How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.

The subjects du jour are : The Stranglers, Donna Summer, Killing Joke, Prince, Shakin’ Stevens, Sting, Bob Geldof, Rush, One 2 Many, The Alarm, UB40, Electric Light Orchestra

They are the performers of twelve “lip sync” music videos that were ranked in various charts, this week (45/52) BUT … in the Eighties 80s.

1. In which year was “Always the Sun” by The Stranglers first released?

  • A 1986
  • B 1990
  • C 1997

2. Which artist’s cover of a Jon and Vangelis song features a choir including Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson?

  • A Donna Summer
  • B Whitney Houston
  • C Aretha Franklin

3. What is the main theme of Killing Joke’s “Sanity”?

  • A Love and desire
  • B Emotional deterioration
  • C Political upheaval

4. Which instrument did Sheila E. contribute to the extended version of Prince’s “I Wish U Heaven”?

  • A Saxophone
  • B Keyboards
  • C Drums

5. Who covered Jackie Wilson’s “I’ll Be Satisfied” in 1982?

  • A Elvis Costello
  • B Shakin’ Stevens
  • C Paul McCartney

6. Which event inspired Sting to write “Fortress Around Your Heart”?

  • A His marriage
  • B His divorce
  • C A world tour

7. Who co-produced Bob Geldof’s “This Is the World Calling”?

  • A Quincy Jones
  • B Nile Rodgers
  • C David A. Stewart

8. What is notable about the Rush song featuring Aimee Mann?

  • A It was their debut single
  • B It included a guest vocalist
  • C It used only acoustic instruments

9. What happened to One 2 Many after releasing “Downtown”?

  • A Won a Grammy
  • B Disbanded
  • C Changed their name

10. In which year was “Rain in the Summertime” by The Alarm released?

  • A 1985
  • B 1987
  • C 1989

11. What film inspired the title of UB40’s “The Earth Dies Screaming”?

  • A Metropolis
  • B The Day the Earth Stood Still
  • C The Earth Dies Screaming

12. Which element of ELO’s “Twilight” links it to themes of time travel?

  • A A backward message
  • B A melody from Bach
  • C A holographic cover
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For TWELVE “We are Live” – Vintage 80s Music Videos – week 45/52 – click here

AUDIO ONLY

Tracklist

1 . The Stranglers – Always The Sun

Featured on the 1986 album “Dreamtime”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

2 . Donna Summer – State Of Independence

Featured on the 1982 album “Donna Summer”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

3 . Killing Joke – Sanity

Featured on the 1986 album “Brighter Than a Thousand Suns”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

4 . Prince – I Wish U Heaven

Featured on the 1988 album “Lovesexy“.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

5 . Shakin’ Stevens – I’ll Be Satisfied

Featured on the 1982 album “Give Me Your Heart Tonight”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Instagram

6 . Sting – Fortress Around Your Heart

Featured on the 1985 album “The Dream of the Blue Turtles“.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

7 . Bob Geldof – This Is The World Calling

Featured on the 1986 album “Deep in the Heart of Nowhere”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

8 . Rush – Time Stand Still

Featured on the 1987 album “Hold Your Fire”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

9 . One 2 Many – Downtown

Featured on the 1989 album “Mirror”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Wikipedia

10 . The Alarm – Rain In The Summertime

Featured on the 1987 album “Eye of the Hurricane”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

11 . UB40 – The Earth Dies Screaming

Featured on the 1980 album “Signing Off“.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

12 . Electric Light Orchestra – Twilight

Featured on the 1981 album “Time”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:

1. The Stranglers released “Always the Sun” in 1986, making waves in multiple formats. It initially reached number 30 on the UK Singles Chart.

2. Donna Summer’s cover, produced by Quincy Jones, features a star-studded choir including Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. It reached number one in the Netherlands.

3. “Sanity” explores emotional deterioration against a backdrop of synthpop, post-punk, and new wave, reflecting the darker side of the human psyche.

4. On the extended version of “I Wish U Heaven,” Sheila E. played the drums, enhancing the track’s spiritual and gospel elements.

5. Shakin’ Stevens’ cover of “I’ll Be Satisfied” was a hit in 1982, staying true to the rock and roll roots of Jackie Wilson’s original.

6. “Fortress Around Your Heart” was inspired by Sting’s emotional turmoil during his divorce, a subject he wrote about while in Barbados.

7. Bob Geldof’s track was co-produced by David A. Stewart, aligning his solo identity with expansive ’80s production styles.

8. Rush’s collaboration with Aimee Mann marked their first time including another vocalist, adding a distinct layer to their sound.

9. Following “Downtown,” One 2 Many disbanded despite its chart success, with members pursuing separate endeavors in music and opera.

10. “Rain in the Summertime” was released in 1987, solidifying The Alarm’s shift from punk to a cinematic rock sound.

11. UB40’s “The Earth Dies Screaming” takes its title and inspiration from a 1964 sci-fi horror film, intertwining nuclear fear with reggae rhythms.

12. “Twilight” by ELO cleverly includes a backward message, cementing its narrative of time travel and futuristic imagination.

For THE FULL ‘ARE WE LIVE?’ COLLECTION click here

(*) According to our own statistics, updated on November 30, 2025