How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Sting, Tanita Tikaram, Bad Manners, Bobby McFerrin, Elton John, Eurythmics, Enya, Phil Collins, Kate Bush, Fields of the Nephilim, Kiss, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
They are the performers of twelve vintage amusing, puzzling and sometimes shocking videos of songs that were ranked in various charts, this week (45/52) BUT … in the Eighties 80s.
1. Which musician contributed guitar to Sting’s song from *…Nothing Like the Sun*?
- A Eric Clapton
- B Kenny Kirkland
- C Branford Marsalis
2. What is prominently featured in Tanita Tikaram’s song “Twist in My Sobriety”?
- A Sitar
- B Oboe
- C Harp
3. From which genre is Bad Manners’ “Walking in the Sunshine” categorized?
- A Ska/2-tone
- B Reggae
- C Funk
4. For what notable achievement is Bobby McFerrin’s 1988 track renowned?
- A First a cappella song to top the Billboard Hot 100
- B First song to use auto-tune
- C First song to feature holograms in a music video
5. What aspect is central to the lyrics of Elton John’s 1983 single?
- A A reunion
- B A wedding
- C A birthday party
6. Which literary work influenced Eurythmics’ “Sexcrime (Nineteen Eighty-Four)”?
- A Brave New World
- B Animal Farm
- C Nineteen Eighty-Four
7. Which element gives Enya’s track from *Watermark* its distinctive sound?
- A Harp
- B Customized synthesizer patch
- C Traditional drums
8. Who provided backing vocals on Phil Collins’ song addressing homelessness?
- A David Bowie
- B David Crosby
- C Diana Ross
9. What historical event was Kate Bush’s “Army Dreamers” blacklisted for during a conflict?
- A World War II
- B Gulf War
- C Vietnam War
10. Which mystical references are often found in Fields of the Nephilim’s lyrics?
- A Greek Mythology
- B Cthulhu Mythos
- C Norse Legends
11. Who played the bass on Kiss’s “Tears Are Falling”?
- A Gene Simmons
- B Paul Stanley
- C Bruce Kulick
12. What figure is the subject of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark’s 1981 song?
- A Anne Boleyn
- B Joan of Arc
- C Boudica
For TWELVE more ‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ – Vintage 80s Music Videos – week 45/52 – click here
Tracklist
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1 . Sting – We’ll Be TogetherFeatured on the 1987 album “…Nothing Like the Sun“.
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2 . Tanita Tikaram – Twist In My SobrietyFeatured on the 1988 album “Ancient Heart”.
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3 . Bad Manners – Walking In The SunshineFeatured on the 1981 album “Gosh!”.
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4 . Bobby McFerrin – Don’t Worry Be HappyFeatured on the 1988 album “Simple Pleasures“.
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5 . Elton John – Kiss The BrideFeatured on the 1983 album “Too Low for Zero“.
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6 . Eurythmics – Sex CrimeFeatured on the 1984 album “1984 (For the Love of Big Brother)”.
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7 . Enya – Orinoco FlowFeatured on the 1988 album “Watermark“.
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8 . Phil Collins – Another Day In ParadiseFeatured on the 1989 album “…But Seriously“.
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9 . Kate Bush – Army DreamersFeatured on the 1980 album “Never for Ever“.
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10 . Fields of the Nephilim – Blue WaterFeatured on the 1987 album “Dawnrazor”.
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11 . Kiss – Tears Are FallingFeatured on the 1985 album “Asylum”. |
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12 . Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Joan Of ArcFeatured on the 1981 album “Architecture And Morality“.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. Eric Clapton lent his exceptional guitar talents to the track. The collaboration added a touch of brilliance to Sting’s already seasoned craftsmanship.
2. An oboe, courtesy of Malcolm Messiter, prominently weaves through the song, adding depth and texture to Tikaram’s moody ballad.
3. Bad Manners’ “Walking in the Sunshine” marches to a ska/2-tone beat. Their upbeat sound belies the genre’s inherently rebellious roots.
4. Bobby McFerrin’s composition gained distinction as the first a cappella piece to reach the summit of the Billboard Hot 100. Quite the vocal feat.
5. Elton John’s lyrics poignantly paint a wedding scene from an ex-lover’s viewpoint. It’s more about heartache than bouquets.
6. Orwell’s *Nineteen Eighty-Four* inspired the Eurythmics’ track, aligning their music with dystopian motifs and controversial narratives.
7. A customized Roland D-50 synthesizer patch renders Enya’s track recognizable. Its pizzicato strings cast a spell over listeners.
8. The distinctive backing vocals were graced by David Crosby, whose voice seamlessly complements Collins’ narrative on social indifference.
9. Kate Bush’s “Army Dreamers” faced BBC scrutiny during the Gulf War, as it nudged sensitive national memories.
10. Fields of the Nephilim often delve into the Cthulhu Mythos, mixing gothic rock with otherworldly and occult themes for their signature sound.
11. Paul Stanley swapped roles, playing bass on “Tears Are Falling,” proving his versatility within the band. Gene must have approved.
12. OMD’s song venerates Joan of Arc, infusing historical reverence into the synth-driven oeuvre. Heroes in musical form.