Pop Music Hits of 1986 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Range

Bruce Hornsby & The Range topped the U.S. Billboard singles charts in the fall of 1986 with the song "The Way It Is." The Range consisted of Bruce Hornsby, David Mansfield, Joe Puerta, John Mola, and George Marinelli. Hornsby, born in Virginia, sang these lyrics:

"That's just the way it is; some things will never change
That's just the way it is
But don't you believe them..."

Answer: Top Gun

The hit song "Danger Zone" was featured prominently in the 1986 action movie "Top Gun." Tom Cruise starred in this film about U.S. Navy fighter pilots. Kenny Loggins took this song to the number two spot on the U.S. singles charts in the early summer of 1986. Loggins sang these words: "Highway to the danger zone / Ride into the danger zone..."

Answer: Addicted to Love

"Addicted to Love" by Robert Palmer opened with the line "The lights are on..." In the U.S., this song was released in February 1986, and it soon rose to the number one spot on the Billboard charts. The video which accompanied this song featured identically dressed models posing as musicians. As Palmer sang, "Might as well face it; you're addicted to love."

Answer: Peter Gabriel

Former Genesis member Peter Gabriel had a huge hit in 1986 with "Sledgehammer." In the USA, this song climbed to the top of the Billboard singles charts in the late spring of '86. Gabriel left Genesis in the late 1970s and embarked on a successful solo career. Gabriel sang these lyrics form "Sledgehammer":

"I want you to be my sledgehammer
Why don't you call my name
Oh let me be your sledgehammer
This will be my testimony..."

Answer: Control

Janet Jackson's 1986 album "Control" contained the hit single "When I Think of You." This album was released in February of '86 and had several popular tunes. In the U.S., "When I Think of You" became a number one hit single in the late summer of 1986.

The album "Dream Street" was released in 1984, "Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814" came out in 1989, and "The Velvet Rope" appeared in 1997.

Answer: Gold

"And the bazaar man by the Nile
He got the money on a bet
Gold crocodiles (oh-way-oh)
They snap their teeth on a cigarette..."

The Bangles sang the above lyrics, and a monster hit song was born. In the U.S.,
"Walk Like an Egyptian" became the number one hit song in December 1986, and it topped the charts in January 1987 as well.

Answer: Australia

INXS was formed in Sydney, Australia. Group members included Michael Hutchence on lead vocals, Garry Beers on bass, Kirk Pengilly on saxophone/guitars, and Jon Farris on drums. The hard-driving song "What You Need" reached the number five position on the U.S. Billboard singles charts in early 1986.

Answer: Everybody Have Fun Tonight

The group Wang Chung, based in London, achieved success in the USA in 1986 with their song "Everybody Have Fun Tonight." This tune rose to the number two position on the Billboard singles charts in October '86. Jack Hues and Nick Feldman were the most important members of Wang Chung. Hues sang these lyrics to open "Fun Tonight:

"I'll drive a million miles
To be with you tonight
So if you're feeling low
Turn up your radio..."

"Invisible Touch" was performed by Genesis, "Silent Running" was done by Mike + The Mechanics, and "Words Get In the Way" was recorded by The Miami Sound Machine.

Answer: To blame

"Shot to the heart, and you're to blame / You give love a bad name..." New Jersey's Bon Jovi struck gold in the USA with these lyrics; this song climbed to the number one position in the U.S. Billboard singles charts in November 1986. This tune appeared on the band's highly successful album "Slippery When Wet."

Answer: Stacey Q

Stacey Q, from Los Angeles, recorded "Two of Hearts." This song was released in the U.S. in July 1986, and it reached the number three spot on the Billboard charts. Stacey Q (Stacey Lynn Swain) sang these lyrics from the chorus of "Two of Hearts":

"Two of hearts, two hearts that beat as one
Two of hearts, I need you, I need you..."