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Obscure 1980s Music 1 Trivia Quiz

What group had a minor 1988 hit with the song "Are You Sure"?

A multiple-choice quiz by JimBailey. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
JimBailey

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
156,645

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
4550

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What UK group had a minor 1987 US hit with "Are You Sure"? Hint

The Fixx

The Alarm

T'Pau

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Question 2 of 10

2. What duo scored a minor hit with Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go's? The hit is called "Cool Places". Hint

Thompson Twins

The Tremblers

Sparks

Fun Boy Three

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which member of The(English)Beat released his solo debut, "Radical Departure", in 1988? Hint

Dave Wakeling

David Steele

Saxa

Ranking Roger

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Question 4 of 10

4. What group had a "Number 59" hit in the US with "Mayor of Simpleton"? Hint

Real Life

Berlin

The Fixx

XTC

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Question 5 of 10

5. Berlin released this "Dancing" song from their 1985 release "Love Life". Hint

Dancing Undercover

Dance, Dance, Dance

Dancing With Myself

Dancing In Berlin

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of these Crowded House singles did not reach the Top 50 in the US? Hint

Don't Dream It's Over

Better Be Home Soon

Something So Strong

World Where You Live

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which song was the B-side of "Lovesong" by The Cure? Hint

2 Pow

Too Much Passion

2Late

2The Extreme

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is the Psychedelic Fur's highest-charting single of the 1980s in the US? Hint

Love My Way

Pretty In Pink

Heaven

Heartbreak Beat

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which New Order hit of the 1980s was covered by Frente!? Hint

True Faith

Bizarre Love Triangle

Round and round

Shellshock

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Question 10 of 10

10. What was the sole hit by the Los Angeles band Cock Robin? Hint

Because It Keeps On Working

Thought I Was a Man

Thought You Were on My Side

When Your Heart Is Weak

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What UK group had a minor 1987 US hit with "Are You Sure"?

Answer: So

The English duo So had one minor hit here in the United States with the song "Are You Sure". Their debut album was a very minor success here in the US(as well as in their native England), and little else has been heard from them in the past 16 years.

2. What duo scored a minor hit with Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go's? The hit is called "Cool Places".

Answer: Sparks

Sparks has had a long career, spanning back to the early 1970s. Though only a cult band in their native US, the duo (the Mael brothers) has had significant success in Europe. This hit(along with another chart record, 'I Predict'), pretty much sums up their US mainstream popularity.

3. Which member of The(English)Beat released his solo debut, "Radical Departure", in 1988?

Answer: Ranking Roger

After the break-up of the post English Beat band General Public, Ranking Roger released this highly underrated 1988 lp. The backing band features quite a few members of General Public and the lp features the college radio hit "Falling Down".

4. What group had a "Number 59" hit in the US with "Mayor of Simpleton"?

Answer: XTC

XTC has long been a critical favorite, but commercial success in the US eluded them on a large scale until the release of their 1989 lp "Oranges and Lemons". "Mayor Of Simpleton" was the big college-radio and mainstream favorite off the lp.

5. Berlin released this "Dancing" song from their 1985 release "Love Life".

Answer: Dancing In Berlin

Berlin started in 1979, with Toni Childs as lead singer for a brief spell. Actress-turned-singer Terri Nunn joined them for the making of their "Pleasure Victim" EP, which has gone on to become one of the biggest selling mini-albums of all time. "Dancing In Berlin" was one of four tracks released as singles from their second Geffen records release, "Love Life", released in 1985 and going Gold in the US in 1989.

6. Which of these Crowded House singles did not reach the Top 50 in the US?

Answer: World Where You Live

This song, which peaked at #79 on the US charts, was both the first and fourth release from Crowded House's debut record. It didn't chart on its first release, but did make a small entry after the Top Ten success of both "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Something So Strong".

7. Which song was the B-side of "Lovesong" by The Cure?

Answer: 2Late

This song was the B-side of the massive hit "Lovesong", and remains a cult favorite of fans of The Cure.

8. What is the Psychedelic Fur's highest-charting single of the 1980s in the US?

Answer: Heartbreak Beat

"Heartbreak Beat" is the group's highest-charting single, but oddly enough came from one of their lowest-selling albums of the 1980s. They reached their highest chart peak with the single and its album, "Midnight To Midnight", but the lp sold fewer copies than their previous releases.

9. Which New Order hit of the 1980s was covered by Frente!?

Answer: Bizarre Love Triangle

Australian group Frente recorded a cover of the New Order classic(just acoustic guitar and vocal) and score a Top 75 hit in the United States.

10. What was the sole hit by the Los Angeles band Cock Robin?

Answer: When Your Heart Is Weak

From their self-titled 1985 debut, "When Your Heart Is Weak" hit Number 35 on the Hot 100 and became the sole hit by the group. The lead singer, Peter Kingsberry, has gone on to have some solo success, especially in France and Italy(two countries where Cock Robin had major success in the 1980s).

Source: Author JimBailey

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Dalgleish before going online.
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