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UK Number 40 Hits of 1980 Trivia Quiz

We all know the big hits and can sing along with their choruses, but how much do you know about the OTHER end of the top 40? This is a tribute to the little hits, often by huge artists! All answers according to the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles.

A multiple-choice quiz by DUFFMONKEY. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
DUFFMONKEY

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
251,771

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
2238

Last 3 plays: Guest 31 (5/10), Guest 120 (2/10), Guest 38 (3/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. This former boxer failed to make much of an impact on the charts with "All For Leyna". Who is he? Hint

Shakin' Stevens

Tom Jones

Billy Joel

Kenny Rogers

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which song by The Commodores just scraped into the top 40 early in the year? Hint

Three Times a Lady

Easy

Wonderland

Machine Gun

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which Jam soundalikes reached number 40 with "Maybe Tomorrow"? Hint

The Notes

The Crescendos

The Chordettes

The Chords

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which track from The Clash's "Sandinista!" album only reached the bottom end of the singles chart? Hint

Somebody Got Murdered

Hitsville UK

The Call Up

The Magnificent Seven

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Question 5 of 10

5. This band is widely regarded as a "one hit wonder" in many countries, but here in the UK they had many hits. The first of these was "Dance Stance". Who are they? Hint

Soft Cell

Dexys Midnight Runners

Madness

ABC

6. The Spinners followed up their number one smash "Working My Way Back To You" with a song called "Body Language" that only reached number 40. What word did the band add to their name in the UK to avoid confusion with the English band of the same name?

Answer: (A place in Michigan)

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Question 7 of 10

7. What was the name of Dr. Hook's biggest flop? Hint

Better Love Next Time

More Like The Movies

Girls Can Get It

If Not You

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Question 8 of 10

8. The Jam's first hit had reached number 40 in 1977. Bizarrely when it re-entered the chart, it did so in the same position and never climbed any higher. What was it called? Hint

In The City

News Of The World

All Around The World

The Modern World

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Question 9 of 10

9. This band had a number 3 hit in 1979, but "I'm In Love Again" reached only number 40 a year later. Their lead singer died from a heart attack in July 2000. What was the name of the band? Hint

The Ruts

Sad Cafe

Badfinger

The Korgis

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Question 10 of 10

10. This band included members who would go on to have bigger hits under a different name, but in October 1980, they only made number 40 with "Don't Say I Told You So". Who are they? Hint

Split Enz

Slik

Bow Wow Wow

The Tourists

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 14 2024 : Guest 31: 5/10
Oct 30 2024 : Guest 120: 2/10
Oct 16 2024 : Guest 38: 3/10
Oct 09 2024 : Guest 24: 2/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This former boxer failed to make much of an impact on the charts with "All For Leyna". Who is he?

Answer: Billy Joel

Billy's biggest hit in the UK was his 1983 number one "Uptown Girl".

2. Which song by The Commodores just scraped into the top 40 early in the year?

Answer: Wonderland

"Three Times a Lady" was the band's mega smash, but for me, their earlier, funkier work like the sublime "Machine Gun", was their finest hour.

3. Which Jam soundalikes reached number 40 with "Maybe Tomorrow"?

Answer: The Chords

This was a marvellous, exciting and powerful tune that really ought to have done better in my opinion. At least The Stone Roses paid them due respect, citing them as a major influence!

4. Which track from The Clash's "Sandinista!" album only reached the bottom end of the singles chart?

Answer: The Call Up

One of the most consistently brilliant bands of the late seventies and early eighties, The Clash failed to dent the top ten with any of their singles until "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" hit number 1 after being used in a Levi's TV commercial.

5. This band is widely regarded as a "one hit wonder" in many countries, but here in the UK they had many hits. The first of these was "Dance Stance". Who are they?

Answer: Dexys Midnight Runners

It's such a pity that so many people only know "Come On Eileen", as that's hardly a high point of their career unless you're slightly merry at a wedding disco. "Too Rye Ay", "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels" and "Don't Stand Me Down" are all fantastic albums in their own right.

Answer: Detroit

You can't fault the band's perseverence - they 'd been going for nearly twenty years when they hit the top of the UK charts for the first time!

7. What was the name of Dr. Hook's biggest flop?

Answer: Girls Can Get It

Whether the girls COULD get it or not, hardly anybody actually bothered to, and this was the band's last hit single in the UK, having never peaked lower than number 14 with their previous 7 singles.

8. The Jam's first hit had reached number 40 in 1977. Bizarrely when it re-entered the chart, it did so in the same position and never climbed any higher. What was it called?

Answer: In The City

This classic band split in early 1983 after 4 superb number one singles and some of the greatest albums of all time. Of course, that's just my opinion!

9. This band had a number 3 hit in 1979, but "I'm In Love Again" reached only number 40 a year later. Their lead singer died from a heart attack in July 2000. What was the name of the band?

Answer: Sad Cafe

Punk band The Nosebleeds once penned a song called "Ain't Bin To No Music School" after Sad Cafe had complained about the fact they were supporting them on a tour, saying that they "couldn't play their instruments". Definitely a case of someone missing the point of punk entirely!

10. This band included members who would go on to have bigger hits under a different name, but in October 1980, they only made number 40 with "Don't Say I Told You So". Who are they?

Answer: The Tourists

Of course, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart went on to form the hugely successful Eurythmics.

Source: Author DUFFMONKEY

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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