How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Boney M, ABBA, Television, David Bowie, Queen, John Lennon, Santana, Neil Diamond, The Clash, Patti Smith, Rush, Joe Walsh
They are the ’70s Throwback’ artists selected among the 341 Posts we publish this week.
1. What historical event influenced the lyrics of Boney M.’s “Belfast”?
- A World War II
- B The Vietnam War
- C Sociopolitical issues in Northern Ireland
2. How did the rhythm for ABBA’s “Take a Chance on Me” originate?
- A A metronome exercise
- B Björn Ulvaeus’s jogging rhythm
- C A dance routine from a TV show
3. What sets “Call Mr. Lee” by Television apart lyrically?
- A Its narrative about a world-famous detective
- B Its abstract and opaque storyline
- C Its historical references to New York City
4. Who played lead guitar on David Bowie’s live performances of “Beauty and the Beast” during the Isolar II Tour?
- A Mick Ronson
- B Adrian Belew
- C Robert Fripp
5. What unique aspect characterized Queen’s 1977 Top of the Pops broadcast of “Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy”?
- A A live trumpet section
- B A pre-recorded mimed performance
- C A surprise guest appearance
6. “Mother” by John Lennon is a reflection of which personal experience?
- A A troubled marriage
- B His childhood abandonment
- C His time in The Beatles
7. Which song was a centerpiece of Santana’s setlist during his 1976 Hamburg concert?
- A “Black Magic Woman”
- B “Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile)”
- C “Samba Pa Ti”
8. What event does Neil Diamond’s “America” most notably commemorate?
- A The landing on the Moon
- B The U.S. Bicentennial
- C His grandparents’ immigration
9. What imagery was used in The Clash’s “London Calling” music video?
- A Strolling through London markets
- B Performing on a boat at night
- C A crowded public concert
10. Patti Smith’s “Gloria” at Rockpalast 1979 was noted for what distinctive feature?
- A Its brief acoustic opening
- B An extended over nine-minute duration
- C The use of a full orchestra
11. What was the significance of Rush’s Capitol Theatre performance in 1976?
- A Their first live album recording
- B Their debut at the historic venue
- C A farewell concert for Neil Peart
12. What inspired Joe Walsh’s “Turn to Stone”?
- A The Watergate scandal
- B The Kent State shootings
- C His last solo tour
Tracklist
1 . Boney M . BelfastOn German TV today, Amanda Lear and Bony . at ‘Disco’ (1977) |
2 . ABBA . Take . Chance On Me |
3 . Television . Call Mr. Lee |
4 . David Bowie . Beauty and the Beast |
5 . Queen . Good Old-Fashioned Lover BoyQueen release their fifth album . ‘A Day at the Races’ featuring ‘Somebody to Love’ (1976) |
6 . John Lennon . Mother |
7 . Santana . Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile) |
8 . Neil Diamond . The American Popular Song |
9 . The Clash . London Calling |
10 . Patti Smith . Gloria: In Excelsis DeoArista Records publish Patti Smith’s debut album . ‘Horses’ featuring ‘Gloria’ (1975) |
11 . Rush . Bastille Day |
12 . Joe Walsh . Turn To Stone |
And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. The lyrics of “Belfast” by Boney M. reflect the sociopolitical issues in Northern Ireland during the time of its release. It subtly touches on themes of belief and societal change amidst the troubles.
2. The rhythm for “Take a Chance on Me” came from Björn Ulvaeus’s jogging routine. He used the rhythmic “tck-a-ch” sound to pace himself, later incorporating it into the song’s catchy chorus.
3. “Call Mr. Lee” by Television is notable for its abstract lyrics, deliberately leaving the story’s context and meaning unclear. Tom Verlaine’s style often embraces such ambiguity.
4. During the Isolar II Tour, Adrian Belew played lead guitar on David Bowie’s live performances of “Beauty and the Beast.” His experimental style complemented Bowie’s evolving sound.
5. Queen’s 1977 Top of the Pops performance of “Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy” was a mimed performance, a common practice for the show. This broadcast was a key part of their promotional efforts.
6. “Mother,” by John Lennon, reflects his feelings of childhood abandonment. The song addresses the emotional impact of losing his parents and the underlying sense of betrayal.
7. “Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile)” was a highlight of Santana’s 1976 concert in Hamburg. Its melodic guitar style showcased Carlos Santana’s evolving musical direction during that time.
8. Neil Diamond’s “America” is a tribute to his grandparents’ immigration journey. It became an anthem highlighting the emotional significance of coming to America, beyond its chart success.
9. The music video for “London Calling” by The Clash features them performing on a boat at night. Shot in a cold, rainy December, it captures the song’s urgent and apocalyptic tone.
10. Patti Smith’s “Gloria” performance at Rockpalast in 1979 is remembered for lasting over nine minutes. Her fusion of punk rock and poetry was exemplified during this extended rendition.
11. Rush’s show at the Capitol Theatre in 1976 marked their debut at the historic venue. It was a pivotal point as they gained popularity on their 2112 tour, cementing their status as rock icons.
12. Joe Walsh wrote “Turn to Stone” inspired by the Kent State shootings. The song conveys his disillusionment with the political climate, encapsulated by its powerful guitar work.
For THE FULL 70s THROWBACKS COLLECTION click here
