How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : David Gray, Lee Ryan, The Cardigans, The Thrills, Joe, Ne-Yo, Alisha’s Attic, Plan B, Trebor, Lucy Pearl, Marc Almond, Sid Owen
They are the performers of twelve vintage love songs that were ranked in various charts, this week (30/52) BUT … in the Noughties 2000s.
1. What genre influences are prominently featured in The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights”?
- A Synth-pop and electropop
- B Hip-hop and R&B
- C Rock and country
2. Which artists contributed to the songwriting of “Blinding Lights”?
- A Pharrell Williams
- B Max Martin and DaHeala
- C Dr. Dre
3. When was “Blinding Lights” released as a single?
- A November 29, 2019
- B December 15, 2020
- C January 5, 2019
4. What lyrical theme does “Blinding Lights” explore?
- A Financial success
- B Yearning for a partner
- C Overcoming adversity
5. What chart achievement did “Blinding Lights” accomplish in the United States?
- A It never charted
- B Best-performing song in *Billboard* Hot 100 history
- C Topped the jazz charts
6. What notable production element stands out in “Blinding Lights”?
- A Heavy metal riffs
- B Prominent synthesizers
- C Acoustic guitar strumming
7. How many countries did “Blinding Lights” top the charts in?
- A Over 40
- B Just 10
- C A few major markets
8. Who directed the music video for “Take My Breath”?
- A Cliqua
- B Spike Jonze
- C Hype Williams
9. What genre elements does “Take My Breath” incorporate?
- A Disco, dance-pop, funk, and synthwave
- B Classical, opera, and jazz
- C Gospel, blues, and reggae
10. What concern delayed the IMAX release of the “Take My Breath” music video?
- A Intense strobe effects
- B Over-the-top CGI
- C Excessive smoke
11. Which 1980s element prominently influences “Take My Breath”?
- A Punk rock vibes
- B Synthesizers and beats
- C Big hair
12. What chart position did “Take My Breath” debut at on the US Billboard Hot 100?
- A Number six
- B Number one
- C Number thirty
1. Who remixed David Gray’s “Sail Away” for its single release?
- A Avicii
- B Biffco
- C Tiësto
2. Which country saw Lee Ryan’s debut single “Army of Lovers” reach number one?
- A Italy
- B Germany
- C France
3. “You’re the Storm” by The Cardigans features metaphors related to which thematic elements?
- A Space travel
- B War and territory
- C Natural disasters
4. Which TV show did The Thrills appear on to perform their single “Nothing Changes Around Here” live?
- A The Late Late Show
- B Top of the Pops
- C Saturday Night With Miriam
5. “Treat Her Like a Lady” from Joe’s album *My Name Is Joe* charted highest in which genre-specific Billboard category?
- A Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
- B Hot 100
- C Adult Contemporary
6. Ne-Yo describes the song “Do You” as a sequel to which of his previous hits?
- A Sexy Love
- B So Sick
- C Closer
7. Which song by Alisha’s Attic was promoted with an official music video release in 2001?
- A Indestructible
- B Pretender Got My Heart
- C I Am, I Feel
8. Hall & Oates’ song “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)” was sampled in which Plan B single?
- A Charmaine
- B Mama [Loves A Crackhead]
- C Stay Too Long
9. From which artist’s perspective is “Pretty Lady” by Trebor performed?
- A The protagonist’s lover
- B Trebor
- C An observer
10. Which change followed Dawn Robinson’s exit from Lucy Pearl?
- A Formation of a new group
- B Joi joining the group
- C Transition to a duo
11. Who originally released the song that Marc Almond and Mekon covered in 2001?
- A The Beatles
- B The Drifters
- C Elvis Presley
12. Sid Owen’s *Good Thing Going* is a cover of a song by which legendary artist?
- A Bob Marley
- B Stevie Wonder
- C Michael Jackson
For TWELVE more ‘L’Amour Toujours’ – Vintage 2000s Music Videos – week 30/52 – click here
Tracklist
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1 . David Gray – Sail AwayFeatured on the 1998 album “White Ladder“.
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2 . Lee Ryan – Army Of LoversFeatured on the 2005 album “Lee Ryan”.
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3 . The Cardigans – You’re The StormFeatured on the 1998 album “Long Gone Before Daylight”.
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4 . The Thrills – Nothing Changes Around HereFeatured on the 2003 album “Teenager”.
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5 . Joe – Treat Her Like A LadyFeatured on the 1993 album “My Name Is Joe”.
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6 . Ne-Yo – Do YouFeatured on the 2007 album “Because of You”.
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7 . Alisha’s Attic – Pretender Got My HeartFeatured on the 1999 album “The House We Built”.
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8 . Plan B – Mama [Loves A Crackhead]Featured on the 2006 album “Who Needs Actions When You Got Words”.
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9 . Trebor – Pretty Lady
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10 . Lucy Pearl – Without YouFeatured on the 2000 album “Lucy Pearl”.
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11 . Marc Almond – Please Stay
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12 . Sid Owen – Good Thing Going
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. Biffco, known for its production work, was among those who remixed “Sail Away” for its single release. Their version added a distinct flavor apart from its original charm.
2. Lee Ryan found considerable success with “Army of Lovers” in Italy, where it undeniably hit number one and stayed there for four weeks.
3. The Cardigans’ “You’re the Storm” touches on themes of war and territory, cleverly juxtaposing personal versus battleground conflicts within a relationship.
4. The Thrills showcased their single “Nothing Changes Around Here” on “Saturday Night With Miriam,” fittingly a live TV moment just before the track’s official release.
5. Joe’s “Treat Her Like a Lady” performed relatively well by ranking number 15 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart—it was the album’s lowest single performance, though.
6. Ne-Yo clearly stated that “Do You” continues the poignant narrative begun in “So Sick,” pondering the lingering thoughts after a breakup.
7. “Pretender Got My Heart” was one of the notable releases by Alisha’s Attic that came with a fittingly thematic music video in 2001.
8. Plan B’s “Mama [Loves A Crackhead]” contained a sample from Hall & Oates’ catchy hit “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do),” bringing in a nostalgic yet original element.
9. Trebor performed “Pretty Lady” ostensibly from his perspective, though details on production or chart performance are quite scarce.
10. With Joi stepping in after Dawn Robinson’s departure, Lucy Pearl gained a new member and thus maintained its identity as an R&B supergroup for the time being.
11. Marc Almond and Mekon paid tribute to a classic pop era by covering “Please Stay,” originally released by The Drifters in the early 1960s. The version held on to its soul roots.
12. Sid Owen ventured into music with “Good Thing Going,” a cover of Michael Jackson’s past hit, originally featured in Jackson’s 1972 album, proving to have unexpected chart success.
And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “Blinding Lights” prominently features synth-pop and electropop influences, making it a nostalgic nod to 1980s music while modernizing the sound for contemporary audiences.
2. Max Martin and DaHeala were among the songwriters of “Blinding Lights,” contributing to its infectious melodies and upbeat tempo, alongside The Weeknd.
3. Released as a single on November 29, 2019, “Blinding Lights” captured audiences with its driving beats and emotional lyrics, setting numerous chart records.
4. The lyrics of “Blinding Lights” explore themes of yearning for a partner, capturing the emotional urgency of desiring connection and intimacy, especially at night.
5. “Blinding Lights” reached the pinnacle of performance on the Billboard Hot 100, earning the title of the best-performing song in the chart’s history as of November 2021.
6. The use of prominent synthesizers in “Blinding Lights” gives the track its distinct sound, propelling it as a standout with its retro-tinged yet contemporary feel.
7. “Blinding Lights” topped charts in over 40 countries, underscoring its universal appeal and solidifying The Weeknd’s status as a global music icon.
8. Directed by Cliqua, the “Take My Breath” music video complements the song’s vibrant beats and themes, though it faced initial IMAX release delays.
9. “Take My Breath” skillfully blends disco, dance-pop, funk, and synthwave elements, echoing the artist’s fondness for 1980s aesthetics while enhancing modern pop sensibilities.
10. The intense strobe effects in the “Take My Breath” music video raised health concerns about triggering epilepsy, leading to its IMAX release postponement.
11. 1980s-inspired synthesizers and beats are at the forefront of “Take My Breath,” showcasing The Weeknd’s signature embrace of retro musical influences.
12. “Take My Breath” debuted at number six on the Billboard Hot 100, signifying another successful chart entry for The Weeknd and his evolving musical direction.
