Alright, this week we arrive in the fall of 1994, the only October in modern history in which there was no World Series played. I like to imagine that the Montreal Expos would have won it that year. Anyway, here's what was played on what will be the last Shadoe-era AT40 we will encounter.
40 - "I'll Be Loving You," Collage
39 - "Turn the Beat Around," Gloria Estefan
38 - "Whipped," Jon Secada
37 - "Fade Into You," Mazzy Star
36 - "Interstate Love Song," Stone Temple Pilots
35 - "Fantastic Voyage," Coolio
34 -"Anytime You Need a Friend," Mariah Carey
33 - "You Gotta Be," Des'ree
32 - "Always," Erasure
31 - "You Mean the World to Me," Toni Braxton
We'll open up with male solo acts. Collage, born Anthony Monteleone, had his only pop hit with this typical Latin Freestyle tune. This is a genre that I've never really been able to get into, and this song didn't change that. Jon Secada had another of his hits with this dance tune that seems to be about wanting to be made happy by a woman. He has kind of a strange way of putting it, though. And it doesn't seem to be the "traditional" slang definition of the word, either. Fortunately, the song is so forgettable that I don't feel compelled to care. And L.A. rapper Coolio had his first pop hit with this positivity-endorsing tune that heavily samples the 1980 R&B #1 of the same name by Lakeside. Of course, the next year he'd follow this up with the monster smash "Gangsta's Paradise," but to me, this is the best thing he ever did.
Four female vocalists are in this group. Gloria Estefan is here with a soundalike cover of Vicki Sue Robinson's 1976 hit ode to percussion. I love to hear the original. This version, I love a bit less. Mariah Carey is present with this gospelly promise to be there for you when you require companionship and compassion. Above-average for her. As it turned out, it was the first of her singles to fail to reach the Top Ten in the U.S. Oh well, I guess eleven out of twelve ain't bad. The British singer born Desirée Weeks had her only American hit with this bit of soulful motivation that encourages people to be bad, bold, wise, strong, and tough, and to remember that "love will save the day." Pleasant, but not built to last. And Toni Braxton picked up her third pop Top Ten with this midtempo ballad about how much she loves her man. Just okay.
Two bands and a duo make up the rest of this first section. California's Mazzy Star had their biggest hit with this languid, dreamy ballad on which singer Hope Sandoval declares "I look to you to see the truth." And the truth is, this remains one of my favorite songs. Stone Temple Pilots continued their run of success with what would be their biggest pop hit, a hard rock leavin' song. Grungy but catchy. And British twosome Erasure, made up of original Depeche Mode member Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell, had their last American hit with this pretty synthpop declaration of love. It's good, but my favorites of theirs tend to be songs that were only big in the U.K., like "Drama!" and "Chorus."
30 - "Always," Bon Jovi
29 - "Circle of Life," Elton John
28 - "Prayer for the Dying," Seal
27 - "New Age Girl," Deadeye Dick
26 - "Secret," Madonna
25 - "Until I Fall Away," Gin Blossoms
24 - "Right Beside You," Sophie B. Hawkins
23 - "If You Go," Jon Secada
22 - "Far Behind," Candlebox
21 - "Basket Case," Green Day
Half of this section is taken up by rock bands. Bon Jovi, the one hair-metal group that manage to survive the post-grunge purge, had their biggest hit of the 90s with this heavily-orchestrated power ballad that promises eternal devotion. Whatever you think of them, these guys are pros. New Orleans' Deadeye Dick made their only impression on the music world with this power-pop novelty about a crystal-wearing, tree-hugging environmentalist named Mary Moon who, according to the chorus "don't eat meat, but she sure like the bone." Naughty. Cheesy from the word go, and the winner of this week's Uneasy Rider. The Gin Blossoms kept their momentum going with this sweet semi-ballad about romantic doubt. They were one of the more welcome radio presences at the time. Seattle's Candlebox had their biggest hit with this sombre rocker about dealing with the death of a friend from drug abuse. Not an uncommon thing among their peers, sadly. Not a favorite, but a decent song. And California punk-poppers Green Day had the second hit from their blockbuster breakthrough Dookie with this speedy ode to teenage angst that could be a result of paranoia or pot. These guys were a reliable source of infectious radio hits throughout the second half of the decade, and they are one of the few alternative titans from this time period who remain relevant to this day.
Three male solo singers in this section. Sir Elton had his second hit from his soundtrack to the Disney smash The Lion King with this number about the cycle of existence. In the film, it memorably accompanies the presentation of the cub Simba to the animals of the Pride Lands as their future ruler. In this version, it's just an Elton John AC pop song. Watch the movie. Seal had his second American hit with this ballad about how life carries on even after tragedy. I think that's it. Anyway, I'd much rather hear this than "Kiss From a Rose" again. And Jon Secada makes his second appearance of the week with this tune about how he'd miss you if you left. I don't feel that way about you at all, Jon. Sorry.
We'll finish the second half with two ladies. Madonna is here with what might be my favorite of hers, a sparse, midtempo groover about how one must love oneself before one can love, and be loved, by others. It's just got an honesty and a soul that a lot of her other stuff doesn't. The battle is between this and "Borderline." And Sophie B. Hawkins had her second major radio hit with this atmospheric dance tune about enjoying the nearness of someone. She had one hit before this (the fantastic "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover) and one hit after (the meh ballad "As I Lay Me Down"). To me, though, she should have had more. Great singer, interesting songwriter.
Next time: black birds, black holes, and the return of a song I didn't like the first time around.
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