63 Trivia Questions About 80s Music You Can’t Answer Without Checking

The 1980s was a decade of bold style, colors, and silhouettes—permed hair included. But it wasn’t just fashion that was making a statement. The music scene was equally as vibrant, with new wave, power ballads, and the advent of the iconic MTV channel changing the way we consumed music. The era saw the rise of legendary artists and the creation of albums and hits that have stood the test of time.

From synth-pop to hard rock, the 80s music landscape was diverse and groundbreaking. The decade introduced us to the King of Pop, the Material Girl, and bands that would become synonymous with the era. The music of the 80s has left a lasting legacy, influencing artists and fans across generations.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a curious newcomer, these questions will challenge your recall and perhaps even introduce you to some of the decade’s lesser-known facts. So grab your boombox, throw on your leg warmers, and let’s see how much you really know about the sounds of the 80s.

Round 1 – Multiple Choice 80s Music Questions

1. Who sang the hit song “Like a Virgin” in the 1980s?

  • A) Madonna
  • B) Cyndi Lauper
  • C) Whitney Houston
  • D) Tina Turner

2. Which band released the album “Thriller” in 1982?

  • A) Queen
  • B) The Police
  • C) Michael Jackson
  • D) U2

3. What genre of music became particularly popular in the early ’80s, characterized by synthesizers and drum machines?

  • A) Grunge
  • B) New Wave
  • C) Punk Rock
  • D) Heavy Metal

4. Which song did Queen and David Bowie collaborate on in 1981?

  • A) “Under Pressure”
  • B) “Heroes”
  • C) “We Are the Champions”
  • D) “Life on Mars”

5. What was the title of Bon Jovi’s hit album released in 1986?

  • A) New Jersey
  • B) Slippery When Wet
  • C) Keep the Faith
  • D) Bon Jovi

6. Who is the singer of the 1980s song that starts with the lyrics “I wanna dance with somebody”?

  • A) ABBA
  • B) Whitney Houston
  • C) Kenny Loggins
  • D) Irene Cara

7. The Police released which hit song in 1983?

  • A) “Roxanne”
  • B) “Every Breath You Take”
  • C) “Message in a Bottle”
  • D) “Don’t Stand So Close to Me”

8. Who sang “Purple Rain”?

  • A) Prince
  • B) Michael Jackson
  • C) Bruce Springsteen
  • D) Billy Joel

9. Which band is known for the hit “Should I Stay or Should I Go”?

  • A) The Clash
  • B) The Smiths
  • C) R.E.M.
  • D) U2

10. “With or Without You” was a hit for which band in the 1980s?

  • A) U2
  • B) INXS
  • C) The Cure
  • D) Guns N’ Roses

11. Who won the first MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year in 1984?

  • A) Michael Jackson for “Thriller”
  • B) The Cars for “You Might Think”
  • C) Madonna for “Like a Virgin”
  • D) A-ha for “Take On Me”

Round 1 – Answers

1. Who sang the hit song “Like a Virgin” in the 1980s?

  • A) Madonna

2. Which band released the album “Thriller” in 1982?

  • C) Michael Jackson

3. What genre of music became particularly popular in the early ’80s, characterized by synthesizers and drum machines?

  • B) New Wave

4. Which song did Queen and David Bowie collaborate on in 1981?

  • A) “Under Pressure”

5. What was the title of Bon Jovi’s hit album released in 1986?

  • B) Slippery When Wet

6. Who is the singer of the 1980s song that starts with the lyrics “I wanna dance with somebody”?

  • B) Whitney Houston

7. The Police released which hit song in 1983?

  • B) “Every Breath You Take”

8. Who sang “Purple Rain”?

  • A) Prince

9. Which band is known for the hit “Should I Stay or Should I Go”?

  • A) The Clash

10. “With or Without You” was a hit for which band in the 1980s?

  • A) U2

11. Who won the first MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year in 1984?

  • B) The Cars for “You Might Think”

Round 2 – Open 80s Music Trivia Questions

  1. What is the name of the band that Vince Neil fronted in the 1980s?
  2. Which 1980s music video is famous for its use of pencil-sketch animation?
  3. What album did Bruce Springsteen release in 1984 that became a massive hit?
  4. Who directed the groundbreaking music video for Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”?
  5. What was the original name of the band Tears for Fears before they changed it?
  6. Which song by The Smiths became a defining track of the indie music scene in the 1980s?
  7. What major global event did the song “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid aim to address through its proceeds?
  8. Which British band released the album “Psychocandy” in 1985?
  9. Who was the lead singer of the band Talking Heads during the 1980s?
  10. What innovative technology did Peter Gabriel incorporate into his live performances in the 1980s?
  11. Which album by Prince was turned into a feature film?
  12. What was the name of the first all-female rock band to achieve significant chart and sales success in the 1980s?
  13. Which artist’s debut album was titled “She’s So Unusual”?
  14. Which band released the album “Back in Black” in 1980?
  15. Who performed the song “Eye of the Tiger”?
  16. What was the debut album of Guns N’ Roses?
  17. Who had a hit with the song “Maniac” from the movie “Flashdance”?
  18. Which band released the album “Rio” in 1982?
  19. What was the name of the band fronted by Boy George?
  20. Who sang “Another One Bites the Dust”?
  21. What is the real name of the singer known as “Sting”?

Round 2 – Answers

1. What is the name of the band that Vince Neil fronted in the 1980s?

  • Mötley Crüe

2. Which 1980s music video is famous for its use of pencil-sketch animation?

  • “Take on Me” by A-ha

3. What album did Bruce Springsteen release in 1984 that became a massive hit?

  • Born in the U.S.A.

4. Who directed the groundbreaking music video for Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”?

  • John Landis

5. What was the original name of the band Tears for Fears before they changed it?

  • Graduate

6. Which song by The Smiths became a defining track of the indie music scene in the 1980s?

  • “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out”

7. What major global event did the song “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid aim to address through its proceeds?

  • The Ethiopian famine

8. Which British band released the album “Psychocandy” in 1985?

  • The Jesus and Mary Chain

9. Who was the lead singer of the band Talking Heads during the 1980s?

  • David Byrne

10. What innovative technology did Peter Gabriel incorporate into his live performances in the 1980s?

  • The use of real-time digital sampling

11. Which album by Prince was turned into a feature film?

  • Purple Rain

12. What was the name of the first all-female rock band to achieve significant chart and sales success in the 1980s?

  • The Go-Go’s

13. Which artist’s debut album was titled “She’s So Unusual”?

  • Cyndi Lauper

14. Which band released the album “Back in Black” in 1980?

  •  AC/DC

15. Who performed the song “Eye of the Tiger”?

  • Survivor

16. What was the debut album of Guns N’ Roses?

  • Appetite for Destruction

17. Who had a hit with the song “Maniac” from the movie “Flashdance”?

  •  Irene Cara

18. Which band released the album “Rio” in 1982?

  • Duran Duran

19. What was the name of the band fronted by Boy George?

  • Culture Club

20. Who sang “Another One Bites the Dust”?

  • Queen

21. What is the real name of the singer known as “Sting”?

  • Gordon Sumner

Round 3 – Multiple Choice 80s Music Questions

1. Which artist released “Sweet Child o’ Mine”?

  • A) Aerosmith
  • B) Guns N’ Roses
  • C) AC/DC
  • D) Metallica

2. What was the best-selling album of the 1980s?

  • A) “Thriller” – Michael Jackson
  • B) “Born in the U.S.A.” – Bruce Springsteen
  • C) “Back in Black” – AC/DC
  • D) “The Joshua Tree” – U2

3. Which 80s song begins with the lyric “Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world”?

  • A) “Livin’ on a Prayer” – Bon Jovi
  • B) “Sweet Child o’ Mine” – Guns N’ Roses
  • C) “Don’t Stop Believin'” – Journey
  • D) “Total Eclipse of the Heart” – Bonnie Tyler

4. Who is the lead singer of U2?

  • A) Bono
  • B) Sting
  • C) Mick Jagger
  • D) Steven Tyler

5. “Tainted Love” was a major hit for which group?

  • A) Soft Cell
  • B) Depeche Mode
  • C) The Human League
  • D) New Order

6. Which artist sang “Billie Jean”?

  • A) Prince
  • B) Michael Jackson
  • C) Lionel Richie
  • D) Stevie Wonder

7. The song “Eye of the Tiger” is associated with which movie?

  • A) Rocky III
  • B) Flashdance
  • C) Top Gun
  • D) Footloose

8. Which band released “The Final Countdown”?

  • A) Europe
  • B) Bon Jovi
  • C) Van Halen
  • D) Def Leppard

9. Who performed the hit “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”?

  • A) Duran Duran
  • B) Wham!
  • C) Culture Club
  • D) The Bangles

10. Which artist had a hit with the song “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” in 1983?

  • A) Madonna

  • B) Cyndi Lauper

  • C) Whitney Houston

  • D) Janet Jackson

Round 3 – Answers

1. Which artist released “Sweet Child o’ Mine”?

  • B) Guns N’ Roses

2. What was the best-selling album of the 1980s?

  • A) “Thriller” – Michael Jackson

3. Which 80s song begins with the lyric “Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world”?

  • C) “Don’t Stop Believin'” – Journey

4. Who is the lead singer of U2?

  • A) Bono

5. “Tainted Love” was a major hit for which group?

  • A) Soft Cell

6. Which artist sang “Billie Jean”?

  • B) Michael Jackson

7. The song “Eye of the Tiger” is associated with which movie?

  • A) Rocky III

8. Which band released “The Final Countdown”?

  • A) Europe

9. Who performed the hit “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”?

  • B) Wham!

10. Which artist had a hit with the song “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” in 1983?

  • B) Cyndi Lauper

Round 4 – Open 80s Music Trivia Questions

  1. What was the title of U2’s album released in 1987 that included hits like “With or Without You” and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”?
  2. Which hit song by Madonna sparked controversy in its music video for its use of religious imagery?
  3. What is the title of the Live Aid finale song performed by the supergroup led by Bob Geldof in 1985?
  4. Which R.E.M. album, released in the 1980s, includes the song “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”?
  5. What nickname was given to Michael Jackson due to his immense popularity in the 1980s?
  6. Which iconic music channel launched on August 1, 1981, significantly changing the music industry?
  7. What was the name of the first video that aired on MTV?
  8. Which heavy metal band released the album “Master of Puppets” in the 1980s?
  9. What groundbreaking technology was introduced in the 1980s, allowing people to listen to music privately on the go?
  10. Which song by Whitney Houston became an anthem for empowerment and became one of the best-selling singles of all time?
  11. Who composed the soundtrack for the movie “Chariots of Fire,” which became an iconic instrumental hit?
  12. What was the title of Lionel Richie’s hit song performed during the closing ceremony of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games?
  13. Which Australian rock band achieved worldwide fame in the 1980s with their album “Business as Usual”?
  14. Who sang “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic”?
  15. What was the title of Madonna’s second studio album?
  16. Who sang “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”?
  17. Who released the song “Material Girl” in 1985?
  18. What is the name of the lead singer of the band Queen?
  19. Which band released the song “Livin’ on a Prayer” in 1986?
  20. Who sang “I Want to Know What Love Is”?
  21. What was the title of Prince’s album released in 1987?

Round 4 – Answers

1. What was the title of U2’s album released in 1987 that included hits like “With or Without You” and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”?

  • The Joshua Tree

2. Which hit song by Madonna sparked controversy in its music video for its use of religious imagery?

  • “Like a Prayer”

3. What is the title of the Live Aid finale song performed by the supergroup led by Bob Geldof in 1985?

  • “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”

4. Which R.E.M. album, released in the 1980s, includes the song “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”?

  • Document

5. What nickname was given to Michael Jackson due to his immense popularity in the 1980s?

  • The King of Pop

6. Which iconic music channel launched on August 1, 1981, significantly changing the music industry?

  • MTV (Music Television)

7. What was the name of the first video that aired on MTV?

  • “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles

8. Which heavy metal band released the album “Master of Puppets” in the 1980s?

  • Metallica

9. What groundbreaking technology was introduced in the 1980s, allowing people to listen to music privately on the go?

  • The Sony Walkman

10. Which song by Whitney Houston became an anthem for empowerment and became one of the best-selling singles of all time?

  • “I Will Always Love You”

11. Who composed the soundtrack for the movie “Chariots of Fire,” which became an iconic instrumental hit?

  • Vangelis

12. What was the title of Lionel Richie’s hit song performed during the closing ceremony of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games?

  • “All Night Long (All Night)”

13. Which Australian rock band achieved worldwide fame in the 1980s with their album “Business as Usual”?

  • Men at Work

14. Who sang “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic”?

  • The Police

15. What was the title of Madonna’s second studio album?

  • Like a Virgin

16. Who sang “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”?

  • Eurythmics

17. Who released the song “Material Girl” in 1985?

  • Madonna

18. What is the name of the lead singer of the band Queen?

  • Freddie Mercury

19. Which band released the song “Livin’ on a Prayer” in 1986?

  • Bon Jovi

20. Who sang “I Want to Know What Love Is”?

  • Foreigner

21. What was the title of Prince’s album released in 1987?

  • Sign “O” the Times

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