Obscure 1980s Music 1 Trivia Quiz

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

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".

Answer: 2Late

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

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.

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.

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).