How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : James Brown & Afrika Bambaataa, Hot Streak, Michaela Strachan, KC & The Sunshine Band, UB40, Shakin’ Stevens, Karyn White, Sinitta, Diana Ross, Exposé, Sueño Latino, Black Lace
They are the performers of twelve vintage dance tunes that were ranked in various charts, this week (38/52) BUT … in the EIghties 80s.
1. What musical genres are blended in the 1984 song “Unity” by Afrika Bambaataa and James Brown?
- A Jazz, Blues, and Hip Hop
- B Electro, Funk, and Hip Hop
- C Rock, Pop, and Soul
2. “Body Work” by Hot Streak was featured in which cult classic 1984 film?
- A Beat Street
- B Breakin’
- C Flashdance
3. What marked Michaela Strachan’s music career debut as Michaela in 1989?
- A A duet with Edwin Starr
- B The release of “H.A.P.P.Y. Radio”
- C A feature on “The Hitman and Her”
4. KC & The Sunshine Band’s opening track on their ninth album was performed at which festival in 1983?
- A Montreux Jazz Festival
- B Sanremo Music Festival
- C Woodstock
5. Which political atmosphere inspired UB40’s 1984 song “If It Happens Again”?
- A The UK’s early 1980s climate
- B The Cold War tensions
- C The USA’s recession in 1982
6. What is the origin year of the song “Come See About Me” covered by Shakin’ Stevens?
- A 1987
- B 1964
- C 1978
7. “Secret Rendezvous” achieved which top chart position in the US pop chart?
- A Number six
- B Number two
- C Number four
8. Sinitta’s “I Don’t Believe In Miracles” shares musical elements with which composer’s work?
- A Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony
- B Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony
- C Sibelius’s Symphony No. 5
9. On which UK Singles Chart did Diana Ross’s piano-themed track reach Top 5 status?
- A The UK Indie Chart
- B The UK Official Singles Chart
- C The UK Dance Chart
10. What was the first certification achieved by Exposé’s “What You Don’t Know”?
- A Silver
- B Gold
- C Platinum
11. Which music genre incorporates elements from Manuel Göttsching’s work in the track “Sueño Latino”?
- A Ambient
- B House
- C Freestyle
12. “Wig Wam Bam” covered by Black Lace was originally inspired by a poem by which author?
- A Edgar Allan Poe
- B Henry Longfellow
- C Lord Byron
For TWELVE more ‘Music For The Dancers’ – Vintage 80s Music Videos – week 38/52 – click here
Tracklist
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1 . James Brown & Afrika Bambaataa – Unity
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2 . Hot Streak – Body Work
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3 . Michaela Strachan – H.A.P.P.Y. Radio
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4 . KC & The Sunshine Band – You Said You’d Gimme Some MoreFeatured on the 1982 album “All In a Night’s Work”.
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5 . UB40 – If It Happens AgainFeatured on the 1984 album “Geffery Morgan…”.
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6 . Shakin’ Stevens – Come See About Me
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7 . Karyn White – Secret RendezvousFeatured on the 1988 album “Karyn White”.
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8 . Sinitta – I Don’t Believe In MiraclesFeatured on the 1988 album “Wicked”.
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9 . Diana Ross – My Old PianoFeatured on the 1980 album “Diana“.
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10 . Exposé – What You Don’t KnowFeatured on the 1989 album “What You Don’t Know”.
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11 . Sueño Latino – Sueño Latino (w/ Carolina Damas)
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12 . Black Lace – Wig Wam BamFeatured on the 1989 album “20 All Time Party Favourites”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “Unity” combines electro, funk, and hip hop, paying homage to James Brown’s influence on early hip hop. The track features a blend of electronic instruments with the funk rhythms that defined Brown’s early work.
2. “Body Work” found its place in the film “Breakin’,” a 1984 musical that became a defining moment in breakdancing culture. Its inclusion cemented the song’s legacy within hip hop history.
3. Michaela Strachan released “H.A.P.P.Y. Radio,” a cover of Edwin Starr’s song, to mark her music debut. Despite her success on television, her music career remained brief.
4. KC & The Sunshine Band performed their track live at the Sanremo Music Festival in 1983. The festival showcased the band’s enduring flair for live shows.
5. “If It Happens Again” by UB40 was inspired by political unrest in the UK during the early 1980s. This politically charged track reflects the band’s commitment to addressing social issues through reggae.
6. “Come See About Me” was originally recorded by The Supremes in 1964 before Shakin’ Stevens covered it in 1987. The cover was part of his late 80s ventures into classic styles.
7. “Secret Rendezvous” by Karyn White reached number six on the US pop chart. Its success was due in part to the song’s infectious new jack swing groove.
8. Sinitta’s song “I Don’t Believe In Miracles” includes elements similar to Sibelius’s Symphony No. 5. Her initial hesitations turned into fan appreciation despite the song’s negative themes.
9. Diana Ross’s track about a piano reached the Top 5 on the UK Official Singles Chart. The song’s commercial success followed her established pop influence.
10. “What You Don’t Know” by Exposé was certified Gold, highlighting its popularity. The single was pivotal in establishing the group’s freestyle presence in the late ’80s.
11. “Sueño Latino” incorporates elements from ambient pioneer Manuel Göttsching, blending house music with atmospheric sounds. This 1989 track is a standout in electronic music.
12. “Wig Wam Bam,” as covered by Black Lace, drew inspiration from Henry Longfellow’s 1855 poem “Hiawatha.” The cover paid homage to literature while keeping party-goers entertained.
For THE FULL ‘MUSIC FOR THE DANCERS’ COLLECTION click here
