Can We Guess Your Favorite '80s Song?

By: Steven Miller
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can We Guess Your Favorite '80s Song?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

MTV changed the music scene forever. Not only was the music influencing us in its pure musical form, but it made it possible to watch our favorite artists on our TV screens on a daily basis. Their fashion and overall look had an immediate influence on the culture, with bright, neon colors showing up in wardrobes and hairstyles across the nation. Additionally, androgynous looks made a huge impact on the '80s scene. Started by David Bowie in the '70s, artists like Boy George, Prince and Annie Lennox blurred the lines between male and female in dress, makeup, and hairstyle.

Just as with any period, the '80s featured many unique cliques in the culture. There were those who were drawn to wearing their collar up and the bright colors of "Miami Vice." Connected to this scene, there was an upbeat, driving style of pop music that fit really well into chase scenes and beach sequences.

Others were more drawn to the pop influences of artists like Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Cyndi Lauper. It was pretty standard to see fingerless gloves, sequin jackets and a few streaks of bright colors in the hair of their fans. They were moonwalking their way down the street and marching to the beat of a rebellious drummer who just liked to have some fun.

Maybe you were drawn to a moodier and rock sound. Perhaps the smooth tone of Sting's voice drew you in. Either way, let's roll up our pant legs, throw on a jean jacket, and head back to the decade of synthesizers and Walkmans.

How into the music videos on MTV were you in the '80s?
I didn't watch MTV.
I watched it a little more than most people.
I was into it, but I didn't watch it all day or anything.
I was pretty much addicted to that channel.

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How much hairspray did you use back in the day?
I used tons of the stuff.
I never used hairspray.
I can still smell that awful stuff. It was rare for me to use it.
I definitely went through a can of it on a regular basis.

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Have you ever owned a Walkman?
I owned one. It was with me most of the time.
What's a Walkman?
No, I never had one, but I wanted one badly.
You know it. I went through a couple of them.

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What was your favorite video game on Atari?
"Q*bert"
"Frogger"
"Mrs. Pac-Man"
"Asteroids"

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Did you own a Cabbage Patch Kids doll?
I'm not really sure what that is.
I didn't own one, but someone in my family did.
Yes, I had a bunch of them.
I had one.

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How good were you at Trivial Pursuit?
I was terrible, but I liked to play anyway.
I surprised people with how much I knew.
I was amazing at that game.
I never played Trivial Pursuit.

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Did you ever figure out the Rubik's Cube?
I've never played with a Rubik's Cube.
I solved it once or twice, but it took forever.
I became pretty good at it. I could solve it fairly fast.
I got close, but I never finished it.

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How many Garbage Pail Kids cards did you have?
We weren't allowed to have those cards in my house.
What is a Garbage Pail Kid?
I had a couple. They were pretty funny.
I collected all of them. They were awesome.

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How much of your wardrobe consisted of neon colors?
I might have had one outfit like that.
I've never owned any neon-colored clothing.
I had a few outfits with neon, but I definitely had some other shocking colors too.
The bulk of my clothes were some form of neon.

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Did you wear your collar up?
I had a few outfits that I did that with.
I don't recall ever doing that.
I would do it to make fun of the guys once in a while.
Yes, all the time.

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Which kind of music do you most like now?
Rock
R&B
Pop
Hip-hop

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Do you think androgyny is sexy?
I think it's awesome that people express who they really are.
Yes, it's a total turn-on for me.
No, it's a big turn-off. Yuck.
I don't know if I'd call it sexy, but it doesn't bother me.

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How do you feel about Sting?
He may not be totally my taste, but I respect him.
I love him and I'm totally into his whole deal.
I can't stand Sting.
He's alright, I guess.

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Do you practice yoga?
I go once in a while. It really helps me feel good.
I've never done yoga.
I am deeply involved in my yoga practice on a spiritual level.
I tried it, but it wasn't really my thing.

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Do you tend to be more serious or lighthearted?
I'm a pretty serious person.
I lean towards being more serious, but I know how to have a good time as well.
I go back and forth. It depends on my mood.
I prefer to keep things light and fun.

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Have you ever dyed your hair an unusual color?
I was drawn to the darker purples, which were pretty mild compared to some of the colors people had.
No, I've never dyed my hair.
Yeah, I went for all kinds of fun colors.
I've dyed my hair before, but the color wasn't that unusual.

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Which of the following countries outside the US is most appealing to you?
Ireland
England
Australia
Netherlands

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Which iconic '80s movie do you like the most?
"The Breakfast Club"
"Back to the Future"
"E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial"
"Ferris Bueller's Day Off"

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Which high school clique would you have fit into the best?
Band Geeks
Jocks
Rebels
Punk kids

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Which best describes your love life in the '80s?
I had a lot of fun.
I met the love of my life.
I had one really big crush, but it didn't really work out.
I was awkwardly experimenting.

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Which '80s slang is most likely to come out of your mouth?
Righteous
Psyche!
I'm so sure.
Gag me with a spoon.

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Which location in the US would you rather spend time in?
Chanhassen, Minnesota
Joshua Tree, California
Astoria, New York
Austin, Texas

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Did you ever get into break dancing?
No, that wasn't really my thing.
I tried it a few times, but I was pretty terrible.
I was obsessed with break dancing for a while there.
I loved to watch it, but I never tried it myself.

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Which color friendship bracelet matches your personality the best?
Neon pink
Purple
Black
Yellow

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Which '80s horror film is your favorite?
"Hellraiser"
"Poltergeist"
"A Nightmare on Elm Street"
"Friday the 13th"

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Have you ever had a mullet hairstyle?
No, but I did have some crazy hairstyles in the '80s.
I tried it for a short time, but I didn't like it.
Yes, and it was awesome.
No way, man.

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Which '80s animated character fits you the best?
Garfield
He-Man
She-Ra
Strawberry Shortcake

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How much time did you spend at the arcade as a kid?
I don't think I've ever been in an arcade.
My friends and I would spend most of our time there when we could.
I went there once in a while, but it was usually a special occasion.
I spent countless hours there. My initials were all over that place.

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How good did you get at Hacky-Sack?
I was spectacular at it.
I was pretty good. I had a few tricks.
I tried a couple times, but I was terrible.
I've seen other people do it, but I don't recall ever doing it myself.

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How rebellious are you?
I'm going my own way.
I march to the beat of a totally different drummer.
I guess I'm a little rebellious, but in a pretty mild way.
I tend to follow the rules.

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You Got: