The ’80s were a time of questionable fashion and even more confusing hairstyles – but it was also a decade known for fantastic music. If you recall some of these iconic days, see how good your memory is by playing our 80’s music trivia!
According to a survey conducted by Music Choice, 80’s music is the most favored tune decade of the last 40 years!
This period introduced us to some notable artists, such as Michael Jackson, George Michael, Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, The Police, and Prince – to name but a few.
This was also a time when new wave electronic dance music was introduced, alongside glam metal, shred guitar, and smooth jazz – and let’s not forget those super cool music videos!
Our 80’s music trivia is the perfect opportunity to take a walk down memory lane!
80’s music had something for everyone; big-haired rockers, big-haired soul singers, big-haired pop stars…it was very much about the hair in this decade!
Yet, the diversity of music was like nothing we had seen before.
R’n’B replaced Disco, Hip Hop took over from County, and we were admiring people of different sexualities, creeds, cultures, and races in equal measures.
In round 1 of our 80’s music trivia, we hope to remind you just how amazing this time really was!
Let’s go!
1: What song spent the most weeks at no.1 and became the most successful song on the Billboard in the 1980s?
Physical by Olivia Newton-John.
2: Who was the first African American artist to have their music videos in heavy rotation on MTV?
Michael Jackson.
3: ‘Endless Love’ was one of the decade's biggest hits. Which 2 singers collaborated on this song?
Lionel Richie and Diana Ross.
4: Who was the best-selling female artist of the decade?
Madonna.
5: How many US number 1s were by British artists during the 80s?
9.
6: What genre peaked in success between 1986 and 1990?
Hard rock.
7: Whose debut album was called Forever Your Girl?
Paula Abdul.
8: Which 1987 Whitney Houston single became her first US platinum-selling single?
I Wanna Dance With Somebody.
9: Who duetted with Madonna on the track Love Song?
Prince.
10: One of the best-selling albums of the decades was Born in the U.S.A; who was this by?
Bruce Springsteen.
11: What hugely successful (to this day) song did Journey release in 1981?
Don’t Stop Believin.
12: What was the 1982 single by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson?
Ebony and Ivory.
Name The Song: 80’s Music Trivia Questions and Answers
Round 2 of our 80’s music trivia is a little different.
Here, you will be given a line from an 80s hit, and you’re to name the song!
It could be the opening lyrics, iconic phrases, or a catchy chorus – but there will be no other information given – just a line from an 80’s hit song.
This round will really test your 80’s music knowledge!
It’ll also remind you of some indisputable classics that you may want to add to your current playlist.
Good luck – this isn’t an easy round…
1: ‘I'm expressing with my full capabilities. And now I'm living in correctional facilities.’
Express Yourself, N.W.A.
2: ‘Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid.’
I’m Still Standing, Elton John.
3: ‘You took a mystery and made me want it.’
Chain Reaction, Diana Ross.
4: ‘So I took a big chance at the high school dance, with a missy who was ready to play.’
Walk This Way, Run-D.M.C.
5: ‘Maybe we'll make something. Me, myself, I got nothing to prove.’
Fast Car, Tracy Chapman.
6: ‘Guilty feet have got no rhythm.’
Careless Whisper, George Michael.
7: ‘Didn't hear your wicked words every day. And you used to be so sweet, I heard you say.’
Karma Chameleon, Culture Club.
8: ‘She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene.’
Billy Jean, Michael Jackson.
9: ‘They placed a wreath upon his door. And soon they'll carry him away.’
He Stopped Loving Her Today, George Jones.
10: ‘Still enough time to figure out, how to chase my blues away.’
I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Whitney Houston.
11: ‘Crazy, but that's how it goes. Millions of people living as foes.’
Crazy Train, Ozzy Osbourne.
Notable Artists: 80’s Music Trivia Questions and Answers
Some of the best breakout stars of all time began their careers in the 80s, and some changed the face of music forever.
In round 3 of our 80’s music trivia, we will take a look at just 5 of the most notable artists of the decade.
From the best-sellingstars to the most influential musicians and everything else in between, this round will focus on the cream of the crop (according to stats and data!)
If you were around in the 80s, you should do very well with this section.
Here we go!
1: Whose 3rd studio release, True Blue, became the best-selling female album of the 1980s?
Madonna.
2: Who was cited as the ‘Voice of the MTV Generation of the 80s’?
Cyndi Lauper.
3: Considered one of the most influential musicians of the 80s, which recording artist released their Purple Rain album and had it certified Diamond by the RIAA?
Prince.
4: Which singer rose to fame in the 80s and is the only artist to earn 7 consecutive no. 1 songs on the Billboard Hot 100?
Whitney Houston.
5: Whose 1982 Thriller album is the best-selling album of all time?
Michael Jackson.
Interesting 80’s Music Trivia Questions and Answers
Often you have to look back on things to realize just how interesting a certain time was, and this is certainly true of 80’s music.
We took a lot for granted that really should have had much more appreciation, such as albums receiving platinum certification despite having little-to-no radio play.
There were no social media, no news sources readily available, yet we all kept up to date with entertainment affairs – or did we?
In round 4 of our 80’s music trivia, we may reveal some interesting information about this time and let you in on some backstage secrets.
Let’s look at how interesting this decade truly was in the music industry.
Let’s do this!
1: Which album received the first platinum certification for gangsta rap after selling 1 million copies, despite scarce radio play beyond LA?
Straight Outta Compton, N.W.A.
2: What event took place on 2 continents simultaneously and boasted a global viewing audience of over 1 billion people?
Live Aid.
3: Which Beatles star spent 9 days inside a Tokyo jail cell in 1980 for trying to sneak marijuana into the country?
Paul McCartney.
4: What was the first song to be shown on MTV when it launched in 1981?
Video Killed The Radio Star by The Buggles.
5: Which guitarist played a significant role in the phenomenal success of Michael Jackson's Beat It by changing around some parts of the song and improvising two guitar solos?
Eddie Van Halen.
6: Which all-girlie 1981 smash hit was originally written for and recorded by a male vocalist?
Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Cyndi Lauper.
7: Which one of Guns N Roses best-selling singles was written in just 5-minutes?
That brings us to the end of our 80’s music trivia; how well did you do? If you enjoyed this challenge, why not try another? Here are some more great trivia games to try:
