The 1980s were an exciting time for music! From catchy pop tunes to unforgettable rock anthems, this decade produced some of the most iconic songs and artists in history. Remember the vibrant music videos on MTV? Artists like Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Prince ruled the charts and changed the way we experienced music. The 80s also brought new genres like heavy metal, hip-hop, and synth-pop, which shaped the future of the music industry.
Today, we have a fun collection of trivia facts about 80s music that will make you want to dance and sing along. Whether you’re a big fan of the era or just curious, these interesting tidbits will surprise you. Did you know some songs were inspired by real-life events? Or that certain artists were huge rivals? From chart-topping hits to unforgettable moments, the 80s left a lasting impact on music lovers everywhere. Get ready to test your knowledge and maybe even learn something new about your favorite tunes from this fantastic decade!
80s Music Trivia Facts
Thrilling Tunes of the 80s Music Era
1. What song’s music video featured the famous “Thriller” dance? (Answer: Thriller)
2. Which band released the hit single “Sweet Child o’ Mine”? (Answer: Guns N’ Roses)
3. What was Madonna’s first big hit in 1984? (Answer: Holiday)
4. Which iconic 80s song begins with the line “Just a small-town girl”? (Answer: Don’t Stop Believin’)
5. Who sang the famous duet “Islands in the Stream”? (Answer: Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton)
6. Which 80s hit was inspired by a real-life tragedy and became a major protest song? (Answer: “We Are the World”)
7. What 1984 song features the lyrics “Wake me up before you go-go”? (Answer: Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go)
8. Who had a huge hit with “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”? (Answer: Whitney Houston)
9. What famous song’s music video featured a large dance party in a high school gym? (Answer: Footloose)
10. Which rock band released the album “Back in Black” in the 80s? (Answer: AC/DC)
Revolutionary Rhythm and the 80s Music Scene
1. Who is known as the King of Pop and released “Bad” in 1987? (Answer: Michael Jackson)
2. What popular song that features a synthesizer was released by the band Depeche Mode? (Answer: Just Can’t Get Enough)
3. Which 80s artist famously wore a cone-bra on stage? (Answer: Madonna)
4. What sensation was ushered in by the 1988 song “Straight Outta Compton”? (Answer: Gangsta rap)
5. Which song features the chorus beginning with “I just called to say I love you”? (Answer: I Just Called to Say I Love You)
6. Who is the lead singer of the band U2? (Answer: Bono)
7. What band sang “Every Breath You Take,” which won the Grammy for Song of the Year in 1984? (Answer: The Police)
8. What was the title of Madonna’s 1989 hit song about a controversial figure? (Answer: Like a Prayer)
9. Which heavy metal band is known for their song “Master of Puppets”? (Answer: Metallica)
10. Who released the disco hit “Funkytown”? (Answer: Lipps Inc.)
Vibrant Voices in 80s Music
1. Who sang the power ballad “Time After Time”? (Answer: Cyndi Lauper)
2. What 80s song featured the lyrics “Take on me, take me on”? (Answer: Take On Me)
3. Who sang the popular song “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”? (Answer: Cyndi Lauper)
4. Which song did Whitney Houston perform for the “The Bodyguard” soundtrack in 1992 but was originally sung in the 80s by another artist? (Answer: I Will Always Love You)
5. What was the title of George Michael’s 1984 hit with Wham!? (Answer: Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go)
6. Who had a hit single called “Karma Chameleon”? (Answer: Culture Club)
7. What song by Elton John became a funeral anthem in the 1980s? (Answer: Candle in the Wind)
8. Which 80s singer is known for the hit “Freedom”? (Answer: George Michael)
9. What iconic 80s band featured the singer Debbie Harry? (Answer: Blondie)
10. Which song did Phil Collins sing for the original “Tarzan” soundtrack? (Answer: You’ll Be in My Heart)
Music Icons of the 80s Revolution
1. Who was known as the “Material Girl” in the music industry? (Answer: Madonna)
2. Which singer said “Hello” to the music world with his 1984 hit? (Answer: Lionel Richie)
3. Who was the lead vocalist for the band Duran Duran? (Answer: Simon Le Bon)
4. What band was Michael Jackson a part of before his solo career? (Answer: The Jackson 5)
5. Who had a famous hit with “Tainted Love”? (Answer: Soft Cell)
6. Which 80s rock group created “Livin’ on a Prayer”? (Answer: Bon Jovi)
7. What band did Billy Idol front? (Answer: Generation X)
8. Which singer famously wore sunglasses indoors and was known for the song “Faith”? (Answer: George Michael)
9. Who was the frontman of the band Queen during this decade? (Answer: Freddie Mercury)
10. What pop singer was known for the hit song “Like a Virgin”? (Answer: Madonna)
Unforgettable Music Videos of the 80s
1. Which song featured an iconic music video where the lead singer danced with a famous chimpanzee? (Answer: Thriller)
2. Who released the hit song “In Your Eyes” with a famous music video featuring a boom box? (Answer: Peter Gabriel)
3. Which 80s music video is famous for its use of special effects in “Take On Me”? (Answer: A-ha)
4. What song’s video featured a fashion show and models in high-energy choreography? (Answer: Fashion
5. What artist shot to fame with the video “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”? (Answer: Cyndi Lauper)
6. Who starred in the dramatic video for “Total Eclipse of the Heart”? (Answer: Bonnie Tyler)
7. Which rock band’s video featured animated characters and episodic storytelling? (Answer: The Buggles)
8. What music video was famous for its portrayal of youth and teenage angst in high school? (Answer: Joy Division)
9. Who’s known for making commentaries on social issues in his music videos, especially with “Fight the Power”? (Answer: Public Enemy)
10. What was the title of the iconic video featuring underwater scenes in “Under Pressure”? (Answer: Queen and David Bowie)
Chart-topping Hits and 80s Music Legends
1. What song from 1986 was a tribute to the World Cup and became a huge success? (Answer: “Waka Waka”)
2. Who topped the charts with “Faith” in 1987? (Answer: George Michael)
3. What was the highest-selling album of the 80s? (Answer: Thriller by Michael Jackson)
4. Which Whitney Houston song became a hit from “The Bodyguard” soundtrack? (Answer: I Will Always Love You)
5. Who is the female artist with the most number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100? (Answer: Madonna)
6. What 80s band released the album “The Joshua Tree”? (Answer: U2)
7. Which pop singer had a hit with “Baby Can I Hold You” in 1988? (Answer: Tracy Chapman)
8. What was the title of the influential song by Paul Simon that brought African music styles to mainstream America? (Answer: Graceland)
9. Who recorded the hit “Love Is a Battlefield”? (Answer: Pat Benatar)
10. What heavy metal band released “Hysteria” in the late 80s? (Answer: Def Leppard)
Final Thoughts
We’ve taken a journey through the vibrant and exciting world of 80s music with these trivia questions and facts. The decade was not only about catchy melodies but also about iconic artists and unforgettable moments. From Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ to Cyndi Lauper’s hit ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’, the 80s were packed with music that changed the landscape forever. Dive deeper into this era by exploring more topics such as 80s trivia or even 80s pop culture. You’ll find even more surprises await you!
Interested in learning about more fun facts? Check out this 1980s trivia or explore 80s pop culture trivia.