September 1994. In Britain...um...three London Underground stations were about to close. That’s something. Is the chart more interesting? Let’s see.
40 - “Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble,” PJ and Duncan
Newcastle natives Anthony McPartlin first met when they acted together in the teen soap Byker Grove. After they left that show, they started a pop-rap career using the first names of their old TV characters. Their first Top Ten was bit of peppy, parent-friendly brattiness. They have had many more hit since, but their biggest success as come as duo “Ant and Dec,” presenting comedy, variety, and quiz programmes, including Pop Idol and Britain’s Got Talent.
39 - “Letitgo,” Prince
The Purple Symbol was in the midst of trying to get out of his contract with the Warner Bros. label, and this song was a funky declaration that he was just going to ride it out and give the label just enough to fulfill his obligations. It’s much better than that premise would lead you to believe.
38 - “Inside Out,” Shara Nelson
Nelson’s fourth hit sees her accompanied only with electric guitar on a ballad about loving someone who knows you well. Simple and sublime.
37 - “Sugar Sugar,” Duke Baysee
I can’t find much about this guy, not the least his real name, but I did learn that he was a former bus conductor who had his only hit by contributing dancehall toasts to a dance-funk cover of the 1969 Archies chestnut. Okay, but nothing about it had a shelf life.
36 - “Wilmot,” Sabres of Paradise
The biggest hit by this group led by house DJ Andy Weatherall was this atmospheric chunk of dub/trip-hop/chillout. Whatever it is, I quite like it.
35 - “So Good,” Eternal
The girl group’s fourth hit was this danceable love song. Its appeal doesn’t live up to their name.
34 - “Unbearable,” The Wonder Stuff
The Stuffies last hit was, ironically enough, a reissue of an early single from 1987. Fun pop-rock about someone who rubs you the wrong way. I liked it very much when I met it, and now I like it even more.
33 - “Warriors,” Aswad
The penultimate hit for the London reggae outfit was this okay track about fighting for freedom and such. Energetic delivery, but not much impact.
32 - “Someone to Love,” Sean Maguire
By-numbers dance pop from a cute boy. One of the only timeless formulas for pop success.
31 - “Elegantly American EP,” M People
This EP contains remixes of their previous two hits “One Night in Heaven” and “Movin’ On Up.” Not essential, but more Heather Small isn’t a bad thing.
30 - “Fireworks,” Roxette
They were done having hits in America, but the Swedish duo was still cracking the charts here with tracks like this one about memories of loves past. Their typical power pop-rock, which is enough to
make me smile.
29 - “Know by Now,” Robert Palmer
Another artist done in the U.S. but still charting here, Palmer shows up with a lite-funk love song.
Nice, but it just doesn’t have the fire or soul of his biggest hits.
28 - “Eighteen Strings,” Tinman
Hull DJ Paul Dakeyne had his biggest hit with this house track featuring a hard rock guitar riff and a Run DMC sample. Fine strutting music.
27 - “Welcome to Tomorrow (Are You Ready),” Snap!
The final Top Ten for the German dance machine was this fast track that features some nice singing from a lady called Summer, but no rap. Turbo B is nowhere to be heard, and I don’t want that.
26 - Love Here I Come,” Bad Boys Inc.
The last of six hits for yet another boy band. Mediocre singing, mediocre lyrics, mediocre house beats. So an all-time classic, obviously.
25 - “Blame it on Me,” D-Ream
More boybandliness. Above average in its category. Points added for being from Derry, where I can personally tell you good things come out of. A point off for feeling the need to tell me that "ditty" means "song.
24 - “Dreamer,” Livin’ Joy
Italian Eurodance notable mainly because it got to #18 in this first run, but went to #1 a year later. More mild amusement than joy.
23 - “Yesterday When I Was Mad,” Pet Shop Boys
This is Eurodance as well, but Neil Tennant adds his snotty haughtiness, and therefore, magic is made
22 - “Atomic (Remix),” Blondie
An updated treatment of the band’s 1980 hit. It fits perfectly in the dance context of the time, and doesn’t sound ruined. A neat trick. Debbie is timeless.
21 - “Trouble,” Shampoo
From Plumstead in London, Jacqui Blake and Carrie Askew had their first and biggest hit with this bratty bubblegummer about staying out late and getting up to no good. Fun, in a sanitized-License to Ill sort of way.
In Part Two: another updating of an 80s hit, a song inspired by the mugging of a celebrity, and a monster movie ballad.
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