How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : The Cool-Notes, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Agnetha Fältskog, Curiosity Killed The Cat, Shakatak, Liza Minnelli, Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King, Phyllis Nelson, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Shakin’ Stevens, Commodores, Sabrina
They are the performers of twelve vintage dance tunes that were ranked in various charts, this week (43/52) BUT … in the EIghties 80s.
1. Which track marked The Cool Notes’ entry into both club and radio playlists in the 1980s?
- A Spend the Night
- B Momentary Vision
- C Cool Down
2. What unique vocal section does “Let Them All Talk” by Elvis Costello & The Attractions feature?
- A La-la-la
- B Fa-fa-fa
- C Na-na-na
3. Which Swedish singer released “Wrap Your Arms Around Me” in 1983?
- A Frida
- B Agnetha Fältskog
- C Roxette
4. Who directed the music video for Curiosity Killed the Cat’s “Misfit”?
- A Andy Warhol
- B David Bowie
- C Jean-Michel Basquiat
5. Which genre best describes Shakatak’s “Out Of This World”?
- A Synth-pop
- B Jazz-funk
- C New wave
6. Which duo wrote and produced Liza Minnelli’s “Don’t Drop Bombs”?
- A Simon & Garfunkel
- B Pet Shop Boys
- C Hall & Oates
7. Which 1981 hit song by Evelyn “Champagne” King was written by Kashif?
- A Love Come Down
- B I’m in Love
- C I’m So Romantic
8. Which song reached number one on the U.S. Dance chart for a Philadelphia-born singer in 1985?
- A The Greatest
- B All of Me
- C Don’t Make Me Over
9. What landmark hip hop track did Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five release in 1982?
- A Rappers Delight
- B The Breaks
- C The Message
10. Which artist covered Big Joe Turner’s “Lipstick, Powder and Paint” in 1985?
- A Elvis Presley
- B Shakin’ Stevens
- C Fats Domino
11. Which Commodores track about financial strain was released in 1986?
- A Brick House
- B Easy
- C Goin’ to the Bank
12. Which country saw Sabrina’s “Gringo” rise to number 12 in the charts?
- A Spain
- B Italy
- C France
For TWENTY FOUR more ‘Music For The Dancers’ – Vintage 80s Music Videos – week 43/52 – click here and here
Tracklist
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1 . The Cool-Notes – Momentary Vision
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2 . Elvis Costello & The Attractions – Let Them All TalkFeatured on the 1983 album “Punch the Clock“.
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3 . Agnetha Fältskog – Can’t Shake LooseFeatured on the 1983 album “Wrap Your Arms Around Me”.
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4 . Curiosity Killed The Cat – MisfitFeatured on the 1987 album “Keep Your Distance”.
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5 . Shakatak – Out Of This WorldFeatured on the 1983 album “Out of This World”.
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6 . Liza Minnelli – Don’t Drop BombsFeatured on the 1989 album “Results”.
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7 . Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King – I’m In LoveFeatured on the 1981 album “I’m in Love”.
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8 . Phyllis Nelson – I Like You
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9 . Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five – The MessageFeatured on the 1982 album “The Message“.
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10 . Shakin’ Stevens – Lipstick Powder And PaintFeatured on the 1985 album “Lipstick, Powder and Paint”.
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11 . Commodores – Goin’ To The BankFeatured on the 1986 album “United”. |
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12 . Sabrina – Gringo
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “Momentary Vision” mixed smooth R&B with synth-driven grooves characteristic of mid-1980s British soul. The track helped solidify The Cool Notes’ place on club and radio playlists at the time.
2. Elvis Costello’s “Let Them All Talk” includes a “fa-fa-fa” vocal section reminiscent of the Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer.” It evokes 1960s Motown sound with its brass instrumentation.
3. Agnetha Fältskog, part of ABBA, released “Wrap Your Arms Around Me” in 1983. It was her first English-language album and achieved significant chart success.
4. Andy Warhol, known for his pop art, directed the “Misfit” video for Curiosity Killed the Cat. It was among his last projects before his 1987 death.
5. Shakatak’s “Out Of This World” is a fine example of jazz-funk. Released in 1983, it continued the band’s exploration of the genre with smooth melodies and upbeat rhythms.
6. The Pet Shop Boys, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, wrote and produced “Don’t Drop Bombs.” This track added synth-pop flair to Liza Minnelli’s discography.
7. “I’m in Love” was a 1981 hit for Evelyn “Champagne” King. Kashif wrote and produced it, marking a shift towards synthesizer-heavy sound as disco waned.
8. Phyllis Nelson’s release in 1985 topped the U.S. Dance chart and was her only pop chart entry. Its success was noted for Pettibone’s production appeal.
9. “The Message,” a track by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, shifted hip hop towards social commentary. Its lyrics address inner-city challenges and hardships.
10. Shakin’ Stevens covered “Lipstick, Powder and Paint” in 1985. Originally by Big Joe Turner, the track’s energetic rhythm found new life in Stevens’ version.
11. “Goin’ to the Bank” by the Commodores, released in 1986, discusses financial struggles set to a catchy R&B beat. J.D. Nicholas lent his voice as lead vocalist.
12. Sabrina’s “Gringo” reached number 12 on the Italian charts in 1989. Its catchy rhythm and international release found it charting across Europe.
For THE FULL ‘MUSIC FOR THE DANCERS’ COLLECTION click here
