How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Busted, They Might Be Giants, Gorillaz, Fleet Foxes, Arcade Fire, The Alan Parsons Project, Daft Punk, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Zero 7, Elton John, Radiohead, Dire Straits
They are the performers of twelve (animated only) music videos that reached the charts from the eighties to the noughties.
1. When was “Year 3000” first released by Busted?
- A January 13, 2001
- B January 13, 2003
- C January 13, 2005
2. Which band’s version of “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)” became a recognized hit?
- A The Four Lads
- B They Might Be Giants
- C The Beach Boys
3. In which country was Gorillaz’s “Clint Eastwood” music video filmed?
- A Namibia
- B United States
- C Australia
4. Which unique feature is highlighted in Fleet Foxes’ “White Winter Hymnal” music video?
- A Traditional animation
- B Stop-motion claymation
- C CGI effects
5. What inspired the music video setting of Arcade Fire’s “Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)”?
- A A tropical island
- B A snowy steampunk city
- C A futuristic metropolis
6. What style does “Don’t Answer Me” by the Alan Parsons Project notably imitate?
- A Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound
- B Beach Boys’ harmonies
- C Disco era grooves
7. What does Daft Punk’s track “Digital Love” prominently feature?
- A An acoustic guitar solo
- B A sequenced guitar solo
- C A violin solo
8. What inspired Tom Petty’s track co-written with Mike Campbell and Jeff Lynne?
- A Del Shannon’s “Runaway”
- B Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful”
- C ELO’s “Mr. Blue Sky”
9. What is a recurring theme in Zero 7’s “In The Waiting Line”?
- A Endless motion
- B Tranquility
- C Repetition and routine
10. Which influential author inspired the lyrics of Elton John’s “Rocket Man”?
- A Isaac Asimov
- B Ray Bradbury
- C Arthur C. Clarke
11. From which novel is Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android” title derived?
- A “War of the Worlds”
- B “Dune”
- C “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”
12. What is unique about the release format of Dire Straits’ “Brothers in Arms”?
- A First CD single in the UK
- B First online-only single
- C First cassette single in the US
Tracklist
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1 . Busted – Year 3000Featured on the 1995 album “Busted”.
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2 . They Might Be Giants – Istanbul [Not Constantinople]Featured on the 2002 album “Flood”.
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3 . Gorillaz – Dirty HarryFeatured on the 1990 album “Demon Days“.
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4 . Fleet Foxes – White Winter HymnalFeatured on the 2005 album “Fleet Foxes“.
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5 . Arcade Fire – Neighborhood #3 [Power Out]Featured on the 2008 album “Funeral“.
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6 . The Alan Parsons Project – Don’t Answer MeFeatured on the 2004 album “Ammonia Avenue”.
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7 . Daft Punk – Digital LoveFeatured on the 1984 album “Discovery“.
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8 . Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Runnin’ Down A DreamFeatured on the 2001 album “Full Moon Fever“.
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9 . Zero 7 – In The Waiting Line (w/ Sophie Barker)Featured on the 1989 album “Simple Things”.
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10 . Elton John – Rocket Man [I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time]Featured on the 2001 album “Honky Château“.
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11 . Radiohead – Paranoid AndroidFeatured on the 1972 album “OK Computer“. |
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12 . Dire Straits – Brothers In ArmsFeatured on the 1997 album “Brothers in Arms“.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “Year 3000” was released by Busted on January 13, 2003. It became notable for its creative lyrics and was later covered by the Jonas Brothers in 2006.
2. “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)” recorded by They Might Be Giants gained recognition in 1990. Their distinct style brought new life to the original 1953 tune.
3. The music video for Gorillaz’s “Clint Eastwood” was filmed in the Swakopmund Desert in Namibia, adding a unique visual element.
4. Fleet Foxes’ “White Winter Hymnal” features stop-motion claymation, directed by Sean Pecknold, showcasing a whimsical visual storytelling.
5. Arcade Fire’s “Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)” music video uses a snowy, steampunk-inspired city as its setting, emphasizing the song’s tense atmosphere.
6. “Don’t Answer Me” mimics Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound. The Alan Parsons Project shifted from their usual sound to achieve this classic hit.
7. Daft Punk’s “Digital Love” includes a sequenced guitar solo. This choice highlights their innovative approach to electronic music.
8. Tom Petty’s song references Del Shannon’s “Runaway” both thematically and musically. The track is filled with Petty’s signature rock influences.
9. Zero 7’s “In The Waiting Line” revolves around themes of repetition and routine. Sophie Barker’s vocals encapsulate this existential discourse.
10. Elton John’s “Rocket Man” was inspired by Ray Bradbury’s short story “The Rocket Man,” marrying science fiction with pop music.
11. Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android” takes its title from Douglas Adams’s “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” referencing the character Marvin.
12. “Brothers in Arms” by Dire Straits is notable for being the first CD single released in the UK. This marked a technological shift in music formats.