How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Robert Palmer, Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley, Living In A Box, Tears For Fears, The Christians, The Cure, Fiction Factory, Bronski Beat, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Billy Idol, Michael Jackson, Spandau Ballet
They are the performers of twelve vintage amusing, puzzling and sometimes shocking videos of songs that were ranked in various charts, this week (08/52) BUT … in the Eighties 80s.
1. Which Fiction Factory track achived their highest chart position in Switzerland?
- A Another Story
- B (Feels Like) Heaven
- C Fiction Love
2. Bronski Beat’s 1984 cover “It Ain’t Necessarily So” originates from which musical?
- A Rent
- B Porgy and Bess
- C West Side Story
3. What type of ban did Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Relax” face?
- A International TV ban
- B BBC radio airplay ban
- C Streaming platform ban
4. Which city’s name was NOT used in a version of Billy Idol’s “Hot in the City”?
- A Minneapolis
- B New York
- C Chicago
5. Michael Jackson’s “Leave Me Alone” was a rebuttal to what?
- A Negative rumors
- B Chart positions
- C Rivals’ diss tracks
6. Which feature was notably criticized in Spandau Ballet’s “She Loved Like Diamond”?
- A Video direction
- B Vocal performance
- C Cover art
7. Moony’s “Acrobats (Looking for Balance)” was released as a single on which record label?
- A Warner Music Group
- B Sony Music
- C Universal Music
8. Sheryl Crow’s “Love Is Free” was inspired by which event?
- A Great Chicago Fire
- B Hurricane Katrina
- C Loma Prieta Earthquake
9. Lene Marlin’s “Where I’m Headed” achieved its highest chart position in which country?
- A Norway
- B Italy
- C Canada
10. Which Hilary Duff song was her lead single in 2003?
- A So Yesterday
- B Come Clean
- C Metamorphosis
11. Which artist’s relationship inspired Ashlee Simpson’s song “Pieces of Me”?
- A Ryan Cabrera
- B Pete Wentz
- C Nick Carter
12. Turin Brakes’ ‘Painkiller’ was included in the soundtrack of which TV series?
- A Friends
- B The O.C.
- C Gilmore Girls
For TWENTY FOUR more ‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ – Vintage 80s Music Videos – week 08/52 – click here and here
Tracklist
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1 . Robert Palmer – Some Guys Have All The LuckFeatured on the 1982 album “Maybe It’s Live”.
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2 . Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley – Jack Your BodyFeatured on the 1987 album “Hold on to Your Dream”.
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3 . Living In A Box – Blow the House DownFeatured on the 1989 album “Gatecrashing”.
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4 . Tears For Fears – ChangeFeatured on the 1983 album “The Hurting“.
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5 . The Christians – Ideal WorldFeatured on the 1987 album “The Christians”.
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6 . The Cure – Hot Hot Hot!!!Featured on the 1987 album “Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me“.
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7 . Fiction Factory – [Feels Like] HeavenFeatured on the 1984 album “Throw the Warped Wheel Out”.
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8 . Bronski Beat – It Ain’t Necessarily SoFeatured on the 1984 album “The Age Of Consent”.
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9 . Frankie Goes To Hollywood – RelaxFeatured on the 1984 album “Welcome To The Pleasuredome“.
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10 . Billy Idol – Hot In The CityFeatured on the 1982 album “Billy Idol”.
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11 . Michael Jackson – Leave Me AloneFeatured on the 1987 album “Bad“. |
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12 . Spandau Ballet – She Loved Like DiamondFeatured on the 1982 album “Diamond”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. (Feels Like) Heaven was Fiction Factory’s peak achiever on the Swiss charts, claiming the #2 spot. Though the band enjoyed some European chart success, no other single matched this high.
2. Bronski Beat’s version of “It Ain’t Necessarily So” hails from “Porgy and Bess.” This operatic nod gave a new wave twist to a classic show tune.
3. The BBC imposed an airplay ban on “Relax” due to its risqué lyrics. This rather unorthodox promotion strategy only heightened the song’s appeal.
4. Contrary to expectations, the Chicago city shout didn’t make any of “Hot in the City” versions. Must’ve been an oversight—or preference.
5. “Leave Me Alone” was Jackson’s lyrical rebuttal to persistent tabloid rumors, cleverly transforming media scrutiny into musical art.
6. Critics weren’t too shy about voicing disdain for Tony Hadley’s vocal performance in “She Loved Like Diamond.” The B-side instrumental provided a contrast.
7. Moony released “Acrobats (Looking for Balance)” under the Warner Music Group label. They were rather flexible, were they not?
8. “Love Is Free” drew its muse from Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath. Crow tapped into the resilience and spirit of New Orleans with this tribute track.
9. Although absent in Norway, “Where I’m Headed” hit no. 2 in Italy. Evidently, the Italians gravitated toward Marlin’s melodic musings.
10. “So Yesterday” was Hilary Duff’s foray into mainstream music post-AOL Music premiere. It cemented her transition to teen-idol status.
11. Ashlee Simpson’s heart sang “Pieces of Me” with inspiration from Ryan Cabrera. Their romance added a personal note to the pop hit.
12. “Painkiller” found new life within “The O.C.” soundtrack, gaining the band new followers in the process. TV exposure can often do wonders.