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 1990 with my verdict on each record:
30. Snap! - The Power
Everyone was singing this at the time, well the chorus anyway. It's hard to hear this now though without picturing Phil "The Power" Taylor doing his walk on in the darts. I don't think it's aged very well at all and apart from the hook it's a bit of a nothing tune, so I'm afraid this gets the thumbs down.
Verdict - Rubbish
29. Heart - All I Wanna Do is Make Love To You
I always thought this record was older than it actually is, it definitely sounds like it belongs in the 80s. It was written by Robert John "Mutt" Lange and apparently Heart themselves don't like it and don't play it live. It would be their penultimate UK Top 40 hit with their final one 3 years later also being written by Robert John "Mutt" Lange. I'm inclined to agree with Heart, I don't like it either.
Verdict - Rubbish
28. UB40 - Kingston Town
My understanding of reggae music at the time was that most of it came from Jamaica, but I was unsure whether UB40 came from Jamaica or not (as mentioned previously, I was still of primary school age in 1990). This song though suggested to me that they were as Kingston is the capital of Jamaica. I would eventually find out they came from Birmingham and this was a cover. However, Lord Creator, the songwriter and original artist, isn't from Jamaica himself, he's from Trinidad and Tobago. Do I like it though? Well yes, I like a bit of UB40, both covers and non-covers.
Verdict - Good
27. Movement 98 ft Carroll Thompson - Joy And Heartbreak (New)
When Paul Oakenfold was having Top 40 hits in the early 00s such as "Starry Eyed Surprise" it was a notable departure from the trance music he was best known for, or even dance music for that matter. What's that got to do with this record I hear you say? Well because Movement 98 is Paul Oakenfold and this is his attempt at being more Soul ii Soul than acid house. The result is actually a pretty good record.
Verdict - Good
26. NWA - Express Yourself (New)
It's funny how this record contains the line "Ice Cube is not for the pop charts" and then this gives NWA their first Top 40 hit. It's also funny how it criticises rappers for not swearing on their records, yet this tune contains no swear words. Still, it proves that NWA weren't just about the swearing and they could still make a good record without it.
Verdict - Good
25. Jane Child - Don't Wanna Fall In Love (New)
The only UK Top 40 hit for Jane Child which was much bigger in America, but was her only Top 40 hit there too. Allegedly what prevented this from succeeding over here was her refusal to perform it on Top of the Pops. Could also be because it's crap.
Verdict - Rubbish
24. The Charlatans - The Only One I Know (New)
When it comes to crap bands of the 90s, The Charlatans are up there. I just find their music mind numbingly boring. Looking at the list of their 22 Top 40 hits, I remember hardly any of them, that's how boring they were. They weren't always that bad though, this their debut Top 40 hit is actually alright.
Verdict - OK
23. Sam Brown - Kissing Gate
It's quite a well known fact amongst music fans that 50s/60s artists Joe Brown and Marty Wilde had daughters who would become pop stars in the 80s. Whilst Kim Wilde is known to be ever present throughout the 80s, Sam Brown is known to many for just one song, which isn't this one. It's a shame in a way because Sam Brown clearly seems to be the more talented musician. That said, it isn't enough to make this song good, but I guess it's ok.
Verdict - OK
22. Black Box - Everybody Everybody (New)
The 3rd Top 40 hit for Black Box, and my view on it is much like there 2nd. Basically whilst I remember Black Box having other hits apart from "Ride On Time", after buying their "Hits & Mixes" album and listening to it quite a few times I concluded whilst the other hits are alright, perhaps they'd have been better off having just the one single. That said, having not heard this since perhaps the last time I listened to "Hits & Mixes" it's not making me cringe as much, but my opinion remains the same.
Verdict - OK
21. Alannah Myles - Black Velvet
Interesting fact, there have been 2 Top 40 hit's who's titles have been a colour followed by "Velvet", both released in 1990 and both reached number 2. This is the first of these which was the only Top 40 hit for Alannah Myles. If you read her biography on Wikipedia it describes her as being a singer-songwriter, but despite this she didn't actually write this song, that duty went to Christopher Ward and David Tyson. It's one of these song's I've always found irritating truth be told.
Verdict - Rubbish
20. Talk Talk - It's My Life (New)
Believe it or not, this record was released twice in the 80s and failed to make the Top 40 on both occasions. It was 3rd time lucky when it was released again in 1990 to promote their greatest hits. It was a bit of a slow burner for me too, it took a No Doubt cover in 2003 for me to realise what a great record it is.
Verdict - Good
19. Erasure - Star (New)
The final single from the "Wild" album. Their previous single "Blue Savannah" was always going to be tough to follow up, whilst this is nowhere near as good it's still a decent record. Instead of its proper title though I think of this as being "From Moscow To Mars". I think that would have been a better title actually.
Verdict - Good
18. Depeche Mode - Policy Of Truth
When you compare Depeche Mode at the start of the 80s to the end of the 90s it's almost like it's a completely different group. Ok one key difference is that Vince Clarke was chief songwriter in the beginning before leaving and Martin Gore taking on that role. But they didn't suddenly change over night, there was a transition and this was it. It gives the best of both worlds, the synth pop sound is still there but it is notably darker. But if you want to hear this record in all it's glory, go and see them live.
Verdict - Good
17. The B-52s - Roam
For the casual listener, The B-52s are best known for "Love Shack" and "(Meet) The Flintstones" and on that basis, some would see them as being a bit of a novelty act. But they do proper music too and this is an example of that. Perhaps it helps that this hasn't been played to death since, but it's a good record. I remember hearing it at the time and kept expecting Fred Schneider to start singing, but he doesn't on this track. You still can't help noticing he's there though.
Verdict - Good
16. Mantronix ft Wondress - Take Your Time
The other Top 10 single for Mantronix which is one you never hear anymore. Whilst it's the same style as it's predecessor it's not a clone of it by any means. I think I actually prefer this record, it's got that blend of soul and dance pretty much spot on.
Verdict - Good
15. Betty Boo - Doin' The Do (New)
My biggest memory of this record, and I'm sure many others biggest memory too, is the alternative lyrics of "Betty Boo just doing a poo". It was the debut solo effort of Betty Boo, and what else can I say apart from this is dreadful.
Verdict - Rubbish
14. Paula Abdul With The Wild Pair - Opposites Attract
When it comes to female pop singers from America who emerged in the late 80s, such as Tiffany, Debbie Gibson and Taylor Dayne, the word dreadful springs to mind. Paula Abdul though was actually alright. This was her biggest Top 40 hit in the UK and is best remembered for the video of here dancing with a cartoon character. The songs not bad.
Verdict - OK
13. Was (Not Was) - Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
A cover of the song made famous by The Temptations, which itself was a cover of a song originally by The Undisputed Truth. This is actually pretty good for a cover, they've put their own mark on it and brought it into the 90s. The problem is that it's always been one of my least favourite Temptations tracks, so because of that it was always going to suffer no matter how well it's done.
Verdict - OK
12. Chad Jackson - Hear The Drummer (Get Wicked) (New)
The main vocal part of this record has already featured in the Top 30 in 1990, being taken from "Welcome to the Terrordrome" by Public Enemy. Lots of other samples in this record too, which was the only Top 40 hit for Chad Jackson. It sums up how sampling should be done.
Verdict - Good
11. Beats International - Won't Talk About It
The second and final Top 40 hit for Beats International. This had been a hit the previous year for Norman Cook as part of a double a-side with "Blame It On The Bassline" and with Billy Bragg on vocals, which both appear on the "Let Them Eat Bingo" album. This version features Lindy Layton on vocals, the same singer on "Dub Be Good To Me". I prefer the album version but I like this version too.
Verdict - Good
10. Michael Bolton - How Can We Be Lovers
A Michael Bolton song that isn't a cover, yes they do exist. It's written by Michael Bolton himself, along with Desmond Child and Diane Warren. I don't think I've ever met anyone who likes Michael Bolton, or at least admits to liking him. I did once walk past a workman on the street singing this out loud, which I found quite amusing. This isn't the sort of record I'd go out and by, but I don't mind it.
Verdict - OK
9. Madonna - Vogue
Madonna had been on a bit of a roll in late 1989 with the singles "Cherish" and "Dear Jessie" which were both records I particularly liked at the time. I never liked this one though.
Verdict - Rubbish
8. New Kids On The Block - Cover Girl
The 4th Top 40 hit for New Kids On The Block and the final one from the "Hangin Tough" album. I think this is a good illustration of the boy band concept, one person is there to sing it and the rest are there just to make up the numbers. It does sound more single than album filler, but that doesn't mean it's any good.
Verdict - Rubbish
7. Don Pablo's Animals - Venus
Who charted the highest with "Venus"? Was it Shocking Blue or Bananarama? Well actually it was neither, it was Don Pablo's Animals who reached 4 whereas Shocking Blue and Bananarama both reached 8. This is the best version in my opinion, guess the lack of vocals helps. I remember this coming out around the same time I learned about the city of Venice, when telling someone else about it, they said don't you mean Venus? I wasn't sure, I didn't know planets yet.
Verdict - Good
6. Chimes - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
A cover of the U2 record that Bono himself likes. It's also the debut Top 40 hit for Chimes. when singer Pauline Henry mixed rock and soul in her solo career I think it worked quite well, and it seems like this is what they are trying to do here, but it doesn't really work for me.
Verdict - Rubbish
5. En Vogue - Hold On
The first of 2 Top 40 hits in 1990 named "Hold On" and the debut Top 40 hit for En Vogue. It's how a vocal group should be, the a cappella at the start of this showing their vocal talents and ability to harmonise with each other. Unfortunately most vocal groups that have formed since have no vocal talent to showcase. This record is definitely getting the thumbs up from me, but what I find a bit of a shame is the follow up single "Lies" is much better but it failed to make the Top 40.
Verdict - Good
4. The Adventures Of Stevie V - Dirty Cash
I remember seeing this on Top of the Pops and there were 2 things that confused me. First I was expecting with a name like that it would be a man singing, not realising Stevie can also be a woman's name, but more to the point not realising the singer was Melody Washington and that Stevie V was in the background. The second thing was seeing just one singer, but hearing multiple voices on the track, but of course being Top of the Pops they were miming. I don't mind this record, but it's never been one I've been particularly fond of.
Verdict - OK
3. Kylie Minogue - Better The Devil You Know
I was reading the Wikipedia entry on this record and it described it as the song that re-invented Kylie Minogue. Really? It sounds just like all her other hits up to that point, ok they don't necessarily sound the same, but they follow the same sort of formula. The only positive thing I can say about this record is that it isn't Steps singing it.
Verdict - Rubbish
2. Englandneworder - World In Motion (New)
The official song for the England football team at the 1990 World Cup. It is of course New Order with their name temporarily changed for the occasion and would be their only number one record. It's best known though for the John Barnes rap, which is quite frankly terrible, but then what do you expect from a footballer. Despite that though, its a great record. Best football song ever written in my opinion, but then that's not saying much.
Verdict - Good
1. Adamski - Killer
The 2nd Top 40 hit for Adamski and the first for Seal, though he wasn't credited and many thought he was Adamski at the time. It's the tune Adamski is best known for, but he has done much better tunes in my opinion, but I do still like this one.
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 17.5/30, or 58%. Gradually creeping back up, again.
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