funky's journey through the 90s (again, again)
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Sardonicus
HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE
Sade really does have a back catalogue of EXQUISITE quality & Cherish The Day is one of her best. Will she ever release anything again? 15 years now since album 6...
Shara Nelson looked at this point as though she'd be lauded as one of the British soul greats when she followed up her work with Massive Attack with a string of class singles from the debut. The second album flopped & I last heard of her being given a restraining order against Pete Tong. I don't know what happened around that or what she's doing now, she's a great lost talent & can only hope she's doing better mentally at least.
Shara Nelson looked at this point as though she'd be lauded as one of the British soul greats when she followed up her work with Massive Attack with a string of class singles from the debut. The second album flopped & I last heard of her being given a restraining order against Pete Tong. I don't know what happened around that or what she's doing now, she's a great lost talent & can only hope she's doing better mentally at least.
BoysForSeles
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Noticed ‘Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love’ by Taylor Dayne earlier. ‘Soul Dancing’ was classic third album syndrome where a very good vocalist who’s not so much into the writing was given pretty solid songs for the first two albums and then decides they want more input and control so fight with the label and the boss (Clive Davis at Arista in this case) and eventually gets what she wants.
However it was at the expense of the contributed songs put her way by the label now not being as strong, her own involvement leading to quite boring “mature” tracks and the career going tits up as suddenly the budget after annoying the boss is a lot lower and she’s slid well down the promo priorities.
Dayne was brought into Arista almost as a back up to Whitney as a big vocalist for them and she has since admitted to regretting how she went about things. ‘I’ll Wait’ was a UK Top 40 from this album and I still quite like that one. Launching the album with a cover didn’t bode well.
However it was at the expense of the contributed songs put her way by the label now not being as strong, her own involvement leading to quite boring “mature” tracks and the career going tits up as suddenly the budget after annoying the boss is a lot lower and she’s slid well down the promo priorities.
Dayne was brought into Arista almost as a back up to Whitney as a big vocalist for them and she has since admitted to regretting how she went about things. ‘I’ll Wait’ was a UK Top 40 from this album and I still quite like that one. Launching the album with a cover didn’t bode well.
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funky
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Oh interesting backstory there. I can understand her regret at not making the right choices, but the idea that her push for more control would lead to less label support is quite shitty on the label’s part (but not at all surprising - record labels are awful)
I mean we don’t know the extent to how difficult she might have been. There’s gaining confidence from success and then there’s becoming a right twat. We’ve seen both versions many times before from other artists.
I mean we don’t know the extent to how difficult she might have been. There’s gaining confidence from success and then there’s becoming a right twat. We’ve seen both versions many times before from other artists.
funky
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AUGUST 1993
#1s
UB40 getting a #1 this big in America is depressing enough, but spoiler alert: it carries on into September. Fortunately we have new songs from Mariah Carey ("Dreamlover"), Janet Jackson ("If") and SWV ("Right Here (Human Nature mix)") stomping up the charts fast. Someone put us out of our misery.
The UK isn't fairing much better at the top, although Freddie getting a posthumous number one would have been pleasing to many, and I'm sure moopy has some Culture Beat fans. I remember "Mr Vain" as one of the big eurodance songs of the early 90s but I don't recall it getting to number 1, actually. There are songs that were are much more memorable and felt much bigger that only managed Top 3 or Top 5. Anyhoo, not my favourite of the big euro stompers, but it's OK. Better than 2 Unlimited, worse than Haddaway, definitely worse than Urban Cookie Collective.
NOTABLE NEW ENTRIES (US):
August 7
40 — DREAMLOVER –•– Mariah Carey
67 — BOOM! SHAKE THE ROOM –•– Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
84 — SWEAT (A LA LA LA LA LONG) –•– Inner Circle
87 — THAT’S WHAT LITTLE GIRLS ARE MADE OF –•– Raven-Symone
August 14
89 — IN MY NATURE –•– Nuttin’ Nyce
94 — FOR THE COOL IN YOU –•– Babyface
97 — I’LL SLEEP WHEN I’M DEAD –•– Bon Jovi
99 — OH CAROLINA –•– Shaggy
August 21
82 — LOVE FOR LOVE –•– Robin S
89 — SOMETHING IN YOUR EYES –•– Bell Biv Devoe
90 — NO RAIN –•– Blind Melon
95 — FEW AND FAR BETWEEN –•– 10,000 Maniacs
August 28
79 — HEY MR. D.J. –•– Zhane
85 — SUNDAY MORNING –•– Earth, Wind & Fire
87 — WHAT IS LOVE –•– Haddaway
90 — NO RAIN –•– Blind Melon
95 — SOUL TO SQUEEZE –•– Red Hot Chili Peppers
96 — DELICATE –•– Terence Trent D’Arby
99 — I’M IN LUV –•– Joe
Mariah returning with her 3rd album and a big pop-R&B number would have suggested a higher new entry than #40 but she does bounce up the chart faster than is normal, going 40-13-9-3 across the month. This must have been a hugely anticipated return although she had hardly been away, releasing the Unplugged album not long after Emotions the year prior. Doubtful than anyone could have predicted the new heights it would take her to though, from an unlikely cover ballad that would eventually bring her international success to match her Stateside sales.
That Raven-Symone song isn't particularly memorable and she was not as famous outside of her US success where she had starred in both The Cosby Show and That's So Raven. It only reached #68 (her only Hot 100 entry) and didn't chart in the UK or anywhere else. But it is notable as the first time I've seen one Missy Elliot credited on a track - as both a feature and producer. I knew Missy began on the production side of things, but this is 4 years prior to her debut album. She'll start popping up by 1996 on various features, but 1993 is way earlier than I expected. I don't know who is doing the cameo miming in this video, but it sure doesn't look like Missy Elliott...
The R&B girl groups are going to start emerging thick and fast now, and it's interesting to remember the ones who didn't quite make it in such a competitive landscape. Like, we can recall that the likes of Brownstone only managed 2 albums, but their success far exceeded many other groups. Nuttin' Nyce (terrible name) released "In My Nature" - very catchy, but also very disposable - the track would peak at #83 and they'd skim the charts a couple more times, but their album failed to hit the Billboard 200 (it did chart on R&B) and they'd be gone within a couple of years.
Babyface would swing between mediocre ballads and quite funky R&B bops through the 90s, pretty much the same as all the male R&B stars of the 90s. This one is of the latter. It's a shame that his songs often sound like rejects of the acts that he wrote for - this would have probably been even better on Toni Braxton's debut.
Robin S builds of the momentum of her mega smash "Show Me Love" with a follow up that would climb to #53 (UK #11) and give her a second pop hit, although future singles would stall or fail to chart. It probably didn't help that she was the victim of label "cash-in", releasing a song that sounds exactly like the big hit, which would give her limited reach. Overall Robin S's albums are quite limited in that respect, and I would point to acts like Juliet Roberts and Alison Limerick who definitely have more to offer on their albums beyond the dance hits.
Speaking of R&B girl groups, so happy to see the arrival of one of my favourites: Zhané.
Zhané are definitely not remembered in the same way as some of their contemporaries, and it's true they didn't cross over in quite the same way TLC, En Vogue or SWV did. However I didn't quite realise that they actually did alright for their short time... "Hey Mr DJ" was a HUGE hit, going #6 on the Hot 100, #3 on R&B, #2 on dance, top 10 in Canada and Australia, although it did stall in the UK at #26 (which probably explains why I previously thought Zhané were just a hidden gem). The debut album Pronounced Jah-Nay went platinum, and they would manage 4 further hits (5 in the UK, albeit minor) and multiple features. This debut is actually one of my favourite tracks of the 90s, and the debut album is exceptional - I love it for how uncompromising it is; yes, it's 90s R&B and features funk samples and hip-hop beats, but there is a smoother, softer urban sound here that is more akin to UK acid jazz than American pop music, with influences that wouldn't become popular in the US until the emergence of neo-soul, and acts like Jamiroquai crossing over, in several years' time. It's also a great SEX album. So yeah, highly recommended...
I did NOT know Earth Wind & Fire had a hit in the 90s, but "Sunday Morning" would climb to #53 and would be their best performing single for ten years. It would be their last hit. Earth, Wind & Fire are probably the most successful funk/disco act of all time, with sales of over 90 million worldwide. Millenium was their 16th (of 21!) studio album, and would go gold.
And as I referenced Haddaway earlier, "What Is Love" would finally make an appearance on the Billboard 100, and it would actually go on to be on of America's signature 90s dance anthems, rising to #11 and going gold.
#1s
US | UK | |
| Aug-7 | UB40 - (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You (3) | Take That - Pray (4) |
| Aug-14 | UB40 - (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You (4) | Freddie Mercury - Living On My Own (1) |
| Aug-21 | UB40 - (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You (5) | Freddie Mercury - Living On My Own (2) |
| Aug-28 | UB40 - (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You (6) | Culture Beat - Mr Vain (1) |
UB40 getting a #1 this big in America is depressing enough, but spoiler alert: it carries on into September. Fortunately we have new songs from Mariah Carey ("Dreamlover"), Janet Jackson ("If") and SWV ("Right Here (Human Nature mix)") stomping up the charts fast. Someone put us out of our misery.
The UK isn't fairing much better at the top, although Freddie getting a posthumous number one would have been pleasing to many, and I'm sure moopy has some Culture Beat fans. I remember "Mr Vain" as one of the big eurodance songs of the early 90s but I don't recall it getting to number 1, actually. There are songs that were are much more memorable and felt much bigger that only managed Top 3 or Top 5. Anyhoo, not my favourite of the big euro stompers, but it's OK. Better than 2 Unlimited, worse than Haddaway, definitely worse than Urban Cookie Collective.
NOTABLE NEW ENTRIES (US):
August 7
40 — DREAMLOVER –•– Mariah Carey
67 — BOOM! SHAKE THE ROOM –•– Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
84 — SWEAT (A LA LA LA LA LONG) –•– Inner Circle
87 — THAT’S WHAT LITTLE GIRLS ARE MADE OF –•– Raven-Symone
August 14
89 — IN MY NATURE –•– Nuttin’ Nyce
94 — FOR THE COOL IN YOU –•– Babyface
97 — I’LL SLEEP WHEN I’M DEAD –•– Bon Jovi
99 — OH CAROLINA –•– Shaggy
August 21
82 — LOVE FOR LOVE –•– Robin S
89 — SOMETHING IN YOUR EYES –•– Bell Biv Devoe
90 — NO RAIN –•– Blind Melon
95 — FEW AND FAR BETWEEN –•– 10,000 Maniacs
August 28
79 — HEY MR. D.J. –•– Zhane
85 — SUNDAY MORNING –•– Earth, Wind & Fire
87 — WHAT IS LOVE –•– Haddaway
90 — NO RAIN –•– Blind Melon
95 — SOUL TO SQUEEZE –•– Red Hot Chili Peppers
96 — DELICATE –•– Terence Trent D’Arby
99 — I’M IN LUV –•– Joe
Mariah returning with her 3rd album and a big pop-R&B number would have suggested a higher new entry than #40 but she does bounce up the chart faster than is normal, going 40-13-9-3 across the month. This must have been a hugely anticipated return although she had hardly been away, releasing the Unplugged album not long after Emotions the year prior. Doubtful than anyone could have predicted the new heights it would take her to though, from an unlikely cover ballad that would eventually bring her international success to match her Stateside sales.
That Raven-Symone song isn't particularly memorable and she was not as famous outside of her US success where she had starred in both The Cosby Show and That's So Raven. It only reached #68 (her only Hot 100 entry) and didn't chart in the UK or anywhere else. But it is notable as the first time I've seen one Missy Elliot credited on a track - as both a feature and producer. I knew Missy began on the production side of things, but this is 4 years prior to her debut album. She'll start popping up by 1996 on various features, but 1993 is way earlier than I expected. I don't know who is doing the cameo miming in this video, but it sure doesn't look like Missy Elliott...
The R&B girl groups are going to start emerging thick and fast now, and it's interesting to remember the ones who didn't quite make it in such a competitive landscape. Like, we can recall that the likes of Brownstone only managed 2 albums, but their success far exceeded many other groups. Nuttin' Nyce (terrible name) released "In My Nature" - very catchy, but also very disposable - the track would peak at #83 and they'd skim the charts a couple more times, but their album failed to hit the Billboard 200 (it did chart on R&B) and they'd be gone within a couple of years.
Babyface would swing between mediocre ballads and quite funky R&B bops through the 90s, pretty much the same as all the male R&B stars of the 90s. This one is of the latter. It's a shame that his songs often sound like rejects of the acts that he wrote for - this would have probably been even better on Toni Braxton's debut.
Robin S builds of the momentum of her mega smash "Show Me Love" with a follow up that would climb to #53 (UK #11) and give her a second pop hit, although future singles would stall or fail to chart. It probably didn't help that she was the victim of label "cash-in", releasing a song that sounds exactly like the big hit, which would give her limited reach. Overall Robin S's albums are quite limited in that respect, and I would point to acts like Juliet Roberts and Alison Limerick who definitely have more to offer on their albums beyond the dance hits.
Speaking of R&B girl groups, so happy to see the arrival of one of my favourites: Zhané.
Zhané are definitely not remembered in the same way as some of their contemporaries, and it's true they didn't cross over in quite the same way TLC, En Vogue or SWV did. However I didn't quite realise that they actually did alright for their short time... "Hey Mr DJ" was a HUGE hit, going #6 on the Hot 100, #3 on R&B, #2 on dance, top 10 in Canada and Australia, although it did stall in the UK at #26 (which probably explains why I previously thought Zhané were just a hidden gem). The debut album Pronounced Jah-Nay went platinum, and they would manage 4 further hits (5 in the UK, albeit minor) and multiple features. This debut is actually one of my favourite tracks of the 90s, and the debut album is exceptional - I love it for how uncompromising it is; yes, it's 90s R&B and features funk samples and hip-hop beats, but there is a smoother, softer urban sound here that is more akin to UK acid jazz than American pop music, with influences that wouldn't become popular in the US until the emergence of neo-soul, and acts like Jamiroquai crossing over, in several years' time. It's also a great SEX album. So yeah, highly recommended...
I did NOT know Earth Wind & Fire had a hit in the 90s, but "Sunday Morning" would climb to #53 and would be their best performing single for ten years. It would be their last hit. Earth, Wind & Fire are probably the most successful funk/disco act of all time, with sales of over 90 million worldwide. Millenium was their 16th (of 21!) studio album, and would go gold.
And as I referenced Haddaway earlier, "What Is Love" would finally make an appearance on the Billboard 100, and it would actually go on to be on of America's signature 90s dance anthems, rising to #11 and going gold.
funky
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AUGUST 1993 (continued)
UK CHARTS:
August 1993 spells the arrival of Michelle Gayle and her debut single "Looking Up" -
Michelle might not have enjoyed a #1 smash like some of her ex-Eastenders colleagues, but her career longevity went way beyond their flash-in-the-pan novelty career, managing 7 Top 40 singles across 2 albums. This debut passed me by mostly at the time, I was aware of it, but it was her breakthrough follow up "Sweetness" that most, including myself would take note of and remember. That being said, this has emerged as my favourite track, and is now even a personal favourite. I just find it so catchy, funky and about as mid-90s as a song could possibly sound. Worth briefly mentioning that the second album was a surprise swerve with some shockingly good music, but we'll hopefully come on to that later.
Juilet Roberts had apparently been around as a gospel and R&B singer from the early 80s, but it was her shift into house music that put her in line with contemporaries like Ce Ce Peniston, Robin S and Crystal Waters, and gave her some moderate success through the 90s. "Caught In The Middle" wasn't her first single but it's her most successful and well known, reaching #25 on its first release this month but would reach #15 a year later in a ramped-up radio remix. This version is the latter. I like the original, but the glow-up is definitely effective. It would also give her a #1 on the US dance charts. I will say the album Natural Thing from 1994 was a lockdown discovery and well worth checking out - a gorgeous mix of handbag, pop-friendly house, disco and cooldown R&B.
Mica Paris was on the third single release from her third album - "Two In A Million" was a very Incognito-sounding acid jazz track, and would reach #51.
Speaking of Incognito, they would return with their third album Positivity, and this lead single which would reach #47.
Lenny Kravitz couldn't match the crossover success of "Are You Gonna Go My Way" single in America, and from the album of the same name, the third single "Heaven Help" would peak at #80. But he did much better in the UK, reaching #20. It must have contributed to the success of the album though, as it remains his best selling studio album to date. I absolutely love this song, definitely in my Top 3 of his catalogue. It's also a very nostalgic track for me, reminding me of the early 90s more than most songs, although I can't remember why! It's just one of those songs that gives me the feels whenever I hear it.
DISCOVERIES:
An unusual one for me, as this is not what I would have been listening to in 1993 (probably why I've never heard it) but while it straddles adult radio pop, it has a gorgeous vocal with a touch of gospel thrown in. "I'm Free" would reach #27 in the US and #50 in the UK.
We've talked about Shanice's mis-managed career in this thread already, but here's a wonderful discovery as her career is starting to wind down. This smooth number is like a cross between post-disco Michael Jackson and 90's hip-hop, and it's RIGHT in my lane. Her voice sounds fantastic too. Those ad-libs! It was from some film called "The Meteor Man" (no idea!) and would stall at #57.
UK CHARTS:
August 1993 spells the arrival of Michelle Gayle and her debut single "Looking Up" -
Michelle might not have enjoyed a #1 smash like some of her ex-Eastenders colleagues, but her career longevity went way beyond their flash-in-the-pan novelty career, managing 7 Top 40 singles across 2 albums. This debut passed me by mostly at the time, I was aware of it, but it was her breakthrough follow up "Sweetness" that most, including myself would take note of and remember. That being said, this has emerged as my favourite track, and is now even a personal favourite. I just find it so catchy, funky and about as mid-90s as a song could possibly sound. Worth briefly mentioning that the second album was a surprise swerve with some shockingly good music, but we'll hopefully come on to that later.
Juilet Roberts had apparently been around as a gospel and R&B singer from the early 80s, but it was her shift into house music that put her in line with contemporaries like Ce Ce Peniston, Robin S and Crystal Waters, and gave her some moderate success through the 90s. "Caught In The Middle" wasn't her first single but it's her most successful and well known, reaching #25 on its first release this month but would reach #15 a year later in a ramped-up radio remix. This version is the latter. I like the original, but the glow-up is definitely effective. It would also give her a #1 on the US dance charts. I will say the album Natural Thing from 1994 was a lockdown discovery and well worth checking out - a gorgeous mix of handbag, pop-friendly house, disco and cooldown R&B.
Mica Paris was on the third single release from her third album - "Two In A Million" was a very Incognito-sounding acid jazz track, and would reach #51.
Speaking of Incognito, they would return with their third album Positivity, and this lead single which would reach #47.
Lenny Kravitz couldn't match the crossover success of "Are You Gonna Go My Way" single in America, and from the album of the same name, the third single "Heaven Help" would peak at #80. But he did much better in the UK, reaching #20. It must have contributed to the success of the album though, as it remains his best selling studio album to date. I absolutely love this song, definitely in my Top 3 of his catalogue. It's also a very nostalgic track for me, reminding me of the early 90s more than most songs, although I can't remember why! It's just one of those songs that gives me the feels whenever I hear it.
DISCOVERIES:
An unusual one for me, as this is not what I would have been listening to in 1993 (probably why I've never heard it) but while it straddles adult radio pop, it has a gorgeous vocal with a touch of gospel thrown in. "I'm Free" would reach #27 in the US and #50 in the UK.
We've talked about Shanice's mis-managed career in this thread already, but here's a wonderful discovery as her career is starting to wind down. This smooth number is like a cross between post-disco Michael Jackson and 90's hip-hop, and it's RIGHT in my lane. Her voice sounds fantastic too. Those ad-libs! It was from some film called "The Meteor Man" (no idea!) and would stall at #57.
Sardonicus
HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE
I love Looking Up by Michelle Gayle too. Wonder why it took her a year to follow it up.
Sardonicus
HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE
There's always another remix of Show Me Love for OUR ROBIN to fall back on!Robin S really is a case of wasted talent because I enjoy her voice immensely but she really doesn’t have a ton of good stuff in her arsenal.
I could listen to that Zhané daily and never tire of it
Poor Shanice
funky
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Robin S really is a case of wasted talent because I enjoy her voice immensely but she really doesn’t have a ton of good stuff in her arsenal.
I could listen to that Zhané daily and never tire of it
Poor Shanice
ZHANÉ FORUM NOW
VoR
Take it or leave it
I’ve re-posted Zhané’s Sending My Love enough times, so I’ll take the high road tonight.
What a gorgeous song though.
What a gorgeous song though.
mr. wholesome
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AUGUST 1993
funky
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SEPTEMBER 1993
#1s
It was a battle between Mariah Carey and that earworm rap song "Whoomp! There It Is" to see who would finally knock UB40 off the perch, and of course it had to be Mariah, returning for her much anticipated 3rd album, now a fully fledged superstar in the US. It would stay there for 8 weeks, keeping that rap song by Tag Team from a #1, and also prevent SWV from a second #1 with their Human Nature remix of "Right Here", a global R&B smash.
In the UK, its hats off to Culture Beat because 4 weeks at number one for a faceless eurodance anthem is quite the success. Will Smith then gets his first of many #1s, and his last big hit as The Fresh Prince before going solo. The song would only reach #13 in the US, and "Summertime" would remain the duo's only Top 10 hit there. They'd manage 4 more single releases before Will Smith would pursue a film career, and come back and take over the world as a solo act in 1997.
NOTABLE NEW ENTRIES (US):
Sept 4
84 — HOPELESSLY –•– Rick Astley
94 — TOO MUCH INFORMATION –•– Duran Duran
96 — COME BABY COME –•– K7
Sept 11
52 — TWO STEPS BEHIND –•– Def Leppard
89 — EVERYBODY HURTS –•– R.E.M.
92 — WORLD (THE PRICE OF LOVE) –•– New Order
Sept 18
68 — I’D DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE (BUT I WON’T DO THAT) –•– Meat Loaf
84 — BREAKADAWN –•– De La Soul
88 — PINK CASHMERE –•– Prince
90 — JUST KICKIN’ IT –•– Xscape
92 — ALL THAT SHE WANTS –•– Ace Of Base
94 — HEAVEN KNOWS –•– Luther Vandross
Sept 25
84 — ANNIVERSARY –•– Tony! Toni! Tone!
87 — LET ME RIDE –•– Dr. Dre
Rick Astley still having a successful career in 1993 was not something I can recall, not only in the UK but in the US as well... It would be his last hit in the US, eventually reaching #28, and his last Top 40 success in the UK as well (#33). He'd still go on to release a further 5 studio albums over the next 30 years.
"Too Much Information" was the third single from Duran Duran's self-titled comeback album, after two fantastic singles "Ordinary World" and "Come Undone", the latter being a wonderful recent discovery. This track does nothing for me. It reached #45 (#35 UK) and would help the album go platinum (gold in the UK).
"Come Baby Come" was one of a slew of novelty rap songs around this time that would go on to sell a gazillion records, but most of them were one hit wonders. What I didn't know was that K7 was a member of TKA, one of the biggest freestyle groups.
"Everybody Hurts" was the song that made me, and probably many others, finally recognise REM, even though their previous album "Out Of Time" had been a mammoth hit and produced two massive singles - the first "Losing My Religion" being even bigger in both markets. I didn't care for them prior to this track, although I have since rediscovered them and "Losing My Religion" is a fantastic song, and I'm also a big fan of other tracks now including "Drive" and "The One I Love". "Everybody Hurts" only reached #29 in the US which surprises me, although it went #7 and platinum in the UK. It felt like this was more of crossover track than what had come before. It had a huge impact on the parent album in the UK, going 8xplatinum (!) and probably contributed to their enduring success in the UK, where they would have a further five #1 albums, maintaining their mainstream appeal long after it started to dwindle in the US and elsewhere.
The video is also one of my favourite videos ever. I've often wondered whether it was a take on the film Falling Down, a movie which was released in the same year, where the opening scene is an almost identical copy of the REM video.
Edit: actually Wikipedia tells me that the video was inspired by the Fellini movie 8 1/2, which tragically I've never seen. Maybe both were equally inspired by the same thing.
I wonder if anyone at the time could have predicted the comeback of one Meat Loaf. He hadn't reached the Top 40 of the US since 1978 - even the Cher duet failed to chart - although he had managed very minor success throughout the 80s in the UK. This track however, was a monster. It went to #1 in TWENTY EIGHT countries, including the UK of course where it became the best selling single of 1993. The song is certainly an earworm, although I do love that cameo vocal by Lorraine Crosby - that's a real pop moment.
I remember getting very confused at the time (because I really wasn't following pop music at this point) and thinking that Celine Dion provided the vocals, realising years later I was getting the Meat Loaf video confused with Celine's contribution to the Beauty & The Beast film.
"Breakadawn" was the wonderfully jazzy lead single from De La Soul's third album Buhloone Mindstate. It would reach #76 in the US - amazingly, one of only 3 Hot 100 appearances by the band. It would reach #39 in the UK, where they have enjoyed 13 Top 75 singles.
"Pink Cashmere" was the first single released from Prince's first compilation "Hits & B Sides", as his relationship ,or lack of, was coming to an end with Warner Brothers. Looks like it wasn't released in the UK, where we got "Peach" instead. It only reached #50 in the US, and it looked like his career was finally on the wane after an incredible run, but 1994 would prove there was life in him yet.
Xscape are an interesting one for me in the conversation around the 90s girl groups. They TOTALLY passed me by in a time when 90s R&B was becoming my go-to genre, and particularly the girl groups. I also have no recollection of them emerging this early - I thought they were part of the second wave of groups in the mid to late 90s with Destiny's Child, 702 etc. But no, they opened big in the US in the Summer of '93 with "Just Kickin' It", which would reach #2 and go 2x platinum, the first of 8 appearances on the Hot 100. Looking at their discography, I'm not entirely to blame for my ignorance - they just never crossed over in the UK. This track only reached #49, and they'd manage 4 other singles which would either scrape or just miss the Top 40. I think what they lacked was a crossover pop track - they had lots of ballads, and even this midtempo debut single was VERY much aimed at an American audience who were becoming obsessed with hip-hop soul and bedroom R&B, whereas the UK liked things smoother or more uptempo. Even now in discovery, I don't really rate them much.
And we arrive at the US leg of the Ace Of Base era *sounds moopy klaxon*
I might have said this already when this appeared in the UK charts - I absolutely loved this at the time. I played it so much - it really reminds me of summer in high school. For whatever reason, the US really took to this group, and their Stateside success would continue for the rest of the decade; not easy for an international group. This would reach #2, but the follow up would of course go one better.
"Heaven Knows" was the second single from the Never Let Me Go album from Luther Vandross, which didn't reach the heights of previous albums. I love Luther's brand of adult R&B / quiet storm, and this was definitely the best song from the album. It stalled at #94 in the US (#34 UK) but his career would get a big boost in 1994 thanks to Mariah.
#1s
US | UK | |
| Sept-4 | UB40 - (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You (7) | Culture Beat - Mr Vain (2) |
| Sept-11 | Mariah Carey - Dreamlover (1) | Culture Beat - Mr Vain (3) |
| Sept-18 | Mariah Carey - Dreamlover (2) | Culture Beat - Mr Vain (4) |
| Sept-25 | Mariah Carey - Dreamlover (3) | DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Boom! Shake The Room (1) |
It was a battle between Mariah Carey and that earworm rap song "Whoomp! There It Is" to see who would finally knock UB40 off the perch, and of course it had to be Mariah, returning for her much anticipated 3rd album, now a fully fledged superstar in the US. It would stay there for 8 weeks, keeping that rap song by Tag Team from a #1, and also prevent SWV from a second #1 with their Human Nature remix of "Right Here", a global R&B smash.
In the UK, its hats off to Culture Beat because 4 weeks at number one for a faceless eurodance anthem is quite the success. Will Smith then gets his first of many #1s, and his last big hit as The Fresh Prince before going solo. The song would only reach #13 in the US, and "Summertime" would remain the duo's only Top 10 hit there. They'd manage 4 more single releases before Will Smith would pursue a film career, and come back and take over the world as a solo act in 1997.
NOTABLE NEW ENTRIES (US):
Sept 4
84 — HOPELESSLY –•– Rick Astley
94 — TOO MUCH INFORMATION –•– Duran Duran
96 — COME BABY COME –•– K7
Sept 11
52 — TWO STEPS BEHIND –•– Def Leppard
89 — EVERYBODY HURTS –•– R.E.M.
92 — WORLD (THE PRICE OF LOVE) –•– New Order
Sept 18
68 — I’D DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE (BUT I WON’T DO THAT) –•– Meat Loaf
84 — BREAKADAWN –•– De La Soul
88 — PINK CASHMERE –•– Prince
90 — JUST KICKIN’ IT –•– Xscape
92 — ALL THAT SHE WANTS –•– Ace Of Base
94 — HEAVEN KNOWS –•– Luther Vandross
Sept 25
84 — ANNIVERSARY –•– Tony! Toni! Tone!
87 — LET ME RIDE –•– Dr. Dre
Rick Astley still having a successful career in 1993 was not something I can recall, not only in the UK but in the US as well... It would be his last hit in the US, eventually reaching #28, and his last Top 40 success in the UK as well (#33). He'd still go on to release a further 5 studio albums over the next 30 years.
"Too Much Information" was the third single from Duran Duran's self-titled comeback album, after two fantastic singles "Ordinary World" and "Come Undone", the latter being a wonderful recent discovery. This track does nothing for me. It reached #45 (#35 UK) and would help the album go platinum (gold in the UK).
"Come Baby Come" was one of a slew of novelty rap songs around this time that would go on to sell a gazillion records, but most of them were one hit wonders. What I didn't know was that K7 was a member of TKA, one of the biggest freestyle groups.
"Everybody Hurts" was the song that made me, and probably many others, finally recognise REM, even though their previous album "Out Of Time" had been a mammoth hit and produced two massive singles - the first "Losing My Religion" being even bigger in both markets. I didn't care for them prior to this track, although I have since rediscovered them and "Losing My Religion" is a fantastic song, and I'm also a big fan of other tracks now including "Drive" and "The One I Love". "Everybody Hurts" only reached #29 in the US which surprises me, although it went #7 and platinum in the UK. It felt like this was more of crossover track than what had come before. It had a huge impact on the parent album in the UK, going 8xplatinum (!) and probably contributed to their enduring success in the UK, where they would have a further five #1 albums, maintaining their mainstream appeal long after it started to dwindle in the US and elsewhere.
The video is also one of my favourite videos ever. I've often wondered whether it was a take on the film Falling Down, a movie which was released in the same year, where the opening scene is an almost identical copy of the REM video.
Edit: actually Wikipedia tells me that the video was inspired by the Fellini movie 8 1/2, which tragically I've never seen. Maybe both were equally inspired by the same thing.
I wonder if anyone at the time could have predicted the comeback of one Meat Loaf. He hadn't reached the Top 40 of the US since 1978 - even the Cher duet failed to chart - although he had managed very minor success throughout the 80s in the UK. This track however, was a monster. It went to #1 in TWENTY EIGHT countries, including the UK of course where it became the best selling single of 1993. The song is certainly an earworm, although I do love that cameo vocal by Lorraine Crosby - that's a real pop moment.
I remember getting very confused at the time (because I really wasn't following pop music at this point) and thinking that Celine Dion provided the vocals, realising years later I was getting the Meat Loaf video confused with Celine's contribution to the Beauty & The Beast film.
"Breakadawn" was the wonderfully jazzy lead single from De La Soul's third album Buhloone Mindstate. It would reach #76 in the US - amazingly, one of only 3 Hot 100 appearances by the band. It would reach #39 in the UK, where they have enjoyed 13 Top 75 singles.
"Pink Cashmere" was the first single released from Prince's first compilation "Hits & B Sides", as his relationship ,or lack of, was coming to an end with Warner Brothers. Looks like it wasn't released in the UK, where we got "Peach" instead. It only reached #50 in the US, and it looked like his career was finally on the wane after an incredible run, but 1994 would prove there was life in him yet.
Xscape are an interesting one for me in the conversation around the 90s girl groups. They TOTALLY passed me by in a time when 90s R&B was becoming my go-to genre, and particularly the girl groups. I also have no recollection of them emerging this early - I thought they were part of the second wave of groups in the mid to late 90s with Destiny's Child, 702 etc. But no, they opened big in the US in the Summer of '93 with "Just Kickin' It", which would reach #2 and go 2x platinum, the first of 8 appearances on the Hot 100. Looking at their discography, I'm not entirely to blame for my ignorance - they just never crossed over in the UK. This track only reached #49, and they'd manage 4 other singles which would either scrape or just miss the Top 40. I think what they lacked was a crossover pop track - they had lots of ballads, and even this midtempo debut single was VERY much aimed at an American audience who were becoming obsessed with hip-hop soul and bedroom R&B, whereas the UK liked things smoother or more uptempo. Even now in discovery, I don't really rate them much.
And we arrive at the US leg of the Ace Of Base era *sounds moopy klaxon*
I might have said this already when this appeared in the UK charts - I absolutely loved this at the time. I played it so much - it really reminds me of summer in high school. For whatever reason, the US really took to this group, and their Stateside success would continue for the rest of the decade; not easy for an international group. This would reach #2, but the follow up would of course go one better.
"Heaven Knows" was the second single from the Never Let Me Go album from Luther Vandross, which didn't reach the heights of previous albums. I love Luther's brand of adult R&B / quiet storm, and this was definitely the best song from the album. It stalled at #94 in the US (#34 UK) but his career would get a big boost in 1994 thanks to Mariah.
funky
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SEPTEMBER 1993 (continued)
UK CHARTS:
In the UK, we had big new entries from Pet Shop Boys "Go West", Kate Bush "Rubberband Girl" and 2 Unlimited "Faces"... but let's talk about Sybil:
This is apparently a PWL production? I can hear it now, of course. This stalled at #41, and probably stalled her career, as she left her label and returned in 1997 with a new direction.
Ten City kept it handbag with this delightful bop:
This would reach #45 (US Dance #20) and would be their last hit in the UK.
Texas would return for their third album for another slew of minor hits, starting with "So Called Friend"
This moved them into jangle-pop territory and would reach #30. I think at this point it was their European success that was keeping their record contract going (they were HUGE in France, a notoriously difficult market for British acts to crack) so Texas fans can maybe thank France, because they were one record away from their big, BIG breakthrough.
Pauline Henry begins her solo career after a slew of hits under The Chimes with "Too Many People"
It's very Des'ree meets Carleen Anderson, in other words very 1993. Nice enough, this would reach #38, not the best start. She would make somwhat of a career out of covers though and would manage 8 Top 40 hits over the decade.
Speaking of going solo, Deborah Harry was on the tale end of hers, with this track being her last UK hit:
It would reach #46. Does it actively sample "Time After Time", or just sound a lot like it?
Shara Nelson's second solo single "One Goodbye In Ten" reaches #21:
This is very Gabrielle, and I have no memory of it. Not my favourite track of hers.
M People would reach the peak of their powers with their next hit:
Following the breakout success of "One Night In Heaven", this would reach #2 and became their biggest hit in many other markets, including the US where this was their only Hot 100 hit, reaching #34. I still prefer the previous single. Despite what they became known for in their latter years, they really were doing everything right at this point.
Belinda Carlisle returns with her 5th album Real and new single Big Scary Animal:
I don't care for this too much, but it's amazing how much the UK stuck with her long after her career had ended elsewhere. This reached #12, and she would continue to have hits throughout the 90s.
Haddaway follows up the ridiculously massive success of "What Is Love" with a soundalike single "Life"
This is such a lazy second single, but to be fair it has a great melody of its own. It would be another big track, reaching #6 in the UK and a Top 10 in many other countries, and a second hit in the US reaching #41, so not technically one of the many 90s dance one hit wonders.
Shara Nelson take note, this is how you do retro pop:
It couldn't have been easy for Gabrielle to follow up that massive debut, and credit that she went for something a little different. I LOVE this song - in fact all her debut album singles are certified bops. This gave her a second Top Ten hit at #9, although she mostly stalled elsewhere. She'd find new ways to sustain her career of course.
UK CHARTS:
In the UK, we had big new entries from Pet Shop Boys "Go West", Kate Bush "Rubberband Girl" and 2 Unlimited "Faces"... but let's talk about Sybil:
This is apparently a PWL production? I can hear it now, of course. This stalled at #41, and probably stalled her career, as she left her label and returned in 1997 with a new direction.
Ten City kept it handbag with this delightful bop:
This would reach #45 (US Dance #20) and would be their last hit in the UK.
Texas would return for their third album for another slew of minor hits, starting with "So Called Friend"
This moved them into jangle-pop territory and would reach #30. I think at this point it was their European success that was keeping their record contract going (they were HUGE in France, a notoriously difficult market for British acts to crack) so Texas fans can maybe thank France, because they were one record away from their big, BIG breakthrough.
Pauline Henry begins her solo career after a slew of hits under The Chimes with "Too Many People"
It's very Des'ree meets Carleen Anderson, in other words very 1993. Nice enough, this would reach #38, not the best start. She would make somwhat of a career out of covers though and would manage 8 Top 40 hits over the decade.
Speaking of going solo, Deborah Harry was on the tale end of hers, with this track being her last UK hit:
It would reach #46. Does it actively sample "Time After Time", or just sound a lot like it?
Shara Nelson's second solo single "One Goodbye In Ten" reaches #21:
This is very Gabrielle, and I have no memory of it. Not my favourite track of hers.
M People would reach the peak of their powers with their next hit:
Following the breakout success of "One Night In Heaven", this would reach #2 and became their biggest hit in many other markets, including the US where this was their only Hot 100 hit, reaching #34. I still prefer the previous single. Despite what they became known for in their latter years, they really were doing everything right at this point.
Belinda Carlisle returns with her 5th album Real and new single Big Scary Animal:
I don't care for this too much, but it's amazing how much the UK stuck with her long after her career had ended elsewhere. This reached #12, and she would continue to have hits throughout the 90s.
Haddaway follows up the ridiculously massive success of "What Is Love" with a soundalike single "Life"
This is such a lazy second single, but to be fair it has a great melody of its own. It would be another big track, reaching #6 in the UK and a Top 10 in many other countries, and a second hit in the US reaching #41, so not technically one of the many 90s dance one hit wonders.
Shara Nelson take note, this is how you do retro pop:
It couldn't have been easy for Gabrielle to follow up that massive debut, and credit that she went for something a little different. I LOVE this song - in fact all her debut album singles are certified bops. This gave her a second Top Ten hit at #9, although she mostly stalled elsewhere. She'd find new ways to sustain her career of course.
funky
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SEPTEMBER 1993 (continued)
Cocteau Twins gave us another haunting ballad with "Evangeline"
Do they get enough credit for the number of singers they have influenced over the years? You can hear so many in this track. Never a big singles act, they managed 7 minor UK hits. This would reach #34.
Dannii Minogue continues an incredible run of great early singles with "This Is The Way"
Very influenced by US house, this was the 4th single from "Get Into You", reaching #27. Dannii's early career (first two albums) have been quite the discovery for me.
And finally, we can't ignore the dreaded evil sisters this month because Eternal have arrived, and with it one of their best singles, and one of the best R&B singles of the 90s...
So let's all just celebrate Louise and Kelle instead. This reached #4 in the UK, their first of twelve Top 10 singles. It even reached #19 in the US, although it was their only hit.
DISCOVERIES:
Interesting to possibly nobody but myself (maybe @Joseph ?) , Stone Temple Pilots released their second single from debut album Core, and this is brilliant:
It reminds me a lot of Pearl Jam, who I really like. It didn't chart in the Hot 100, as a lot of grunge/alternative acts didn't in the 90s, but it did go #1 on Mainstream Rock, #7 on Rock and #9 on Alternative. It also charted in the UK at #23, which is where I discovered it.
On a completely different note, the Luther-lite Will Downing released this lovely slick adult R&B song:
It didn't chart in the US, and surprisingly it turns out most of his success is from the UK with seven Top 75 hits, this being his last. I have a real soft spot anything that sounds remotely early 90s uptempo R&B - swap the vocal and you could really hear any of the UK soul acts singing this... which is probably why the UK took him for their own.
Cocteau Twins gave us another haunting ballad with "Evangeline"
Do they get enough credit for the number of singers they have influenced over the years? You can hear so many in this track. Never a big singles act, they managed 7 minor UK hits. This would reach #34.
Dannii Minogue continues an incredible run of great early singles with "This Is The Way"
Very influenced by US house, this was the 4th single from "Get Into You", reaching #27. Dannii's early career (first two albums) have been quite the discovery for me.
And finally, we can't ignore the dreaded evil sisters this month because Eternal have arrived, and with it one of their best singles, and one of the best R&B singles of the 90s...
So let's all just celebrate Louise and Kelle instead. This reached #4 in the UK, their first of twelve Top 10 singles. It even reached #19 in the US, although it was their only hit.
DISCOVERIES:
Interesting to possibly nobody but myself (maybe @Joseph ?) , Stone Temple Pilots released their second single from debut album Core, and this is brilliant:
It reminds me a lot of Pearl Jam, who I really like. It didn't chart in the Hot 100, as a lot of grunge/alternative acts didn't in the 90s, but it did go #1 on Mainstream Rock, #7 on Rock and #9 on Alternative. It also charted in the UK at #23, which is where I discovered it.
On a completely different note, the Luther-lite Will Downing released this lovely slick adult R&B song:
It didn't chart in the US, and surprisingly it turns out most of his success is from the UK with seven Top 75 hits, this being his last. I have a real soft spot anything that sounds remotely early 90s uptempo R&B - swap the vocal and you could really hear any of the UK soul acts singing this... which is probably why the UK took him for their own.
Agneeta
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He only had one more.
funky
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Wow you're right. Although he had 2 different ones in the US. I always thought Miami and Jiggy went #1 here, and Wild Wild West, but apparently not.
Sardonicus
HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE
Rick Astley walked away from his music career entirely mid promo in 1993. He was fed up of fame & I don't think any comeback was attempted until Rickrolling became a thing years later.
I love that K7 song & the follow-up too. Come Baby Come was HUGE in the UK although it's little remembered now.
I've still got the 12 inch of that Pauline Henry single, I found it for 25p in that old record shop at the back of Bootle Strand. It's a plodding dirge though, why it was chosen as the opening solo single is beyond me.
I love that K7 song & the follow-up too. Come Baby Come was HUGE in the UK although it's little remembered now.
I've still got the 12 inch of that Pauline Henry single, I found it for 25p in that old record shop at the back of Bootle Strand. It's a plodding dirge though, why it was chosen as the opening solo single is beyond me.
funky
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lolly
Rowena? From Kuwait?
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He retired for a few years, but released at least one album in Europe a good few years before Rickrolling was a thing.
lolly
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Keep It Turned On - Wikipedia
Speaking of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince: I honestly thought “Parents Just Don’t Understand” was a #1 but seems it stalled at 12 here. It was all over the radio and MTV at the time.
“Summertime” is a great song though.
“Summertime” is a great song though.
I’m VERY interested because I was so into them at the time. The entire “grunge” era was short but contains a lot of music I still play heavily to this day. STP were heavily ridiculed over Scott’s voice sounding very Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam.
Shame that drugs took so many people from this era.
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Never Gonna Five You Up has overshadowed anything else here in the USA which is sad because he had two more massive hits here and a few smaller songs in his early era. Together Forever was another #1 and She Wants To Dance With Me hit #6.