1980s Music Trivia

1. The last Billboard Hot 100 hit of 1980 was by John Lennon. What is the title of that song?

From Quiz Billboard Hot 100 Number One Hits - 1980s

Answer: (Just Like) Starting Over

"(Just Like) Starting Over" written by John Lennon was number one for five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for John Lennon in 1980. It was number one for one week on the UK Singles Chart the same year. "(Just Like) Starting Over" rose to number one on December 27 1980, 19 days after John Lennon was fatally shot outside the Dakota Building, where he lived in New York. John Lennon's previous number one hit was "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night", six years earlier in 1974. He was the last of the four Beatles to have a solo number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

From Quiz Number One '80s Hits on the UK Singles Chart

Answer: Blondie

Blondie's three number one hits on the UK Singles Chart in 1980 were; "Atomic" was written by Chris Stein/Debbie Harry and was number one for two weeks. It peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980. "Call Me" was written by Georgio Moroder/Debbie Harry and was number one for one week. It was number one for six weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the biggest selling single of 1980 in the USA. "The Tide Is High" was written by John Holt and was number one for two weeks. It was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981. It took them 20 years but Blondie had six number one hits on the UK Singles Chart between 1979 and 1999.

From Quiz Songs From the 1980s

Answer: INXS

INXS was an Aussie rock band between 1977 and 2012. Some albums by INXS include "Kick", "Listen Like Thieves", "Switch", and "Shine Like It Does: The Anthology (1979-1997)". "Need You Tonight" ranked number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1988. "Need You Tonight" was written by Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence.

From Quiz It's The 80s UK Music Quiz: Part 2

Answer: Cliff Richard

"Oh, it's Christmas time, mistletoe and wine Children singing Christian rhyme With logs on the fire and gifts on the tree A time to rejoice in the good that we see..." "Mistletoe And Wine" spent four weeks at the top of the Official UK Charts in December 1988. It was one of 14 number ones for Cliff Richard among 68 UK top tens from 1958.

From Quiz It's The 80s UK Music Quiz: Part 1

Answer: Adam And The Ants

More than one million copies of "Stand And Deliver" were sold at a time when that meant physical sales of 45s. For a brief moment in time, Adam and the Ants were the biggest band on the 1980s UK music scene. They sounded, and looked very different from the rest, and it was that look that got attention. Flamboyant clothes and a lot of feathers, added to bright make up for the lead singer, pitched them above the common herd. They got that attention almost by accident - picking up a last-minute spot on 'Top of the Pops' when another act dropped out. That got their single "Dog Eat Dog" from number 37 eventually to number four. Off their third LP, "Prince Charming", came "Stand And Deliver". Promoted with an elaborate video it grabbed a lot of attention and became their first UK number one. Between 1978 and 1982, the band had eight songs in the UK top 30, including two number ones. Adam Ant (real name Stuart Leslie Goddard) then broke up the band and had a solo career that included five songs in the UK top 30. Of these, "Goody Two Shoes" was a 1982 chart topper.

From Quiz More 80s Songs than You Can Shake a Stick At!

Answer: Thompson Twins

Thompson Twins formed in 1977 and had many different personnel changes. From 1982 to 1986 Thompson Twins consisted of Joe Leeway, Tom Bailey and Alannah Currie and it was this version of the band that released one of their biggest hits, "Hold Me Now.". This song was released in 1984 in the U.S. and reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

From Quiz Music Trivia from the 1980s Part 5

Answer: Come Dancing

"Come Dancing" was written in 1982 and was included on the 1983 album "State of Confusion". It peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1983.

From Quiz Music Trivia from the 1980s Part 4

Answer: Back in Black

"Back in Black" was released in 1980 and was their seventh studio album. The lead vocals were sung by Brian Johnson who joined the group on the recommendation of "Mutt" Lange.

From Quiz Music Trivia from the 1980s Part 3

Answer: Risky Business

"Risky Business" featured the now-famous scene in which Cruise's character (Joel) lip-syncs and dances around his house in a dress shirt and underwear to the accompaniment of Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock and Roll."

From Quiz Music Trivia from the 1980s Part 2

Answer: The Cars

The Cars originated in Boston in the late 1970s and were active through 1988. In 2010 surviving members of the band re-united for one more album. They made seven studio albums and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

From Quiz Music Trivia from the 1980s

Answer: Grateful Dead

"Touch of Grey" was released in 1987 as a single from the album "In the Dark". It was also released as their first music video.

From Quiz We Loved the 80s

Answer: Kim Wilde

While more popular in the U.K., Kim Wilde's "Kids in America" reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981. She topped U.S. charts in 1986 with "You Keep Me Hangin' On".

From Quiz 1980s Pop Music Potpourri, Part 3

Answer: Baltimore

"Got a wife and kids in Baltimore, Jack / I went out for a ride and I never went back..." Thus began the hit song "Hungry Heart" by New Jersey's Bruce Springsteen. "Hungry Heart" climbed to the number five spot on the U.S. Billboard charts in November 1980 and was included on an album called "The River." This song proved to be one of Springsteen's most popular in-concert tunes. The Boss sang these words, "Everybody's got a hungry heart Everybody's got a hungry heart Lay down your money and you play your part Everybody's got a hungry heart..."

From Quiz 1980s Pop Music Potpourri, Part 2

Answer: Standing

"I'm Still Standing" was a hit song for Sir Elton John in 1983. This tune appeared on the album "Too Low for Zero" and it reached the number 12 position on the U.S. Billboard singles charts. Elton John sang these words: "Don't you know I'm still standing Better than I ever did Looking like a true survivor Feeling like a little kid..."

From Quiz 1980s Pop Music Potpourri

Answer: Matthew Wilder

Matthew Wilder hit the U.S. singles charts in 1983-84 with the song "Break My Stride." In the USA, this upbeat tune climbed to the number five spot on the Billboard charts. Wilder, born in Manhattan, sang these words from the song's chorus: "Ain't nothing gonna break my stride Nobody gonna slow me down, oh no I got to keep on moving..." Rockwell was born in Detroit; Chris Isaak and Steve Perry were born in California.

From Quiz Rockin' to the 80s in Songs

Answer: Crazy Little Thing Called Love

The single, "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", was the first U.S. number one hit for the English rock band Queen. Freddie Mercury wrote the song for his band and it was released in 1979 from their album, "The Game". It reached number two on the charts in the U.K. "Man on the Prowl" (1984), "Ride the Wild Wind" (1991) and "Under Pressure" (1981) were songs from Queen as well.

From Quiz Top 100 Songs of the 1980s (40 - 31)

Answer: Jack and Diane

"Jack and Diane" was the second release from the number one album "American Fool". It debuted in the top 40 on August 7th, 1982 and eight weeks later took over the top spot which it held for four weeks. It spent 17 weeks in the top 40 and was the only number one pop hit in Mellencamp's chart career. The Recording Industry Association of America certified the single gold and named the record one of the 20th century's "Songs of the Century". "Pink Houses" was a top ten hit for John Cougar Mellencamp in 1984. Bryan Adams sang "Summer of '69" into the top ten in 1985. "Eat It" was a number 12 hit for Weird Al Yankovic in 1984. FUN FACT: "Jack and Diane" was inspired by the performances of Warren Beatty and Natalie Wood in the 1961 movie "Splendor in the Grass".

From Quiz 1980s Mega Music Mix

Answer: German

This song was number #1 in Australia for four weeks as well as many other European countries.

From Quiz Top 100 Songs of the 1980s (70 - 61)

Answer: Careless Whisper

"Careless Whisper" began its three week stay at number one on February 16, 1985 and remained in the top 40 for 17 weeks. While it was considered a solo single for George Michael all over the world, in the United States it was released as Wham! (featuring George Michael). It eventually went on to hit number one in 18 countries, spend five weeks at number one on the Adult Contempory chart and achieve platinum status by the Recording Industry Association of America. "Everything She Wants" was Wham's number one tune from May, 1985. Kenny Loggins took "Footloose" to number one in 1984. You can find John Travolta singing "Sandy" in the movie "Grease". FUN FACT: Among the dozens of artists who have covered this song are Bananarama, Gloria Gaynor, Kenny G and Julio Iglesias. Dios mio!

From Quiz UK Chart Music from the 1980s

Answer: The Pretenders

"Brass In Pocket" was the only Number One hit for The Pretenders in a chart career that spanned 20 years.

From Quiz Who Sang That? 1980s

Answer: New Order

This English rock group was formed in 1980.

From Quiz Who Sang These 80s Songs? Part 2

Answer: Billy Joel

This song reached number ten in the U.S. Charts and number eight in the U.K. Charts. Billy Joel was born in 1949 in New York. He started piano lessons at a young age. He became popular with his song, "Piano Man"(1973). He writes and performs all his own songs and has been included in The Songwriters Hall Of Fame (1992) and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1999).

From Quiz Who Sang These 80s Songs? Part 1

Answer: Madness

"Baggy Trousers" was just one great "Madness" hit. It reached no. 3 in the U.K. charts in 1980. Another great song from "Madness" was, "House of Fun" and don't forget, "It Must be Love".

From Quiz The 1980s Bite Back

Answer: Martika

"Toy Soldiers" by Martika, a number one hit in 1989. Martika, born as Marta Marrero, originally got her start as an actress for a kids show.

From Quiz Obscure 1980s Music 3

Answer: Red Rockers

The Red Rockers hit #53 in the U.S. with the song "China" in 1983, and followed up this hit with the minor hit "Gold" later in the year. Both songs were featured on the debut album 'Good As Gold'. The Red Rockers met with little success with their second album, which featured a cover of Barry McGuire's "Eve Of Destruction".

From Quiz The New Romantics

Answer: Steve Strange

Steve Strange was born Steven Harrington on May 28, 1959. David Sylvian was the lead singer of Japan, Mike Score fronted A Flock Of Seagulls, and Sal Solo was Classix Nouveaux's vocalist.

From Quiz 80s Music Brain Bender

Answer: Tracey Ullman

"The Simpsons" were said to be thought up in a waiting room before a job interview.

From Quiz 80s Music Survey for Generation Y'ers - Part II

Answer: Hungry Heart

After seeing The Ramones perform in Asbury Park, NJ, Bruce Springsteen decided to write "Hungry Heart" for the group to perform. However, his manager convinced him to keep the song for himself. His manager was right - "Hungry Heart" off of "The River" album was Springsteen's first Top Ten hit in the U.S., with many more hit singles yet to come.

From Quiz 80s Music Survey for Generation Y'ers

Answer: Devo

Mark Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale formed Devo in 1972 while the two were art students at Kent State University. They peaked in mainstream pop in 1980 with "Whip It" but soon faded out of the pop music scene.

From Quiz 1980s Artists and Their Hits

Answer: The Buggles

Even though this song was from 1979, it still is considered part of the 1980s. This song's music video was the first to be aired on MTV in August of 1981. I love it. This group was under "Island Records Ltd."

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Last Updated Dec 21 2024 5:45 AM

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