How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Eric Clapton, Clive Griffin, Secret Affair, Los Lobos, UFO, Prefab Sprout, Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie, David Bowie, Billy Idol, Vow Wow, Grand Prix, The Jesus And Mary Chain
They are the performers of twelve “live” music videos that were ranked in various charts, this week (10/52) BUT … in the EIghties 80s.
1. What notable UK indie chart position did “The Rattler” by Goodbye Mr Mackenzie achieve in 1986?
- A #5
- B #10
- C #8
2. What was unusual about the recording process for David Bowie’s “Alabama Song”?
- A Drums recorded last
- B Vocal track omitted
- C No guitars used
3. What inspired Billy Idol’s song “Rebel Yell”?
- A A western movie
- B A bottle of bourbon
- C A martial arts class
4. Which band originally wrote “Helter Skelter,” later covered by Vow Wow?
- A The Beatles
- B Led Zeppelin
- C The Rolling Stones
5. Who was the lead vocalist of Grand Prix at the time “Keep On Believing” was released?
- A Bernie Shaw
- B Ian Gillan
- C Rod Stewart
6. What magazine declared The Jesus and Mary Chain’s “Never Understand” as the top track of 1985?
- A Rolling Stone
- B NME
- C Q Magazine
7. What is the title of Sparks’ song that references owning a media company?
- A “BBC Blues”
- B “Now That I Own The BBC”
- C “Ruling the News”
8. For which notable event was Boyzone’s version of “When The Going Gets Tough” released?
- A Live Aid
- B Comic Relief
- C Farm Aid
9. In which year did The Flaming Lips release “This Here Giraffe”?
- A 1997
- B 1995
- C 1993
10. Which single by The Charlatans reached No. 15 on the UK Singles Chart in 1991?
- A “North Country Boy”
- B “Over Rising”
- C “Just When You’re Thinkin’ Things Over”
11. According to lead singer Marijne van der Vlugt, what controversial topic does the song “Drink The Elixir” address?
- A Cannibalism
- B A man drinking pee
- C Extraterrestrial life
12. Which famous band is cited as a major influence on Marion’s sound?
- A The Clash
- B The Smiths
- C Oasis
Tracklist
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1 . Eric Clapton – Forever ManFeatured on the 1985 album “Behind the Sun“.
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2 . Clive Griffin – Be ThereFeatured on the 1993 album “Inside Out”.
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3 . Secret Affair – My WorldFeatured on the 1980 album “Behind Closed Doors”.
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4 . Los Lobos – Set Me Free [Rosa Lee]Featured on the 1990 album “The Neighborhood”.
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5 . UFO – Night RunFeatured on the 1985 album “Misdemeanor”.
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6 . Prefab Sprout – Golden CalfFeatured on the 1988 album “From Langley Park to Memphis”.
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7 . Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie – The RattlerFeatured on the 1989 album “Good Deeds and Dirty Rags “.
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8 . David Bowie – Alabama Song
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9 . Billy Idol – Rebel YellFeatured on the 1983 album “Rebel Yell“.
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10 . Vow Wow – Helter SkelterFeatured on the 1989 album “Helter Skelter”.
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11 . Grand Prix – Keep On BelievingFeatured on the 1991 album “There For None To See”. |
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12 . The Jesus And Mary Chain – Never UnderstandFeatured on the 1985 album “Psychocandy”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “The Rattler” by Goodbye Mr Mackenzie reached #8 on the UK indie charts in 1986. This achievement occurred despite the song’s temporary withdrawal from radio airplay because of its suggestive lyrics. The band’s breakthrough helped cement their place in the UK music scene.
2. Bowie recorded the drums for “Alabama Song” last, a departure from typical studio practices. This end-phase recording helped maintain a unique rhythm for the track, ultimately contributing to its success.
3. “Rebel Yell” was inspired by Billy Idol’s encounter with a bottle of Rebel Yell bourbon at a party with The Rolling Stones. This chance moment fueled the creative process for one of his most famous tracks.
4. Vow Wow covered “Helter Skelter,” a song originally penned by The Beatles. Released in 1989, their version maintained the hard rock intensity while introducing the band to a broader audience.
5. Bernie Shaw was the lead vocalist of Grand Prix when “Keep On Believing” was released. His powerful voice complemented the band’s harmonic approach, leaving a mark on the rock music scene.
6. “Never Understand” by The Jesus and Mary Chain topped NME’s Tracks of the Year list for 1985. The song was celebrated for its innovative use of guitar feedback and marked the band’s significant impact on music.
7. The title of Sparks’ elusive track is “Now That I Own The BBC.” Not much is readily known about the depths of its musical or lyrical content.
8. Boyzone released “When The Going Gets Tough” as a charity single for Comic Relief in 1999. Their rendition climbed the UK Singles Chart, showcasing the band’s popularity while supporting a good cause.
9. “This Here Giraffe” by The Flaming Lips was released in 1995 from the album “Clouds Taste Metallic.” The band, known for their quirky style, gained traction with this psychedelic track.
10. “Over Rising” by The Charlatans reached No. 15 on the UK Singles Chart in 1991. The song exemplified their signature organ-driven sound, earning them further acclaim.
11. Marijne van der Vlugt stated “Drink The Elixir” is about a man who drinks a young woman’s pee. This narrative fits Salad’s reputation for quirky subject matters and cemented the band’s place within Britpop.
12. Marion cited The Smiths as a key influence on their music style. This influence is apparent in their melodic and guitar-driven sound, reflected in their critically regarded album “This World and Body.”
For THE FULL ‘ARE WE LIVE?’ COLLECTION click here