We're Number Two
Bruce Springsteen’s biggest Hot 100 hit never reached #1, spending weeks stuck at #2 behind “The Reflex” and “When Doves Cry.”
What is "Dancing in the Dark"?
SEEKING: Brainy Republican teen with a tie collection and a very loud set of opinions. Bonus if your middle initial is “P.”
Who is Alex P. Keaton?
“The best part of waking up…” finishes with this coffee brand
What is Folgers?
At many ’80s malls, if you weren’t browsing at Waldenbooks, you were probably browsing at this rival bookstore chain
What is B. Dalton?
Jeans treated with chemicals for a mottled, high-contrast look were often referred to as this type of denim
What is acid-wash?
This Cyndi Lauper breakthrough became a pop/feminist anthem and was famously blocked from #1 by Van Halen’s “Jump.”
What is "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"?
WANTED: Regulars for a cozy Boston hangout. Must enjoy witty banter and the comfort of a place “where everybody knows your name.”
What is "Cheers"?
“I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a ____ kid.”
What is Toys “R” Us?
This frothy drink stand was the classic food-court “treat cup” before smoothies took over
What is Orange Julius?
After Flashdance, these scrunched knit tubes became a dance-class staple—pulled over socks and worn around the ankles
What are leg warmers?
Crowded House broke big in the U.S. with this Neil Finn-written single that became their signature song
What is "Don't Dream It's Over"?
HELP WANTED: Graveyard-shift staff for a Manhattan legal workplace. Must handle oddball cases, eccentric coworkers, and nonstop one-liners
What is Night Court?
This cat food brand’s famous jingle is basically a chorus of “meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow” followed by the product name
What is Meow Mix?
This chain was the mall go-to for music—cassettes, CDs, and posters—often paired with a listening station vibe
What is Sam Goody?
These ultra-baggy, shiny pants (often associated with early hip-hop/pop dance) were nicknamed for their lightweight fabric
What are parachute pants?
This Foreigner ballad set a chart oddity by spending a record 10 weeks at #2 without ever hitting #1.
What is "Waiting for a Girl Like You"?
HELP WANTED: Two daredevil cousins needed for ongoing “deliveries” in rural Georgia. Must be comfortable with constant car chases and frequent run-ins with a corrupt county boss
What is "The Dukes of Hazzard"?
First aired in 1981, the “Pardon me… would you have any ____?” commercials made this mustard a pop-culture punchline
What is Grey Poupon?
This mall toy-store chain was a go-to for action figures, board games, toy dogs that did flips and last-minute birthday gifts
What is KB Toys?
This “exclusive-sounding” ’80s jacket brand became such a status symbol that wearing one was practically a social signal
What is Members Only?
Produced by Nile Rodgers, this Madonna hit’s video riffs on Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” and was stuck behind "Can't Fight This Feeling" and "One More Night"
What is "Material Girl"?
FOR RENT: One Miami home, shared by four sharp-tongued ladies. Applicants must appreciate cheesecake, sarcasm, and late-night kitchen talks
What are "The Golden Girls"?
“Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun” names this McDonald’s sandwich
What is the Big Mac?
The mall shop famous for gag gifts, posters, and “edgy” novelty items
What is Spencer Gifts?
’80s power dressing made jackets look bigger with these built-in inserts (football players were jealous)
What are shoulder pads?