How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Ian Dury And The Blockheads, Robin Gibb, Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Tenpole Tudor, Haysi Fantayzee, The Fall, The Smiths, Tom Petty, Queen, The Jesus And Mary Chain, Gary Numan, Dexys Midnight Runners
They are the performers of twelve vintage amusing, puzzling and sometimes shocking videos of songs that were ranked in various charts, this week (46/52) BUT … in the Eighties 80s.
1. Why is the title of Ian Dury & The Blockheads’ “Sueperman’s Big Sister” deliberately misspelled?
- A To avoid copyright issues
- B It’s a reference to a comic character
- C Typographical error on original artwork
2. What unique feature does Robin Gibb’s “How Old Are You” album cover have?
- A Poster photo of Elvis Presley
- B Poster photo of Greta Garbo
- C Poster photo of Clark Gable and Ava Gardner
3. Which aesthetic does Sigue Sigue Sputnik’s “Success” primarily align with?
- A Minimalism
- B Commercialism and pop art
- C Baroque
4. Which chart position did Tenpole Tudor’s “Throwing My Baby Out With The Bathwater” reach in the UK singles chart?
- A 10
- B 49
- C 100
5. In which genre does Haysi Fantayzee’s “Holy Joe” lyric style operate?
- A Classical
- B Nursery rhyme style
- C Gothic
6. What influence did Brix Smith have on “Cruiser’s Creek” by The Fall?
- A Protest lyrics
- B Circular guitar riff
- C Electronic dance beat
7. Why was The Smiths’ “Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before” not played by the BBC?
- A Vocal distortion
- B Lyrical reference to mass murder
- C Overlapping release with a major event
8. Which guitarist collaborated with Tom Petty on “Free Fallin'”?
- A Jeff Lynne
- B Eric Clapton
- C Slash
9. Which famous song borrows its bassline from Queen and David Bowie’s collaboration?
- A “Ice Ice Baby”
- B “Teen Spirit”
- C “Ghostbusters”
10. What musical element marks The Jesus and Mary Chain’s “Head On”?
- A Synth solos
- B ’50s-style guitar riff
- C Jazz trumpet background
11. On which chart did Gary Numan’s “Miracles” initially peak?
- A 10
- B 33
- C 49
12. What unique feature is found in Dexys Midnight Runners’ “This Is What She’s Like”?
- A Spoken dialogue
- B Whistling intro
- C Extended drum solo
For TWELVE more ‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ – Vintage 80s Music Videos – week 46/52 – click here
Tracklist
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1 . Ian Dury And The Blockheads – Sueperman’s Big SisterFeatured on the 1980 album “Laughter”.
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2 . Robin Gibb – How Old Are YouFeatured on the 1983 album “How Old Are You?”.
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3 . Sigue Sigue Sputnik – SuccessFeatured on the 1988 album “Dress For Excess”.
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4 . Tenpole Tudor – Throwing My Baby Out With The BathwaterFeatured on the 1981 album “Let the Four Winds Blow”.
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5 . Haysi Fantayzee – Holy JoeFeatured on the 1983 album “Battle Hymns For Children Singing”.
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6 . The Fall – Cruisers CreekFeatured on the 1985 album “This Nation’s Saving Grace“.
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7 . The Smiths – I Started Something I Couldn’t FinishFeatured on the 1987 album “Strangeways, Here We Come“.
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8 . Tom Petty – Free Fallin’Featured on the 1989 album “Full Moon Fever“.
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9 . Queen – Under PressureFeatured on the 1982 album “Hot Space“.
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10 . The Jesus And Mary Chain – Head OnFeatured on the 1989 album “Automatic”.
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11 . Gary Numan – MiraclesFeatured on the 1985 album “The Fury”. |
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12 . Dexys Midnight Runners – This Is What She’s LikeFeatured on the 1985 album “Don’t Stand Me Down”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. The title “Sueperman’s Big Sister” uses a deliberate misspelling to avoid legal issues with DC Comics. This playful approach highlights the song’s irreverence. Notably, it was Stiff Records’ 100th release.
2. Robin Gibb’s album “How Old Are You” features a cover with a poster photo of Clark Gable and Ava Gardner. Originally released by Polydor Records, it included various electronic elements.
3. Sigue Sigue Sputnik’s “Success” epitomizes their embrace of commercialism and pop art. The lyrics list symbols of wealth, matching their sensational, conspicuous style.
4. Tenpole Tudor’s “Throwing My Baby Out With The Bathwater” climbed to number 49 on the UK singles chart. The 1981 single reflects their unique post-punk vibe.
5. Haysi Fantayzee’s “Holy Joe” mixes political themes with a nursery rhyme lyrical style. Released in 1982, it lasted several weeks on the UK Singles Chart.
6. Brix Smith notably contributed a distinctive circular guitar riff to “Cruiser’s Creek.” Her input shifted The Fall’s sound towards melody and pop sensibility.
7. The Smiths’ “Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before” faced a BBC ban due to its mass murder reference, notably after the Hungerford massacre.
8. Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin'” was co-written with Jeff Lynne. Lynne played multiple instruments, including acoustic guitar and synthesizer, crafting the hit’s iconic sound.
9. Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” famously samples the bassline from a Queen and David Bowie track. This led to legal discussions and subsequent crediting of the original artists.
10. The Jesus and Mary Chain used a ’50s-style guitar riff prominently in “Head On.” This track later influenced the Pixies’ heavier cover with its noise pop foundation.
11. Gary Numan’s “Miracles” debuted at number 49 on the UK Singles Chart. Originally from the album *The Fury*, it reflects Numan’s industrial sound signature.
12. Dexys Midnight Runners’ “This Is What She’s Like” features spoken dialogue and shifting musical styles over nearly 12 and a half minutes, marking its eclectic form.