This week In ’80s Throwback’ 34/52

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 Rolling Stones, Robert Plant, John Mellencamp, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Level 42, The Cure, Metallica, George Michael, Huey Lewis And The News, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Basia, Bobby McFerrin

They are the ’80s Throwback’ artists selected among the 430 Posts we publish this week.

QUIZ QUESTIONS
QUIZ QUESTIONS

1. Which 1981 album features a track that evolved from reggae-oriented recordings titled “Never Stop”?

  • A Tattoo You
  • B The Lonesome Jubilee
  • C Pictures at Eleven

2. What marked Robert Plant’s post–Led Zeppelin restart in 1982?

  • A An acting debut
  • B A solo album
  • C A world tour

3. What was the recording site for John Mellencamp’s “Paper in Fire” in 1987?

  • A Electric Lady Studios
  • B Abbey Road Studios
  • C Belmont Mall Studio

4. Which song by Elvis Costello became the group’s first U.S. Top 40 hit?

  • A Alison
  • B Pump It Up
  • C A track from Punch the Clock

5. Where was the 1982 performance of "Turn It On" by Level 42 documented?

  • A Germany
  • B France
  • C United States

6. Which Cure song entered the U.S. Hot 100 for the first time in 1985?

  • A Friday I'm in Love
  • B Boys Don't Cry
  • C In Between Days

7. Metallica’s track “One” features a music video intercut with which film?

  • A Full Metal Jacket
  • B Johnny Got His Gun
  • C Apocalypse Now

8. What notable issue accompanied George Michael’s lead single from "Make It Big" on Top of the Pops?

  • A Audience protests
  • B Technical glitches
  • C Lip-syncing

9. What genre influence is heard in Basia’s "Promises" track from her 1987 album?

  • A Samba
  • B Blues
  • C Reggae

10. Which song was the first a cappella track to top the Billboard Hot 100?

  • A Don't Worry, Be Happy
  • B We Will Rock You
  • C The Lion Sleeps Tonight

11. Huey Lewis re-recorded vocals for which song from the album "Fore!"?

  • A Hip to Be Square
  • B Stuck with You
  • C Doing It All for My Baby

12. Which Siouxsie and the Banshees track prominently appeared in 1981 live sets?

  • A Spellbound
  • B Israel
  • C Halloween

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Tracklist

1 . The Rolling Stones . Start Me Up

Lifted from : The Rolling Stones release'Tattoo You,' their sixteentth studio album featuring 'Start Me Up' and 'Waiting on . Friend' (1981)

2 . Robert Plant . Burning Down One Side

Lifted from : Happy Birthday Robert Plant. 'The Life Of Plant'

3 . John Mellencamp . Paper In Fire

Lifted from : John Mellencamp releases his ninth studio album . 'The Lonesome Jubilee' featuring 'Paper in Fire' and 'Check It Out' (1987)

4 . Elvis Costello & The Attractions . Everyday I Write The Book

Lifted from : Elvis Costello take the Attractions to Ontario (1980)

5 . Level 42 . Turn It On

Lifted from : Polydor publish 'Level 42' self-titled debut album featuring 'Love Games' (1981)

6 . The Cure . In Between Days

Lifted from : The Cure release their sixth album . 'The Head on the Door' featuring 'In Between Days' and 'Close to Me' (1985)

7 . Metallica . One

Lifted from : Elektra Records publish Metallica '…And Justice for All' featuring 'One' (1988)

8 . George Michael . Careless Whisper

Lifted from : On TV today, George Michael at TOTP (1984)

9 . Huey Lewis And The News . Doing It All For My Baby

Lifted from : Huey Lewis . the News release 'Fore!,' their fourth album featuring 'Stuck with You' (1986)

10 . Siouxsie & the Banshees . Israel

Lifted from : Siouxsie brings The Banshees to Nottingham (1981)

11 . Basia . Promises

Lifted from : Epic publish Basia's debut album . 'Time and Tide' (1987)

12 . Bobby McFerrin . Don't Worry Be Happy

Lifted from : Bobby McFerrin releases 'Simple Pleasures,' his fourth album featuring 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' (1988)

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

1. The album is "Tattoo You", and it was recorded with a rock-leaning finish. The track solidified the band’s 1981 chart presence.

2. A solo album was Robert Plant's endeavor, debuting "Pictures at Eleven". It carved his individual path post-Zeppelin.

3. John Mellencamp’s "Paper in Fire" was recorded at Belmont Mall Studio. It contributed to the album's distinctive sound.

4. A track from "Punch the Clock" introduced Elvis Costello & The Attractions to the US Top 40, blending pop ease with Costello’s notable wit.

5. Level 42's Munich appearance in Germany on a TV program showcased "Turn It On", highlighting their '80s presence.

6. "In Between Days" took The Cure to the U.S. Hot 100. It marked a successful crossover into American markets.

7. Metallica’s "One" integrates scenes from "Johnny Got His Gun", creating a visceral experience of the song’s narrative.

8. Lip-syncing was George Michael's lot on "Careless Whisper" at "Top of the Pops". It was common practice of the show at that time.

9. Basia’s "Promises" is laced with samba influences, wrapping jazz-pop into the debut album "Time and Tide".

10. "Don’t Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin was the first a cappella number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

11. Originally for Mike Duke, "Doing It All for My Baby" had Huey Lewis’s voice added for "Fore!", blending pop with storytelling.

12. "Israel" punctuated Siouxsie and the Banshees’ live sets in 1981. It struck an enduring chord with audiences.

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