80s One Hit Wonders Vol. 5 Quiz | One Hit Wonders

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This gentleman was a big star in the U.K. during the 1980s but only hit the U.S. Top 40 once, with his hit "Cars". Who was this?

Answer: Gary Numan

Billboard number nine, June 7, 1980. Of course it was Gary Numan. He was a native of West London, who hit the scene in the U.K. in the late 1970s and actually did chart a song in the U.S. called "Are Friends Electric?" which could only manage a number 85 Billboard Hot 100 placing. "Cars" was actually released in the U.K. in 1979, and made it to the U.S. shores over one year later having already been a number one hit in the U.K., as well as Canada and Germany. Numan continued to release songs in the U.K. and Ireland all thorough the 1980s and into the 1990s but never charted a Top 40 U.S. hit again.

2. Which artist was responsible for the song "I've Never Been To Me" in the spring of 1982?

Answer: Charlene

Billboard number three, May 22, 1982. This song came out of nowhere. Charlene was an R & B singer from California, who signed with Motown Records in 1973. Her first song called "All That Love Went To Waste" was released in early 1974 and failed to chart.

She released three songs off an album she recorded in 1977 called "It Ain't Easy Comin' Down", and all three went nowhere. This song was one of them and it charted at number 97 on the Billboard Hot 100. Somehow, a Tampa Florida disc jockey started playing this song in 1982 and it took off, reaching number three on the charts, 5 years after its original release.

3. This artist, who had a pretty famous sibling, sent "Far From Over" into the Top 10 on the charts in 1983. Can you name him?

Answer: Frank Stallone

Billboard number ten, October 1, 1983. Born in New York City, Frank Stallone was the brother of Sylvester Stallone. His song here, was self-written and performed for the movie "Staying Alive" which was allegedly a sequel to "Saturday Night Fever". This film was directed by brother Sylvester and was a critical flop, although it grossed $65 million at the box office.

In 2006 the magazine "Entertainment Weekly" labeled this film as the "worst sequel ever". The song was fairly successful though.

4. The theme from the movie "Footloose" was a song called "Almost Paradise" which hit the charts in 1984. Who put it there?

Answer: Mike Reno

Billboard number seven, July 14, 1984. Mike Reno was one of the lead singers and drummer for the Canadian group Loverboy. This song was a duet performed with Ann Wilson of the group Heart. Reno has contributed songs to other soundtracks for movies such as 'Top Gun' and 'Dream a Little Dream'.

5. The song "We Are The World" was a one hit wonder in 1985 for the group of singers who labeled themselves U.S.A. For Africa. The song charted in 17 major countries around the world. In how many countries where it charted did it NOT reach the number one position?

Answer: 3

Billboard number one, April 13, 1985. The song was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie, and produced by Qunicy Jones. There are over 35 individual voices that can be heard on the track, and over 50 musicians in total participated in the event. Of the documented countries who charted the record it was not number one in the following countries. Austria (#2), Brazil (#4), and Japan (#2).

It did however reach number one in all of the following. Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, and The U.S. We Are The World indeed!

6. In 1986 a song hit the charts called "The Rain". Who was the artist that laid down these tracks?

Answer: Oran "Juice" Jones

Billboard number nine, November 15, 1986. Jones is from Houston Texas, and signed a contract in 1986 to record. He is considered one of the first hip-hop artists.

7. This group of fellows gave us "Right On Track" in 1987. Who were these guys?

Answer: Breakfast Club

Billboard number seven, May 30, 1987. This group was formed in New York City in the late 1970s. The original lineup included an up an coming female singer and drummer. Her name? Madonna. Yep THAT Madonna. She had been long gone when this song hit the charts.

The drummer who replaced her was Stephen Bray, who dated her for a while. After the success of this song, and the subsequent breakup of this group, Bray co-wrote some of Madonna's hit songs as a solo artist.

8. This trio originated in the U.K. and scored a 1988 hit with "The Promise". Who were these folks?

Answer: When In Rome

Billboard number 11, December 10, 1988. These boys from Manchester England were considered as 'New Wave' when they hit the charts with this song. It was originally released as a Dance tune, and hit number one on the U.S. Dance Club Play charts. The single that was given airplay was actually a re-mix of the original dance version.

9. This flash in the pan group hit the Top 10 with "Cry" in 1989, and soon disappeared. Who were they?

Answer: Waterfront

Billboard number ten, June 17, 1989. This U.K. duo consisted of two former members of a group called 'The Official Secrets". Phil Cilia and Chris Duffy took this song into the U.S. Top 10 as a re-mixed version of a song they first released in 1988.

10. These Canadian artists scored their only major hit with "Angel Eyes" in 1989. Who were they?

Answer: Jeff Healey Band

Billboard number five, September 2, 1989. Healey was a modern miracle. Born in 1966, he lost his eyesight at eight months old to to a rare cancer of the eyes. His eyes had to be removed and he was given artificial replacements. He scored with this hit in 1989, and can also be seen as the lead of the house band in the Patrick Swayze film, "Road House".

He lived cancer free until 2006 when the cancer reappeared. He lost his battle and passed away early in 2008.

Source: Author fredsixties

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

80s One Hit Wonders Vol. 5 Trivia Quiz

The continuing series of songs that made quick cash for the artists, who then disappeared from the music scene after their one hit. All are Billboard U.S. Top 40 hits. Good luck and enjoy.

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>