The 1980s was an amazing time for music! From pop to rock to hip-hop, the tunes of the ’80s shaped the sound of a generation. Think of legendary artists like Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Prince, who released hit after hit. There were also groundbreaking bands like Duran Duran and U2 that made their mark. Whether you learned the moonwalk from watching MTV or sang along to the latest pop songs at the mall, the music of this decade is unforgettable.
Today, we’re going to put your knowledge of ’80s music to the test with some fun multiple-choice trivia questions. How well do you remember the catchy hits and iconic artists? You’ll get to answer questions that cover everything from classic rock anthems to memorable pop stars. Whether you’re an ’80s superfan or just curious about this colorful music era, there’s something here for everyone. Grab a friend or challenge yourself, and let’s see how much you really know about the fantastic sounds of the ’80s!
80S Music Trivia Multiple Choice
All That Glitters is ’80s Music
1. Which artist is known as the “Queen of Pop”? (Answer: Madonna)
2. What song did Michael Jackson famously perform while dancing the moonwalk? (Answer: Billie Jean)
3. Who sang “Like a Prayer”? (Answer: Madonna)
4. Which hit song begins with “Just a small town girl”? (Answer: Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey)
5. What artist is known for the hit “Purple Rain”? (Answer: Prince)
6. “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” was a hit for which American singer? (Answer: Whitney Houston)
7. Which group sang the iconic song “Take On Me”? (Answer: A-ha)
8. What is the title of Cyndi Lauper’s 1983 song about girls having fun? (Answer: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun)
9. Which British band sang the song “Dancing with Tears in My Eyes”? (Answer: Ultravox)
10. Who performed the 1985 hit “We Are the World”? (Answer: USA for Africa)
Rockin’ Through the ’80s
1. Which band released “Back in Black” in 1980? (Answer: AC/DC)
2. What classic song did Bon Jovi release in 1986? (Answer: Livin’ on a Prayer)
3. Who is known for the song “Sweet Child o’ Mine”? (Answer: Guns N’ Roses)
4. What song features the lyrics “Every rose has its thorn”? (Answer: Every Rose Has Its Thorn by Poison)
5. Which rock band sang “Eye of the Tiger”? (Answer: Survivor)
6. “Livin’ on a Prayer” was a chart-topper for which band? (Answer: Bon Jovi)
7. Who was the lead singer of the band Queen? (Answer: Freddie Mercury)
8. Which song was Queen’s tribute to champions? (Answer: We Are the Champions)
9. What year did the song “You Give Love a Bad Name” release? (Answer: 1986)
10. “Suffragette City” is a classic by which rock legend? (Answer: David Bowie)
’80s Dance Fever
1. Who had a smash hit in 1984 with “Jump”? (Answer: Van Halen)
2. “Push It” was a popular song by which hip-hop group? (Answer: Salt-N-Pepa)
3. Which dance song famously featured the lyrics “Let’s Dance”? (Answer: Let’s Dance by David Bowie)
4. Who choreographed Michael Jackson’s famous “Thriller” music video? (Answer: Michael Peters)
5. What singer is known for “Physical” in 1981? (Answer: Olivia Newton-John)
6. Which ’80s song includes the lyrics “You spin me right round”? (Answer: You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) by Dead or Alive)
7. “I Want That Man” was performed by which female artist? (Answer: Debbie Harry)
8. Who sang the song “Funky Town”? (Answer: Lipps Inc.)
9. What song did Whitney Houston release that became a dance anthem? (Answer: I Wanna Dance with Somebody)
10. “You Make My Dreams” was a top hit for which band? (Answer: Hall & Oates)
Star Studded ’80s Icons
1. Who was known for the iconic song “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”? (Answer: Cyndi Lauper)
2. Which artist made the song “Faith” famous in the late ’80s? (Answer: George Michael)
3. Who is often referred to as the “Material Girl”? (Answer: Madonna)
4. Who sang the theme song for the movie “Flashdance”? (Answer: Irene Cara)
5. What is the name of the famous group that features Boy George? (Answer: Culture Club)
6. Which singer is known for her hit “Straight Up”? (Answer: Paula Abdul)
7. Who released “Faith” in 1987? (Answer: George Michael)
8. Who sang “Don’t You Want Me”? (Answer: The Human League)
9. What ’80s female artist had a hit with “Bette Davis Eyes”? (Answer: Kim Carnes)
10. What artist is known for the 1984 hit “I Can Dream About You”? (Answer: Dan Hartman)
Legendary Music Videos of the ’80s
1. What was the first music video played on MTV in 1981? (Answer: Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles)
2. Which Madonna music video features her in a wedding dress? (Answer: Like a Virgin)
3. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson was groundbreaking for which reason? (Answer: Its cinematic storyline)
4. Who directed the music video “Sledgehammer”? (Answer: Stephen R. Johnson)
5. What iconic video features dancing zombies? (Answer: Thriller by Michael Jackson)
6. Which artist’s video featured imagery of a classic car and a nightclub? (Answer: Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen)
7. Who was the first female solo artist to top the charts with a video on MTV? (Answer: Madonna)
8. What video featured ’80s iconic fashion and hairstyles? (Answer: Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper)
9. Which infamous music video featured a light bulb explosion? (Answer: Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel)
10. Who had a hit with the groundbreaking video “We Don’t Talk Anymore”? (Answer: Cliff Richard)
Iconic Albums of the ’80s
1. What year was Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” released? (Answer: 1982)
2. Which artist released the album “Purple Rain”? (Answer: Prince)
3. What was the title of U2’s landmark album released in 1987? (Answer: The Joshua Tree)
4. “Like a Virgin” was the title track for which artist’s album? (Answer: Madonna)
5. Who released their 1987 album titled “Bad”? (Answer: Michael Jackson)
6. What album includes the song “Sweet Child o’ Mine”? (Answer: Appetite for Destruction by Guns N’ Roses)
7. “Songs from the Big Chair” is an album by which band? (Answer: Tears for Fears)
8. What famous album was released by Whitney Houston in 1985? (Answer: Whitney Houston)
9. Who put out the album “Hysteria” in 1987? (Answer: Def Leppard)
10. Which iconic album features the songs “Another One Bites the Dust” and “Killer Queen”? (Answer: The Game by Queen)
Final Thoughts
The 1980s was a transformative decade for music, introducing unforgettable artists and timeless hits. From the dynamic dance tunes to the powerful rock anthems, the ’80s music scene left a lasting mark. We hope you enjoyed testing your knowledge with these trivia questions. Whether you were dancing to Madonna, rocking out to Queen, or grooving to Michael Jackson, the music of this period continues to influence artists today. If you want to dive deeper into the vibrant culture of the ’80s, check out our 1980s trivia or explore our engaging 80s pop culture trivia.
Keep celebrating these iconic memories and discovering new ones!