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Quizzes > Music

80s Song Quiz: How Many Hits Can You Name?

Quick quiz to test your music knowledge and name that 80s song. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Rohan CunninghamUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art of vinyl record cassette headphones musical notes and Guess the 80s Song quiz title on coral background

This quiz helps you guess the 80s song from quick clues, catchy hooks, and iconic lyrics. Play through pop, rock, and one-hit wonders, see the correct titles, and get instant feedback. Want more practice after you play? Try 80s music quiz and 80s songs quiz.

Which Michael Jackson song begins with the lyrics "She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene"?
Smooth Criminal
Beat It
Thriller
Billie Jean
Billie Jean opens with the line describing a mysterious woman seen in a film-like scene. Released in 1982 as part of Michael Jackson's Thriller album, it became one of his best-known songs. The track topped the Billboard Hot 100 and remains iconic for its bassline and Jackson's vocals.
Which song begins with "It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark"?
Bad
Thriller
Somebody's Watching Me
Ghostbusters
The song 'Thriller' begins with a spoken-word intro by actor Vincent Price before the opening lyric about midnight chills. Released in late 1982, 'Thriller' became the best-selling single from Michael Jackson's album of the same name. Its horror-inspired video and sound effects helped cement its status as an 80s classic.
Which song features the chorus "Girls just want to have fun"?
Take On Me
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Like a Virgin
Material Girl
Cyndi Lauper's debut single 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' was released in 1983 and became an anthem for female empowerment. The catchy chorus celebrates joy and the freedom to have fun regardless of gender stereotypes. It reached the top 10 in multiple countries and remains her signature song.
Which song by Men at Work contains the line "Do you come from a land down under"?
Down Under
Overkill
Who Can It Be Now?
It's a Mistake
'Down Under' by Men at Work was released in 1981 and became an international hit celebrating Australian culture. The chorus references travelling the Australian landscape and national identity. It topped charts in both Australia and the United States and remains a classic 80s tune.
Which song begins with the iconic synth riff followed by "Take on me, take me on"?
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Don't You Want Me
Take on Me
Just Can't Get Enough
A-ha's 'Take on Me' was released in 1985 and featured a groundbreaking rotoscope animated music video. The song opens with its instantly recognizable synth riff followed by Morten Harket's high-pitched vocals. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of the most iconic synth-pop tracks of the era.
Which Bon Jovi song includes the lyrics "Oh, we're halfway there, oh, livin' on a prayer"?
Livin' on a Prayer
Wanted Dead or Alive
Bad Medicine
You Give Love a Bad Name
Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer' was released in 1986 as the second single from their album Slippery When Wet. Its chorus about perseverance in tough times made it an anthem for rock fans. The song became one of the band's biggest hits, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks.
Which Eurythmics song features the lyrics "Sweet dreams are made of this"?
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Missionary Man
Would I Lie to You?
Here Comes the Rain Again
Eurythmics released 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)' in 1983, showcasing Annie Lennox's distinctive vocals and Dave Stewart's synth production. The title lyric forms the memorable chorus, and the song propelled the duo to worldwide fame. It was their first UK number-one single and later became widely covered.
Which Pat Benatar song includes "We are young, heartache to heartache we stand"?
We Belong
Invincible
Love Is a Battlefield
Hit Me with Your Best Shot
Pat Benatar's 'Love Is a Battlefield' was released in 1983 and combined rock and pop sensibilities with a strong message about relationship struggles. The line 'We are young, heartache to heartache we stand' opens the chorus and became immediately recognizable. The song became one of her signature hits and won a Grammy Award.
Which Journey song opens with the lyrics "Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world"?
Open Arms
Any Way You Want It
Faithfully
Don't Stop Believin'
Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'' was released in 1981 and became an enduring rock anthem. Its opening lyric about a small-town girl has become one of the most recognizable intros in rock history. Although it peaked at only number nine initially, streaming and pop culture references have kept it popular for decades.
Which Bon Jovi song includes "Shot through the heart, and you're to blame"?
Bad Medicine
Lay Your Hands on Me
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
You Give Love a Bad Name
'You Give Love a Bad Name' was released by Bon Jovi in 1986 as the lead single off Slippery When Wet. The chorus lyric 'Shot through the heart, and you're to blame' became instantly memorable. This song helped catapult Bon Jovi to international stardom, earning them their first number-one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Which Survivor song contains the lyric "I've got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire"?
Eye of the Tiger
The Search Is Over
High on You
Burning Heart
Survivor's 'Eye of the Tiger' was released in 1982 specifically for the film Rocky III. Its driving rhythm and lyrics about overcoming challenges made it synonymous with motivation and training montages. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy Award.
Which Madonna hit starts with "I made it through the wilderness"?
Borderline
Like a Virgin
Material Girl
Lucky Star
Madonna's 'Like a Virgin' came out in 1984 as the title track of her second album. The opening lyric 'I made it through the wilderness' metaphorically referenced a journey into self-discovery. It was Madonna's first number-one single and solidified her status as a pop icon.
Which U2 song includes "I can't live, with or without you"?
With or Without You
Sunday Bloody Sunday
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Where the Streets Have No Name
U2 released 'With or Without You' in 1987 as the lead single from The Joshua Tree. The poignant chorus line expresses the tension of love and dependence. It became the band's first US number-one hit and remains one of their signature songs.
Which Tears for Fears song has the lyric "Everybody wants to rule the world"?
Head Over Heels
Shout
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Mad World
Tears for Fears released 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' in 1985 as part of their album Songs from the Big Chair. The upbeat new wave track satirically addresses power and ambition. It reached number one in multiple countries and remains popular on 80s playlists.
Which The Police song opens with "Every breath you take, every move you make"?
Don't Stand So Close to Me
Every Breath You Take
Roxanne
Message in a Bottle
The Police released 'Every Breath You Take' in 1983, written by Sting about obsession and surveillance rather than romance. Its opening lyric and melody are often misunderstood as a love song but carry darker undertones. It was the biggest single of 1983 in the US and won Grammy Awards.
Which Phil Collins track features "I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord"?
Sussudio
Against All Odds
Another Day in Paradise
In the Air Tonight
Phil Collins recorded 'In the Air Tonight' in 1981 as part of his debut solo album Face Value. The song is famous for its haunting atmosphere and Phil Collins' iconic drum fill. Its opening lyric sets a mood of mystery and emotional intensity.
Which Soft Cell song features the lyric "Once I ran to you, now I'll run from you"?
Torch
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye
Bedsitter
Tainted Love
Soft Cell's version of 'Tainted Love' was released in 1981, covering a 1964 soul track. The opening line 'Once I ran to you, now I'll run from you' immediately establishes the theme of distrust in the lyrics. Their synth-pop arrangement turned the song into a major 80s hit.
Which A Flock of Seagulls hit asks "And I ran, I ran so far away"?
I Ran (So Far Away)
Space Age Love Song
Modern Love Is Automatic
Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)
A Flock of Seagulls released 'I Ran (So Far Away)' in 1982, featuring a distinctive guitar and synth riff. The chorus line 'And I ran, I ran so far away' captures the song's theme of escape. It reached the top 10 in both the UK and the US.
Which Simple Minds song includes the repeated refrain "Don't you (forget about me)"?
Sanctify Yourself
New Gold Dream (81 - 82 - 83 - 84)
Alive and Kicking
Don't You (Forget About Me)
Simple Minds recorded 'Don't You (Forget About Me)' in 1985 for the film The Breakfast Club. The repeated refrain became emblematic of teen cinema and 80s soundtrack culture. It was the band's first and biggest US hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100.
Which collaboration features the lyric "Pressure pushing down on me"?
Heroes
Dancing in the Street
Somebody to Love
Under Pressure
Queen and David Bowie released 'Under Pressure' in 1981 after collaborating in the studio. The lyric 'Pressure pushing down on me' underscores the song's theme of stress and human struggle. The track's famous bassline and vocal interplay remain iconic in rock music.
Which progressive rock hit opens with "Owner of a lonely heart"?
Carry On Wayward Son
Owner of a Lonely Heart
I Wanna Know What Love Is
Roundabout
Yes released 'Owner of a Lonely Heart' in 1983 featuring a looping guitar riff and electronic drums. The title lyric opens the song and became one of the band's most commercially successful singles. It topped the US Billboard Hot 100, an unusual feat for a progressive rock band.
Which Dexys Midnight Runners track starts with "Come on Eileen"?
Jackie Wilson Said
Come On Eileen
There, There, My Dear
Geno
Dexys Midnight Runners released 'Come On Eileen' in 1982, mixing Celtic folk rhythms with soul influences. The title lyric 'Come on Eileen' is repeated throughout the chorus, creating an instantly recognizable hook. It topped charts in multiple countries and won Best British Single at the 1983 Brit Awards.
Which Clash song features the line "Sharpen up the knives, and shout about your rights"?
Should I Stay or Should I Go
Rock the Casbah
London Calling
Train in Vain
The Clash released 'Rock the Casbah' in 1982, blending punk with dance rhythms. The lyric 'Sharpen up the knives, and shout about your rights' satirically comments on political protest. It became the band's most successful single in the US.
Which Toto song contains "I bless the rains down in Africa"?
Rosanna
I'll Be Over You
Africa
Hold the Line
Toto's 1982 hit 'Africa' features the famous chorus line about blessing the rains, becoming a perennial favorite. The song showcases lush keyboard arrangements and tight vocal harmonies. It reached number one in the US and enjoys renewed popularity in modern media.
Which 'Til Tuesday song opens with the lyric "Hush hush, keep it down now, voices carry"?
J for Jules
Voices Carry
What About Love?
All by Myself
'Voices Carry' was released by 'Til Tuesday in 1985 and became their signature song. The lyric 'Hush hush, keep it down now, voices carry' underscores the theme of communication breakdown in a relationship. The song peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and is remembered for its MTV video.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recognize Iconic Lyrics -

    Match memorable lines from classic 80s songs to their titles, sharpening your ability to recall key lyrics.

  2. Identify 80s Song Titles -

    Pinpoint the exact song name when given a brief lyric excerpt, improving your title recognition skills.

  3. Categorize Music Styles -

    Differentiate between pop, rock, and new wave hits of the 80s, enhancing your understanding of the decade's musical genres.

  4. Assess Your Music Mastery -

    Interpret your quiz score to gauge your knowledge level and set goals for improving your 80s song expertise.

  5. Boost Trivia Confidence -

    Apply your quiz experience to confidently tackle other 80s guess the song challenges and music trivia games.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Nostalgic Lyric Recognition -

    Familiarize yourself with recurring lyrical motifs like empowerment, romantic yearning, and rebellion, which defined many 80s hits (Journal of Popular Music Studies). For example, think "take on me" as TAO to recall A-ha's memorable hook. This technique taps into how our brains link simple acronyms to vivid song moments.

  2. Genre Signature Traits -

    Distinguish synthpop, new wave, and hair metal by key elements such as bright synthesizer riffs or distorted guitar solos (Cambridge Companion to Pop and Rock). Synthpop often relies on arpeggiated basslines and digital keys, whereas hair metal features power chords and soaring vocals. Remember "SYNThEtes = Synth + Electric" to lock in those electronic vibes.

  3. Iconic Instrumentation Cues -

    Listen for gated reverb on snare drums and FM-synth textures like the Yamaha DX7 patch that dominated 80s production (Journal of Music Technology and Education). Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" is a classic gated drum demo, instantly recognizable by its explosive fill. Spotting these sounds helps you zero in on the era's studio innovations.

  4. Artist Signature Styles -

    Associate famous vocal timbres and performance quirks with artists: think Freddie Mercury's dynamic range or Cyndi Lauper's playful tone (Rock Music Styles: A History). A quick mnemonic is "FM = Freddie's Magnitude" to remember his powerhouse delivery. Tapping into these signatures makes guessing the singer - and song - much easier.

  5. Chart Performance & Cultural Impact -

    Review Billboard Hot 100 trends and note songs that topped charts for their social or fashion influences (Popular Music in America). The phrase "HHH" (Hot 100 Hits) helps recall top chartbusters like "Eye of the Tiger" and "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." Understanding why a track resonated boosts your confidence during the quiz.

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