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Highlights from 80s Hits
Step back into the neon-lit decade of big hair and unforgettable synthesizers with this ultimate collection of 1980s hits trivia. Featuring a versatile mix of difficulty levels, this retro lineup perfectly balances mainstream chart-toppers with nostalgic deep cuts to engage players of all skill levels. Whether hosting a lively pub night or a themed event, these classic music and pop culture questions provide the perfect soundtrack for a highly entertaining trivia night.
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80s Music Trivia Questions: Hits, Artists, and Classics Quiz
Try 15 multiple choice questions pulled from this collection.
All Questions
Explore a handful of direct-answer questions you can use to challenge friends, set up a game night, or test yourself. Reveal each answer when you are ready.
Browse direct-answer questions
What horror movie icon provided the spoken-word rap on Michael Jackson's 1983 hit 'Thriller'?
What is the famous seven-digit phone number featured in a 1981 hit song by Tommy Tutone?
Which British band scored a massive 1982 international hit with the song 'Come On Eileen'?
The Simple Minds hit 'Don't You (Forget About Me)' famously plays during the opening and closing credits of which classic 1985 teen movie?
Who sang the iconic 1983 pop anthem 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun'?
Which Norwegian synth-pop band is famous for the 1985 hit 'Take On Me' and its groundbreaking rotoscoped music video?
What classic 1984 Bruce Springsteen song is frequently misinterpreted as a patriotic anthem rather than a critique of the treatment of Vietnam veterans?
Which artist made a massive comeback in 1984 with the Grammy-winning hit 'What's Love Got to Do with It'?
Who wrote and performed the iconic theme song for the 1984 movie 'Ghostbusters'?
What are the names of the working-class couple whose struggles are detailed in Bon Jovi's 1986 hit 'Livin' on a Prayer'?
Which rock band scored a massive hit in 1982 with the song 'Africa'?
What 1983 song by The Police is frequently played at weddings despite being written about obsessive stalking?
Which Guns N' Roses song famously starts with a guitar riff that Slash originally considered a 'string skipping' warmup exercise?
Who sang the dramatic 1983 power ballad 'Total Eclipse of the Heart'?
Madonna notoriously performed which hit song while writhing on the floor in a wedding dress at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards?
What 1981 song was a historic collaboration between rock band Queen and David Bowie?
The Survivor hit 'Eye of the Tiger' was specifically written as the theme song for which 1982 movie?
Which English pop duo asked the listener to 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go' in 1984?
Soft Cell had a massive synth-pop hit in 1981 with 'Tainted Love', but the song was originally recorded in 1964 by which American singer?
During a televised performance of which hit song did Michael Jackson debut his famous 'moonwalk' dance move?
Which all-female rock band hit number one in 1986 with the infectious track 'Walk Like an Egyptian'?
Kenny Loggins' hit 'Danger Zone' was heavily featured in which iconic 1986 action film?
Which band, fronted by Boy George, topped the charts worldwide with the 1983 hit 'Karma Chameleon'?
Who famously put another dime in the jukebox baby, in her 1981 cover hit 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll'?
Which artist rapidly fired off over 100 historical headlines in his 1989 hit 'We Didn't Start the Fire'?
What Australian band famously sang about 'a Vegemite sandwich' in their 1981 hit 'Down Under'?
Which band had a massive party anthem in 1989 with 'Love Shack'?
Who sang the dark synth-pop hit 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)' in 1983?
Which artist sang about 'two American kids doing the best they can' in the 1982 song 'Jack & Diane'?
What former Genesis frontman had a massive 1986 solo hit with 'Sledgehammer'?
Which 1985 Dire Straits hit features Sting providing background vocals, famously singing 'I want my MTV'?
Who scored an upbeat 1987 number-one hit with 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)'?
Which band released 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now', the hit theme song to the 1987 film 'Mannequin'?
What 1983 song by New Order became the best-selling 12-inch single of all time?
Which rock band discovered their high school crush in a men's magazine in the 1981 hit 'Centerfold'?
Who sang the Academy Award-winning 1983 hit 'Flashdance... What a Feeling'?
What female rap group told listeners to 'Push It' in their breakout 1987 hit?
Which hard rock band asked someone to 'Pour Some Sugar on Me' in a 1987 anthem?
Which 1986 Paul Simon hit features a famous music video where Chevy Chase lip-syncs all of Simon's vocals?
Which reggae-pop band covered Neil Diamond's 'Red Red Wine', turning it into a massive 1983 hit?
Tracy Chapman broke through in 1988 with which iconic folk-rock song about driving away to hope for a better life?
Which 1983 David Bowie title track, co-produced by Nile Rodgers, features a blazing blues guitar solo by Stevie Ray Vaughan?
What was the first number-one hit for U2 in the United States, released on their 1987 album 'The Joshua Tree'?
Which former Wham! member topped the charts in 1987 with the rockabilly-influenced solo track 'Faith'?
Which German band had an international smash hit in 1983 with an anti-war song about '99 Luftballons'?
Who sang the 1981 power-pop hit 'Jessie's Girl' about coveting a friend's partner?
Which upbeat 1985 track by Katrina and the Waves became one of the most widely licensed songs in film and television advertising?
Who sang the 1986 hit 'Addicted to Love', famous for its music video featuring a backing band of high-fashion models?
Kim Carnes spent nine weeks at number one in 1981 with a hit song named after the eyes of which classic Hollywood actress?
What British New Romantic band sang the 1982 hit 'Hungry Like the Wolf'?
Which synth-pop duo had a huge hit in 1983 covering the 1960s Burt Bacharach song 'Always Something There to Remind Me'?
What incredibly bombastic 1986 synth-rock anthem by the band Europe is known for its legendary keyboard fanfare intro?
Which 1984 George Michael hit features one of the most famous saxophone riffs in music history and laments that 'guilty feet have got no rhythm'?
What 1981 Olivia Newton-John song spent an incredible 10 weeks at number one, becoming the biggest Billboard hit of the 1980s?
Which artist sang the upbeat 1983 party anthem 'All Night Long (All Night)'?
What classic 1984 Lionel Richie power ballad famously asks, 'Is it me you're looking for?'
AC/DC returned in 1980 with a new lead singer and which massive, riff-heavy comeback title track?
Which iconic duo warned listeners about a heart-chewing woman in their 1982 Motown-inspired hit 'Maneater'?
Which hard rock band had their only number one US Billboard Hot 100 hit with the synth-heavy song 'Jump' in 1984?
Which ska-pop band described a cozy, chaotic family home in the 1982 hit 'Our House'?
What Miami Sound Machine track became a massive crossover hit in 1985 by demanding the listener to 'do the' title dance?
What beautiful 1986 ballad by Cyndi Lauper became a massive anthem of acceptance and empowerment?
Huey Lewis and the News recorded the 1985 hit 'The Power of Love' specifically for which time-travel movie?
Which influential punk band asked 'Should I Stay or Should I Go' in their 1982 hit song?
What iconic 1987 track by The Cure is known for its soaring synth melody and long instrumental intro before Robert Smith starts singing 'Show me how you do that trick'?
Which electronic pop duo had a massive 1984 hit with 'West End Girls'?
Which Australian rock band released the slick, funk-inspired track 'Need You Tonight' in 1987?
What rap group fundamentally changed music history with their 1986 crossover cover of Aerosmith's 'Walk This Way'?
Which hip-hop trio demanded that you '(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)' in 1986?
What seminal West Coast rap group changed the genre forever with their 1988 title track 'Straight Outta Compton'?
Public Enemy released the aggressive anthem 'Fight the Power' in 1989. For which classic Spike Lee movie was it originally created?
Which 1987 Guns N' Roses song promises that 'we got fun and games' right after welcoming you to its title location?
Which band, fronted by David Coverdale, had a massive hit in 1987 with the power ballad 'Here I Go Again'?
What classic 1981 song by Journey describes a 'city boy, born and raised in South Detroit'?
Which rock band begged 'I Want to Know What Love Is' with the help of a gospel choir in their 1984 number one hit?
Which midwestern rock band broke through to the pop charts with their 1980 power ballad 'Keep On Loving You'?
Which 1987 track by Rick Astley became a massive internet phenomenon decades later through a bait-and-switch meme?
What highly controversial 1983 song by Frankie Goes to Hollywood was famously banned by BBC Radio 1 for its suggestive lyrics?
Which British electronic band released the bouncy synth-pop 1981 track 'Just Can't Get Enough'?
Modern English is best known for what classic new wave anthem released in 1982?
Which band led by Neil Finn scored a massive international hit in 1986 with 'Don't Dream It's Over'?
Which Scottish duo famously sang about their willingness to walk a thousand miles in their 1988 hit 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)'?
What classic British rock band, known for 60s hits like 'You Really Got Me', had an unexpected 1982 MTV hit with 'Come Dancing'?
Released shortly after the death of singer Ian Curtis, what 1980 song became Joy Division's highest-charting and most famous hit?
Which influential indie band led by Morrissey asked 'How Soon Is Now?' in their classic pulsating 1984 track?
Chrissie Hynde sang about 'using her arms' and 'using her legs' in which 1980 smash hit by The Pretenders?
What is the second half of the title (and chorus) of the rapid-fire 1987 R.E.M. song that starts 'It's the End of the World as We Know It...'?
What upbeat 1986 title track became Genesis's only Billboard Hot 100 number one hit?
Which R&B group had a massive 1980 hit with the song 'Celebration'?
What famous funk-disco band returned to the top 5 in 1981 with the vocoder-heavy track 'Let's Groove'?
Chaka Khan had a huge hit in 1984 with 'I Feel for You'. Which legendary artist wrote the original version of the song in 1979?
Which artist sang about a 'very special girl' in the 1981 funk masterpiece 'Super Freak'?
What classic 1981 debut solo hit by Phil Collins features arguably the most famous drum fill in pop music history?
Which band, fronted by Debbie Harry, had a massive hit with 'Call Me', the main theme for the 1980 movie 'American Gigolo'?
The synth-pop ballad 'Take My Breath Away', featured in Top Gun, was performed by which band?
Former Go-Go's singer Belinda Carlisle had a massive solo hit in 1987 titled '_______ is a Place on Earth'.
What 1985 rock-pop song by Starship frequently tops lists of 'the worst songs of all time' despite reaching number one on the charts?
Laura Branigan scored a multi-platinum success in 1982 with an English cover of which Italian hit song, later adopted by the St. Louis Blues?
Kenny Loggins implored listeners to kick off their Sunday shoes in which energetic 1984 movie theme song?
Which bass-driven 1980 hit by Queen was heavily influenced by the disco and funk sounds of Chic?
What horror movie icon provided the spoken-word rap on Michael Jackson's 1983 hit 'Thriller'?
What is the famous seven-digit phone number featured in a 1981 hit song by Tommy Tutone?
Which British band scored a massive 1982 international hit with the song 'Come On Eileen'?
The Simple Minds hit 'Don't You (Forget About Me)' famously plays during the opening and closing credits of which classic 1985 teen movie?
Who sang the iconic 1983 pop anthem 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun'?
Which Norwegian synth-pop band is famous for the 1985 hit 'Take On Me' and its groundbreaking rotoscoped music video?
What classic 1984 Bruce Springsteen song is frequently misinterpreted as a patriotic anthem rather than a critique of the treatment of Vietnam veterans?
Which artist made a massive comeback in 1984 with the Grammy-winning hit 'What's Love Got to Do with It'?
Who wrote and performed the iconic theme song for the 1984 movie 'Ghostbusters'?
What are the names of the working-class couple whose struggles are detailed in Bon Jovi's 1986 hit 'Livin' on a Prayer'?
Which rock band scored a massive hit in 1982 with the song 'Africa'?
What 1983 song by The Police is frequently played at weddings despite being written about obsessive stalking?
Which Guns N' Roses song famously starts with a guitar riff that Slash originally considered a 'string skipping' warmup exercise?
Who sang the dramatic 1983 power ballad 'Total Eclipse of the Heart'?
Madonna notoriously performed which hit song while writhing on the floor in a wedding dress at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards?
Which Dire Straits hit features Sting providing background vocals, singing 'I want my MTV'?
Who scored an upbeat 1987 number-one hit with 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)'?
Which band released 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now', the hit theme song to the 1987 film 'Mannequin'?
What 1983 song by New Order became the best-selling 12-inch single of all time?
Which rock band discovered their high school crush in a men's magazine in the 1981 hit 'Centerfold'?
Who sang the Academy Award-winning 1983 hit 'Flashdance... What a Feeling'?
What female rap group told listeners to 'Push It' in their breakout 1987 hit?
Which hard rock band asked someone to 'Pour Some Sugar on Me' in a 1987 anthem?
Which 1986 Paul Simon hit features a music video where Chevy Chase lip-syncs all of Simon's vocals?
Which reggae-pop band covered Neil Diamond's 'Red Red Wine', turning it into a massive 1983 hit?
Tracy Chapman broke through in 1988 with which folk-rock song about hoping for a better life?
Which 1983 David Bowie song, co-produced by Nile Rodgers, features a blazing guitar solo by Stevie Ray Vaughan?
What was the first number-one hit for U2 in the United States, released on their 1987 album 'The Joshua Tree'?
Which artist topped the charts in 1987 with the rockabilly-influenced pop song 'Faith'?
Which German band had an international smash hit in 1983 with an anti-war song about red balloons triggering a nuclear war?
Who sang the 1981 power-pop hit 'Jessie's Girl' about coveting a friend's partner?
Which upbeat 1985 track by Katrina and the Waves became one of the most widely licensed songs in film and television advertising?
Who sang the 1986 hit 'Addicted to Love', famous for its music video featuring a backing band of high-fashion models?
Kim Carnes spent nine weeks at number one in 1981 with a song named after the eyes of which classic Hollywood actress?
What British New Romantic band sang the 1982 hit 'Hungry Like the Wolf'?
Which synth-pop duo had a huge hit in 1983 covering the Burt Bacharach song 'Always Something There to Remind Me'?
What incredibly bombastic 1986 synth-rock anthem by the band Europe was initially intended just to be an opening concert track?
Which 1984 hit features one of the most famous saxophone riffs in music history and laments that 'guilty feet have got no rhythm'?
Which artist sang the upbeat 1983 party anthem 'All Night Long (All Night)'?
What classic 1984 power ballad famously asks, 'Is it me you're looking for?'
AC/DC returned in 1980 with a new lead singer and which massive comeback title track?
Which duo warned listeners about a heart-chewing woman in their 1982 hit 'Maneater'?
Which band had their only number one US Billboard Hot 100 hit with the synth-heavy song 'Jump' in 1984?
Which ska-pop band described a cozy, chaotic family home in the 1982 hit 'Our House'?
What Miami Sound Machine track became a massive crossover hit in 1985 by demanding the listener to 'do the' title dance?
What beautiful 1986 ballad by Cyndi Lauper became a massive anthem of acceptance and empowerment?
Huey Lewis and the News recorded the 1985 hit 'The Power of Love' specifically for which movie?
Which influential punk band asked 'Should I Stay or Should I Go' in 1982?
What iconic 1987 track by The Cure starts with one of the most famous long instrumental intros in pop history?
Which electronic pop duo had a massive 1984 hit with 'West End Girls'?
Which Australian rock band released the slick, funk-inspired track 'Need You Tonight' in 1987?
What rap group fundamentally changed music history with their 1986 crossover cover of Aerosmith's 'Walk This Way'?
Which trio demanded that you '(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)' in 1986?
What seminal West Coast rap group changed the genre forever with their 1988 title track 'Straight Outta Compton'?
Public Enemy released the aggressive anthem 'Fight the Power' in 1989. For which Spike Lee movie was it originally created?
Which Guns N' Roses song promises that 'we got fun and games' right after welcoming you to its title location?
Which band had a massive hit in 1987 with the power ballad 'Here I Go Again'?
What classic 1981 song by Journey describes a 'city boy, born and raised in South Detroit'?
Which rock band begged 'I Want to Know What Love Is' with the help of a gospel choir in their 1984 number one hit?
Which midwestern rock band broke through to the pop charts with their 1980 power ballad 'Keep On Loving You'?
Which 1987 song became an internet phenomenon decades later through a bait-and-switch meme?
What highly controversial 1983 song by Frankie Goes to Hollywood was banned by BBC Radio 1?
Which British electronic band released the incredibly bouncy and upbeat 1981 track 'Just Can't Get Enough'?
Modern English is best known for what new wave anthem released in 1982?
Which band led by Neil Finn scored a massive hit in 1986 with 'Don't Dream It's Over'?
Which Scottish duo famously sang about their willingness to walk a thousand miles in a 1988 hit?
What classic British rock band had an unexpected 1982 MTV hit with the nostalgic song 'Come Dancing'?
Released shortly after the death of singer Ian Curtis, what 1980 song became Joy Division's highest-charting hit?
Which influential indie band led by Morrissey asked 'How Soon Is Now?' in their classic 1984 track?
Chrissie Hynde sang about 'using her arms' and 'using her legs' in which 1980 hit by The Pretenders?
What rapid-fire 1987 R.E.M. song features the chorus 'It's the End of the World as We Know It'?
What 1986 pop song became Genesis's only Billboard Hot 100 number one hit?
Which R&B group had a worldwide smash hit in 1980 demanding listeners to 'celebrate good times, come on!'?
What funk-disco band returned to the top 5 in 1981 with the vocoder-heavy track 'Let's Groove'?
Chaka Khan had a huge hit in 1984 with 'I Feel for You'. Who wrote the original version of the song?
Which artist sang about a 'very special girl' in the 1981 funk masterpiece 'Super Freak'?
What classic 1981 song features arguably the most famous drum fill in pop music history?
Which band had a massive hit with 'Call Me', the main theme for the 1980 movie 'American Gigolo'?
The synth-pop ballad 'Take My Breath Away', which won an Oscar for Best Original Song, was performed by which band?
Former Go-Go's singer Belinda Carlisle had a massive solo hit in 1987 insisting that what is 'a Place on Earth'?
What 1985 song by Starship frequently tops lists of 'the worst songs of all time' despite reaching number one on the charts?
Laura Branigan scored a multi-platinum success in 1982 with an English cover of which Italian hit song?
Kenny Loggins implored listeners to kick off their Sunday shoes in which energetic 1984 movie theme song?
Which bass-driven 1980 hit by Queen was heavily influenced by the disco and funk sounds of Chic?
What 1981 Olivia Newton-John song spent an incredible 10 weeks at number one, becoming the biggest hit of the entire decade?
What 1981 song was a historic collaboration between rock band Queen and David Bowie?
The Survivor hit 'Eye of the Tiger' was specifically written as the theme song for which 1982 movie?
Which English pop duo asked the listener to 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go' in 1984?
Soft Cell had a massive synth-pop hit in 1981 with 'Tainted Love', but the song was originally recorded in 1964 by which artist?
During a televised performance of which song did Michael Jackson perform his famous 'moonwalk' for the very first time?
Which all-female rock band hit number one in 1986 with the infectious track 'Walk Like an Egyptian'?
Kenny Loggins' hit 'Danger Zone' was heavily featured in which iconic 1986 action film?
Which band, fronted by Boy George, topped the charts worldwide with the 1983 hit 'Karma Chameleon'?
Who famously put another dime in the jukebox baby, in her 1981 cover hit 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll'?
Which artist rapidly fired off over 100 historical headlines in his 1989 hit 'We Didn't Start the Fire'?
What Australian band famously sang about 'a Vegemite sandwich' in their 1981 hit 'Down Under'?
Which band had a massive party anthem in 1989 with 'Love Shack'?
Who sang the dark synth-pop hit 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)' in 1983?
Which artist sang about 'two American kids doing the best they can' in the 1982 song 'Jack & Diane'?
What former Genesis frontman had a massive 1986 solo hit with 'Sledgehammer'?