The eighties are the decade that made music bingo possible. Every song on this list was built to be recognised in two seconds: the synth riff of Take On Me, the bass line of Billie Jean, the drum fill in In the Air Tonight, the first chord of Sweet Child O' Mine. Nobody needs to think. The song walks in through the ear and out through the memory.
These are the 60 that actually get a reaction in a room of mixed ages, not the 60 best albums of the decade. Stadium rock (Bon Jovi, Journey, Guns N' Roses, Queen), pop that never left the radio (Madonna, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper, Wham!), the British synth wave (Eurythmics, The Human League, Soft Cell, Depeche Mode) and the film songs everyone knows without knowing the film (Footloose, Ghostbusters, Eye of the Tiger, Flashdance).
Perfect for a 40th or 50th birthday, an 80s-themed party, a pub quiz night or an office do where the boss was born in 1975. Print one card per person, play the songs from any speaker, and let the singing start.
Print this music bingo
All the songs are already loaded. Nothing to copy, no playlist to build.
Open the generator with these 60 songs Free, no sign-up. Generate the cards, print them or play from your phone.What a card looks like
One of the cards the generator makes from this list. Every card is different.
The full song list
- Take On Mea-ha
- Billie JeanMichael Jackson
- Girls Just Want to Have FunCyndi Lauper
- Livin' on a PrayerBon Jovi
- Sweet Child O' MineGuns N' Roses
- Don't Stop Believin'Journey
- Every Breath You TakeThe Police
- With or Without YouU2
- Like a VirginMadonna
- Wake Me Up Before You Go-GoWham!
- Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)Eurythmics
- Eye of the TigerSurvivor
- I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)Whitney Houston
- AfricaTOTO
- Total Eclipse of the HeartBonnie Tyler
- FootlooseKenny Loggins
- Never Gonna Give You UpRick Astley
- Walking on SunshineKatrina & The Waves
- Don't You (Forget About Me)Simple Minds
- Beat ItMichael Jackson
- Purple RainPrince
- When Doves CryPrince
- JumpVan Halen
- Karma ChameleonCulture Club
- Tainted LoveSoft Cell
- Come On EileenDexys Midnight Runners
- Everybody Wants to Rule the WorldTears For Fears
- Blue MondayNew Order
- Should I Stay or Should I GoThe Clash
- Dancing in the DarkBruce Springsteen
- Under PressureQueen, David Bowie
- Another One Bites the DustQueen
- Call MeBlondie
- Hungry Like the WolfDuran Duran
- The Power of LoveHuey Lewis & The News
- Time After TimeCyndi Lauper
- Material GirlMadonna
- FaithGeorge Michael
- Careless WhisperGeorge Michael
- PhysicalOlivia Newton-John
- GhostbustersRay Parker Jr.
- I Want to Know What Love IsForeigner
- Summer of '69Bryan Adams
- Pour Some Sugar on MeDef Leppard
- Here I Go AgainWhitesnake
- Kids in AmericaKim Wilde
- 99 LuftballonsNena
- RelaxFrankie Goes To Hollywood
- Walk Like an EgyptianThe Bangles
- Heaven Is a Place on EarthBelinda Carlisle
- The Final CountdownEurope
- ManiacMichael Sembello
- Flashdance... What a FeelingIrene Cara
- Down UnderMen At Work
- Just Can't Get EnoughDepeche Mode
- Love ShackThe B-52's
- Red Red WineUB40
- Don't You Want MeThe Human League
- In the Air TonightPhil Collins
- I Ran (So Far Away)A Flock Of Seagulls
Tips for an 80s bingo that actually works
Ten seconds is plenty. These intros are famous. If nobody has reacted after fifteen seconds, skip to the chorus; the bingo dies in the silences.
Mind the artist repeats. Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince, Cyndi Lauper, George Michael and Queen each appear twice. If two of the same artist land on one card, players will argue. Keep the title on the card, not just the artist.
Forty songs make a full evening. A 5x5 card needs 24, but with 40 to 60 the cards come out varied and you can play two or three rounds without repeating. Deselect anything you do not want in the generator.
Let them sing. The winner is not the point of an 80s bingo. The point is Don't Stop Believin' at full volume at eleven at night.
Print this music bingo
All the songs are already loaded. Nothing to copy, no playlist to build.
Open the generator with these 60 songs Prefer your own selection? Start from scratch.