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.
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
Tracklist
1 . The Rolling Stones . Start Me Up |
2 . Robert Plant . Burning Down One Side |
3 . John Mellencamp . Paper In Fire |
4 . Elvis Costello & The Attractions . Everyday I Write The Book |
5 . Level 42 . Turn It OnPolydor publish ‘Level 42’ self-titled debut album featuring ‘Love Games’ (1981) |
6 . The Cure . In Between Days |
7 . Metallica . OneElektra Records publish Metallica ‘…And Justice for All’ featuring ‘One’ (1988) |
8 . George Michael . Careless Whisper |
9 . Huey Lewis And The News . Doing It All For My BabyHuey Lewis . the News release ‘Fore!,’ their fourth album featuring ‘Stuck with You’ (1986) |
10 . Siouxsie & the Banshees . Israel |
11 . Basia . Promises |
12 . Bobby McFerrin . Don’t Worry Be Happy |
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.
For THE FULL 80s THROWBACKS COLLECTION click here
