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Quizzes > Music

80s Music Quiz with Answers: Test Your 1980s Song Smarts

Quick, free 80s music trivia to test your knowledge. Instant results with answers.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Phoebe BinertUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art collage of 80s music elements, vinyl record, cassette, boombox, headphones, neon shapes on coral background

This 80s music trivia quiz helps you test what you know about songs, artists, and lyrics across pop, rock, hip-hop, and R&B, with answers shown as you go. It is quick to play and gives instant results so you can learn a new fact and chase a higher score. For more challenges, try our 80s songs quiz, explore 80s music trivia multiple choice, or branch out with 1980s trivia.

Which artist released the song "Billie Jean" in 1983?
Lionel Richie
Stevie Wonder
Prince
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson released "Billie Jean" as part of his 1982 album Thriller, and it became one of his signature hits in 1983. The song topped charts worldwide and is known for its iconic bass line and Jackson's vocal performance. It helped Thriller become the best-selling album of all time.
Which band performed the 1982 theme song "Eye of the Tiger"?
Survivor
Styx
Journey
Foreigner
"Eye of the Tiger" was performed by Survivor and was famously featured as the theme song for Rocky III in 1982. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the band's signature track.
What was Madonna's breakthrough hit released in 1983?
Holiday
Like a Virgin
Borderline
Lucky Star
Madonna's song "Holiday" was released in 1983 as the second single from her debut album and became her first top-ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It established her as a rising pop star.
Which Norwegian synth-pop duo scored a 1985 hit with "Take on Me"?
Duran Duran
A-ha
Eurythmics
Pet Shop Boys
"Take on Me" was recorded by Norwegian band A-ha and released in 1985. The song became a global hit, aided by its groundbreaking rotoscope-style music video. It topped charts in multiple countries including the US and UK.
Which hip-hop group collaborated with Aerosmith on the 1986 hit "Walk This Way"?
LL Cool J
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Run-D.M.C.
N.W.A
Run-D.M.C. teamed up with rock band Aerosmith to cover "Walk This Way" in 1986, blending rock and hip-hop in a crossover smash. The collaboration revitalized Aerosmith's career and brought hip-hop into the mainstream.
The film and album "Purple Rain" were both associated with which artist?
Michael Jackson
Prince
Billy Joel
Bruce Springsteen
Prince starred in the 1984 film "Purple Rain" and released the accompanying soundtrack as his sixth studio album. Both the movie and the album were critical and commercial successes, cementing his superstar status.
Which song by The Police was released in 1983 and became one of their signature hits?
Message in a Bottle
Every Breath You Take
Don't Stand So Close to Me
Roxanne
"Every Breath You Take" was released in 1983 on the album Synchronicity. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and is widely regarded as one of The Police's most enduring songs.
Which politically charged single did Public Enemy release in 1989?
The Message
Straight Outta Compton
Fight for Your Right
Fight the Power
"Fight the Power" was released by Public Enemy in 1989 and became an anthem for social justice and political activism. It was featured in Spike Lee's film Do the Right Thing and remains one of their most influential tracks.
Which R&B duo released the 1984 hit "Solid"?
Ashford & Simpson
The Whispers
Hall & Oates
René & Angela
Ashford & Simpson wrote and performed "Solid" in 1984, which became their biggest solo hit, reaching the top five on the Billboard R&B chart. The duo were already renowned songwriters for other artists before finding chart success themselves.
Which band was behind the 1985 song "Don't You (Forget About Me)" featured in The Breakfast Club soundtrack?
The Cure
Tears for Fears
Duran Duran
Simple Minds
Scottish band Simple Minds recorded "Don't You (Forget About Me)" for the 1985 film The Breakfast Club, even though they initially hesitated. The song became their first and only US number-one hit.
Which British rock band collaborated with David Bowie on the 1981 track "Under Pressure"?
Queen
Led Zeppelin
The Rolling Stones
Pink Floyd
Queen teamed up with David Bowie for "Under Pressure," released in 1981. The song is celebrated for its distinctive bassline and the vocal interplay between Bowie and Freddie Mercury.
Which synth-pop band released the debut single "Fade to Grey" in 1980?
Ultravox
Visage
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Soft Cell
"Fade to Grey" was released by the British synth-pop band Visage in late 1980 and became a defining track of the New Romantic movement. Its moody synth textures and striking video made it a European hit.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Iconic 80's Tracks -

    Identify major songs across pop, rock, hip-hop, and R&B that defined the decade's musical landscape.

  2. Match Artists to Hits -

    Connect legendary 80's artists with their most famous tracks to sharpen your music trivia questions answers 80s knowledge.

  3. Analyze Genre Characteristics -

    Distinguish the unique sounds and themes of 80's pop, rock, hip-hop, and R&B to deepen your understanding of the era.

  4. Test Your Music Memory -

    Challenge and improve your recall by answering targeted 80's trivia music questions and answers under time constraints.

  5. Assess Your Trivia Skills -

    Evaluate your performance with instant feedback, helping you gauge areas for further exploration and practice.

Cheat Sheet

  1. MTV's Visual Revolution -

    In 1981, MTV launched and quickly became the ultimate music discovery platform, making visuals as crucial as sound (Billboard, 1984). Use the mnemonic "Video = Victory" to recall how acts like Duran Duran and Madonna dominated both charts and airwaves.

  2. Synth-Pop & New Wave Innovation -

    The early '80s saw synthesizers drive hits by bands such as Depeche Mode and The Human League (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame). Remember the phrase "Sawtooth Swipe" to capture the signature synth waveform that defined the era's top 80's music trivia questions answers.

  3. The Birth of Modern Hip-Hop -

    Smithsonian Magazine cites 1982's "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five as the landmark track that brought socially conscious rap into mainstream radio. Link the year '82 and "The Message" to anchor your memory for 80s trivia music questions and answers.

  4. R&B Crossover & MTV Milestones -

    Michael Jackson's Thriller (1982) became the best-selling album ever, thanks in part to innovative music videos and cross-genre appeal (RIAA). Pair "Thriller" with Prince's Purple Rain using the mnemonic "MJ Meets Prince" to ace 80's trivia questions answers.

  5. One-Hit Wonders & Chart Records -

    A-ha's 1985 mega-hit "Take On Me" illustrates how a single song could define an artist's legacy (Official Charts). Recall the rhyme "A-ha's Draw" to lock in this classic fact for music trivia questions and answers 80s style.

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