This week In ’80s Throwback’ 40/52

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

The subjects du jour are : Tracy Chapman, Sting, Joni Mitchell, Lionel Richie, Warren Zevon, The Police, Depeche Mode, Simply Red, U2, John Mellencamp, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Neil Young

They are the ’80s Throwback’ artists selected among the 347 Posts we publish this week.

QUIZ QUESTIONS
QUIZ QUESTIONS

1. Which role did Tracy Chapman take on for the first time in her career with the song "Crossroads"?

  • A Producer
  • B Backup vocalist
  • C Guitarist

2. What nuclear threat concept inspired Sting's song "Russians"?

  • A Mutually Assured Destruction
  • B Nuclear Winter
  • C Cold Fusion

3. Joni Mitchell’s medley "Chinese Café – Unchained Melody" mixes her original work with a classic song. What is the classic song?

  • A "My Way"
  • B "Unchained Melody"
  • C "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

4. On which chart did Lionel Richie's "You Are" reach number one?

  • A Billboard Hot 100
  • B R&B chart
  • C Adult Contemporary chart

5. Where was Warren Zevon’s iconic live performance of “Werewolves of London” held in 1982?

  • A Madison Square Garden
  • B Capitol Theatre
  • C Royal Albert Hall

6. What instrument did Sting compose "Spirits in the Material World" on?

  • A Guitar
  • B Casiotone keyboard
  • C Piano

7. Where did Depeche Mode promote "Love In Itself" that boosted their visibility in the UK?

  • A Top of the Pops
  • B The Old Grey Whistle Test
  • C Later with Jools Holland

8. What political figure's policies are referenced in Simply Red's "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)"?

  • A Margaret Thatcher
  • B Ronald Reagan
  • C Mikhail Gorbachev

9. To whom is U2’s "Pride (In the Name of Love)" a tribute?

  • A Nelson Mandela
  • B Martin Luther King Jr.
  • C John F. Kennedy

10. What theme is central to John Mellencamp's "Paper in Fire"?

  • A Financial struggles
  • B Lost dreams
  • C Environmental destruction

11. What was the source of inspiration for the lyrics of Tom Petty's "The Waiting"?

  • A Bob Dylan's advice
  • B A sentiment by Janis Joplin
  • C An Ernest Hemingway novel

12. At which benefit did Neil Young perform "Crime in the City (Sixty to Zero, Pt. 1)" in 1989?

  • A Live Aid
  • B Farm Aid
  • C Earthquake Relief Benefit

WATCH IN FULL
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AUDIO ONLY

Tracklist

1 . Tracy Chapman . Crossroads

Lifted from : Elektra publish Tracy Chapman's second album . 'Crossroads' (1989)

2 . Sting . Russians

Lifted from : Happy Birthday Sting. 'Sumner Time'

3 . Joni Mitchell . Chinese Cafe/Unchained Melody

Lifted from : Geffen Records publish Joni Mitchell's eleventh album . 'Wild Things Run Fast' (1982)

4 . Lionel Richie . You Are

Lifted from : Motown publish 'Lionel Richie,' his eponymous debut solo album featuring 'Truly,' 'You Are' and 'My Love' (1982)

5 . Warren Zevon . Werewolves of London

Lifted from : Warren Zevon sings in New Jersey (1982)

6 . The Police . Spirits In The Material World

Lifted from : The Police release 'Ghost in the Machine,' their fourth album featuring 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic' and 'Spirits in the Material World' (1981)

7 . Depeche Mode . Love, In Itself

Lifted from : On TV today, Depeche Mode at 'Top of the Pops' (1983)

8 . Simply Red . Money's Too Tight

Lifted from : Elektra publish Simply Red's debut album . 'Picture Book' featuring 'Money's Too Tight (To Mention)' (1985)

9 . U2 . Pride (In The Name Of Love)

Lifted from : U2 release 'The Unforgettable Fire,' their fourth album featuring 'Pride (In the Name of Love)' (1984)

10 . John Mellencamp . Paper In Fire

Lifted from : Happy Birthday John Mellencamp

11 . Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers . The Waiting

Lifted from : We remember Tom Petty. 'Heartbroken'

12 . Neil Young . Crime in the City

Lifted from : Neil Young releases his eighteenth album . 'Freedom' featuring 'Rockin' in the Free World' (1989)

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

1. Tracy Chapman embraced the role of producer for the first time with her song "Crossroads." This marked a significant milestone in her career.

2. Sting’s song "Russians" drew inspiration from the Cold War concept of Mutually Assured Destruction, an influential theme of the era.

3. Joni Mitchell’s medley "Chinese Café – Unchained Melody" incorporates "Unchained Melody," offering a poignant backdrop to her reflections on change.

4. Lionel Richie's "You Are" topped the Adult Contemporary chart, further cementing his successful transition from the Commodores to a solo artist.

5. Warren Zevon performed "Werewolves of London" live at the Capitol Theatre, a notable venue for rock music in Port Chester, New York.

6. Sting composed "Spirits in the Material World" on a Casiotone keyboard, marking his first use of a synthesizer in the songwriting process.

7. Depeche Mode boosted their UK visibility by performing "Love In Itself" on Top of the Pops, a significant promotional platform at the time.

8. Simply Red's "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)" references Ronald Reagan's economic policies, highlighting financial struggles during his presidency.

9. U2's "Pride (In the Name of Love)" is a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., capturing his enduring legacy in the civil rights movement.

10. John Mellencamp’s "Paper in Fire" explores themes of lost dreams and ambitions, illustrated through vivid lyrical imagery.

11. Tom Petty was inspired by a sentiment attributed to Janis Joplin for the lyrics of "The Waiting," emphasizing the difficulty of waiting.

12. Neil Young performed "Crime in the City (Sixty to Zero, Pt. 1)" at the Earthquake Relief Benefit in 1989, highlighting contemporary issues through music.

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(*) According to our own statistics, updated on February 22, 2026