Image: Shutterstock
About This Quiz
How well do you know your '80s songs? Can you sing every word to every song? Try your hand at this song lyrics quiz.
The '80s was the decade of big hair and blockbuster songs. Iconic artists such as Prince, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, and Madonna made their mark on the music industry. Groups such as Tears for Fears, The Police, Men at Work, and U2 also gave us more than a few memorable ditties. Assuming you did more than sing along to the chorus of these songs, you should be able to recognize these iconic tunes.
Do you remember "How can you just leave me standing, alone in a world that's so cold? Maybe I'm just too demanding. Maybe I'm just like my father, too bold"? These words are from Prince's blockbuster hit "When Doves Cry." Speaking of Prince, do you remember, "I guess I should have known by the way you parked your car sideways that it wouldn't last. See, you're the kind of person that believes in makin' out once. Love 'em and leave 'em fast"? These are the opening lyrics from Red Corvette, one of our favorites.
So, do you think you can remember the opening lyrics of every '80s song? Take this quiz to find out.
"It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark" is the opening line of what '80s song?
"Thriller," by Michael Jackson.
The song is "Thriller," by Michael Jackson. The full version of the hugely popular music video runs for nearly 14 minutes.
"All Night Long," by Lionel Richie.
"Tainted Love," by Soft Cell.
"Eyes Without a Face," by Billy Idol.
"Shot through the heart, and you're to blame, darling" is the opening line of what '80s song?
"You Give Love a Bad Name," by Bon Jovi.
The song is 1986's "You Give Love a Bad Name," by Bon Jovi. Jon Bon Jovi, Desmond Child, and Richie Sambora originally wrote the song with the band Loverboy in mind, but they liked it so much they decided to record it themselves.
"Keep On Loving You," by REO Speedwagon.
"Maneater," by Hall & Oates.
"Total Eclipse of the Heart," by Bonnie Tyler.
"Harry Truman, Doris Day, Red China, Johnnie Ray%0DSouth Pacific, Walter Winchell, Joe DiMaggio / Joe McCarthy, Richard Nixon, Studebaker, television,%0DNorth Korea, South Korea, Marilyn Monroe" is the opening lyric of what '80s song?
"We Didn't Start the Fire," by Billy Joel.
The song is "We Didn't Start the Fire," by Billy Joel. It is about problems inherited by Joel's generation but caused by the generation before. He has admitted that he has trouble remembering the complex lyrics of this song in concert.
"Subterranean Homesick Blues," by Bob Dylan.
"Time," by The Alan Parsons Project.
"It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" by R.E.M.
Advertisement
"Hey little sister what have you done?" is the opening line of what '80s song?
"White Wedding," by Billy Idol.
The song is "White Wedding," by Billy Idol. He is not singing to his sister - in British slang, "little sister" means "girlfriend." In the song, the woman he loves is marrying someone else.
"One Thing Leads to Another," by The Fixx.
"Cold Hearted Snake," by Paula Abdul.
"Modern Love," by David Bowie.
"Give me time to realize my crime" is the opening line of what '80s song?
"Time," by The Alan Parsons Project.
"Time After Time," by Cyndi Lauper.
"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me," by Culture Club.
The song is "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me," by Culture Club. Singer Boy George later admitted that this song was about his relationship with the band's drummer, Jon Moss.
"Time (Clock of the Heart)" by Culture Club.
"I come home in the morning light" is the opening line of what '80s song?
"Party All the Time," by Eddie Murphy.
"Girls Just Want to Have Fun," by Cyndi Lauper.
The song is "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," by Cyndi Lauper. Lauper wrote many of her own hits about girl power, but this one was written by a man, Robert Hazard. She tweaked the lyrics a bit.
"Material Girl," by Madonna.
"Everybody Have Fun Tonight," by Wang Chung.
Advertisement
"There comes a time when we heed a certain call" is the opening line of what '80s song?
"We Are the World," by USA for Africa.
The song is "We Are the World," by USA for Africa. Created to raise money for African famine relief, the song was recorded on the same night as 1985's "American Music Awards," so many artsts could participate.
"When Doves Cry," by Prince.
"Call Me," by Blondie.
"Who Can It Be Now?" by Men At Work.
"She's got a smile it seems to me / Reminds me of childhood memories" is the opening line of what '80s song?
"Always Something There to Remind Me," by Naked Eyes.
"Come On Eileen," by Dexys Midnight Runners.
"I Can't Wait," by Nu Shooz.
"Sweet Child O' Mine," by Guns N' Roses.
The song is "Sweet Child O' Mine," by Guns N' Roses. Axl Rose wrote these lyrics about his then-girlfriend and future wife (for a brief time), Erin Everly. She is the daughter of Don Everly of the Everly Brothers.
"Standing in the rain, with his head hung low / Couldn't get a ticket, it was a sold out show" is the opening lyric of what '80s song?
"It's Raining Men," by The Weather Girls.
"Video Killed the Radio Star," by The Buggles.
"On the Radio," by Donna Summer.
"Juke Box Hero," by Foreigner.
The song is "Juke Box Hero," by Foreigner. The song was inspired after the band saw a fan standing alone in the rain after a sound check and invited him backstage.
Advertisement
"I'm sayin' all the things that I know you'll like / Making good conversation" is the opening lyric of what '80s song?
"Heaven Is a Place on Earth," by Belinda Carlisle.
"Physical," by Olivia Newton-John.
The song is "Physical," by Olivia Newton-John. Although a few radio stations banned the song for its sexual innuendo, it was the best-selling single of the '80s in the US.
"Dancing with Myself," by Billy Idol.
"You Keep Me Hangin' On," by Kim Wilde.
"Drivin' home this evening / I coulda' sworn we had it all worked out" is the opening line of what '80s song?
"Don't You Want Me?" by Human League.
"Drive," by The Cars.
"You Dropped a Bomb On Me," by The Gap Band.
"Cuts like a Knife," by Bryan Adams.
The song is "Cuts like a Knife," by Bryan Adams. The "na-na-na" background chorus was inspired by The Beatles' "Hey Jude" and Journey's "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'," according to Adams' songwriting partner, Jim Vallance.
"That's great! It starts with an earthquake / Birds and snakes, an aeroplane / Lenny Bruce is not afraid" is the opening lyric of what '80s song?
"We Didn't Start the Fire," by Billy Joel.
"You Dropped a Bomb On Me," by The Gap Band.
"It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" by R.E.M.
The song is "It's the End of the World As We Know It," by R.E.M. Writer and singer Michael Stipe says the song is a stream-of-consciousness about the end of the world.
"Everybody Wants to Rule the World," by Tears for Fears."
Advertisement
"'Show me, show me, show me how you do that trick / The one that makes me scream,' she said" is the opening line of what '80s song?
"Hungry like the Wolf," by Duran Duran.
"Just Like Heaven," by The Cure.
The song is "Just Like Heaven," by The Cure. Lead singer Robert Smith says this is his favorite song by the band.
"Little Red Corvette," by Prince.
"Boys Don't Cry," by The Cure.
"I made it through the wilderness / Somehow I made it through" is the opening lyric of what '80s song?
"Like a Virgin," by Madonna.
The song is "Like a Virgin," by Madonna. She performed the song live at the very first "MTV Video Music Awards" in 1984, stirring up a great deal of controversy.
"Hold Me Now," by The Thompson Twins.
"Here Comes the Rain Again," by Eurythmics.
"Looking for a New Love," by Jody Watley.
"You consider me the young apprentice / Caught between the Scylla and Charibdes" is the opening lyric of what '80s song?
"Wrapped Around Your Finger," by The Police.
The song is "Wrapped Around Your Finger," by The Police. In Greek mythology, the Scylla is a nymph turned into a monster, and Charibdes is a monster who lives in a whirlpool. Sailors caught between the Scylla and Charibdes faced near-certain death.
"Everything She Does Is Magic," by The Police.
"De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da," by The Police.
"Don't Stand So Close to Me," by The Police.
Advertisement
"When I look back upon my life / It's always with a sense of shame / I've always been the one to blame" is the opening lyric of what '80s song?
"Bad," by Michael Jackson.
"People Are People," by Depeche Mode.
"Buffalo Stance," by Neneh Cherry.
"It's a Sin," by Pet Shop Boys.
The song is "It's a Sin," by Pet Shop Boys. The anti-Catholic slant of this song caused controversy, especially for vocalist Neil Tennant, who was raised Catholic.
"I know when to go out / And when to stay in / Get things done" is the spoken dialogue at the beginning of what '80s song?
"She Blinded Me with Science," by Thomas Dolby.
"Who Can It Be Now?" by Men at Work.
"Modern Love," by David Bowie.
The song is "Modern Love," by David Bowie, recorded in 1983. He recorded another version of the song with Tina Turner in 1987, for a Pepsi commercial.
"Our House," by Madness.
"I believe the children are our are future" is the opening line of what '80s song?
"All at Once," by Whitney Houston.
"One Moment in Time," by Whitney Houston.
"The Greatest Love of All," by Whitney Houston.
The song is "The Greatest Love of All," by Whitney Houston. It was written by Michael Masser and Linda Creed for the 1977 film, "The Greatest," a biography of Muhammad Ali. George Benson was the vocalist for the film version.
"How Will I Know," by Whitney Houston.
Advertisement
"We're talking away / I don't know what / I'm to say, I'll say it anyway" is the opening lyric of what '80s song?
"Say Say Say," by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson.
"Take On Me," by a-ha.
The song is "Take On Me," by a-ha. In the music video, the band members and a love interest are trapped in a comic book.
"Our Lips Are Sealed," by The Go-Gos.
"Call Me," by Blondie.
"Desert loving in your eyes all the way" is the opening line of what '80s song?
"Walk like an Egyptian," by The Bangles.
"Karma Chameleon," by Culture Club.
The song is "Karma Chameleon," by Culture Club. It was the group's biggest hit in the U.K. and won the 1984 Brit Award for Best Single.
"Let's Dance," by David Bowie.
"Obsession," by Animotion.
"I guess I should of known / By the way you parked your car sideways / That it wouldn't last" is the opening lyric of what '80s song?
"Little Red Corvette," by Prince.
The song is "Little Red Corvette," by Prince. Full of innuendo, the song still got radio play and it was Prince's first Top Ten hit in the U.S.
"Drive," by The Cars.
"Tempted," by Squeeze.
"A Love Bizarre," by Sheila E. and Prince.
Advertisement
"I must've dreamed a thousand dreams / Been haunted by a million screams" is the opening lyric of what '80s song?
"The Reflex," by Duran Duran.
"Land of Confusion," by Genesis.
The song is "Land of Confusion," by Genesis. The video for the song featured puppets from a popular political TV series, "Spitting Image." Puppets included likenesses of the Genesis musicians, US President Ronald Reagan, Michael Jackson, Leonard Nimoy as Spock, and so many more.
"Missing You," by John Waite.
"(I Just) Died in Your Arms," by Cutting Crew.
"I bought a toothbrush, some toothpaste / A flannel for my face / Pajamas, a hairbrush / New shoes and a case" are the opening lines of what '80s song?
"Got My Mind Set on You," by George Harrison.
"Here I Go Again," by Whitesnake.
"Need You Tonight," by INXS.
"Tempted," by Squeeze.
The song is "Tempted," by Squeeze. Elvis Costello produced the track. At concerts, fans sometimes threw toothbrushes onstage during these opening lines.
"Black and orange stray cat sittin' on a fence / I ain't got enough dough to pay the rent" is the opening lyric of what '80s song?
"Somebody's Watching Me," by Rockwell and Michael Jackson.
"I Ran (So Far Away)" by A Flock of Seagulls.
"Stray Cat Strut," by Stray Cats.
The song is "Stray Cat Strut," by Stray Cats. The band was a key part of the rockabilly revival in the early '80s.
"Wild Thing," by Tone Loc.
Advertisement
"Step right up and don't be shy / Because you will not believe your eyes" is the opening lyric of what '80s song?
"Call Me," by Blondie.
"She's a Beauty," by The Tubes.
The song is 1983's "She's a Beauty," by The Tubes. The video had a happy carnival theme.
"Straight Up," by Paula Abdul.
"Raspberry Beret," by Prince.
"How can I convince you what you see is real?" is the opening line of what '80s song?
"The Search Is Over," by Survivor.
The song is "The Search Is Over," by Survivor. The song started as a title in writer Jim Peterik's notebook. It was his habit to write down catchy phrases, then expand them into songs later.
"Hold Me Now," by The Thompson Twins.
"Never Gonna Give You Up," by Rick Astley.
"Obsession," by Animotion.
"She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene" is the opening line of what '80s song?
"Addicted to Love," by Robert Palmer.
"Notorious," by Duran Duran.
"Caribbean Queen," by Billy Ocean.
"Billie Jean," by Michael Jackson.
The song is "Billie Jean," by Michael Jackson. The video, which debuted in 1981, is credited with breaking the color barrier on MTV.
Advertisement
"I've been working so hard / I'm punching my card / Eight hours for what?" is the opening lyric of what '80s song?
"Money for Nothing," by Dire Straits.
"Footloose," by Kenny Loggins.
The song is "Footloose," by Kenny Loggins. It is the theme song for the 1984 Kevin Bacon movie with the same name.
"Manic Monday," by the Bangles.
"9 to 5," by Dolly Parton.
"All around me are familiar faces / Worn out places, worn out faces" is the opening lyric of what '80s song?
"Goodbye to You," by Scandal.
"Love Is a Battlefield," by Pat Benatar.
"We're Not Gonna Take It," by Twisted Sister.
"Mad World," by Tears for Fears.
The song is 1983's "Mad World," by Tears for Fears. It was the band's first hit in the UK.
"Here in my car / I feel safest of all" is the opening line of what '80s song?
"Safety Dance," by Men Without Hats.
"Let's Go," by The Cars.
"Cars," by Gary Numan.
The song is "Cars," by Gary Numan. The song is about isolation through technology. Numan prefers to mix electronic tracks with real instruments.
"Drive," by The Cars.
Advertisement
"Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick / And think of you" is the opening line of what '80s song?
"Manic Monday," by The Bangles.
"Time After Time," by Cyndi Lauper.
The song is "Time After Time," by Cyndi Lauper. It was her first number-one hit. The title was inspired by a 1979 Malcolm McDowell movie, also called "Time After Time."
"Time (Clock of the Heart)" by Culture Club.
"Tempted," by Squeeze.
"Poor old Johnny Ray / Sounded sad upon the radio / He moved a million hearts in mono" is the opening lyric of what '80s song?
"Come On Eileen," by Dexys Midnight Runners.
The song is "Come On Eileen," by Dexys Midnight Runners. Johnny Ray, mentioned in the opening lyrics, was a heartthrob in the 1950s who often cried while singing.
"When Doves Cry," by Prince.
"You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" by Dead or Alive.
"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" by Eurythmics.
"If I, I get to know your name / Well I, could trace your private number, baby" is the opening line of what '80s song?
"Every Breath You Take," by The Police.
"Relax (Don't Do It)" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
"You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" by Dead or Alive.
The song is "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" by Dead or Alive, from 1984. The androgynous lead vocalist, Pete Burns, later sued his plastic surgeon for lip injections gone wrong.
"Call Me," by Blondie.
Advertisement
"Six o'clock already / I was just in the middle of a dream" is the opening lyric of what '80s song?
"Time (Clock of the Heart)" by Culture Club.
"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" by Eurythmics.
"Manic Monday," by the Bangles.
The song is "Manic Monday," by the Bangles. The song was written by Prince.
"Only in My Dreams," by Debbie Gibson.
"Used to be a time when you would pamper me / Usta brag about it all the time" is the opening lyric of what '80s song?
"What Have You Done for Me Lately," by Janet Jackson.
The song is "What Have You Done for Me Lately," by Janet Jackson. She is the youngest of nine Jacksons, and as a child she wanted to ride horses and be a jockey.
"Time After Time," by Cyndi Lauper.
"Nasty," by Janet Jackson.
"I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston.
You Got:
/35
Shutterstock