Mixed Up Music - 1980s Edition Quiz

Answer: The Sun Always Shines on Me

"Take On Me" and "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." by A-ha.

Formed in 1982, A-ha are a Norwegian band consisting of Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen and Pål Waaktaar-Savoy.

Their debut single "Take On Me" was originally released in 1984, but it wasn't until it was re-versioned and re-released in October 1985 that it achieved chart success, thanks in part to its innovative supporting music video.

Released at the end of 1985, "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." didn't fare as well as their debut single "Take On Me" in most commercial markets, however it did reach number one in both the UK and Ireland, whereas "Take On Me" had only reached number two in each of these markets.

Answer: Express the Groove

"Into the Groove" and "Express Yourself" by Madonna.

Born Madonna Louise Ciccone on 16th August 1958, the "Queen of Pop" Madonna is one of the most popular and successful solo female recording artists of all-time.

"Into the Groove" was released in July 1985 as the fourth single from her second studio album "Like A Virgin", and also featured on the soundtrack to the 1985 movie "Desperately Seeking Susan" in which Madonna starred as Susan Thomas.

Released in May 1989 as the second single from Madonna's fourth studio album "Like A Prayer", "Express Yourself" is an upbeat dance track that encourages female empowerment and expression.

Answer: Green House

"This Ole House" and "Green Door" by Shakin' Stevens.

Born Michael Barratt on 4th March 1948, Shakin' Stevens definitely earns a spot in this quiz, as he was the UK's biggest-selling singles artist of the 1980s.

Written by Stuart Hamblen, "This Ole House" was originally released by Rosemary Clooney in 1954, reaching the top of the charts in both the US and UK. Shakin' Stevens' version of the song spent three weeks at the top of the UK chart in 1981.

Written by Marvin Moore, "Green Door" was originally released by Jim Lowe in 1956, and reached number one in the US. Shakin' Stevens' version of the song spent four weeks at the top of the UK chart in 1981.

Answer: Every Breath She Does Is Magic

"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" and "Every Breath You Take" by The Police.

Formed in London in 1977, The Police were an English new wave band that consisted of Sting (Gordon Sumner), Stewart Copeland, Henry Padovani and Andy Summers.

"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" was released in 1981 as the second single from the band's fourth studio album "Ghost in the Machine", and was the best performing single released from that album.

The biggest hit of 1983 in both the US and UK, "Every Breath You Take" won both 'Song of the Year' and 'Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals' at the 1984 Grammy Awards.

Answer: Holding Out for a Heart

"Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler.

Bonnie Tyler was born Gaynor Hopkins on 8th June 1951 in Neath, Wales.

Released in 1983, "Total Eclipse of the Heart" topped the singles charts in both the US and the UK, and is the biggest hit of Bonnie Tyler's career.

"Holding Out for a Hero" was released as a single in 1984. It was included on the soundtrack to the 1984 movie "Footloose", and was also used as the theme tune to the "American Football" show aired by Channel 4 in the UK in the 1980s.

Answer: A View to a Wolf

"Hungry Like the Wolf" and "A View to a Kill" by Duran Duran.

Formed in Birmingham, England in 1978, the new wave and synth-pop band Duran Duran originally consisted of John Taylor, Nick Rhodes, Stephen Duffy, and Simon Colley, however their most commercially successful line-up consisted of John Taylor, Nick Rhodes, Roger Taylor, Andy Taylor, and lead singer Simon Le Bon.

"Hungry Like the Wolf" was released as the second single from Duran Duran's second studio album "Rio" in May 1982.

Released in May 1985, Duran Duran's thirteenth single "A View to a Kill" was written for the fourteenth James Bond movie of the same name, which starred Roger Moore in his final outing as 007.

Answer: Smooth It

"Beat It" and "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson.

"The King of Pop" Michael Jackson was the world's best-selling music artist at the time of his death on 25th June 2009 aged just 50.

Released in February 1983 as the third single from Michael Jackson's sixth studio album "Thriller", "Beat It" won both 'Record of the Year' and 'Best Male Rock Vocal Performance' at the 1984 Grammy Awards.

Serving as the theme song to the 1988 movie "Moonwalker", in which Michael Jackson stars as himself, "Smooth Criminal" was released in October 1988 as the seventh single from his seventh studio album "Bad".

Answer: Janie's Got an Elevator

"Love in an Elevator" and Janie's Got a Gun" by Aerosmith.

The American rock band Aerosmith were formed in 1970 in Boston, Massachusetts, and originally consisted of Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Ray Tabano, Tom Hamilton, and Joey Kramer.

"Love in an Elevator" was released in August 1989 as the lead single from Aerosmith's tenth studio album "Pump".

Released in November 1989 as the third single from the "Pump" album, "Janie's Got a Gun" is used to comic effect in the 2001 American teen comedy parody movie "Not Another Teen Movie", where lead character Jake Wyler (Chris Evans) tries to woo "uniquely rebellious girl" Janey Briggs (Chyler Leigh) by "singing a song with her name in it". Unfortunately, Jake's efforts do not have the desired effect, and Janey ends up getting tazered by the cops.

Answer: Circle on Earth

"Heaven Is a Place on Earth" and "Circle in the Sand" by Belinda Carlisle.

Belinda Jo Carlisle was born on 17th August 1958 in Los Angeles, California, and was the lead singer of the all-female rock band The Go-Go's before going solo in 1985.

Generally considered to be Belinda Carlisle's signature tune, "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" was released as a single in September 1987, and reached number one in numerous countries, including the US, UK, Ireland, Sweden, and Norway.

"Circle in the Sand" was released in May 1988 as the third single from Belinda Carlisle's second solo studio album "Heaven on Earth", her most commercially successful album which also contained the single "Heaven Is a Place on Earth".

Answer: Can I Play with the Beast

"The Number of the Beast" and "Can I Play with Madness" by Iron Maiden.

British heavy metal band Iron Maiden were formed in 1975 in East London, and are one of the most popular and successful heavy metal bands of all-time.

"The Number of the Beast" was released in April 1982 as the second single from their third studio album of the same name, which was the band's first album to feature the distinctive vocals of Bruce Dickinson.

Released in March 1988, "Can I Play with Madness" was Iron Maiden's sixteenth single, and the first of three singles the band released from their seventh studio album "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son".