Yearly Number Ones of the 1980s Quiz

Answer: 1989

This song, by Chicago, reached number one on December 10, 1988, but dropped off that perch before January 1, 1989, making it the only song in this list that did not hold the number one position in the year it held number one overall. Sung by Chicago three years after the release of Peter Cetera, it was originally offered to Cheap Trick, as was their hit, "The Flame" by Epic Records, but Cheap Trick chose the latter, giving Chicago "Look Away" instead.

Answer: 1985

This single, by Wham!, only spent three weeks at the top of the charts, beginning on February 16, 1985. Andrew Ridgeley helped write the song, but was not in the vocals. Most of the story dates back to George Michael's childhood, and a girl named Jane. Michael fell for Jane, but because he was considered geeky and wore glasses, Jane didn't return the feelings at first.

Answer: 1987

This song, by the Bangles, reached number one on December 20, 1986, and held that place for four weeks. Originally given to Lene Lovich in 1984, a version was recorded, but she decided to leave the industry to take care of her family. Toni Basil of "Mickey" fame was asked to record it, but she declined.

A publisher was unhappy with Debbi Peterson's singing, and she was relegated out of a lead vocal. Her drumming was also replaced with a machined version.

Answer: 1983

The song, written by Sting, also known as Gordon Sumner, reached number one on July 9, 1983, and stayed there for eight weeks. According to Wikipedia, it was The Police's only number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: 1988

Just like the 1987 song, "Walk Like an Egyptian", that reached number one the first week the year prior, "Faith" reached number one in December 1987, and held for four weeks. The music had parts of two other songs in it, from "Freedom" by Wham!, and "I Want Your Sex" by George Michael as a solo artist. Limp Bizkit recorded a version in 1997, that Michael was not a fan of.

Answer: 1981

Sung by Kim Carnes, "Bette Davis Eyes" went all the way to number one not just in the US, but also in several other countries as well. Jackie DeShannon recorded the song in 1974, as she was a cowriter of the song, but her version did not achieve the success that Carnes's cover achieved. Had it not been for a week in June 1981 by the "Stars on 45", the song would have held atop the Billboard charts for ten weeks, like "Physical" did from late 1981 into early 1982.

Answer: 1986

Written by Burt Bacharach and originally recorded by Rod Stewart in 1982, Dionne Warwick's cover, with the help of Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Gladys Knight, made the song so well-known. Dionne and Friends's version reached number one and held that spot for four weeks, beginning on January 18, 1986.

Answer: 1982

Originally offered to Tina Turner, who declined, "Physical" went on to become Olivia Newton-John's greatest hit, spending ten weeks at number one, starting on November 21, 1981, and falling off that perch on January 30, 1982. Due to the lyrics of the song, "Physical" was banned in some jurisdictions for being too provocative.

Answer: 1984

On July 7, 1984, Prince's hit reached number one and stayed at the top for five weeks. While the music video was controversial, due to seeing Prince in a bathtub, it was not banned by MTV, because the lyrics were not of a sexual nature, unlike "Justify My Love" by Madonna a few years later.

Answer: 1980

This song, from the movie "American Gigolo", reached number one on the Top 100 and held it for six weeks, starting on April 19, 1980. Debbie Harry and Blondie were not the first group approached for the song, as Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac turned it down.