Top 30 in 1995 Reviewed: Week 22

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 28 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Wednesday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1995 with my verdict on each record:

30. Bobby Brown - Two Can Play That Game

This originally made number 38 in 1994 but did better when it returned to the charts in 1995 and gave Bobby Brown his highest charting Top 40 hit to date. It was also the last of his big hits. The single version was a K-Klass remix and is a dance record. A great uplifting record.

Verdict - Good

29. Blessid Union Of Souls - I Believe (New)

The only Top 40 hit for Blessid Union Of Souls. It's a ballad and one thing I've often said is that if a ballad is done well it can be a great record. This record fits that category, it's got a lot of soul to it and one you can feel.

Verdict - Good

28. Curtis Stigers - This Time (New)

Curtis Stigers in 1995? All his other Top 40 hits had come in 1992 but here he was in 1995 and he'd had his hair cut. The music is still very much the same though perhaps not as catchy as his big hits. I would put this in the guilty pleasures category.

Verdict - Good

27. Love City Groove - Love City Groove

The issue I used to have with the Eurovision Song Contest when I was younger was that it sounded like most of the music was stuck in the dark ages. Then in 1995 this record was selected to represent the UK and I thought wow a song that actually sounds modern at Eurovision. I also watched the Eurovision Song Contest that year and it really should have won as it was the best record by far.

Verdict - Good

26. Oasis - Some Might Say

This was the 6th Top 40 hit for Oasis and it gave them their first number one. I recall on The O-Zone after this topped the charts Liam Gallagher said he wasn't surprised this got to number one because it's a good record. I too wasn't surprised given how big Oasis were becoming, but I can't say I agree about the good record bit.

Verdict - Rubbish

25. The Outhere Brothers - Don't Stop (Wiggle Wiggle)

1995 was the year of The Outhere Brothers and this is where it all began. They were massive in 1995 and then afterwards they were nowhere to be seen really. I was a fan of their music, it was great fun to listen to.

Verdict - Good

24. Bryan Adams - Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?

One of the reasons I have 1995 down as being a good year for music is because I'd videotaped the Christmas edition of Top of the Pops and found myself liking many of the records they used to round up the year. There were however exceptions to that and this record stands out as one of those that wasn't so good.

Verdict - Rubbish

23. Elton John - Made In England

I'm surprised this record got no higher than number 18 because this got played a lot at the time. I remember several young kids taking a liking to it at the time for some reason. My teenage self also thought it was decent if I'm honest. Definitely one of the better Elton John records.

Verdict - Good

22. Take That - Back For Good

At the time me and a couple of others were given lunchtime detention at school for a few days by the science teacher in the science lab. He would listen to his tape which began with this song. We would therefore laugh at this possibly 50 something bloke listening to Take That. I always hated Take That and still think most of their music is crap, but I have to concede that this one is actually quite good.

Verdict - Good

21. Happy Clappers - I Believe (New)

The Top 40 debut for Happy Clappers which is also the record they're best known for. It's members included Mark Topham who wrote several of Steps hits. I won't hold that against him though, this is very much a commercial record but an enjoyable one at the same time.

Verdict - Good

20. Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees

Guitar music was getting softer in the mid-90s but Radiohead really took it to the extreme with this record. It's a far cry from the heavy guitars of "Creep" but I guess that was the point. They were doing their own thing and I respect that, but I just find this unlistenable. 

Verdict - Rubbish

19. Michelle Gayle - Freedom

I've always seen Michelle Gayle as a prime example of British R&B being inferior to its American counterpart. I remember this record as was ready to say that, but instead I'm quite surprised to find myself enjoying it after all these years. With an American songwriter and a video where she's wearing a Michigan dress and it looks like it was recorded in America I guess it's more of an American record with a Brit providing vocals.

Verdict - Good

18. Tina Arena - Chains

Here's a turn up for the books, an Australian pop singer who wasn't on an Aussie soap. This was the Top 40 debut for Tina Arena and the record she's best known for. This is how you make a pop ballad, once it gets going it's quite something.

Verdict - Good

17. Joshua Kadison - Jessie

It's rumoured that this record was written about Sarah Jessica Parker who Joshua Kadison was said to be dating at the time. It's not unusual for a musician to be dating a film actress, but doing so before the musicians had his first hit seems pretty unusual. Anyway this was played at lot at the time and I quite liked it, still do.

Verdict - Good

16. Ladysmith Black Mambazo ft China Black - Swing Low Sweet Chariot (New)

I've never liked rugby as a sport and have never watched the rugby world cup in my life. The way to know it was happening was a version of this song being in the charts. It do find it somewhat baffling that rugby prides itself on being a hardcore sport yet it gets represented musically by such a namby pamby song.

Verdict - Rubbish

15. Jimmy Somerville - Hurt So Good

The 6th and final solo Top 40 hit for Jimmy Somerville which meant he had one more Top 40 hit as a solo artists than he did with Bronski Beat. It also meant that he'd had more covers than original Top 40 hits as a solo artist. This was the lowest charting of those covers. I quite like it.

Verdict - Good

14. Therapy? - Stories (New)

Therapy? were back following the success from their "Troublegum" album. It remains the only Therapy? album I've ever listened to, all I know outside that album is the singles. This was the first post-Troublegum single and I like it, but not enough to listen to the album.

Verdict - Good

13. Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It

When this record first came out I thought that Montell Jordan may have been a basketball player who made a record. The fact he was so tall and had the surname Jordan would have been logical reasons why. That said, the fact is too good to be by a sportsman really.

Verdict - Good

12. Celine Dion - Only One Road

After Celine Dion had been at the top of the charts for what seemed like an eternity with a dreary ballad, here she was back with another dreary ballad. My opinion of this song is therefore much the same as my opinion of its predecessor.

Verdict - Rubbish

11. Reef - Naked (New)

Reef were a band the rock crowd were getting into at the time and was one of the reasons I stopped listening to rock and got into rave instead. I thought their music was too soft but in the case of this record it's a complete non-entity. 

Verdict - Rubbish

10. Livin' Joy - Dreamer

The Top 40 debut and only chart topper for Livin Joy which is also the hit they're most famous for. It's a commercial dance record no doubt and I've perhaps heard this too many times in my life by now. It does however push the right buttons to make it great fun to listen to.

Verdict - Good

9. Billie Ray Martin - Your Loving Arms

The solo Top 40 debut for Billie Ray Martin who had previously been in the Top 40 as the singer for Electribe 101. Initially reaction to hearing that there was a singer called Billie Ray Martin was not that achy breaky heart bloke again. It was a different Billie Ray though, a German female as opposed to an American male. It couldn't be any more different, but it's almost as annoying as "Achy Breaky Heart".

Verdict - Rubbish

8. McAlmont And Butler - Yes

Bernard Butler left Suede in 1994 and then formed a duo with David McAlmont. This was their Top 40 debut and the record they're best known for. Whilst this also falls under the britpop banner it's very different to Suede. That's a good thing.

Verdict - Good

7. The Nightcrawlers ft John Reid - Surrender Your Love

After the eventual success of "Push The Feeling On" courtesy of a MK remix, The Nightcrawlers reunited with MK for this follow up which very much follows the same formula. The main difference is that it's nowhere near as catchy, but then that's what makes it good in its own way.

Verdict - Good

6. Ali Campbell - That Look In Your Eye

The debut solo Top 40 hit for Ali Campbell which was also his biggest. It features uncredited vocals from Pamela Starks. The only resemblance it has to a UB40 record is Ali Campbell's singing, it's very much a pop record otherwise. It's also how a pop record should be done.

Verdict - Good

5. Baby D - I Need Your Loving (Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime) (New)

The follow up to the chart topping "Let Me Be Your Fantasy" which is a rave version of the Korgis record. There were other rave versions of the same record also going round at the same time. It lends itself well to it though I have to say.

Verdict - Good

4. Scatman John - Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop)

I don't think anyone saw this one coming. A eurodance record that's rapped by a 53 year old bloke with a stutter. This record is about as 1995 as they come even though it was originally recorded in 1994. What a tune though.

Verdict - Good

3. Perez 'Prez' Prado And His Orchestra - Guaglione

A record from 1958 that finally entered the charts after appearing on the Guinness advert. Perez 'Prez' Prado sadly didn't live to see this records success as he died in 1989. I'm not sure I was aware of just how old this record was at the time and when I hear it I very much think 1995.

Verdict - Good

2. Pulp - Common People (New)

Pulp formed in the 70s but it took until 1994 for them to get their first Top 40 hit. It was this record though that made them a household name. I wasn't keen on this record at first, then it grew on me a bit but it's taken quite a few years for me to concede that I do quite like it.

Verdict - Good

1. Robson And Jerome - Unchained Melody / White Cliffs Of Dover

Whilst I generally have a favourable opinion of music from 1995 I'm also conscious that there was also rubbish in the charts that year with Robson & Jerome in particular that springs to mind. This was their Top 40 debut which came about after their Soldier Soldier characters sang it on the show.

Verdict - Rubbish / Rubbish

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 22/30, or 70%. It's proving to be a good year.

25 Years Since....May 1998

Nearly half way through the year already, 1998 wasn't that quick:

Catatonia - Road Rage

This record was an example of me opening myself up to music that wasn't rave. I recall being in the pub with my friend who had taught me all things rave a few years earlier and he put this on the jukebox.

It wasn't what I was expecting him to play, but at the same time I thought actually that's a good choice.

Perpetual Motion - Keep On Dancin' (Let's Go)

It took a while for me to discover what this record actually was and I acquired it via a short mix someone did for me. It was one of those Friday feeling records, not sure if I ever heard it out on a Friday night but I certainly listened to it before going out on a Friday.

Freak Power - No Way

Freak Power had previously been in the Top 40 with "Turn On, Tune In, Cop Out" which was an acid jazz record. The main man behind Freak Power was Norman Cook and by this point he had become best known as Fatboy Slim.

This record sounds like it could easily be a Fatboy Slim record, the only similarity to other Freak Power records was the vocals of Ashley Slater.

Ruff Driverz - Deeper Love

I guess you could call this a time when I was moving on from rave music really. 2 men who had already made that transition were Chris Brown and Bradley Carter. Chris Brown was known in the rave scene as Eruption and ran United Dance and Bradley Carter was an engineer on many hardcore records.

This was a lot better than a lot of the cheese that was coming out in the rave scene around this time.

MJ Cole - Sincere

This record to me marks the end of the speed garage era and the start of the UK garage era. It wasn't the last speed garage record to make the Top 40 but I think it fits in better with the UK garage of 2000 than the speed garage of 1998.

UK Number 40s: Salt Tank - Eugina (1996)

 

When it comes to commercial trance music the lines can be quite blurred between it and other genres from progressive house to eurodance to techno. By the mid-90s any record that fitted the trance genre and not any other genres was coming out on Perfecto Records.

Then in 1996 came this, the first undeniably trance Top 40 hit that wasn't on Perfecto Records. It came out on Internal Records, the home of Orbital.

Salt Tank were David Gates and Malcolm Stanners who had a label of their own, 4 Real Communications. They had quite a lengthy discography but this was the only Top 40 hit.

Top 30 in 1993 Reviewed: Week 22

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 30 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Sunday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1993 with my verdict on each record:

30. Lenny Kravitz - Believe (New)

When Lenny Kravitz released "Are You Gonna Go My Way?" he was popular amongst my peers. Then came this which made everyone think what the fuck. We must have not been aware yet that this was the man who'd previously done "It Ain't Over Til It's Over", in our minds he was a hard rocker. This ones a ballad that isn't really rock at all so we were now thinking actually he's not any good. Now I've had 30 years to get over it, this isn't a bad record.

Verdict - OK

29. Charles And Eddie - House Is Not A Home (New)

Yes that's right Charles & Eddie had another hit. In fact this was their 3rd Top 40 hit, their 2nd didn't make the Top 30. They had a 4th too but that only made 38. This one starts quite promising and the intro appears again in the middle of the song. The rest of it is a bit of an anti climax to it though.

Verdict - OK

28. Luther Vandross - Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)

Luther Vandross seems a bit out of place in 1993. We're in an era of new jack swing and the emergence of hip hop soul, but Luther Vandross is having none of that and sticking to his roots. That's fair enough, when you've been around a few years and jump on the bandwagon if whatever's in often doesn't work. That said I can't really get into this one, bit slow and boring for my liking.

Verdict - Rubbish

27. Cappella - U Got 2 Know

Cappella made their Top 40 debut in 1989, but this was just their 3rd Top 40 hit. This is the start of their full on cheesy eurodance era. It's not as bad as I remember it being, but it's still pretty bad.

Verdict - Rubbish

26. Megadeth - Sweating Bullets (New)

This was the final Top 40 hit from the "Countdown to Extinction" album which I once owned. I believe I mentioned previously what a let down that album was, I was expected it to be really heavy but it wasn't. I'd say this was the most memorable track, but still not one I like.

Verdict - Rubbish

25. Tears For Fears - Break It Down Again (New)

This was the 2nd single where Tears For Fears was Roland Orzabal on his own. It was also their penultimate Top 40 hit of the 90s and final Top 40 hit to date to reach the Top 30. It has a good build up in it and delivers in full.

Verdict - Good 

24. Stereo MC's - Creation (New)

The final hit from the "Connected" album. I remember thinking the video to it was weird at the time. It is weird but not that weird. I own the album so haven't needed to watch the video in a long time. This is the most upbeat of their singles. It's difficult to say which singles the best as their all good in their own way.

Verdict - Good 

23. Saint Etienne - Hobart Paving / Who Do You Think You Are

When I was doing my yearly chart reviews and picking a record of the year for each year I picked "Hobart Paving" for 1993. I do question if that was the right choice, I can't help but think there must have been better tunes. Maybe from now on with each record I'll ask the question is it better than "Hobart Paving". Obviously I still like the record though. Likewise the other side "Who Do You Think You Are" is a decent record and features guest vocalist Debsy Wykes who I think has appeared at every Saint Etienne gig I've been to.

Verdict - Good / Good

22. Suede - So Young (New)

Although Britpop isn't one particular style of music and there are some decent Britpop records out there, my overall view of Britpop isn't a positive one. That's because of records like this. I just find it an incredibly boring record. 

Verdict - Rubbish

21. Utah Saints - Believe In Me

Utah Saints made their Top 40 debut almost 2 years prior to this, but their debut album was only just about to be released. This was also just their 3rd Top 40 hit. It samples "Love Action (I Believe in Love)" by Human League and "You Gave Me Love" by Crown Heights Affair which were both records I'd never heard at the time. I own said album and still regularly listen to it.

Verdict - Good

20. Snow - Informer

I don't think anyone knew the words to this when it came out, but in the chorus people would sing "I'll lick your bum bum now". I always assumed they weren't the real lyrics and with the benefit of the internet I can see it's "A licky boom boom down". It's regarded by many as a bit of a joke record but I always quite liked it and I challenge anyone to singalong word for word, I'm sure most would struggle.

Verdict - Good

19. Sub Sub ft Melanie Williams - Ain't No Love (Ain't No Use)

Sub Sub had just the one Top 40 hit but they would re-emerge in the year 2000 as Doves. Yes that's right, one of the most boring bands ever started off making dance music. This is far from boring though so don't let that put you off.

Verdict - Good

18. Whitney Houston - I Have Nothing

We had the film "The Bodyguard" in late 1992 which resulted in Whitney Houston being at number one for what seemed like an eternity. She followed that up with another record from the film with "I'm Every Woman". Now here we are at the end of April with yet another song from the film which like her chart topper is a dreary ballad.

Verdict - Rubbish

17. Dina Carroll - Express

One thing that amazes me when I look at the history books is the number of hits Dina Carroll had before "Don't Be A Stranger". This was her 5th solo Top 40 hit and last hit before said record. Its something I thought I'd find alright at least, but it's nowhere near as good as I remember it and sounds very album filler to me.

Verdict - Rubbish

16. Louchie Lou And Michie One - Shout (It Out) (New)

This was the Top 40 debut for Louchie Lou & Michie One which is basically a cover of the Isley Brothers record done ragga style. I think all that achieved was to remind people that the original was much better.

Verdict - Rubbish

15. Sonia - Better The Devil You Know

I think the year this was in the Eurovision song contest was the first year I actually watched it and realised what a pile of crap it is. You would expect it to be a cover of the Kylie Minogue record but it isn't. Sounds like it should be a cover though. It's the final Top 40 hit to date for Sonia.

Verdict - Rubbish

14. Jungle Book - The Jungle Book Groove

Around 18 months after the dreadful UK Mixmasters version of "Bare Necessities" we get this Jungle Book megamix which includes this record. Incidentally this reached the same position. Again it's dreadful.

Verdict - Rubbish

13. Shabba Ranks ft Maxi Priest - Housecall

Now Shabba Ranks had become a household name off the back of "Mr. Loverman" this record was back in the Top 40 having originally made 31 in 1991. Despite being the featured artist Maxi Priest appears to have the lions share of the vocals on this one. Can't really get into it though.

Verdict - Rubbish

12. The Spin Doctors - Two Princes

There was a period of time in 1993 when The Spin Doctors were my 10th favourite band and it was because of this record alone. The rest of my Top 10 was always changing and they dropped out when I could easily name 10 bands who were better. I would say their placing at number 10 was more symbolic of me thinking this is a solid decent record but only a nitwit would think it's the best song ever.

Verdict - Good

11. Guns N' Roses - Civil War (EP) (New)

It had been almost 2 years since the "Use Your Illusion" albums had been released and this was the 7th and final single to be released from them. I always liked it and I've grown to like it more over the years. I also love to sing it at karaoke but at almost 8 minutes long it's not a good one to do when you're cramming as many songs as you can into 2 hours which seems to be the way karaoke works these days.

Verdict - Good

10. REM - Everybody Hurts

REM were I band I paid attention to in late 1992/early 1993. I remember "Drive", "Man on the Moon" and "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight" being released very well. Yet this record came next and made the Top 10 unlike those mentioned and it completely passed me by. I'd heard it by the summer and was somewhat baffled why I missed it the first time round. Looking at the history books (aka the internet) though I now know I would have been on holiday when this appeared on Top of the Pops. I don't mind it, but I've heard much better from them.

Verdict - OK

9. Bon Jovi - In These Arms

The 3rd single from the "Keep the Faith" album. Bon Jovi were my 3rd favourite band at the time behind Guns N Roses and INXS. This was one of my favourites from said album. What I like the most about this record is the drumming into the chorus.

Verdict - Good

8. House Of Pain - Jump Around / Top O' The Morning To Ya (New)

"Jump Around" is of course the best known House of Pain record and was enjoying greater success the second time round having originally charted at 32 the previous year. I still like it, but it has been overplayed over the years. I recall this being played on a Saturday night out and my mate saying wow tune. I on the other hand couldn't get excited about hearing a tune I was hearing every Saturday night being played on a Saturday night. I would say "Top O' The Morning To Ya" is less radio friendly, but that's a good thing.

Verdict - Good / Good

7. Tina Turner - I Don't Wanna Fight (New)

At this point Lulu had a Top 40 career spanning 29 years and 14 hits, but she had no hits as songwriter until this record. It sounds nothing like a Lulu record, but as she hadn't written any of her hits to this point I guess you couldn't really determine what she'd be like as a songwriter. Anyway, not my cup of tea.

Verdict - Rubbish

6. Janet Jackson - That's The Way Love Goes

This was the biggest Janet Jackson solo hit and arguably her best known record. Once again Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are on songwriting duties. I've never understood the hype about this record though, it's pretty poor in my opinion. Sounds very much like background music.

Verdict - Rubbish

5. 2 Unlimited - Tribal Dance

In the early part of the 21st century there were lots of cheesy eurodance records that came under the trance banner. This is possibly where all that started as this is essentially trance music of the cheesy eurodance variety. To be fair it's better than many of those 21st century records but it's still crap.

Verdict - Rubbish

4. George Michael And Queen With Lisa Stansfield - Five Live (EP)

When this topped the charts several people pointed this out to me thinking I was still a Queen fan. I'd reply I don't care, I'm a Guns n Roses fan now. I also recall a school assembly where the headmaster asked one of the younger teachers who was at number one in the charts and she said The Bluebells which prompted most of the kids to say no it isn't, it's Queen. It also appeared as a question on a quiz at youth club, if we answered George Michael and Queen or just George Michael we got the points, if we just answered Queen we didn't. Anyway I may have tried avoiding it at the time but it's a pretty decent cover. 

Verdict - Good

3. Inner Circle - Sweat (A La La La La Long)

This one reminds me of school discos. Everyone would sing along to this and I don't think too many of us really knew what it was about. Another thing I didn't know at the time was that Inner Circle formed in 1968 and had previous been in the Top 40 in 1979. Despite that, this tune has early 90s written all over it.

Verdict - Good

2. UB40 - (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You

At the time I recall someone accusing me of only liking this record because it was at number one. If anything that would have been a reason for me to not like it. UB40 do divide opinion, some say how can you take a reggae band from Birmingham who do lots of covers seriously whereas others say doesn't it really matter it's good to listen to. I fit the latter category.

Verdict - Good

1. Ace Of Base - All That She Wants

I remember hearing this for the first time on the Big Breakfast and then hearing other singing it later on that day. It's a pretty catchy record and now I know it was produced by Denniz Pop that was clearly the point. I loved this record at the time and still like it even though I've perhaps heard it too many times.

Verdict - Good

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 15.5/30, or 52%. We're back above 50%, I do feel like the good ones are sticking around for longer.

Top 30 in 1996 Reviewed: Week 21

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 27 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Friday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1996 with my verdict on each record:

30. Scooter - Rebel Yell (New)

In the 90s there were a total of 8 happy hardcore records to reach the Top 40 and this was the 8th and final one. It's a cover of the Billy Idol song, sung terribly by H.P. Baxxter. Exactly the sort of thing you'd expect from Scooter. I'd have been disappointed if he'd sung it nicely.

Verdict - Good

29. 3T - 24/7

The 2nd Top 40 hit for 3T and it sounds like we've gone into album filler territory already. If you read the name it looks like a mathematical equation. That's about as exciting as this record gets.

Verdict - Rubbish

28. Sarah Washington - Heaven (New)

The 2nd Top 40 hit for Sarah Washington which came 3 years after her first which was a cover of "I Will Always Love You". She's moved away from the eurodance sound to the more serious house sound. It does however suffer from the vocals being the focal point of the tune given it's the singer who gets the sole artist credit. It's not bad though.

Verdict - OK

27. Alanis Morissette - Ironic

Musically I cannot fault this record, it has the sort of formula that should equate to a record I would like. It's also very 90s which again is a good thing. Yet I find myself getting really irritated when I hear it. I want to smash up the radio. No idea why, but I can't exactly like a record when it makes me feel like that.

Verdict - Rubbish

26. Horace Brown - One For The Money

This is a useful record to know for the Motown bonus round on Popmaster. Generally you wouldn't expect anything from the 90s from that category, but the label was still going and this record was on the label. General reaction on Twitter when this comes up is who the fuck is Horace Brown. I do remember it at the time, what stood out was the lyrical similarity to "Blue Suede Shoes" in the chorus. Not a bad record, but not great either.

Verdict - OK

25. Lisa Marie Experience - Keep On Jumpin'

You may think that Lisa Marie Experience is a group fronted by Lisa Marie, but it isn't. It is in fact 2 male producers, D. Ramirez and Neil Hynde and this was their Top 40 debut. It's a cover of a Musique record done 90s style. They've also done away with most of the words of the original which in dance music terms is a good thing.

Verdict - Good

24. Busta Rhymes - Woo-hah!! Got You All In Check

I remember hearing this record for the first time. It was the rap record I'd been waiting to hear all my life. That combination of gravelly rapping over a melodic background really did it for me. It was the Top 40 debut for Busta Rhymes.

Verdict - Good

23. Michael Jackson - They Don't Care About Us

I remember where I was when I first heard this record. I was in a restaurant with a group of people and a music channel was on. The general consensus around the table was how shit is this record? It just sounded a noise and an example of how Michael Jackson could make any old crap and people would buy it. My opinion hasn't really changed.

Verdict - Rubbish

22. Pulse ft Antoinette Robertson - The Lover That You Are (New)

Pulse are a trio of producers and Antoinette Robertson is a singer. This was however written by David Morales and Carla Bianco which raises the question what exactly did Pulse do on this record as David Morales is not part of the trio. It was one of the big house records of the time and like most things David Morales has an input in it's good.

Verdict - Good

21. Chantay Savage - I Will Survive

I remember being really impressed by just how different this sounds to the original. I also recall when hearing it on the radio there was a rap that went "so long as the beat goes on" which I liked. When it appeared on Top of the Pops though I realised how boring it was without the rap. The video doesn't have the rap on it either, so I guess it's still dull.

Verdict - Rubbish

20. Jodeci - Get On Up (New)

The 5th and final Top 40 hit to date for Jodeci who I believe were on hiatus by this point. It's taken from "The Show, the Afterparty, the Hotel" album, an album that I wanted so badly that I paid £17 for it when I was a poor student. I listened to it enough to get my moneys worth though. 

Verdict - Good

19. Manic Street Preachers - A Design For Life

The comeback single from the Manic Street Preachers following the disappearance of Richey Edwards which gave them their biggest Top 40 hit to that point. As was the trend around this time, their music had softened up and I wasn't a fan.

Verdict - Rubbish

18. The Klubbheads - Klubhopping

I started to play the "official video" to this only to be greeted with a modern EDM shite version of it. Thankfully I found the original. There was a happy hardcore version around the same sort of time and in a way I got into this via liking the happy hardcore version.

Verdict - Good

17. Blur - Charmless Man

I would say this is probably the catchiest Blur record. I remember hearing it on the radio for the first time and it already had a degree of familiarity to it whilst sounding something new at the same time. It's not one you hear much these days. A few years ago I recall hearing it prior to a Divine Comedy gig for the first time in years and thinking yes that was a good tune.

Verdict - Good

16. Robert Miles - Children

A record you definitely couldn't avoid hearing in 1996, but what a tune. Like many dance records at the time, this was already over a year old by the time it was released. It's one of those tunes you can sit back and relax to but also get up and dance to, and I've done both.

Verdict - Good

15. Gloria Estefan - Reach (New)

When it was the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 I was watching pretty much every day. I barely watched any of the following Olympics in Atlanta in 1996 to the point I don't even remember this, the official record of the Olympics. Not sure why it was released this far in advance of the Olympics though. It's predictably dull.

Verdict - Rubbish

14. 1300 Drums - Ooh! Aah! Cantona ft The Unjustified Ancients Of M-U

Man Utd had an official record in the charts at the time, but here's an unofficial novelty record about Man Utd player Eric Cantona. It's rumoured that the KLF were behind this record, but there's not evidence to suggest they were. It's crap, but that's the point.

Verdict - Rubbish

13. SWV - You're The One (New)

This was the lead single from their 2nd album "New Beginning" On songwriting duties on this one is Ivan Matias and Andrea Martin, the composers of "Don't Let Go (Love)" by En Vogue. The combination of good songwriters and good singers gives it a good chance of being a good record, which it is.

Verdict - Good

12. Sean Maguire - Good Day (New)

It had been nearly 2 years since singing actor Sean Maguire made his Top 40 debut and 6 hits later he was still going. This was his biggest Top 40 hit and the only one he has a songwriting credit on so I bet he's happy about that. A terrible record though.

Verdict - Rubbish

11. Liverpool FC And Boot Room Boyz - Pass And Move (Liverpool Groove)

Man Utd may have won the FA Cup that season but it was Liverpool who won the battle in the charts. John Barnes was still playing for them at the time and once again he does a rap. Like pretty much every football record though, this is terrible.

Verdict - Rubbish

10. Black Grape - Fat Neck (New)

My initial thought about this record is what an odd title. Then I heard it and thought this is terrible. I do like some Black Grape records, but this one just sounds a noise. It doesn't seem to go anywhere.

Verdict - Rubbish

9. John Alford - Blue Moon / Only You (New)

The concept of a "Londons Burning" actor doing a cover of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" is quite amusing. He should have left it at the though. Instead he does a further 2 reggae style covers as a double a-side which gave him his biggest hit to date. He wasn't finished yet either.

Verdict - Rubbish / Rubbish 

8. 1996 Manchester United FA Cup Squad - Move Move Move (The Red Tribe)

It had been 2 years since Man Utd topped the charts with "Come On You Reds" with the help of Status Quo. Now they'd gone all 2 Unlimited on this record around 3 years out of date. I guess one thing you can say is that David Beckham had some sort of music career before Posh Spice did.

Verdict - Rubbish

7. The Smashing Pumpkins - Tonight, Tonight

This was the 5th Top 40 hit for The Smashing Pumpkins and their first Top 10 and biggest hit to date. I wouldn't say it's a surprise this was their biggest hit, it's probably the most radio friendly. The orchestra gives it another edge and there's a sense of relief then the chorus kicks in.

Verdict - Good

6. Suggs And Louchie Lou/Michie One - Cecilia

This Simon & Garfunkel cover was the biggest solo Top 40 hit for Suggs. It was also the biggest Top 40 hit for Louchie Lou and Michie One. To be honest I was never sure whether a record was a Suggs solo or a Madness record in the 90s, but on reflection there's a clear distinction in that Suggs solo records sound a bit of a joke.

Verdict - Rubbish

5. Tony Rich Project - Nobody Knows

This was a record I never liked at the time, partly because with a name like the Tony Rich Project I was expecting a dance record but it wasn't. Then when I was going through my R&B phase I started liking it. What do I think of it now though? Well first of all I could have sworn it was written by Babyface but it wasn't, though it did come out on his label and the songwriters have seemingly done nothing else so you never know. The fact it sounds like a record Babyface could have done himself though is a good thing.

Verdict - Good

4. JX - There's Nothing I Won't Do

I'll be the first to admit this record hasn't aged very well. At the time though it was a great record and the nostalgia element means I still like it now. For me it's all about the build up when the beat first comes in. Then there's the short breakdown later on before the tune kicks in again. It was irresistible at the time.

Verdict - Good

3. Mark Morrison - Return Of The Mack

I remember when this first entered the charts it was at number six for three weeks in a row. It would eventually climb to number one, the first time a record climbed to number one rather than go straight in at number one for a while. I always found Mark Morrison quite hard to take seriously with the way he sang. Still not a bad record though.

Verdict - OK

2. George Michael - Fastlove

The 7th number one for George Michael and his final one to date. What stood out to me at the time was him using the word bullshit in the lyrics. That was rare in a pop song back then. It was an improvement on the seriously dull "Jesus To A Child", but that's not saying much.

Verdict - Rubbish

1. Gina G - Ooh Aah... Just A Little Bit

I remember watching "A Song for Europe" where a number of songs went to the public vote to decide which one should represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest. Of all the songs on the show, this was my favourite and the voting public agreed. Admittedly it is a bit cheesy and did get played to death at the time. As far as Eurovision songs go though, I cannot think of a single one that I think is better than this. No doubt there will be Brit Pop fans reading this thinking I've now lost what little credibility I did have. But I listen to music for enjoyment, not credibility.

Verdict - Good

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 14.5/30, or 48%. Up again, but not over the 50% mark.

Christmas Charts Rated: 1975

Top 40

Best Song: Jigsaw - Sky High

There are a number of gems from the 70s by music acts many have never heard of and this is one of those. Jigsaw aren't a band I've heard being talked about when it comes to 70s bands, but this was their big hit and it's a lot better than the music I've heard by the so called legendary bands. The orchestral arrangement was done by Richard Hewson before RAH Band fame which explains a lot.

Worst Song: Ken Dodd - (Think Of Me) Wherever You Are

When comedian Ken Dodd made his chart debut back in 1960 I'm sure few would have predicted his Top 40 career would last until 1975 but here he his with his final Top 40 hit to date. He could be forgiven for the fact he was a comedian and not a musician, but his music wasn't even funny. It was boring and possibly inspired the modern non-musicians to release albums at Christmas.

Top 40 Review

When it comes to these best songs of all time type countdowns the Top 2 almost always ends up being "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen and "Imagine" by John Lennon. Both records are in this Top 40 with Queen being Christmas number one. I consider both to be overrated and are both pretty average.

Generally speaking the issue with the charts at Christmas is the mixture of Christmas and novelty records in the charts and in 1975 this makes up over a quarter of the Top 40. The big Christmas hits came from progressive rockers Greg Lake and Mike Oldfield. 

We have long forgotten Christmas efforts from The Carpenters and Dana, novelty ones from the Goodies and Chris Hill. Then purely novelty hits from Laurel & Hardy, Billy Howard, Wombles and Billy Connolly. All collectively get a zero.

There is however a Christmas record that does get the full marks which is "Christmas In Dreadland" by Judge Dread which is part of a double a-side with "Come Outside" and both are hilarious like Judge Dread records tend to be.

The previous years Christmas number one act Mud were flying the flag for glam rock with "Show Me Your A Woman", not one of their big hits but certainly one of their best.

We also have second outings in the Top 40 for "Itchycoo Park" by The Small Faces which is a top tune and there's also "The Twist" and "Let's Twist Again" by Chubby Checker back as a double a-side which is not bad.

An unlikely source of points in this Top 40 comes from David Essex. It is true to say that generally speaking his music is better than his reputation as a musician and "If I Could" is an example of this.

Quite surprisingly disco music is absent from this Top 40, but there are a few funk records which contribute points. The standout record comes from Crispy & Company with "Get It Together", their follow up to the excellent "Brazil".

When you take the Christmas and novelty hits out of the equation it's not a bad chart, but it's those records that ultimately keep the score down.

Score: 13

Table

The Christmas charts get a lower score than the best year charts, but only just:

Top 30 in 1995 Reviewed: Week 21

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 28 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Wednesday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1995 with my verdict on each record:

30. Weezer - Buddy Holly

The 2nd Top 40 hit for Weezer which is also their best known hit, thanks in part to it's "Happy Days" themed video. On a more personal level this came not long after I quit a band. I'd initially been singer and occasional guitarist but wanted to play guitar more. My band mate said OK he'll be lead guitarist and singer and I'll be rhythm guitarist. I said if I'm not singing then I want to be lead guitarist which led to me quitting. Just seconds into this record you can see the lead singer is also the lead guitarist and I felt the rhythm guitarists pain when I saw that. Didn't stop me liking it though.

Verdict - Good

29. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Keep On Moving

This originally appeared on his "Soul Revolution" album back in 1971 but this was the first time it made the Top 40. It gave Bob Marley his 4th posthumous Top 40 hit. You can't go wrong with a bit of Bob Marley really.

Verdict - Good

28. Boyzone - Key To My Life

This record confirmed that Boyzone weren't going to be one hit wonders. It was the first Top 40 hit to be written by Ray Hedges who penned several of their hits. It gave us a good idea about what to expect from Boyzone for the rest of the decade i.e. a dreary ballad.

Verdict - Rubbish

27. Faith No More - Ricochet (New)

After coming back with a bang with "Digging the Grave", this follow up seemed quite tame in comparison. That said it was definitely a lot heavier than much of the guitar music that was coming out at the time. I was however moving away from guitar music around this time, but on reflection I think it's a decent record.

Verdict - Good

26. Rod Stewart - You're The Star

Here's something unusual in the 90s, a Rod Stewart hit that's not a cover. This was the first solo non-cover Top 40 hit he had since 1988. He didn't write it though. It did very little to improve the quality of his musical output, it's dreary and boring.

Verdict - Rubbish

25. Bobby Brown - Two Can Play That Game

This originally made number 38 in 1994 but did better when it returned to the charts in 1995 and gave Bobby Brown his highest charting Top 40 hit to date. It was also the last of his big hits. The single version was a K-Klass remix and is a dance record. A great uplifting record.

Verdict - Good

24. Jimmy Somerville - Hurt So Good (New)

The 6th and final solo Top 40 hit for Jimmy Somerville which meant he had one more Top 40 hit as a solo artists than he did with Bronski Beat. It also meant that he'd had more covers than original Top 40 hits as a solo artist. This was the lowest charting of those covers. I quite like it.

Verdict - Good

23. Incognito - Everyday (New)

The back catalogue of Incognito is huge, they've had 18 albums at the time of writing. They've only had 5 Top 40 hits though and this was the 4th of those. It was also the highest charting one that wasn't a cover. It's a classic for sure.

Verdict - Good

22. The Future Sound Of London - Far-Out Son Of Lung And The Ramblings Of A Madman (New)

The Future Sound Of London had a Top 40 hit every year between 1992 and 1997 but had just the one Top 40 hit each year. This was their 1995 effort and the lack of lyrics in the record was made up by the very lengthy song title. It's an odd record but a good one.

Verdict - Good

21. Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees (New)

Guitar music was getting softer in the mid-90s but Radiohead really took it to the extreme with this record. It's a far cry from the heavy guitars of "Creep" but I guess that was the point. They were doing their own thing and I respect that, but I just find this unlistenable. 

Verdict - Rubbish

20. Bryan Adams - Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?

One of the reasons I have 1995 down as being a good year for music is because I'd videotaped the Christmas edition of Top of the Pops and found myself liking many of the records they used to round up the year. There were however exceptions to that and this record stands out as one of those that wasn't so good.

Verdict - Rubbish

19. The Outhere Brothers - Don't Stop (Wiggle Wiggle)

1995 was the year of The Outhere Brothers and this is where it all began. They were massive in 1995 and then afterwards they were nowhere to be seen really. I was a fan of their music, it was great fun to listen to.

Verdict - Good

18. Elton John - Made In England

I'm surprised this record got no higher than number 18 because this got played a lot at the time. I remember several young kids taking a liking to it at the time for some reason. My teenage self also thought it was decent if I'm honest. Definitely one of the better Elton John records.

Verdict - Good

17. Oasis - Some Might Say

This was the 6th Top 40 hit for Oasis and it gave them their first number one. I recall on The O-Zone after this topped the charts Liam Gallagher said he wasn't surprised this got to number one because it's a good record. I too wasn't surprised given how big Oasis were becoming, but I can't say I agree about the good record bit.

Verdict - Rubbish

16. Michelle Gayle - Freedom (New)

I've always seen Michelle Gayle as a prime example of British R&B being inferior to its American counterpart. I remember this record as was ready to say that, but instead I'm quite surprised to find myself enjoying it after all these years. With an American songwriter and a video where she's wearing a Michigan dress and it looks like it was recorded in America I guess it's more of an American record with a Brit providing vocals.

Verdict - Good

15. Joshua Kadison - Jessie

It's rumoured that this record was written about Sarah Jessica Parker who Joshua Kadison was said to be dating at the time. It's not unusual for a musician to be dating a film actress, but doing so before the musicians had his first hit seems pretty unusual. Anyway this was played at lot at the time and I quite liked it, still do.

Verdict - Good

14. Take That - Back For Good

At the time me and a couple of others were given lunchtime detention at school for a few days by the science teacher in the science lab. He would listen to his tape which began with this song. We would therefore laugh at this possibly 50 something bloke listening to Take That. I always hated Take That and still think most of their music is crap, but I have to concede that this one is actually quite good.

Verdict - Good

13. Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It

When this record first came out I thought that Montell Jordan may have been a basketball player who made a record. The fact he was so tall and had the surname Jordan would have been logical reasons why. That said, the fact is too good to be by a sportsman really.

Verdict - Good

12. Love City Groove - Love City Groove

The issue I used to have with the Eurovision Song Contest when I was younger was that it sounded like most of the music was stuck in the dark ages. Then in 1995 this record was selected to represent the UK and I thought wow a song that actually sounds modern at Eurovision. I also watched the Eurovision Song Contest that year and it really should have won as it was the best record by far.

Verdict - Good

11. Tina Arena - Chains

Here's a turn up for the books, an Australian pop singer who wasn't on an Aussie soap. This was the Top 40 debut for Tina Arena and the record she's best known for. This is how you make a pop ballad, once it gets going it's quite something.

Verdict - Good

10. McAlmont And Butler - Yes (New)

Bernard Butler left Suede in 1994 and then formed a duo with David McAlmont. This was their Top 40 debut and the record they're best known for. Whilst this also falls under the britpop banner it's very different to Suede. That's a good thing.

Verdict - Good

9. Manchester United 1995 Football Squad ft Stryker - We're Gonna Do It Again

Man Utd managed to top the charts the previous year, but no such luck this time around. This time the Man Utd players don't really make much contribution to the record, it's predominantly rapping from Stryker who is apparently an Arsenal supporter. It's predictably crap.

Verdict - Rubbish

8. Celine Dion - Only One Road

After Celine Dion had been at the top of the charts for what seemed like an eternity with a dreary ballad, here she was back with another dreary ballad. My opinion of this song is therefore much the same as my opinion of its predecessor.

Verdict - Rubbish

7. The Nightcrawlers ft John Reid - Surrender Your Love (New)

After the eventual success of "Push The Feeling On" courtesy of a MK remix, The Nightcrawlers reunited with MK for this follow up which very much follows the same formula. The main difference is that it's nowhere near as catchy, but then that's what makes it good in its own way.

Verdict - Good

6. Billie Ray Martin - Your Loving Arms

The solo Top 40 debut for Billie Ray Martin who had previously been in the Top 40 as the singer for Electribe 101. Initially reaction to hearing that there was a singer called Billie Ray Martin was not that achy breaky heart bloke again. It was a different Billie Ray though, a German female as opposed to an American male. It couldn't be any more different, but it's almost as annoying as "Achy Breaky Heart".

Verdict - Rubbish

5. Ali Campbell - That Look In Your Eye

The debut solo Top 40 hit for Ali Campbell which was also his biggest. It features uncredited vocals from Pamela Starks. The only resemblance it has to a UB40 record is Ali Campbell's singing, it's very much a pop record otherwise. It's also how a pop record should be done.

Verdict - Good

4. Livin' Joy - Dreamer

The Top 40 debut and only chart topper for Livin Joy which is also the hit they're most famous for. It's a commercial dance record no doubt and I've perhaps heard this too many times in my life by now. It does however push the right buttons to make it great fun to listen to.

Verdict - Good

3. Scatman John - Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop)

I don't think anyone saw this one coming. A eurodance record that's rapped by a 53 year old bloke with a stutter. This record is about as 1995 as they come even though it was originally recorded in 1994. What a tune though.

Verdict - Good

2. Perez 'Prez' Prado And His Orchestra - Guaglione

A record from 1958 that finally entered the charts after appearing on the Guinness advert. Perez 'Prez' Prado sadly didn't live to see this records success as he died in 1989. I'm not sure I was aware of just how old this record was at the time and when I hear it I very much think 1995.

Verdict - Good

1. Robson And Jerome - Unchained Melody / White Cliffs Of Dover

Whilst I generally have a favourable opinion of music from 1995 I'm also conscious that there was also rubbish in the charts that year with Robson & Jerome in particular that springs to mind. This was their Top 40 debut which came about after their Soldier Soldier characters sang it on the show.

Verdict - Rubbish / Rubbish

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 21/30, or 70%. It's proving to be a good year.