How well do you know the music of Muddy Waters & The Rolling Stones, Taj Mahal & Gregg Allman, Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis, Joan Baez & John Denver, Lulu & Maurice Gibb, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Rod Stewart & Ronald Isley, Mary J. Blige & Eric Clapton, David Bowie & Damon Albarn, Carly Simon & James Taylor, Melanie C & Natalie Appleton, Foo Fighters, Slash & Tenacious D ? Take our 12-track quiz.
Simply Red's elegant take on The Stylistics' "You Make Me Feel Brand New" from *Home* shines with nostalgia, while Alicia Keys' piano-led “Doesn’t Mean Anything” reflects on empty tokens of love. Shayne Ward’s “That’s My Goal” leans into winner’s anthem glow, as Leona Lewis’ “A Moment Like This” rides talent-show spectacle. Cheryl Cole's “Parachute” impresses with its delicate balance and understated depth.
She Rockers brought fearless energy to UK hip-hop with 1988's "Jam It Jam," all swagger and break-heavy beats, while Rakim’s “Guess Who’s Back” showcased lyrical mastery with a calm dominance in 1997. De La Soul’s "Eye Know" mixed playful samples and love-struck vibes in 1989, and Tricky’s haunting "Tricky Kid" (1996) leaned into chaotic, trip-hop experimentation. Meanwhile, "I Believe I Can Fly" (1996) by R. Kelly soared into pop culture with over-the-top orchestration, and Caron Wheeler’s “UK Blak” infused British R&B with reggae textures and Black pride in 1990.
How well do you know the music of Lizz Wright, Shirley Bassey, Donny Hathaway, Teddy Pendergrass, Gil Scott-Heron, Mary J. Blige, Eternal, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Bootsy Collins, LL Cool J, The Jimmy Castor Bunch, Bobby Womack ? Take our 12-track quiz.
How well do you know the music of Steely Dan, Boney M., Sammy Hagar, The Cars, David Bowie, ABBA, Elton John, Ry Cooder, Chicago, Rod Stewart, Genesis, Sex Pistols ? Take our 12-track quiz.
Lumidee’s "Never Leave You" captured early-2000s minimalism with its Diwali Riddim beat and conversational vocals, while Jamiroquai’s "You Give Me Something" blended retro funk with modern polish. Geri Halliwell’s "Ride It" embraced glossy Euro-pop flair, and Las Ketchup’s "The Ketchup Song" fused flamenco vibes with infectious absurdity. Girls Aloud’s edgy "Sound of the Underground" defied pop norms, and Panjabi MC’s "Mundian To Bach Ke" bridged cultural beats with global flair. Paul van Dyk’s "Another Way" delivered late-90s trance precision, while Black Eyed Peas’ "My Humps" embraced unabashed excess. These tracks, from carefree to calculated, defined their moment.
Portugal. The Man’s retro-grooved "Feel It Still" punches with ’60s Motown energy and modern resistance, while The Weeknd’s "In The Night" layers sleek ’80s synth-pop with brooding R&B. Post Malone’s "Rockstar" pairs moody trap beats with fame’s chaotic highs, and Galantis’ "Runaway [U & I]" captures euphoric longing with pitch-shifted vocals. Elle King’s "Ex’s & Oh’s" blends bluesy grit with cheeky swagger, and Marshmello’s collaboration with Selena Gomez on "Wolves" delivers atmospheric electronica steeped in yearning. Bring Me The Horizon’s "Medicine" shifts into polished pop-rock, trading chaos for clean hooks, while Kygo’s "Stole the Show" brings tropical house together with bittersweet emotion.
Mark Morrison blends confidence with emotional intensity in "Horny," a sultry 1996 R&B gem, while Brandy keeps it understated yet impactful with her breakout hit "I Wanna Be Down." Whitney Houston's "Exhale [Shoop Shoop]" leans into introspection with Babyface’s subtle production, and Prince reimagines "Betcha By Golly Wow!" as a romantic falsetto-driven ode. Tina Turner adds intrigue with "GoldenEye," pairing her commanding vocals with U2's cinematic composition, and Alexander O'Neal’s "All True Man" balances swagger and vulnerability atop sleek Jam & Lewis production. Haddaway slows down with the heartfelt ballad "I Miss You," a softer contrast to his upbeat hits, while Warren G’s G-funk spin on Tina Turner’s "What’s Love Got To Do With It" finds a groove with Adina Howard’s sultry touch. Blackstreet’s “[Money Can't] Buy Me Love” delivers glossy production and harmonies, while L.V.’s "Throw Your Hands Up" captures peak mid-'90s energy, blending celebration with West Coast charm.
Neil Diamond’s emotive “Love On The Rocks” captures heartbreak with cinematic flair, while Pat Benatar’s “We Belong” finds a softer pop groove layered with resilience. Tiffany’s bubbly take on *I Think We’re Alone Now* brought a rebellious yet polished charm to the late ’80s, and Dexys Midnight Runners’ chaotic yet unforgettable “Come On Eileen” merged Celtic folk with pop energy. Spagna’s synth-driven “I Wanna Be Your Wife” radiates ’80s vibrance, just as King’s “Love and Pride” channels youthful individuality with polished hooks. Shakin' Stevens and Bonnie Tyler’s duet, “Rockin’ Good Way,” pairs playful energy with retro charm, and Lloyd Cole’s “Jennifer She Said” leans on thoughtful introspection against jangly guitars. Meanwhile, Dollar’s dreamy “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” reimagines a classic with glossy production and soft harmonies.
Cliff Richard’s festive "This New Year" blends nostalgia and optimism, while Del Amitri’s haunting "Nothing Ever Happens" critiques societal stagnation with piercing melancholy. Oasis’s swaggering "Shakermaker" captures Britpop’s laid-back charm, and The Black Crowes’ "Twice As Hard" dives into southern rock grit. Madonna’s soaring "Don’t Cry for Me Argentina" fuses theatrical flair with pop gravitas.
Judy Cheeks’ "Reach" balances house beats with pop flair, a 1994 anthem that hit #12 on UK charts, while Baby D’s "So Pure" bursts with mid-‘90s rave energy, blending breakbeats and euphoric vocals. SL2’s "DJs Take Control" channels raw early ‘90s rave culture with its frantic beats, and The Farm’s "Groovy Train" stands out for its upbeat Madchester vibe. Clock’s "That’s the Way [I Like It]" reimagines disco as 90s Eurodance, while Shaft’s cheeky "Roobarb and Custard" transforms a children’s theme into a rave staple. Each track captures distinct facets of their decade’s club culture.
Will Young amps up the energy with "Switch It On," a bold move into punchy pop-rock, debuting at No. 5 in the UK, while Kaiser Chiefs’ "Oh My God" delivers raw indie rock chaos and humor, cementing its place as a mid-2000s anthem. Snow Patrol’s heartfelt "Crack the Shutters" leans into intimacy, contrasting the explosive garage-rock swagger of Mooney Suzuki’s "Alive & Amplified." Meanwhile, "Monster" by The Automatic stomps through indie rock’s angsty side, and Take That’s "Greatest Day" soars with arena-sized optimism, proving anthemic appeal wins every time.
LadBaby's cheeky “We Built This City” swaps rock ‘n’ roll for sausage rolls, blending humor and charity to back UK food banks, while The Lonely Island’s “I Just Had Sex” turns awkward intimacy into an absurd yet polished club parody with Akon. Billie Eilish’s “Bellyache” mixes playfulness and guilt in sparse beats, and Bowie’s reflective “Where Are We Now?” pairs Berlin nostalgia with tender fragility. Delphic’s “Doubt” and Kings of Leon’s “Beautiful War” dive into introspection, blending tension and grandeur, while White Lies’ “Bigger Than Us” storms in with existential alt-rock. Meanwhile, Flux Pavilion and Doctor P's “Superbad” crashes through with thundering basslines, capturing dubstep’s noisy peak.
U2’s brassy "Angel of Harlem" honors Billie Holiday with gritty NYC vibes, while Siouxsie and the Banshees’ haunting "Israel" blends mysticism and sparse instrumentation. Sinéad O’Connor’s defiant "Mandinka" merges post-punk with African influences, and The Proclaimers’ heartfelt "Sunshine on Leith" channels homegrown devotion. Japan’s minimalist "Nightporter" and Barbra Streisand’s grand "Somewhere" each balance emotion with signature artistry.
Robyn’s "Be Mine!" blends raw heartbreak with defiance in minimal electropop, while Rihanna and Ne-Yo’s "Hate That I Love You" thrives on heartfelt duality and smooth production. Amy Winehouse lays bare her soul in the melancholic "Love Is A Losing Game," and Jordin Sparks’ "No Air" hits dramatic heights with Chris Brown. Steps add elegance to pop with "It’s the Way You Make Me Feel," and Kate Bush’s poignant "This Woman’s Work" lingers as a timeless emotional confession.
Five Star’s “System Addict” sparkles with slick production and '80s choreography, while Chaka Khan’s “I Feel for You” electrifies with Stevie Wonder's harmonica and Melle Mel’s rap flair. Bronski Beat's “Hit That Perfect Beat” pulses with hi-NRG energy, and Alexander O’Neal and Cherrelle’s “Saturday Love” captures weekend longing. Wham!’s punchy “I'm Your Man” delivers cheeky confidence, and Erasure’s “Sometimes” blends shimmering synths with heartache.
Enjoy highlights standout `80s tracks, starting with Blondie’s buoyant reggae-pop hit "The Tide Is High" and The Police’s dreamy "Walking on the Moon," fusing spacey themes with love. The Pretenders’ "Brass in Pocket" oozes cool minimalism, while David Bowie’s gritty "Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)" pulls from post-punk. Eurythmics’ "It’s Alright (Baby’s Coming Back)" offers warm reassurance, contrasting with Madness’s socially conscious whimsy on "Waiting for the Ghost Train."
Sharam’s "PATT (Party All The Time)" modernizes Eddie Murphy's '80s charm with house beats, while Aaron Smith’s hypnotic "Dancin" found a second life through Krono’s 2016 remix. Mauro Picotto’s "Pulsar" combines relentless techno with melodic precision, and Le Tigre’s electroclash anthem "TKO" mixes rebellion and glitter. Kylie Minogue’s "I Believe in You" fuses disco roots with tender electronic layers, while Scooter’s "Posse (I Need You on the Floor)" thrives on chaotic rave energy. Hermes House Band’s bold "Country Roads" transforms Denver’s folk ballad into a Eurodance party anthem, trading nostalgia for neon-lit euphoria.
Foster the People’s “Pumped Up Kicks” hides a dark, unsettling story beneath its sunny indie-pop melody, while The 1975’s funky “Ugh!” mixes humor with raw introspection about addiction. Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree” blends bold holiday cheer with powerhouse vocals, and Haim’s “Don’t Save Me” balances emotional vulnerability with sleek production. The Wombats’ playful “Techno Fan” thrives on indie energy, contrasting with the earnest devotion and banjo-driven momentum of Mumford & Sons’ “I Will Wait.” Faithless’ “Insomnia” crafts a hypnotic electronic journey into sleepless nights, showcasing its genre-defining intensity, while Coldplay’s introspective “Church” weaves global influences into a thoughtful, meditative piece.
Allure’s "All Cried Out" reimagines heartbreak with soft harmonies and 112’s rich vocals, while Meat Loaf's “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” blends operatic flair with raw drama. Shai’s stripped-down a cappella "If I Ever Fall in Love" stays intimate, and Lisa Stansfield’s "All Around the World" grooves on longing. Bon Jovi’s "Always" keeps emotions high with passionate delivery.