Variations on a theme Trivia Quiz

Answer: Blue

One of their most popular songs ever, and one of their highest charting, New Order's "Blue Monday" is, at its heart, a sombre, almost funereal, in ways song with a muttered vocal in ways and a heavy, thumping disco beat that made it a favourite at clubs. Many people who are not fans of the band (including me) will tell you they like this song, such is its widespread appeal.

Answer: Red

Although many of his songs are well known and favourites on the radio ("Spanish train", "Patricia the Stripper", "A spaceman came travelling" etc), this was his first, and indeed last, number one hit, and the one which, for his sins, he is now most remembered.

It's a sugary sweet love song that sets my teeth on edge, but I guess enough people liked it to buy it and send it to the top. More a "Crusader" man myself.

Answer: White

"A whiter shade of pale" was the band's only number one, and crossed boundaries from progressive rock into pop territory. Its languid, wandering keyboard intro is its signature and there can be few who hear this without knowing what song is coming up. Oddly, the single, a massive hit all over the world, was not included on their self-titled debut album, and only added on later releases.

Answer: Green

Inspired by the way a cat walks, this is one of the great instrumentals of the sixties, and was a hit again when it received a re-release in 1980.

Answer: Purple

The late, lamented rock and pop icon shot to fame with the album "Purple Rain", which provided a springboard for such later hits as "U got the look", "Raspberry beret" and "Kiss". Sadly missed.

Answer: Silver

One of my favourite Christmas songs, originally popularised by Bing Crosby and soon afterwards Bob Hope in the movie "The Lemon Drop Kid", and covered subsequently by many artistes, including John Denver.

Answer: Black

With its obvious (though I believe mistaken) racial connotations, the song caused a stir when released and certain parties called for it to be boycotted. This did not stop the song attaining the number seven slot, nor becoming a rock classic. Bam-a-lam!

Answer: Blue

One of their darkest and most morose albums, "Blue is the colour" nevertheless sparked something of a revival for The Beautiful South, gaining them two major hit singles and bringing them back into the public eye. The album also features a fantastic take-off of Tom Waits on "Liar's Bar".

Answer: Grey

Enigmatic singer and frontman, the appropriately-named Steve Strange led synthpop Visage through two successful albums and five hit singles in the 1980s before disbanding the outfit in 1983. He resurrected the band in 2000 and released two more moderately successful albums before tragically dying in 2015.

Answer: Brown

Another controversial song with what could be said to be very questionable lyrics, this did not stop the single getting to number one in the US and two in the UK.