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Quiz about Top 100 Songs of the 1980s 80  71
Quiz about Top 100 Songs of the 1980s 80  71

Top 100 Songs of the 1980s (80 - 71) Quiz


This quiz features ten of the 100 most popular songs in the U.S. as determined by the Billboard Hot 100 charts from the 1980s. Find out how much you know about these songs that touched and affected so many lives.

A multiple-choice quiz by bottle_rocket. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
263,598
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
10779
Awards
Top 5% quiz!
Last 3 plays: zorba_scank (6/10), PootyPootwell (6/10), BayRoan (6/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Song Number 80: "I like it here with my childhood friend"

This is the single that introduced Men At Work to an American audience when it shot to number one in October of 1982. Do you recall the name of this song about a man who is a little paranoid?
Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Song Number 79: "Everytime the phone rings, I pray to God it's you"

The six woman group Klymaxx had their biggest hit with this ballad about a woman who "just can't believe" that she and her ex are through. Can you tell me the name of this bittersweet tune?
Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Song Number 78: "Take my tears and that's not nearly all"

In 1982 this song set the record for the most weeks any song had ever remained on the Billboard Hot 100. It hung around for an astonishing 43 weeks and in the process racked up enough points to become the 78th biggest hit of the decade. Do you know the name of this New Wave classic by Soft Cell?
Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Song Number 77: "I never dreamed I'd spend one night alone by myself"

It was easy to find two superstars teaming up for a hit record in the 1980's. In fact, nine of the 100 biggest songs of the decade were sung by celebrity duets. Two singers who were part of number one hits during the seventies brought their talents together on this song which stayed on top for three weeks. Do you recall who sang the 1986 hit "On My Own"?
Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Song Number 76: "Cryin' on the corner, waitin' in the rain"

...begins this 1982 smash about a woman who swears she'll "never, ever wait again". Do you know the name of Quarterflash's only top ten hit?
Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Song Number 75: "I said, 'I'm happy for you, I'm really happy for you'"

In a career spanning decades, the band Chicago hit the top three times, each almost exactly six years apart. Their first chart topper was in the fall of 1976. Six years later in the fall of 1982 they went back to number one and then returned a third time with this ballad about a man trying to forget a former love. Can you tell me their number one song from the fall of 1988?
Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Song Number 74: "And I know all the games you play because I play them too"

Billboard named it the most popular record of 1988. It was the title track of an album which spawned four number one singles and sold over ten million copies in the United States alone. Do you remember this song with a video showing the singer wearing shades, a leather jacket and a tight pair of denim jeans?
Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Song Number 73: "They see your every move"

For the first half of the eighties, the most successful recording act in America was the duo Hall and Oates. In one year's time they scored three number one songs including this smash which held the top spot for two weeks in November, 1981. Do you recall the song with a memorable handclap in its chorus?
Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Song Number 72: "It's more than a touch or a word we say"

In 1982 this song was crowned King of the Could've Beens. It set the all time record for most weeks spent in the runner up position on the Billboard Hot 100. It was held at number two for 10 weeks, never quite entering number one territory. Can you tell me the name of the Foreigner classic that achieved this dubious feat?
Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Song Number 71: "Who knows what tomorrow brings in a world few hearts survive"

This song took home the Best Original Song Oscar soon after spending three weeks at number one in November, 1982. Do you remember what movie featured this inspirational ballad by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes?
Hint



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quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Song Number 80: "I like it here with my childhood friend" This is the single that introduced Men At Work to an American audience when it shot to number one in October of 1982. Do you recall the name of this song about a man who is a little paranoid?

Answer: Who Can It Be Now?

"Who Can It Be Now?" became the most popular song in America on October 30th, 1982. It remained in the Top 40 for 17 weeks and the Hot 100 for 27 weeks. It came from the album "Business As Usual" which was number one for 15 weeks and sold over 6 million copies in the states. Two other releases from this album were "Down Under" and "Be Good Johnny". Men At Work was a five man band from Melbourne, Australia featuring Colin Hay on vocals.

"The Safety Dance" was a top three hit by the group Men Without Hats. "Somebody's Watching Me" was a 1984 hit by Rockwell. "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" was a novelty hit from the 1960's by Napoleon XIV.

FUN FACT: Men At Work won the 1982 Best New Artist Grammy (AKA The Kiss of the Death).
2. Song Number 79: "Everytime the phone rings, I pray to God it's you" The six woman group Klymaxx had their biggest hit with this ballad about a woman who "just can't believe" that she and her ex are through. Can you tell me the name of this bittersweet tune?

Answer: I Miss You

"I Miss You" hit the Top 40 on October 26th, 1985 and two months later peaked at number 5 where it stayed for four weeks. It spent a long 29 weeks on the Hot 100, more weeks than any other song that year. Klymaxx formed in 1981 in Los Angeles, California. They were a remarkable R & B female band as they all sang vocals and played their own instruments.

"I'd Still Say Yes" was a top 20 hit for Klymaxx in 1987. Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin took "Separate Lives" to number one in 1985. "Mr. Telephone Man" was a top twenty hit for New Edition.

FUN FACT: While only getting as high as number five on the weekly surveys, Billboard named "I Miss You" the third biggest hit of the year due to its longevity on the charts. How odd!
3. Song Number 78: "Take my tears and that's not nearly all" In 1982 this song set the record for the most weeks any song had ever remained on the Billboard Hot 100. It hung around for an astonishing 43 weeks and in the process racked up enough points to become the 78th biggest hit of the decade. Do you know the name of this New Wave classic by Soft Cell?

Answer: Tainted Love

"Tainted Love" debuted on the Hot 100 in January, 1982 and reached its peak position of number eight more than six months later on July 17th. The song was a worldwide smash hitting number one in 17 countries including the U.K. and Australia. Its longevity bested previous record holder "I Go Crazy" by three weeks and "Tainted Love" held onto this record for over ten years until Tag Team's "Whoomp (There It Is)" spent 45 weeks on the countdown.

The synth duo Soft Cell consisted of Marc Almond (vocals) and David Ball (synthesizers). They met while university students in Leeds, England and this song was their first success. While a one hit wonder in the U.S. Soft Cell had a string of hit songs in Britain. The duo reunited in 2003 and released a single that reached the U.K. Top 40.

"Too Shy" was a 1983 hit by Kajagoogoo. "Always Something to Remind Me" was a number eight remake for the group Naked Eyes. "The Tears of a Clown" was a number one song for Smokey Robinson and the Miracles in 1970.

FUN FACT: The 2006 song "S.O.S." by Rihanna which hit number one in the U.S. and throughout the world sampled "Tainted Love". I guess the 80s still live on!
4. Song Number 77: "I never dreamed I'd spend one night alone by myself" It was easy to find two superstars teaming up for a hit record in the 1980's. In fact, nine of the 100 biggest songs of the decade were sung by celebrity duets. Two singers who were part of number one hits during the seventies brought their talents together on this song which stayed on top for three weeks. Do you recall who sang the 1986 hit "On My Own"?

Answer: Patti Labelle and Michael McDonald

"On My Own" was a gold single that hit number one the Pop, R & B and Adult Contempory charts in 1986. It was written by the very successful song writing team of Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager. In the 1970s Patti Labelle as the lead singer of the group Labelle hit number one with "Lady Marmalade". Michael McDonald was in the band the Doobie Brothers and scored number ones "Black Water" and "What a Fool Believes".

Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb sang together in the early 80s on hits "Guilty" and "What Kind of Fool". Beyonce and Jay-Z teamed up on the number one hit "Crazy in Love". As far as I know, John Lennon and Whitney Houston never sang together.

FUN FACT: The song was originally intended to be a duet between Michael McDonald and Dionne Warwick.
5. Song Number 76: "Cryin' on the corner, waitin' in the rain" ...begins this 1982 smash about a woman who swears she'll "never, ever wait again". Do you know the name of Quarterflash's only top ten hit?

Answer: Harden My Heart

"Harden My Heart" reached number three on February 13th, 1982 and stayed there for two weeks. It spent more weeks in the top ten and top forty than any other number three song in the 1980s (12 and 19 weeks, respectively.) It was number one on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart for three weeks. This was the first hit for Quarterflash, a band formed in Portland, Oregon in the early 1980s that featured female singer Rindy Ross on saxophone. The group had two more top forty hits before disbanding in 1985.

"Heartbreaker" was Pat Benatar's debut hit from 1980. "Take Me to Heart" was Quarterflash's top twenty single from 1983. "Singin' in the Rain" is a classic movie and song from 1952.

FUN FACT: "Harden My Heart" is the only song in the 100 biggest records of the decade to have peaked at number three.
6. Song Number 75: "I said, 'I'm happy for you, I'm really happy for you'" In a career spanning decades, the band Chicago hit the top three times, each almost exactly six years apart. Their first chart topper was in the fall of 1976. Six years later in the fall of 1982 they went back to number one and then returned a third time with this ballad about a man trying to forget a former love. Can you tell me their number one song from the fall of 1988?

Answer: Look Away

"Look Away" hit number one on December 10th, 1988 and spent two weeks on top. It spent 24 weeks on the Hot 100, 16 of those in the top 40. The song came from Chicago's platinum album "19". Chicago began in 1970 and in a span of a little over 20 years had 35 top 40 hits. This song was sung by Bill Champlin (Peter Cetera left the group in 1985) and was written by prolific songwriter Diane Warren.

"You're the Inspiration" was a top ten hit for Chicago in 1985. John Waite took the song "Missing You" to number one in 1984. "Shiny Happy People" is a 1990s classic by REM.

FUN FACT: "Look Away" was named by Billboard Magazine as the most popular song of 1989.
7. Song Number 74: "And I know all the games you play because I play them too" Billboard named it the most popular record of 1988. It was the title track of an album which spawned four number one singles and sold over ten million copies in the United States alone. Do you remember this song with a video showing the singer wearing shades, a leather jacket and a tight pair of denim jeans?

Answer: Faith

"Faith" spent four weeks at number one starting on December 12th, 1987. It was George Michael's first number one song following his departure from Wham! and established him as one of the 80s biggest acts. The album "Faith" became a massive success spending 12 weeks at number one and making him the first white solo artist to have a number one album on the R&B album chart.

"Roll With It" was a number one song by Steve Winwood in 1988. Madonna's "Like a Virgin" spent six weeks at number one in 1984. "Baby Got Back" was a charttopper for Sir Mix-A-Lot in 1992.

FUN FACT: The straightforward, fade-up organ introduction in the beginning of the song was actually based on Wham's previous hit "Freedom"
8. Song Number 73: "They see your every move" For the first half of the eighties, the most successful recording act in America was the duo Hall and Oates. In one year's time they scored three number one songs including this smash which held the top spot for two weeks in November, 1981. Do you recall the song with a memorable handclap in its chorus?

Answer: Private Eyes

"Private Eyes" was the third number one song for Hall and Oates in their pop career. It came off of their album of the same name which also featured hits "I Can't Go For That" and "Did It In A Minute" The album went platinum and peaked at number five on the U.S. album chart. The video for "Private Eyes" in which the band dressed up in detective garb became their first major hit on MTV.

"Bette Davis Eyes" was a 1981 hit song for Kim Carnes. Billy Idol took "Eyes Without a Face" to the top ten in 1984 and "Ol' Blue Eyes" is none other than legend Frank Sinatra's nickname.

FUN FACT: In 1983 the Recording Industry Association of America declared that Hall and Oates were the most successful duo in recording history.
9. Song Number 72: "It's more than a touch or a word we say" In 1982 this song was crowned King of the Could've Beens. It set the all time record for most weeks spent in the runner up position on the Billboard Hot 100. It was held at number two for 10 weeks, never quite entering number one territory. Can you tell me the name of the Foreigner classic that achieved this dubious feat?

Answer: Waiting for a Girl Like You

"Waiting For A Girl Like You" began its ten week run on November 28th, 1981 and fell to number three in February of the following year. It came from their album "4" which ironically spent ten weeks at number one and went on to sell over six million copies in America. It also featured hit songs "Urgent", "Jukebox Hero" and "Break It Up".

"Double Vision" was Foreigner's number two hit from 1978. Journey took "Open Arms" to number two in the spring of 1982 for six weeks. "I Touch Myself" by the Divinyls hit number four in 1991.

FUN FACT: The name Foreigner came from the fact that the six man group was originally made up of three Americans and three Englishmen.
10. Song Number 71: "Who knows what tomorrow brings in a world few hearts survive" This song took home the Best Original Song Oscar soon after spending three weeks at number one in November, 1982. Do you remember what movie featured this inspirational ballad by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes?

Answer: An Officer and a Gentleman

"Up Where We Belong" won not only an Oscar but a Golden Globe, a BAFTA and a Grammy. Upon hearing the song, producer Don Simpson reportedly said "The song is no good. It isn't a hit." before unsuccessfully lobbying to remove the song from the soundtrack. Released by Island Records the song eventually went platinum selling over two million copies.

"Dirty Dancing" featured the song "The Time of My Life" by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. It took home the Oscar for Best Song of 1987. "Sophie's Choice" was Meryl Streep's Oscar-winning movie. "Lambada: The Forbidden Dance" went home empty-handed on Oscar night.

FUN FACT: "Up Where We Belong" wasn't the only Oscar for "An Officer and a Gentleman". Louis Gossett Jr. won a Best Supporting Actor statuette for his role as a hard-nose drill sergeant.


I hope you enjoyed the quiz. I had a ton of fun putting it together. Thanks so much for playing!

Be on the lookout for the Top 100 Songs of the 1980s-Songs number 70 to 61 coming soon!
Source: Author bottle_rocket

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stuthehistoryguy before going online.
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