Eighties Music Video Masterpieces Quiz

100 questions · by Qwiz Rush

Eighties Music Video Masterpieces Quiz is a free 100-question multiple choice, letters and numbers quiz on Qwiz Rush, made by Qwiz Rush, split into 10 rounds. Test your knowledge on the iconic visuals, directors, and artists that defined the golden age of MTV in the 1980s.

Host it live for friends, family, a class or a quiz night: everyone joins with a game code on their own device, no app needed. Or play it solo with Free Play and see how many you get right.

Every question runs on a 10-second countdown and the fastest correct answers score the most. All the questions and their choices are listed below so you can see what the quiz covers; the answers are revealed in the game. Want to change something? Make your own copy and edit it in your library.

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The 100 questions

  1. Which groundbreaking 1985 music video by A-ha utilized a pencil-sketch rotoscoping technique to blend live action and animation?

    • Take On Me
    • The Sun Always Shines on T.V.
    • Hunting High and Low
    • Cry Wolf

  2. Which animation studio, famous for Wallace and Gromit, collaborated with director Stephen R. Johnson on Peter Gabriel's 'Sledgehammer' video?

    • Aardman Animations
    • Laika
    • Will Vinton Studios
    • Rankin/Bass

  3. Which computer system was used by animators Ian Pearson and Gavin Blair to create the blocky, early 3D CGI characters in Dire Straits' 'Money for Nothing' video?

    • Bosch FGS-4000
    • Amiga 1000
    • Cray X-MP
    • Silicon Graphics IRIS

  4. Directed by Godley & Creme, the 1983 music video for Herbie Hancock's 'Rockit' featured robotic, stop-motion sculptures created by which artist?

    • Jim Whiting
    • H.R. Giger
    • Keith Haring
    • Jean-Michel Basquiat

  5. The Cars' 1984 video for 'You Might Think' was one of the first to heavily feature computer-graphic manipulation. Which major award did it win over Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards?

    • Video of the Year
    • Best Special Effects
    • Best Concept Video
    • Best Art Direction

  6. The pioneering 1979 animated music video for Elvis Costello's 'Accidents Will Happen' was created by Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel, who later went on to create which iconic digital-era television character?

    • Max Headroom
    • Captain Power
    • Bob the Guardian
    • Lawnmower Man

  7. Peter Gabriel's stop-motion masterpiece 'Sledgehammer' holds the record for the most MTV Video Music Awards won by a single video. How many awards did it win at the 1987 ceremony?

    Answer with a number.

  8. In what year did the computer-animated 'Money for Nothing' music video by Dire Straits win the MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year?

    Answer with a number.

  9. What is the term for the animation technique where animators trace over motion picture footage frame by frame, as seen in A-ha's 'Take On Me'?

    Answer with a letter.

  10. Which British band utilized creepy, caricatured puppets from the satirical TV show 'Spitting Image' for their 1986 music video 'Land of Confusion'?

    Answer with a letter.

  11. Who co-choreographed the legendary zombie dance routine in Michael Jackson's 1983 'Thriller' music video alongside Jackson himself?

    • Michael Peters
    • Vince Paterson
    • Toni Basil
    • Paula Abdul

  12. Who was the choreographer behind the highly synchronized, military-style routine in Janet Jackson's 1989 masterpiece 'Rhythm Nation'?

    • Anthony Thomas
    • Tina Landon
    • Barry Lather
    • Debbie Allen

  13. In her 1989 music video for 'Opposites Attract', Paula Abdul performs a highly synchronized tap dance duet with which animated cartoon character?

    • MC Skat Kat
    • Cool Cat
    • DJ Alley Cat
    • Jazz Cat

  14. The 1987 music video for Janet Jackson's 'The Pleasure Principle' features her performing a high-energy solo dance in an empty warehouse. What household item does she famously incorporate into the routine?

    • A wooden chair
    • A metal ladder
    • A coat rack
    • A standing mirror

  15. Which 1984 music video by Chaka Khan features dynamic street breakdancing choreographed by and starring the legendary dancer Shabba-Doo?

    • I Feel for You
    • Ain't Nobody
    • This Is My Night
    • I'm Every Woman

  16. In Kate Bush's 1985 music video for 'Running Up That Hill', she performs an interpretive contemporary dance duet. Who was her male dance partner in this video?

    • Michael Hervieu
    • Stewart Avon Arnold
    • Gary Hurst
    • Del Palmer

  17. In what year was the music video for Olivia Newton-John's aerobic-themed dance anthem 'Physical' released?

    Answer with a number.

  18. In what year did Deniece Williams release the dance-heavy music video for 'Let's Hear It for the Boy', which heavily tied into the choreography-driven film Footloose?

    Answer with a number.

  19. Name the multi-talented artist who choreographed her own iconic music videos like 'Straight Up' and 'Cold Hearted', as well as Janet Jackson's early videos like 'Nasty' and 'Control'.

    Answer with a letter.

  20. Name the theatrical English singer-songwriter who performed a dramatic, mime-influenced interpretive dance in a black leotard for her 1980 music video 'Babooshka'.

    Answer with a letter.

  21. Directed by John Landis, Michael Jackson's 14-minute "Thriller" music video famously paid homage to which genre of cinema?

    • 1950s B-movie horror
    • 1940s Film Noir
    • Silent Era Slapstick
    • 1970s Sci-Fi

  22. The groundbreaking rotoscoped narrative of A-ha's "Take On Me" features a woman being pulled into what kind of publication?

    • A comic book
    • A fashion magazine
    • A daily newspaper
    • A gothic novel

  23. In the narrative of Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl," what is the occupation of the main character played by Joel?

    • Auto mechanic
    • Construction worker
    • Firefighter
    • Taxi driver

  24. Directed by Russell Mulcahy, the surreal, gothic music video for "Total Eclipse of the Heart" is set inside what type of institution?

    • A boarding school
    • A psychiatric hospital
    • A military academy
    • A monastery

  25. Directed by David Fincher, Madonna's cinematic video for "Express Yourself" was heavily inspired by which classic 1927 silent sci-fi film?

    • Metropolis
    • Sunrise
    • Wings
    • Napoleon

  26. In the narrative of "Love Is a Battlefield," Pat Benatar plays a runaway teenager who finds work in what establishment before leading a dance-based rebellion?

    • A taxi dance hall
    • A diner
    • A laundromat
    • A beauty salon

  27. In what year did MTV premiere the landmark, 14-minute cinematic music video for Michael Jackson's "Thriller"?

    Answer with a number.

  28. In what year was the Indiana Jones-inspired, cinematic music video for Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf" released?

    Answer with a number.

  29. Name the satirical British television show that created the grotesque caricature puppets used in the music video for Genesis's "Land of Confusion".

    Answer with a letter.

  30. Name the legendary stop-motion animation studio that collaborated with director Stephen R. Johnson to create the visual effects for Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer".

    Answer with a letter.

  31. In the iconic music video for Guns N' Roses' 'Welcome to the Jungle', what is Axl Rose chewing on when he first steps off the bus into the city?

    • A piece of straw
    • A toothpick
    • A stick of bubblegum
    • A cigarette

  32. Who played the overbearing, screaming father in the intro of Twisted Sister's 1984 video for 'We're Not Gonna Take It'?

    • Mark Metcalf
    • John Belushi
    • Tim Matheson
    • Bruce McGill

  33. In Van Halen's 1984 music video for 'Hot for Teacher', what is the name of the awkward, nerdy protagonist kid who is the focus of the schoolroom scenes?

    • Waldo
    • Billy
    • Johnny
    • Tommy

  34. Which actress and model famously cartwheeled across the hoods of two Jaguar cars in Whitesnake's 1987 video for 'Here I Go Again'?

    • Tawny Kitaen
    • Lita Ford
    • Heather Locklear
    • Bobbie Brown

  35. The uncensored version of Mötley Crüe's 'Girls, Girls, Girls' video was originally banned by MTV because it was filmed at which real-life Los Angeles strip club?

    • The Seventh Veil
    • The Body Shop
    • Jumbo's Clown Room
    • Crazy Girls

  36. In the music video for Def Leppard's 'Rock of Ages', what does lead singer Joe Elliott hold in his hand instead of a microphone during the performance scenes?

    • A broadsword
    • A flaming torch
    • A wizard's staff
    • A skull

  37. In what year did MTV premiere the explosive, performance-based music video for Bon Jovi's breakout anthem 'You Give Love a Bad Name'?

    Answer with a number.

  38. How many members of the band ZZ Top are famously shown without a chest-length beard in their 1983 video for 'Sharp Dressed Man'?

    Answer with a number.

  39. Name the heavy metal band whose skeletal mascot, Eddie the Head, prominently appears in a padded cell in their 1983 video for 'Flight of Icarus'.

    Answer with a letter.

  40. Name the American glam metal band fronted by Sebastian Bach that performed inside a gritty, abandoned warehouse in their iconic late-80s video for 'Youth Gone Wild'.

    Answer with a letter.

  41. Which band's video for 'Take On Me' famously combined pencil-sketch animation with live-action footage using a rotoscoping technique?

    • A-ha
    • Tears for Fears
    • Duran Duran
    • Alphaville

  42. In the iconic 1981 music video for 'Girls on Film' by Duran Duran, which director duo (known for their edgy, fashion-forward style) helmed the highly controversial, uncensored clip?

    • Godley & Creme
    • Russell Mulcahy
    • Steve Barron
    • Julien Temple

  43. The surreal music video for Eurythmics' 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)' features Annie Lennox with bright orange cropped hair singing in a boardroom. What unusual animal is seen walking on a table in this video?

    • A cow
    • A goat
    • A pig
    • A sheep

  44. Which synthpop group's video for 'Blue Monday' (specifically the 1988 version) features a dog named Fay Ray, photographed by the famous artist William Wegman?

    • New Order
    • Depeche Mode
    • Soft Cell
    • Yazoo

  45. The futuristic, Fritz Lang-inspired music video for 'Radio Ga Ga' by Queen utilized footage from which classic 1927 silent sci-fi film?

    • Metropolis
    • Blade Runner
    • Modern Times
    • The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

  46. Directed by Tim Pope, the quirky 1985 music video for 'Close to Me' features the members of which post-punk/new wave band performing inside a wooden wardrobe that eventually falls off a cliff into the sea?

    • The Cure
    • Echo & the Bunnymen
    • Siouxsie and the Banshees
    • The Smiths

  47. In what year did MTV launch in the United States, forever changing the visual landscape for New Wave and Synthpop artists?

    Answer with a number.

  48. In what year did the British synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys release their iconic, atmospheric music video for 'West End Girls' which went on to top the charts in both the UK and US?

    Answer with a number.

  49. Which legendary English electronic band, fronted by Dave Gahan, delivered dark synthpop aesthetics in music videos like 'Personal Jesus' and 'Enjoy the Silence', both directed by Anton Corbijn?

    Answer with a letter.

  50. Which pioneering German electronic band, famous for their robotic aesthetic and the track 'The Model', laid the sonic and visual blueprint for the entire 1980s synthpop movement?

    Answer with a letter.

  51. Which 1983 instrumental hit featured a highly acclaimed, surreal music video directed by Godley & Creme, populated by uncanny, twitching kinetic sculptures and robotic limbs?

    • Rockit
    • Cars
    • Axel F
    • Blue Monday

  52. Which stop-motion masterpiece by Peter Gabriel features dancing headless chickens, bumper cars, and the singer's face being built out of clay?

    • Sledgehammer
    • Big Time
    • Shock the Monkey
    • Steam

  53. Who co-choreographed David Byrne's erratic, marionette-like movements against a blue-screen background in the surreal 1980 video for 'Once in a Lifetime'?

    • Toni Basil
    • Paula Abdul
    • Debbie Allen
    • Twyla Tharp

  54. Which band's surreal 1984 video featured early green-screen computer graphics, including lead singer Ric Ocasek's head attached to a giant fly buzzing around a model?

    • The Cars
    • Devo
    • Squeeze
    • Split Enz

  55. In the surreal video for 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)', what animal is shown standing in a boardroom and later grazing in a field while Annie Lennox plays a cello?

    • A cow
    • A sheep
    • A horse
    • A goat

  56. Which acclaimed Canadian actor co-starred with Kate Bush in her cinematic, avant-garde music video for 'Cloudbusting' as her father, Wilhelm Reich?

    • Donald Sutherland
    • Christopher Plummer
    • William Shatner
    • Leslie Nielsen

  57. In what year did A-ha release the iconic, rotoscoped pencil-sketch music video for 'Take On Me'?

    Answer with a number.

  58. How many actual members of the band Genesis are depicted as caricature puppets in their bizarre, satirical 1986 music video for 'Land of Confusion'?

    Answer with a number.

  59. Name the Akron, Ohio new wave band known for their surrealist, dystopian imagery who wore yellow radiation suits and red 'energy dome' hats in their iconic 1980 video 'Whip It'.

    Answer with a letter.

  60. Name the English gothic rock band whose claustrophobic, surreal video for 'Close to Me' features the entire band trapped inside a wardrobe that eventually plunges off a cliff into the sea.

    Answer with a letter.

  61. The iconic 1986 music video for Robert Palmer's 'Addicted to Love' features identically dressed, highly stylized models mimicking a backing band. Which famous fashion photographer directed this visual masterpiece?

    • Terence Donovan
    • Richard Avedon
    • Helmut Newton
    • Guy Bourdin

  62. Duran Duran's high-fashion, yacht-set music video for 'Rio' was filmed on location in which Caribbean island nation?

    • Antigua
    • Bahamas
    • Barbados
    • Jamaica

  63. How many identically styled, pale-faced female models back singer Robert Palmer as his 'band' in the iconic 1986 music video for 'Addicted to Love'?

    Answer with a number.

  64. Which Tunisian-born French couturier famously designed the highly structured, avant-garde wardrobe for Grace Jones in her iconic mid-1980s music videos and public appearances?

    • Azzedine Alaïa
    • Jean-Paul Gaultier
    • Thierry Mugler
    • Claude Montana

  65. Name the legendary English fashion designer who created the influential, pirate-inspired 'New Romantic' look for Adam and the Ants in their early 1980s music videos.

    Answer with a letter.

  66. Which famous American supermodel played the high-society love interest in Billy Joel's glamorous 1983 music video for 'Uptown Girl'?

    • Christie Brinkley
    • Cheryl Tiegs
    • Janice Dickinson
    • Paulina Porizkova

  67. In what year did Madonna release the music video for 'Express Yourself', a highly stylized, Fritz Lang-inspired fashion masterpiece directed by David Fincher?

    Answer with a number.

  68. The glamorous, black-and-white music video for Janet Jackson's 1989 hit 'Miss You Much' featured iconic, high-energy chair choreography. Which future Hollywood filmmaker directed it?

    • Dominic Sena
    • David Fincher
    • Michael Bay
    • F. Gary Gray

  69. Name the legendary American fashion photographer who directed the highly stylized, sensual black-and-white 1989 music video for Chris Isaak's hit 'Wicked Game'.

    Answer with a letter.

  70. Which synth-pop band's landmark 1981 music video for 'Don't You Want Me' featured a cinematic, high-fashion film-set aesthetic directed by Steve Barron?

    • The Human League
    • Soft Cell
    • Tears for Fears
    • Yazoo

  71. Which iconic, oversized piece of clothing did David Byrne famously wear during the Talking Heads' 1984 concert film 'Stop Making Sense'?

    • Big Suit
    • Yellow Trenchcoat
    • Sequined Tuxedo
    • Spiked Leather Jacket

  72. Queen's legendary 1985 Live Aid performance at Wembley Stadium kicked off with Freddie Mercury playing which song on the piano?

    • Bohemian Rhapsody
    • Radio Ga Ga
    • We Will Rock You
    • Hammer to Fall

  73. In the climax of Prince and the Revolution's 'Purple Rain' performance scenes, what color is the spotlight that famously drenches Prince during his extended guitar solo?

    • Purple
    • White
    • Blue
    • Red

  74. During his historic performance of 'Billie Jean' at the Motown 25 TV special, Michael Jackson debuted which signature dance move?

    • The Moonwalk
    • The Lean
    • The Robot
    • The Spin

  75. U2's iconic 1983 live concert video 'Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky' was filmed at an outdoor amphitheater located in which US state?

    • Colorado
    • Arizona
    • Utah
    • California

  76. In the music video for 'Dancing in the Dark,' which future famous actress is pulled onto the stage by Bruce Springsteen to dance with him?

    • Courteney Cox
    • Winona Ryder
    • Brooke Shields
    • Meg Ryan

  77. In what year did the massive multi-venue benefit concert Live Aid take place, featuring historic performances by Queen, U2, and David Bowie?

    Answer with a number.

  78. In what year did Simon & Garfunkel reunite for their historic, massive free concert in Central Park, which was later released as a highly successful live album and video broadcast?

    Answer with a number.

  79. Name the eccentric lead singer of the gothic rock band The Cure, renowned for his signature stage look of smeared red lipstick, messy teased black hair, and oversized sweaters.

    Answer with a letter.

  80. What is the name of the red, plastic, stepped-pyramid headwear worn by the members of Devo during their iconic 1980s music video and stage performances?

    Answer with a letter.

  81. In the iconic comedic video for Devo's 1980 hit "Whip It", the band members wear what signature, tiered red plastic headwear?

    • Energy domes
    • Flower pots
    • Power cones
    • Cyber helmets

  82. Which food-obsessed parody artist won a Grammy Award for his music video "Eat It", which shot-for-shot spoofed Michael Jackson's "Beat It"?

    • "Weird Al" Yankovic
    • Ray Stevens
    • Allan Sherman
    • Dr. Demento

  83. The bizarre, satirical 1986 music video for Genesis's "Land of Confusion" featured caricature puppets from which popular British television show?

    • Spitting Image
    • The Muppet Show
    • Punch and Judy
    • The Dark Crystal

  84. In ZZ Top's comedic 1984 video for "Legs", what iconic object is gifted to the bullied shoe store clerk to help her transform her life?

    • The Eliminator car keys
    • A pair of silver sunglasses
    • A spinning furry guitar
    • A golden keychain

  85. Featuring creepy, dancing robotic legs and quirky kinetic sculptures created by artist Jim Whiting, which instrumental 1983 track's video became an MTV staple?

    • Rockit
    • Autobahn
    • Axel F
    • Chariots of Fire

  86. In the quirky 1984 music video for "Close (To the Edit)" by The Art of Noise, who acts as the conductor directing the destruction of classical instruments?

    • A young punk girl
    • An elderly butler
    • A robotic mannequin
    • A mime artist

  87. How many total men perform in the minimalist, comedic music video for Paul Simon's 1986 hit "You Can Call Me Al"?

    Answer with a number.

  88. Directed by and starring actor Bill Paxton, in what year was the surreal, cult-classic comedic music video for "Fish Heads" by Barnes & Barnes officially released?

    Answer with a number.

  89. Name the lead singer of the Talking Heads who performed the iconic, spasmodic, marionette-like choreography in the green-screen music video for "Once in a Lifetime".

    Answer with a letter.

  90. Name the eccentric, real-life British scientist and television presenter who repeatedly shouts the word "Science!" throughout Thomas Dolby's quirky 1982 music video.

    Answer with a letter.

  91. Directed by Russell Mulcahy, the Gothic-style music video for Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" was filmed at what historic English location?

    • Holloway Sanatorium
    • Highclere Castle
    • Bran Castle
    • Elstree Studios

  92. Which actress famously danced across the hoods of two Jaguar cars in the iconic 1987 music video for Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again"?

    • Tawny Kitaen
    • Loni Anderson
    • Heather Locklear
    • Kelly Preston

  93. The music video for Journey's 1983 power ballad "Faithfully" is a documentary-style montage depicting what aspect of the band's life?

    • Life on the road during a concert tour
    • Recording their album in a studio
    • A fictional backstage murder mystery
    • A series of beach vacations

  94. The music video for Poison's 1988 power ballad "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" opens with lead singer Bret Michaels waking up in a hotel room, looking at a photo of his girlfriend, and playing what instrument?

    • Acoustic guitar
    • Piano
    • Harmonica
    • Saxophone

  95. The emotional video for Foreigner's 1984 power ballad "I Want to Know What Love Is" features backing vocals performed live in the studio by which prominent choir?

    • New Jersey Mass Choir
    • Harlem Gospel Choir
    • Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
    • Soweto Gospel Choir

  96. In Cyndi Lauper's narrative-driven music video for "Time After Time", she leaves her boyfriend and boards what mode of transportation at the end?

    • A bus
    • A train
    • A taxi
    • A motorcycle

  97. In what year did Prince release the iconic, rain-soaked cinematic power ballad "Purple Rain" along with its accompanying film and soundtrack?

    Answer with a number.

  98. In what year did the power ballad "Alone" by Heart reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100, accompanied by its dramatic, wind-machine-heavy music video?

    Answer with a number.

  99. Which American heavy metal band, fronted by Dee Snider, featured a dramatic, performance-focused music video for their power ballad "The Price"?

    Answer with a letter.

  100. Which female solo artist sang the dramatic 1989 power ballad "Toy Soldiers", which featured a music video addressing the theme of drug addiction?

    Answer with a letter.