How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Linda McCartney, The Dylans, Evan Dando, Levellers, The Fiery Furnaces, 808 State, The Art Of Noise & The Prodigy, Pet Shop Boys, Radiohead, Elbow, Badly Drawn Boy, Meat Loaf
They are the performers of twelve (animated only) music videos that reached the charts from the eighties to the noughties.
1. What notable feature is associated with Linda McCartney’s final song “The Light Comes From Within”?
- A It includes a live orchestra.
- B It features her son on guitar.
- C It was recorded in Abbey Road Studios.
2. Which chart position did The Dylans’ debut single “Godlike” achieve in the UK Indie Chart?
- A Number 2
- B Number 5
- C Number 7
3. “Stop My Head” from Evan Dando’s solo album often touches on which recurring theme in its lyrics?
- A Financial success
- B Substance use
- C Global travel
4. What distinguishes the Levellers’ single “Come On” in the context of their album “Green Blade Rising”?
- A It was the album’s first single.
- B It was the final track recorded.
- C It features a guest vocalist.
5. What unusual image is mentioned in the lyrics of The Fiery Furnaces’ “Tropical Ice-Land”?
- A A lion in the snow
- B A goat’s head in a deli case
- C A penguin at the beach
6. Which instrument plays a notable role in 808 State’s “Pacific 707”?
- A Harmonica
- B Saxophone
- C Violin
7. Which remix group is credited with “Instruments of Darkness (All of Us Are One People) (The Prodigy Mix)”?
- A The Chemical Brothers
- B The Prodigy
- C Massive Attack
8. What inspired the Pet Shop Boys track “Liberation” on their album *Very*?
- A Ancient myths
- B Personal relationships
- C A foreign city
9. From which previous material did Radiohead’s song “Reckoner” originate?
- A An abandoned EP
- B A song called “Feeling Pulled Apart by Horses”
- C An acoustic demo
10. What was distinctive about the track “Asleep in the Back” by Elbow?
- A It was a bonus track on later albums.
- B It won a Grammy Award.
- C It included a drum solo.
11. Who directed the animated music video for Badly Drawn Boy’s “Year of the Rat”?
- A Hayao Miyazaki
- B Michel Gondry
- C Monkmus
12. Who co-wrote “Man of Steel” with Nikki Sixx for Meat Loaf’s album?
- A Diane Warren
- B James Michael
- C David Foster
Tracklist
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1 . Linda McCartney – The Light Comes From WithinFeatured on the 1998 album “Wide Prairie”.
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2 . The Dylans – Godlike
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3 . Evan Dando – Stop My HeadFeatured on the 2003 album “Baby I’m Bored”.
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4 . Levellers – Come OnFeatured on the 2002 album “Revelation”.
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5 . The Fiery Furnaces – Tropical Ice-LandFeatured on the 2003 album “Gallowsbird’s Bark”.
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6 . 808 State – Pacific 707Featured on the 1989 album “90”.
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7 . The Art Of Noise & The Prodigy – Instruments Of Darkness [All Of Us Are One People]
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8 . Pet Shop Boys – LiberationFeatured on the 1994 album “Very“.
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9 . Radiohead – ReckonerFeatured on the 2007 album “In Rainbows“.
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10 . Elbow – Asleep In The BackFeatured on the 2001 album “Asleep in the Back”.
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11 . Badly Drawn Boy – Year Of The RatFeatured on the 2004 album “One Plus One Is One”. |
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12 . Meat Loaf – Man Of SteelFeatured on the 2003 album “Couldn’t Have Said It Better”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “The Light Comes From Within” features James McCartney playing electric and acoustic guitar. Linda’s final recorded vocals are underscored by her son’s guitar-playing contributions.
2. “Godlike” debuted at number 5 on the UK Indie Chart. Although it reached number 98 on the broader UK Singles Chart, the indie recognition marked a solid introduction for The Dylans.
3. “Stop My Head” explores themes of substance use, reflecting Evan Dando’s personal experiences. Co-written with Jon Brion, the song is part of his reflective album “Baby I’m Bored.”
4. “Come On” was released as the first single from “Green Blade Rising.” It highlighted the Levellers’ continued presence in early 2000s music scenes.
5. “Tropical Ice-Land” includes a whimsical reference to a “goat’s head in the deli case.” This aligns with The Fiery Furnaces’ penchant for quirky, vivid imagery.
6. The saxophone is a prominent element in “Pacific 707.” Its distinctive sound contributed to the track’s recognition and the classic house vibe.
7. The Prodigy mixed “Instruments of Darkness,” bringing their electronic flair to the Art of Noise track. The collaboration typifies the era’s experimental sound blends.
8. “Liberation” was inspired by personal relationships. Neil Tennant wanted to express contrasting feelings of freedom and obligation in love.
9. “Reckoner” initially came from a song that became “Feeling Pulled Apart by Horses.” The transformation allowed for a more developed, soulful piece on *In Rainbows*.
10. “Asleep in the Back” was a bonus track included in later editions of Elbow’s debut album. It ultimately helped the album clinch a spot on the Mercury Prize shortlist.
11. The “Year of the Rat” music video was directed by Monkmus. Featuring distinctive animation, it accompanied the track’s release as a single in 2004.
12. James Michael co-wrote “Man of Steel” with Nikki Sixx. This collaboration with Meat Loaf was imagined as a duet with his daughter, Pearl Aday.