How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : George Ezra, Eliza Doolittle, The Drums, Rizzle Kicks, Ella Eyre, The Wanted, The 1975, James Bay, Years & Years, Jessie Ware, Twin Atlantic, Calum Scott
They are the performers of twelve “lip sync” music videos that were ranked in various charts, this week (34/52) BUT … in the Tens 2010s.
1. What psychological theme is explored in George Ezra’s song from “Staying at Tamara’s”?
- A The effects of fame
- B Early-stage romantic attachment
- C Nostalgia for youth
2. What notable accomplishment did the single from “In Your Hands” achieve on its UK chart debut?
- A Number 1 position
- B Number 12 position
- C Number 25 position
3. Which instrument is prominently featured in The Drums’ “Let’s Go Surfing”?
- A Guitar
- B Whistle
- C Piano
4. Which event inspired the British hip-hop duo’s 2014 single?
- A The Olympics
- B Wimbledon Championships
- C The World Cup
5. Who is featured on Ella Eyre’s single “Ego,” released in 2017?
- A Ty Dolla $ign
- B Post Malone
- C Khalid
6. What was the release date of the music video for the 2013 single from “Word of Mouth”?
- A 5 August
- B 12 August
- C 11 August
7. Which song describes the impacts of digital communication on relationships in the 1975’s third studio album?
- A Discussions
- B Calls
- C Online
8. What nomination did James Bay’s 2014 single receive?
- A Best Pop Performance
- B Best Rock Song
- C Best New Artist
9. What metaphor does Olly Alexander use in the synth-pop trio’s single from “Communion”?
- A Darkness
- B Light
- C Water
10. What was the US album addition to Jessie Ware’s “Devotion” track released in 2012?
- A A string quartet
- B A rap verse by A$AP Rocky
- C An extra chorus
11. Which Twin Atlantic track emphasizes reconciliation in its lyric video?
- A Brothers and Sisters
- B Heart and Soul
- C Dreamers
12. Which 2016 debut single by Calum Scott covers a Robyn song?
- A “Dancing On My Own”
- B “Call Your Girlfriend”
- C “Hang With Me”
Tracklist
1 . George Ezra – Paradise |
‘My boom-boom heart, it’s a-beating, it’s a-thumping’
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| George Ezra’s “Paradise” speaks about the initial phases of a romance. Rather than a specific story, it conveys the overwhelming feeling of falling in love. The music video showcases cheerleaders and a fiery drum kit with Ezra singing against a radiant backdrop. |
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2 . Eliza Doolittle – Big When I Was Little |
‘Me and you you always made me laugh’
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Featured on the 2013 album “In Your Hands”. Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site |
3 . The Drums – Lets Go Surfing |
| According to guitarist Jacob Graham, The Drums wrote “Let’s Go Surfing” on Obama’s election day. Frontman Jonathan Pierce says the song was inspired by the nation’s relief after George W. Bush’s eight-year tenure, likening it to escaping prison and capturing the essence of “unbridled freedom.” |
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Featured on the 2010 album “The Drums”. |
4 . Rizzle Kicks – Tell Her |
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5 . Ella Eyre – Ego (w/ Ty Dolla $ign) |
‘Don’t let it go blow up your ego’
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6 . The Wanted – We Own The Night |
‘So what do you say, are we making history?’
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| Directed by Frank Borin and shot in a rented London pub, the music video for “We Own The Night” captures the band’s penchant for fun, tinged with nostalgia and punctuated by catchy choruses. |
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7 . The 1975 – Tootimetootimetootime |
‘I told her “I only use it sometimes”‘
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| The “TooTimeTooTimeTooTime” video, simple yet vibrant, showcases diverse fans of the band dancing and lip-syncing against colorful backdrops, with frontman Matty Healy’s standout bleached mullet. Drawing from pop influences spanning the late ‘90s to present, the track blends elements like the “French touch” disco, piano house, and Europop and addresses the dynamics of fidelity in relationships and the uncertainty in romantic interactions. |
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8 . James Bay – Hold Back The River |
| James Bay’s “Hold Back the River” features an upbeat folk-rock sound and a compelling guitar riff. Its lyrics convey the challenges of persevering in life, highlighted by the memorable chorus. |
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9 . Years & Years – Shine |
‘You can raise everything to the ground’
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| Years & Years deliver standout electro-pop with their song “Shine.” This track features the delicate Michael Jackson-esque falsetto of lead singer Olly Alexander, underscored by danceable synth-pop and a soft snare rhythm. The accompanying music video showcases supernatural-themed visuals in a house setting. |
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10 . Jessie Ware – Wildest Moments |
‘I’ve been looking at you too much’
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| Jessie Ware’s stylistic consistency stems from her collaboration with London artist Kate Moross, who oversaw the visual elements of Ware’s releases. Their best work is showcased in the video for “Wildest Moments,” a one-shot clip focusing on a poised Ware. Moross mentioned they filmed around 25 takes, choosing the 13th for its balanced emotional depth. |
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11 . Twin Atlantic – Brothers And Sisters |
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12 . Calum Scott – Dancing On My Own |
‘And there’s a big black sky over my town’
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| Calum’s “Dancing On My Own” is a cover of Swedish singer Robyn’s song. Since it is sung from the perspective of a gay man, Calum didn’t change the pronouns. |
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. The song by George Ezra delves into the intricacies of early-stage romantic attachment. It aimed at capturing the initial psychological effects of a new relationship.
2. The track secured a commendable debut at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. It became the artist’s third solo Top 40 hit.
3. The song “Let’s Go Surfing” by The Drums is renowned for its distinctive whistling hook, contributing to its indie pop charm.
4. The single was crafted specifically for the 2014 Wimbledon Championships. This collaboration included creating a music video filmed at the famous tennis venue.
5. “Ego” features Ty Dolla $ign as a collaborator. The track experienced varied chart success across the UK and Scotland.
6. The song’s music video was officially released on 12 August. It features members of the band against various visual backdrops.
7. The track “Calls” examines the challenges posed by electronic modes of conversation. It appears on “A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships.”
8. James Bay’s single was recognized at the Grammy Awards, earning a nomination for Best Rock Song. Its appeal was evident in its chart performance.
9. In the synth-pop trio’s single “Light,” metaphorical imagery portrays the potent emotions associated with love. The song performed well on various charts.
10. The US version included a rap by A$AP Rocky, adding a new dynamic to Jessie Ware’s “Devotion.” It maintains the original’s elegant production.
11. “Brothers and Sisters” focuses on themes of reconciliation. The video features lyrics emphasizing connection and understanding.
12. Calum Scott’s cover of “Dancing On My Own” offered a slowed-down interpretation. It reached impressive positions on numerous international charts.
For THE FULL ‘ARE WE LIVE?’ COLLECTION click here
NB . You may wonder what are these “Quotes” attached to certain photos above. Well! For a specific song, we select a still image from the video on one side and choose a lyric from the song on the other side. We ensure that the lyric has a connection to the image, although sometimes the connection may be far-fetched or based on a double entendre, creating a humorous or meme-like combination when the two are merged together. Et voilà!
No Mike Quotes • My boom-boom heart, it’s a-beating, it’s a-thumping (George Ezra) • Me and you you always made me laugh (Eliza Doolittle) • Don’t let it go blow up your ego (Ella Eyre) • So what do you say, are we making history? (The Wanted) • I told her “I only use it sometimes” (The 1975) • You can raise everything to the ground (Years & Years) • I’ve been looking at you too much (Jessie Ware) • And there’s a big black sky over my town (Calum Scott)
Musicwise : Pop, Rock, R&B, British Indie, Dance Pop, Electropop, Folk, Hip Hop, Trap Soul, Dance