Think you know the 1980s? These 15 trivia questions are drawn from our library of 2,000+ hand-reviewed questions covering every corner of 1980s chart history — from Billboard Hot 100 records to MTV firsts, one-hit wonders, and the producers behind the decade's biggest songs.
Each question includes four multiple-choice options and a detailed explanation. Tap Reveal Answer to check yourself, then challenge your friends with the ones that stump you.
80s Music Trivia Questions
1. “Take On Me” by a-ha became a global breakthrough in part because of its landmark music video, which is best known for using what visual technique?
A) Claymation
B) Rotoscoped pencil-sketch/live-action blending
C) Pixel animation
D) Early CGI motion capture
2. Which song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early September 1980?
A) Sailing
B) Upside Down
C) Fame
D) Magic
3. What was the first music video ever played on MTV when the channel launched on August 1, 1981?
A) Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles
B) Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel
C) Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
D) You Better Run by Pat Benatar
4. Which artist released 'Cross My Heart' during this chart period?
A) Sweet Sensation
B) Sa-Fire
C) Eighth Wonder
D) Martika
5. "Hourglass" was the title track from the first Squeeze studio album after the return of which core songwriting pair?
A) Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith
B) Glenn Gregory and Martyn Ware
C) Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe
D) Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook
6. “Owner of a Lonely Heart” by Yes appears on which album?
A) Drama
B) Big Generator
C) 90125
D) Tormato
7. “If It Isn’t Love” by New Edition was produced by which hitmaking team?
A) Full Force
B) The System
C) Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
D) L.A. Reid and Babyface
8. "Tall Cool One" by Robert Plant featured samples of Led Zeppelin recordings. On which Robert Plant solo album did the song appear?
A) The Principle of Moments
B) Manic Nirvana
C) Now and Zen
D) Pictures at Eleven
9. On the studio version of Paul McCartney’s "Coming Up," how is McCartney best described in terms of instrumentation?
A) Sharing lead vocals with Denny Laine
B) Using a string orchestra
C) Playing all instruments himself
D) Singing over a full Wings performance
10. “Say It Isn’t So” by Hall & Oates appears on which compilation album?
A) Voices
B) Private Eyes
C) Rock ’n Soul Part 1
D) H2O
11. “Leather and Lace” was written by which singer-songwriter who also sang on the hit recording?
A) Linda Ronstadt
B) Carole King
C) Stevie Nicks
D) Carly Simon
12. The supergroup The Power Station, which had a hit with 'Some Like It Hot', featured members of Duran Duran and what other iconic band?
A) Chic
B) Roxy Music
C) The Clash
D) Sex Pistols
13. "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper was written by which songwriting team?
A) Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly
B) Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman
C) Gerry Goffin and Carole King
D) Holland–Dozier–Holland
14. The Human League's "Don't You Want Me" was a centerpiece of which 1981 album?
A) Dare
B) Fascination
C) Reproduction
D) Travelogue
15. What 1987 George Michael hit was the best-selling single of 1988 in the United States?
A) Faith
B) Roll With It
C) One More Try
D) Never Gonna Give You Up
This page includes a small public sample of 1980s music trivia questions from the 80s Music Chart Challenge question bank. For 7 new questions every day — with scoring, streaks, and leaderboards — play the daily quiz.
How These Questions Are Created
Every question in our library is hand-written and fact-checked against original Billboard chart data, verified music-history references, and primary sources. We never use AI-generated trivia — each question is reviewed for accuracy, fairness, and genuine educational value. Learn more about how our questions are created.
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