How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Blue Mercedes, Chris Rea, The Moody Blues, The Stranglers, Shakespears Sister, The Style Council, The Sisters Of Mercy, Madness, The Beloved, Pet Shop Boys, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Kim Carnes
They are the performers of twelve vintage amusing, puzzling and sometimes shocking videos of songs that were ranked in various charts, this week (41/52) BUT … in the Eighties 80s.
1. Which duo achieved a number one hit on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart with “I Want To Be Your Property”?
- A Blue Mercedes
- B Black Box
- C SNAP!
2. What inspired Chris Rea’s “The Road to Hell” Part 2?
- A M25 and M4 motorway traffic
- B A personal breakup
- C A political protest
3. Which instrument prominently features in The Moody Blues’ “The Present” album’s lead single?
- A Electric violin
- B LinnDrum
- C Hammond organ
4. Where was “Skin Deep” by The Stranglers recorded?
- A London
- B Brussels
- C Paris
5. Who co-wrote “Run Silent” with Shakespears Sister?
- A Richard Feldman
- B Max Martin
- C David Foster
6. Which Style Council track appeared on “Our Favourite Shop” and reached the UK Top 20?
- A My Ever Changing Moods
- B The Lodgers
- C Shout to the Top!
7. Who was the producer behind The Sisters of Mercy’s “This Corrosion”?
- A Rick Rubin
- B Jim Steinman
- C Trevor Horn
8. Madness’s “Shut Up” features a video with band members as both criminals and what other role?
- A Teachers
- B Police officers
- C Bankers
9. What notable sample was used in The Beloved’s “The Sun Rising”?
- A A Gregorian chant
- B A female vocal from Gothic Voices
- C Beethoven’s symphony
10. The Pet Shop Boys’ single inspired by the film “Suburbia” includes which feature in its production?
- A Choral harmonies
- B Barking dogs and riot noises
- C Ambient nature sounds
11. Which Elvis Costello song, originally by George Jones, appeared on “Almost Blue”?
- A Sweet Dreams
- B Good Year for the Roses
- C Love Hurts
12. Kim Carnes’ “Voyeur” follows which musical style?
- A Jazz fusion
- B Synth-pop
- C Folk rock
For TWELVE more ‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ – Vintage 80s Music Videos – week 41/52 – click here
Tracklist
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1 . Blue Mercedes – I Want To Be Your PropertyFeatured on the 1987 album “Rich and Famous”.
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2 . Chris Rea – The Road to Hell Pt 2Featured on the 1989 album “The Road to Hell”.
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3 . The Moody Blues – Sitting at the WheelFeatured on the 1983 album “The Present”.
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4 . The Stranglers – Skin DeepFeatured on the 1984 album “Aural Sculpture”.
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5 . Shakespears Sister – Run SilentFeatured on the 1989 album “Sacred Heart”.
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6 . The Style Council – The LodgersFeatured on the 1985 album “Our Favourite Shop”.
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7 . The Sisters Of Mercy – This CorrosionFeatured on the 1987 album “Floodland“.
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8 . Madness – Shut UpFeatured on the 1981 album “7”.
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9 . The Beloved – The Sun RisingFeatured on the 1989 album “Happiness”.
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10 . Pet Shop Boys – SuburbiaFeatured on the 1986 album “Please”.
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11 . Elvis Costello & The Attractions – Good Year For The RosesFeatured on the 1981 album “Almost Blue”. |
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12 . Kim Carnes – VoyeurFeatured on the 1982 album “Voyeur”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. Blue Mercedes enjoyed chart-topping success in the dance category with “I Want To Be Your Property.” The pop-dance duo reached for stardom longer than their tenure, but they left a tangible mark on the U.S. dance scene.
2. Rea vented his urban tribulations through M25 and M4 motorway congestion. His frustrations transformed into a haunting commentary on modern chaos.
3. The Moody Blues’ lead single from “The Present” features a LinnDrum prominently. This blend of electronic and acoustic sounds set the stage for their trademark mystique.
4. The Stranglers recorded “Skin Deep” in Brussels. This self-produced track exemplifies the band’s vision from their eighth studio album.
5. Co-written by Richard Feldman, “Run Silent” features prominently within Shakespears Sister’s discography. The track saw Marcy Detroit’s vocals come to the fore.
6. “The Lodgers” by The Style Council became their ninth UK Top 20 hit. An intricate blend of artistry from Weller and Talbot, it aptly represented their socio-political commentary.
7. Jim Steinman produced “This Corrosion” with his characteristic grandiosity. Andrew Eldritch wrote the lyrics, creating conflict-laden sonic drama.
8. In Madness’s “Shut Up” video, band members played both criminals and police officers. A creative allegory with Suggs starring as an offbeat car salesman.
9. “The Sun Rising” by The Beloved sampled a female vocal from Gothic Voices. This prominent sample ultimately led to a legal settlement.
10. Pet Shop Boys’ “Suburbia” included samples of barking dogs and riot noises. The sonic landscape reflects the chaotic civilization themes inspired by suburban youth unrest.
11. “Good Year for the Roses” by Elvis Costello appeared on “Almost Blue.” Originally by George Jones, it showcases Costello’s affinity for the country genre.
12. Kim Carnes’ “Voyeur” embodies the synth-pop style. The track mingles Carnes’ emotive vocal delivery with trendy ’80s electronic influences.