This week In ’90s Throwback’ 31/52

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 Smashing Pumpkins, Macy Gray, Macy Gray, Portishead, The Rolling Stones, Morrissey, Queen, Zapp, Roger, Beastie Boys, Dj Jazzy Jeff, The Fresh Prince, Mary J. Blige,

They are the ’90s Throwback’ artists selected among the 385 Posts we publish this week.

QUIZ QUESTIONS
QUIZ QUESTIONS

1. What controversy surrounded the Smashing Pumpkins' song 'Disarm' in the UK?

  • A The lyrics were deemed politically offensive.
  • B It was banned from Top of the Pops.
  • C Its music video featured controversial imagery.

2. Which standout feature in Macy Gray's 'Still' is noted for its emotive storytelling?

  • A Metaphoric lyrics
  • B Novel guitar riff
  • C Her live performance energy

3. Which element of Macy Gray's 'I Try' has contributed to its enduring popularity?

  • A Its catchy chorus
  • B The production by Andrew Slater
  • C Its depiction in the music video

4. When was Portishead's 'Glory Box' notably performed live with an orchestra?

  • A 1994
  • B 1997
  • C 2000

5. What distinguishes 'Out of Tears' by The Rolling Stones from much of their earlier work?

  • A Jazzy horns
  • B Its orchestral arrangement
  • C A ballad style

6. What theme does Morrissey's 'We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful' explore?

  • A Betrayal
  • B Professional envy
  • C Political corruption

7. What sets Queen's 'Innuendo' video apart in their discography?

  • A It features special animation.
  • B It was directed by the band members.
  • C It includes rare live footage.

8. How has Zapp & Roger's 'More Bounce' maintained its influence over time?

  • A Through its radio play
  • B Through extensive sampling by other artists
  • C By being covered frequently

9. Which music video referenced disco-era aesthetics in its visuals for the Beastie Boys?

  • A 'Sabotage'
  • B 'Fight for Your Right'
  • C 'Hey Ladies'

10. Which sample is prominently used in DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s 'Summertime' ?

  • A Kool & the Gang’s 'Summer Madness'
  • B The Sugarhill Gang’s 'Rapper's Delight'
  • C Grandmaster Flash’s 'The Message'

11. What role did Greg Nice play in Mary J. Blige's 'You Remind Me' ?

  • A Co-producer
  • B Featured collaborator
  • C Backup vocalist

12. What critical impact did Mary J. Blige's 'Real Love' have?

  • A Popularizing gospel-infused pop
  • B Influencing 1990s soul and hip-hop
  • C Introducing auto-tune in R&B

WATCH IN FULL
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AUDIO ONLY

Tracklist

1 . The Smashing Pumpkins . Disarm

Lifted from : Siamese Dream The Smashing Pumpkins' second studio album

2 . Macy Gray . Still

Lifted from : "On How Life Is" Macy Gray's debut album

3 . Macy Gray . I Try

Lifted from : "On How Life Is" Macy Gray's debut album

4 . Portishead . Glory Box

Lifted from : "Roseland NYC Live" Portishead's album

5 . The Rolling Stones . Out Of Tears

Lifted from : Happy Birthday Mick Jagger

6 . Morrissey . We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful

Lifted from : "Your Arsenal" Morrissey' . third album

7 . Queen . Innuendo

Lifted from : Happy Birthday Roger Taylor . Queen at Their Best

8 . Zapp . Roger . More Bounce

Lifted from : Zapp is their self-titled debut album co-produced by Bootsy Collins and released on July 28, 1980.

9 . Beastie Boys . Hey Ladies

Lifted from : "Paul"s Boutique" Beastie Boys' second album

10 . Dj Jazzy Jeff . The Fresh Prince . Summertime

Lifted from : "Homebase" DJ Jazzy Jeff . The Fresh Prince fourth album

11 . Mary J. Blige . You Remind Me

Lifted from : "What"s the 411?" Mary J. Blige's debut album

12 . Mary J. Blige . Real Love

Lifted from : "What"s the 411?" Mary J. Blige's debut album

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

1. 'Disarm' faced a ban from Top of the Pops due to controversial lyrical content. Despite this, it gained international recognition and remained an iconic track for the band.

2. Macy Gray's 'Still' captures emotions through its metaphoric lyrics, delving into the complexities of leaving a troubled relationship.

3. The music video for 'I Try' significantly reflects the themes of longing and reality versus hope, which align closely with the song's lyrical narrative.

4. Portishead performed 'Glory Box' with the New York Philharmonic in 1997 at the Roseland Ballroom, showcasing a unique orchestral touch to their classic sound.

5. 'Out of Tears' by The Rolling Stones is notable for being a reflective ballad, differing from the band's traditional rock sound.

6. Morrissey's track explores professional envy, reflecting the challenges of success and recognition within tight-knit communities.

7. The video for 'Innuendo' incorporated special animations and visual effects, setting it apart from other Queen videos of that era.

8. 'More Bounce to the Ounce' is renowned for being extensively sampled by artists across genres, securing its legacy within music circles.

9. 'Hey Ladies' by the Beastie Boys features visuals inspired by disco and blaxploitation films, contributing to its cultural pastiche.

10. 'Summertime' features a prominent sample from Kool & the Gang's 'Summer Madness,' which enhances its laid-back, classic feel.

11. Greg Nice's contribution as a featured collaborator on 'You Remind Me' highlights the merging of R&B and hip-hop in Blige's work.

12. 'Real Love' by Mary J. Blige was a pivotal track influencing the fusion of 1990s soul and hip-hop, marking it as a defining piece in her career.

For THE FULL HARD . METAL THROWBACK COLLECTION click here


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