We have an 80s music trivia quiz along with a lyrics round to guess and name that song. What an epic decade for music! The 1980s gave us so great genres from New Wave to Punk, R&B to Hip Hop, and big hair Rock to amazing Pop. There really was something for everyone and it was a decade to be epic in music.
We have put together the ultimate 80s music quiz. There are 50 1980s music trivia questions. Followed by two more bonus rounds. The 80s name that tune round and the 80s music from movies soundtracks round.
The we have three picture rounds – name the famous 80s album cover, name the 80s music group, and name the 80s singers.
Here are 100 music questions and answers from the eighties. Enjoy quizzing!
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80s Music Quiz – 50 Trivia Questions
1. In what year did Michael Jackson release the Bad album?
2. Who duetted with Madonna on ‘Love Song’ on her ‘Like A Prayer’ album?
3. Who told us to ‘Relax’?
4. What was the biggest selling single of the 80s in the UK?
5. Who ‘just called to say they loved you’?
6. What was the theme song for the 1982 film, Rocky III?
7. Name the band fronted by the singer Sting.
8. Which British ska band sang about their ‘Baggy Trousers’?
9. Mick Jagger and David Bowie had a hit with which song?
10. Who sang the hits ‘Locomotion’, ‘I Should Be So Lucky’, and ‘Hand on Your Heart’?
11. Which Lionel Ritchie song is also a salutation?
12. Which famous Beatle wrote ‘We All Stand Together’ for the film ‘Rupert and the Frog Chorus’?
13. Which Journey song from the 80s saw a revival in popularity thanks to the tv show Glee?
14. Who sang ‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun’?
15. What was the first music video aired on the brand new MTV channel launched in 1981?
16. “Little Lies’ was a hit for which band?
17. What film was the Kenny Loggins song “Danger Zone’ the theme song for?
18. Which Irish band released the albums ‘War’, ‘The Unforgettable Fire’, and ‘The Joshua Tree’?
19. ‘Straight Outta Compton’ was a game-changing album in hiphop by which group?
20. ‘Sledgehammer’ by Peter Garbriel knocked his former band off the number 1 spot of the billboard hot 100. What was the name of the band?
21. ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ was a Grammy-award-winning song for which artist?
22. Who wrote and sang the hit ‘9 to 5’ as well as star in the film of the same name?
23. Who wanted to ‘fight for your right to party’?
24. Which rocketman had a hit with ‘I’m Still Standing’?
25. Which artist was the most charted British female solo act of the 1980s and famed for singing ‘Kid’s in America’?
26. The song ‘Aint’ Nobody’ was a hit for which funk band and singer?
27. Which Rick Astley song became number one in 25 countries?
28. Which Simple Minds song features in the opening and closing credits of the film ‘The Breakfast Club’?
29. Which Motown legend had a hit in the 80’s with ‘Chain Reaction’?
30. Which band had the hit ‘Atomic’?
31. In what year did The Bangles release ‘Eternal Flame’?
32. ‘The Power of Love’ by Huey Lewis and The News was the theme song to which blockbuster film in 1985?
33. Which band sang about ‘Money for Nothing’?
34. Who sang the hit ‘Celebration’ in 1981?
35. The Motown group ‘The Four Tops’ had a surprise UK hit in 1988 singing about having fun in which Mexican city?
36. Which hip hop group did a cover and collaboration on the Aerosmith song ‘Walk This Way’?
37. Which famously reclusive artist is known for the hits ‘Babooshka’, ‘Army Dreamers’, and ‘Cloudbusting’?
38. Which Irish woman gave us ‘Orinoco Flow’?
39. ‘Fast Car’ and ‘Baby Can I Hold You’ were hits for which singer-songwriter?
40. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe form which English synth-pop duo?
41. Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” was released in which year?
42. Which 80s rock band had hits with “Sweet Child o’ Mine” and “Paradise City”?
43. Which member of The Beatles had a hit with “Got My Mind Set on You” in the 1980s?
44. Who had a 1980’s hit with the song “Physical”?
45. Which band, known for their flamboyant style, sang “Rio” and “Hungry Like the Wolf”?
46. Which artist became famous for his unique falsetto voice and hits like “Cars” in the 1980s?
47. Which English band, known for their political lyrics and rock sound, released the song “Should I Stay or Should I Go” during the 80s?
48. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” is a hit song by which British music duo?
49. Phil Collins had a hit in the 1980s about seeing someone drowning but not lending a hand. What is the name of this song?
50. Which 1980s band sang the hit “Take On Me”, which was accompanied by a groundbreaking music video?
80s Name That Song – 10 Questions
51. “I’m never gonna dance again, Guilty feet have got no rhythm”
52. “ I’m gonna live forever, I’m gonna learn how to fly (high)”
53. “Clock strikes upon the hour, And the sun begins to fade”
54. “If there’s something strange, in your neighbourhood”
55. “Loving would be easy if your colours were like my dreams”
56. “You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar”
57. “The clouds never expect it when it rains, But the sea changes colours, but the sea does not change”
58. “Tommy used to work on the docks, union’s been on strike, He’s down on his luck, it’s tough, so tough”
59. “You can’t start a fire, you can’t start a fire without a spark”
60. “Hot summer streets and the pavements are burning, I sit around, Trying to smile, but the air is so heavy and dry”
80s Music for Movie Soundtracks Round – 10 Questions
61. Which 1986 movie featured the song “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin?
62. Which song, performed by Ray Parker Jr., became the theme for the 1984 movie about a group of parapsychologists who start a ghost-catching business?
63. Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose” was the title track for which dance-focused film?
64. Which 1987 movie had the song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes as its iconic final dance number?
65. Which song, performed by Irene Cara, served as the title track for a 1980 movie about a performing arts school in New York City?
66. Which 1985 adventure movie, directed by Richard Donner, featured Cyndi Lauper’s “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough”?
67. From which movie does the power ballad “I Still Believe” by Tim Cappello originate, a film about teenage vampires?
68. What song by Huey Lewis and the News became the hit theme song for the 1985 film “Back to the Future”?
69. The romantic ballad “Up Where We Belong” by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes is from which 1982 film starring Richard Gere?
70. Which whimsical 1988 film about a mischievous ghost features the Harry Belafonte song “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” in a memorable dinner scene?
80s Name The Album Picture Quiz – 10 Questions
80s Name The Music Group Picture Quiz – 10 Questions
80s Name The Singer Picture Quiz – 10 Questions
80s Music Quiz – 50 Trivia Answers
1. In what year did Michael Jackson release the Bad album?
1987
2. Who duetted with Madonna on ‘Love Song’ on her ‘Like A Prayer’ album?
Prince
3. Who told us to ‘Relax’?
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
4. What was the biggest selling single of the 80s in the UK?
Do They Know It’s Christmas? – Band Aid
5. Who ‘just called to say they loved you’?
Stevie Wonder
6. What was the theme song for the 1982 film, Rocky III?
Eye of the Tiger
7. Name the band fronted by the singer Sting.
The Police
8. Which British ska band sang about their ‘Baggy Trousers’?
Madness
9. Mick Jagger and David Bowie had a hit with which song?
Dancing in the Street
10. Who sang the hits ‘Locomotion’, ‘I Should Be So Lucky’, and ‘Hand on Your Heart’?
Kylie Minogue
11. Which Lionel Ritchie song is also a salutation?
Hello
12. Which famous Beatle wrote ‘We All Stand Together’ for the film ‘Rupert and the Frog Chorus’?
Paul McCartney
13. Which Journey song from the 80s saw a revival in popularity thanks to the tv show Glee?
Don’t Stop Believin’
14. Who sang ‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun’?
Cyndi Lauper
15. What was the first music video aired on the brand new MTV channel launched in 1981?
‘Video Killed The Radio Star’ – The Buggles
16. “Little Lies’ was a hit for which band?
Fleetwood Mac
17. What film was the Kenny Loggins song “Danger Zone’ the theme song for?
Top Gun
18. Which Irish band released the albums ‘War’, ‘The Unforgettable Fire’, and ‘The Joshua Tree’?
U2
19. ‘Straight Outta Compton’ was a game-changing album in hiphop by which group?
N.W.A.
20. ‘Sledgehammer’ by Peter Garbriel knocked his former band off the number 1 spot of the billboard hot 100. What was the name of the band?
Genesis – ‘Invisible Touch’
21. ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ was a Grammy-award-winning song for which artist?
Tina Turner
22. Who wrote and sang the hit ‘9 to 5’ as well as star in the film of the same name?
Dolly Parton
23. Who wanted to ‘fight for your right to party’?
Beastie Boys
24. Which rocketman had a hit with ‘I’m Still Standing’?
Elton John
25. Which artist was the most charted British female solo act of the 1980s and famed for singing ‘Kid’s in America’?
Kim Wilde
26. The song ‘Aint’ Nobody’ was a hit for which funk band and singer?
Rufus and Chaka Khan
27. Which Rick Astley song became number one in 25 countries?
Never Gonna Give You Up
28. Which Simple Minds song features in the opening and closing credits of the film ‘The Breakfast Club’?
Don’t You (Forget About Me)
29. Which Motown legend had a hit in the 80’s with ‘Chain Reaction’?
Diana Ross
30. Which band had the hit ‘Atomic’?
Blondie
31. In what year did The Bangles release ‘Eternal Flame’?
1988
32. ‘The Power of Love’ by Huey Lewis and The News was the theme song to which blockbuster film in 1985?
Back To The Future
33. Which band sang about ‘Money for Nothing’?
Dire Straits
34. Who sang the hit ‘Celebration’ in 1981?
Kool and the Gang
35. The Motown group ‘The Four Tops’ had a surprise UK hit in 1988 singing about having fun in which Mexican city?
Acapulco
36. Which hip hop group did a cover and collaboration on the Aerosmith song ‘Walk This Way’?
Run-DMC
37. Which famously reclusive artist is known for the hits ‘Babooshka’, ‘Army Dreamers’, and ‘Cloudbusting’?
Kate Bush
38. Which Irish woman gave us ‘Orinoco Flow’?
Enya
39. ‘Fast Car’ and ‘Baby Can I Hold You’ were hits for which singer-songwriter?
Tracy Chapman
40. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe form which English synth-pop duo?
Pet Shop Boys
41. Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” was released in which year?
1987
42. Which 80s rock band had hits with “Sweet Child o’ Mine” and “Paradise City”?
Guns N’ Roses
43. Which member of The Beatles had a hit with “Got My Mind Set on You” in the 1980s?
George Harrison
44. Who had a 1980’s hit with the song “Physical”?
Olivia Newton-John
45. Which band, known for their flamboyant style, sang “Rio” and “Hungry Like the Wolf”?
Duran Duran
46. Which artist became famous for his unique falsetto voice and hits like “Cars” in the 1980s?
Gary Numan
47. Which English band, known for their political lyrics and rock sound, released the song “Should I Stay or Should I Go” during the 80s?
The Clash
48. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” is a hit song by which British music duo?
Eurythmics
49. Phil Collins had a hit in the 1980s about seeing someone drowning but not lending a hand. What is the name of this song?
“In the Air Tonight”
50. Which 1980s band sang the hit “Take On Me”, which was accompanied by a groundbreaking music video?
a-ha
80s Name That Song – 10 Answers
51. “I’m never gonna dance again, Guilty feet have got no rhythm”
Careless Whisper by George Michael
52. “ I’m gonna live forever, I’m gonna learn how to fly (high)”
Fame by Irene Cara
53. “Clock strikes upon the hour, And the sun begins to fade”
I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston
54. “If there’s something strange, in your neighbourhood”
Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr.
55. “Loving would be easy if your colours were like my dreams”
Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
56. “You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar”
Don’t You Want Me – The Human League
57. “The clouds never expect it when it rains, But the sea changes colours, but the sea does not change”
Edge of Seventeen – Stevie Nicks
58. “Tommy used to work on the docks, union’s been on strike, He’s down on his luck, it’s tough, so tough”
Living on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
59. “You can’t start a fire, you can’t start a fire without a spark”
Dancing in the Dark – Bruce Springsteen
60. “Hot summer streets and the pavements are burning, I sit around, Trying to smile, but the air is so heavy and dry”
Cruel Summer – Bananarama
80s Music for Movie Soundtracks Round – 10 Answers
61. Which 1986 movie featured the song “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin?
Top Gun
62. Which song, performed by Ray Parker Jr., became the theme for the 1984 movie about a group of parapsychologists who start a ghost-catching business?
Ghostbusters
63. Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose” was the title track for which dance-focused film?
Footloose
64. Which 1987 movie had the song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes as its iconic final dance number?
Dirty Dancing
65. Which song, performed by Irene Cara, served as the title track for a 1980 movie about a performing arts school in New York City?
Fame
66. Which 1985 adventure movie, directed by Richard Donner, featured Cyndi Lauper’s “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough”?
The Goonies
67. From which movie does the power ballad “I Still Believe” by Tim Cappello originate, a film about teenage vampires?
The Lost Boys
68. What song by Huey Lewis and the News became the hit theme song for the 1985 film “Back to the Future”?
The Power of Love
69. The romantic ballad “Up Where We Belong” by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes is from which 1982 film starring Richard Gere?
An Officer and a Gentleman
70. Which whimsical 1988 film about a mischievous ghost features the Harry Belafonte song “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” in a memorable dinner scene?
Beetlejuice
80s Name The Album Picture Quiz – Answers
71. Thriller – Michael Jackson
72. Born in the USA – Bruce Springsteen
73. Purple Rain – Prince
74. Like a Virgin – Madonna
75. Faith – George Michael
76. Rio – Duran Duran
77. She’s So Unusual – Cyndi Lauper
78. London Calling – The Clash
79. Tracy Chapman – Tracy Chapman
80. Brothers in Arms – Dire Straits
80s Name The Music Group Picture Quiz – Answers
81. Bon Jovi
82. Eurythmics
83. Bananarama
84. Guns’n’Roses
85. The Bangles
86. Salt’n’Pepa
87. U2
88. Wham
89. The Pretenders
90. Duran Duran
80s Name The Singer Picture Quiz – Answers
91. Whitney Houston
92. Phil Collins
93. Bruce Springsteen
94. Michael Jackson
95. Lionel Richie
96. Kylie Minogue
97. Tina Turner
98. Madonna
99. Kate Bush
100. Stevie Wonder
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Have fun with the 80s music trivia quiz. Happy quizzing!
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