How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Grace Jones, Sister Sledge, Simply Red, Shakatak, UB40, The Blow Monkeys, Love and Rockets, The Weather Girls, Pseudo Echo, Prince, Stock Aitken Waterman, The Art of Noise
They are the performers of twelve vintage dance tunes that were ranked in various charts, this week (33/52) BUT … in the EIghties 80s.
1. Which famous music producer worked on the recording of Grace Jones’s version of the song from her album Warm Leatherette?
- A Chris Blackwell
- B Quincy Jones
- C Phil Spector
2. Which iconic musician was the inspiration for Sister Sledge’s song, released on their album When the Boys Meet the Girls?
- A Frank Sinatra
- B David Bowie
- C Elvis Presley
3. Simply Red’s debut single shares its theme with which socio-economic concept, often a topic in political discussions?
- A Luxury tax
- B Financial austerity
- C Supply-side economics
4. From which country’s educational television series did a reworked version of Bill Sharpe and Roger Odell’s single appear as the opening titles?
- A United States
- B United Kingdom
- C Australia
5. UB40’s track included a phrase that means “power to the people” in which language?
- A Zulu
- B Xhosa
- C Swahili
6. Sylvia Tella scored a UK Top 40 hit in 1989 by collaborating on a single with which band?
- A The Blow Monkeys
- B Duran Duran
- C The Smiths
7. Which legendary artist inspired the production style for Love and Rockets’ 1989 hit single?
- A David Bowie
- B Lou Reed
- C Freddie Mercury
8. Who originally declined the lead single offered to The Weather Girls that later became a hit in the UK?
- A Diana Ross
- B Donna Summer
- C Chaka Khan
9. What element does the 1986 Australian new wave band’s cover of “Funkytown” feature that distinguishes it from Lipps Inc.’s original version?
- A Use of sitar
- B Extended spoken word section
- C Mid-song guitar solo
10. The lead single from which movie’s soundtrack album was completed last for the project?
- A Top Gun
- B Batman
- C Ghostbusters
11. What was the primary reason for the initial anonymity in the release by Stock, Aitken, and Waterman?
- A To avoid mistaken identity claims
- B To bypass regional restrictions
- C To address criticism about their production style
12. Art of Noise collaborated with which performers for their single “Yebo!” released in 1989?
- A Soweto Gospel Choir
- B Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens
- C Aparthid Resistance Choir
For TWELVE more ‘Music For The Dancers’ – Vintage 80s Music Videos – week 33/52 – click here
Tracklist
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1 . Grace Jones – Private LifeFeatured on the 1980 album “Warm Leatherette“.
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2 . Sister Sledge – FrankieFeatured on the 1985 album “When the Boys Meet the Girls”.
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3 . Simply Red – Money’s Too Tight [To Mention]Featured on the 1985 album “Picture Book“.
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4 . Shakatak – Down On The StreetFeatured on the 1984 album “Down on the Street”.
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5 . UB40 – Sing Our Own SongFeatured on the 1986 album “Rat in the Kitchen”.
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6 . The Blow Monkeys – Choice? (w/ Sylvia Tella)Featured on the 1984 album “Animal Magic”.
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7 . Love and Rockets – So AliveFeatured on the 1989 album “Love and Rockets”.
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8 . The Weather Girls – It’s Raining MenFeatured on the 1982 album “Success”.
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9 . Pseudo Echo – FunkytownFeatured on the 1985 album “Love an Adventure”.
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10 . Prince – BatdanceFeatured on the 1989 album “Batman : Soundtrack”.
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11 . Stock Aitken Waterman – RoadblockFeatured on the 1987 album “Roadblock”. |
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12 . The Art of Noise – Yebo! (w/ Mahlathini And The Mahotella Queens)Featured on the 1989 album “Below the Waste”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. Chris Blackwell produced Grace Jones’s version on the album Warm Leatherette. His involvement brought a reggae influence that shaped the sound of the track.
2. “When the Boys Meet the Girls,” features a song about Frank Sinatra. This association is perhaps as smooth as the icon’s own voice.
3. Simply Red’s song delves into financial austerity. It mirrors economic struggles and the politics of financial restraint.
4. The BBC’s UK education series featured a reworked track. The re-imagined song found a new audience in academic programming.
5. Zulu phrases are featured, notably “Amandla Awethu.” The song’s anti-apartheid message was clear and resonant.
6. Sylvia Tella’s hit was with The Blow Monkeys. They struck a chord with their collaborative effort in the UK charts.
7. Inspiration from Lou Reed shaped Love and Rockets’ track. His style influenced the song’s iconic production choices.
8. Donna Summer declined the song, which became a hit for The Weather Girls. The latter found success with its catchy hooks.
9. A distinctive guitar solo punctuates the Australian band’s “Funkytown.” It differentiates from the original disco track.
10. Prince’s “Batman” soundtrack single had complex construction. It uniquely incorporated film elements, crafting a memorable piece.
11. Anonymity aimed to challenge perceptions of Stock, Aitken, and Waterman’s style. Their experiments sought to shake expectations.
12. Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens performed with Art of Noise. The cultural and musical fusion created a notable single.
For THE FULL ‘MUSIC FOR THE DANCERS’ COLLECTION click here
