How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Prince & The Revolution, Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock, Keith Sweat, Third World, Rochelle, Cevin Fisher, Jellybean, Gibson Brothers, Mantronix, Aswad, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Shakin’ Stevens
They are the performers of twelve vintage dance tunes that were ranked in various charts, this week (10/52) BUT … in the EIghties 80s.
1. What was the highest chart position that Jellybean’s “Just a Mirage” achieved in the UK?
- A Number 5
- B Number 13
- C Number 25
2. What genre is the song “Cuba” by the Gibson Brothers primarily associated with?
- A Salsa
- B Jazz
- C Rock
3. What distinctive feature did the album containing Mantronix’s “Simple Simon” bring to the music industry?
- A First to contain rap and jazz fusion
- B First mastered from a DAT
- C First with a holographic cover
4. What thematic concern is addressed in Aswad’s “Chasing for the Breeze”?
- A Love lost
- B Educational critique
- C Environmental conservation
5. Which musical style represents Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Watching The Wildlife”?
- A Synth-pop
- B Psychedelic doo-wop
- C Heavy metal
6. Who originally recorded the song “Turning Away” before Shakin’ Stevens’ version?
- A Crystal Gayle
- B Dolly Parton
- C Patsy Cline
7. Which event helped raise Shaun Escoffery’s profile following his release of “Space Rider”?
- A Performing at the Super Bowl
- B Airplay on BBC Radio 1
- C Winning a Grammy
8. What recurring issue is tackled in Kano’s “Typical Me”?
- A Issues with bouncers
- B Bank privacy invasion
- C Road rage
9. What was unusual about Beverley Knight’s “Shoulda Woulda Coulda” before its release?
- A A ballad transformed into a midtempo track
- B Recorded entirely underwater
- C Length exceeded 10 minutes
10. What illness did Lynden David Hall battle that led to his untimely passing?
- A Lupus
- B Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- C Tuberculosis
11. How does Kanye West’s recording of “Through the Wire” reflect his personal circumstances at the time?
- A Recorded while volunteering in Africa
- B Recorded with his jaw wired shut
- C Recorded during a power outage
12. What theme does Angie Stone’s “Brotha Part II” powerfully highlight?
- A The strength and resilience of black men
- B Environmental protection
- C Global warming
For TWENTY FOUR more ‘Music For The Dancers’ – Vintage 80s Music Videos – week 10/52 – click here and here
Tracklist
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1 . Prince & The Revolution – Let’s Go CrazyFeatured on the 1984 album “Purple Rain“.
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2 . Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock – It Takes TwoFeatured on the 1988 album “It Takes Two”.
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3 . Keith Sweat – I Want Her 1989Featured on the 1987 album “Make It Last Forever”.
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4 . Third World – Now That We Found LoveFeatured on the 1978 album “Journey to Addis”.
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5 . Rochelle – My Magic Man
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6 . Cevin Fisher – The Freaks Come Out
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7 . Jellybean – Just a Mirage (w/ Adele Bertei)Featured on the 1987 album “Just Visiting This Planet”.
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8 . Gibson Brothers – CubaFeatured on the 1979 album “Cuba”.
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9 . Mantronix – Simple SimonFeatured on the 1988 album “In Full Effect”.
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10 . Aswad – Chasing For The BreezeFeatured on the 1984 album “Rebel Souls”.
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11 . Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Watching The WildlifeFeatured on the 1987 album “Liverpool”. |
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12 . Shakin’ Stevens – Turning AwayFeatured on the 1985 album “Lipstick Powder and Paint”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “Just a Mirage” reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart in 1988. This made it one of Jellybean’s highest-charting singles there.
2. The song “Cuba” by the Gibson Brothers is primarily a salsa-inspired disco tune. It showcases a vibrant mix of dance and Latin influences.
3. Mantronix’s album “In Full Effect,” which contains “Simple Simon,” was one of the first mastered from a Digital Audio Tape (DAT). This was a novel technological advancement at the time.
4. “Chasing For The Breeze” by Aswad critically examines the conventional education system. It questions its societal relevance and effectiveness through reggae rhythms.
5. “Watching The Wildlife” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood marks an evolution into psychedelic and doo-wop styles. It reflects elements inspired by their Liverpool roots and John Lennon-like guitar parts.
6. “Turning Away” was originally recorded by Crystal Gayle before Shakin’ Stevens turned it into a rock and roll single in 1986. His version reached number 15 on the UK Singles Chart.
7. Shaun Escoffery’s “Space Rider” gained traction through substantial airplay on BBC Radio 1. DJs Trevor Nelson and the Dreem Teem notably supported the track.
8. Kano’s “Typical Me” tackles tensions with bouncers. The track presents a storytelling angle on typical urban nightlife confrontations.
9. Beverley Knight’s “Shoulda Woulda Coulda” was initially a ballad. Label influence led to its transformation into a more market-friendly midtempo track.
10. Lynden David Hall was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which sadly ended his life in 2006. His music remains influential in the neo-soul genre.
11. Kanye West recorded “Through the Wire” with his jaw wired shut after a car accident. Unusual circumstances added emotional depth to the track.
12. “Brotha Part II” by Angie Stone highlights the strength and resilience of black men. The music video pays homage to notable figures throughout history.
For THE FULL ‘MUSIC FOR THE DANCERS’ COLLECTION click here
