How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Nirvana, R.E.M., Del Amitri, EMF, Sade, Cracker, Whale, Soul Asylum, Garbage, The Chemical Brothers, Lo Fidelity Allstars, Blur
They are the performers of twelve vintage amusing, puzzling and sometimes shocking videos of songs that were ranked in various charts, this week (48/52) BUT… in the Nineties 90s.
1. What inspired the title of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”?
- A A graffiti slogan
- B A book title
- C A radio advertisement
2. Which family member of Michael Stipe contributed to R.E.M.’s “Bang and Blame”?
- A His sister
- B His brother
- C His cousin
3. What theme is most prominent in Del Amitri’s “Spit in the Rain”?
- A Lost love
- B Economic hardship
- C Political unrest
4. What was the original title of EMF’s “It’s You” on the album *Stigma*?
- A It’s You Who Ends It All
- B It’s You That Brings Me Down
- C It’s You That Leaves Me Dry
5. What is the musical key of Sade’s “Feel No Pain”?
- A D Major
- B A♭ Major
- C F Minor
6. Who did Sandra Bernhard defeat in the music video for Cracker’s “Low”?
- A Johnny Hickman
- B David Lowery
- C Davey Faragher
7. Which European award did Whale’s “Hobo Humpin’ Slobo Babe” music video win?
- A Best New Video
- B Best Music Video
- C Best Director
8. Who is depicted as having angel wings in the music video for Soul Asylum’s “Just Like Anyone”?
- A Claire Danes
- B Milla Jovovich
- C Jennifer Connelly
9. What song by Single Gun Theory was sampled in Garbage’s “Queer”?
- A Bonfire
- B Exorcise
- C Man of Straw
10. Which actor stars in the Chemical Brothers’ “Out of Control” music video?
- A Rosario Dawson
- B Salma Hayek
- C Penélope Cruz
11. What did the Lo Fidelity Allstars incorporate into their remix of “Battleflag”?
- A Jazz elements
- B Hip hop influences
- C Classical motifs
12. What was particularly challenging for Damon Albarn while recording Blur’s “No Distance Left to Run”?
- A The guitar solo
- B The vocal performance
- C The drum pattern
For TWELVE more ‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ – Vintage 90s Music Videos – week 48/52 – click here
Tracklist
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1 . Nirvana – Smells Like Teen SpiritFeatured on the 1991 album “Nevermind“.
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2 . R.E.M. – Bang And BlameFeatured on the 1994 album “Monster“.
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3 . Del Amitri – Spit In The Rain
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4 . EMF – It’s YouFeatured on the 1992 album “Stigma”.
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5 . Sade – Feel No PainFeatured on the 1992 album “Love Deluxe“.
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6 . Cracker – LowFeatured on the 1993 album “Kerosene Hat”.
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7 . Whale – Hobo Humpin Slobo BabeFeatured on the 1993 album “We Care”.
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8 . Soul Asylum – Just Like AnyoneFeatured on the 1995 album “Let Your Dim Light Shine”.
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9 . Garbage – QueerFeatured on the 1995 album “Garbage“.
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10 . The Chemical Brothers – Out Of ControlFeatured on the 1999 album “Surrender”.
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11 . Lo Fidelity Allstars – BattleflagFeatured on the 1999 album “How to Operate with a Blown Mind”. |
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12 . Blur – No Distance Left To RunFeatured on the 1999 album “13“.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. The title “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was birthed from graffiti referencing the deodorant brand. Despite this commercial link, Kurt Cobain infused it with a sense of teenage defiance.
2. Lynda Stipe, Michael Stipe’s sister, contributed her vocals to “Bang and Blame.” Her involvement added a personal familial touch to the backing vocals.
3. “Spit in the Rain” lyrically delves into the futility of searching for lost love. The imagery suggests how love can evaporate as quickly as moisture in a drizzle.
4. “It’s You That Leaves Me Dry” was the original title on EMF’s *Stigma*. The track was re-mixed and re-titled before its single release.
5. “Feel No Pain” is set in A♭ Major, adding a luscious harmonic base to its exploration of socio-economic themes.
6. In Cracker’s “Low” video, Sandra Bernhard bests David Lowery in an unconventional boxing match, teasing his defeat with comedic flair.
7. Whale’s video for “Hobo Humpin’ Slobo Babe” bagged an MTV Europe Music Award. With its offbeat style, it charmed audiences and critics alike in 1994.
8. “Just Like Anyone” features a young Claire Danes with angel wings. She adds a celestial touch to Soul Asylum’s alternative rock narrative.
9. Garbage included a loop from Single Gun Theory’s “Man of Straw” in “Queer.” The sampling enhanced its trip-hop undertones.
10. Rosario Dawson stars in the video for “Out of Control.” Her presence complements its fictional Mexican conflict storyline.
11. The remix of “Battleflag” integrated hip hop and funk elements. Lo Fidelity Allstars’ version boosted its appeal across alternative rock stations.
12. Recording vocals for “No Distance Left to Run” was a challenge for Albarn. It emotionally reflected his breakup, making each take an exercise in vulnerability.