How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Lily Allen, Mr Hudson, Hot Hot Heat, The Cure, Stereophonics, Murderdolls, Dirty Pretty Things, A-ha, The Flaming Lips, System Of A Down, Bullet For My Valentine, Louis XIV
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 Noughties 2000s.
1. Which notable track by The Weeknd features intense strobe lighting in its music video?
- A After Hours
- B Can’t Feel My Face
- C Take My Breath
2. What genre blend best describes “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd?
- A Synth-pop, Electropop, New Wave, Synthwave
- B Jazz, Blues, Country, Electro
- C Pop Rock, Folk, Soul, Ambient
3. Which single by The Weeknd topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and was named the best-performing song in Billboard history?
- A Wicked Games
- B Blinding Lights
- C Starboy
4. Which year marked the release of The Weeknd’s song “Blinding Lights”?
- A 2018
- B 2021
- C 2019
5. What inspired the sound style of The Weeknd’s “Take My Breath”?
- A Classical symphonies
- B 1980s music
- C Reggae rhythms
6. Which track by The Weeknd was listed as the best-selling global single of 2020?
- A Heartless
- B Blinding Lights
- C Save Your Tears
7. How many top 10 entries on the US Billboard Hot 100 has The Weeknd achieved with the song “Take My Breath”?
- A Ten
- B Thirteen
- C Fifteen
8. Which certification did “Blinding Lights” receive from the RIAA?
- A Platinum
- B Gold
- C Diamond
9. What lyrical theme is central to The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights”?
- A Yearning for a partner
- B Economic collapse
- C Life in space
10. Who directed the music video for “Take My Breath” by The Weeknd?
- A Cliqua
- B Spike Jonze
- C David Fincher
11. What physical medium was originally considered for the “Take My Breath” music video premiere?
- A Television broadcast
- B IMAX theaters
- C Drive-in cinema
12. Regarding “Blinding Lights,” who was not listed as a contributing songwriter?
- A Max Martin
- B DaHeala
- C Elvira Anderfjärd
1. In which soap opera did Lily Allen’s “22” feature on the soundtrack?
- A *EastEnders*
- B *Viver a Vida*
- C *Coronation Street*
2. What demographic reach did “Supernova” by Mr Hudson and Kanye West achieve upon its release?
- A It topped the US charts
- B It debuted in the top ten of the Irish Singles Chart
- C It did not chart
3. Which TV series featured Hot Hot Heat’s “Middle Of Nowhere” in its soundtrack?
- A *Psych*
- B *Dexter*
- C *Breaking Bad*
4. In the music video for The Cure’s “The End Of The World,” what element is central to the video’s theme?
- A A dissolving paint canvas
- B A house that collapses and reconstructs
- C A futuristic cityscape
5. What notable sound shift is observed in Stereophonics’ track “Maybe Tomorrow”?
- A Transition to electronic dance sound
- B Jazz-influenced 1970s soul effect
- C Classical orchestral arrangement
6. How did Murderdolls alter Billy Idol’s “White Wedding”?
- A Made it an acoustic ballad
- B Infused it with heavier guitars
- C Converted it to EDM
7. Which program used Dirty Pretty Things’ “Deadwood” as a theme?
- A *The Tonight Show*
- B *Russell Brand’s Got Issues*
- C *The Office*
8. A-ha’s “Foot Of The Mountain” served as the official anthem for which event?
- A 2012 Summer Olympics
- B 2009 World Championships in Athletics
- C 2010 Eurovision Song Contest
9. For which device was The Flaming Lips’ “The W.A.N.D.” featured in a commercial?
- A Dell Inspiron
- B Apple iPhone
- C Samsung Galaxy
10. How did “Aerials” by System Of A Down perform on the charts?
- A It didn’t chart
- B Reached number one on Alternative Airplay
- C Only charted in Asia
11. Which certification did Bullet For My Valentine’s “Tears Don’t Fall” achieve in England?
- A Silver
- B Platinum
- C Gold
12. What subject does Louis XIV’s “God Killed The Queen” address in its lyrics?
- A Political conspiracy
- B A desire for physical pleasure
- C Exploration of spirituality
For TWELVE more ‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ – Vintage 2000s Music Videos – week 30/52 – click here
Tracklist
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1 . Lily Allen – 22Featured on the 2009 album “It’s Not Me, It’s You”.
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2 . Mr Hudson – Supernova (w/ Kanye West)Featured on the 2009 album “Straight No Chaser”.
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3 . Hot Hot Heat – Middle Of NowhereFeatured on the 2003 album “Elevator”.
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4 . The Cure – The End Of The WorldFeatured on the 2004 album “The Cure >“.
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5 . Stereophonics – Maybe TomorrowFeatured on the 2003 album “You Gotta Go There to Come Back”.
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6 . Murderdolls – White WeddingFeatured on the 2002 album “Beyond the Valley of the Murderdolls”.
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7 . Dirty Pretty Things – DeadwoodFeatured on the 2006 album “Waterloo to Anywhere”.
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8 . A-ha – Foot Of The MountainFeatured on the 2009 album “Foot of the Mountain”.
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9 . The Flaming Lips – The W.A.N.D.Featured on the 2006 album “At War with the Mystics”.
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10 . System Of A Down – AerialsFeatured on the 2001 album “Toxicity“.
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11 . Bullet For My Valentine – Tears Don’t FallFeatured on the 2005 album “The Poison”. |
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12 . Louis XIV – God Killed The QueenFeatured on the 2005 album “The Best Little Secrets Are Kept”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. *Viver a Vida* is the Brazilian soap opera that included Lily Allen’s “22” on its international soundtrack. The single also appeared in various territories’ charts.
Upon release, “Supernova” by Mr Hudson and Kanye West debuted in the top ten of the Irish Singles Chart, while almost climbing to the top of UK charts.
Hot Hot Heat’s “Middle Of Nowhere” found its way into the soundscape of the TV series *Psych*, enhancing episodes with its indie rock vibe.
The music video for The Cure’s “The End Of The World” plays with a house collapsing and reconstructing, symbolizing chaos and renewal.
A shift in sound is evident in “Maybe Tomorrow” by Stereophonics, where a jazz-influenced 1970s soul effect marked a departure from their rock roots.
Murderdolls infused Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” with heavier guitars, creating a darker aesthetic true to their signature horror punk style.
“Deadwood” by Dirty Pretty Things was chosen as the theme for *Russell Brand’s Got Issues*, capturing the show’s edgy, lively feel.
A-ha’s “Foot Of The Mountain” received honor as the official anthem for the 2009 World Championships in Athletics, melding music with sports.
The Flaming Lips’ “The W.A.N.D.” added a burst of energy to commercials for the Dell Inspiron, illustrating the song’s versatile appeal.
System Of A Down’s “Aerials” reached impressive chart heights, earning number one spots on both Billboard’s Alternative Airplay and Mainstream Rock charts.
“Tears Don’t Fall” by Bullet For My Valentine achieved gold status in the UK, an accolade underscoring its heavy metal influence and popularity.
Louis XIV’s “God Killed The Queen” examines themes of desire, focusing on a plea for value based only on physical pleasure.
And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “Take My Breath” by The Weeknd includes intense strobe lighting in its music video. Directed by Cliqua, the video’s original IMAX release was pulled due to epilepsy concerns.
2. “Blinding Lights” blends synth-pop, electropop, new wave, and synthwave. These genres reflect its 1980s-inspired production.
3. “Blinding Lights” became The Weeknd’s fifth number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was declared the best-performing song in Billboard history as of November 2021.
4. Released on November 29, 2019, “Blinding Lights” quickly climbed the charts, achieving significant global success.
5. “Take My Breath” draws its influences from the music styles of the 1980s, characterized by beats and synthesizers.
6. “Blinding Lights” was announced as the best-selling global single of 2020 by the IFPI, showcasing its widespread appeal.
7. “Take My Breath” marked The Weeknd’s thirteenth top 10 entry on the US Billboard Hot 100, debuting at number six.
8. “Blinding Lights” achieved diamond certification from the RIAA, highlighting its massive commercial success.
9. “Blinding Lights” centers on the yearning and emotional impact of a partner’s presence, especially at night.
10. The music video for “Take My Breath” was directed by Cliqua, consistent with the song’s psychedelic elements.
11. The “Take My Breath” video was initially planned for an IMAX theater premiere, later canceled due to health concerns.
12. Elvira Anderfjärd was not listed among the contributing songwriters of “Blinding Lights,” though she contributed to “Take My Breath.”