Daily Quiz Archive

80s Music Trivia Challenge – Thursday, June 4, 2026

Part of the 80s Music Chart Challenge archive — 2,000+ curated trivia questions and growing daily.

Think you know Michael Jackson and Daryl Hall and John Oates? The questions here might surprise you. You'll encounter Michael Jackson, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Supertramp, and others — but the focus goes well beyond who sang what. 3 accessible, 3 challenging, and 1 expert-tier — all with answers.

Featured Topics:Chart RecordsMovie SoundtracksProducersNew WaveCollaborations
Michael Jackson, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Supertramp, Toto, Babe Ruth (writer associated with songs performed by Giant and Cher)3 Moderate · 3 Hard · 1 Expert1981–1989
1

Before its release on Bad, “Another Part of Me” by Michael Jackson was first widely associated with which project?

MODERATE
1988 · Michael Jackson
Captain EO
Ghosts
Moonwalker
The Wiz

‘Another Part of Me’ was featured in the 3D film Captain EO before appearing on Michael Jackson’s Bad album.

2

What device best describes the branding of Daryl Hall and John Oates’ 1981 hit "Private Eyes"?

MODERATE
1981 · Daryl Hall and John Oates
Animated fantasy soundtrack marketing
Roadhouse country storytelling
Soap-opera parody
Surveillance/detective imagery turned into a pop hook

"Private Eyes" uses the concept of surveillance and detective imagery as a catchy pop theme.

3

‘It’s Raining Again’ was the lead single from ...Famous Last Words..., the final album featuring the classic lineup of which band?

MODERATE
1983 · Supertramp
Electric Light Orchestra
Genesis
Roxy Music
Supertramp

'It’s Raining Again' was the lead single from Supertramp’s album '...Famous Last Words...'.

4

Toto's "Rosanna" features a distinctive drum pattern known as the Rosanna Shuffle. Which description best fits its core rhythmic structure?

HARD
1982 · Toto
A double-time shuffle played over a four-on-the-floor kick pattern
A half-time shuffle combining the Purdie shuffle and Bo Diddley beat with ghost notes
A quarter-note hi-hat pulse over a syncopated snare on beats 2 and 4
A straight 4/4 kick-snare groove played at half speed

The Rosanna Shuffle drum pattern is famous for its complex half-time shuffle that merges the Purdie shuffle with the Bo Diddley beat and accented ghost notes played by drummer Jeff Porcaro.

5

Who wrote the 1989 hair metal ballad "When I See You Smile" and also penned "If I Could Turn Back Time" for Cher in the same year?

HARD
1989 · Babe Ruth (writer associated with songs performed by Giant and Cher)
Carole King
Desmond Child
Diane Warren
Holly Knight

Diane Warren wrote both hits, establishing her as a leading songwriter of powerful ballads in 1989.

6

"Blue Monday 1988" by New Order was produced by which music industry figure who owned their US label Qwest Records at the time?

HARD
1988 · New Order
Clive Davis
David Geffen
Jerry Wexler
Quincy Jones

Quincy Jones, owner of Qwest Records, produced the 1988 remix of New Order's "Blue Monday."

7

Which 1980s synth-pop record offers a brooding contrast to Howard Jones’s optimistic "New Song"?

EXPERT
1984 · Talk Talk
"A Fine Fine Day" by Tony Carey
"It’s My Life" by Talk Talk
"Joanna" by Kool & The Gang
"To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before" by Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson

"It’s My Life" by Talk Talk is recognized for its darker synth-pop tone, providing a stark contrast to Howard Jones’s brighter style.

Want to Play Today's Quiz?

7 new questions every day. Track your streaks and compete on the leaderboard.

Related Quiz Topics

Explore more 80s music trivia related to the themes covered in this quiz.