80s Lyrics Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. Which Bonnie Tyler song uses fading light and an eclipse as recurring images for an overwhelming, troubled romance?
Have You Ever Seen the Rain?
Holding Out for a Hero
It's a Heartache
Total Eclipse of the Heart
2. A woman wakes from a pleasant dream, rushes to work, and wishes the week could return to Sunday. Which Bangles song is this?
Walk Like an Egyptian
Eternal Flame
A Hazy Shade of Winter
Manic Monday
3. Which song by the Police presents a narrator tracking another person's movements so closely that the devotion can sound like surveillance?
King of Pain
Wrapped Around Your Finger
Every Breath You Take
Don't Stand So Close to Me
4. Which Belinda Carlisle song describes romantic love as making paradise feel present in the earthly world?
Circle in the Sand
Heaven Is a Place on Earth
Mad About You
I Get Weak
5. A hesitant narrator invites someone to take a chance on him while warning that the opportunity may be brief. Which a-ha song fits this clue?
Hunting High and Low
The Sun Always Shines on T.V.
The Living Daylights
Take On Me
6. Which Madonna song blends romantic longing with imagery drawn from worship, prayer, and spiritual awakening?
Papa Don't Preach
Like a Prayer
Open Your Heart
Material Girl
7. Which Huey Lewis and the News song portrays love as a transformative force that does not depend on money, status, or possessions?
The Power of Love
Stuck with You
If This Is It
Hip to Be Square
8. Which Journey song follows two young strangers—one from a small town and one from a city—as they take a late train and search for something more?
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
Faithfully
Don't Stop Believin'
Open Arms
9. In which Michael Jackson song does the narrator reject a woman's claim that he fathered her child?
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
Dirty Diana
Billie Jean
The Girl Is Mine
10. In which Toto song does a narrator weigh a personal connection and a journey against images of distant landscapes and weather?
Rosanna
Hold the Line
Africa
I'll Be Over You
11. Which song turns a group of harmless balloons into a misunderstood threat that triggers military escalation?
Enola Gay
Russians
Two Tribes
99 Red Balloons
12. Which Cyndi Lauper song contrasts social expectations placed on young women with their wish to enjoy life on their own terms?
Time After Time
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
True Colors
She Bop
13. Tommy's dock work has dried up, while Gina works hard to support them. Which Bon Jovi song tells their story?
Livin' on a Prayer
Wanted Dead or Alive
Bad Medicine
You Give Love a Bad Name
14. Which Eurythmics song reflects on people traveling the world while pursuing different kinds of desire?
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Would I Lie to You?
Here Comes the Rain Again
There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)
15. Which Tracy Chapman song links a hoped-for escape by car with financial hardship, family responsibility, and repeating life patterns?
Talkin' 'bout a Revolution
Fast Car
Baby Can I Hold You
Across the Lines
16. Which George Michael song features a narrator deciding that trust and patience must come before another intimate relationship?
Faith
One More Try
Careless Whisper
Father Figure