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 Jam, The Fall, James, Slade, Billy Bragg, Level 42, Electric Light Orchestra, Public Enemy, The Art Of Noise, Fuzzbox, Kraftwerk, Roger Waters
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 Eighties 80s.
1. Which novel inspired the title of The Jam’s single released in October 1981?
- A Brighton Rock
- B Absolute Beginners
- C The Quiet American
2. What does the title of The Fall’s 1987 song suggest according to Mark E. Smith?
- A A philosophical musing
- B Punish it or go there
- C A literal destination
3. Which producer remixed James’s “Come Home” for its 1990 re-release?
- A Rick Rubin
- B Flood
- C Steve Lillywhite
4. What charitable action was associated with Slade’s single “Do You Believe in Miracles”?
- A Funds for local music schools
- B Donations to Band Aid Trust and NSPCC
- C Supporting animal shelters
5. Which guitarist contributed to the 1986 track from the album “Talking with the Taxman about Poetry”?
- A The Edge
- B Brian May
- C Johnny Marr
6. Which album by Level 42 features the song “The Chant Has Begun”?
- A Running in the Family
- B True Colours
- C World Machine
7. In which video game does Electric Light Orchestra’s 1983 track appear?
- A Guitar Hero III
- B Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
- C Rock Band
8. Which film title is referenced in Public Enemy’s “Night of the Living Baseheads”?
- A Dawn of the Dead
- B Invasion of the Body Snatchers
- C Night of the Living Dead
9. What was unique about the Art of Noise’s 1986 track “Legs”?
- A It used samples of live instruments only
- B It notably employed digital sampling technology
- C It included no electronic elements
10. We’ve Got a Fuzzbox and We’re Gonna Use It’s cover of Yoko Ono’s song reached which peak position on the UK charts?
- A 76
- B 10
- C 55
11. Which technology was notably used in the music video of Kraftwerk’s 1986 single?
- A Virtual reality
- B Computer animation
- C Motion capture
12. Which cultural event influenced Roger Waters to write “The Tide Is Turning (After Live Aid)”?
- A Woodstock
- B Live Aid
- C The Grammys
For TWENTY FOUR more ‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ – Vintage 80s Music Videos – week 48/52 – click here and here
Tracklist
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1 . The Jam – Absolute BeginnersFeatured on the 1983 album “Snap!”.
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2 . The Fall – Hit The NorthFeatured on the 1987 album “The Frenz Experiment”.
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3 . James – Come HomeFeatured on the 1990 album “Gold Mother”.
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4 . Slade – Do You Believe In MiraclesFeatured on the 1985 album “Rogues Gallery”.
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5 . Billy Bragg – Greetings To The New BrunetteFeatured on the 1986 album “Talking with the Taxman About Poetry”.
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6 . Level 42 – The Chant Has BegunFeatured on the 1984 album “True Colours”.
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7 . Electric Light Orchestra – Four Little DiamondsFeatured on the 1983 album “Secret Messages”.
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8 . Public Enemy – Night Of The Living BaseheadsFeatured on the 1988 album “It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back“.
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9 . The Art Of Noise – LegsFeatured on the 1986 album “In Visible Silence”.
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10 . Fuzzbox – Walking On Thin IceFeatured on the 1989 album “Big Bang!”.
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11 . Kraftwerk – Musique Non StopFeatured on the 1986 album “Electric Cafe”. |
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12 . Roger Waters – The Tide Is TurningFeatured on the 1987 album “Radio K.A.O.S.”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “Absolute Beginners” is a novel by Colin MacInnes. The Jam’s song of the same name nods to Weller’s fondness for literary influences.
2. Mark E. Smith intriguingly described the title’s dual meaning as “punish it or go there,” reflecting his penchant for ambiguous themes.
3. The 1990 remixed version of “Come Home” by James was the work of Flood, broadening its appeal after the initial release.
4. Slade’s “Do You Believe in Miracles” generously donated its royalties to both the Band Aid Trust and the NSPCC, aligning with its inspiration from Bob Geldof’s efforts.
5. Johnny Marr lent his guitar prowess to the track, showcasing a sophisticated musical arrangement that stood out in the larger album context.
6. Level 42’s “The Chant Has Begun” is featured on the album “True Colours,” contributing to the band’s chart success in the mid-1980s.
7. ELO’s track made its way to the radio waves of “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City,” adding a retro vibe to the game’s soundtrack.
8. “Night of the Living Dead” inspired the title of Public Enemy’s song, expertly drawing parallels between addiction and a zombified existence.
9. Art of Noise’s “Legs” distinguished itself by effectively leveraging digital sampling technology, reinforcing their avant-garde reputation.
10. The track reached number 76 on the charts, marking a niche but notable milestone for We’ve Got a Fuzzbox and We’re Gonna Use It.
11. A pioneering use of computer animation characterized Kraftwerk’s video, created with technology from the early 1980s but released in 1986.
12. Roger Waters was inspired by Live Aid, although not a participant, to craft “The Tide Is Turning,” which contributed a hopeful end to its album.