It's a chart of two halves.
20 - "Cecilia," Suggs with Louchie Lou/Michie One
The man born Graham McPherson had been a star as the frontman for Sussex ska stars Madness for over fifteen years when he finally began a solo career. His biggest hit without the Mad men was this dancehall cover of a 1970 Simon and Garfunkel hit. Lou and One contribute a ragga verse. Different enough not to be completely unnecessary, but hardly outstanding.
19 - "Ocean Drive," The Lighthouse Family
The Newcastle pop duo of Tunde Baiyewu and Paul Tucker had the second of eleven pop hits in seven years with this optimistic midtempo tune about better days ahead. Adult contemporary done with passion and soul.
18 - "Until it Sleeps," Metallica
It had been four-and-a-half years since the San Francisco thrash pioneers became one of the biggest bands in the world after the success of there slowed down, popped up "Black Album," and fans old and new wondered what direction the group would take next. The answer came in the form of the first single from their Load LP, this sludgy rock song featuring lyrics written by singer James Heftield about his mother's battle with cancer. More introspective than most of the band's previous material, and about a 3 on the Headbangometer, but still quite good. It performed well enough upon release to become the band's highest-charting single on both sides of the Atlantic, but the sound of the Load album, combined with the fact that band members had cut their long hair and had accepted the headline slot on that years Lollapalooza festival, created a perception that the band was hopping on the "alternative" bandwagon, and this did not sit well with longtime fans. This would not be the last move the band would make that would alienate members of their fanbase.
17 - "Summer Holiday," Darren Day
Colchester-born Day started out wanting to be a professional snooker player, but later turned to musical theatre, becoming a star on the West End. His biggest chart hit was this cover of the title song from a 1963 Cliff Richard movie, recorded for the cast album of the stage musical version of said movie. Sunny, boring pop.
16 - "The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me is You," Bryan Adams
Adams had collaborated with "Mutt" Lange on his 1991 album Waking Up the Neighbors, and he decided to go back to that well for the follow-up, 18 'Til I Die. The album's first single was this mildly suggestive pop tune about how his lady is the only thing he feels comfortable in. Crap, I just made that even more suggestive. Ew. Anyway, whereas many of the Neighbors tracks sounded like Def Leppard outtakes, this sounded like a Shania Twain outtake. Not an improvement.
15 - "Female of the Species," Space
Formed in 1993, this Liverpool band had their first significant hit with this bit of futuristic lounge music about the dangerousness of ladies. Just delightful and cool. Definitely one to look up if you've never heard it.
14 - "Get Down (You're the One for Me)," Backstreet Boys
The B-Boys were still a year away from being stars at home, but in Britain they were on their third hit with this basic dance popper about wanting a girl. There's rap on it, including a verse from Boy A.J. It adds nothing. You are either in the right state to like this, or you're not. I don't think I've ever been.
13 - "On Silent Wings," Tina Turner
From Tina's first album since the success of the biopic What's Love Got to Do With It?, this is a nice little breakup ballad that's slightly overwhelmed by the slickness of the production. But the lady knocks the vocal out of the park, as usual. Sting shows up on the final chorus, but his appearance distracts more than enhances.
12 - "In a Room," Dodgy
The fifth of nine hits for these London power poppers was this rocker about fighting the urge to isolate oneself. I think that's it. Very good. Britpop had a deeper bench than some might think.
11 - "Return of the Mack," Mark Morrison
Born in Germany and raised in Leicester (once again, congratulations to the Foxes), Morrison had picked up a couple of Top 40 singles before releasing this swaggering funk/hip/hop track about rebounding from heartbreak. Catchy, danceable, brilliant. In addition to topping the charts here, it hit #2 in America and had Morrison poised for superstardom. He would follow up with four more U.K. Top Tens, but subsequent legal issues have curtailed his career significantly.
10 - "Fastlove," George Michael
The former Wham! man had come out of a long legal battle with his former label with an album entitled Older, and its second single would be his last U.K. #1 to date. It's funky dance-pop about looking for a one-night stand. Straightforward and solid. He really was one of the great pop stars of his time.
9 - "There's Nothing I Won't Do," JX
The third, and biggest, hit by Brighton DJ Jake Williams was this bit of house-dance-whatever. The stuff was everywhere back then, and it doesn't interest me unless there's something distinctive and interesting in the song. None of that here.
8 - "Because You Love Me," Celine Dion
La Diva Quebecoise racked up another international smash with this drippy Diane Warren ballad from a Robert Redford/Michelle Pfeiffer movie called Up Close and Personal. Never saw it, but I do remember seeing the commercials where Redford says "She practically eats the lens," and thinking, "How is that a compliment?" I'm still baffled.
7 - "Fable," Robert Miles
The follow-up to "Children" actually has vocals, courtesy of one Fiorella Quinn. More dreamy danciness. I like it better than it's predecessor. Having singing on it helps.
6 - "Nobody Knows," The Tony Rich Project
Detroiter Antonio Jeffries Jr. made his breakthrough with this heart-on-sleeve ballad about lingering post-breakup loneliness. One of the classics of the decade, and a must on any credible list of all-time great one-hit wonders. The pain comes through with every note.
5 - "Naked," Louise
Londoner Louise Nurding first found success in her teens with the girl group Eternal, then left after one album for a solo career which produced a dozen hits. Her first Top Five was this dance track about lusting and being lusted after. Fine for what it is. Two years after this, she would marry someone else who performed on a single on this chart...Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp.
4 - "Ooh, Aah...Just a Little Bit," Gina G
Our second encounter with Australia's Ms. G comes in the form of her biggest hit, this breathy Euro dance track. I can't say it deserved to finish better than eighth at Eurovision. I'm sure the competition was much bigger and/or weirder.
3 - "Mysterious Girl," Peter Andre
London-born, Australia-raised Peter Andrea made his British breakthrough with this limp bit of watered-down reggae that makes Ace of Base sound like The Wailers. The dancehall toasting of Bubbler Ranx is the only thing that makes this close to interesting. The song hit #2, then came back to hit #1 eight years later after Andre appeared on the reality show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! He also met future ex-wife Katie "Jordan" Price on the show. Good for him.
2 - "Three Lions," Baddiel and Skinner with The Lightning Seeds
The Lightning Seeds are mainly Liverpudlian Ian Broudie, who took his recording name from a misheard lyric from Prince's "Raspberry Beret." He had picked up eight Top 40 singles by the time he was approached by England's Football Association to collaborate with comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner on an official song for Euro '96. What they came up with was this peppy rock song, named after the image on the national Team's logo, that laments the recent struggles and failures of England in major tournaments but sounds a hopeful note by noting the triumphs of the past, most notably the fact that the last time a major championship was held in Blighty (the 1966 World Cup), the home side won. The track's exuberance was infectious enough to lift the song to #1, and to help create an optimistic atmosphere around the tournament and the England team. Unfortunately, it would all end in tears, as England would lose their semi-final to eventual champions and arch-rivals Germany on penalty kicks. But as a consolation, twenty years later, this song gets to lift the Uneasy Rider trophy.
And topping the Pops 20 years ago was...
1 - "Killing Me Softly," The Fugees
The song that introduced the world to Lauryn Hill. Whatever happened to her? And will these three ever reunite? My guess is, yes. I'm thinking 2021, the 25th anniversary of The Score, they will announce a tour and at least start it. Whether or not they finish is a matter I'm unwilling to speculate on.
Another done. More will follow. Thanks for reading.
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