Who Sings It 80s Edition is easy to play with or without contestants. It takes advantage of the play-along attraction of interactive games.
Before you begin, follow the guidelines for playing games in the Game Strategy section here.
Then, choose the best method to play this game based on your show and how you’ll use the game.
And finally, follow the specific guidelines for playing Who Sings It here.
How to Play Who Sings It 80s Edition
The game is a bit like Name That Tune, which works for the same reason Shazam and other song identification apps are popular.
The premise is simple: Play a hook or a small part of a song. Contestants (or listeners if using it as a feature) guess who sings it. Describe the song or provide some lyrics if you want to give a clue.
In every instance, play the song after announcing the answer.
Examples
Here are some examples, including facts about the song that can be used as a clue when asking the question or when introducing the song:
“Tainted Love” by Soft Cell (1982) – Though a cover of 1964 song (The Where Did Our Love Go part), Soft Cell took this synthpop track to #1 in the US.
“Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners (1982) – British pop group Dexys Midnight Runners scored this Celtic-infused #1 hit, though never managed another Top 40 single in the US.
“She Blinded Me With Science” by Thomas Dolby (1982) – British musician Thomas Dolby saw his quirky synthpop song become a Top 5 hit, while also helping popularize the synthesizer.
“Maniac” by Michael Sembello (1983) – This energetic pop song was featured in the movie Flashdance and won Sembello a Grammy, though he quickly faded into obscurity.
“99 Luftballons” by Nena (1983) – Though originally released in German in 1983, this anti-war protest song hit #2 in the US after an English version was recorded in 1984.
“Turning Japanese” by The Vapors (1980) – British new wave band The Vapors saw their only hit with this song that uses Japan as a metaphor for masturbation.
“Mickey” by Toni Basil (1982) – Choreographer Toni Basil hit #1 with this bubbly pop song and dance-centric video that resurrected the name Mickey.
“You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” by Dead or Alive (1984) – English new wave band Dead or Alive saw their only big hit with this dancepop track.
“Take On Me” by A-ha (1985) – Norwegian band A-ha reached #1 in the US with this synthpop song and its iconic pencil-sketch music video.
“We Built This City” by Starship (1985) – This synth-driven, anthemic rock song was the last major hit for the band formerly known as Jefferson Starship.
“Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves (1985) – British pop rock band Katrina and the Waves scored their first and biggest US hit with this feel-good, 1980s classic.
“Everybody Have Fun Tonight” by Wang Chung (1986) – British new wave band Wang Chung saw this dance-pop track hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, their only Top 10 song.
“Electric Avenue” by Eddy Grant (1983) – Guyanese-British musician Eddy Grant topped the US charts with this upbeat, synth-reggae track.
“Our House” by Madness (1983) – British ska band Madness saw their sole big US hit with this bouncy pop track that reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“I Know What Boys Like” by The Waitresses (1982) – New wave band The Waitresses topped the dance charts and cracked the pop Top 40 with this catchy, kitschy track.
“She Drives Me Crazy” by Fine Young Cannibals (1989) – English pop rock band Fine Young Cannibals saw their lone US hit with this retro-styled single driven by horns and dance beats.
“Cruel Summer” by Bananarama (1984) – All-female British pop group Bananarama saw this synth-driven summer lament become their first stateside hit.
“Wild Wild West” by The Escape Club (1988) – Scottish pop/rock group The Escape Club scored a #1 hit with this soulful, synthesizer-accented track.
“867-5309/Jenny” by Tommy Tutone (1981) – Power pop rockers Tommy Tutone saw this catchy track about calling Jenny’s number become their signature hit, though it only reached #4.
“Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes (1981) – Singer Kim Carnes saw this synthpop track about sultry actress Bette Davis become her sole #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Centerfold” by The J. Geils Band (1981) – Though they had other hits, this new wave track about finding your high school crush in an adult magazine was The J. Geils Band’s sole #1.
“Missing You” by John Waite (1984) – English rocker John Waite topped the Billboard Hot 100 with this lovelorn power ballad, though he never again reached the Top 40 as a solo artist.
“(I Just) Died In Your Arms” by Cutting Crew (1987) – English pop/rock band Cutting Crew saw their synthpop-influenced debut single hit #1, though they never replicated the success.
“Oh Yeah” by Yello (1987) – Though popular in Europe, avant-garde electronic duo Yello only cracked the Top 50 once in the US with this track featuring sampled female moans.
“Hold Me Now” by Thompson Twins (1984) – British pop group Thompson Twins peaked at #3 with this synthpop single led by singer Tom Bailey’s unique voice.
“The Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats (1983) – Canadian synthpop group Men Without Hats saw their biggest hit with this quirky tune advising to avoid violent dancing.
“Obsession” by Animotion (1984) – This melodic synthpop track topped the charts in 1984 for the American band Animotion.
“In a Big Country” by Big Country (1983) – Scottish rock band Big Country cracked the Top 20 with this anthemic single driven by Stuart Adamson’s distinctive guitar playing.
“I Ran (So Far Away)” by A Flock of Seagulls (1982) – English new wave band A Flock of Seagulls saw their only US hit with this synthpop track and memorable haircuts.
“Tarzan Boy” by Baltimora (1985) – Italian musician Jimmy McShane fronted this one hit wonder, topping charts with this jungle-themed dance/pop single.“
One Night In Bangkok” by Murray Head (1985) – English actor Murray Head achieved this smash synthpop hit from the Chess musical, despite it being his only major success.
