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

The subjects du jour are : Cameo, Paul Simpson, Peter Tosh, I Level, Paula Abdul, Bananarama & Fun Boy Three, Bronski Beat, a~ha, INXS, Joyce Sims, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Duran Duran

They are the performers of twelve vintage dance tunes that were ranked in various charts, this week (17/52) BUT … in the EIghties 80s.

QUIZ QUESTIONS
QUIZ QUESTIONS

1. Which classic track's vocals are sampled in Paul Simpson’s “Musical Freedom (Moving On Up)”?

  • A The Temptations' "My Girl"
  • B The Trammps' "Move"
  • C The Supremes' "Stop! In the Name of Love"

2. On what chart did Peter Tosh's version of "Johnny B. Goode" reach its highest position?

  • A Billboard Hot 100
  • B UK Singles Chart
  • C Netherlands Chart

3. What was the peak UK Singles Chart position for I-Level's "Minefield" in 1983?

  • A 12
  • B 52
  • C 25

4. Which radio station played Paula Abdul's “Straight Up,” boosting its popularity?

  • A WLIR-New York
  • B KMEL-San Francisco
  • C KROQ-Los Angeles

5. In Bananarama’s version of "Really Saying Something," who provided background vocals?

  • A Fun Boy Three
  • B Duran Duran
  • C Madness

6. Which Bronski Beat song preceded "C'mon! C'mon!" in UK charting?

  • A "Smalltown Boy"
  • B "Why?"
  • C "Hit That Perfect Beat"

7. A-ha's "Train of Thought" music video shares its animated roots with which other a-ha hit?

  • A "The Sun Always Shines on TV"
  • B "Take On Me"
  • C "Hunting High and Low"

8. Which accolade did the music video for INXS's "What You Need" share?

  • A Grammy Award
  • B Countdown Music and Video Award
  • C MTV Music Video Award

9. Who produced Joyce Sims's track “Walk Away”?

  • A Nile Rodgers
  • B Kurtis Mantronik
  • C Quincy Jones

10. With what lyrical themes does OMD's "Telegraph" grapple in its 1983 version?

  • A Unrequited love
  • B Anti-politics and religion
  • C Urban isolation

11. In which venue was “Is There Something I Should Know?” predominantly recorded?

  • A Abbey Road Studios
  • B Good Earth Studios
  • C Electric Lady Studios

12. What happened after Michelle McManus released "The Meaning of Love"?

  • A She was signed for three more albums
  • B She was dropped by BMG
  • C She switched to acting

WATCH IN FULL
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For TWENTY FOUR more 'Music For The Dancers' - Vintage 80s Music Videos - week 17/52 - click here and here

AUDIO ONLY

Tracklist

1 . Cameo - She's Strange

Featured on the 1984 album "She's Strange".

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

2 . Paul Simpson - Musical Freedom [Moving On Up] (w/ Adeva)

Featured on the 1989 album "One".

More by the same : Wikipedia

3 . Peter Tosh - Johnny B Goode

Featured on the 1983 album "Mama Africa".

Lyrics >> More by the same : Twitter

4 . I Level - Minefield

Featured on the 1983 album "I-Level".

Lyrics >> More by the same : Wikipedia

5 . Paula Abdul - Straight Up

Featured on the 1988 album "Forever Your Girl".

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

6 . Bananarama & Fun Boy Three - Really Sayin´ Something

Featured on the 1983 album "Deep Sea Skiving".

Lyrics >> More by the same : Twitter

7 . Bronski Beat - C'mon! C'mon!

Featured on the 1986 album "Truthdare Doubledare".

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

8 . a~ha - Train Of Thought

Featured on the 1986 album "Hunting High And Low".

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

9 . INXS - What You Need

Featured on the 1985 album "Listen Like Thieves".

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

10 . Joyce Sims - Walk Away

Featured on the 1987 album "Come into My Life".

Lyrics >> More by the same : Facebook

11 . Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Telegraph

Featured on the 1983 album "Dazzle Ship".

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

12 . Duran Duran - Is There Something I Should Know?

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

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

1. The song samples The Trammps' "Move," creating a familiar yet fresh house experience. This use of sampling showcases how the track fuses current sounds with classic elements.

2. Peter Tosh's version peaked at number 10 in the Netherlands, illustrating a unique regional appreciation for his rendition. The song's crossover appeal marked Tosh's venture into rock-influenced reggae.

3. "Minefield" achieved a peak position of 52. The band I-Level made its mark on the UK charts with this single, exemplifying the post-disco trend.

4. KMEL in San Francisco aired "Straight Up," catalyzing its climb to the top of the charts. This unexpected airplay switch propelled the song to eventual iconic status.

5. Fun Boy Three provided background vocals, enriching the Bananarama track with their notable sound. Their collaboration offered an energetic take on the classic Motown song.

6. "Hit That Perfect Beat" preceded "C'mon! C'mon!" in chart positions, with the latter maintaining the group's hits on the dance charts. It continued Bronski Beat's successful chart run.

7. The "Train of Thought" video shares its animation with "Take On Me," emphasizing a-ha's signature visual style. Both videos employed innovative techniques that remain influential.

8. "What You Need" shared a Countdown Music and Video Award, acknowledging the creative visual representation of the track. This recognition highlighted the clip's artistic approach.

9. Kurtis Mantronik produced "Walk Away," imprinting his signature electronic sound on the track. His role contributed to the distinct sonic identity of Joyce Sims's music.

10. The 1983 version addresses anti-politics and religion. OMD's lyrics reflected Andy McCluskey's stance on these themes, underlining a softer yet poignant social commentary.

11. Recording took place at Good Earth Studios. The site played a crucial role in capturing the iconic sound of Duran Duran during the early 1980s.

12. After "The Meaning of Love," McManus was dropped by BMG, highlighting the music industry's volatility even for pop winners. This marked a transitional period in her career.

For THE FULL 'MUSIC FOR THE DANCERS' COLLECTION click here

(*) According to our own statistics, updated on February 22, 2026