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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Entertainment

Take the Ultimate 80s Music Trivia Quiz

Test Your Retro Hits Expertise in This Quiz

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting elements related to 80s music for a trivia quiz

This 80s music trivia quiz helps you remember hit songs, artists, and lyrics from the MTV era. Answer 15 multiple-choice questions to warm up for game night. When you're done, try our general music quiz or browse the 80s pop culture set .

Which artist sang the 1982 hit 'Billie Jean'?
Michael Jackson
Lionel Richie
Madonna
Prince
Michael Jackson performed 'Billie Jean' on his 1982 Thriller album, and the song became one of his signature hits. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and is widely recognized as a classic of the decade.
Which band recorded the 1987 hit 'Sweet Child o' Mine'?
Aerosmith
Guns N' Roses
Bon Jovi
Def Leppard
'Sweet Child o' Mine' was recorded by Guns N' Roses and released on their debut album Appetite for Destruction. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988.
What genre is Madonna best known for pioneering in the 1980s?
Country
Heavy Metal
Reggae
Pop
Madonna rose to fame as a pop artist in the early 1980s, blending dance, electronic, and catchy hooks. She helped define mainstream pop music throughout the decade.
Which song begins with the lyrics 'Just a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world'?
Separate Ways
Don't Stop Believin'
Africa
Open Arms
The opening line 'Just a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world' is from Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'.' The song became one of the band's most enduring hits.
Which 1982 album became the best-selling album of the 1980s?
Like a Virgin
Thriller
Born in the U.S.A.
Purple Rain
Michael Jackson's Thriller was released in late 1982 and went on to become the best-selling album of the decade. Its blend of pop, rock, and R&B set a new standard for crossover success.
Which 1983 single by The Police spent eight consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100?
Beat It
Eye of the Tiger
Flashdance... What a Feeling
Every Breath You Take
'Every Breath You Take' by The Police dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks in 1983. Its plaintive melody and obsessive lyrics helped make it one of the decade's biggest hits.
What was the name of the 1985 charity supergroup that recorded 'We Are the World'?
USA for Africa
Band Aid
Artists United Against Apartheid
Live Aid All-Stars
USA for Africa was assembled in 1985 to record 'We Are the World,' which raised funds for famine relief in Africa. The song featured many of the biggest American artists of the time.
Which band is associated with the new wave hit 'Tainted Love' released in 1981?
The Cure
Duran Duran
Soft Cell
A Flock of Seagulls
Soft Cell recorded the synth-driven cover of 'Tainted Love' in 1981, turning it into a defining new wave hit. Their version became a global success and remains closely identified with the band.
Which lyric follows the opening line 'I come home in the morning light' in Cyndi Lauper's 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun'?
My brother said 'It's time to start a new life'
My father said 'You never had much fun'
My mother said 'When you gonna live your life right?'
My sister said 'Go have some fun tonight'
After the opening line, Cyndi Lauper sings 'My mother said "When you gonna live your life right?"' which sets up the song's theme of youthful rebellion and fun. The lyric contrasts parental expectations with carefree living.
What is the central lyrical theme of Eurythmics' 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)'?
Celebration of love
Persistence and hard work
Desire and manipulation
Heartbreak and loss
The lyrics of 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)' explore desire, power and the ways people manipulate one another. Lines like 'Some of them want to use you, some of them want to get used by you' underscore that theme.
Which George Michael song features a prominent saxophone riff and became an international hit in 1984?
One More Try
Faith
True
Careless Whisper
'Careless Whisper' features one of the most recognizable saxophone riffs in pop history. Though credited to George Michael, it was released in 1984 when he was still part of Wham! in some markets.
Which British rock band scored a hit with 'Pour Some Sugar on Me' in 1987?
Poison
Bon Jovi
Def Leppard
Mötley Crüe
'Pour Some Sugar on Me' was released by Def Leppard on their Hysteria album in 1987. The song became one of their most famous singles and a staple of 80s rock radio.
Which group popularized the synth-driven dance track 'Safety Dance' in 1982?
Men Without Hats
New Order
Human League
Devo
Men Without Hats released 'Safety Dance' in 1982 and it quickly became an international dance anthem. Its quirky lyrics and synth instrumentation epitomized new wave pop.
The instrumental track 'Axel F' served as the theme for which 1980s film?
Top Gun
Back to the Future
Beverly Hills Cop
Footloose
'Axel F' was composed by Harold Faltermeyer as the signature instrumental theme for the 1984 film Beverly Hills Cop. The catchy synth riff became iconic in its own right.
Which 1981 single by Olivia Newton-John spent ten weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the longest-running number one of the decade?
Physical
Hopelessly Devoted to You
Magic
Xanadu
'Physical' topped the Billboard Hot 100 for ten consecutive weeks in 1981, the longest run at number one during the 1980s. Its blend of catchy melody and playful lyrics made it a massive crossover hit.
Which pioneering post-punk band released the album 'Remain in Light' in 1980, noted for its experimental polyrhythms?
Siouxsie and the Banshees
Joy Division
Talking Heads
The Clash
Talking Heads released 'Remain in Light' in 1980, blending Afrobeat-inspired polyrhythms with art rock and funk. The album is celebrated for its innovative production and rhythmic complexity.
Which 1982 single by Dexys Midnight Runners became the UK's best-selling single of the year?
Karma Chameleon
Come On Eileen
Eye of the Tiger
I Love Rock 'n' Roll
'Come On Eileen' topped the UK charts in 1982 and went on to become the year's best-selling single. Its catchy fiddle hook and sing-along chorus made it an instant classic.
Which groundbreaking 1985 music video used a blend of live-action footage and pencil-sketch animation?
Billie Jean
Sledgehammer
Take On Me
Money for Nothing
A-Ha's 'Take On Me' video is famous for its rotoscoped pencil-sketch animation mixed with live-action scenes. This innovative technique helped the video win numerous awards and become iconic.
What is the central theme of The Police's 'Every Breath You Take' released in 1983?
Romantic celebration
Obsession and surveillance
Social revolution
Political protest
Although often mistaken for a love song, 'Every Breath You Take' is about obsession and watching someone constantly. Sting wrote it after a breakup, and the lyrics describe surveillance rather than romance.
Which 1989 Madonna song topped charts worldwide and is often regarded as her signature hit?
Papa Don't Preach
Like a Prayer
Vogue
Material Girl
Released in 1989, 'Like a Prayer' reached number one in multiple countries and featured gospel elements and controversial video imagery. It is widely considered Madonna's defining signature song.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse chart data to recognize top 80s singles
  2. Identify iconic 80s artists and their signature songs
  3. Demonstrate understanding of 80s music genres
  4. Evaluate lyrical themes and pop culture references
  5. Master trivia skills for retro music discussions

Cheat Sheet

  1. Explore top-charting singles of the 1980s - Dive into unforgettable hits like Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and Madonna's "Like a Virgin" to see what made these tracks skyrocket to #1. You'll spot the signature production tricks and catchy hooks that defined the decade's sonic footprint.
  2. Familiarize yourself with influential 80s artists - From Prince's electrifying guitar riffs in "Purple Rain" to Whitney Houston's powerhouse vocals on "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," these icons shaped the era's soundscape. Learning their signature styles will help you appreciate how individuality drove 80s creativity.
  3. Delve into emerging 80s genres - Synth-pop's neon tones, new wave's edgy vibe, and glam metal's big hair anthems each brought something fresh to the airwaves. Recognizing these genre hallmarks will sharpen your ear for the decade's musical diversity.
  4. Analyze 80s lyrical themes - Love ballads, rebellion anthems, and social commentaries all found their way into chart-topping tracks. Songs like The Human League's "Don't You Want Me" tell stories that capture the era's cultural moments and youthful energy.
  5. Understand the MTV revolution - When MTV launched, visuals became as important as the music itself. Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video set a new gold standard, blending cinematic storytelling with chart appeal - perfect for studying the shift in promotion tactics.
  6. Recognize LGBTQ artists' impact - Icons like Freddie Mercury and Elton John didn't just deliver unforgettable performances; they paved the way for diverse representation in pop culture. Their bold artistry and openness challenged norms and expanded the musical landscape.
  7. Study 80s production tech - Synthesizers, drum machines, and digital recording revolutionized how hits were made. From Kraftwerk-inspired arpeggios to punchy electronic beats, these innovations shaped the era's unmistakable sound.
  8. Examine the "Second British Invasion" - Bands like Duran Duran and The Human League stormed U.S. charts with stylish flair and new-wave energy. Their crossover success highlights the transatlantic exchange that fueled 80s trends.
  9. Investigate hip-hop's rise - From underground block parties to mainstream stardom, artists like Run-D.M.C. and LL Cool J turned rap into a global phenomenon. Tracing their journey reveals how hip-hop culture reshaped the music industry.
  10. Review Live Aid and charity anthems - Events like Live Aid and songs such as "We Are the World" showcased music's power to unite for a cause. Studying these collaborations highlights how artists leveraged fame for social impact.
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