Part of the 80s Music Chart Challenge archive — 2,800+ curated trivia questions and growing daily.
Preserved exactly as it ran on August 14, 2026, this quiz covers 7 questions from across 1980–1989. The questions lean into R&B and rock. Questions here touch on Evelyn King, The Alarm, and Toto, among others. The difficulty breaks down into 3 moderate, 3 hard, and 1 expert questions. Stylistically it moves between R&B and rock. It is one entry in a growing archive of daily 1980s chart quizzes. The chart years stretch from 1980 to 1989. Each entry includes the answer plus the story behind it, from chart runs to production details.
This archive page preserves the daily quiz as published, with answers and explanations included.
Bon Jovi's I'll Be There for You, designated a Power Pick/Airplay selection on the March 1989 Hot 100, was included on which album?
"I'll Be There for You" was a single from Bon Jovi's 1988 album "New Jersey," which followed the massive success of "Slippery When Wet."
For which legendary R&B group was the song "True Colors" originally intended before Cyndi Lauper recorded her version?
"True Colors" was initially meant for The Staple Singers, but they passed on it, leading to Lauper’s iconic rendition.
“Touch of Grey” gave which long-running band its first major Top 10 pop hit in the United States?
Despite their longstanding career, the Grateful Dead's 1987 song “Touch of Grey” was their first Top 10 hit on the U.S. pop charts.
Which label imprint is associated with The Alarm's "Rain In The Summertime," credited with J. Porter and the band as producers?
The Alarm’s "Rain In The Summertime" was released on I.R.S. Records, known for its roster of college rock and alternative acts in the 80s.
“Love Come Down” by Evelyn King was released on which label?
Evelyn King's "Love Come Down" was released on RCA, one of the major labels popular in the early 80s.
Billy Joel's song "Don't Ask Me Why" also appears on which album?
"Don't Ask Me Why" was another hit from Billy Joel's 1980 album "Glass Houses", blending rock with catchy melodies.
When engineer Greg Ladanyi mixed Toto's 'Africa,' what limitation did the mixing console have, and how was it resolved?
Toto's mix of 'Africa' was challenging because the mixing console had fewer faders than needed for the numerous tracks, so Greg Ladanyi mixed parts separately and edited the mixes together to achieve the final sound.