Eighties Music: Pop's Heyday! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Frida

This was one of the ultimate, turn-it-up-loud, high-drama, pop rock songs of the 80's. It had a big sound to match its dramatic message. Frida (a.k.a. Annifrid Lyngstad) may have already sounded very familiar to radio listeners even though this was her first and last top 15 American hit. That's because she was one of the two ladies, along with Agnetha, from the pop supergroup ABBA, who had racked up a string of timeless pop hits by the time Frida struck out on her own with her solo record. Frida and Agnetha's flawless harmonies are featured on such ABBA mega-hits as "Dancing Queen," "Mama Mia" and "Take a Chance on Me."

As for the wrong answers, Agnetha was Frida's partner in ABBA. Icelandic singer Bjork is another Nordic singer, but she didn't release her first solo album until 1993. Pat Benatar would have done a great version of this song, but it was Frida who rocked it out in 1982.

Answer: You Should Hear How She Talks About You

I was 12 when this song came out, and it is still my favorite song of all time. Why? Yes, it is a bit corny, but it is still one of the most perfect pop songs I've ever heard. I'm not alone though, because this was also Manchester's biggest hit.

As for the wrong answers listed, "Hey Ricky" is the name of the album featuring "You Should Hear How She Talks About You." "Don't Cry Out Loud" and "Midnight Blue" were other hits by Manchester, but not her biggest, and not dance songs.

Answer: Perfect Way

All of these songs were from Cupid & Psyche '85, which still holds up today as edgy, solid techno-punk. Kylie Minogue even patterned many songs on her recent album Body Language after Cupid & Psyche '85 songs. Besides "Perfect Way," my other favorite on this album is the alternative version of "Absolute." I believe it is the first song ever written that could be called "house music." If you have Cupid & Psyche '85 or can find it in the oldies bin, its worth listening to again.

But turn it up LOUD. Scritti Politti was a master at filling up songs with interesting synthesizer noises and rhythms.

Answer: Stir It Up

This is a great workout song! It makes you want to do exactly what she says: stir it up! As for the wrong answers, "Neutron Dance" is on the same album, but its sung by the Pointer Sisters. The other two wrong answers, "Feels Like Another One" and "Turn it Out," are other LaBelle hits that came out later in her career.

A Patti LaBelle Greatest Hits CD is a must-have for anyone who simply loves good music. Her hit list is as stunning as her voice.

Answer: Holding Out for a Hero

I thought the movie was pretty ridiculous, but the 'Footloose' Sountrack was jam-packed with hits like this Jim Steinman classic. This is one of many Steinman songs that show his pure genius for songwriting. If you don't know who Steinman is, he is a prolific hitmaker who writes unique songs with a signature sound: dramatic crescendos, choir backup vocals, moving key changes, and sharp, over-the-top poetic lyrics.

For example, he wrote "Total Eclipse of the Heart," "Making Love Out of Nothing At All," and "Its All Coming Back to Me Now" among others. His song catalogue is worth listening to because you will never hear anything like it.

As for the wrong answers, "I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)" is on the Footloose Soundtrack but was sung by Kenny Loggins. "Total Eclipse of the Heart" was written by Steinman and sung by Tyler, but was not on the 'Footloose' Soundtrack. "It's a Heartache" was Tyler's first hit, released in 1977, some 7 years before "Holding Out for a Hero" was released.

Answer: Shadows of the Night

I love the acapella part of "Shadows of the Night" because it shows off the pure power of her voice. There seem to be so few STRONG female vocals on the radio anymore! Anyway, this song won Benatar a Grammy in 1982 for Best Female Rock Performance, a category which she swept from 1980 to 1983.

The wrong answers were all Benatar hits, but none of the other three songs are from the 1982 album Get Nervous. Pat Benatar is another artist whose Greatest Hits collection should be in your CD player.
Get some friends in the car, put in her CD and sing at the top of your lungs! Or, if you sing like me, better do it alone!

Answer: Give Me Tonight

I liked "Give Me Tonight" even more than "Let the Music Play" because "Give Me Tonight" was so dramatic, and really took the time to build the suspense both musically and lyrically. This is another song so full and rich with synthesizer tricks that it sounds best really LOUD. The album she put out in 1984, also called "Let the Music Play," contains quite a few other solid songs and is worth checking out if you are an 80's music lover like me.

As for the wrong answers, "My Heart's Divided" and "Sweet Somebody" are both from her 1984 album, but not the immediate follow-up single to "Let the Music Play." "Do You Wanna Get Away" was Shannon's hit single from her 1985 album of the same name.

Answer: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

Most people were blown away when they first heard "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," because there was just nothing like it being played on radio at the time. It had a powerful, mesmerizing synthesizer rif, and lyrics like Haiku poetry. The Eurhythmics revealed they stumbled on the synth rhythm by accident after playing around with their keyboard. Even today, it remains a heavily sampled, often covered song which transcends any time period.

As for the wrong answers, "Come on Eileen" and "Africa" were also U.S. Number 1's by groups in 1983, but they hit Number 1 earlier in the year. "Love is a Stranger" was the follow-up single to "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," but did not reach number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart in the U.S.

Answer: Solitaire

"Solitaire, see what it's like now. Solitaire, to cry all night now. Solitaire, see how it feels--the pain." I remember just loving these lyrics and the dramatic musical build in this song, even though I'd never been in love yet at the age of 13. To me, this is one of Branigan's underrated hits, though it made it to #7 on the Hot 100 in the U.S. Perhaps it has been overshadowed by her mega-hits "Gloria" and "Self-Control."

As for the wrong answers, "The Lucky One" and "Self-Control" are also Branigan hits, but they came later in her career. "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You," written by Michael Bolton, was her second release from the 'Branigan 2' album.

Answer: Tied Up

To me, "Tied Up" was another underrated, solid pop song, but Olivia was a bit overexposed in the U.S. by the time it was released, so radio may have tired of playing her songs. "Physical" had recently spent 10 weeks at Number One, not to mention the heavy airplay of songs like "Make a Move on Me" and "Heart Attack" just months before "Tied Up" was released. "Tied Up" sounds like a combination of "Heart Attack" and "A Little More Love," and has a rousing refrain. Her Greatest Hits Volume 2 album contains all her non-country classics. I still play it every now and then.

As for the wrong answers, "Make a Move on Me" was released from Olivia's 'Physical' album, released before her 'Greatest Hits Volume 2'. "Soul Kiss" and "Twist of Fate" were hits from albums later in Olivia's career.