Side Effects May Include Uncontrollable Dancing: A 'Viral Pop Moments' Music Quiz

Long before your TikTok algorithm knew your deepest secrets, danceable pop music was already mastering the art of global domination.

"1960 newspaper article discussing Elvis Presley clubs as a perceived threat to communist influence in East Germany."

From the pride of Tupelo, Mississippi making parents clutch their pearls…

…To the pride of Banpo-dong, South Korea making everyone doubt their faux-pony-riding abilities…

"South Korean artist performing in sunglasses and a glittery outfit."

These songs weren’t satisfied to just climb the charts. They held civilization hostage.

Think you can spot the difference between a genuine cultural phenomenon and just another pop song?

Group of seniors engaging in a fun activity in a community center.

Test your knowledge of pop songs that created cultural phenomena, dance crazes, and viral moments from the 1950s to 2020s. No hand sanitizer required.

Fair Warning: Side effects may include spontaneous Macarena outbreaks, uncontrollable moonwalking, and the sudden urge to teach your grandma the Running Man Challenge. Proceed with caution. And maybe move the ottoman a little to the right.

Question 1 (1950s)

"Iconic rock and roll performer singing into a microphone on stage."

Elvis Presley’s hip movements while performing this song on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1956 caused such controversy that cameras only showed him from the waist up.

Which song?

A) “Love Me Tender”
B) “Hound Dog”
C) “Don’t Be Cruel”
D) “Heartbreak Hotel”

Give up?

B:”Hound Dog”

Elvis’s provocative performance shocked conservative America and helped launch rock ‘n’ roll into the mainstream.

Question 2 (1960s)

"The Beatles with Ed Sullivan on stage, 1960s."

More from Ed: The Beatles’ appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 drew 73 million viewers and sparked “Beatlemania.”

What was the first song they performed that night?

A) “I Want to Hold Your Hand”
B) “She Loves You”
C) “All My Loving”
D) “Please Please Me”

Catching defeat?

C: “All My Loving”

This song opened their legendary Sullivan Show debut, and changed pop culture forever.

Question 3 (1980s)

"Michael Jackson performing on stage in a sparkling outfit."

Michael Jackson’s moonwalk became iconic when he first performed it on TV in 1983.

During which song did he debut this famous move?

A) “Beat It”
B) “Billie Jean”
C) “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”
D) “Rock with You”

Outbreak of confusion?

B: “Billie Jean”

Michael debuted the moonwalk during this performance on “Motown 25,” creating an instant viral moment.

Question 4 (1990s)

"Footstep sequence diagram showing four steps, including a 'HOLD' instruction."

Speaking of Michael Jackson:
He was a huge fan of this record and was dead serious about recording a new version with the original artist, but it never came to be.

A) “Tootsee Roll” by 69 Boyz
B) “Cha Cha Slide” by DJ Casper
C) “Macarena” by Los del Río
D) “Cotton Eye Joe” by Rednex

Infected with doubt?

C: “Macarena”

Inescapable in 1996, this Spanish song created a worldwide dance craze that dominated weddings and parties for the next 30 years.

Question 5 (2000s)

Rapper performing on stage in oversized Superman-themed hoodie and sunglasses.

Soulja Boy’s 2007 hit became viral partly due to its instructional dance video on YouTube.

What was the song called?

A) “Lean wit It, Rock wit It”
B) “Crank That (Soulja Boy)”
C) “Walk It Out”
D) “Laffy Taffy”

Symptoms of defeat?

B: “Crank That (Soulja Boy)”

One of the first songs to go viral through YouTube dance tutorials and user-generated content

Question 6 (2010s)

"Man in black suit and sunglasses dancing in a stable with horses."

“Gangnam Style” by PSY became the first YouTube video to reach 1 billion views in 2012. The horse-riding dance move became a global phenomenon.

What does “Gangnam” refer to?

A) A type of Korean martial art
B) A district in Seoul, South Korea
C) PSY’s real name
D) A Korean slang term for “cool”

Viral meltdown?

B: A district in the city of Seoul, South Korea

Gangnam is an upscale area, and the song satirized its wealthy lifestyle

Question 7 (2010s)

"Person demonstrating energetic dance moves in colorful leggings."

This 2016 song sparked the “Running Man Challenge” on social media, with everyone from NBA players to police departments participating.

Which song?

A) “Juju on That Beat” by Zay Hilfiger
B) “Hit the Quan” by iLoveMemphis
C) “My Type” by Saweetie
D) “Watch Me” by Silentó

Contagious quitting?

D) “Watch Me”

Silentó’s song spawned the “Whip/Nae Nae” and later the “Running Man Challenge”

Question 8 (2020s)

Two friends dancing on a red carpet staircase, wearing casual outfits.

This 2020 song became the soundtrack to countless TikTok videos and dance challenges during the pandemic, with celebrities and regular users alike participating.