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165 free 80s Music trivia questions with answers — music quiz, new questions added Aug 2026.
95 free 80s Music trivia questions with answers. The 1980s were a golden age of pop music. MTV changed everything, synthesizers ruled the charts, and artists like Michael Jackson, Prince, and Madonna became larger than life. How well do you remember the soundtrack of the decade?
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Q 01Which Culture Club single was the UK's biggest-selling record of 1983, spending six weeks at number one?
Karma Chameleon
'Karma Chameleon' went to number one in 20 countries, including three weeks atop the US Hot 100 in early 1984, the band's only American chart-topper.
Q 02What was the first music video ever played on MTV when it launched on August 1, 1981?
Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles
"Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles was the first music video aired on MTV at 12:01 AM on August 1, 1981.
Q 03Which artist released the hit song "Like a Virgin" in 1984?
Madonna
Madonna released "Like a Virgin" in 1984. It became her first #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and the title track of her second studio album.
Q 04Which band performed "Don't Stop Believin'"?
Journey
Journey released "Don't Stop Believin'" in 1981. It became one of the most iconic rock anthems of the decade and remains one of the top-selling digital tracks of all time.
Q 05Which 1984 single was the first to take Prince to number one on the Billboard Hot 100?
When Doves Cry
'When Doves Cry' was Prince's first Billboard Hot 100 number one, holding the top for five weeks in summer 1984 and finishing as Billboard's year-end number one single of 1984.
Q 06Which British band sang "Every Breath You Take" in 1983?
The Police
The Police released "Every Breath You Take" in 1983. Written by Sting, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks and became the biggest hit of 1983.
Q 07Which Whitney Houston song became her first #1 hit in 1985?
Saving All My Love for You
"Saving All My Love for You" was Whitney Houston's first #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985, from her self-titled debut album.
Q 08What was the name of the massive charity concert held on July 13, 1985, organized by Bob Geldof?
Live Aid
Live Aid was held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia on July 13, 1985. It raised over $125 million for Ethiopian famine relief.
Q 09Which Bon Jovi song features the lyrics "Woah, we're halfway there"?
Livin' on a Prayer
"Livin' on a Prayer" was released in 1986, co-written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child, and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1987, becoming Bon Jovi's signature song.
Q 10Which Cyndi Lauper hit became an anthem for female empowerment in 1983?
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" was released in 1983 and became Cyndi Lauper's signature song and a feminist pop anthem. It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Q 11Which Guns N' Roses single is the band's only Billboard Hot 100 number one?
Sweet Child O' Mine
"Sweet Child O' Mine" (1988) features Slash's iconic opening guitar riff, which he originally played as a string-skipping exercise. It became Guns N' Roses' only #1 hit.
Q 12Which Blondie song, from the film American Gigolo, was Billboard's number one single of 1980?
Call Me
'Call Me' was produced by disco king Giorgio Moroder for American Gigolo and spent six weeks at number one; the sleeve used Richard Gere's image from the film poster.
Q 13Which Depeche Mode song became their signature hit in 1981?
Just Can't Get Enough
Q 21Which Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith collaboration helped bring hip-hop into the mainstream in 1986?
Walk This Way
"Walk This Way" (1986) was a groundbreaking collaboration between Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith. It was one of the first rap-rock crossover hits and helped introduce hip-hop to MTV's predominantly rock audience.
Q 22Which The Cure album, released in 1989, featured the hits "Lovesong" and "Lullaby"?
Disintegration
Disintegration (1989) contains 'Lovesong', which reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and 'Lullaby', the Cure's highest-charting UK single at number 5.
Q 23Which single spent 10 weeks at Hot 100 number one, the longest run of the 1980s?
"Just Can't Get Enough" was released in 1981 and became Depeche Mode's first major hit. Its catchy synth-pop melody made it a dancefloor staple of the early 80s.
Q 14Which U2 album, released in 1987, features "With or Without You" and "Where the Streets Have No Name"?
The Joshua Tree
The Joshua Tree (1987) opens with 'Where the Streets Have No Name' and gave U2 its first US number one with 'With or Without You'; it won Album of the Year at the 1988 Grammys.
Q 15What was the name of the charity supergroup single organized by Bob Geldof in 1984?
Do They Know It's Christmas?
"Do They Know It's Christmas?" was recorded by Band Aid in November 1984 to raise money for Ethiopian famine relief. The supergroup included members of Duran Duran, U2, Culture Club, and many more.
Q 16Which 1986 movie featured the Kenny Loggins hit "Danger Zone"?
Top Gun
"Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins was featured prominently in the 1986 film Top Gun starring Tom Cruise. The song reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Q 17Which artist performed "Billie Jean" at the 1983 Motown 25 special, debuting the moonwalk?
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson performed "Billie Jean" at the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever TV special on March 25, 1983. His debut of the moonwalk during this performance became one of the most iconic moments in music history.
Q 18Which Duran Duran music video was famously filmed in Sri Lanka?
Hungry Like the Wolf
'Hungry Like the Wolf' was shot in Sri Lanka in April 1982 by director Russell Mulcahy, on the same trip that produced the 'Save a Prayer' video; 'Rio' was filmed in Antigua.
Q 19Which 1986 Berlin ballad from a fighter-pilot blockbuster won the Academy Award for Best Original Song?
Take My Breath Away
It also took the Golden Globe. Giorgio Moroder wrote it with Tom Whitlock, the same team behind the film's other hit.
Q 20What was Def Leppard's best-selling album, released in 1987?
Hysteria
Hysteria (1987) sold over 25 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. It featured seven singles including "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "Love Bites."
Physical by Olivia Newton-John
'Physical' by Olivia Newton-John held Hot 100 number one for ten weeks, from 21 November 1981 to 23 January 1982, the longest run of any single in the 1980s; 'Endless Love' managed nine.
Q 24Which hair metal band released the power ballad "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" in 1988?
Poison
Poison's only US number one was born in a Dallas laundromat, where Bret Michaels got the idea while phoning his girlfriend from a pay phone; it topped the Hot 100 for three weeks.
Q 25Which New Order song, released in 1983, became one of the best-selling 12-inch singles of all time?
Blue Monday
"Blue Monday" (1983) by New Order is the best-selling 12-inch single of all time. Its innovative use of synthesizers and drum machines helped define the electronic dance music movement.
Q 26What instrument did Phil Collins famously play in addition to singing for Genesis?
Drums
Phil Collins was Genesis's drummer before becoming their lead singer after Peter Gabriel's departure. He continued to play drums throughout the 80s, both with Genesis and in his hugely successful solo career.
Q 27Which 1983 David Bowie song was his biggest commercial hit, reaching #1 in over a dozen countries?
Let's Dance
"Let's Dance" (1983) was David Bowie's biggest commercial hit. Produced by Nile Rodgers of Chic, it reached #1 in the US, UK, and many other countries, introducing Bowie to a mainstream pop audience.
Q 28Which 1985 Dire Straits song had one of the first computer-animated music videos?
Money for Nothing
'Money for Nothing' (1985) featured early computer-animated characters by Ian Pearson and Gavin Blair; Sting sings the 'I want my MTV' hook, and the clip opened MTV Europe's launch on 1 August 1987.
Q 29What was the name of the American charity single recorded by USA for Africa in 1985?
We Are the World
"We Are the World" was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, produced by Quincy Jones, and recorded on January 28, 1985. It featured 46 of America's biggest artists and raised over $63 million for African famine relief.
Q 30Which Tears for Fears single topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks from August 1985?
Shout
'Shout' reached Billboard Hot 100 number one on 3 August 1985 and held it for three weeks, the second US chart-topper from Songs from the Big Chair after 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World'.