How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Talking Heads, Highliners, Westworld, Nik Kershaw, Siouxsie And The Banshees, Shakin’ Stevens, King Kurt, Robert Plant, It Bites, The Jesus And Mary Chain, Paul Mccartney, Tears For Fears
They are the performers of twelve vintage amusing, puzzling and sometimes shocking videos of songs that were ranked in various charts, this week (41/52) BUT … in the Eighties 80s.
1. Which distinctive feature characterizes the lyrics of “Naked” by Talking Heads?
- A A yearning for modern technology
- B Nostalgia for a bygone natural world
- C A world reclaimed by nature
2. What unique stage element did The Highliners incorporate?
- A A skeleton on a wooden surfboard
- B A pink van with a skeleton surfing on the roof
- C Pink umbrellas with peppers
3. Which year did Westworld release their version of “Everything Good Is Bad”?
- A 1972
- B 1981
- C 1988
4. What notable shift did “Nobody Knows” by Nik Kershaw mark?
- A First chart-topping single
- B Transition to experimental music
- C First single not to enter UK top 40 since 1983
5. Which influence is evident in Siouxsie and the Banshees’ “Slowdive”?
- A American rockabilly
- B German krautrock
- C Traditional Celtic music
6. What distinguishes Shakin’ Stevens’ release of his 1988 single?
- A First original song
- B Its previous release by Frankie Miller
- C Featured a duet with Stevie Nicks
7. Which item was famously thrown into the audience at King Kurt concerts?
- A Shoes
- B Eggs and flour
- C Confetti
8. Which chart did Robert Plant’s “Burning Down One Side” dominate?
- A UK Singles Chart
- B Billboard Top Tracks
- C Irish Singles Chart
9. In what year did The Jesus and Mary Chain release the single from *Psychocandy*?
- A 1982
- B 1985
- C 1988
10. Which unique audio feature is found in Paul McCartney’s “Tug of War”?
- A Recorded sounds from a tug of war championship
- B Elephant calls from the jungle
- C Children’s laughter from a schoolyard
11. How did the saxophonist receive his cue in “I Believe” by Tears for Fears?
- A A wave from Orzabal
- B Shouted “William!”
- C A visual cue card
For TWELVE more ‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ – Vintage 80s Music Videos – week 41/52 – click here
Tracklist
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1 . Talking Heads – Nothing But FlowersFeatured on the 1988 album “Naked”.
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2 . Highliners – Henry The WaspFeatured on the 1989 album “Bound For Glory”.
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3 . Westworld – Everything Good Is BadFeatured on the 1987 album “Beatbox Rock ‘n’ Roll”.
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4 . Nik Kershaw – Nobody KnowsFeatured on the 1986 album “Radio Musicola”.
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5 . Siouxsie And The Banshees – SlowdiveFeatured on the 1982 album “A Kiss in the Dreamhouse”.
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6 . Shakin’ Stevens – How Many Tears Can You HideFeatured on the 1988 album “A Whole Lotta Shaky”.
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7 . King Kurt – Destination ZululandFeatured on the 1983 album “Ooh Wallah Wallah”.
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8 . Robert Plant – Burning Down One SideFeatured on the 1982 album “Pictures at Eleven”.
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9 . It Bites – Underneath Your PillowFeatured on the 1989 album “Eat Me In St. Louis”.
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10 . The Jesus And Mary Chain – Just Like HoneyFeatured on the 1985 album “Psychocandy“.
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11 . Paul McCartney – Tug Of WarFeatured on the 1982 album “Tug of War“. |
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12 . Tears For Fears – I BelieveFeatured on the 1985 album “Songs From The Big Chair“.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “Naked” by Talking Heads features lyrics about a world overtaken by nature, imagining a future where civilization’s remnants blend with natural landscapes. The song’s narrative highlights the conflict between nostalgia for lost conveniences and admiration for a new natural order.
2. The Highliners drove a pink van with a skeleton surfing on the roof, complementing their distinctive stage costumes, including pink Dr. Martens boots and black capes, enhancing their unique psychobilly image.
3. Westworld released their rendition of “Everything Good Is Bad” in 1988. Originally by 100 Proof (Aged in Soul) in 1972, the song features themes of misfortune disguised as fortune, with catchy lyricism consistent across its versions.
4. “Nobody Knows” marked a downturn in Nik Kershaw’s chart performance, becoming his first single since 1983 not to break into the UK top 40. The track critiques the public’s fascination with celebrity lifestyles.
5. “Slowdive” by Siouxsie and the Banshees is influenced by German krautrock bands. The song stands out with a string section, a dance beat, and intricate drum patterns, distinguishing their sound evolution.
6. Shakin’ Stevens’ 1988 single was initially released by Frankie Miller in 1986. This highlights a cover connection rather than an original debut, asserting Stevens’ interpretation within his music catalog.
7. King Kurt concerts were notorious for chaotic antics, notably throwing eggs, flour, and wallpaper paste into the audience. These stunts cemented their reputation for high-energy and unpredictable live shows.
8. “Burning Down One Side” by Robert Plant achieved significant success on album-oriented rock radio, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart in the US. This was a standout from his debut solo album.
9. The single from *Psychocandy* by The Jesus and Mary Chain was released in 1985. The song is noted for its iconic drum riff, an homage to Hal Blaine’s work on “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes.
10. “Tug of War” by Paul McCartney features audio from a tug of war championship in Huddersfield. This unique introduction adds an auditory connection to the song’s metaphorical theme.
11. In “I Believe,” Roland Orzabal shouts “William!” as a cue for the saxophonist, illustrating a direct and unique way to synchronize musicians during a live performance and in studio recordings.