How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : The Clash, Chas & Dave, Nik Kershaw, The Rolling Stones, Status Quo, Bee Gees, Kim Wilde, Siouxsie And The Banshees, Queen, Mammoth, The Boomtown Rats, Cyndi Lauper
They are the performers of twelve vintage amusing, puzzling and sometimes shocking videos of songs that were ranked in various charts, this week (50/52) BUT … in the Eighties 80s.
1. Which issue does “The Call Up” by The Clash address in its lyrics?
- A Economic inequality
- B Conscription into the armed forces
- C Urban decay
2. What was unique about the release of Chas & Dave’s “Stars Over 45” single?
- A It was internationally banned
- B It was originally a B-side
- C It featured a live orchestra
3. Who had significant roles in Nik Kershaw’s track “Radio Musicola”?
- A Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr
- B Iva Davies and Miriam Stockley
- C Simon Le Bon and Nick Rhodes
4. During which sessions was “Waiting on a Friend” by The Rolling Stones originally started?
- A Let It Bleed
- B Goats Head Soup
- C Exile on Main St.
5. Why did Alan Lancaster disapprove of Status Quo’s “Marguerita Time”?
- A He thought it was too pop-oriented
- B It had explicit lyrics
- C It was too long
6. Why was the title “E.S.P.” chosen for a Bee Gees song?
- A Their initials inspired it
- B To avoid drug references
- C It described the song’s theme
7. What fairy tale does Kim Wilde’s “The Touch” music video reference?
- A Snow White
- B Cinderella
- C Sleeping Beauty
8. “Il Est Né, Le Divin Enfant” by Siouxsie and the Banshees is an adaptation of what type of song?
- A Jazz standard
- B Protest song
- C Traditional French carol
9. How did Queen’s track “The Miracle” mainly describe ‘miracles’?
- A Everyday acts of kindness
- B Architectural wonders
- C Spiritual awakenings
10. What album does Mammoth’s song “Fatman” feature on?
- A Mammoth
- B Larger and Live
- C Mammoth’s Greatest Hits
11. Who produced The Boomtown Rats’ song “Never in a Million Years”?
- A Brian Eno
- B Tony Visconti
- C Quincy Jones
12. What theme does Cyndi Lauper’s “Heading West” primarily explore?
- A Friendship
- B Pursuing dreams
- C Moving on from a relationship
For TWELVE more ‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ – Vintage 80s Music Videos – week 50/52 – click here
Tracklist
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1 . The Clash – The Call UpFeatured on the 1980 album “Sandinista!“.
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2 . Chas & Dave – Stars Over 45
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3 . Nik Kershaw – Radio MusicolaFeatured on the 1986 album “Radio Musicola”.
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4 . The Rolling Stones – Waiting On A FriendFeatured on the 1981 album “Tattoo You“.
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5 . Status Quo – Marguerita TimeFeatured on the 1983 album “Back to Back”.
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6 . Bee Gees – E.S.P.Featured on the 1987 album “E.S.P.”.
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7 . Kim Wilde – The TouchFeatured on the 1984 album “Teases & Dares”.
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8 . Siouxsie And The Banshees – I’l Est Né Le Divin EnfantFeatured on the 2004 album “Downside Up”.
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9 . Queen – The MiracleFeatured on the 1989 album “The Miracle“.
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10 . Mammoth – FatmanFeatured on the 1989 album “Mammoth”.
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11 . The Boomtown Rats – Never In A Million YearsFeatured on the 1982 album “V Deep”. |
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12 . Cyndi Lauper – Heading WestFeatured on the 1989 album “A Night to Remember”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “The Call Up” addresses conscription concerns. It’s a post-Vietnam era track focusing on recruitment and its societal impacts. The song debuted before *Sandinista* was released.
2. “Stars Over 45” was meant as a B-side. Despite Chas Hodges’ regrets, it became a full-fledged single, peaking at No. 21. This parody medley echoed the “Stars on 45” style.
3. “Radio Musicola” saw Kershaw supported by guest musicians. Notables include Iva Davies and Miriam Stockley. Kershaw produced this track, marking an era of musical independence.
4. “Waiting on a Friend” began during *Goats Head Soup*. Lyrics were later added, emphasizing friendship. It’s a rare gem polished over numerous years.
5. Lancaster’s beef with “Marguerita Time” was its pop pivot. His refusal to participate in the video highlighted tension. It didn’t stop the track from topping charts, though.
6. The title “E.S.P.” skirted around drug innuendos. Initially dubbed “XTC,” it was revised for propriety. The Bee Gees deftly edited out controversial elements.
7. Wilde’s “The Touch” tips its hat to Cinderella. The video mirrors the timeless tale. This was amidst Wilde’s 80s pop prominence.
8. This Siouxsie and the Banshees track is a carol. Derived from 19th-century French origins, it did not join any studio albums until *Downside Up*. The lyrics retain their devotional roots.
9. Queen’s “The Miracle” celebrates marvels like landmarks. Yet, its thematic climax yearned for global peace. This complex track wove contrasting lyrical threads.
10. “Fatman” finds its home on the *Larger and Live* album. A live rendition adds to its legacy. Its chart presence was modest yet marked an era.
11. Tony Visconti produced this Rats tune. His expertise shaped the track’s identity. Past collaborations have cemented Visconti’s influence on their sound.
12. “Heading West” taps into moving on, post-breakup. Lauper’s video underlines this by presenting emptiness. Its modest chart run belied the emotive pull of the lyrics.