The Sounds of 1995 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Ace of Base

"Beautiful Life" peaked at number 15 on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK single chart. Ace of Base released two singles in 1995, the later being "Lucky Love", which reached number 20 on the UK singles chart and peaked at number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

The track "Beautiful Life" was taken from the bands second album, "The Bridge." In 1994, Ace of Base was awarded two American Music Awards, the first being, "Best Single" for "The Sign" and best-selling single at the Billboard Music Awards. Between 1992 and 1998 Ace of Base had eleven top 20 hits in the UK and six top 20 hits in America.

Answer: Michael Jackson

"You Are Not Alone" was a single taken from Michael Jackson's ninth album, "HIStory - Past, Present and Future, Book I." The song was written by the R&B singer R. Kelly. Other songs released by Michael Jackson in 1995 were "Scream"/"Childhood." "Scream" was a duet with his sister Janet. The song stalled at number five on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number three on the UK singles chart.

Can you remember Michael Jackson's chimp "Bubbles"? Well, "Bubbles" now lives on an animal ranch in Slymar, California. He is now being looked after by Bob Dunn, who is an animal trainer. Bubbles is now in his 20s, and according to Bob Dunn, he is fit and is still going strong.

Answer: U2

"Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" reached number two on the UK singles chart and peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single also made number one on the American Modern Rock Tracks chart. In 1987, U2 really hit the big time, with the release of their fifth album "The Joshua Tree." This album won U2 their first two Grammy Awards, Album of the Year and Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocal. Tracks from the album include "Where the Streets Have No Name", "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", "With or Without You" and "One Tree Hill." Five tracks from the album were released as singles; three were top 20 hits in the UK and the U.S.

Answer: Rednex

"Cotton-Eye Joe" hit the top spot on the UK singles chart and peaked at number 25 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The song "Cotton-Eye Joe" renewed the interest in line dancing in the UK, following the trend in the 80s with the release of the film "Urban Cowboy", staring John Travolta, Debra Winger and Madolyn Smith. Rednex are a techno-country band from Sweden.

The bands debut album was called Sex & Violins, also released in 1995. The album featured their biggest hit "Cotton-Eye Joe", "Riding Alone" and "Wish You Were Here." The success of "Cotton-Eye Joe" however was short lived, as it remains the only single to chart in the United States.

The only other release to chart in the UK was the song, "Old Pop in an Oak", peaking in at number six on the UK singles chart. Rednex are still going strong in their own country with eight top ten hits.

Answer: Creep

"Creep" peaked at number six on the UK singles chart. The song "Waterfalls" was the group's second number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, the single reached number four on the UK singles chart. "Red Light Special" reached number two on the Billboard, while "Diggin' on You" stalled at number five. All the singles were on the girl's second studio album "CrazySexyCool." The album was also a hit with the fans, reaching number three on the US Billboard 200, and reaching number four on the UK Album Chart.

In 1996, "CrazySexyCool" won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.

Answer: Oasis

"Wonderwall" peaked at number two in the UK Singles Charts and reached number eight on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The song "Wonderwall" gave Oasis the break they were looking for in the American market. The name of the song was taken from George Harrison's first solo album "Wonderwall Music", released in 1968. George Harrison was guitarist, singer-songwriter for the UK band The Beatles.

The album was also the soundtrack for the film "Wonderwall." Oasis released their second album in 1995, titled "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?" The album was a hit in both the UK and American charts, reaching number one on the UK Album Charts and peaking in at number four on The Billboard 200. Tracks from the album include "Some Might Say", "Roll with It", "Wonderwall", "Don't Look Back in Anger", and "Champagne Supernova."

Answer: Alanis Morissette

"You Oughta Know" peaked at number six on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and stalled at number 22 on the UK singles chart (1996). Alanis Morissette is a Canadian-born singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor. The first album released internationally by Alanis was "Jagged Little Pill." Alanis first two albums were "Alanis", and "Now Is the Time", both albums were only released in Canada.

The breakthrough for Alanis Morissette was when she meets Glen Ballard, a songwriter and record producer. The result was the album "Jagged Little Pill." 1995 also brought a new record deal with Maverick Records, an American record label and the record company.

The album reached number one on both the U.S. Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart. Tracks from the album include, "All I Really Want", "You Oughta Know", "Hand in My Pocket" and "Ironic." The album was a worldwide success, selling over 30 million copies and making it the third biggest selling album by a female artist.

Answer: Madonna

"Take a Bow" was a number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 16 on the UK singles chart. The single was taken from Madonna's sixth album "Bedtime Stories." The single, her eleventh number one in America, spent seven weeks in the chart.

The song was co-written by Madonna and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, who also sang backing vocals on the track. "Take a Bow" was Madonna's first number one since 1992, although several charted in the top ten.

Answer: Shaggy

"Boombastic" reached number one on the U.S. R&B chart and peaked in at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The single also reached number one on the UK singles chart. Shaggy, real name Orville Richard Burrell is a Jamaican American reggae singer. Shaggy's first hit was in 1993, with the song "Oh Carolina", which was a number one on the UK singles chart and was placed at number 59 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

In 1995 Shaggy released his third album, also called "Boombastic." Tracks from the album include a cover version of Mungo Jerry's "In the Summertime", "The Train Is Coming" (Featuring Ken Boothe), and "Something Different" (Featuring Wayne Wonder.) "Boombastic" was also used in a TV commercial by the company Levi Strauss & Co., a well known denim jeans manufacturer.

Answer: Los del Río

"Macarena", released in 1995, spent an incredible 14 weeks at number one in the United States and reached number two on the UK singles chart. Los del Río is a Spanish duo from Dos Hermanas in Seville, Spain. The duo comprised of Antonio Romero Monge and Rafael Ruíz. Los del Río released their third album in 1995 called "Calentito." Can you remember the dance routine? I could never remember the moves, so I kept a low profile on the dance floor. I've found the moves for the routine, so go on, and have ago!

One places his/her arms forward, palm down, right arm, then left arm.
Then the dancer turns his arms over so that his palms are up, right, then left.
The dancer puts his hands on his shoulders, first right hand on left shoulder, then left on right.
Then the dancer puts his hands on the back of his head, again right, then left.
The dancer then places his arms on his hips, right hand on left hip, then left on right
Then the dancer's hands go on their respective hips or rear end, right then left
The routine finishes with a pelvic rotation in time with the line "Ehhhh Macarena!"
Then the dancer turns 90 degrees counter clockwise and repeats the same motions throughout the whole song.
My word that was fun!