Can You Answer These Trivia Questions About the '80s?
William Howard
Updated on February 22, 2026
How much do you remember about the 1980s? Can you recall all of the lyrics to the songs that you used to blast on your Walkman? And what is your recollection of the popular toys of the decade? Well, now's your chance to find out. Below, we've compiled some tricky '80s trivia questions that will put your memory to the test. Good luck!
Question: Which early '80s synth pop duo featured former Depeche Mode member Vince Clarke?
This was the synth pop duo before Erasure.
Answer: Yazoo.
Yazoo—known as Yaz in North America—released two albums during their short-lived stint in the early '80s.
Question: Who was the only major male character among Strawberry Shortcake and friends?
He's still featured in Strawberry Shortcake cartoons today!
Answer: Huckleberry Pie.
According to the official Strawberry Shortcake website, Huckleberry Pie is a "happy-go-lucky boy from Berry Big City who runs a dog shelter."
Question: Clockwise, name the order in which the colors appear on a Simon.
This electronic game was a symbol of the 1980s.
Answer: Red, blue, yellow, green.
This game really put your memory to the test!
Question: What song does Tom Cruise dance to in Risky Business?
This is one of the most iconic movie scenes of all time.
Answer: "Old Time Rock and Roll" by Bob Seger.
In the '80s, the song was also featured in the show ALF in an homage to the famous Risky Business scene.
Question: Which of these historical figures is not named in Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start The Fire"?
A. Harry Truman
B. Liberace
C. Jackie Kennedy
D. Sugar Ray Robinson
Answer: Jackie Kennedy.
Though JFK is actually mentioned twice in the Billy Joel song, Jackie Kennedy didn't make the cut.
Question: Which '00s singer got her start on Kids Incorporated?
This show had a strong nine-season run.
Answer: Fergie.
On the show, she was credited as Stacy Ferguson.
Question: Which popular news network launched on June 1, 1980?
Their first story was about the assassination attempt on civil rights leader Vernon Jordan.
Answer: The Cable News Network (CNN).
When CNN debuted in 1980, it became the first-ever 24-hour television news network.
Question: Which first lady was responsible for the 1980s "Just Say No" campaign?
This movement was part of the government's War on Drugs.
Answer: Nancy Reagan.
According to The History Channel, Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" campaign really helped bring the drug epidemic into the spotlight. While only 2 to 6 percent of Americans saw drug abuse as the nation's top problem in 1985, that number was at 64 percent by 1989.
Question: In this popular '80s song, what was Jenny's phone number?
This song spent 27 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the early '80s.
Answer: 867-5309.
Every '80s kid tried calling this number at some point.
Question: Freddy Krueger is the antagonist of which '80s horror movie franchise?
The movies featured before-they-were-famous big names like Johnny Depp, Patricia Arquette, and Laurence Fishburne.
Answer: A Nightmare on Elm Street.
This franchise picked back up in 2010 with a reboot produced by Michael Bay.
Question: Which Texas town was Jessica McClure, the baby in the well, from?
The momentous event happened on Oct. 14, 1987.
Answer: Midland, Texas.
Poor little Jessica McClure was trapped in that well in Midland, Texas, for 56 hours.
Question: What date to they travel to in Back to the Future: Part II?
Hint: It happened relatively recently!
Answer: October 21, 2015.
Unfortunately, the future that Back to the Future predicted was a far cry from reality.
Question: What 1988 movie gave Julia Roberts her big break (and included Matt Damon's first speaking line)?
No, Pretty Woman was released in 1990.
Answer: Mystic Pizza.
In the film, a young Julia Roberts stars as Daisy Araújo, a waitress working at—you guessed it—Mystic Pizza alongside her sister and close friend.
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