Take a brain break and guess the names of these 1983 songs with just one lyric
The year 1983 brought Michael Jackson’s Thriller dominance, synth-pop’s mainstream breakthrough, and new wave’s golden moment that defined early MTV culture. Test your knowledge of that remarkable year in music history.
Each question features one lyric. Try to guess the song before scrolling to see the answer with fascinating facts about its creation.
Question 1
“Since you’ve gone I’ve been lost without a trace. I dream at night, I can only see your face”
Answer
“Every Breath You Take” by The Police. Sting wrote this in half an hour after waking with the line in his head. Despite sounding romantic, Sting calls it “a nasty little song” about jealousy and surveillance.
Question 2
“For forty days and for forty nights, law was on her side. But who can stand when she’s in demand? Her schemes and plans”
Answer
“Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson. Jackson created the distinctive bassline himself and insisted on mixing the track 91 times until he was delighted with the final sound.
Question 3
“Where I hear the music. Close my eyes. Feel the rhythm. Wrap around. Take a hold of my heart”
Answer
“Flashdance… What a Feeling” by Irene Cara. Written by Giorgio Moroder, this soundtrack single spent six weeks at number one and won both Academy and Golden Globe awards.
Question 4
“Traveling in a fried-out Kombi. On a hippie trail, head full of zombie. I met a strange lady, she made me nervous”
Answer
“Down Under” by Men at Work. Colin Hay wrote this tribute to Australian culture. The flute riff was inspired by “Kookaburra.”
Question 5
“No one wants to be defeated. Showin’ how funky and strong is your fight. It doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right”
Answer
“Beat It” by Michael Jackson. Eddie Van Halen played the guitar solo for free as a favor.
Question 6
“Every now and then, I get a little bit tired. Of listening to the sound of my tears. (Turn around)”
Answer
“Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler. Jim Steinman wrote this originally for a vampire musical before Tyler’s raspy vocals made it a four-week number one.
Question 7
“Some of them want to use you. Some of them want to get used by you”
Answer
“Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics. Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart recorded this synth-pop masterpiece in their home studio.
Question 8
”At this moment. You mean everything. You in that dress. My thoughts, I confess”
Answer
“Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners. Kevin Rowland wrote this, combining Celtic folk with new wave energy.
Question 9
“Tender love is blind. It requires a dedication. All this love we feel needs no conversation”
Answer
“Islands in the Stream” by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. The Bee Gees wrote and produced this duet originally for Marvin Gaye.
Question 10
“People dancing all in the street. See the rhythm all in their feet. Life is good, wild and sweet”
Answer
“All Night Long (All Night)” by Lionel Richie. Richie created lyrics in invented languages because they sounded Caribbean.
Wrap-up
How many songs did you get right? Share your score and create a playlist of these 1983 classics.
Related:
- ’80s music videos that felt like mini Hollywood movies
- Can you guess the 1975 song from just one lyric?
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