How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Squeeze, Gary Numan, Level 42, Talking Heads, It’s Immaterial, David Sylvian & Ryuichi Sakamoto, Sheena Easton, Big Audio Dynamite, Siouxsie And The Banshees, The Style Council, The Clash, The Stranglers
They are the performers of twelve vintage amusing, puzzling and sometimes shocking videos of songs that were ranked in various charts, this week (32/52) BUT … in the Eighties 80s.
1. Who were the main songwriters behind Squeeze’s “Hourglass”?
- A Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook
- B John Lennon and Paul McCartney
- C Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
2. What unique role did Gary Numan’s girlfriend play in “Your Fascination”?
- A She co-wrote the lyrics
- B She co-starred in the music video
- C She played the synthesizer
3. Which Level 42 song was their first UK Top 10 hit?
- A The Sun Goes Down (Livin’ It Up)
- B Lessons in Love
- C Running in the Family
4. What stood out in the music video for Talking Heads’ “Blind”?
- A Dancing monkeys
- B Political satire with a wrench figure
- C Puppetry performance
5. In “Ed’s Funky Diner” by It’s Immaterial, what is noteworthy about Ed’s diner?
- A It’s a luxury hotel
- B It’s where dreams are bought
- C It’s a spaceship cafe
6. Which genre elements are notable in “Bamboo Houses” by David Sylvian & Ryuichi Sakamoto?
- A Classical waltz
- B Grime and Asian motifs
- C Metal riffs
7. What was the alternate title for Sheena Easton’s “9 to 5” in North America?
- A The Morning Train
- B Working Woman’s Blues
- C Morning Train (Nine to Five)
8. Which ex-member of The Clash formed Big Audio Dynamite?
- A Paul Simonon
- B Mick Jones
- C Joe Strummer
9. Which unusual instrument is featured prominently in Siouxsie and the Banshees’ “Peek-a-Boo”?
- A Harmonica
- B Accordion
- C Theremin
10. Where was the music video for The Style Council’s “Long Hot Summer” filmed?
- A River Thames
- B River Cam
- C Seine River
11. Who directed the music video for The Clash’s “Bankrobber”?
- A Martin Scorsese
- B Ridley Scott
- C Don Letts
12. Which artist covered The Stranglers’ “Strange Little Girl” in 2001?
- A Tori Amos
- B Madonna
- C Björk
For TWELVE more ‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ – Vintage 80s Music Videos – week 32/52 – click here
Tracklist
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1 . Squeeze – HourglassFeatured on the 1987 album “Babylon And On”.
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2 . Gary Numan – Your Fascination
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3 . Level 42 – The Sun Goes Down [Livin’ It Up]Featured on the 1983 album “Standing in the Light”.
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4 . Talking Heads – BlindFeatured on the 1988 album “Naked”.
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5 . It’s Immaterial – Ed’s Funky DinerFeatured on the 1986 album “Life’s Hard and Then You Die”.
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6 . David Sylvian & Ryuichi Sakamoto – Bamboo Houses
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7 . Sheena Easton – 9 to 5 [Morning Train]Featured on the 1980 album “Take My Time”.
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8 . Big Audio Dynamite – Sightsee M.C!Featured on the 1986 album “No. 10, Upping St.”.
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9 . Siouxsie And The Banshees – Peek-A-BooFeatured on the 1988 album “Peepshow”.
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10 . The Style Council – Long Hot SummerFeatured on the 1983 album “Introducing The Style Council”.
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11 . The Clash – BankrobberFeatured on the 1980 album “Black Market Clash”. |
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12 . The Stranglers – Strange Little GirlFeatured on the 1982 album “The Collection 1977–1982”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook collaborated closely in the same room for “Hourglass,” marking a departure from their usual songwriting methods. Despite the song’s hurried genesis, it became Squeeze’s highest-charting single in the U.S.
2. Numan’s then-girlfriend co-starred in the music video for “Your Fascination,” adding an element of personal intrigue to the track’s visual presentation. The song continued Numan’s exploration of cold, emotionally detached lyrical themes.
3. “The Sun Goes Down (Livin’ It Up)” was Level 42’s first foray into the UK Top 10, reaching number 10 in 1983. The single prominently features vocals from both Mike Lindup and Mark King.
4. The music video for “Blind” by Talking Heads features a satire on political campaigns with a wrench figure ascending as a leader. This visual choice highlights critical views on political obliviousness and societal indifference.
5. “Ed’s Funky Diner” by It’s Immaterial describes a diner where “dreams are bought,” reflecting the band’s storytelling approach. The track highlights everyday characters within the imaginative setting of Ed’s diner.
6. “Bamboo Houses” fuses Asian motifs and early elements of what would later be known as grime. Sylvian and Sakamoto’s collaboration achieved moderate success, with a remix appearing on Sylvian’s retrospective collection.
7. Sheena Easton’s song was released as “Morning Train (Nine to Five)” in North America to avoid confusion with Dolly Parton’s hit. It became a major hit, topping charts in several countries.
8. Mick Jones, formerly of The Clash, founded Big Audio Dynamite. The band explored an eclectic mix of musical styles, including dance, punk, and reggae, evident in songs like “Sightsee M.C!”
9. “Peek-a-Boo” by Siouxsie and the Banshees features the accordion prominently, distinguishing it from other contemporary releases. Its distinctive arrangement and impact extended into pop culture and media.
10. The music video for “Long Hot Summer” by The Style Council was filmed on the River Cam in Cambridge. The video coincided with the notable heatwave of the summer of 1983, adding an atmospheric layer to its release.
11. Don Letts directed the music video for “Bankrobber” by The Clash, which includes staged bank heist scenes. The realistic portrayal led to the involvement of real police during filming.
12. Tori Amos covered “Strange Little Girl” by The Stranglers for her 2001 album. The original song, released in 1982, detailed a young girl’s journey through disillusionment and urban hardship.