytelling and relatable heartbreak connected deeply with fans, propelling it to No. 1 on charts worldwide. The song’s viral success launched Rodrigo as one of pop’s brightest new stars almost overnight.
13. What was the first hit by The Beatles in the US?
- A) She Loves You
- B) Yesterday
- C) I Want to Hold Your Hand
- D) Twist and Shout
The Beatles – I Want to Hold Your Hand
“I Want to Hold Your Hand” was The Beatles’ first US hit, kicking off the British Invasion in 1964. With its infectious melody and harmonized vocals, the song sparked Beatlemania and changed pop music forever. It marked the beginning of an era that would see The Beatles dominate the global music scene.
14. What was Drake’s first Billboard hit as a lead artist?
- A) Take Care
- B) Best I Ever Had
- C) Started from the Bottom
- D) Over
Drake – Best I Ever Had
Drake’s “Best I Ever Had” was his first major Billboard hit in 2009. The song’s catchy hook and honest lyrics helped make Drake a household name almost instantly. It signaled the arrival of a new voice in hip-hop and opened the door to a career full of chart-topping records.
15. Which song started Bruno Mars’s solo career?
- A) Locked Out of Heaven
- B) Just the Way You Are
- C) Grenade
- D) Marry You
Bruno Mars – Just the Way You Are
Bruno Mars’s first solo hit was “Just the Way You Are.” Released in 2010, this sweet, romantic ballad topped charts worldwide and introduced Mars’s smooth vocals and irresistible charm to millions. It was the perfect launchpad for a career brimming with hits and show-stopping performances.
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
