61 Awesome Sauce 80s Music Trivia Questions and Answers

Ah, the 1980s! A time of neon, iconic fashion statements, and some of the most memorable tunes that have left an indelible mark on music history. As synthesizers and electric beats took over the airwaves, legendary artists and bands came to the fore, delivering tracks that remain beloved to this day. Whether you were rocking out to these hits in real-time or have come to love them decades later, test your knowledge with this curated set of ’80s music trivia questions. Can you hit all the high notes? Dive in and find out!

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80s Music Trivia

1. Which Michael Jackson album became the best-selling of all time in the 1980s?

2. Which band had a hit with ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’ in 1987?

3. Which song begins with the lyrics ‘Every breath you take’?

4. Who is the lead vocalist for the band Queen?

5. Which 1981 hit has the chorus ‘Don’t stop believin’?

6. Which female artist released ‘Like a Virgin’ in 1984?

7. In which year did Bon Jovi release ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’?

8. Who sang the 1980 hit ‘Call Me’?

9. ‘With or Without You’ is a song by which Irish rock band?

10. Who performed the theme song for the James Bond movie ‘A View to a Kill’?

11. What is the title of David Bowie’s 1983 hit that begins with the lyric ‘Let’s dance’?

12. Which song by The Bangles mentions a manic Monday?

13. ‘Summer of ’69’ was a hit for which Canadian singer-songwriter?

14. Whose hit ‘Time After Time’ was released in 1984?

15. Which iconic band sang ‘Another Brick in the Wall’ in 1980?

16. What is the name of the Wham! song that became a Christmas classic?

17. In which year did Prince release ‘Purple Rain’?

18. Who is the lead singer of the band The Cure?

19. Which song by Soft Cell discusses a tainted love?

20. Which band had a hit with ‘Eye of the Tiger’ in 1982?

21. Who sang ‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)’ in 1983?

22. Which rock band released ‘Pour Some Sugar on Me’ in 1987?

23. Who was known as the ‘Material Girl’ in the 80s?

24. ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’ is a song by which English band?

25. Who sang ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ in 1983?

26. Which song by George Harrison in the 80s discusses a cloudy mind?

27. Who is the lead vocalist of the band AC/DC?

28. What band released ‘Under Pressure’ with David Bowie in 1981?

29. Which band sang ‘Africa’ in 1982?

30. Who is the female lead vocalist of the band Blondie?

31. What song by The Clash talks about rocking a certain locale?

32. Which band had a hit with ‘Karma Chameleon’ in 1983?

33. Which artist sang ‘Billie Jean’ in 1983?

34. ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ was sung by which band in 1986?

35. ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ is a song by which band?

36. Who released the song ‘Like a Prayer’ in 1989?

37. Which band released ‘Take on Me’ in 1985?

38. Who sang ‘Physical’ in the early 80s?

39. ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go’ is a hit song by which duo?

40. Which band released the album ‘Back in Black’ in 1980?

41. Who is the lead singer of the band INXS?

42. Which song by Rick Astley became an internet meme decades later?

43. Which artist is known for the hit ‘Endless Love’ with Diana Ross?

44. Who released ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’ in 1983?

45. Which band sang ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go’ in the 80s?

46. Who is the lead singer of the band Aerosmith?

47. What band released the song ‘Careless Whisper’ in 1984?

48. Which song by The Buggles claimed that video killed the radio star?

49. Who released the song ‘All Out of Love’ in the 80s?

50. What song by Depeche Mode is about personal Jesus?

51. Which female artist released the hit song ‘9 to 5’ in the early 80s?

52. Which 1980s hit by The Buggles was the first music video ever played on MTV?

53. What is the name of the 1987 U2 album that features the songs “With or Without You” and “Where the Streets Have No Name”?

54. Which British band had a 1981 hit with “Don’t You Want Me”?

55. Which 1980s female pop singer had hits with “Straight Up” and “Forever Your Girl”?

56. What 1985 charity single brought together dozens of British artists under the name Band Aid?

57. Who sang the 1986 hit “Addicted to Love,” known for its iconic music video with dancing models?

58. What was the stage name of the artist born Gordon Sumner, who found fame with The Police in the 1980s?

59. Who performed the 1984 song “Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)”?

60. Which 1987 song by Whitney Houston became her first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100?

61. Who sang the 1987 hit “Faith,” which marked a successful solo career after leaving Wham!?

Frequently Asked Questions

How did 1980s pop music influence fashion trends of the decade?

1980s pop music inspired bold, expressive fashion such as big hair, bright neon colors, leg warmers, spandex, and dramatic makeup. Artists like Madonna and Michael Jackson set trends that fans eagerly emulated.

What role did music videos play in shaping 1980s music culture?

Music videos became a crucial medium for artists to showcase their style and personality, making fashion and theatricality integral to their image. MTV’s launch in 1981 amplified this trend, turning visual presentation into a key part of musical success.

How did 1980s music culture reflect broader social and cultural changes?

The decade’s music and fashion expressed themes of empowerment, individuality, and rebellion, reflecting shifts in gender roles, racial identity, and youth culture, making music a powerful vehicle for social expression.