Obscure Pop - the UK Charts 1980 - 83 Quiz

Were you a "Child of the 80s" like me? These songs and bands were the "Soundtrack to my teens". See how many of them you can remember...

A multiple-choice quiz by Rowena8482. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "In the last film I ever saw, They wore suits and they wore ties. In the last film I ever saw, They ____ And they told lies" What completes these lyrics?

Answer: Kept the change

"The Last Film" reached the UK Top 20 in 1983, when it was released by the band Kissing the Pink.
Although only moderately successful in the UK, in 1987, the band changed their name to KTP and reached number one in the US Dance Chart with "Certain Things are Likely".
That song was also the best selling single in Italy in 1987.

2. Way back in 1981, my friends and I always referred to this song as "chicken and chips" as that's what the lyrics sounded like. Sung by Hazel O'Connor, which song began with these lyrics? "Put on your face, put on your clothes Going out dancing, pose, pose Wind your bodies round and round Move to the rhythm of your fave rave sound"

Answer: D-Days

The actual lyric was "decadent days", hence the "D-Days" of the title. The single reached number ten in the UK Singles Chart, and was one of several from the sountrack album to the film "Breaking Glass", released in 1980. The film is now a cult classic, and featured many then unknown actors who went on to become well known, including Phil Daniels, Gary Olsen, Jim Broadbent, Jon Finch, and musician Gary Tibbs.

3. Which band sang these lyrics? "So I rolled myself a cigarette And smoked it on my own But it didn't stop the whispers Or the smell of her cologne"

Answer: Godley and Creme

Godley and Creme released three singles in the UK, and their first two were Top Ten UK hits in 1981; this one, "Under Your Thumb", reached number three, and "Wedding Bells" reached number seven. Both tracks came from the album "Ismism".

4. Which song, with just four notes in the main 'riff', originally recorded by Elias and his Zig-Zag Jive Flutes, was the only Top Ten UK hit for The Piranhas?

Answer: Tom Hark

With one of those instantly recognisable main themes, Tom Hark is one of those songs that "everyone knows, but nobody knows the name".
A hit for Elias and his Zig-Zag Jive Flutes in 1958, it was also covered by Millie Small (of "My Boy Lollipop" fame) in the sixties.
The Piranhas version reached number six on the UK Singles Chart in 1980, and they had one more chart single with "Zambesi", released in 1982.

5. Which artist declared "I'm no good at washing up" in 1980?

Answer: Jona Lewie

Jona Lewie's "(You Will Always Find Me) In the Kitchen at Parties" reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart in 1980.
His only other UK chart success was "Stop the Cavalry" which reached number three in the charts in December 1980, and has featured on numerous Christmas compilation albums ever since.

6. Which song begins with this line? "It's warm in and out"

Answer: First Picture of You

The Lotus Eaters reached number 15 in the UK Singles Charts with their debut release "First Picture of You" in 1983. Although they released a further four singles in the UK, none of them made it into the Top 50.

7. Which band sang these lyrics in 1981? "Malnutrition dulls my hair, My eyes are black and lifeless With an underprivileged stare"

Answer: UB40

"One in Ten" was the fifth UK single release of the 80s for UB40, and the fourth to go Top Ten, when it reached number seven in August 1981.

8. What do we need to look out for in the lyrics of "The River"? "The animals look hungry Look left look right The animals look hungry Look out for the _____"

Answer: Man sized bite

"The River" by King Trigger reached number 57 on the UK Singles Chart in August 1982.
All together now "Floo-aaaaaa-tinnnnng, floating down the river, Floating down the river in our dug out canooooooooe" :-D

9. Who told us to "Belly up and bury boy All the hurt you feel today" in 1983?

Answer: Meat Loaf

Meat Loaf released "Midnight at the Lost and Found" in September 1983, and it reached number 17 in the UK Singles Charts, where it stayed for eight weeks.
A limited edition four track "Tour Edition" EP was also released, with the additional studio track "Fallen Angel", and "Dead Ringer for Love" and "Bat out of Hell" live.

10. Rocker's Revenge had a number four hit on the UK Singles Charts in 1982 with "Walking on Sunshine". Can you recall who was the featured vocalist on the track?

Answer: Donnie Calvin

"Walking on Sunshine" was written by Eddy Grant, but not released by him in the UK until 1989 when it reached number 63 in the Singles Chart.
The Rocker's Revenge version also reached number one on the US Dance Chart in 1982.

Source: Author Rowena8482

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Obscure Pop - the UK Charts 1980 - 83 Quiz

Were you a "Child of the 80s" like me? These songs and bands were the "Soundtrack to my teens". See how many of them you can remember...

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