This week In ’80s Throwback’ 49/52

How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.

The subjects du jour are : Phil Collins & David Crosby, R.E.M., David Bowie, Lita Ford & Ozzy Osbourne, Boston, Asia, The Smiths, Joan Armatrading, Depeche Mode, Tom Waits, Sinéad O’Connor, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark

They are the ’80s Throwback’ artists selected among the 326 Posts we publish this week.

QUIZ QUESTIONS
QUIZ QUESTIONS

1. What pressing social issue is addressed in Phil Collins’s song “Another Day In Paradise”?

  • A Pollution
  • B Homelessness
  • C Hunger

2. Which famous guitarist played on David Bowie’s 1983 version of “China Girl”?

  • A Eric Clapton
  • B Nile Rodgers
  • C Stevie Ray Vaughan

3. Who directed the music video for R.E.M.’s “The One I Love”?

  • A Robert Longo
  • B Alton Brown
  • C Michael Stipe

4. How did Lita Ford and Ozzy Osbourne write their hit “Close My Eyes Forever”?

  • A During a formal studio session
  • B Over dinner at a restaurant
  • C During a night of drinking

5. What unique recording technique was used in Boston’s “Hitch A Ride”?

  • A Finger slowing a recording reel
  • B Backmasking
  • C Reverse echo

6. What was significant about Asia’s performance at the Nippon Budokan in 1983?

  • A It was the band’s first concert
  • B It was the first live broadcast between Japan and MTV
  • C The debut of their line-up with Greg Lake

7. What is the primary theme of The Smiths’ song “Reel Around The Fountain”?

  • A Economic disparity
  • B Loss of innocence
  • C Environmental concerns

8. Which instrument does not feature in Joan Armatrading’s “Down to Zero”?

  • A Pedal steel guitar
  • B Organ
  • C Piano

9. On which album does Depeche Mode’s “Photographic” first appear?

  • A A Broken Frame
  • B Black Celebration
  • C Speak & Spell

10. Which TV series used Tom Waits’ song as its theme?

  • A Breaking Bad
  • B The Wire
  • C The Sopranos

11. Who directed Sinead O’Connor’s “Jerusalem” music video?

  • A Spike Jonze
  • B John Maybury
  • C David Fincher

12. What was the significance of the song “Maid Of Orleans (The Waltz Joan Of Arc)” in OMD's career?

  • A It was their first UK number one
  • B It was the best-selling single of 1982 in Germany
  • C It marked their debut studio release

WATCH IN FULL
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AUDIO ONLY

Tracklist

1 . Phil Collins & David Crosby . Another Day in Paradise

Lifted from : On TV today , Phil Collins plus David Crosby with Arsenio Hall (1989)

2 . R.E.M. . The One I Love

Lifted from : R.E.M. At Their Best

3 . David Bowie . China Girl

Lifted from : David Bowie's tour closes in Hong Kong (1983)

4 . Lita Ford & Ozzy Osbourne . Close My Eyes Forever

Lifted from : Happy Birthday Ozzy Osbourne

5 . Boston . Hitch A Ride

Lifted from : Boston travel to Canada (1988)

6 . Asia . Only Time Will Tell

Lifted from : Asia travel to Tokyo (1983)

7 . The Smiths . Reel Around the Fountain

Lifted from : The Smiths play in Derby (1983)

8 . Joan Armatrading . Down To Zero

Lifted from : Happy Birthday Joan Armatrading. 'She Herself And Us'

9 . Depeche Mode . Photographic

Lifted from : Depeche Mode electrify Chichester (1981)

10 . Tom Waits . Way Down In The Hole

Lifted from : Happy Birthday Tom Waits. 'Major Tom'

11 . Sinéad O'Connor . Jerusalem

Lifted from : Happy Birthday Sinéad O'Connor

12 . Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark . Maid Of Orleans

Lifted from : Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark go to London (1981)

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

1. “Another Day In Paradise” addresses homelessness. Phil Collins paints a stark picture of social neglect with his lyrics and an iconic performance in collaboration with David Crosby.

2. Stevie Ray Vaughan lent his guitar prowess to Bowie’s “China Girl,” adding Rock flair to a track that sought to financially support Iggy Pop.

3. Robert Longo directed R.E.M.’s “The One I Love” video, crafting striking images that elevated the song beyond a simple performance clip.

4. Lita Ford and Ozzy Osbourne co-wrote “Close My Eyes Forever” while drinking, capturing a spontaneous burst of creativity.

5. Tom Scholz employed a unique technique by physically manipulating a tape reel during “Hitch A Ride,” crafting distinct auditory effects.

6. Asia’s concert at Nippon Budokan was historic, being the first live Japan-to-MTV broadcast, showcasing their music internationally.

7. “Reel Around The Fountain” themes around lost innocence, tied into Morrissey’s often enigmatic lyrical storytelling.

8. An organ does not appear on “Down to Zero”. Instead, Joan Armatrading’s song features a rich mix of guitars and piano.

9. The song “Photographic” appears on Depeche Mode’s debut album *Speak & Spell*, launching the band’s career.

10. “Way Down in the Hole” by Tom Waits set the tone for seasons of HBO’s “The Wire,” adding grit to the series.

11. John Maybury directed the music video for Sinead O’Connor’s “Jerusalem,” embedding her stark vocal power in visual storytelling.

12. “Maid Of Orleans” by OMD achieved significant chart success, notably as 1982’s top-selling single in Germany.

For THE FULL 80s THROWBACKS COLLECTION click here


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