How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Faith No More, Jackyl, Pixies, Nirvana, Harvey Danger, Hootie & The Blowfish, Tears For Fears, Silverchair, Hole, Kula Shaker, Sheryl Crow, Madonna
They are the performers of twelve vintage amusing, puzzling and sometimes shocking videos of songs that were ranked in various charts, this week (30/52) BUT… in the Nineties 90s.
1. Which album features The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” as the second single?
- A *After Hours*
- B *Starboy*
- C *Dawn FM*
2. What production style is notable in “Blinding Lights”?
- A Jazz fusion
- B 1980s-inspired synthwave
- C Heavy metal
3. Who directed the music video for The Weeknd’s “Take My Breath”?
- A Cliqua
- B Dave Meyers
- C Hannah Lux Davis
4. What element led to the removal of the “Take My Breath” video from IMAX theaters?
- A Explicit content
- B Intense strobe lighting
- C Excessive runtime
5. Which song by The Weeknd achieved diamond certification?
- A “Starboy”
- B “Blinding Lights”
- C “Take My Breath”
6. Which genre is *not* associated with The Weeknd’s track “Take My Breath”?
- A Funk
- B Synthwave
- C Classical
7. In terms of chart success, where does “Blinding Lights” stand in *Billboard* Hot 100 history?
- A It’s the top-performing song
- B It’s in the top 20
- C It peaked at number 10
8. What 1980s influence is apparent in both “Blinding Lights” and “Take My Breath”?
- A Celtic melodies
- B Electronic beats and synthesizers
- C Opera choruses
9. Which song by The Weeknd debuted at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100?
- A “Can’t Feel My Face”
- B “The Hills”
- C “Take My Breath”
10. What is the lyrical theme of “Blinding Lights”?
- A Fame and fortune
- B The longing for a partner at night
- C Political unrest
11. Who are the primary producers of the song “Blinding Lights”?
- A The Weeknd and Pharrell Williams
- B Max Martin, Oscar Holter, and The Weeknd
- C Dr. Dre and Timbaland
12. What city relevant feature is incorporated in the music video aesthetic of “Blinding Lights”?
- A Tropical beaches
- B City lights and nightlife
- C Snowy mountains
1. Which genre does Faith No More’s “Evidence” primarily draw from?
- A Heavy Metal
- B Jazz and Funk
- C Country
2. “Push Comes To Shove” by Jackyl expresses frustration against what societal attitude?
- A Political Correctness
- B Consumerism
- C Conformity
3. Which mythical place is referenced in the Pixies’ track “Velouria”?
- A Atlantis
- B Lemuria
- C Camelot
4. In Nirvana’s “Lithium,” what is the protagonist’s coping mechanism?
- A Religion
- B Drugs
- C Therapy
5. What era’s fad does the title of Harvey Danger’s “Flagpole Sitta” reference?
- A 1960s
- B 1920s
- C 1980s
6. Hootie & the Blowfish’s “Tucker’s Town” addresses historical events from which location?
- A Bermuda
- B Bahamas
- C Barbados
7. What inspired the lyrics of Tears For Fears’ “Cold”?
- A A break-up
- B A financial scandal
- C A road trip
8. Which performance helped elevate Silverchair’s “Pure Massacre” in international charts?
- A Glastonbury Festival
- B Saturday Night Live
- C MTV Unplugged
9. Which relationship influenced the lyrics to Hole’s “Violet”?
- A Eddie Vedder
- B Billy Corgan
- C Michael Stipe
10. Kula Shaker’s “Tattva” incorporates which philosophical concept?
- A Karma
- B Acintya Bheda Abheda
- C Dharma
11. In Sheryl Crow’s “Run Baby Run,” what major event coincides with the protagonist’s birth?
- A Woodstock Festival
- B Kennedy Assassination
- C Moon Landing
12. Madonna’s “Rain” was included in which compilation album?
- A Immaculate Collection
- B Something to Remember
- C GHV2
For TWENTY FOUR more ‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ – Vintage 90s Music Videos – week 30/52 – click here and here
Tracklist
 |
1 . Faith No More – EvidenceFeatured on the 1995 album “King for a Day… Fool for a Lifetime”.
|
|
|
2 . Jackyl – Push Comes To ShoveFeatured on the 1992 album “Push Comes to Shove”.
|
|
|
3 . Pixies – VelouriaFeatured on the 1990 album “Bossanova“.
|
|
|
4 . Nirvana – LithiumFeatured on the 1991 album “Nevermind“.
|
|
|
5 . Harvey Danger – Flagpole SittaFeatured on the 1997 album “Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone?”.
|
|
|
6 . Hootie & The Blowfish – Tucker’s TownFeatured on the 1996 album “Fairweather Johnson”.
|
|
|
7 . Tears For Fears – ColdFeatured on the 1993 album “Elemental”.
|
|
|
8 . Silverchair – Pure MassacreFeatured on the 1995 album “Frogstomp”.
|
|
|
9 . Hole – VioletFeatured on the 1994 album “Live Through This“.
|
|
|
10 . Kula Shaker – TattvaFeatured on the 1996 album “K”.
|
|
|
11 . Sheryl Crow – Run Baby RunFeatured on the 1993 album “Tuesday Night Music Club“. |
|
|
12 . Madonna – RainFeatured on the 1992 album “Erotica”.
|
And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “Evidence” from Faith No More draws heavily from jazz, funk, R&B, and soul, showcasing the band’s exploration of styles outside their usual rock sound.
2. Jackyl’s “Push Comes To Shove” channels rebellious angst against political correctness and judgmental social attitudes, delivering a hard rock anthem of defiance.
3. The Pixies’ song “Velouria” references the mythical continent of Lemuria, aligning with the band’s interest in esoteric and fantastical themes.
4. In Nirvana’s “Lithium,” the protagonist turns to religion as a means to cope with grief and prevent suicidal thoughts, highlighting a theme of seeking faith for solace.
5. “Flagpole Sitta” by Harvey Danger alludes to the 1920s craze of flagpole sitting, cleverly linked to the band’s critique of the cultural phenomenon of the 1990s.
6. “Tucker’s Town” by Hootie & the Blowfish addresses the forced displacement of residents in Bermuda, commenting on historical injustices and personal connections.
7. Tears For Fears’ song “Cold” was inspired by financial controversies and personal tensions, with references to a former manager’s legal troubles adding depth to the lyrics.
8. Silverchair’s “Pure Massacre” gained international acclaim partly through their performance on Saturday Night Live, bolstering their presence in the US music scene.
9. Hole’s “Violet” reflects on Courtney Love’s tumultuous relationship with Billy Corgan, with the song’s raw emotion capturing personal and artistic dynamics.
10. Kula Shaker’s “Tattva” incorporates the philosophical concept of “acintya bheda abheda,” exploring themes of unity and diversity influenced by Hindu philosophy.
11. “Run Baby Run” opens with the birthdate of a fictional protagonist coinciding with the Kennedy assassination, setting the stage for generational and societal themes.
12. Madonna’s “Rain” was featured on the compilation album “Something to Remember,” highlighting her ballads and softer tracks to a broader audience.
And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “Blinding Lights” appeared as the second single on The Weeknd’s fourth studio album, *After Hours*. This album launched on March 20, 2020, marking a significant milestone in his career.
2. “Blinding Lights” embraces an 80s-inspired synthwave production style. Its nostalgic sound taps into an era known for its signature use of electronic synthesizers.
3. The music video for “Take My Breath” was directed by the duo Cliqua. Their direction brought an intense visual flair to the portrayal of seductive and risky themes.
4. The music video for “Take My Breath” was retracted from IMAX due to its intense strobe lighting. It posed potential health risks for viewers with epilepsy, prompting its withdrawal.
5. “Blinding Lights” became The Weeknd’s first single to achieve diamond certification from the RIAA. This milestone signifies over 10 million units combined from sales and streaming.
6. While “Take My Breath” features elements of disco, dance-pop, and synthwave, classical music is noticeably absent from its stylistic array.
7. “Blinding Lights” is recognized as the top-performing song in *Billboard* Hot 100 history. Its commercial success lasted from November 2019 well into subsequent years.
8. Both tracks, “Blinding Lights” and “Take My Breath,” are heavily influenced by 1980s electronic beats and synthesizers. This influence is evident in their production choices.
9. Upon its release, “Take My Breath” debuted at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100. It represents The Weeknd’s continued success in fulfilling top-charting tracks.
10. The lyrics of “Blinding Lights” deal with the longing for a partner, specifically at night. It captures feelings of yearning and distance intertwined through nocturnal imagery.
11. “Blinding Lights” was produced by Max Martin, Oscar Holter, and The Weeknd. These producers have notably contributed to its international success.
12. The music video for “Blinding Lights” captures city lights and nightlife aesthetics. This visual element crucially complements the song’s nostalgic urban themes.