Can You Complete the Lyrics to These ’70s and ’80s Love Songs?

Teresa McGlothlin

Image: SolStock/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

You might sound like a showstopping performer when you belt out your favorite love songs while you are driving, but we're curious to see how you do when we take the music away. If you can complete the lyrics from all of these '70s and '80s songs, we are going to be truly impressed. Not only will you show off your musical knowledge, but you will also warm our hearts by seeing the way you have absorbed love over the decades. 

With monster hits like Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" and The Jackson 5's "I'll Be There," both decades were full of chart-topping earworms that we still love today. There's no short supply of modern love songs, but this quiz will put your love of the classics to the test. All you have to do is fill in the lyrical blank with one of the responses that we've offered. 

 If you find yourself overwhelmed by the number of love songs written back then, we advise singing the song to yourself. If that doesn't work, we've given you a hint to help you along. Will you be able to complete as many of the lyrics as you think you can? Step up to the mic and show us what you've got! 

"When I see you smile, I can _____ the world."

Bad English may not have had the best grammar, but they had a huge hit with the 1989 release of "When I See You Smile." Although it was performed by the American/English band, it was legendary Diane Warren who claims songwriting credits.

"Tonight, I need your sweet caress. Hold me in the ________."

In 1988, Breathe released the epic power ballad named "Hands to Heaven" from their debut album, "All That Jazz." Before becoming Breathe in 1984, an earlier version of the band was called Catch 22.

"Hey, did you happen to see the most beautiful girl in the world? And if you did, was she ______?"

In 1973, the country ballad named "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" was recorded by sensation Charlie Rich. Taken from the "Behind Closed Doors" album, the '70s love song reached No. 1 on the charts in both the United States and Canada.

"My first, my last, my everything, and the answer to all my ______."

Best known for his sultry, baritone voice, Barry White recorded "You're the First, the Last, My Everything" in 1974. Although the song was originally intended to be a country song, White's R&B version was used in Black Cherry Vanilla Coke ads.

"I don't want to touch you too much baby 'cause making love to you might _____ me crazy."

In 1987, Def Leppard's song titled "Love Bites" caused a little controversy when lyrics were misheard by listeners. Another power ballad that was originally intended to be a country song, it is the only No. 1 hit Def Leppard ever achieved.

"You're a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter's night, and I'm getting closer than I ever thought I _____."

REO Speedwagon might be best known for their '80s songs, but they were formed all the way back in 1967. "Can't Fight This Feeling" was the second No. 1 hit the band released.

"It's the right time of the night. The stars are ______ above. It's the right time of the night for making love."

"Right Time of the Night" was written and presented to Arista Records in 1976 by Peter McCann but Arista felt that the performance was lacking. Instead of recording the song with McCann, former Leonard Cohen backup singer Jennifer Warnes was given the job.

"Torn between two lovers. Feeling like a _____. Loving you both is breaking all the rules."

Written by members of Peter, Paul, and Mary, "Torn Between Two Lovers" was recorded by Mary MacGregor at the famous Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. By 1977, the song had taken the No. 1 slot on the U.S. pop charts.

"Show me, show me, show me how you do that trick. The one that makes me ______."

1987's hit "Just Like Heaven" was written and recorded in France by The Cure. Singer Robert Smith has stated that the lyrics were inspired by a getaway to the oceanside. Even though it's one of the groups most popular songs, it only ever reached No. 40 on the charts.

"Never gonna give you up. Never gonna let you down. Never gonna run around and _____ you."

Before recording "Never Gonna Give You Up" in 1987, Rick Astley worked as a studio assistant. Recorded in 1986 and released in 1987, the song stayed at top of British charts for five weeks, making it the most successful song of the year.

"Strumming my pain with his fingers. Singing my life with his ______."

From the album of the same name, Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly" was a giant debut. With her soaring voice, she took home the Grammy for Best Female Vocal Performance after the song's release in 1973.

"Baby, you're all that I want when you're lying here in my arms. I'm finding it hard to believe we're in ______."

"Heaven" by Bryan Adams was recorded in 1983. However, it didn't make the charts until 1985. Once it was there, it remained there for more than a year a half after the song's original release date, and it won an MTV award for the video with the best cinematography.

"Doctor, doctor. Give me the news. I've got a bad case of ______."

Robert Palmer might have been one of the people who helped to define the '80s sound, but "Bad Case of Loving You" was actually recorded in 1979. Although easily recognizable, the song only rose to No. 61 on the U.K. Singles Charts.

"You're everything I hope for -- everything I need. You are so ______ to me."

British artist Joe Cocker released "You Are So Beautiful" as a cover song in 1974. Originally recorded by Billy Preston, Cocker's version was a little more downtempo. "You Are So Beautiful" was a big hit for Cocker, taking him all the way to No. 5.

"Should've known better than to cheat a friend. My ______ feet have got no rhythm."

From the album of the same name, "Careless Whisper" was a huge solo debut for George Michael. Written with his partner from Wham, it received critical acclaim and stacked up nominations in both the U.S. and the U.K.

"Just let your love flow like a mountain spring, and let your love grow with the smallest of ______."

In May 1976, "Let Your Love Flow" made The Bellamy Brothers international sensations. Another song that was intended for the country music fan base, it took the country duo straight into pop territory.

"I'm all out of love. I'm so lost without you. I know you were right ______ for so long."

From Air Supply's fifth album, "All Out of Love" helped to define the band's sound. In 1980, the song struggled on the charts, but in 2003, it was added to VH1's list of top 100 love songs.

"I am a man who would fight for your honor. I'll be the ______ you've been dreaming of."

After leaving the band Chicago, Peter Cetera returned to the studio to complete a solo album. One of the most successful songs from his first album, it was also featured on the soundtrack of "The Karate Kid II." Cetera's wife had a hand in helping to write the song.

"You and I must make a pact. We must bring salvation back. We're there is love, I'll be ______."

The Jackson 5 had a lot of memorable songs, but 1970's "I'll Be There" was one of their most loved. Written by Motown's Berry Gordy, the vocal melodies were shared by both Michael Jackson and Jermaine Jackson.

"Watching every motion in my foolish lover's ______."

"Take My Breath Away" is the 1986 song recorded by the band, Berlin. One of the only hits for the band, the song was featured in the movie, "Top Gun," and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

"How deep is your love? I really mean to learn 'cause we're living in a world of ______."

If you've ever watched the movie, "Saturday Night Fever," you have most likely heard the Bee Gees' "How Deep is Your Love." In 1977, it rose all the to the No. 3 spot on charts in the U.K. and Australia.

"You must understand that the touch of your hand makes my _______ react."

With a legacy dating back decades, Tina Turner hit it out of the park again in 1984 with her song, "What's Love Got to Do With It." Taken from the "Private Dancer" album, the song was considered one of the decade's best songs by "Rolling Stone."

"Sometimes when we touch, the honesty's too much, and I have to close my eyes and ______."

Considered '70s soft rock, "Sometimes When We Touch" was a chartbuster for singer/songwriter Dan Hill. Released as a single in 1977, Dolly Parton told "Entertainment Weekly" she wished she had written the song.

"I want to know what love is. I want you to show me. I want to feel what love is. I know you can ______ me."

Hitting the No. 1 spot in both the U.S. and the U.K., Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is" was released on the 1984 album, "Agent Provocateur." Formed in 1976, Foreigner is still performing concerts around the world.

"Your love is lifting me higher than I've ever been before. So, keep it up and quench my _______."

In 1977, Rita Coolidge recorded "Higher and Higher." It was originally recorded by Jackie Wilson in 1967, but a reworking of the song resulted in the '70s, female-led version released on A&M Records.

"The power of love is a curious thing. Make one man weep. Make another man _______."

When Huey Lewis and The News sang "The Power of Love" in 1985, it was specifically for the song to be used on the "Back to the Future" soundtrack. As a result of the movie's popularity, the song rocketed to No. 1 on the American charts.

"When I need love, I reach out my hands and I touch ______."

"When I Need You" was originally released by Albert Hammond, but Leo Sayer's version was more popular after being released in 1976. The song had such a strong appeal that Sayer once performed a version of it on "The Muppet Show."

"Oceans apart day after day, and I slowly go insane. I hear your voice ______, but it doesn't stop the pain."

Written as a letter to his wife, "Right Here Waiting" was recorded in 1989 by Richard Marx. Marx enjoyed three chart-topping songs during the '80s and endorsed a cover of his song by Monica in 1999.

"And then you sense a change. Nothing feels the same. All your dreams are ______."

"Love Walks In" was written on the spot by Van Halen members Sammy Hagar and Eddie Van Halen in 1986. Hagar is said to have walked into the room when Van Halen was toying with the music, and he insisted that they finish it.

"You light up my life. You give me hope to carry on. You light up my days and fill my nights with ______."

Although Debby Boone's 1977 version of "You Light Up My Life" was a cover, it sat at No. 1 on the U.S. charts for more than two months. The songwriter behind the song, Joe Brooks, was awarded Best Song of the Year for his work.

"Every time you go away, you take a piece of _____ with you."

"Every Time You Go Away" was the product of Daryl Hall from the '80s duo, Hall and Oats. Hall and Oats recorded the song in 1980, but it didn't reach its peak success until it was recorded by Paul Young in 1985.

"How will I know if he really loves me? I say a prayer with every ______."

Released in 1985, "How Will I Know" was set to be recorded by Janet Jackson. Producers, however, felt that Whitney Houston had the better voice for the song. It was one of five singles from her debut album.

"We are strong. No one can tell us we're ______. Searching our hearts for so long."

With more than one million records in sales, Pat Benatar's "Love is a Battlefield" left a memorable mark on the '80s. In addition to the raucous recording, Benatar also released an edgy video that featured a darker side of life and caused a little controversy.

"With these hungry eyes, one look at you and I can't ______.

As one of the tracks from "Dirty Dancing," "Hungry Eyes" featured the voice of singer Eric Carmen. Originally a member of The Raspberries, Carmen is also credited with writing hits like "Almost Paradise" and "All By Myself."

"Wake up, Maggie. I think I've got something to say to you. It's late September and I really should be ______."

From Rod Stewart's album, "Every Picture Tells a Story," "Maggie May" paints a picture of two young lovers. Rod Stewart claims that he wrote the song in 1971 about an older woman he had met at a festival when he was younger.

About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!

Explore More Quizzes