How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Men Without Hats, Ward Brothers, Labi Siffre, Bruce Foxton, Feargal Sharkey, The Stranglers, Bad News, M, Intaferon, Max Q, Bros, G.B.H
They are the performers of twelve vintage amusing, puzzling and sometimes shocking videos of songs that were ranked in various charts, this week (51/52) BUT … in the Eighties 80s.
1. Which chart did “I Got The Message” by Men Without Hats reach in the US?
- A US Pop Chart
- B US Dance Chart
- C US Rock Chart
2. What element was notable about the music video for “Cross That Bridge” by the Ward Brothers?
- A Animated graphics
- B Filmed at the Thames Barrier
- C Live performance recording
3. Which theme is frequently present in Labi Siffre’s music, including “Nothin’s Gonna Change”?
- A Mysticism
- B Social justice
- C Science fiction
4. Which band had Bruce Foxton previously been a part of before releasing “This Is the Way”?
- A The Jam
- B Buzzcocks
- C The Clash
5. Who wrote the song “Listen to Your Father” for Feargal Sharkey?
- A Carl Smyth
- B David Bowie
- C Boy George
6. “Big in America” by The Stranglers critiques which country’s culture?
- A Japan
- B Germany
- C United States
7. What is the main focus of the song “Cashing In On Christmas” by Bad News?
- A Santa’s adventures
- B Comical holiday spending
- C Christmas romance
8. Who provided background vocals on the M track “Official Secrets”?
- A Cyndi Lauper
- B Brigitte Vinchon
- C Annie Lennox
9. Intaferon’s single “Get Out of London” was featured in which type of media?
- A A French documentary
- B An Australian cooking show
- C A film starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
10. Which animal was Max Q named after?
- A Cat
- B Dog
- C Horse
11. What inspired the Bros’ song “Sister”?
- A A family member’s tragedy
- B A fictional short story
- C A famous painting
12. On which chart did GBH’s “Give Me Fire” reach No. 2?
- A UK Pop Chart
- B UK Indie Chart
- C US Billboard 200
For TWELVE more ‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ – Vintage 80s Music Videos – week 51/52 – click here
Tracklist
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1 . Men Without Hats – I Got The MessageFeatured on the 2007 album “Rhythm of Youth”.
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2 . Ward Brothers – Cross That BridgeFeatured on the 1983 album “Madness of It All”.
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3 . Labi Siffre – Nothing’s Gonna ChangeFeatured on the 1986 album “So Strong”.
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4 . Bruce Foxton – This Is The WayFeatured on the 1988 album “Touch Sensitive”.
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5 . Feargal Sharkey – Listen To Your Father
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6 . The Stranglers – Big In AmericaFeatured on the 1984 album “Dreamtime”.
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7 . Bad News – Cashing In On ChristmasFeatured on the 1986 album “Bad News”.
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8 . M – Official SecretsFeatured on the 1987 album “The Official Secrets Act”.
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9 . Intaferon – Get Out Of London
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10 . Max Q – Way Of The WorldFeatured on the 1983 album “Max Q”.
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11 . Bros – SisterFeatured on the 1989 album “The Time”. |
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12 . G.B.H – Give Me FireFeatured on the 1989 album “City Babys Revenge”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “I Got The Message” reached number 53 on the US Dance Chart. Despite not hitting the US Pop Chart, the track maintained Men Without Hats’ synthpop appeal.
2. The video for “Cross That Bridge” by the Ward Brothers was filmed at the Thames Barrier. This iconic location contributed to the song’s visual appeal.
3. Labi Siffre’s work, including “Nothin’s Gonna Change,” often addresses social justice themes. His songs regularly reflect personal and political struggles.
4. Prior to “This Is the Way,” Bruce Foxton was known for his role in The Jam. His solo efforts followed the band’s breakup in the early 1980s.
5. Feargal Sharkey’s “Listen to Your Father” was penned by Carl Smyth of Madness. This collaboration highlighted members of Madness as his backing band.
6. The Stranglers’ “Big in America” satirizes the cultural landscape of the United States. The song reflects on fame and materialism through its lyrics.
7. Bad News’ “Cashing In On Christmas” humorously critiques holiday commercialism. The track focuses on excessive spending around the festive season.
8. Brigitte Vinchon provided background vocals on “Official Secrets” by M. Her contribution complemented Robin Scott’s new wave artistry.
9. “Get Out of London” by Intaferon was featured in a film starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. The song’s inclusion in “Winning London” revived interest in the track.
10. Max Q, involving Michael Hutchence, was named after a dog. The project’s essence was as unconventional and eclectic as its name suggests.
11. “Sister” by Bros was inspired by Matt and Luke Goss’s stepsister’s tragic death. This personal loss was poignantly captured in the song’s tribute.
12. GBH’s “Give Me Fire” reached No. 2 on the UK Indie Chart. This success underlined the band’s influence in the punk scene during the early 1980s.
















