80s Music Trivia That Will Probably Stump You

Bodaciously Tubular 80s Music Trivia

How much do you know about music from the 1980s? Let's "Walk Like an Egyptian" back to the penultimate decade of the 20th Century and see how many of these radical questions you can answer correctly. And don't stress out if you get one wrong. Just take a chill pill and try the next one.

1: Who Sang "Walk Like An Egyptian"?

We mentioned it in the intro. So, might as well start there.

The Bangles, posing on street in Los Angeles Aurelio Jose Barrera, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The Bangles

"Walk Like an Egyptian" was the all-female band's first number one single.

The Bangles performing live at the WiMN Justin Higuchi, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

2: What Was The Second Album Michael Jackson Put Out In The 80s?

We all know about "Thriller". But do you remember the other album the King of Pop released that decade?

Grayscale Portrait Photo of Michael Jackson in a a black jacket Matthew Rolston, Wikimedia Commons

"Bad" (1987)

It was Jackson's 7th studio album and it set a record with five singles that hit number one (a record that Katy Perry tied in 2010 with "Teenage Dream").

Grayscale Portrait Photo of Michael Jackson in Vienna Zoran Veselinovic, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

3: What Was The First Ever Music Video Played On MTV?

It aired at 12:01 am on August 1, 1981.

Geoff Downes (far left) and Trevor Horn (far right) from the Buggles Rouserouse, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

"Video Killed The Radio Star"

The single was released in 1979—it was the debut single by The Buggles.

Screenshot from the Music Video Video killed the radio star Russell Mulcahy, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

4: Which Of These Songs Spent The Most Weeks At Number One On The Hot 100 In The 80s?

1: "Every Breath You Take" (The Police)

2: "Billie Jean" (Michael Jackson)

3: "Physical" (Olivia Newton-John)

4: "We Are the World" (USA for Africa)

Grayscale Portrait Photo of Olivia Newton John smiling Bert Verhoeff, Wikimedia Commons

"Physical",Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John's hit spent 10 weeks in the top spot.

Olivia Newton John attending the 61st Annual Academy Awards Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

5: Who Was The Other Member Of Wham! (Besides George Michael)?

The British pop duo formed in 1981.

George Michael performing live in San Diego Sodel Vladyslav, Shutterstock

Andrew Ridgeley

The guys met at Bushey Meads School in Bushey, near the town of Watford in Hertfordshire.

Andrew Ridgeley attends the 'Last Christmas' UK premiere Fred Duval, Shutterstock

6: What Item Is Tucked Into Bruce Springsteen's Back Pocket On The Born In The U.S.A. Album Cover?

The item has become somewhat of a Mandela effect—with many people misremembering what is actually in his pocket.

Grayscale Portrait Photo of Bruce Springsteen in dark outfit Laura Bland, Wikimedia Commons

A Red Baseball Cap

Not a bandana, as many folks swear they remember it being.

Bruce Springsteen's album Born in the U.S.A. PHLD Luca, Shutterstock

7: What Canadian Singer Had A Top 10 Hit In 1984 With "Sunglasses At Night"?

The song was released on January 21, 1984 as the first single from his debut album.

Portrait Photo of Canadian singer Corey Hart Corey Hart, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Corey Hart

The song rose as high as number seven on the Billboard Hot 100.

Corey Hart performs his hit Marc Lostracco, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

8: Who Was The Lead Singer For The Band INXS?

The Australian rock band was formed in 1977 as the Farriss Brothers.

Publicity Grayscale photo of Musical group INXS ATCO Records, Wikimedia Commons

Michael Hutchence

He was the band's lead singer until his sad passing in 1997.

Portrait Photo of Michael Hutchence On Stage David.moreno72, Wikimedia Commons

9: What Was The Best-Selling Female Album Of The 1980s?

This artist actually had two of the best-selling albums of the decade.

Madonna performing during the 1985 The Virgin Tour Tampa Bay Times, Wikimedia Commons

"True Blue", Madonna (1986)

Her previous album, 1984's Like A Virgin, was also a huge seller.

Madonna vinyl record cover True Blue Ralf Liebhold, Shutterstock

10: Who Wrote Kenny Rogers' 1980 Number One Hit Song, "Lady"?

It was the first record of the 1980s to chart on all four of Billboard's singles charts: Country, Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, and Hot Soul Singles.

Kenny Rogers performs live in Washington, DC. mark reinstein, Shutterstock