Music from 1986 Trivia

1. Number Ten: The song at number ten, "Wild, Wild Life" was written by David Byrne. It was featured in the eclectic movie "True Stories", also directed and written, in part, by Byrne. Which group originally recorded this song?

From Quiz 1986 KROQ Year End Top Ten List

Answer: Talking Heads

This song was featured on the album called "True Stories", which was a sort of soundtrack from the movie. The video won the 1987 "MTV Video Award" for "Best Group Video". It featured characters from the "True Stories" movie and parodies of contemporary artists of 1986. Talking Head group member Jerry Harrison parodied Prince. Of that parody, Harrison said in the liner notes of the album "Once in a Lifetime: The Best of the Talking Heads", "I always wondered what Prince thought of it." The B-side of the single featured the song "People Like Us" performed by actor John Goodman. The single peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 43 on the UK Singles chart. Last add: the group Radiohead chose their name from track six on the "True Stories" album entitled "Radio Head".

From Quiz 1986 Pop Music Hits, Part II

Answer: Steve Winwood

Steve Winwood scored a major hit in the USA with his song "Higher Love." The veteran blues/rock/jazz singer released this tune in June 1986, and it climbed to the top of the Billboard singles charts. Winwood was a key member of Traffic during the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1986, Winwood sang these lyrics: "Think about it, there must be higher love Down in the heart or hidden in the stars above Without it, life is wasted time Look inside your heart; I'll look inside mine... Bring me a higher love..."

From Quiz Pop Music Hits of 1986

Answer: Range

Bruce Hornsby & The Range topped the U.S. Billboard singles charts in the fall of 1986 with the song "The Way It Is." The Range consisted of Bruce Hornsby, David Mansfield, Joe Puerta, John Mola, and George Marinelli. Hornsby, born in Virginia, sang these lyrics: "That's just the way it is; some things will never change That's just the way it is But don't you believe them..."

From Quiz Billboard Number One Hits of 1986

Answer: Night Shift

"That's What Friends Are For" was written in 1982 by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager and sung by Rod Stewart on the soundtrack of the film "Night Shift". Dionne Warwick and Friends recorded a collaboration featuring Gladys Knight, Elton John and Stevie Wonder. It was released as a charity single to benefit the American Foundation for AIDS Research and raised over three million dollars. The tune peaked at number one for four weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in January, 1986, and became Billboard's number one single of 1986. The Dionne and Friends version won the performers a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal as well as Song of the Year for Bacharach and Bayer Sager. Bill Conti did the soundtrack for "The Karate Kid Part II". "Stand by Me" is a 1986 film directed by Rob Reiner based on a Stephen King book. The title comes from a song by the same name by Ben E. King. The song plays during the closing credits. "If You Leave" by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark is a single released from the "Pretty in Pink" soundtrack.

From Quiz Music from the 80s - 1986

Answer: Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk

Featuring Daryl Pandy on vocals, "Love Can't Turn Around" by Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk was released in the UK on 23 August 1986. It spent 12 weeks on the charts and achieved a highest position of number ten.

From Quiz Who Sang It In 1986

Answer: Aretha Franklin

"Jimmy Lee" came off of Aretha's album "Aretha". The song became #2 on the Rhythm and Blues charts. This song is about her first love. Extra Info: Aretha has sung opera music before.

From Quiz Hits of 1986

Answer: Billy Ocean

"When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going" was used as the theme song for film "The Jewel of the Nile" (1985). It was a number one hit in the UK and reached number two in the US.

From Quiz Who Sang What In 1986

Answer: George Michael

From Quiz 1986 Pop Music Hits, Part II

Answer: Preach

Madonna's song "Papa Don't Preach" was released in the summer of 1986, and it became an international number number one hit single. In this tune, Madonna explored the controversial topic of teenage pregnancy. The accompanying video to this song starred Madonna and featured Danny Aiello as Madonna's father. Madonna sang these lyrics from the chorus: "Papa don't preach, I'm in trouble deep Papa don't preach, I've been losing sleep But I made up my mind: I'm keeping my baby I'm gonna keep my baby..."

From Quiz Pop Music Hits of 1986

Answer: Top Gun

The hit song "Danger Zone" was featured prominently in the 1986 action movie "Top Gun." Tom Cruise starred in this film about U.S. Navy fighter pilots. Kenny Loggins took this song to the number two spot on the U.S. singles charts in the early summer of 1986. Loggins sang these words: "Highway to the danger zone / Ride into the danger zone..."

From Quiz Billboard Number One Hits of 1986

Answer: Kyrie

"Kyrie" was number one for the band in 1986, following their 1985 number one hit "Broken Wings". It was also their last US Billboard number one hit. The song had been written the previous year while the band was touring with Adam Ant. Richard Page thought the name Kyrie was Latin. He learned it was really Greek and dates back to the Sanskrit language. Although religion and music were strong influences on Richard Page, he insisted the song was not a Christian song. His mother directed the Phoenix Boys Choir and both Page and Steve George were members. His father was a Presbyterian choirmaster. After singing in the choir the boys went to LA and started writing songs and doing session work for a number of artists. In 1982 they decided to form Mr. Mister. Survivor had a top five with "Burning Heart" in February, 1986. Klymaxx did "I Miss You" and had a top five hit with the song in January, 1986. Atlantic Starr took "Secret Lovers" to number three in March, 1986.

From Quiz Who Sang It In 1986

Answer: Five Star

"Rain or Shine" came off of Five Star's album "Silk and Steel". The song became #2 on the U.K. charts. The song didn't chart in the U.S. Extra Info: Their album "Silk and Steel" became multi-platinum.

From Quiz Hits of 1986

Answer: The Bangles

"Manic Monday" was written by Prince in 1984; he offered the song to the Bangles and they had massive international success with it. It went to number two in the UK, US, Germany, Austria and Ireland.

From Quiz BRI's Top Ten Hits of 1986

Answer: Burning Heart

Survivor had a huge hit with "Eye of the Tiger", a song that was written for "Rocky III". "Burning Heart", written for "Rocky IV", was not nearly as successful, although it was probably their second biggest hit. The band slowly slipped into decline after this hit, eventually breaking up in 1989.

From Quiz #1 Albums of 1986

Answer: Jon Bongiovi

Although this was the third Bon Jovi album, this is the effort that really propelled the band to superstardom. Bon Jovi did have some help in the early days though, Jon Bon Jovi's cousin was Tony Bongiovi, and he owned the famed Power Station recording studio in New York. Bon Jovi received lots of session and recording time as a result of his acquaintance, assistance that led Jon to record his first single "Runaway" which appeared on the debut album.

From Quiz Who Sang What In 1986

Answer: The Communards and Sarah Jane Morris

From Quiz 1986 Pop Music Hits, Part II

Answer: Take My Breath Away

The Los Angeles band Berlin reached the top of the U.S. Billboard singles charts in September 1986 with the song "Take My Breath Away." This tune was featured in love scenes from the popular movie "Top Gun", starring Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis. Lead vocalist Terri Nunn sang these lyrics: "Watchin' every motion in this foolish lover's game Haunted by the notion, somewhere there's a love in flames... Take my breath away..." "When the Going Gets Tough" was sung by Billy Ocean; "Broken Wings" was recorded by Mr. Mister; and "Secret Lovers" was a hit for Atlantic Starr.

From Quiz Pop Music Hits of 1986

Answer: Addicted to Love

"Addicted to Love" by Robert Palmer opened with the line "The lights are on..." In the U.S., this song was released in February 1986, and it soon rose to the number one spot on the Billboard charts. The video which accompanied this song featured identically dressed models posing as musicians. As Palmer sang, "Might as well face it; you're addicted to love."

From Quiz Billboard Number One Hits of 1986

Answer: Falco

Austrian rock singer Falco wrote his tribute to Mozart with Bob and Ferdi Bolland. It reached number one in Germany before it topped the US charts. He related that he was inspired by the film "Amadeus". Falco was born Johann Holzel in Vienna. Even though his parents didn't encourage his musical ambitions he spent a year in the Vienna Conservatory then moved to Germany and worked in some jazz and rock bands. He assumed the name Falco while watching skier Falco Weisspflog performing in a jump competition. In 1978 he returned to Austria and recorded some local hits. Falco eventually connected with producers Bob and Ferdi Bolland and "Rock Me Amadeus" took him to the top. He followed with the number 18 "Vienna Calling". Taco Ockerse recorded the 1929 Irving Berlin song "Puttin" on the Ritz" in 1982, reaching number four. Jan Hammer had a number one hit in 1985 with the theme to "Miami Vice". Parr's 1985 number one hit was "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)".

From Quiz Music from the 80s - 1986

Answer: The Communards

The follow-up to their number one hit cover version of "Don't Leave Me This Way", The Communards released "So Cold The Night" in November 1986. The song spent ten weeks on the chart and peaked at number eight. The Communards featured former Bronski Beat front man Jimmy Somerville on lead vocals.

From Quiz Who Sang It In 1986

Answer: Rj's Latest Arrival

"Hold on" come off of Rj's latest Arrival's album "Hold On". The song became #9 on the R&b charts. The group had other hits like "Heaven In Your Arms" and "Shackles". Extra Info: The group is from Michigan.

From Quiz Hits of 1986

Answer: Whitney Houston

"How Will I Know" comes from Whitney Houston's 1986 album of the same name. It went to number one in the US, number two in Australia and number five in the UK.

From Quiz #1 Albums of 1986

Answer: "Third Stage" by Boston

Boston's long awaited "Third Stage" reached number one on the charts on November 1, 1986 and remained there for four weeks. The single "Amanda" was number one for two weeks, and was Boston's first number one single. The "Third Stage" album is also the first album to be certified gold in the compact disc format. Prior to this album, all other gold and platinum records were certified in the long play record fomat.

From Quiz Who Sang What In 1986

Answer: Cock Robin

From Quiz 1986 KROQ Year End Top Ten List

Answer: The B-52's

The song is off the album "Bouncing off Satellites". The album was released one month after the group's guitarist Ricky Wilson died of complications due to A.I.D.S. Due to the tragic death of Wilson, the group and record label did little promotion of the album and its songs.

From Quiz 1986 Pop Music Hits, Part II

Answer: Mike + The Mechanics

Mike Rutherford was a key member of the band Mike + The Mechanics, formed in the U.K. Other members of this group included Paul Young and Paul Carrack. In 1986, this group reached the top five position on the U.S. singles charts with their song "All I Need Is a Miracle." Paul Young was the lead vocalist on "All I Need..." Young sang these words: "If I ever catch up with you I'm gonna love you for the rest of your life All I need is a miracle, all I need is you..."

From Quiz Pop Music Hits of 1986

Answer: Peter Gabriel

Former Genesis member Peter Gabriel had a huge hit in 1986 with "Sledgehammer." In the USA, this song climbed to the top of the Billboard singles charts in the late spring of '86. Gabriel left Genesis in the late 1970s and embarked on a successful solo career. Gabriel sang these lyrics form "Sledgehammer": "I want you to be my sledgehammer Why don't you call my name Oh let me be your sledgehammer This will be my testimony..."

From Quiz Billboard Number One Hits of 1986

Answer: Robert Palmer

"Addicted to Love" was Palmer's first number one hit. He originally wanted to do the song as a duet with Chaka Khan. Although Kahn was receptive to the idea, her management thought she would be competing with herself because she already had three songs on the charts. In an interview with "People" magazine Palmer related that the song came to him in his sleep. He then woke up and hummed it into a tape recorder. Palmer had enjoyed chart success with Power Station before doing "Addicted to Love" as a solo artist. Power Station wanted to tour but Palmer wanted to focus on his "Riptide" album. The band recruited singer Michael Des Barres to sing on the tour. Palmer followed "Addicted to Love" with the number two "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On". Van Halen was number four behind Palmer with "Why Can't This be Love?". Mike and the Mechanics had a top five in June, 1986, with "All I Need is a Miracle". Peter Gabriel had a number one hit in July, 1986, with "Sledgehammer".

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