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 Cure, Madness, Samantha Fox, Paul Simon, Ian Dury and The Blockheads, Pete Townshend, Big Country, Lisa Marie, Bronski Beat, Nik Kershaw, Heavy Pettin’, Gillan
They are the performers of twelve vintage amusing, puzzling and sometimes shocking videos of songs that were ranked in various charts, this week (38/52) BUT … in the Eighties 80s.
1. How many versions of The Cure’s “Close to Me” were released in 1985?
- A Two
- B Three
- C Four
2. Which band member is credited with an erroneous name on the initial release of “Baggy Trousers” by Madness?
- A Mike Barson
- B Chris Foreman
- C Graham “Suggs” McPherson
3. In the 1986 track by Samantha Fox, what is the predominant theme in the music video setting?
- A A futuristic cityscape
- B A 1950s-style diner
- C A 1920s speakeasy
4. What inspired Paul Simon’s song title “You Can Call Me Al”?
- A A miscommunication at a party
- B A famous movie quote
- C A travel guidebook
5. Which Ian Dury single features Wilko Johnson for the first time as guitarist?
- A Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick
- B I Want To Be Straight
- C Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part 3
6. What is the theme of Pete Townshend’s “Uniforms (Corp d’Esprit)”?
- A The appeal of modern technology
- B The masks people wear
- C The struggles of a stand-up comedian
7. Which drink brand used Big Country’s “One Great Thing” for advertising?
- A Coca-Cola
- B Tennent’s Lager
- C Heineken
8. What genre best describes Malcolm McLaren’s “Something’s Jumpin’ in Your Shirt”?
- A Classical
- B Electronic
- C Folk
9. What issue is highlighted in Bronski Beat’s song “Why?”
- A Environmental concerns
- B Anti-gay prejudice
- C Economic disparity
10. What was Nik Kershaw’s highest-charting album in the UK?
- A Human Racing
- B Radio Musicola
- C The Riddle
11. What city does the protagonist in Gillan’s “Living For The City” travel to?
- A Los Angeles
- B New York City
- C Chicago
12. What was the output peak position of Heavy Pettin’s “In and Out of Love” on the UK charts?
- A Top 40
- B Top 20
- C Top 60
For TWENTY FOUR more ‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ – Vintage 80s Music Videos – week 38/52 – click here and here
Tracklist
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1 . The Cure – Close To MeFeatured on the 1985 album “The Head on the Door“.
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2 . Madness – Baggy TrousersFeatured on the 1980 album “Absolutely”.
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3 . Samantha Fox – Hold On TightFeatured on the 1986 album “Touch Me”.
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4 . Paul Simon – You Can Call Me AlFeatured on the 1986 album “Graceland“.
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5 . Ian Dury and The Blockheads – I Want To Be StraightFeatured on the 1977 album “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll”.
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6 . Pete Townshend – Uniforms [Corp d’Espirit]Featured on the 1982 album “All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes”.
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7 . Big Country – One Great ThingFeatured on the 1986 album “The Seer”.
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8 . Lisa Marie – Something’s Jumpin’ in Your Shirt
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9 . Bronski Beat – Why ?Featured on the 1984 album “The Age of Consent”.
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10 . Nik Kershaw – Human RacingFeatured on the 1984 album “Human Racing”.
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11 . Heavy Pettin’ – In and Out of LoveFeatured on the 1985 album “Lettin Loose”. |
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12 . Gillan – Living For The CityFeatured on the 1982 album “Magic”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. Three versions of “Close to Me” were released in 1985, including an album version and two single mixes. Notably, the single mixes added a brass section missing from the original album.
2. On the initial release of “Baggy Trousers,” Mike Barson was erroneously credited. The song nostalgically captures schooldays in London through a colloquial style.
3. The video for Samantha Fox’s 1986 track predominantly features a 1950s-style diner setting, resonating with the song’s rockabilly influences.
4. The title “You Can Call Me Al” arose from Pierre Boulez mistakenly calling Paul Simon “Al” at a party. This inspired Simon despite the simplicity of the error.
5. Wilko Johnson’s first appearance as guitarist for Ian Dury & The Blockheads was on the single “I Want To Be Straight,” reflecting personal life changes.
6. “Uniforms (Corp d’Esprit)” explores the theme of people concealing their true selves with outward appearances, consistent with the album’s introspective nature.
7. Big Country’s “One Great Thing” was used in advertising for Tennent’s Lager. The song coincided with the Scottish independence campaign in the 1980s.
8. Malcolm McLaren’s “Something’s Jumpin’ in Your Shirt” fits the electronic genre, with remixes enhancing its dance-floor appeal.
9. Bronski Beat’s “Why?” addresses anti-gay prejudice, a central theme reflecting both personal and sociopolitical realities for the band members.
10. Nik Kershaw’s “Human Racing” achieved his highest album chart position in the UK, peaking at number 5 and later earning a platinum certification.
11. In Gillan’s “Living For The City,” the protagonist travels to New York City, maintaining the song’s narrative about urban challenges and aspirations.
12. Heavy Pettin’s song “In and Out of Love” is recognized more for its minor hit status rather than a high UK chart position, peaking outside the top 40.