How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Steady B, Musical Youth, Run DMC, The Manhattan Transfer, L A Mix, Was [Not Was], Sylvester & Patrick Cowley, Company B, Blancmange, Act, Black Uhuru, Goombay Dance Band
They are the performers of twelve vintage dance tunes that were ranked in various charts, this week (20/52) BUT … in the EIghties 80s.
1. What was unique about the version of Steady B’s “Serious” featuring KRS-One?
- A It was performed live at Madison Square Garden
- B It included samples from The Turtles
- C It was released as a vinyl-only version
2. “She’s Trouble” was initially written for which iconic pop album?
- A Bad
- B Thriller
- C Off the Wall
3. What type of samples are notably used in Run-DMC’s “Run’s House”?
- A Classical renditions
- B Funk and hip hop tracks
- C Traditional African music
4. Which science fiction television series impacts the theme of the track “Twilight Tone”?
- A Star Trek
- B The Outer Limits
- C The Twilight Zone
5. Which theme does the L.A. Mix track sample for a distinctive sound?
- A Halloween
- B The Addams Family
- C The Munsters
6. How many times did Was (Not Was) revamp their “Out Come The Freaks” concept?
- A Once
- B Twice
- C Three times
7. In which film did Sylvester and Patrick Cowley’s track featuring Sylvester appear?
- A Beverly Hills Cop
- B Trading Places
- C Gremlins
8. What genre is Company B’s “Fascinated” primarily associated with?
- A Jazz
- B Freestyle
- C Rock
9. Which 1983 Blancmange song features percussion by Bashiri Johnson?
- A Living on the Ceiling
- B Don’t Tell Me
- C Waves
10. The debut single by Act, involving Thomas Leer and Claudia Brücken, is titled?
- A Laughter and Tears
- B Snobbery and Decay
- C Joy and Rage
11. Which game features a track by Black Uhuru on its reggae radio station?
- A Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- B Need for Speed: Underground
- C Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
12. The Goombay Dance Band’s song lyrically references which actor’s film?
- A Marlon Brando
- B Paul Newman
- C Steve McQueen
For TWELVE “Look Ma, No Mike!” – Vintage 80s Music Videos – week 20/52 – click here
Tracklist
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1 . Steady B – SeriousFeatured on the 1988 album “Let the Hustlers Play”.
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2 . Musical Youth – She’s TroubleFeatured on the 1983 album “Different Style!”.
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3 . Run DMC – Run’s HouseFeatured on the 1988 album “Tougher Than Leather”.
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4 . The Manhattan Transfer – Twilight Zone/Twilight ToneFeatured on the 1980 album “Extensions”.
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5 . L A Mix – Check This OutFeatured on the 1989 album “On The Side”.
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6 . Was [Not Was] – Out Come The FreaksFeatured on the 1981 album “Out Come the Freaks”.
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7 . Sylvester & Patrick Cowley – Do You Wanna FunkFeatured on the 1982 album “All I Need”.
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8 . Company B – FascinatedFeatured on the 1986 album “Company B”.
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9 . Blancmange – Blind VisionFeatured on the 1984 album “Mange Tout”.
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10 . Act – Snobbery And DecayFeatured on the 1987 album “Laughter, Tears and Rage”.
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11 . Black Uhuru – Great Train RobberyFeatured on the 1986 album “Brutal”. |
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12 . Goombay Dance Band – Sun Of JamaicaFeatured on the 1980 album “Sun of Jamaica”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. The unique feature of the Steady B track with KRS-One is its use of a sample from The Turtles’ 1969 song. It does not have a special live version.
2. “She’s Trouble” was initially penned for Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album. The track didn’t make it to the final cut but was later recorded by Musical Youth.
3. Samples in “Run’s House” pull from funk and hip-hop sources like James Brown, setting a robust groove. Few classical influences here.
4. “Twilight Tone” nods to the eerie atmosphere of “The Twilight Zone.” The lyrics and music convey a sense of alternate realities.
5. L.A. Mix cranked up the nostalgia with samples from “The Addams Family.” This quirk added character to the track’s production.
6. Was (Not Was) revisited their freaky anthem thrice, each with a new twist. The series spanned from 1981 to 1987.
7. Sylvester’s track appeared in “Trading Places” among its film credits. Funk doesn’t easily blend into other movie classics here.
8. “Fascinated” sits squarely in the freestyle genre, with synth-pop flavors. Case closed on any jazz groove here.
9. Blancmange’s 1983 track “Don’t Tell Me” featured Bashiri Johnson, adding a percussive touch to the electronic soundscape.
10. Act dropped their debut single “Snobbery and Decay” with Brücken’s vocals leading the charge. No laughs or rage involved.
11. The track by Black Uhuru finds digital life in “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.” Keep your ears open on K-JAH West radio.
12. Goombay Dance Band’s lyrics weave visions of Jamaica from a reel with Marlon Brando. Cue the postcard sunsets and island romance.
For THE FULL ‘ARE WE LIVE?’ COLLECTION click here