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Quizzes > Music

80s Music Trivia: Test Your Knowledge of 1980s Hits

Quick, free 80s music quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Daniel AlbuUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
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This 80s music trivia quiz helps you test your memory of hits, bands, and one-hit wonders from the decade. Try an 80s music trivia multiple choice, check an 80s music quiz with answers for quick learning, or branch out with an 80s pop culture quiz to round out your 1980s know-how.

Who sang 'Billie Jean'?
Lionel Richie
Michael Jackson
Prince
Madonna
Michael Jackson released 'Billie Jean' in 1983 as part of his Thriller album, and it became one of his signature songs. The track was a defining hit of the 80s, topping charts worldwide. Its iconic bassline and Jackson's vocal style set it apart from other pop songs of the era. .
Which band released the song 'Sweet Child o' Mine'?
Aerosmith
Bon Jovi
Def Leppard
Guns N' Roses
'Sweet Child o' Mine' was released by Guns N' Roses in 1987 on their debut album Appetite for Destruction. It quickly became a hit and remains one of their most recognizable songs. Slash's iconic opening guitar riff is often cited as one of rock's greatest intros. .
Which 80s song begins with the lyrics, 'Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world'?
Don't Stop Believin'
Any Way You Want It
Open Arms
Livin' on a Prayer
The opening line 'Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world' belongs to Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'', released in 1981. It became an anthem of hope and has appeared in numerous films and television shows. The song's singalong chorus and uplifting theme have kept it popular through decades. .
Who had a hit with the song 'Like a Virgin' in 1984?
Cyndi Lauper
Whitney Houston
Madonna
Pat Benatar
Madonna released 'Like a Virgin' in 1984 as the lead single from her second studio album of the same name. The song was controversial for its provocative lyrics and performance, but it solidified Madonna's status as a pop icon. It became her first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100. .
Which artist wrote and originally performed 'Purple Rain'?
Stevie Wonder
Prince
Billy Joel
Michael Jackson
Prince wrote and performed 'Purple Rain' for the 1984 film of the same name. The song became one of his signature tracks and earned him an Academy Award nomination. Its blend of rock and soul showcases Prince's virtuosity on the guitar. .
Which album spent the longest uninterrupted time at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in the 1980s?
Like a Virgin by Madonna
Thriller by Michael Jackson
Hysteria by Def Leppard
Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen
Michael Jackson's Thriller dominated the Billboard 200 for 37 consecutive weeks after its release in late 1982. Its groundbreaking production and multiple hit singles helped it become the best-selling album of all time. The album's success redefined pop music in the 80s. .
Which British band had a hit with 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World'?
The Police
Duran Duran
Tears for Fears
Depeche Mode
Tears for Fears released 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' in 1985 as part of their album Songs from the Big Chair. It became their biggest hit in the U.S., reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song's themes of power and its catchy arrangement make it an enduring classic. .
Who is the lead singer of the band U2?
The Edge
Bono
Larry Mullen Jr.
Adam Clayton
Bono, born Paul David Hewson, is the lead vocalist and primary lyricist for U2. He co-founded the band in Dublin in 1976 and became known for his distinctive voice and socially conscious lyrics. U2 achieved global fame in the 1980s with albums like The Joshua Tree. .
Who produced Madonna's debut album 'Madonna' in 1983?
Nile Rodgers
Trevor Horn
Reggie Lucas
Quincy Jones
Reggie Lucas, formerly a guitarist for Miles Davis, produced Madonna's self-titled debut album in 1983. He helped craft its dance-pop sound with synthesizers and drum machines. Madonna later collaborated with other producers but this album launched her career. .
Which guitarist performed the famous 'Eruption' solo on the Van Halen debut album?
Randy Rhoads
Eddie Van Halen
Tony Iommi
Jimmy Page
Eddie Van Halen performed the groundbreaking instrumental 'Eruption' on Van Halen's 1978 debut album. Although it predates the 80s, its influence carried strongly into 80s rock guitar work. The two-handed tapping technique became a hallmark of 80s guitarists. .
'Don't You (Forget About Me)' by Simple Minds was featured in which 1985 film?
Back to the Future
Sixteen Candles
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
The Breakfast Club
Simple Minds recorded 'Don't You (Forget About Me)' for the soundtrack of John Hughes' 1985 film The Breakfast Club. The song plays during the film's final scene and has since become synonymous with the movie. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. .
Which song was the first single released from Bruce Springsteen's 'Born in the U.S.A.' album?
Born in the U.S.A.
Glory Days
Dancing in the Dark
I'm on Fire
'Dancing in the Dark' was released in May 1984 as the lead single from Born in the U.S.A. It became one of Springsteen's biggest hits and reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The song's upbeat tempo and memorable music video helped cement Springsteen's mainstream success. .
Who directed Michael Jackson's 1983 music video 'Thriller'?
Martin Scorsese
Steven Spielberg
David Lynch
John Landis
John Landis, known for films like An American Werewolf in London, directed the music video for 'Thriller'. His cinematic approach turned the video into a 14-minute short film that revolutionized the medium. The video remains iconic for its choreography and special effects. .
Which 1987 movie's soundtrack became the best-selling soundtrack album of the 1980s?
Dirty Dancing
Footloose
Top Gun
Flashdance
The Dirty Dancing soundtrack, released in 1987, sold over 32 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling soundtrack of the 1980s. It featured hits like '(I've Had) The Time of My Life' and helped launch careers of several artists. Its blend of pop and ballads captured the era's musical spirit. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Iconic 80s Hits and Artists -

    Learn to recognize the most influential songs and musicians of the decade, from synth-pop pioneers to rock legends, by answering targeted 80's music trivia questions with answers.

  2. Recall Signature Musical Elements -

    Sharpen your memory for distinctive riffs, solos, and production styles that defined the music of the 80s, helping you tackle even the trickiest trivia questions music of the 80's.

  3. Analyze Chart and Release Trivia -

    Understand how singles and albums performed on the charts, and recall key release dates to boost your performance on the music of the 80s quiz.

  4. Differentiate 80s Subgenres -

    Distinguish between pop, new wave, hair metal, and other 80s styles, enhancing your 80s trivia questions and answers music expertise.

  5. Apply Knowledge in a Fun Quiz Format -

    Use your newfound insights to confidently answer a variety of trivia questions and measure your status as an ultimate 80s music aficionado.

  6. Evaluate Your 80s Music Mastery -

    Assess your quiz score to identify strengths and areas for improvement, encouraging further exploration of classic 80s hits.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Digital Synthesizers & MIDI Revolution -

    The arrival of the Yamaha DX7 in 1983, highlighted by University of Michigan's Music Technology Lab, made FM synthesis accessible to pop artists and led to the characteristic bell tones of 80s hits. The introduction of MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) standardized digital communication between instruments, allowing bands like Depeche Mode and New Order to layer complex textures. Use the mnemonic "M-I-D-I = Musical Ideas Digitally Interlinked" to remember this pivotal shift.

  2. MTV & the Rise of the Music Video -

    When MTV launched in 1981, it transformed music promotion into a visual medium, as noted by the Journal of Music Business (1985), redefining how songs like "Take On Me" and "Thriller" reached global audiences. Artists competed not just on sound but on creative storytelling, making videos part of any 80's music trivia questions with answers memory bank. A simple tip: recall "Video=Visual Number 1" to anchor MTV's role in pop culture history.

  3. Billboard Hot 100 & Chart Calculation -

    Throughout the 80s, Billboard combined physical sales and radio airplay to rank singles, with data evolving into Nielsen SoundScan by the late decade (Billboard research archives). Understanding that weightings shifted from 70% sales/30% airplay to more balanced metrics helps you predict chart-toppers in trivia. Remember the formula "S + A = T" (Sales plus Airplay equals Total ranking) for quick recall.

  4. Iconic Chord Progressions & Song Structure -

    The I - V - vi - IV progression became the backbone of many 80s power ballads and anthems, as documented in a Berklee College of Music analysis, with examples like "With or Without You" (U2) and "Don't Stop Believin'" riff. Recognizing this sequence helps you anticipate the hooks in trivia questions music of the 80's. Use the phrase "1-5-6-4 = Pop's Sweet Core" to lock in the pattern.

  5. One-Hit Wonders & Lasting Impact -

    RIAA data shows that acts like A-ha ("Take On Me") and Soft Cell ("Tainted Love") became defining names despite limited catalogues, a handy category for 80s trivia questions and answers music. Classify these by year and genre to quickly retrieve artist-track pairs during quizzes. Think "OHW" (One Hit Wonder) for the cue when you spot solitary-charting artists in trivia challenges.

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