November 13, 2024 | Jesse Singer

80s Music Trivia That Will Probably Stump You


Bodaciously Tubular 80s Music Trivia

How much do you know about music from the 1980s? Let's "Walk Like an Egyptian" back to the penultimate decade of the 20th Century and see how many of these radical questions you can answer correctly. And don't stress out if you get one wrong. Just take a chill pill and try the next one.

1: Who Sang "Walk Like An Egyptian"?

We mentioned it in the intro. So, might as well start there.

The Bangles, posing on street in Los AngelesAurelio Jose Barrera, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

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The Bangles

"Walk Like an Egyptian" was the all-female band's first number one single.

The Bangles performing live at the WiMN Justin Higuchi, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

2: What Was The Second Album Michael Jackson Put Out In The 80s?

We all know about "Thriller". But do you remember the other album the King of Pop released that decade?

Grayscale Portrait Photo of Michael Jackson in a a black jacketMatthew Rolston, Wikimedia Commons

"Bad" (1987)

It was Jackson's 7th studio album and it set a record with five singles that hit number one (a record that Katy Perry tied in 2010 with "Teenage Dream").

Grayscale Portrait Photo of Michael Jackson in ViennaZoran Veselinovic, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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3: What Was The First Ever Music Video Played On MTV?

It aired at 12:01 am on August 1, 1981.

Geoff Downes (far left) and Trevor Horn (far right) from the BugglesRouserouse, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

"Video Killed The Radio Star"

The single was released in 1979—it was the debut single by The Buggles.

Screenshot from the Music Video Video killed the radio starRussell Mulcahy, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

4: Which Of These Songs Spent The Most Weeks At Number One On The Hot 100 In The 80s?

1: "Every Breath You Take" (The Police)

2: "Billie Jean" (Michael Jackson)

3: "Physical" (Olivia Newton-John)

4: "We Are the World" (USA for Africa)

Grayscale Portrait Photo of Olivia Newton John smilingBert Verhoeff, Wikimedia Commons

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"Physical",Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John's hit spent 10 weeks in the top spot.

Olivia Newton John attending the 61st Annual Academy AwardsAlan Light, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

5: Who Was The Other Member Of Wham! (Besides George Michael)?

The British pop duo formed in 1981.

George Michael performing live in San DiegoSodel Vladyslav, Shutterstock

Andrew Ridgeley

The guys met at Bushey Meads School in Bushey, near the town of Watford in Hertfordshire.

Andrew Ridgeley attends the 'Last Christmas' UK premiereFred Duval, Shutterstock

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6: What Item Is Tucked Into Bruce Springsteen's Back Pocket On The Born In The U.S.A. Album Cover?

The item has become somewhat of a Mandela effect—with many people misremembering what is actually in his pocket.

Grayscale Portrait Photo of Bruce Springsteen in dark outfitLaura Bland, Wikimedia Commons

A Red Baseball Cap

Not a bandana, as many folks swear they remember it being.

Bruce Springsteen's album Born in the U.S.A.PHLD Luca, Shutterstock

7: What Canadian Singer Had A Top 10 Hit In 1984 With "Sunglasses At Night"?

The song was released on January 21, 1984 as the first single from his debut album.

Portrait Photo of Canadian singer Corey HartCorey Hart, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Corey Hart

The song rose as high as number seven on the Billboard Hot 100.

Corey Hart performs his hit Marc Lostracco, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

8: Who Was The Lead Singer For The Band INXS?

The Australian rock band was formed in 1977 as the Farriss Brothers.

Publicity Grayscale photo of Musical group INXSATCO Records, Wikimedia Commons

Michael Hutchence

He was the band's lead singer until his sad passing in 1997.

Portrait Photo of Michael Hutchence On StageDavid.moreno72, Wikimedia Commons

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9: What Was The Best-Selling Female Album Of The 1980s?

This artist actually had two of the best-selling albums of the decade.

Madonna performing during the 1985 The Virgin TourTampa Bay Times, Wikimedia Commons

"True Blue", Madonna (1986)

Her previous album, 1984's Like A Virgin, was also a huge seller.

Madonna vinyl record cover True BlueRalf Liebhold, Shutterstock

10: Who Wrote Kenny Rogers' 1980 Number One Hit Song, "Lady"?

It was the first record of the 1980s to chart on all four of Billboard's singles charts: Country, Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, and Hot Soul Singles.

Kenny Rogers performs live in Washington, DC.mark reinstein, Shutterstock

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Lionel Richie

Richie also produced the track for Rogers.

Grayscale Portrait Photo of American singer Lionel Richie 1984Penni Gladstone, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

11: Mike Rutherford Formed The Band Mike And The Mechanics In 1985 While On Hiatus From What Band?

Initially formed as a side project, the band would remain active for decades.

Portrait Photo of Mike Rutherford playing on stageRaph_PH, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Genesis

Rutherford was a co-founder of Genesis.

Photo of the English Band Genesis final concert bow in 2022Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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12: In 1980, Robin Williams Was Nominated For A Grammy Award For "Best New Artist"

True or False?

Robin Williams stars as Mork on ABC Television's ABC, Wikimedia Commons

True

Rickie Lee Jones won that year.

Lee Jones Performing at Poisson Rouge NYCbagoum, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

13: This 80s Music Star Was The First Solo Artist To Have Four Number One Singles From A Debut Album

1: Boy George

2: Paula Abdul

3: Madonna

4: Whitney Houston

Paula Abdul at Gq Men Of The Year AwardEverett Collection, Shutterstock

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Paula Abdul

Forever Your Girl's four number one hits were"Straight Up", "Forever Your Girl", "Cold Hearted", and "Opposites Attract".

Paula Abdul at the Emmy Awards, 9/22/2002Everett Collection, Shutterstock

14: What Band Had A Hot 100 Number One Hit With The Song, "Everybody Wants To Rule The World"?

"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" debuted at number 70 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March of 1985.

Tears for Fears in a 1985 publicity photo for their album Songs from the Big ChairPolygram Records U.S., Wikimedia Commons 

Tears For Fears

In June of 1985, it finally hit number one.

New Wave band Tears for Fears performing at Camp BestivalDFP Photographic, Shutterstock

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15: The Highwaymen Was A Country Supergroup Formed In the 80s With Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, And Which Other Singer?

1: Kenny rogers

2: Glen Campbell

3: George Strait

4: Kris Kristofferson

Johnny Cash Performing At San Quentin 1969Johnnycash1950-2003, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Kris Kristofferson

The band's first album, Highwayman—released in 1985—hit number one on the country charts.

Photo of Kris Kristofferson in dark jacketMagna Artists, Wikimedia Commons

16: Which Song Was TOTO's Only Number One Hit?

1: "Rosanna"

2: "Africa"

American rock band Toto on 40 Trips Around The Sun Tour.DarioZg, Shutterstock

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"Africa"

Although "Rosanna" did win a Grammy for Record of the Year.

American rock band Toto at the stage of KirketorgetTore Sætre, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

17: Name The Three Members Of The Beastie Boys

The group formed in 1981.

Mike D, Adrock, MCA of the Beastie Boys Performing in BarcelonaMichael Morel, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz, Adam "MCA" Yauch, And Michael "Mike D" Diamond

The group had seven platinum-selling albums from 1986 to 2004.

Portrait Photo of Mike D, Adrock, MCA of the Beastie Boys live at Virgin FestivalJason, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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18: At The 1989 Grammy Awards, What Song Won Song Of The Year, Record Of The Year, And Best Male Pop Vocal Performance?

1: "Don't Worry, Be Happy" (Bobby McFerrin)

2: "Faith" (George Michael)

3: "Fast Car" (Tracy Chapman)

4: "Giving You the Best That I Got" (Anita Baker)

Grayscale Portrait Photo of American singer Bobby McferrinFotopersbureau De Boer, Wikimedia Commons

"Don't Worry, Be Happy" (Bobby McFerrin)

It was also the first a cappella song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Bobby McFerrin performing at  TED ConferenceSteve Jurvetson, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

19: "Back In Black" Was AC/DC's First Album To Feature Brian Johnson As Lead Singer

True or False?

Portrait Photo of Brian Johnson facing the camera and smilingJaguar MENA, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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True

Their previous lead singer, Bon Scott, had passed away in February 1980.

Image of Bon Scott looking at camera.4iFFiR, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

20: What Artist Released An Album Titled "Reg Strikes Back" In 1988?

The album was certified gold and rose as high as number 16 on the Billboard 200.

Grayscale Portrait Photo of British singer Elton JohnBert Verhoeff, Wikimedia Commons

Elton John

The title refers to John's birth name, Reginald Dwight.

Elton John Performing in Skagerak Arena NorwayErnst Vikne, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons


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