Free Resource

Free Printable 80s Music Trivia Night Kit

Everything you need to host an 80s music trivia night — 5 rounds, 25 questions, scoring sheets, host instructions, and a complete answer key. Just print and play.

Host Instructions

What you need: This printed kit, pens for each team, and a timer (optional).

Setup: Print one copy of the question pages per team, plus one copy of the answer key for the host. Teams of 2–6 players work best.

How to play: Read each question aloud (or let teams read silently). Give 30–60 seconds per question. Teams write their answers on the sheet. After each round, collect answer sheets and score using the answer key.

Scoring: 1 point per correct answer in Rounds 1–2. 2 points per correct answer in Rounds 3–4. 3 points per correct answer in Round 5 (Expert). Maximum possible score: 45 points.

Tiebreaker: If teams are tied, ask: “How many weeks did Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album spend at #1 on the Billboard 200?” (Answer: 37 weeks.) Closest answer wins.

Round 1: Warm-Up Round

Ease into the night with these accessible questions about iconic 80s moments.

1.Which R&B legend wrote and produced Diana Ross"s 1981 hit "I"m Coming Out" after seeing three drag queens dressed as her at a club?

A.Nile Rodgers

B.Quincy Jones

C.Rick James

D.Stevie Wonder

2.What was the first music video ever played on MTV when the channel launched on August 1, 1981?

A.Billie Jean by Michael Jackson

B.Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel

C.Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles

D.You Better Run by Pat Benatar

3.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.Sex Pistols

D.The Clash

4.What 1983 #1 hit for Irene Cara was from a movie she also co-starred in?

A.Against All Odds

B.Fame

C.Flashdance... What a Feeling

D.Maniac

5.Which artist had a #1 Adult Contemporary hit in 1988 with "Don"t Worry, Be Happy,' the first a cappella song to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100?

A.Billy Ocean

B.Bobby McFerrin

C.Phil Collins

D.Sting

Round 2: Chart Hits

Test your knowledge of the songs and artists that dominated the Billboard Hot 100.

6.What 1982 song by the Steve Miller Band gave the artist his last #1 hit on the Hot 100?

A.Abracadabra

B.Fly Like an Eagle

C.Rock'n Me

D.The Joker

7.Which song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early September 1980?

A.Fame

B.Magic

C.Sailing

D.Upside Down

8.Which artist recorded the hit "Sailing"?

A.Boz Scaggs

B.Christopher Cross

C.Kenny Loggins

D.Michael McDonald

9.Which singer performed the hit "Fame" from the film Fame?

A.Debbie Allen

B.Irene Cara

C.Liza Minnelli

D.Olivia Newton-John

10.Which Olivia Newton-John song was a major hit in 1980?

A.Magic

B.Physical

C.Suddenly

D.Xanadu Theme

Round 3: Deep Cuts

Dig deeper into chart history, albums, and the stories behind the hits. (2 points each)

11.In 1981, who became the first artist to hold the #1 spot on Billboard"s Top LPs & Tape chart and Hot 100 simultaneously with "Tattoo You" and "Start Me Up'?

A.Billy Joel

B.Bruce Springsteen

C.Stevie Wonder

D.The Rolling Stones

12.Michael Jackson"s "Thriller' album spent a record 37 weeks at #1. Which album finally knocked it out of the top spot in 1984?

A.Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen

B.Footloose Soundtrack

C.Like a Virgin by Madonna

D.Purple Rain by Prince

13.Which Toto member was the primary songwriter for their 1982 Grammy-winning Record of the Year, "Rosanna"?

A.David Paich

B.Jeff Porcaro

C.Steve Lukather

D.Steve Porcaro

14.Which artist wrote and produced The Time"s 1984 rock hit "Jungle Love" under the pseudonym "Jamie Starr'?

A.Jesse Johnson

B.Jimmy Jam

C.Morris Day

D.Prince

15.Which band"s 1986 album "The Queen Is Dead' is often cited as their masterpiece but failed to produce a Top 40 hit in the US?

A.R.E.M.

B.The Cure

C.The Smiths

D.U2

Round 4: Behind the Music

Producer credits, songwriting partnerships, and the people behind the music. (2 points each)

16.What 1987 George Michael hit was the best-selling single of 1988 in the United States?

A.Faith

B.Never Gonna Give You Up

C.One More Try

D.Roll With It

17.Which band"s 1989 album "Disintegration" was a gothic rock masterpiece, despite the record label"s fears that it was "commercial suicide"?

A.Depeche Mode

B.Joy Division

C.Nine Inch Nails

D.The Cure

18.Which member of Queen wrote the 1980 hit "Another One Bites the Dust"?

A.Brian May

B.Freddie Mercury

C.John Deacon

D.Roger Taylor

19.The song "Boulevard" was a hit for which singer-songwriter around 1980?

A.Don Henley

B.Jackson Browne

C.James Taylor

D.John Mellencamp

20.Billy Joel"s song "Don"t Ask Me Why" also appears on which album?

A.Glass Houses

B.Nylon Curtain

C.Storm Front

D.The Stranger

Round 5: Expert Challenge

Only true 80s music historians will ace this final round. (3 points each)

21.Vangelis"s instrumental theme from "Chariots of Fire' hit #1 on the Hot 100 in 1982. What was the official title of the track?

A.100 Metres

B.Chariots of Fire

C.Eric's Theme

D.Titles

22.Tracy Chapman"s 1988 debut album, featuring the hit "Fast Car', won her a Grammy for Best New Artist. Which other nominee did she beat in that category?

A.Rick Astley

B.Taylor Dayne

C.Toni Childs

D.Vanessa Williams

23.“Upside Down” was produced by which duo?

A.Ashford & Simpson

B.Gamble & Huff

C.Holland-Dozier-Holland

D.Rodgers & Edwards

24.“Give Me the Night” was produced by which producer?

A.David Foster

B.Nile Rodgers

C.Quincy Jones

D.Stevie Wonder

25.“Drivin’ My Life Away” by Eddie Rabbitt is associated with which crossover trend?

A.Country-pop

B.Disco-rock

C.Progressive rock

D.Punk

Answer Key

Host only — do not distribute to teams until scoring is complete.

Round 1: Warm-Up Round(1 pt each)

1. A. Nile Rodgers— Nile Rodgers of Chic was inspired to write the anthem of self-revelation after this real-life encounter in a New York Ci...

2. C. Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles— The Buggles' 1979 hit was prophetically chosen as the inaugural music video for the new channel, heralding the start of ...

3. A. Chic— The Power Station consisted of John and Andy Taylor of Duran Duran, singer Robert Palmer, and drummer Tony Thompson from...

4. C. Flashdance... What a Feeling— Irene Cara co-wrote and performed the theme song for the movie "Flashdance", winning an Academy Award and a Grammy. Howe...

5. B. Bobby McFerrin— The song's simple, positive message and unique all-vocal arrangement made it a global phenomenon and a Grammy winner for...

Round 2: Chart Hits(1 pt each)

6. A. Abracadabra— The synth-heavy pop-rock track "Abracadabra" was a departure from their earlier sound but became a huge international hi...

7. D. Upside Down— "Upside Down" by Diana Ross topped the Billboard Hot 100 in early September 1980, becoming one of her biggest solo hits.

8. B. Christopher Cross— "Sailing" is a soft rock hit performed by Christopher Cross that reached number one on the Hot 100 in 1980.

9. B. Irene Cara— "Fame" was performed by Irene Cara and became a defining song of the 1980 film of the same name.

10. A. Magic— "Magic" was a hit single from Olivia Newton-John's 1980 album "Xanadu," topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Round 3: Deep Cuts(2 pts each)

11. D. The Rolling Stones— This achievement marked a major commercial comeback for the band in the 1980s, showcasing their enduring appeal.

12. B. Footloose Soundtrack— The massively popular soundtrack for the film "Footloose", featuring hits by Kenny Loggins and Deniece Williams, ended "...

13. A. David Paich— Keyboardist David Paich wrote the song, which, despite popular belief, was not named after actress Rosanna Arquette, who...

14. D. Prince— Prince was the creative force behind The Time, writing and producing much of their material, often using his "Jamie Star...

15. C. The Smiths— Despite its immense critical acclaim and influence on alternative rock, "The Queen Is Dead" had limited mainstream chart...

Round 4: Behind the Music(2 pts each)

16. A. Faith— Released in late 1987, the rockabilly-infused "Faith" had immense staying power, dominating the charts and ultimately be...

17. D. The Cure— Despite its dark, lengthy, and atmospheric tracks, "Disintegration" became The Cure"s most commercially successful album...

18. C. John Deacon— "Another One Bites the Dust" was written by Queen's bassist John Deacon and became one of their biggest hits in 1980.

19. B. Jackson Browne— "Boulevard" was released by Jackson Browne in 1980 and was one of the tracks that helped solidify his career in the 80s.

20. A. Glass Houses— "Don"t Ask Me Why" was another hit from Billy Joel"s 1980 album "Glass Houses", blending rock with catchy melodies.

Round 5: Expert Challenge(3 pts each)

21. D. Titles— Although commonly known as the "Chariots of Fire" theme, the track"s official title on the soundtrack album is simply "T...

22. A. Rick Astley— In a diverse field of nominees, the folk-based singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman took home the prestigious Best New Artist...

23. D. Rodgers & Edwards— Rodgers & Edwards, Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, produced Diana Ross's hit "Upside Down," known for its signature di...

24. C. Quincy Jones— Produced by Quincy Jones, "Give Me the Night" melded jazz, R&B, and pop, becoming one of George Benson's biggest crossov...

25. A. Country-pop— "Drivin’ My Life Away" exemplifies the country-pop crossover trend, blending traditional country with mainstream pop pro...

Tiebreaker Question

How many weeks did Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album spend at #1 on the Billboard 200?

Answer: 37 weeks

Created by 80s Music Chart Challenge • 80sMusicChartChallenge.com

Questions sourced from our archive of 2,800+ curated Billboard Hot 100 trivia questions.

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