How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Karyn White, Michael Jackson, Mr. Lee, Earth Wind and Fire, The Todd Terry Project, Diana Ross, Grace Jones, Brilliant, Sharon Redd, Janet Jackson, Pet Shop Boys, Eddy Grant
They are the performers of twelve vintage dance tunes that were ranked in various charts, this week (46/52) BUT … in the EIghties 80s.
1. “The Way You Love Me” by Karyn White was produced by which famous music producer?
- A Nile Rodgers
- B Quincy Jones
- C Babyface Edmonds
2. What is significant about Michael Jackson’s track “Bad”?
- A It was his last album with Quincy Jones
- B It was recorded in one session
- C It has no music video
3. “Get Busy” by Mr. Lee was influential in which music movement?
- A Grunge
- B Chicago house
- C New Romantic
4. What notable feature does the track “System of Survival” by Earth, Wind & Fire have?
- A A hidden track
- B An interactive music video
- C A non-album B-side
5. Which remix is associated with Todd Terry’s version of “Weekend”?
- A Deep house
- B Electro hip hop
- C Lo-fi jazz
6. What inspired “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross?
- A Her career transformation
- B Observing her fans
- C Her move to California
7. Grace Jones’s track from *Inside Story* was co-written with whom?
- A Larry Levan
- B Nile Rodgers
- C Bruce Woolley
8. What film title influenced James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World”?
- A “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”
- B “Man of La Mancha”
- C “A Man for All Seasons”
9. What distinct feature begins Sharon Redd’s “Never Give You Up”?
- A A saxophone solo
- B Six cowbell notes
- C A spoken word intro
10. Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation” was written in response to what?
- A Her debut album’s success
- B Social issues
- C The fall of the Berlin Wall
11. What theme is addressed in the Pet Shop Boys’ song from *Please*?
- A Love and betrayal
- B Class and inner-city pressures
- C Environmental concerns
12. What gives Eddy Grant’s 1982 reggae-pop single its notable lyrical duality?
- A Social and racial protests
- B Romantic themes
- C Environmental activism
For TWELVE more ‘Music For The Dancers’ – Vintage 80s Music Videos – week 46/52 – click here
Tracklist
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1 . Karyn White – The Way You Love MeFeatured on the 1988 album “Karyn White”.
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2 . Michael Jackson – BadFeatured on the 1987 album “Bad“.
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3 . Mr. Lee – Get BusyFeatured on the 1989 album “Get Busy”.
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4 . Earth Wind and Fire – System of SurvivalFeatured on the 1987 album “Touch the World”.
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5 . The Todd Terry Project – Weekend (w/ Class Action)
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6 . Diana Ross – I’m Coming OutFeatured on the 1980 album “Diana“.
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7 . Grace Jones – I’m Not Perfect But I’m Perfect For YouFeatured on the 1986 album “Inside Story”.
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8 . Brilliant – It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s WorldFeatured on the 1985 album “Kiss the Lips of Life”.
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9 . Sharon Redd – Never Give You UpFeatured on the 1982 album “Redd Hott”.
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10 . Janet Jackson – Rhythm NationFeatured on the 1989 album “Rhythm Nation 1814“.
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11 . Pet Shop Boys – West End GirlsFeatured on the 1984 album “Please”. |
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12 . Eddy Grant – I Don’t Wanna DanceFeatured on the 1982 album “Killer on the Rampage”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “The Way You Love Me” is helmed by Babyface Edmonds, alongside L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons. It hit multiple charts, affirming its broad appeal.
2. Jackson closed his partnership with Quincy Jones with “Bad,” marking a point in his evolution as a pop icon. Its aggressive style defined the album.
3. “Get Busy” is Mr. Lee’s contribution to the Chicago house scene. The track’s release helped cement his hip house legacy.
4. “System of Survival” features “Writing on the Wall,” a unique non-album B-side, adding depth to its commercial release.
5. Terry’s version of “Weekend” embraced the electro hip hop vibe, showcasing his flair for remixing and sampling.
6. Ross’s encounter at a club, observing impersonators, inspired “I’m Coming Out,” ingeniously linking her artistic persona and LGBT allies.
7. Bruce Woolley co-crafted the song with Jones, underlining Jones’s innovative approach with sophisticated production by Nile Rodgers.
8. Brown’s song nods to cinematic chaos with a film-referencing title, capturing human irony through signature soulful sound.
9. Redd’s song starts with a catchy cowbell sequence, setting a rhythmic standard for early 80s disco soundscapes.
10. Responding to global social ills, Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation” conveyed messages through danceable pop anthems.
11. Pet Shop Boys narrate city life’s gritty struggle in a T.S. Eliot-influenced track addressing societal fractures.
12. Grant’s track intertwines dancefloor enthusiasm with protest lyrics, mirroring 80s socio-political climates creatively.
For THE FULL ‘MUSIC FOR THE DANCERS’ COLLECTION click here
