How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Sade, Donald Fagen, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Los Lobos, George Michael, George Harrison, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bryan Ferry, ABBA, Cocteau Twins, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Sinéad O’Connor
They are the ’80s Throwback’ artists selected among the 383 Posts we publish this week.
1. Which piece of equipment was notably used for recording the drums on Sade’s “The Sweetest Taboo”?
- A Roland TR-808
- B AMS DMX 15-80
- C LinnDrum
2. What is the primary setting for the song “New Frontier” by Donald Fagen?
- A A rooftop party
- B A lakeside cabin
- C An underground fallout shelter
3. When was Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s album “American Dream” released?
- A November 1988
- B June 1987
- C September 1990
4. Which musical influences are highlighted in Los Lobos’ song “Don’t Worry Baby”?
- A Jazz and blues
- B Punk and grunge
- C Rock, folk, and Latin
5. What unique structure does “I Want Your Sex” by George Michael feature?
- A Three distinct sections called “Rhythms”
- B A four-part opera-style composition
- C An instrumental-only bridge
6. Where was the promotional video for George Harrison’s “This Is Love” filmed?
- A Los Angeles, California
- B Hana, Maui
- C London, England
7. What distinguishes “You Got Lucky” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers from their other songs?
- A It was never performed live
- B It features a dominant drum loop concept rather than guitar
- C It has no synthesizer parts
8. Who co-wrote Bryan Ferry’s “The Right Stuff” with him?
- A David Bowie
- B Johnny Marr
- C Peter Gabriel
9. What is the theme of ABBA’s song “Me And I”?
- A A historical romance
- B Psychological conflict within one’s personality
- C Celebrating wealth and luxury
10. Which TV program featured Cocteau Twins’ performance of “Lorelei” in 1984?
- A Top of the Pops
- B The Old Grey Whistle Test
- C Later… with Jools Holland
11. Where was Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ album “Your Funeral… My Trial” recorded?
- A Electric Lady Studios, New York
- B Hansa Studios, Berlin
- C Abbey Road Studios, London
12. What did Sinéad O’Connor do with her song “Troy” after its initial release?
- A She permanently removed it from her setlists
- B Re-recorded it in a different style
- C Stopped performing it live until 2008
Tracklist
And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. A Neumann U87 microphone was used for vocals, while the AMS DMX 15-80 was employed for the drums on “The Sweetest Taboo,” giving it a distinctive sound.
2. “New Frontier” takes place in a Cold War-era fallout shelter, capturing the era’s tensions and teenage dreams.
3. In November 1988, “American Dream” saw its release, marking a reunion for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
4. Los Lobos’ “Don’t Worry Baby” is enriched by its fusion of rock, folk, and Latin influences, defining their early style.
5. “I Want Your Sex” breaks into three parts named “Rhythms,” exploring themes of desire through differing musical expressions.
6. The promotional video for “This Is Love” was filmed in Hana, on the Hawaiian island of Maui, adding scenic charm.
7. “You Got Lucky” stands out with its unique use of a drum loop as the central musical element, diverging from the band’s guitar-centric norm.
8. Bryan Ferry co-wrote “The Right Stuff” with Johnny Marr, pulling inspiration from Marr’s earlier instrumental work.
9. ABBA’s “Me And I” delves into the inner psychological struggle of dual personalities, layered with electro-pop sounds.
10. The Cocteau Twins performed “Lorelei” on “The Old Grey Whistle Test,” highlighting their dream pop essence in 1984.
11. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds recorded “Your Funeral… My Trial” at Hansa Studios in Berlin, contributing to its intense mood.
12. After refusing for years, Sinéad O’Connor resumed live performances of “Troy” in 2008, reigniting fan appreciation.
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