Can You Match the Lyrics to the Hit '80s Song?

By: Isadora Teich
Image: YouTube

About This Quiz

The '80s were a wild time for music, with New Wave and Arena Rock dominating the airwaves. Test your '80s hits IQ and see if you believe in Modern Love with this HowStuffWorks quiz!

Billie Jean is not my lover/ She's just a girl who claims that I am the one/ But the kid is not my son

This 1982 pop smash by Michael Jackson is from his "Thriller" album, which is the highest selling album of all time. "Billie Jean" topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 7 weeks.

Cover me with kisses, baby/ Cover me with love/ Roll me in designer sheets/ I'll never get enough

This 1980 hit was the theme song to the film "American Gigolo." It was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Orignal Song.

Take on me, (take on me)/ Take me on, (take on me)/ I'll be gone/ In a day or two

This 1985 hit by Scandinavian pop group A-ha took the world by storm, largely due to its innovative video. The video won 6 awards at the 1986 MTV music video awards.

How can you just leave me standing?/ Alone in a world that's so cold? (So cold)/ Maybe I'm just too demanding/ Maybe I'm just like my father too bold

"When Doves Cry" was the lead single off of Prince's 1984 album "Purple Rain." It was the top-selling single of the year.

I feel a-tragic like I'm Marlon Brando/ When I look at my China girl

"China Girl" was originally written by Iggy Pop and David Bowie in Berlin in the late '70s. It became more well known when it was re-recorded and re-released on the commercially successful 1983 Bowie album "Let's Dance."

Once upon a time I was falling in love/ But now I'm only falling apart/ And there's nothing I can do/ A total eclipse of the heart

This 1983 hit is by Welsh pop/rock artist Bonnie Tyler. This single has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide.

They told him don't you ever come around here/ Don't want to see your face, you better disappear

This song was written, co-produced, and performed by Michael Jackson. "Beat It" went Platinum in the US in 1989.

Do you come from a land down under?/ Where women glow and men plunder?

This song by Australian New Wave band Men At Work topped charts around the world. It sold over 2 million copies in the US alone.

Gonna give you all my love, boy/ My fear is fading fast/ Been saving it all for you/ 'Cause only love can last

This 1984 single was Madonna's first no. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. It topped charts in Australia, Canada and Japan.

Rising up, back on the street/ Did my time, took my chances/ Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet/ Just a man and his will to survive

This 1982 song was the theme song for the film "Rocky III." It was requested by Sylvester Stallone of Survivor after Queen didn't let him use their song "Another One Bites The Dust" as the theme song for his film.

The phone rings in the middle of the night/ My father yells what you gonna do with your life/ Oh daddy dear you know you're still number one/ But girls they wanna have fun

"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" was Cyndi Lauper's breakthrough hit around the world. Its music video won a Grammy and it has been covered by over 30 other artists.

Oh can't you see/ You belong to me/ My poor heart aches/ With every step you take

"Every Breath You Take" is a single off of the 1983 album "Synchronicity." It topped charts in the UK and US.

Slow change may pull us apart/ When the light gets into your heart, baby

This 1985 pop song is most famously known as the song that plays during the opening and closing credits of "The Breakfast Club." It topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and charted highly around the world.

Now I hear the music/ Close my eyes, I am rhythm/ In a flash/ It takes hold of my heart

This 1983 hit went platinum in the US and was Irene Cara's only #1 song. It's from the movie "Flashdance" and won an Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy.

Help me make the most of freedom and of pleasure/ Nothing ever lasts forever/ Everybody wants to rule the world

This 1985 single is Tears for Fears' most successful in the charts. It hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

All I know is that to me/ You look like you're having fun/ Open up your lovin' arms/ Watch out here I come

This song is off British band Dead or Alive's 1985 album "Youthquake." It charted around the world and went gold in both the UK and Canada.

And she'll tease you, she'll unease you/ All the better just to please you

"Bette Davis Eyes" was originally recorded in 1974, only for Kim Carnes' 1981 version to make it popular. It was Billboard's biggest hit of 1981.

As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti/ I seek to cure what's deep inside, frightened of this thing that I've become

"Africa" is a soft rock song off American rock band Toto's 1982 album "Toto IV." It's their only song to ever reach No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Remember/ Too ra loo ra too ra loo rye aye/ And you'll hum this tune forever

This 1982 track by Dexys Midnight Runners comes from the album "Too-Rye-Ay." It charted around the world, going gold in Canada and platinum in the UK.

I'm hot, sticky sweet/ From my head to my feet, yeah

This 1987 song is by the English rock band Def Leppard. It peaked at No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Lose yourself in wild romance, we going to/ Parti', karamu', fiesta, forever/ Come on and sing along

This hit single is off of Lionel Richie's 1983 album "Can't Slow Down." It reached No. 1 in Australia, the Netherlands, and on several US charts.

Jessie is a friend, yeah/ I know he's been a good friend of mine/ But lately something's changed that ain't hard to define/ Jessie's got himself a girl and I want to make her mine

"Jessie's Girl" is off Rick Springfield's 1981 album "Working Class Dog." It's Springfield's only No. 1 hit in the US.

You can't start a fire/ You can't start a fire without a spark/ This gun's for hire/ Even if we're just dancing in the dark

"Dancing in the Dark" was written and performed by Bruce Springsteen. This hit sold over 1 million singles in the US alone and made its album "Born in the U.S.A" the best selling album of Springsteen's career.

Are you ready, hey, are you ready for this?/ Are you hanging on the edge of your seat?/ Out of the doorway the bullets rip/ To the sound of the beat

This worldwide hit of 1980 is known as Queen's best selling single. It sold over 7 million copies.

Sometimes you're better off dead/ There's a gun in your hand it's pointing at your head

This 1984 hit is by British pop duo Pet Shop Boys. It charted around the world and went gold in the UK and Canada.

Let's sway/ You could look into my eyes/ Let's sway/ Under the moonlight, this serious moonlight

1983's "Let's Dance" was Bowie's most successful single and album. The album sold over 10 million copies worldwide.

Some of them want to use you/ Some of them want to get used by you/ Some of them want to abuse you/ Some of them want to be abused.

This smash hit is by British new wave duo Eurythmics. This song charted highly around the world and made the duo famous.

Sometimes I feel I've got to/ Run away I've got to/ Get away from the pain that you drive into the heart of me

This '60s song gained worldwide fame after being covered by Soft Cell in 1981. It topped charts around the world.

I will be your preacher teacher/ (Be your daddy)/ Anything you have in mind

This 1987 song topped the Billboard Hot 100. It also went gold in Australia.

My hands are tied/ My body bruised, she's got me with/ Nothing to win and/ Nothing left to lose

This 1987 single off "The Joshua Tree" album was U2's first #1 in Canada and the US. It went platinum in both the UK and Italy.

Dark in the city night is a wire/ Steam in the subway earth is afire/ Do do do do do do do dodo dododo dodo

This chart-topping track is off Duran Duran's 1982 album Rio. Its award winning music video helped make the song an international smash.

How does it feel to treat me like you do?/ When you've laid your hands upon me and told me who you are

"Blue Monday" is a 1983 single by New Order. It is the best selling 12" single of all time, selling over 1 million copies in the UK alone.

Well if you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand/ I've seen your face before my friend, but I don't know if you know who I am

This song was the lead single off of Phil Collins' 1981 debut solo album "Face Value." This international hit charted highly around the world and was certified gold.

It's close to midnight/ Something evil's lurking from the dark/ Under the moonlight/ You see a sight that almost stops your heart

"Thriller" is one of Michael Jackson's most famous songs off his album of the same name, which is widely considered to be the best-selling album of all time. Its 14-minute-long music video fused music and film and is considered to be one of the most groundbreaking and influential music videos of all time.

Believe me/ Believe me/ I can't tell you why/ But I'm trapped by your love/ And I'm chained to your side

This 1983 single off Pat Benatar's album "Live from Earth" sold over 1 million copies. It topped charts in Australia, Europe, and the US.

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