80s First Lines and Singers Trivia Quiz

Answer: Depeche Mode

The British band, Depeche Mode began in 1980 in Basildon, Essex, when a group of young musicians, Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, and Vince Clarke, merged their love of synths and pop melodies.

Originally called Composition of Sound, they changed their name after spotting a French fashion magazine titled 'Dépêche Mode', meaning, according to different sources, 'Fashion Dispatch', 'Fashion News' or 'Fast Fashion'. Their early sound was bright and catchy. However, after Clarke left, the band shifted into darker, more experimental territory, carving out a legacy as electronic music pioneers with a moody edge.

Their single 'Just Can't Get Enough' reached number one on the UK Singles Chart when it was released in October 1981. It was their first hit and helped them gain recognition.

Answer: Kim Wilde

Kim Wilde was born Kim Smith in November, 1960, in Chiswick, London. She was raised in a musical family. Her father was '50s rocker Marty Wilde, and her brother, Ricky Wilde, also a singer, co-wrote and produced many of her early hits.

She burst onto the scene in the early 1980s, instantly making waves with 'Kids in America'. The song reached number two on the UK Singles Chart and number 25 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

Kim later reinvented herself as a landscape gardener and TV presenter. She has presented gardening shows on the BBC and Channel 4. She also won a Gold award at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2005.

Answer: The Human League

The Human League started out in Sheffield in the late '70s as an experimental electronic group, but it was a bold lineup shake-up in 1980 that transformed them into synth-pop legends. Frontman Philip Oakey rebuilt the band with visual artist Adrian Wright and two teenage vocalists, Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley, creating a fresh sound.

Their single 'Love Action (I Believe in Love)' reached number three on the UK Singles Chart in 1981. It gave them their first top ten hit. They later topped the UK charts with their other single, 'Don't You Want Me'. It also reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: Rick Astley

Rick Astley was born Richard Paul Astley in February 1966, in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, England. He was discovered by the British production trio, Stock Aitken Waterman, while working as a studio teaboy.

'Together Forever', his fourth single from his debut album, 'Whenever You Need Somebody', was released in February, 1988. It reached number one on the U.S Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the UK Singles Chart.

He had earlier topped the UK charts with his first single, 1987's 'Never Gonna Give You Up'. In fact, it was also a number one hit for him in 25 countries, including the United States, Canada, Sweden, Germany and Australia.

Answer: Bucks Fizz

Bucks Fizz was a British Pop group which was formed in January 1981 specifically to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest. The original members were Bobby G, Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan, and Jay Aston. They were named after the cocktail Buck's Fizz.

They won Eurovision 1981 with 'Making Your Mind Up', which became famous for the skirt-rip dance routine mid-performance. The single hit number one on the UK Singles Chart, and launched them into Pop stardom. Following this, they also had two other UK number ones with 'My Camera Never Lies' and 'The Land of Make Believe'.

Answer: Erasure

Erasure is a British synth-pop duo which was formed in 1985 by Vince Clarke (who was formerly with Depeche Mode and Yazoo) and vocalist Andy Bell. Their early hit 'Sometimes' kicked off a run of chart success, but it was songs like 'A Little Respect' and 'Always' that cemented their place in pop history.

'A Little Respect' was released in 1988 as the third single from their album 'The Innocents'. It reached number four on the UK Singles Chart. It also made number 14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and hit number two on the Dance Club chart.

Bell's openness, especially around his sexuality and later his HIV diagnosis, gave their music a deeper resonance for fans. With tributes like 'ABBA-esque' and a flair for theatricality, they became very popular. In 2025, they are continuing to thrive.

Answer: Yazoo

British duo Yazoo was formed in late 1981 in Basildon, Essex, England. They came together when Vince Clarke, having just left Depeche Mode, responded to an ad placed by Alison Moyet in Melody Maker. She was looking to start a bluesy band, but instead, they created a synth-pop partnership.

Despite growing up in the same town and even attending the same Saturday music school as kids, Clarke and Moyet hadn't worked together before.

Their Single, 'Only You', written by Vince, reached number two on the UK Singles Chart in May, 1992. On the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, it got to number 67. However, it fared better on the Adult Contemporary chart, reaching number 38.

Answer: The Buggles

The Buggles were a British pop duo, formed in Wimbledon, London in 1977, originally as a trio with Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes and Bruce Woolley. After Woolley left, they continued without him.

They became famous for their hit song 'Video Killed the Radio Star', which was the first music video ever shown on MTV. Their music used lots of synthesisers and had a futuristic feel. That song reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1979 and also in Japan, Australia and several other countries.

They only released two albums, and after that, both members moved on to other projects; Horn became a top music producer, and Downes joined bands like Yes and Asia. Even though the Buggles didn't last long, their sound and style left a big mark on Pop music.

Answer: T'Pau

British band T'Pau formed in Shrewsbury, England in 1986, with Carol Decker as lead singer and Ronnie Rogers as guitarist and co-writer with Carol. Their biggest hit 'China in Your Hand' was released in October, 1977 and became a huge success in Britain, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart, where it remained for five weeks.

The song was inspired by Mary Shelley, who wrote 'Frankenstein' when she was still a teenager. The song talks about how chasing big dreams can come with tough consequences, just like Shelley faced after her book became famous. The title came from a moment when Carol Decker saw light shining through a china cup, which made her think about how fragile dreams can be.

Their first album, 'Bridge of Spies', did really well, with several chart hits including 'Heart and Soul', which also made it big in the U.S. They had a few more hits after that, but their popularity faded in the '90s. Carol kept the band name going and still performs in 2025, especially at '80s-themed shows. They're remembered for their bold style and emotional ballads.

Answer: Simple Minds

Simple Minds is a rock band from Glasgow, Scotland. They started out in 1977 under the name Johnny & The Self-Abusers, but changed to Simple Minds in early 1978. The band was formed by a group of friends, with Jim Kerr on vocals and Charlie Burchill on guitar. Those two have stuck with it ever since.

They kicked off with a post-punk sound and slowly moved into synth-pop and big stadium rock as the '80s rolled on. Their first album, 'Life in a Day', came out in 1979, and they really broke through with 'New Gold Dream' in 1982.

Their single, 'Alive and Kicking' was released on September 30th, 1985 as the lead single from their album 'Once Upon a Time'. It reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart and number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It also topped the charts in Italy.