This week In ’70s Throwback’ 52/52

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 Specials, Peter Tosh, James Brown, Ian Dury, Queen, Blondie, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Sweet, Foreigner, Patti Smith, Slade, The Blues Brothers

They are the ’70s Throwback’ artists selected among the 309 Posts we publish this week.

QUIZ QUESTIONS
QUIZ QUESTIONS

1. What is the original context of "You're Wondering Now" performed by The Specials?

  • A A wartime farewell
  • B A song about consequences
  • C A childhood lullaby

2. "Get Up, Stand Up" by Peter Tosh is significant because it highlights what theme?

  • A Heartbreak
  • B Social justice
  • C Celebratory dance

3. What was notable about James Brown's performance of "The Payback" on The Midnight Special?

  • A It featured an orchestra
  • B It marked his jazz era
  • C It captured his funk prowess

4. The Concerts for the People of Kampuchea, featuring Ian Dury & The Blockheads, were organized to support whom?

  • A The people of Cambodia
  • B The Vietnam War veterans
  • C British miners

5. During which tour did Queen's December 26, 1979, performance at Hammersmith Odeon occur?

  • A Jazz Tour
  • B Crazy Tour
  • C Magic Tour

6. Which song was excluded from Blondie's televised performance on *The Old Grey Whistle Test* in Glasgow?

  • A Sunday Girl
  • B Picture This
  • C Heart of Glass

7. What was the significance of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers' performance at Winterland Ballroom in 1978?

  • A Venue's final show
  • B Tom Petty's debut appearance
  • C First tour without a keyboardist

8. What was unusual about Sweet's performance of "Blockbuster" on Top of the Pops?

  • A The band wore spacesuits
  • B Filming required multiple takes
  • C They performed an acoustic version

9. What personal inspiration contributed to the lyrics of Foreigner’s “Cold as Ice”?

  • A A Shakespearean play
  • B Wintry New York
  • C A science fiction novel

10. "Because the Night" by Patti Smith was co-written with which artist?

  • A Bruce Springsteen
  • B Jim Morrison
  • C John Lennon

11. What inspired Slade’s "Mama Weer All Crazee Now"?

  • A A film about rebellion
  • B A Chuck Berry concert
  • C A summer party

12. Which artist did The Blues Brothers open for during their New Year's Eve 1978 performance?

  • A The Beatles
  • B The Grateful Dead
  • C The Rolling Stones

WATCH IN FULL
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AUDIO ONLY

Tracklist

1 . The Specials . You're Wondering Now

Lifted from : BBC tapes The Specials at the Institute (1979)

2 . Peter Tosh . Get Up, Stand Up

Lifted from : Peter Tosh performs in Jamaica (1977)

3 . James Brown . The Payback

Lifted from : We remember James Brown. 'Mr. Feelgood'

4 . Ian Dury . Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick (w/ The Clash)

Lifted from : Ian Dury . The Clash perform for Cambodian victims (1979)

5 . Queen . We Will Rock You

Lifted from : Queen perform for Cambodian victims (1979)

6 . Blondie . Heart Of Glass

Lifted from : Blondie travel to Glasgow (1979)

7 . Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers . Breakdown

Lifted from : Tom Petty . the Heartbreakers visit Winterland (1978)

8 . Sweet . Blockbuster

Lifted from : On TV today . Sweet at 'TOTP' (1973)

9 . Foreigner . Cold as Ice

Lifted from : As we wish Mick Jones . Happy Birthday, the day is perfect for . 'Foreigner At their Bests' post

10 . Patti Smith . Because the Night

Lifted from : Happy Birthday Patti Smith

11 . Slade . Mama Weer All Crazee Now

Lifted from : On English TV today . Slade at 'Top Of The Pops' (1972)

12 . The Blues Brothers . Jailhouse Rock

Lifted from : The Blues Brothers open for the Dead (1978)

And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:

1. The Specials' "You're Wondering Now" revolves around themes of departure and consequence. It is originally a ska track highlighting personal reflection. Their 1979 performance enhanced its musical appeal.

2. "Get Up, Stand Up" emphasizes themes of social justice. Co-written by Peter Tosh and Bob Marley, it became an anthem for rights and resistance during live performances.

3. James Brown's rendition of "The Payback" on The Midnight Special highlighted his peak funk era. The 1974 performance captured his intense energy and would inform his mid-70s work.

4. The Concerts for the People of Kampuchea aimed to support Cambodian war victims. Ian Dury performed "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick" during this benefit series.

5. Queen's December 26, 1979, concert at Hammersmith Odeon was part of their Crazy Tour. Notably, it was the final show of this European tour run.

6. "Heart of Glass" by Blondie was included in their broadcasted Glasgow set. Other songs broadcasted were "Dreaming" and "Slow Motion."

7. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers' 1978 concert contributed to Winterland Ballroom's historic closure. The show included early hits like "Refugee" before the venue's end.

8. Sweet's Top of the Pops performance of "Blockbuster" required multiple recordings due to technical issues. The 1973 episode featured it amidst other glam rock tracks.

9. "Cold as Ice" arose from Mick Jones' experiences in New York's wintery conditions. The song represents themes of spurned love and emotional chill.

10. "Because the Night" was co-crafted by Patti Smith and Bruce Springsteen. Smith's revised lyrics elevated the song to hit status in 1978.

11. Slade’s "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" emerged from Chuck Berry concert inspirations. The energy captured live informed the hit track's creation.

12. The Blues Brothers opened for The Grateful Dead during Winterland's iconic closure event. Their energetic set contributed to the New Year's Eve atmosphere.

For THE FULL 70s THROWBACKS COLLECTION click here


(*) According to our own statistics, updated on February 15, 2026