Quiz: Can You Finish These Famous ’80s Song Titles?
The 1980s were something of a polarizing decade. Although the usual rule for nostalgia involves a culture celebrating what came 20 years prior, nostalgia for the ’80s has proven so powerful that so much about the decade is still adored over 40 years later. However, there are just as many people who are happy to leave it in the past whether they were there or not.
But whether you consider the ’80s totally rad or dangerously cheesy, chances are you can complete at least a few of these popular song titles! Let’s put your ’80s music knowledge to the test! Keep reading to learn more.
“I Wanna _________ With Somebody (Who Loves Me)”
A. Rock
B. Dance
C. Lay
D. Melt
Answer: Dance
Although critics were mixed on how well the instrumental of “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” fit Whitney Houston’s voice, Billboard noted that it would be the fourth number-one hit she scored out of an enviable career total of 11.
“_________ Rain”
A. November
B. Cold
C. Heavy
D. Purple
Answer: Purple
The title track and signature song from Prince’s masterpiece, “Purple Rain,” also proved a smash soundtrack hit for the equally acclaimed movie of the same name. While Prince would leave fans scratching their heads in the ’90s after changing his name to a symbol, it seemed that only Michael Jackson could compete with him in the ’80s.
“Girls Just Want To Have _________”
A. Fun
B. Love
C. Cash
D. Everything
Answer: Fun
Although “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” was written by a man named Robert Hazard, Cyndi Lauper undeniably made it her own and transformed what could have been a sleazy song into a timeless girl power anthem.
“Everybody Wants To _________ The World”
A. Destroy
B. Rule
C. Save
D. Rock
Answer: Rule
Known for their emotionally cathartic but still catchy music, Tears For Fears were able to turn sad stories of alienation, betrayal, and dangerous ambition into solid gold hits. And their magic is especially potent on the karaoke favorite, “Everybody Wants To Rule The World.”
“Papa Don’t _________”
A. Yell
B. Curse
C. Fight
D. Preach
Answer: Preach
Madonna’s “Papa Don’t Preach” was an early example of how she was able to turn public brow-furrowing into gold. Songs about girls in tough situations standing up to unhelpful male authorities definitely felt needed by its intended audience at the time.
“She Sells _________”
A. Seashells
B. Sparkle
C. Stuff
D. Sanctuary
Answer: Sanctuary
Though it’s better remembered for the line, “The sparkle in your eyes keeps me alive,” than for its actual title, The Cult’s “She Sells Sanctuary” proved a respectable club hit that only became more beloved over time. True to their name, The Cult was a band that had a cult following rather than legions of fans.
“Once In A _________”
A. While
B. Blue Moon
C. Lifetime
D. Century
Answer: Lifetime
Although it wasn’t a big hit upon release, the unique sound and cryptic lyrics of “Once in A Lifetime” by Talking Heads would eventually make it one of the band’s signature songs, and the album Remain In Light is its most celebrated record. Curiously, a live version of the song would finally creep onto the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986, five years after it first came out.
“I’m Still _________”
A. Cool
B. Alive
C. Relevant
D. Standing
Answer: Standing
According to Smooth Radio, Elton John’s career had gone through some serious turbulence by the time he released the Too Low For Zero album in 1983. But while his struggles with addiction and a lack of hits since 1976 were both factors in his troubles, he rose above them with the two successful comeback singles “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” and “I’m Still Standing.”
“Don’t You _________ Me”
A. Need
B. Love
C. Want
D. Like
Answer: Want
Although the music of the 1980s is often characterized by its heavy use of synthesizers, that may not have been the case if pioneers like The Human League hadn’t established the synth blueprint with songs like “Don’t You Want Me” and “(Keep Feeling) Fascination.”
“Hot For _________”
A. You
B. Teacher
C. Jamie
D. Panama
Answer: Teacher
Although Van Halen’s album 1984 would turn out to be the last album they recorded before parting ways with original lead singer David Lee Roth, it also spawned some of their biggest and best-remembered hits like “Jump” and “Hot For Teacher.” Fans would have to wait over 20 years to see Roth’s natural charisma and Eddie Van Halen’s lightning-fast guitar playing on the same stage again.
“Karma _________”
A. Iguana
B. Chameleon
C. Zebra
D. Leopard
Answer: Chameleon
Although the Culture Club had already broken into the zeitgeist with “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me” by the time “Karma Chameleon” came out, their second single and album solidified that they weren’t mere flashes in the pan. And that’s not even touching on how Boy George’s signature style would influence the decade’s glam sensibilities.
“_________ In The U.S.A.”
A. R.O.C.K.
B. Party
C. Born
D. Surfing
Answer: Born
Despite what American politicians would think for years to come, Bruce Springsteen’s triumphant-sounding “Born In The U.S.A.” was actually a story of a man’s disenfranchisement in his country after coming home from the Vietnam War. But whether people listened to the lyrics or not, the tune resonated enough with them to become one of Springsteen’s best-known songs.
“Super _________”
A. Girl
B. Trooper
C. Man
D. Freak
Answer: Freak
Although personal demons and legal troubles would seriously undermine Rick James’s career, his star was white-hot through much of the ’80s. And while it was far from his only hit, “Super Freak” provided enough of that momentum to still make parties jump today.
“_________ It!”
A. Whip
B. Push
C. Kick
D. Beat
Answer: Push
Salt-N-Pepa was a pioneering force for female-led hip-hop and a strong and positive example of how the then-nascent genre could move forward in the ’80s and beyond. But while they also weren’t afraid to be provocative and deal with some real issues in their lyrics, they could also make enduring party jams like “Push It!”
“Bring The _________”
A. Pain
B. Power
C. Noise
D. War
Answer: Noise
Although both their lyrics and the statements of their now ex-member Professor Griff brought the group controversy, Public Enemy stands as one of the most radical and significant hip-hop groups in the genre’s history. That fact will always make It
Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
a stone-cold classic, and “Bring The Noise” was how many people were introduced to that seminal album.
“_________ Ga Ga”
A. Radio
B. Video
C. Bicycle
D. Goo Goo
Answer: Radio
For many people, one of the finest moments of the ’80s involved watching Freddie Mercury dominate Wembley Stadium during Queen’s legendary Live Aid performance in 1985. And while the band included several of their ’70s classics, another highlight was an explosive performance of their 1984 song “Radio Ga Ga.”
“You _________ Me All Night Long”
A. Kissed
B. Loved
C. Shook
D. Had
Answer: Shook
Right after they hit superstardom with their 1979 album
Highway To Hell
, AC/DC suddenly found themselves reeling from the sudden passing of their lead singer, Bon Scott. However, they would come back better than ever just a year later with their mega-popular album
Back In Black,
and “You Shook Me All Night Long” would prove to be one of its biggest singles.
“Don’t _________ Be Happy”
A. Fret
B. Cry
C. Sulk
D. Worry
Answer: Worry
After years of demonstrating his uncanny talents as a jazz vocalist and a capella wunderkind, Bobby McFerrin scored an unlikely pop hit in 1988 with “Don’t Worry Be Happy.” But while it brought McFerrin a great deal of commercial success, he ultimately tired of performing it and went back to writing more experimental music.
“Rock The _________ “
A. Cash bar
B. Bradshaw
C. Catwalk
D. Casbah
Answer: Casbah
After establishing themselves as punk legends during the 1970s, The Clash made a successful but short-lived bid for commercial success with 1982’s Combat Rock. Although internal conflicts would prevent the band from surviving the decade, “Should I Stay Or Should I Go” and “Rock The Casbah” would nonetheless introduce them to a wider audience.
“_________ In The Sun”
A. Blister
B. Candle
C. Glitter
D. Lizard
Answer: Blister
Although “Blister In The Sun” is easily The Violent Femmes’ most popular song, neither it nor their self-titled album cracked the Billboard Hot 100 upon its release in 1983. However, decades of word-of-mouth and its use in movies and TV shows have since made the song instantly recognizable.
How did you do on the quiz? Let us know in the comments!
