Michael Jackson Trivia Quiz: 15 Questions About His 1980s Music
Fifteen fact-checked questions on the King of Pop’s 1980s hits, albums, videos, and Billboard Hot 100 milestones.
This Michael Jackson trivia quiz focuses entirely on his 1980s work — the decade of “Off the Wall,” “Thriller,” and “Bad,” when he redefined what a pop record and a music video could be. Across 15 multiple-choice questions you’ll cover his Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s, the songwriters and collaborators behind his biggest records, his groundbreaking short films, and the movie projects that expanded his artistry.
You’ll be asked about the guitar solo on “Beat It,” the Beatle who joined him on a hit duet, the record-setting run of No. 1 singles from “Bad,” and the films that showcased songs like “Smooth Criminal” and “Another Part of Me.” Difficulty ranges from easy to expert, so there’s a mix for newcomers and lifelong fans.
Every question has been reviewed before publication, and each chart claim is checked against Billboard Hot 100 data where applicable. No signup is required — just start playing, get instant feedback with a short explanation after each answer, and see your final score at the end.
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15 multiple-choice questions, one at a time, with instant feedback and a short explanation after every answer. No signup required.
All 15 Questions & Answers
Prefer to read at your own pace? Every question in this Michael Jackson quiz is listed below with its four choices, the correct answer, and a short explanation. Expand any question to reveal the answer.
1Which Michael Jackson single reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1980?
- A“She’s Out of My Life”
- B“Off the Wall”
- C“Rock with You”Correct
- D“Billie Jean”
Answer: “Rock with You”
“Rock with You,” from “Off the Wall,” topped the Hot 100 in January 1980 and remains one of the definitive disco-era pop singles.
2Which former Beatle joined Michael Jackson on the 1982 duet “The Girl Is Mine”?
- AGeorge Harrison
- BPaul McCartneyCorrect
- CRingo Starr
- DJohn Lennon
Answer: Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney duetted with Jackson on “The Girl Is Mine,” the first single from “Thriller.”
3Who played the featured guitar solo on “Beat It”?
- AEddie Van HalenCorrect
- BSteve Lukather
- CCarlos Santana
- DBilly Gibbons
Answer: Eddie Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen recorded the celebrated “Beat It” guitar solo uncredited and reportedly for free, as a favor arranged through producer Quincy Jones.
4Which Michael Jackson album includes “Billie Jean,” “Beat It” and “Human Nature”?
- A“Bad”
- B“Off the Wall”
- C“Victory”
- D“Thriller”Correct
Answer: “Thriller”
All three appear on “Thriller” (1982), the best-selling album of all time.
5Who directed Michael Jackson’s short film for “Thriller”?
- AMartin Scorsese
- BDavid Fincher
- CJohn LandisCorrect
- DFrancis Ford Coppola
Answer: John Landis
John Landis, director of “An American Werewolf in London,” directed the landmark 14-minute “Thriller” short film released in 1983.
6Which duet was released as the first single from Michael Jackson’s 1987 album “Bad”?
- A“I Just Can’t Stop Loving You”Correct
- B“Bad”
- C“The Way You Make Me Feel”
- D“Man in the Mirror”
Answer: “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You”
“I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” a duet with Siedah Garrett, was the first single from “Bad” and reached No. 1.
7Which single became the fifth consecutive Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 from “Bad”?
- A“Man in the Mirror”
- B“Dirty Diana”Correct
- C“Smooth Criminal”
- D“Another Part of Me”
Answer: “Dirty Diana”
“Dirty Diana” was the fifth No. 1 from “Bad,” making it the first album ever to produce five Hot 100 chart-toppers.
8Which 1988 film featured an extended musical sequence built around “Smooth Criminal”?
- A“Captain EO”
- B“The Making of Michael Jackson’s Thriller”
- C“The Wiz”
- D“Moonwalker”Correct
Answer: “Moonwalker”
The 1988 anthology film “Moonwalker” built its centerpiece around “Smooth Criminal,” featuring the famous anti-gravity lean.
9Who co-wrote “We Are the World” with Michael Jackson?
- ALionel RichieCorrect
- BQuincy Jones
- CStevie Wonder
- DPaul McCartney
Answer: Lionel Richie
Jackson and Lionel Richie co-wrote “We Are the World” for USA for Africa in 1985; Quincy Jones produced the recording.
10Which single from “Bad” was written by Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard?
- A“Bad”
- B“The Way You Make Me Feel”
- C“Man in the Mirror”Correct
- D“Dirty Diana”
Answer: “Man in the Mirror”
“Man in the Mirror,” written by Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard, became a No. 1 anthem and a highlight of the “Bad” album.
11Which 1983 Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney duet appeared on McCartney’s album “Pipes of Peace”?
- A“The Girl Is Mine”
- B“Say Say Say”Correct
- C“Just Good Friends”
- D“I Just Can’t Stop Loving You”
Answer: “Say Say Say”
“Say Say Say,” featured on McCartney’s “Pipes of Peace,” topped the Hot 100 in 1983 and was the pair’s biggest joint hit.
12Who co-wrote “Human Nature” with lyricist John Bettis?
- ASteve PorcaroCorrect
- BRod Temperton
- CGlen Ballard
- DJames Ingram
Answer: Steve Porcaro
Toto keyboardist Steve Porcaro wrote the music for “Human Nature,” with lyrics by John Bettis; it became one of “Thriller’s” most enduring ballads.
13“Another Part of Me” originally appeared in which 1986 3-D film?
- A“Moonwalker”
- B“The Wiz”
- C“The Making of Michael Jackson’s Thriller”
- D“Captain EO”Correct
Answer: “Captain EO”
“Another Part of Me” debuted in “Captain EO,” the 1986 Disney theme-park 3-D film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, before its release on “Bad.”
14Which 1980 single became the fourth Billboard Hot 100 top-10 hit from “Off the Wall”?
- A“Off the Wall”
- B“She’s Out of My Life”Correct
- C“Rock with You”
- D“Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough”
Answer: “She’s Out of My Life”
“She’s Out of My Life” reached No. 10, giving “Off the Wall” four top-10 Hot 100 singles — a first for a solo artist from one album.
15Which song from “Thriller” credits Quincy Jones and James Ingram as its songwriters?
- A“Baby Be Mine”
- B“Human Nature”
- C“P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)”Correct
- D“The Lady in My Life”
Answer: “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)”
“P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” was written by Quincy Jones and James Ingram and reached the Hot 100 top 10 in 1983.
Want a broader challenge?
The daily 80s Music Chart Challenge serves up seven fresh Billboard Hot 100 questions every single day, spanning every artist and genre of the decade — not just Michael Jackson. Build a streak and see how you rank.
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How these questions are made
Every question in this Michael Jackson quiz is reviewed before publication, and each Billboard Hot 100 chart claim is checked against chart data where applicable. Explanations are written to add context, not just confirm the answer. We focus on accuracy over volume.
Read how our questions are created