Rate These '80s Song Lyrics and We'll Guess Your Zodiac

By: Teresa McGlothlin

6 Min Quiz

Image: Sire / Warner Bros.

About This Quiz

The '80s was a decade like no other! Full of technological innovation and bold creativity, it was a time that produced some of the most memorable songs on the planet. Throughout this quiz, you'll get the chance to tell us what you think of some of the era's most famous lyrics. Will your thoughts lead us to the sign you were born under, though?

From hair metal to dance music, there are too many amazing songs to fit into one quiz. Instead of overwhelming you with hundreds of questions, we've taken lines from some of the most loved tunes the '80s had to offer. As you tell us which songs seem to be falling on your head "like a new emotion," you'll give away the astrological traits that you were born with.

Grab a set of Air Pods and try to stay in your seat when you see the lyrics. It might be tempting to get up and "dance with somebody," but your traits will only come through by sticking it out. Will we correctly figure out the sign you look up when you want to know your horoscope, or will your answers make us jump for your astrological love? There's only one way to find out!

A&M

When The Police sing, "Every step you take, every move you make, I'll be watching you," how does it make you feel?

That lyric is creepy!

It makes me want to dance.
I always change the station when I hear it.

It kind of makes me want to crimp my hair.

BBC/CBS

What do you say when the Bangles ask you, "Is this burning an eternal flame?"

"It sure is!"

"Nah ... it's probably a rash."
"I hope not!"

"Will you please stop whining, Susanna Hoffs?"

Sire Records

Which word would you use to describe the Soft Cell lyric that goes, "Sometimes I feel I've got to run away"?

Relatable

Sad
Truthful

Dramatic

Epic

"If I stay, there will be trouble, and if I go, it will be double." How would you rank this lyric by the Clash?

It's solid advice.

I love every word of that song.
It's really confusing! What is he talking about?

It's as good as any other '80s lyric.

Arista

What's your consensus on "When there's something strange in the neighborhood, who you gonna call?"

That whole song is amazing.

That lyric always puts me in a good mood.
That's the most annoying lyric that came out of the '80s.

It's rather attention-getting.

Motown

Do you get all mushy when you hear Lionel Richie ask, "Hello? Is it me you're looking for?"

I get butterflies every time.

That song makes me kind of angry. I know, I have issues.
I get prom flashbacks.

I get mushy when I see his sexy '80s mustache.

Epic

When Michael Jackson sings, "No one wants to be defeated," are you inspired?

It's a great line!

I get inspired to do the moonwalk.
I'm not a fan.

It does make me feel empowered.

Warner Bros.

What's your response to a-Ha taunting you to "Take on me" in their song of the same name?

I don't even know what that means.

I respond with "Take me on!"
I just try to hit that high note.

Bring it, a-Ha!

Columbia

Would you give Bonnie Tyler's "Once upon a time, I was falling in love, now I'm only falling apart" a thumbs up or a thumbs down?

It's a good song, but I've heard it too many times.

Thumbs down! How depressing!
I feel you, Bonnie. Two thumbs up.

I'll give it one thumb up, but not both.

RCA Records

How would you rate the Hall & Oates classic that says, "Your kiss is on my list"?

That kind of makes me gag. Zero stars.

Three stars — it's catchy.
One star, but only because I'm a nice person

I'll give that lyric four stars.

Mercury

Do you approve when Def Leppard sings, "Pour some sugar on me in the name of love"?

It sounds good in the song.

I disapprove. I think it means something naughty.
I totally approve. I rock out when I hear that song.

It's not bad for a hard rock lyric.

Columbia

Can you say anything positive about hearing Journey singing, "Don't stop believing. Hold on to that feeling"?

I have nothing positive to say about Journey.

That guy knows how to stretch out a word!
I have a neutral stance on this song and its lyrics.

It's a positive message!

Slash

If you were stuck in an elevator and heard "When I'm-a walkin', I strut my stuff" by the Violent Femmes come on, would you dance?

I'm in public. I would pretend not to enjoy it as much as I am.

I would bust a move!
I might tap my foot a little.

I would not be able to stop myself from singing along.

MTV

Would you recommend the line "No fear, cavalier, renegade and steering clear" from REM's "End of the World As We Know It"?

It's beautiful poetry.

I would recommend all of REM's stuff.
Is that really in the song? No one knows all those words. I'm not recommending that.

I don't feel fine when I hear that song.

Columbia/Epic

Is it romantic when George Michael sings,"I know that not everybody has a body like you"?

It is sort of romantic.

I can think of more romantic '80s lyrics.
It's a good pickup line.

It's spicy, not romantic.

Next Plateau/London

Does Salt 'n Pepa's "Yo, yo, yo, yo baby pop. Yeah. You. Come give me a kiss" make you want to pucker up?

No, but it makes me want to "Push it real good!"

It sounds like a good reason to pucker up to me.
I would be terrified if someone said that to me IRL.

It kind of makes me want to giggle.

Cold Chillin'

"You got what I need, but you say he's just a friend." Does Biz Markie give you the feels with this lyric?

The sound of that song hurts my ears.

I feel every word of that line.
No, but I feel sorry for him.

I would give this lyric a six out of 10.

Phonogram/Mercury

Do you actually want to "Shout" when you hear Tears for Fears tell you to "Let it all out"?

I love that whole song!

It makes me shout at Alexa to change the song.
No, but I do sing it at the top of my lungs.

It's good advice. I might try that next time.

Mercury

Would you give Bon Jovi's "We're halfway there, we're livin' on a prayer" a rating of mediocre or amazing?

It's more like terrible.

It's a great line.
Meh ... it's mediocre.

It must be good. It sold a heap of records.

Arista

Whitney Houston wants "to feel the heat with somebody." Do you think it's a good way to ask someone to dance?

LOL ... no.

No, but it's good imagery.
I think she's asking for more than a dance.

I truly dislike that song.

Warner Bros.

How would you describe Prince's lyric in one word: "I never meant to cause you any sorrow. I never meant to cause you any pain"?

Apologetic

Powerful
Sappy

Heartfelt

Warner Bros.

When you hear Van Halen urging you to "Go ahead and jump," do you want to air guitar along?

I want to jump up and play another song.

Of course I will.
It makes me want to jump for their love.

No, but I'll be laying down some solid air drums.

EMI America

How many stars would you give the J. Geils Band's line that says, "My love runs cold, my memory has just been sold"?

One

Five
Four

Two

Mercury

Do you rate John Mellencamp's "two American kids doing the best they can" as one of the best lyrics of the '80s?

I give that song's lyrics a 10/10!

There are far better lyrics.
It's a lyric like all the rest.

It's not the best, but it's one of the more memorable.

Epic

Would you swipe left or right for Cyndi Lauper's "If you're lost, you can look and you will find me"?

I would exit the app.

I'll swipe left for that one.
There's no reason not to swipe right.

I'm not swiping anything.

Geffen

If Whitesnake's "going down the only road I've ever known" were a food, would you eat it?

I would send it back to the kitchen.

I'll gobble that down.
That sounds kind of gross.

I might share it like a dessert with someone.

Capitol

How many points out of four would you give Poison's "Every rose has its thorn, just like every night has its dawn"?

One

Two
Four

Three

Virgin/Atlantic

What do you really think of "I can feel it coming in the air tonight" by Phil Collins?

It's uber cheesy.

I love it! I break out my pretend drum sticks.
It sounds like a weird omen.

It's kind of mysterious.

Atlantic/Mercury Records/WEA

"My nerves are so raw, I've got to let you know you're one of my kind." Do you like this INXS lyric or not?

It sounds like something a cult leader would say.

It's a solid line.
It's one of the better lyrics from the decade.

I'm not into that song at all.

BBC/Rough Trade

Are you a fan of "I am human and I need to be loved" from the Smiths' "How Soon Is Now?"

What a great lyric!

I don't have any feelings about it.
I'm a fan of anything the Smiths do.

It's a little desperate.

7 Minute Quiz 7 Min

About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!