Music from 1989 Trivia

1. In 1989, the song "I Won't Back Down" was released by Tom Petty. Which legendary musician from Electric Light Orchestra assisted Petty on this track?

From Quiz 1989 Pop Music Hits

Answer: Jeff Lynne

Jeff Lynne, a prominent member of ELO, helped Tom Petty to write "I Won't Back Down." Lynne also contributed guitar work and background vocals to this song. "I Won't Back Down" was included on the 1989 Tom Petty album "Full Moon Fever." This single was released in April 1989, and it peaked at the number 12 position on the U.S. Billboard charts. Petty sang these lyrics: "Hey, baby, there ain't no easy way out Hey, I will stand my ground And I won't back down..."

From Quiz Billboard Number One Hits of 1989

Answer: New Edition

Bobby Brown began his music career as a member of New Edition. The group's hits with Brown include "Candy Girl", "Cool It Now" and "Mr. Telephone Man". Brown's on stage antics reportedly caused his removal from the band. He later admitted that alcohol fueled his antics. After leaving New Edition in 1986, Brown released his first solo album, "King of Stage". Brown's next album, "Don't Be Cruel" was released in 1988. He collaborated with L.A. Reid, Babyface and Teddy Riley with the songwriting duties. The single release, "My Prerogative" reached the number one spot. Britney Spears covered the song in 2004. The Gap Band rose to fame during the eighties. The band formed in 1967 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. One Way was formed in 1979 in Detroit, Michigan. They were originally known as Soul Partners. Full Force is a R&B group from Brooklyn, New York.

From Quiz Music from the 80s - 1989

Answer: Neneh Cherry

"Manchild" was released by Neneh Cherry on 20 May 1989 and reached a highest chart position of number three in the UK during a 13 week run on the chart. This song featured on the album "Raw Like Sushi" which was released in June 1989 and spent a total of 43 weeks on the UK album chart, peaking at number two.

From Quiz Hits of 1989

Answer: Phil Collins

"Another Day in Paradise" comes from Phil Collins 1989 album "...But Seriously". The song is about the problem of homelessness. It got to number one in the US and number two in the UK.

From Quiz Who Sang What In 1989

Answer: Kaoma

From Quiz 1989 Pop Music Hits

Answer: Homelessness

In 1989, veteran singer Phil Collins recorded an album called "...But Seriously." Included on this collection was a single entitled "Another Day in Paradise." In this song, Collins explored the problem of homelessness in urban areas. The protagonist of this tune was a homeless woman in desperate need of help: food, shelter from the cold, and shoes. In the USA, "Another Day in Paradise" rose to the number two spot on the Billboard charts. Collins sang these lyrics: "Oh think twice It's just another day for you and me in paradise..."

From Quiz Billboard Number One Hits of 1989

Answer: Two Hearts

"Two Hearts" was written and produced by Collins and Lamont Dozier. Dozier gained fame as part of the Motown songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. The song was specifically composed for the 1988 crime comedy film "Buster". The song earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. "Groovy Kind of Love" is also from the movie and reached number one in 1988. "Separate Lives" is a 1985 duet with Marilyn Martin. The song is from the soundtrack to the motion picture "White Nights". "One More Night" is also a 1985 number one hit for Collins. Collins did the soundtrack to the animated film "Tarzan" in 1999 and won an Oscar for "You'll Be in My Heart".

From Quiz Music from the 80s - 1989

Answer: Black Box

"Ride On Time" by Black Box was released on 12 August 1989 and spent a whopping 22 weeks on the UK singles chart, including six weeks at number one.

From Quiz Hits of 1989

Answer: Paula Abdul

"Straight Up" is from Paula Abdul's 1988 album "Forever Your Girl". It was a number one hit in the US and reached number three in the UK.

From Quiz Who Sang What in 1989?

Answer: Paula Abdul

Before starting her music career, Paula Abdul used to be a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers.

From Quiz Who Sang What In 1989

Answer: Neneh Cherry

From Quiz 1989 Pop Music Hits

Answer: Don't Rush Me

Taylor Dayne's high-tempo song "Don't Rush Me" became a hit in the USA in early 1989. This single, recorded in 1987, climbed to the number two position on the Billboard charts and was included on Dayne's highly successful "Tell It to My Heart" album from 1987. Dayne began "Don't Rush Me" with these lyrics: "Red roses, temptation You make the most of an iffy situation I'm weighing my decision Who's to say if it's love, or if it isn't?"

From Quiz Music from the 80s - 1989

Answer: Kylie Minogue

"Never Too Late" by Kylie Minogue was released in November 1989, spent ten weeks on the UK singles chart and reached number four.

From Quiz Hits of 1989

Answer: The Bangles

"Eternal Flame" comes from The Bangles 1988 album "Everything". It was a massive success and went to number one in the UK, US, Norway, Australia, and Ireland.

From Quiz Who Sang What In 1989

Answer: De La Soul

From Quiz 1989 Pop Music Hits

Answer: Wind Beneath My Wings

Bette Midler had an international hit song with "Wind Beneath My Wings." This song was released in the USA in March 1989, and it climbed to the top of the Billboard singles charts. The Divine Miss M won a 1990 Grammy Award for "Wind Beneath the Wings." Midler sang, "I can fly higher than an eagle / 'Cause you are the wind beneath my wings." Edie Brickell sang "What I Am", Debbie Gibson did "Lost in Your Eyes", and Chicago performed "Look Away."

From Quiz Billboard Number One Hits of 1989

Answer: Canada

Sheriff was formed in 1979 in Toronto. The lineup consisted of singer Freddy Curci, Steve de Marchi, Arnold Lanni, Wolf Hassel and Rob Elliott. In 1982 they released their self-titled album. "You Remind Me" became a Top Forty hit in Canada. "When I'm with You", only reached number 61 in America in 1983. They split up two years later. Six years later a DJ in Las Vegas began playing "When I'm with You" and it became a number one hit. The success of the song led to Curci and de Marchi returning to the music scene in a band called Alias. "When I'm With You" is in the "Cold Case" episode, "It's Raining Men", from the second season and also in the 2001 David Spade film, "Joe Dirt".

From Quiz Music from the 80s - 1989

Answer: Rebel MC & Double Trouble

Released on 7 October 1989, "Street Tuff" by Rebel MC & Double Trouble spent 14 weeks on the UK singles chart and achieved a highest position of number three.

From Quiz Hits of 1989

Answer: New Kids On The Block

"I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" is from New Kids On The Block's album "Hangin' Tough" (1988). It was a number one hit in the US and went to number five in the UK.

From Quiz Who Sang What in 1989?

Answer: Tears For Fears

'Sowing The Seeds Of Love' was one of many hits for Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, who made up the Tears For Fears duo.

From Quiz Who Sang What In 1989

Answer: Guns 'N Roses

From Quiz 1989 Pop Music Hits

Answer: Prayer

Madonna's song "Like a Prayer" was released in the USA in February 1989, and it quickly rose to the top spot on the Billboard charts. This tune featured a gospel choir backing up Madonna. Madonna sang these lyrics from the song's chorus: "When you call my name It's like a little prayer I'm down on my knees I wanna take you there..."

From Quiz Billboard Number One Hits of 1989

Answer: David Essex

"Rock On" was originally composed and sung by David Essex. In March of 1974 it was a Top Five song on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It was also Essex's only Billboard Top 40 hit. Michael Damian Weir had an 18-year run on "The Young and the Restless". He released five albums and has had eight top 40 hits in addition to "Rock On". "Rock On" earned him a gold record and he also won a BMI Songwriting Award for his single, "Was It Nothing at All?". Byron MacGregor's top five in 1974 was "Americans". "Seasons in the Sun" was a number one for Terry Jacks in 1974. William DeVaughn hit the Top Five in 1974 with "Be Thankful for What You've Got".

From Quiz Music from the 80s - 1989

Answer: "Fergus Sings The Blues" by Deacon Blue

"Fergus Sings The Blues" by Deacon Blue was released on 20 May 1989, spent six weeks on the UK singles chart and reached number 14.

From Quiz Hits of 1989

Answer: Milli Vanilli

"Girl I'm Gonna Miss You" is from Milli Vanilli's 1989 album "Girl You Know It's True". It was a number one hit in the US and Netherlands and reached number two in the UK.

From Quiz Who Sang What in 1989?

Answer: Roxette

'The Look' was a hit in both America and Britian for this Swedish duo.

From Quiz Who Sang What In 1989

Answer: Tears For Fears

From Quiz 1989 Pop Music Hits

Answer: Pride

Cher resurrected her singing career with her 1989 hit song "If I Could Turn Back Time." In the USA, this single went to the number three position on the Billboard charts. Cher sang in the lyrics that pride was "like a knife." These are the words which Cher used in the song: "I don't know why I said the things I said Pride's like a knife; it can cut deep inside Words are like weapons; they wound sometimes..."

This is category 14453
Last Updated Mar 14 2026 5:48 AM

= Top 5% Rated Quiz, Top 10% Rated Quiz, Top 20% Rated Quiz, A Well Rated Quiz
= added recently, = Editor's Pick = FunTrivia Editor = Gold Member
Teachers / educators: FunTrivia welcomes the use of our website and quizzes in the classroom as a teaching aid or for preparing and testing students. See our education section. Our quizzes are printable and may be used as question sheets by k-12 teachers, parents, and home schoolers.

 ·  All questions, answers, and quiz content on this website is copyright FunTrivia, Inc and may not be reproduced without permission. Any images from TV shows and movies are copyright their studios, and are being used under "fair use" for commentary and education.