September 1977. That month, it was revealed that foreign-built cars were outselling British-made vehicles for the first time ever. Six days after the date of this chart, T. Rex's Marc Bolan died in a London car crash. The car, for the record, was a domestic Mini 1275GT. Meanwhile, on the charts...
40 - "I Got to Sing," The J.A.L.N. Band
Our second encounter with this Birmingham funk band. Jazzy disco about the need to vocalize musically. Okay.
39 - "Thunder in My Heart," Leo Sayer
The Sussex man with the magnificent white Afro had his eight Top 40 with this urgent dance rocker about passionate love. I like it more than I thought I would. It only hit #22, but 19 years later a remix would go to #1. It was pretty much the same, just with modern beats, but it gave the song a more justified outcome.
38 - "It's Your Life," Smokie
More from these guys, this time a reggaeish rock tune addressing a girl who goes out with a guy beneath her where she really should be with the guy singing the song. This is probably the best I've heard from them so far.
37 - "Black Betty," Ram Jam
The Leadbelly cover by the one-hit wonder band that sounded Southern but were from New York. Bam-a-lam indeed.
36 - "All Around the World," The Jam
The Jam session continues with the second hit by the Surrey mod-punks. It's a two-and-a-half-minute "youth explosion." A bracing blast to this day.
35 - "Down the Hall," The Four Seasons
The Jersey boys' last U.K. hit to date was this piano-driven uptempo love song that sounds like an attempt to ape Billy Joel, right down to Frankie Valli's vocals. A very odd decision. Frankie's voice is pretty distinct, and the band's major selling point. This is just off in every way.
34 - "Let's Clean Up the Ghetto," Philadelphia International All Stars
Led by producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the Philadelphia International label was a force in 70s soul, giving the world The O'Jays, Billy Paul, Teddy Pendergrass, and many others. Several of the label's acts combined for this socially aware single urging African-Americans to take action to improve their neighborhoods. From the smooth spoken-word opening by Lou Rawls onward, it's funky and awesome, like a late-70s extension of the conscious soul produced by the Temptations, Curtis Mayfield, and others in the first half of the decade. Another great hidden gem.
33 - "Pipeline," Bruce Johnston
The only taste of solo recording success this Beach Boy ever got was when this single reached this peak here. It's a disco cover of The Chantays classic 1962 surf instrumental. Yes, I like my covers to differ from the originals, but everything about this is just wrong on every level. I didn't need this song interpreted with disco strings and female "da da da" vocals. A big time wipeout. Bruce was better off sticking to writing songs like, well, "I Write the Songs."
32 - "Roadrunner," Jonathan Richman
Massachussets native Richman was one of the early innovators of punk with his band The Modern Lovers, but he achieved chart success in Britain as a solo artist. His first hit was a solo recording of a Modern Lovers song about cruising and listening to rock n'roll on the AM car radio. Nothing but joy and fun and beauty and awesome.
31 - "Another Star," Stevie Wonder
This single from Songs in the Key of Life was only a minor hit on both sides of the pond, but its Latin-flavored funk pop is unquestionably sublime. The man is a master.
30 - "Black is Black," La Belle Epoque
Three French girls do a disco cover of Los Bravos 1966 hit. It's campy. Are you surprised?
29 - "Gimme Dat Banana," Black Gorilla
Couldn't find much about the band, nor the lyrics of a song. From a performance clip, they look like at least an eight-piece band. The song is funk-pop nonsense about simians and fruit. Not much to it, but catchy enough that I see why it was a hit.
28 - "Something Better Change/Straighten Out," The Stranglers
The Surrey band's second Top Ten was this double-sider. The A is a straight-ahead rock song that also serves as an announcement of punk's arrival to the masses ("Something's happening and it's happening right now, you're too blind to see it."). The B is a fast cry of frustration with the British establishment. Both are great.
27 - "Best of My Love," The Emotions
The Earth Wind and Fire powered transatlantic #1 by the Hutchinson sisters of Chicago. No way anyone can use this to build their "disco sucks" case.
26 - "I Feel Love," Donna Summer
Speaking of disco, this was the Queen's only U.K. #1. It sounded like the future then, and it hasn't really dated. Peak Summer, and peak Giorgio Moroder for that matter.
25 - "Dreamer." The Jacksons
The second Top 40 for the brothers post-Motown (and Jermaine) was this Michael-led ballad about pining for an unattainable love. He was starting to show the mature assuredness that would propel him to the stratosphere. I can imagine him throwing it into one of the concerts he gave at his peak (or maybe on the brothers' '84 Victory tour) and having most of the crowd not know it but blowing them all away by the end.
24 - "Ma Baker," Boney M.
The Milli Vanilli precursors' biggest U.K. hit to that point (it hit #2) was this discofied, loose retelling of the tale of Arizona "Ma" Barker, who led her four sons on a robbery spree in the United States in the 20s and 30s. It's as fantastic a slice of danceable fractured history as "Rasputin." Boney M. are both ridiculously wonderful and wonderfully ridiculous.
23 - "I Can't Get You Out of My Mind," Yvonne Elliman
The Hawaiian's third U.K. Top 40 was this ballad about cheating with your best friend's man. Okay material sung well. The mighty "If I Can't Have You" was just around the corner, but I'm disappointed to find that it only made #4 here. You disappoint me, Britain.
22 - "Think I'm Gonna Fall in Love With You," The Dooleys
The first of six hits by the Essex family group comprised mostly of six siblings (three brothers, three sisters) was this limp disco effort. No soul, no funk, just going through the motions because this is what was commercial at the time. This may be even worse that my default worst disco hit ever, "Makin' It."
21 - "Sunshine After the Rain," Elkie Brooks
Our latest encounter with this lady is her second hit, a soul ballad about trying to recover from a breakup that was written by Brill Building stalwart Ellie Greenwich. So far everything I've heard from this lady makes me wish she would have broken through on this side of the ocean.
In Part Two: killer organs, successful rodents, and an enchanted insect.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Thursday, September 1, 2016
GATW: UKT40 August 26, 1995
Completing the countdown to Popageddon...
20 - "Alright," Supergrass
The first of two #2s for this Oxford band is this piano-driven slice of summer rock sunshine. A pop classic in any country. Just fantastic.
19 - "Come and Get Your Love," Real McCoy
German dance group covers Redbone's 1974 hit, adds superfluous rapping. Yeah, sure.
18 - "Boom Boom Boom," The Outhere Brothers
The Chicago dance duo of Keith Mayberry and Lamar Malone picked up two U.K. Number Ones, the second and most famous being this house-rap track. Dumb fun background party music. Everybody say way-oh (way-oh).
17 - "So Good," Boyzone
The third #1 for these Irish boys was this "we're made for each other" dance pop bit o'business. Boy band product epitomized.
16 - "I'm Only Sleeping/Off on Holiday," Suggs
The A side of the Madness frontman's first solo hit was a jaunty ska cover of a track from the Beatles' Revolver LP. I like that it's different, but the peppiness kind of negates the lyric. The B is a calypsoish portratit of a family vacation that reminds me a bit of "Our House" in tone. I definitely like the B better.
15 - "Happy Just to Be With You," Michelle Gayle
Londoner Gayle first found fame acting on the popular soap EastEnders in the early 90s, then left to return to her original passion, music. She scored seven Top 40 singles, the fifth being this bit of hip-hop soul featuring samples from Chic's "Good Times." Fairly decent.
14 - "Move Your Body," Xpansions '95
The dance duo of Phil Drummond and Sally Ann Marsh with a remix of their 1990 hit. House stuff for, um, body moving. Functional.
13 - "On the Bible," Deuce
Third of four hits for two guys and two girls. A dance-pop love pledge, with a video appropriately set at a wedding. The hard rock guitar opening catches attention, but otherwise it's just more plastic pop.
12 - "Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over," The Charlatans
Tenth Top 40 for the West Midlands outfit. Danceable rock about returning to an old flame. I appreciate them more now then I did then when I would hear them occasionally on CFNY.
11 - "Shy Guy," Diana King
Biggest international hit for this Jamaican reggae singer. Dancehall about the appeal of quiet men. Don't understand all the patois lyrics, but still, a very good radio single.
10 - "Try Me Out," Corona
Third and last Top Ten for an Italian dance group. A bleepy house come-on. Better than most.
9 - "Kiss From a Rose," Seal
The biggest hit from Heidi Klum's ex was this big ballad that had flopped when released a year earlier but then became a smash when it was used in Batman Forever. Kind of like "Every Breath You Take," in that the lyrics aren't as romantic as people think. Which makes sense, because a kiss from a rose would probably result in painful thorn punctures, you would think. It's a song that annoyed the hell out of me when it was huge, but I can hear goodness in it now. It's no "Crazy," though.
8 - "Human Nature," Madonna
I counted 78 U.K. Top 40s for Madge, and this was #38. It's funky pop on which she rails against media criticism of her speaking her mind. "I'm not your bitch, don't hang your shit on me," she declares. It's one of her more underrated hits, as far as I'm concerned.
7 - "Son of a Gun," JX
First of three hits for Brighton DJ Jake Williams. Thumpa-thumpa woah woah dance music. I'm not saying this stuff is bad or doesn't require any craft, but it just all blurs together in my mind. There are standout songs, but I don't find this to be one of them.
6 - "Everybody,"Clock
Third Top Ten from a group referred to as the British equivalent of 2 Unlimited. It stands out a little, in that the groove is hypnotic and the soulful singing is male. But I'm not intrigued enough to look up more, like, say, their cover of "Whoomp! There it Is." I'm just puzzled that a cover of "Whoomp! There it Is" actually exists. And was a hit.
5 - "Waterfalls," TLC
The Atlanta trio's first of two U.K. Top Fives was this cautionary tale about the dangers of drug dealing and unprotected sex. Social messages delivered in a pop song, but not in an awkward way. A fine achievement in hitcraft.
4 - "Never Forget," Take That
Although Robbie Williams had departed the band over drug issues two months earlier, the decade's dominant British boy band was still riding high, scoring their seventh Number One with this midtempo number about the fleeting nature of success and fame ("Someday this will all be someone else's dream"). Pretty good as fluff-pop goes.
3 - "I Luv U Baby," The Original
The only major hit by this American dance group was this house track. Some good singing, which distinguishes it from the massive cluster of Eurodance. Forgive me if I sound like a closed-minded old man when I talk about these 90s dance tracks, but I just feel like so many of them are interchangeable. Maybe it's just harder to make the same machines sound distinct, I don't know. All I can say is how I feel. If you disagree, that's great. I'm not going to deny anyone their pleasure.
And so we have arrived at the battleground. Two bands at the forefront of a growing movement called "Britpop," who were very different from each other. On one side were Oasis, the boys from Manchester led by brawling brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, who were portrayed as Beatles-worshipping, working-class blokes who loved beer and football, and who had broken through the previous year with the fastest-selling British debut album to date, Definitely Maybe. On the other were Blur, a group formed at a London university, who were seen as more literate and posh and Kinks-influenced, and who had seen their own 1994 breakthrough with their third album Parklife, which led to them dominating the subsequent Brit Awards. In early 1995, both bands seemed to see each other as their main obstacle to being Britain's biggest band, and a rivalry developed to the point where both bands released singles from their forthcoming albums on the same day, creating a sort of unofficial referendum on which of them really was the top group in the U.K. The "Battle of Britpop" became a media sensation, and the act of going to buy a particular cassette or CD was portrayed as being as monumental as casting a vote in a national election. So who won? Well, since we count down here, we'll start by revealing the runner-up, which was...
2 - "Roll With It," Oasis
The band sold 216,000 copies of this track on that week, but it wasn't enough. The song is an energetic rocker about being yourself and perservering. Not their greatest song, but a fine distillation of what the band was: upfront, all out, take-us-or-leave-us-but-we're-gonna-party-either-way rock n' roll.
So that means, of course, that the battle was won by...
1 - "Country House," Blur
The song that prevailed with sales of 272,000 was this jaunty tune about a man who escapes to the countryside to avoid the pressures of modern urban life. It's catchy and pointed, with lyrics about analysts, herbal baths, and Prozac. Certainly the more stereotypically British (down to the Benny Hill homages in the video) of the two songs, and to my ears the better one. But the war, as it turned out, would be won by Oasis, whose What's the Story, Morning Glory would sell five times as many copies as Blur's The Great Escape, and would also go multiplatinum in America while Blur's album barely charted there. But both bands are still well-remembered as lynchpins of an exciting era in British music, and the hysteria their "battle" created will likely never be replicated.
So that's that. Next one will come in time. See ya then.
20 - "Alright," Supergrass
The first of two #2s for this Oxford band is this piano-driven slice of summer rock sunshine. A pop classic in any country. Just fantastic.
19 - "Come and Get Your Love," Real McCoy
German dance group covers Redbone's 1974 hit, adds superfluous rapping. Yeah, sure.
18 - "Boom Boom Boom," The Outhere Brothers
The Chicago dance duo of Keith Mayberry and Lamar Malone picked up two U.K. Number Ones, the second and most famous being this house-rap track. Dumb fun background party music. Everybody say way-oh (way-oh).
17 - "So Good," Boyzone
The third #1 for these Irish boys was this "we're made for each other" dance pop bit o'business. Boy band product epitomized.
16 - "I'm Only Sleeping/Off on Holiday," Suggs
The A side of the Madness frontman's first solo hit was a jaunty ska cover of a track from the Beatles' Revolver LP. I like that it's different, but the peppiness kind of negates the lyric. The B is a calypsoish portratit of a family vacation that reminds me a bit of "Our House" in tone. I definitely like the B better.
15 - "Happy Just to Be With You," Michelle Gayle
Londoner Gayle first found fame acting on the popular soap EastEnders in the early 90s, then left to return to her original passion, music. She scored seven Top 40 singles, the fifth being this bit of hip-hop soul featuring samples from Chic's "Good Times." Fairly decent.
14 - "Move Your Body," Xpansions '95
The dance duo of Phil Drummond and Sally Ann Marsh with a remix of their 1990 hit. House stuff for, um, body moving. Functional.
13 - "On the Bible," Deuce
Third of four hits for two guys and two girls. A dance-pop love pledge, with a video appropriately set at a wedding. The hard rock guitar opening catches attention, but otherwise it's just more plastic pop.
12 - "Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over," The Charlatans
Tenth Top 40 for the West Midlands outfit. Danceable rock about returning to an old flame. I appreciate them more now then I did then when I would hear them occasionally on CFNY.
11 - "Shy Guy," Diana King
Biggest international hit for this Jamaican reggae singer. Dancehall about the appeal of quiet men. Don't understand all the patois lyrics, but still, a very good radio single.
10 - "Try Me Out," Corona
Third and last Top Ten for an Italian dance group. A bleepy house come-on. Better than most.
9 - "Kiss From a Rose," Seal
The biggest hit from Heidi Klum's ex was this big ballad that had flopped when released a year earlier but then became a smash when it was used in Batman Forever. Kind of like "Every Breath You Take," in that the lyrics aren't as romantic as people think. Which makes sense, because a kiss from a rose would probably result in painful thorn punctures, you would think. It's a song that annoyed the hell out of me when it was huge, but I can hear goodness in it now. It's no "Crazy," though.
8 - "Human Nature," Madonna
I counted 78 U.K. Top 40s for Madge, and this was #38. It's funky pop on which she rails against media criticism of her speaking her mind. "I'm not your bitch, don't hang your shit on me," she declares. It's one of her more underrated hits, as far as I'm concerned.
7 - "Son of a Gun," JX
First of three hits for Brighton DJ Jake Williams. Thumpa-thumpa woah woah dance music. I'm not saying this stuff is bad or doesn't require any craft, but it just all blurs together in my mind. There are standout songs, but I don't find this to be one of them.
6 - "Everybody,"Clock
Third Top Ten from a group referred to as the British equivalent of 2 Unlimited. It stands out a little, in that the groove is hypnotic and the soulful singing is male. But I'm not intrigued enough to look up more, like, say, their cover of "Whoomp! There it Is." I'm just puzzled that a cover of "Whoomp! There it Is" actually exists. And was a hit.
5 - "Waterfalls," TLC
The Atlanta trio's first of two U.K. Top Fives was this cautionary tale about the dangers of drug dealing and unprotected sex. Social messages delivered in a pop song, but not in an awkward way. A fine achievement in hitcraft.
4 - "Never Forget," Take That
Although Robbie Williams had departed the band over drug issues two months earlier, the decade's dominant British boy band was still riding high, scoring their seventh Number One with this midtempo number about the fleeting nature of success and fame ("Someday this will all be someone else's dream"). Pretty good as fluff-pop goes.
3 - "I Luv U Baby," The Original
The only major hit by this American dance group was this house track. Some good singing, which distinguishes it from the massive cluster of Eurodance. Forgive me if I sound like a closed-minded old man when I talk about these 90s dance tracks, but I just feel like so many of them are interchangeable. Maybe it's just harder to make the same machines sound distinct, I don't know. All I can say is how I feel. If you disagree, that's great. I'm not going to deny anyone their pleasure.
And so we have arrived at the battleground. Two bands at the forefront of a growing movement called "Britpop," who were very different from each other. On one side were Oasis, the boys from Manchester led by brawling brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, who were portrayed as Beatles-worshipping, working-class blokes who loved beer and football, and who had broken through the previous year with the fastest-selling British debut album to date, Definitely Maybe. On the other were Blur, a group formed at a London university, who were seen as more literate and posh and Kinks-influenced, and who had seen their own 1994 breakthrough with their third album Parklife, which led to them dominating the subsequent Brit Awards. In early 1995, both bands seemed to see each other as their main obstacle to being Britain's biggest band, and a rivalry developed to the point where both bands released singles from their forthcoming albums on the same day, creating a sort of unofficial referendum on which of them really was the top group in the U.K. The "Battle of Britpop" became a media sensation, and the act of going to buy a particular cassette or CD was portrayed as being as monumental as casting a vote in a national election. So who won? Well, since we count down here, we'll start by revealing the runner-up, which was...
2 - "Roll With It," Oasis
The band sold 216,000 copies of this track on that week, but it wasn't enough. The song is an energetic rocker about being yourself and perservering. Not their greatest song, but a fine distillation of what the band was: upfront, all out, take-us-or-leave-us-but-we're-gonna-party-either-way rock n' roll.
So that means, of course, that the battle was won by...
1 - "Country House," Blur
The song that prevailed with sales of 272,000 was this jaunty tune about a man who escapes to the countryside to avoid the pressures of modern urban life. It's catchy and pointed, with lyrics about analysts, herbal baths, and Prozac. Certainly the more stereotypically British (down to the Benny Hill homages in the video) of the two songs, and to my ears the better one. But the war, as it turned out, would be won by Oasis, whose What's the Story, Morning Glory would sell five times as many copies as Blur's The Great Escape, and would also go multiplatinum in America while Blur's album barely charted there. But both bands are still well-remembered as lynchpins of an exciting era in British music, and the hysteria their "battle" created will likely never be replicated.
So that's that. Next one will come in time. See ya then.
Sunday, August 28, 2016
GATW: UKT40 August 26, 1995
Late summer, 1995. Often I start these entries by telling you what the big news was at the time of the chart I'm covering, but in this case, the chart was the big news of the day. The race for the number one spot was between two bands representing different regions, different influences, and perhaps most significantly, two social classes. It made front-page headlines and led off national newscasts, and a nation waited with bated breath to find out who came out on top. But before I tell you more about it, I've got 38 more songs to cover, starting with these 20:
40 - "The Key," Matt Goss
This Londoner first became famous alongside his twin brother Luke in the band Bros, whose 1987 breakthrough hit was entitled, ironically enough, "When Will I be Famous." They would reach the Top 40 eleven times before breaking in in 1992, and while Luke turned to acting, Matt began a solo music career. His first hit was this funk-popper on which he applies his white-soul voice to a lyric about trying to find a way to make his dreams come true. It's good as these things go. Goss would have four solo Top 40s total, and in recent years he has transitioned into a successful career in Las Vegas.
39 - "Come on Home," Cyndi Lauper
The quirky New Yorker had her biggest home success in the 80s with ten Top Forty singles, but in the U.K, she only reached those heights four times in that period. In the 90s, however, with her U.S. fortunes sagging, she would reach the British Top 40 seven times. Her sixth hir of the decade was this reggae-pop number about returning to where one began if the wider world isn't working out for you. It's fun and catchy. Cyndi is just one of those people you wish you could just be in the presence of for even two minutes, because it just seems like there would be nothing but love and positive energy coming off of her.
38 - "In the Summertime," Shaggy featuring Rayvon
The Jamaican-American dancehall rapper teamed with Barbadian singer Rayvon for his second U.K. hit, a cover of Mungo Jerry's 1970 worldwide #1. Rayvon sings the original lyrics, and Shaggy adds a toast about picking up women. Nothing important, but it works as background beach music.
37 - "Freedom," Shiva
The biggest of two hits for this three-person dance group was this energetic house track about wanting to be carefree and happy. Singer Louise Dean had a very strong voice, but sadly, at this time she was already gone, killed in a hit and run accident two months earlier. We may very well have heard much more from her otherwise.
36 - "Zombie," A.D.A.M. featuring Amy
A Italian group's dance cover of the Cranberries' hit of the previous year about the decades of sectarian violence in Northern Island. It's a catchy track, but the contrast of the subject matter with the peppy beats and guitar is jarring. It all just comes out weird. This chart's Uneasy Rider in a weak field.
35 - "A Girl Like You," Edwyn Collins
From Edinburgh, Collins first tasted success with the band Orange Juice in the early 80s, but by the middle of the decade they had broken up, and his solo career languished in obscurity until he broke through with this cool pop-rocker about desire and obsession. It went Top Five here, and reached the Top 40 in the U.S. He pretty much returned to obscurity afterward, but he continues to make music and perform, even after surviving a cerebral hemorrhage in 2005.
34 - "Living Next Door to Alice (Who the Fuck is Alice)," Smokie featuring Roy "Chubby" Brown
The popular 70s band scored their first hit in fifteen years with a new version of their biggest international hit, featuring foul-mouthed interjections by Yorkshire comedian Brown, who is best known for his girth, his penchant for wearing a leather pilot helmet and goggles, and for his raunchy material. Reading about him and listening to this, I would definitely say he's a British thing, and I don't understand. But that's okay. Who the fuck am I?
33 - "Heaven Help My Heart," Tina Arena
Born to Italian immigrants in Australia, Filppina Arena first found fame on a kids' talent show in the late 70s, then became a grown-up pop star in the 90s. Her international peak saw her score five U.K Top 40s, the third being this midtempo ballad about looking for love. Maybe it's the fact that she's Australian, maybe it's the soft-rock arrangement, but I was reminded a lot of Olivia Newton-John. But not enough for me to desperately seek out her other material.
32 - "Summertime Healing," Eusebe
Not much I can tell you about this North London rap group, except that they consisted of cousins Alison, Steve and Sharon Eusebe, and they seemed to have released one major-label LP then disappeared. This single is a positive, seasonal vibe that borrows its hook from Marvin Gaye's last big hit. It's pretty good. I would have liked to have heard where they would go from here.
31 - "Girl From Mars," Ash
This trio from County Down in Northern Ireland scored the first of their 18 Top 40 hits with this energetic rocker about a summer romance with a young lady who probably was not a space alien.
Good, catchy stuff that belongs on any "Best of Britpop" playlist.
30 - "Push," Moist
This Vancouver band were a staple of Canadian rock radio in the 90s, but they also managed to score one Brit hit with their first single, an urgent rocker about trying to break out of an unequal relationship. Having knowledge of much of their catalogue, I'd put this third behind "Silver" and "Leave it Alone." Also, I just learned that they reunited a couple years ago after a 12-year hiatus. Good for them, I guess.
29 - "Hope Street," The Levellers
Named for a 17th Century British democracy movement, this Brighton folk-punk band has scored 15 Top 40 singles to date. This one is a vivid portrait of people living lives of desperation. It definitely does make me curious about some of their other output.
28 - "Destination Eschaton," The Shamen
The ninth of twelve Top 40s for this Scottish dance group was this burbly rave track about journeying through outer space. Or the space between your ears. Anyway, it's trippy, but nothing that I find particularly striking.
27 - "Hold On," Happy Clappers
Your basic 90s dance track with soulful female vocals and a "boom-cha boom-cha" beat. Unremarkable.
26 - "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me," U2
The Irish boys added to their hit ball with this swirly number about the glittery weirdness of rock stardom that they contributed to the soundtrack of the Val Kilmer Batman movie. Listening to it with fresh ears, I found that I enjoyed its ambition, where when it was out I remember finding it kind of pretentious. I'm not sure if I was right then or now.
25 - "Let Your Yeah be Yeah," Ali Campbell
The UB40 frontman scored three solo hits this year, the second being this cover of a 1971 U.K Top Five by Jimmy Cliff. Not surprisingly, it's reggae-lite. Can't tell it from what he was doing with his band at the time. I should look up the original sometime. Or even the version by Brownsvulle "Smokin' in the Boys' Room" Station. That's bound to be ten times more interesting.
24 - "Don't You Want Me (Patrick Prins Remix)," Felix
Essex DJ Francis Wright had five Top 40 hits, but three were different versions of the same song. The second of these was a remix of Felix's 1992 original by Dutch DJ Prins. I've never heard any incarnation of the song before, but this one is pretty cool as these things go. There's actually stuff that distinguishes it from other dance tracks of the time.
23 - "Isobel," Bjork
Icelander Bjork Gudmundsdottir released her first album in 1977 when she was only twelve, then abandoned kiddie-pop and spent the next decade in Reykjavik's punk scene, eventually landing in a band called The Sugarcubes, who released three albums between 1987 and 1992 and gained a worldwide following. After that band broke up, she began a solo career that has made her one of the stranger platinum-level pop stars ever. The seventh of her 21 U.K. Top 40s was this trippy electronic pop song inspired by a moth who landed on her shirt collar one evening and stayed for an extended period of time. That's pretty much par for the course for her. Either you get her or you don't. I do. She's just this odd little gift to the world that I wouldn't want to imagine life without.
22 - "You Oughta Know," Alanis Morissette
Oh yes, the song that turned a Canadian dance-pop lightweight into the female rock poet of the mid-90s. It's still jarring when I think about the first time I heard it. But it is unquestionably a terrific pop song. And the world still wonders which TV Joey she was so pissed off at, the one from Friends or the one from Full House.
21 - "'74-'75," The Connells
This North Carolina band had some success in the late 80s and early 90s on the American alternative charts, then they found themselves out-of-nowhere pop stars in the U.K with this acoustic ballad about a failed relationship. I can definitely hear what the Brits heard, not to mention the Scandinavians who made it a #1 hit in Sweden and Norway. It's simple, catchy pop-rock.
In Part Two: eighteen more songs, and then the main event.
40 - "The Key," Matt Goss
This Londoner first became famous alongside his twin brother Luke in the band Bros, whose 1987 breakthrough hit was entitled, ironically enough, "When Will I be Famous." They would reach the Top 40 eleven times before breaking in in 1992, and while Luke turned to acting, Matt began a solo music career. His first hit was this funk-popper on which he applies his white-soul voice to a lyric about trying to find a way to make his dreams come true. It's good as these things go. Goss would have four solo Top 40s total, and in recent years he has transitioned into a successful career in Las Vegas.
39 - "Come on Home," Cyndi Lauper
The quirky New Yorker had her biggest home success in the 80s with ten Top Forty singles, but in the U.K, she only reached those heights four times in that period. In the 90s, however, with her U.S. fortunes sagging, she would reach the British Top 40 seven times. Her sixth hir of the decade was this reggae-pop number about returning to where one began if the wider world isn't working out for you. It's fun and catchy. Cyndi is just one of those people you wish you could just be in the presence of for even two minutes, because it just seems like there would be nothing but love and positive energy coming off of her.
38 - "In the Summertime," Shaggy featuring Rayvon
The Jamaican-American dancehall rapper teamed with Barbadian singer Rayvon for his second U.K. hit, a cover of Mungo Jerry's 1970 worldwide #1. Rayvon sings the original lyrics, and Shaggy adds a toast about picking up women. Nothing important, but it works as background beach music.
37 - "Freedom," Shiva
The biggest of two hits for this three-person dance group was this energetic house track about wanting to be carefree and happy. Singer Louise Dean had a very strong voice, but sadly, at this time she was already gone, killed in a hit and run accident two months earlier. We may very well have heard much more from her otherwise.
36 - "Zombie," A.D.A.M. featuring Amy
A Italian group's dance cover of the Cranberries' hit of the previous year about the decades of sectarian violence in Northern Island. It's a catchy track, but the contrast of the subject matter with the peppy beats and guitar is jarring. It all just comes out weird. This chart's Uneasy Rider in a weak field.
35 - "A Girl Like You," Edwyn Collins
From Edinburgh, Collins first tasted success with the band Orange Juice in the early 80s, but by the middle of the decade they had broken up, and his solo career languished in obscurity until he broke through with this cool pop-rocker about desire and obsession. It went Top Five here, and reached the Top 40 in the U.S. He pretty much returned to obscurity afterward, but he continues to make music and perform, even after surviving a cerebral hemorrhage in 2005.
34 - "Living Next Door to Alice (Who the Fuck is Alice)," Smokie featuring Roy "Chubby" Brown
The popular 70s band scored their first hit in fifteen years with a new version of their biggest international hit, featuring foul-mouthed interjections by Yorkshire comedian Brown, who is best known for his girth, his penchant for wearing a leather pilot helmet and goggles, and for his raunchy material. Reading about him and listening to this, I would definitely say he's a British thing, and I don't understand. But that's okay. Who the fuck am I?
33 - "Heaven Help My Heart," Tina Arena
Born to Italian immigrants in Australia, Filppina Arena first found fame on a kids' talent show in the late 70s, then became a grown-up pop star in the 90s. Her international peak saw her score five U.K Top 40s, the third being this midtempo ballad about looking for love. Maybe it's the fact that she's Australian, maybe it's the soft-rock arrangement, but I was reminded a lot of Olivia Newton-John. But not enough for me to desperately seek out her other material.
32 - "Summertime Healing," Eusebe
Not much I can tell you about this North London rap group, except that they consisted of cousins Alison, Steve and Sharon Eusebe, and they seemed to have released one major-label LP then disappeared. This single is a positive, seasonal vibe that borrows its hook from Marvin Gaye's last big hit. It's pretty good. I would have liked to have heard where they would go from here.
31 - "Girl From Mars," Ash
This trio from County Down in Northern Ireland scored the first of their 18 Top 40 hits with this energetic rocker about a summer romance with a young lady who probably was not a space alien.
Good, catchy stuff that belongs on any "Best of Britpop" playlist.
30 - "Push," Moist
This Vancouver band were a staple of Canadian rock radio in the 90s, but they also managed to score one Brit hit with their first single, an urgent rocker about trying to break out of an unequal relationship. Having knowledge of much of their catalogue, I'd put this third behind "Silver" and "Leave it Alone." Also, I just learned that they reunited a couple years ago after a 12-year hiatus. Good for them, I guess.
29 - "Hope Street," The Levellers
Named for a 17th Century British democracy movement, this Brighton folk-punk band has scored 15 Top 40 singles to date. This one is a vivid portrait of people living lives of desperation. It definitely does make me curious about some of their other output.
28 - "Destination Eschaton," The Shamen
The ninth of twelve Top 40s for this Scottish dance group was this burbly rave track about journeying through outer space. Or the space between your ears. Anyway, it's trippy, but nothing that I find particularly striking.
27 - "Hold On," Happy Clappers
Your basic 90s dance track with soulful female vocals and a "boom-cha boom-cha" beat. Unremarkable.
26 - "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me," U2
The Irish boys added to their hit ball with this swirly number about the glittery weirdness of rock stardom that they contributed to the soundtrack of the Val Kilmer Batman movie. Listening to it with fresh ears, I found that I enjoyed its ambition, where when it was out I remember finding it kind of pretentious. I'm not sure if I was right then or now.
25 - "Let Your Yeah be Yeah," Ali Campbell
The UB40 frontman scored three solo hits this year, the second being this cover of a 1971 U.K Top Five by Jimmy Cliff. Not surprisingly, it's reggae-lite. Can't tell it from what he was doing with his band at the time. I should look up the original sometime. Or even the version by Brownsvulle "Smokin' in the Boys' Room" Station. That's bound to be ten times more interesting.
24 - "Don't You Want Me (Patrick Prins Remix)," Felix
Essex DJ Francis Wright had five Top 40 hits, but three were different versions of the same song. The second of these was a remix of Felix's 1992 original by Dutch DJ Prins. I've never heard any incarnation of the song before, but this one is pretty cool as these things go. There's actually stuff that distinguishes it from other dance tracks of the time.
23 - "Isobel," Bjork
Icelander Bjork Gudmundsdottir released her first album in 1977 when she was only twelve, then abandoned kiddie-pop and spent the next decade in Reykjavik's punk scene, eventually landing in a band called The Sugarcubes, who released three albums between 1987 and 1992 and gained a worldwide following. After that band broke up, she began a solo career that has made her one of the stranger platinum-level pop stars ever. The seventh of her 21 U.K. Top 40s was this trippy electronic pop song inspired by a moth who landed on her shirt collar one evening and stayed for an extended period of time. That's pretty much par for the course for her. Either you get her or you don't. I do. She's just this odd little gift to the world that I wouldn't want to imagine life without.
22 - "You Oughta Know," Alanis Morissette
Oh yes, the song that turned a Canadian dance-pop lightweight into the female rock poet of the mid-90s. It's still jarring when I think about the first time I heard it. But it is unquestionably a terrific pop song. And the world still wonders which TV Joey she was so pissed off at, the one from Friends or the one from Full House.
21 - "'74-'75," The Connells
This North Carolina band had some success in the late 80s and early 90s on the American alternative charts, then they found themselves out-of-nowhere pop stars in the U.K with this acoustic ballad about a failed relationship. I can definitely hear what the Brits heard, not to mention the Scandinavians who made it a #1 hit in Sweden and Norway. It's simple, catchy pop-rock.
In Part Two: eighteen more songs, and then the main event.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Gloves Across the Water: U.K. Top 40 June 21, 1986 Part Two
20 - "On My Own," Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald
A U.S. #1, and #2 here. Meh. But I will tell you that McDonald, while touring in Britain later this year, started a search for a singer he could sing this with in LaBelle's absence, and that if you keep reading, you will find out who he eventually chose.
19 - "Nasty," Janet Jackson
Wow, this is the highest this song got here. That's just...well, let's just say if I were Janet, I'd make the U.K call her "Miss Jackson."
18 - "Bad Boy," Miami Sound Machine
Top Twenty here, Top Ten at home. I think both results flatter this.
17 - "Invisible Touch," Genesis
All five singles from this album were Top Fives in America, but none charted higher than #14 here. Surprising. At least one should have cracked the Top Ten as far as I'm concerned, and I'd probably go with "Land of Confusion."
16 - "Set Me Free," Jaki Graham
The singer Mikey Mac picked for his British tour was this Birmingham-born child of Nigerian immigrants, who would pick up six Top 40s in '85 and '86. Her biggest non-duet hit was this dance-popper about feeling trapped by love. She's got a good voice. Not much more to say than that.
15 - "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)," The Pet Shop Boys
#11 here, #10 in America, #1 in my heart. Just brilliant. Machiavellian marvelousness.
14 - "My Favorite Waste of Time," Owen Paul
The only hit by this Scotsman was this slick cover of a song that first appeared as the B-side of the wonderful Marshall Crenshaw single "Someday, Someway." The goodness of the song shines through, but it's so much more obvious when you hear the original.
13 - "Amityville (The House on the Hill)," Lovebug Starski
Bronx rapper Kevin Smith's biggest success came here with this song about a haunted house, based very loosely on the one from the 1979 film The Amityville Horror. I'm pretty sure that movie doesn't feature appearances by Dracula, the Bride of Frankenstein, and Captain Kirk from Star Trek. A fun novelty party jam, and a must-add for your next Halloween mix.
12 - "Happy Hour," The Housemartins
From Hull, this band was fronted by singer Paul Heaton, whose lyrics often reflected his personal belief system, a mix of Christianity and Marxism. Their first major hit was this jangly, spirited pop-rock number that seems to be about the futility of trying to fit in with the false happinesses of the upper classes. I think I've got it. They would pick up five more Top 40 hits over the next two years (including the #1 "Caravan of Love"), before breaking up, after which Heaton and guitarist Dave Hemingway formed an even more successful band, The Beautiful South. Bassist Norman Cook would turn to dance music and achieve even bigger success as Fatboy Slim.
11 - "New Beginning," Bucks Fizz
The last Top Ten for these guys was this very-80s dance-popper about making the world better, with some lyrics in Swahili and Spanish for a worldly touch. It's all right, in a turn-off-your-brain, Bananarama sort of way.
10 - "Vienna Calling," Falco
The second biggest international hit by Mr. Hans Holzel. Not quite "Rock Me Amadeus," but I certainly answered the call.
9 - "Too Good to be Forgotten," Amazulu
The biggest of five Top 40s for this London ska-pop group was this sunny reminiscence of young love. Solid beach music, like the only thing I'd heard from them previously, their cover of Bobby Bloom's "Montego Bay."
8 - "Sledgehammer," Peter Gabriel
An American #1, but only #4 here. America wins. This is pure gold, with and without the video.
7 - "Can't Get By Without You (The Decade Remix II)," The Real Thing
An update of a song we encountered in 1976. Still pleasant disco-soul.
6 - "Addicted to Love," Robert Palmer
Another American #1 held to just Top Five status at home. I'm not as outraged by this one though.
5 - "Hunting High and Low," a-Ha
While in America, the hits by these Norwegians ran out after "The Sun Always Shines on TV," they continued on a roll here, earning the fourth of nine Top Tens with this ballad about not giving up on a reunion with a lover. Pretty good. Worthy of at least reaching the 30s in the States. But of course, nothing could ever come close to the majesty of "Take on Me."
4 - "Holding Back the Years," Simply Red
And yet another case of a British act topping the U.S. charts but falling short at home. This is the worst injustice of the three, even though it did hit #2. This is just a stone classic, one of the great pop ballads of the decade, and by a long shot the best thing Mick Hucknall and company ever did. For shame, U.K.
3 - "I Can't Wait," Nu Shooz
Somewhat annoying transatlantic Top Five. I can wait, quite a long time in fact, before needing to hear this again.
2 - "The Edge of Heaven," Wham!
The next-to last charttopper for George and Andrew before they parted ways. The usual boppy, poppy okayness. They got out before they were asked to leave, which is always a good result.
And thirty years ago, the nation's favourite was...
1 - "Spirit in the Sky," Doctor and the Medics
Formed in London by Clive "The Doctor" Jackson, this band rode outrageous attire (notably the Doctor himself's ensemble of jesteresque clothes, kabuki makeup, and a towering triangular hairdo topped with a curlicue) and familiar material (a fairly straight cover of the otherworldly-minded Norman Greenbaum rock song that had topped the British charts sixteen years earlier) to a very brief run of popularity. They had one more Top 40 and then returned to obscurity. This didn't chart very high in the States, but was a #1 in Canada, which is how it came to be the first version of the song that reached my ears. Thought it was great, but upon eventually hearing the superior original, it became clear that the greatness had nothing whatsoever to do with these guys in funny outfits.
Thank you for your patience. Hopefully our separation will be shorter this time. Bye for now.
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Gloves Across the Water: U.K. Top 40 June 21, 1986 Part One
Back to 30 years ago. The day after this chart was published, England exited the World Cup after losing 2-1 to Argentina on two memorable Diego Maradona goals. Little did we know that three decades and one day later, England, and the rest of Britain, would make another spectacular departure on the world stage. But enough of this talk of leaving. Let's instead enter the world of an early summer U.K. pop chart.
40 - "There'll Be Sad Songs," Billy Ocean
The Trinidadian-born Brit had a #1 in America with this, but it missed the Top Ten here. I side with Britain. It's a nice ballad, but nothing special. I'd just rather listen to "Love Really Hurts Without You" again.
39 - "Let's Go All the Way," Sly Fox
The one hit by this British-produced American funk-pop duo, a Top Ten in both countries. Still a lost classic. Zum zum zigga zigga indeed.
38 - "It's 'Orrible Being in Love (When You're 8 1/2)," Claire and Friends
This song was written by Brian and Michael (of "Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs" fame), and was performed by Stockport youngster Claire Usher and some of her schoolmates as an entry for a kid's TV talent contest. It's about the perils of prepubescent infatuation. At least that's what I'm told. I haven't been able to find lyrics to it, and they are unintelligible to my ears. All I hear are fingernails on a chalkboard. The song's title is too long by six words. But it easily claims this chart's Uneasy Rider. Torture for all ages.
37 - "Why Can't This Be Love," Van Halen
The VH brothers had only scored one U.K. Top 40 with David Lee Roth, ("Jump"), but they immediately doubled that total with their first single with Sammy Hagar. Maybe it's because Brits love synthesizers? Your guess is as good as mine.
36 - "Medicine Show," Big Audio Dynamite
The second of three U.K. Top 40s for Mick Jones' post-Clash band is this pop-rocker that is basically like a sales-pitch from an old-time tonic salesman pushing a miracle product. The samples from old Westerns are a nice touch.
35 - "God Thank You Woman" Culture Club
Boy George and co.'s last hit before their first breakthrough was this decent-enough pop-soul love song. Although by this time, I don't think there were many left that still believed he was interested in romance with the opposite sex.
34 - "The Teacher," Big Country
These Scots only had one hit in America (the anthemic "In a Big Country") but in the U.K. this was the ninth of 15 Top 40s. This is basic alternative rock about seeking truth. I must admit nothing I've heard so far even comes close to the majesty of their most familiar hit.
33 - "Snooker Loopy," Matchroom Mob
This combination of Cockney rockers Chas & Dave and professional snooker (a billiard game involving multicolored, non-numbered balls that is extremely popular in Britain) players Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor, Willie Thorne, Terry Griffiths and Tony Leo, reached the Top Ten with this pub singalong about the characteristics and talents of the participating players. Very bizarre. This one's gotta get an Uneasy Rider too.
32 - "Jump Back (Set Me Free)," Dhar Braxton
The only hit for this New Yorker is this dance slap-down of a would-be no-good boyfriend. Pretty catchy as these things go, and her attitude is palpable. I like it.
31 - "21st Century Boy," Sigue Sigue Sputnik
Formed in London by Tony James, whose late-70s group Generation X had introduced the world to Billy Idol, this band burst on the scene with their outrageous clothes, punk/rockabilly/synthpop sound, and their overt commercialism (they actually sold 20-30 second advertising spots on their debut album, and the version of this song I heard ended with a plug for i-D magazine). Their debut single, the fun but disposable "Love Missile F1-11" went to #3, but the follow-up just scraped into the Top Twenty. It's pretty much a carbon copy of its predecessor, with lyrics about sex and outer space and the future over a very similar background. They'd manage one more Top 40 hit two years later, but then they'd find themselves added to the pile of failed Next Big Things.
30 - "When Tomorrow Comes," Eurythmics
This product of the Dave Stewart/Annie Lennox hit machine only got this high here and didn't chart at all in America, but for my money it's no worse than their third best single. A straightforward rock song on which Annie pledges that she'll be there for you. Simple, but so strong.
29 - "Call of the Wild," Midge Ure
Scotsman James Ure had been in several bands since the mid-70s, finding his greatest success in the first half of the 80s with Ultravox. On a break from the band (during which he helped Bob Geldof put together both "Do They Know it's Christmas" and Live Aid), Ure had a #1 solo hit with "If I Was," as well as two other Top 40s, including this synthpop number about wanting someone to, um, go wild with him. I think that's it/ It's okay, but not essential.
28 - "Mine All Mine," Cashflow
80s funk from a band I can't find out much about. And the song doesn't make me feel a need to dig really deep. I do know they later appeared on the soundtrack to the Fat Boys' movie Disorderlies, so good for them.
27 - "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," Tears for Fears
The Bath duo's second U.K. #1, and the song that broke them in America. I still don't count myself among the "everybody," though.
26 - "Underground," David Bowie
Bowie's effort here is a song from the soundtrack of the Jim Henson film Labyrinth, in which he played the Goblin King. The song is the kind of taunt/invitation you'd expect from a villain in a children's adventure, and the gospel choir on the chorus provides a welcome boldness. The film bombed upon initial release, but became a cult hit on video, and yes, like almost every 80s movie that has any kind of following, there's talk of a remake/reboot. I haven't seen it, so I have no opinion.
25 - "The Chicken Song," Spitting Image
Spitting Image was an immensely popular British comedy series featuring satirical sketches performed with puppet doppelgangers of politicians, celebrities, and other public figures. One sketch featured a parody of popular dance-craze hits, introducing a song whose chorus told listeners to "hold a chicken in the air" and follow that up by performing a series of acts from the banal ("form a string quartet") to the random ("paint your left knee green"), and including acts of violence to oneself ("skin yourself alive," "disembowel yourself with spears") and others ("behead an Eskimo," "casserole your Gran"). The British sense of humour being what it is, the song was #1 for three weeks. It's absolutely one of the strangest, craziest things you'll ever hear. So yes, for the first time ever, I am bestowing a whopping three Uneasy Rider awards in one chart. They all deserve it. But if I had to pick one, this would be it.
24 - "Sinful," Pete Wylie
Liverpudlian Wylie has been in several bands since the late 70s (including more than one contatining the word "Wah!"), but his biggest hit under his own name was this Simple Mindsish number about trying to change the world for the better. It's not bad.
23 - "Lessons in Love," Level 42
Biggest hit for the Isle of Wight synth-poppers. I still say "Running in the Family" is so much better.
22 - "Venus," Bananarama
This Shocking Blue cover was a #1 in several countries, including the U.S., but only hit #8 here. In fact, these ladies never had a Number One at home. I'm quite surprised.
21 - "Friends Will Be Friends," Queen
Freddie and friends with a power ballad about the comfort of people who will stand by you through tough times. One of those circumstances mentioned in this song is "So the pound has dropped." Hmm. Interesting that I'm coming across this at this time of all times. Did Mr. Mercury call the Brexit 30 years before it happened? Well, this did come from an album called A Kind of Magic...
In Part Two: Be bad and feed your addiction, or turn to medicine and a higher power.
40 - "There'll Be Sad Songs," Billy Ocean
The Trinidadian-born Brit had a #1 in America with this, but it missed the Top Ten here. I side with Britain. It's a nice ballad, but nothing special. I'd just rather listen to "Love Really Hurts Without You" again.
39 - "Let's Go All the Way," Sly Fox
The one hit by this British-produced American funk-pop duo, a Top Ten in both countries. Still a lost classic. Zum zum zigga zigga indeed.
38 - "It's 'Orrible Being in Love (When You're 8 1/2)," Claire and Friends
This song was written by Brian and Michael (of "Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs" fame), and was performed by Stockport youngster Claire Usher and some of her schoolmates as an entry for a kid's TV talent contest. It's about the perils of prepubescent infatuation. At least that's what I'm told. I haven't been able to find lyrics to it, and they are unintelligible to my ears. All I hear are fingernails on a chalkboard. The song's title is too long by six words. But it easily claims this chart's Uneasy Rider. Torture for all ages.
37 - "Why Can't This Be Love," Van Halen
The VH brothers had only scored one U.K. Top 40 with David Lee Roth, ("Jump"), but they immediately doubled that total with their first single with Sammy Hagar. Maybe it's because Brits love synthesizers? Your guess is as good as mine.
36 - "Medicine Show," Big Audio Dynamite
The second of three U.K. Top 40s for Mick Jones' post-Clash band is this pop-rocker that is basically like a sales-pitch from an old-time tonic salesman pushing a miracle product. The samples from old Westerns are a nice touch.
35 - "God Thank You Woman" Culture Club
Boy George and co.'s last hit before their first breakthrough was this decent-enough pop-soul love song. Although by this time, I don't think there were many left that still believed he was interested in romance with the opposite sex.
34 - "The Teacher," Big Country
These Scots only had one hit in America (the anthemic "In a Big Country") but in the U.K. this was the ninth of 15 Top 40s. This is basic alternative rock about seeking truth. I must admit nothing I've heard so far even comes close to the majesty of their most familiar hit.
33 - "Snooker Loopy," Matchroom Mob
This combination of Cockney rockers Chas & Dave and professional snooker (a billiard game involving multicolored, non-numbered balls that is extremely popular in Britain) players Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor, Willie Thorne, Terry Griffiths and Tony Leo, reached the Top Ten with this pub singalong about the characteristics and talents of the participating players. Very bizarre. This one's gotta get an Uneasy Rider too.
32 - "Jump Back (Set Me Free)," Dhar Braxton
The only hit for this New Yorker is this dance slap-down of a would-be no-good boyfriend. Pretty catchy as these things go, and her attitude is palpable. I like it.
31 - "21st Century Boy," Sigue Sigue Sputnik
Formed in London by Tony James, whose late-70s group Generation X had introduced the world to Billy Idol, this band burst on the scene with their outrageous clothes, punk/rockabilly/synthpop sound, and their overt commercialism (they actually sold 20-30 second advertising spots on their debut album, and the version of this song I heard ended with a plug for i-D magazine). Their debut single, the fun but disposable "Love Missile F1-11" went to #3, but the follow-up just scraped into the Top Twenty. It's pretty much a carbon copy of its predecessor, with lyrics about sex and outer space and the future over a very similar background. They'd manage one more Top 40 hit two years later, but then they'd find themselves added to the pile of failed Next Big Things.
30 - "When Tomorrow Comes," Eurythmics
This product of the Dave Stewart/Annie Lennox hit machine only got this high here and didn't chart at all in America, but for my money it's no worse than their third best single. A straightforward rock song on which Annie pledges that she'll be there for you. Simple, but so strong.
29 - "Call of the Wild," Midge Ure
Scotsman James Ure had been in several bands since the mid-70s, finding his greatest success in the first half of the 80s with Ultravox. On a break from the band (during which he helped Bob Geldof put together both "Do They Know it's Christmas" and Live Aid), Ure had a #1 solo hit with "If I Was," as well as two other Top 40s, including this synthpop number about wanting someone to, um, go wild with him. I think that's it/ It's okay, but not essential.
28 - "Mine All Mine," Cashflow
80s funk from a band I can't find out much about. And the song doesn't make me feel a need to dig really deep. I do know they later appeared on the soundtrack to the Fat Boys' movie Disorderlies, so good for them.
27 - "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," Tears for Fears
The Bath duo's second U.K. #1, and the song that broke them in America. I still don't count myself among the "everybody," though.
26 - "Underground," David Bowie
Bowie's effort here is a song from the soundtrack of the Jim Henson film Labyrinth, in which he played the Goblin King. The song is the kind of taunt/invitation you'd expect from a villain in a children's adventure, and the gospel choir on the chorus provides a welcome boldness. The film bombed upon initial release, but became a cult hit on video, and yes, like almost every 80s movie that has any kind of following, there's talk of a remake/reboot. I haven't seen it, so I have no opinion.
25 - "The Chicken Song," Spitting Image
Spitting Image was an immensely popular British comedy series featuring satirical sketches performed with puppet doppelgangers of politicians, celebrities, and other public figures. One sketch featured a parody of popular dance-craze hits, introducing a song whose chorus told listeners to "hold a chicken in the air" and follow that up by performing a series of acts from the banal ("form a string quartet") to the random ("paint your left knee green"), and including acts of violence to oneself ("skin yourself alive," "disembowel yourself with spears") and others ("behead an Eskimo," "casserole your Gran"). The British sense of humour being what it is, the song was #1 for three weeks. It's absolutely one of the strangest, craziest things you'll ever hear. So yes, for the first time ever, I am bestowing a whopping three Uneasy Rider awards in one chart. They all deserve it. But if I had to pick one, this would be it.
24 - "Sinful," Pete Wylie
Liverpudlian Wylie has been in several bands since the late 70s (including more than one contatining the word "Wah!"), but his biggest hit under his own name was this Simple Mindsish number about trying to change the world for the better. It's not bad.
23 - "Lessons in Love," Level 42
Biggest hit for the Isle of Wight synth-poppers. I still say "Running in the Family" is so much better.
22 - "Venus," Bananarama
This Shocking Blue cover was a #1 in several countries, including the U.S., but only hit #8 here. In fact, these ladies never had a Number One at home. I'm quite surprised.
21 - "Friends Will Be Friends," Queen
Freddie and friends with a power ballad about the comfort of people who will stand by you through tough times. One of those circumstances mentioned in this song is "So the pound has dropped." Hmm. Interesting that I'm coming across this at this time of all times. Did Mr. Mercury call the Brexit 30 years before it happened? Well, this did come from an album called A Kind of Magic...
In Part Two: Be bad and feed your addiction, or turn to medicine and a higher power.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Gloves Across the Water - U.K. Top 40 June 8, 1996 Part Two
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.
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.
Monday, June 6, 2016
Gloves Across the Water - U.K. Top 40 June 8, 1996 Part One
This time we're going back 20 years. On the date of this chart, the Euro '96 soccer tournament kicked off at Wembley with host England drawing 1-1 with Switzerland. Footy was everywhere, even on the pop chart, as we shall see.
40 - "Klubbhopping" Klubbheads
The first and biggest hit by these Dutch producers/DJs was this dance tune about half steps and pumping junk into minds. Again, the problem I have with dance tracks like this is I can never imagine voluntarily listening to them outside a room full of spinning lights and sweaty people. And I never go to those places, so I find it hard to fully appreciate the songs.
39 - "Light My Fire/Release Me," The Mike Flowers Pops
Londoner Mike Flowers had a brief run of fame in the mid-90s portraying a lounge singer who covered rock songs. In 1995, he hit #2 with his version of Oasis' "Wonderwall." His second hit, a single containing takes on 60s hits by The Doors and Engelbert Humperdinck, was less successful, charting only as high as it is this week. It's a gimmick that worked once but then became boring. He'd hit the Top 40 one more time later this year, then he'd fade back into obscurity.
38 - "The X-Files," Mark Snow
New Yorker Martin Fulterman's first foray into music came when he helped found the classical/rock hybrid New York Rock & Roll Ensemble in the late 60s. In the 70s he began composing for film and television, and in 1993 he created his most famous work, the theme tune for the Fox series about two FBI agents specializing in paranormal investigations. It's a haunting electronic piece that perfectly sets the mood for voyages into the unknown, and Britain loved it so much it reached #2. Why didn't it go all the way to #1.? Only the Cigarette-Smoking Man knows for sure.
37 - "Pass and Move (It's the Liverpool Groove)," Liverpool FC and Boot Room Boyz
More football music, this one by the team from the home of the Beatles. This one is a rap, and much better than you'd expect from a sports team. It was recorded by the club ahead of their FA Cup final match with Manchester United. I will tell you what happened later in this post.
36 - "Trippin' on Sunshine," Pizzaman
This London house duo was composed of John Reid and one Norman Cook, the former bassist of indie band The Housemartins who would go on to international fame as DJ/producer Fatboy Slim. The first of their four British Top 40s suffers from many of the problems I mentioned when I talked about the Klubbheads track, but there's also musicality and the semblance of a hook, which would be a trademark of the best Fatboy Slim material. Better than average for the genre.
35 - "I Will Survive," Chantay Savage
The biggest American and British hit for this Chicago singer was this cover of the Gloria Gaynor perseverance classic, She performed it as a ballad. Very interesting choice. Reminds me of Anita Baker. I like it.
34 - "A Design for Life," Manic Street Preachers
Since forming in Wales in 1986, this band had frequently courted controversy and sensationalism, most notably a 1991 incident when guitarist Richey Edwards carved "4 REAL" into his arm with a razor blade during an interview. The band had developed a loyal following and had gained some mainstream success, but in February of 1995, Edwards disappeared, and his fate and whereabouts have been a mystery ever since. With the blessing of Edwards' family, the band carried on, and this, the first song they wrote after the disappearance, became their biggest hit to date, reaching #2. It's an anthemic, orchestrated rock song about feeling trampled down by the class system. Powerful and wonderful.
33 - "St. Teresa," Joan Osborne
Kentucky native Osborne moved to New York in the 80s, and earlier this year she had scored an international smash with her meditation on God, "One of Us." Her second-most successful single was this gritty blues number that I think is about looking for beauty and hope amid urban desolation. It's fantastic, one of my favorite songs ever. She's been pretty much an afterthought ever since, but to me, her Relish album still holds up. I'll never forget it because I bought it because of "One of Us" and found upon first listen that it was easily the weakest song on the album, to the point where I find that song hard to listen to to this day. I don't remember that ever happening before or since.
32 - "They Don't Care About Us," Michael Jackson
The most infamous single from the HIStory album. It's his angriest song, railing at injustices against the world in general and to himself in particular. At the time he saw himself as the victim of persecution by the media and the legal system after the 1993 child sexual abuse allegations that dragged his career down in America throughout the remainder of his life. This victimization caused him to use some anti-Semitic slurs in the lyrics that, whatever his intentions, were seen as hateful by Jewish groups and caused him to re-record the track. Judging it strictly as a song, it's an effective blast of outrage that contains echoes of both "Beat It" and the Temptations classic "Ball of Confusion." But there is also something about it that reveals either a naïve or willful lack of self-awareness. You feel like he sees world poverty and racial inequality as problems equal in magnitude to the press and the police having the temerity to report investigate serious claims of criminal behaviour on his part. He seems unable to grasp that in so many very real ways, he was not "us" and could never be. But that's just my opinion. I am not the first person to play pop psychologist on Michael Jackson, and I certainly won't be the last.
31 - "Good Day," Sean Maguire
This Londoner began acting as a child, appearing in, among other things, the "Every Sperm is Sacred" section of Monty Python's The Meaning of Life. He became a star in the 90s playing a footballer on the popular soap EastEnders, and a singing career followed that produced eight Top 40 singles in the decade, the biggest being this okay dance-pop trifle about having a nice time. The music has long stopped, but his acting career has stayed strong, with multiple TV and film appearances on both sides of the Atlantic, including his current role as Robin Hood on the ABC fantasy series Once Upon a Time.
30 - "Tonight, Tonight," Smashing Pumpkins
Formed in 1988, this Chicago rock band rode the grunge/alternative wave of the 90s to international stardom. Their biggest British single was this lushly produced rock epic about belief in the possibilities of life. Inspiring and beautiful. Their best song by far.
29 - "Children," Robert Miles
The biggest hit by the Italian DJ born Roberto Concina. Hooky, dreamy dance music. This is how you make something that works beyond the walls of the club.
28 - "Doin' It," LL Cool J
LL and female rapper LeShaun rhyme explicitly about sex on this track that makes you almost feel like a voyeur. And I'm not sure I want to know what "candy rain" is.
27 - "Reach," Gloria Estefan
The Cuban-American superstar supplied this aspirational ballad for use at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Made a good soundtrack for track and field and gymnastics highlights, but doesn't quite work as well outside that context.
26 - "Let This Be a Prayer," Rollo Goes Spritual
Londoner Rollo Armstrong has had much British success, most notably with his dance group Faithless. He is also the brother of Dido Armstrong, of "Thank You" and "White Flag" fame. Here, he combines house beats with gospel. Another one that you don't need to dance to to get something out of.
25 - "Sensual Sophisti-Cat," Carl Cox
This DJ from Oldham has been one of the stalwarts of the worldwide dance music scene for the last quarter-century, and he has managed five U.K. Top 40 singles along the way, including this one. It's somewhat sensual, and reasonably sophisticated, so I guess as the Brits say, it does what it says on the tin.
24 - "Blue Moon/Only You," John Alford
Another child actor-turned-heartthrob Scottish-born Alford began acting as a child in the 80s, and at this time was popular for his role as a firefighter in a TV drama called London's Burning. His foray into music produced three hits, the biggest being these covers of two popular standards. The music is lite dance-pop, and Alford's singing is pretty much at the level of the last guy picked for a boy band. And like many others on that level, he has had legal issues with drugs and impaired driving since the peak of his fame.
23 - "Move Move Move (The Red Tribe)," 1996 Manchester United FA Cup Squad
Liverpool's FA Cup opponents recorded a song of their own. This is more of a house track, and it's boasts of on-field prowess are sung rather than rapped. A little more musically interesting than their rival's offering. In the chart battle, Liverpool outpeaked them 4 to 6, but in the game, Man U got the win and the Cup. I think they were happy with that trade.
22 - "Before You Walk Out of My Life," Monica
The R&B diva's third U.K. hit was this midtempo ballad about trying to avoid a breakup. Effective. But I'm not sure if referring to herself in the third person late in the song was crass or genius.
21 - "Do You Know Where You're Coming From," M-Beat featuring Jamiroquai
Not sure who M-Beat are, but Jamiroquai are Brit-funk superstars led by the sports car-driving, horned-hat wearing Jason "Jay Kay" Cheetham. This is a stuttery, rubbery groove about finding meaning and purpose. Very much inspired by Stevie Wonder's golden 70s period, and there are much worse sources of inspiration.
In Part Two: nudity, murder, and big cats.
40 - "Klubbhopping" Klubbheads
The first and biggest hit by these Dutch producers/DJs was this dance tune about half steps and pumping junk into minds. Again, the problem I have with dance tracks like this is I can never imagine voluntarily listening to them outside a room full of spinning lights and sweaty people. And I never go to those places, so I find it hard to fully appreciate the songs.
39 - "Light My Fire/Release Me," The Mike Flowers Pops
Londoner Mike Flowers had a brief run of fame in the mid-90s portraying a lounge singer who covered rock songs. In 1995, he hit #2 with his version of Oasis' "Wonderwall." His second hit, a single containing takes on 60s hits by The Doors and Engelbert Humperdinck, was less successful, charting only as high as it is this week. It's a gimmick that worked once but then became boring. He'd hit the Top 40 one more time later this year, then he'd fade back into obscurity.
38 - "The X-Files," Mark Snow
New Yorker Martin Fulterman's first foray into music came when he helped found the classical/rock hybrid New York Rock & Roll Ensemble in the late 60s. In the 70s he began composing for film and television, and in 1993 he created his most famous work, the theme tune for the Fox series about two FBI agents specializing in paranormal investigations. It's a haunting electronic piece that perfectly sets the mood for voyages into the unknown, and Britain loved it so much it reached #2. Why didn't it go all the way to #1.? Only the Cigarette-Smoking Man knows for sure.
37 - "Pass and Move (It's the Liverpool Groove)," Liverpool FC and Boot Room Boyz
More football music, this one by the team from the home of the Beatles. This one is a rap, and much better than you'd expect from a sports team. It was recorded by the club ahead of their FA Cup final match with Manchester United. I will tell you what happened later in this post.
36 - "Trippin' on Sunshine," Pizzaman
This London house duo was composed of John Reid and one Norman Cook, the former bassist of indie band The Housemartins who would go on to international fame as DJ/producer Fatboy Slim. The first of their four British Top 40s suffers from many of the problems I mentioned when I talked about the Klubbheads track, but there's also musicality and the semblance of a hook, which would be a trademark of the best Fatboy Slim material. Better than average for the genre.
35 - "I Will Survive," Chantay Savage
The biggest American and British hit for this Chicago singer was this cover of the Gloria Gaynor perseverance classic, She performed it as a ballad. Very interesting choice. Reminds me of Anita Baker. I like it.
34 - "A Design for Life," Manic Street Preachers
Since forming in Wales in 1986, this band had frequently courted controversy and sensationalism, most notably a 1991 incident when guitarist Richey Edwards carved "4 REAL" into his arm with a razor blade during an interview. The band had developed a loyal following and had gained some mainstream success, but in February of 1995, Edwards disappeared, and his fate and whereabouts have been a mystery ever since. With the blessing of Edwards' family, the band carried on, and this, the first song they wrote after the disappearance, became their biggest hit to date, reaching #2. It's an anthemic, orchestrated rock song about feeling trampled down by the class system. Powerful and wonderful.
33 - "St. Teresa," Joan Osborne
Kentucky native Osborne moved to New York in the 80s, and earlier this year she had scored an international smash with her meditation on God, "One of Us." Her second-most successful single was this gritty blues number that I think is about looking for beauty and hope amid urban desolation. It's fantastic, one of my favorite songs ever. She's been pretty much an afterthought ever since, but to me, her Relish album still holds up. I'll never forget it because I bought it because of "One of Us" and found upon first listen that it was easily the weakest song on the album, to the point where I find that song hard to listen to to this day. I don't remember that ever happening before or since.
32 - "They Don't Care About Us," Michael Jackson
The most infamous single from the HIStory album. It's his angriest song, railing at injustices against the world in general and to himself in particular. At the time he saw himself as the victim of persecution by the media and the legal system after the 1993 child sexual abuse allegations that dragged his career down in America throughout the remainder of his life. This victimization caused him to use some anti-Semitic slurs in the lyrics that, whatever his intentions, were seen as hateful by Jewish groups and caused him to re-record the track. Judging it strictly as a song, it's an effective blast of outrage that contains echoes of both "Beat It" and the Temptations classic "Ball of Confusion." But there is also something about it that reveals either a naïve or willful lack of self-awareness. You feel like he sees world poverty and racial inequality as problems equal in magnitude to the press and the police having the temerity to report investigate serious claims of criminal behaviour on his part. He seems unable to grasp that in so many very real ways, he was not "us" and could never be. But that's just my opinion. I am not the first person to play pop psychologist on Michael Jackson, and I certainly won't be the last.
31 - "Good Day," Sean Maguire
This Londoner began acting as a child, appearing in, among other things, the "Every Sperm is Sacred" section of Monty Python's The Meaning of Life. He became a star in the 90s playing a footballer on the popular soap EastEnders, and a singing career followed that produced eight Top 40 singles in the decade, the biggest being this okay dance-pop trifle about having a nice time. The music has long stopped, but his acting career has stayed strong, with multiple TV and film appearances on both sides of the Atlantic, including his current role as Robin Hood on the ABC fantasy series Once Upon a Time.
30 - "Tonight, Tonight," Smashing Pumpkins
Formed in 1988, this Chicago rock band rode the grunge/alternative wave of the 90s to international stardom. Their biggest British single was this lushly produced rock epic about belief in the possibilities of life. Inspiring and beautiful. Their best song by far.
29 - "Children," Robert Miles
The biggest hit by the Italian DJ born Roberto Concina. Hooky, dreamy dance music. This is how you make something that works beyond the walls of the club.
28 - "Doin' It," LL Cool J
LL and female rapper LeShaun rhyme explicitly about sex on this track that makes you almost feel like a voyeur. And I'm not sure I want to know what "candy rain" is.
27 - "Reach," Gloria Estefan
The Cuban-American superstar supplied this aspirational ballad for use at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Made a good soundtrack for track and field and gymnastics highlights, but doesn't quite work as well outside that context.
26 - "Let This Be a Prayer," Rollo Goes Spritual
Londoner Rollo Armstrong has had much British success, most notably with his dance group Faithless. He is also the brother of Dido Armstrong, of "Thank You" and "White Flag" fame. Here, he combines house beats with gospel. Another one that you don't need to dance to to get something out of.
25 - "Sensual Sophisti-Cat," Carl Cox
This DJ from Oldham has been one of the stalwarts of the worldwide dance music scene for the last quarter-century, and he has managed five U.K. Top 40 singles along the way, including this one. It's somewhat sensual, and reasonably sophisticated, so I guess as the Brits say, it does what it says on the tin.
24 - "Blue Moon/Only You," John Alford
Another child actor-turned-heartthrob Scottish-born Alford began acting as a child in the 80s, and at this time was popular for his role as a firefighter in a TV drama called London's Burning. His foray into music produced three hits, the biggest being these covers of two popular standards. The music is lite dance-pop, and Alford's singing is pretty much at the level of the last guy picked for a boy band. And like many others on that level, he has had legal issues with drugs and impaired driving since the peak of his fame.
23 - "Move Move Move (The Red Tribe)," 1996 Manchester United FA Cup Squad
Liverpool's FA Cup opponents recorded a song of their own. This is more of a house track, and it's boasts of on-field prowess are sung rather than rapped. A little more musically interesting than their rival's offering. In the chart battle, Liverpool outpeaked them 4 to 6, but in the game, Man U got the win and the Cup. I think they were happy with that trade.
22 - "Before You Walk Out of My Life," Monica
The R&B diva's third U.K. hit was this midtempo ballad about trying to avoid a breakup. Effective. But I'm not sure if referring to herself in the third person late in the song was crass or genius.
21 - "Do You Know Where You're Coming From," M-Beat featuring Jamiroquai
Not sure who M-Beat are, but Jamiroquai are Brit-funk superstars led by the sports car-driving, horned-hat wearing Jason "Jay Kay" Cheetham. This is a stuttery, rubbery groove about finding meaning and purpose. Very much inspired by Stevie Wonder's golden 70s period, and there are much worse sources of inspiration.
In Part Two: nudity, murder, and big cats.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)