Top 30 in 1995 Reviewed: Week 23

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. 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

29. Marillion - Beautiful (New)

Marillion made their Top 40 debut back in 1983 and were in the charts for most years up until this record in 1995 which was their 19th Top 40 hit. They were absent from the Top 40 for nearly a decade after this. I'd say this is amongst their better records, I guess you could say it's beautiful. 

Verdict - Good

28. Daniel O'Donnell And Mary Duff - Secret Love (New)

One of the downsides of reviewing the charts in the 90s is having to listen to a Daniel O'Donnell song each year after 1992. Here he is joined by Mary Duff who never had any Top 40 hits by herself. Does nothing to improve the song.

Verdict - Rubbish

27. 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

26. 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

25. Dr Dre - Keep Their Heads Ringin' (New)

This was the 2nd Top 40 hit for Dr Dre and the first time he's featured as his debut never made the Top 30. It was taken from the film "Friday" which had his former NWA bandmate Ice Cube in it. a very stereotypical Dr Dre tune which is a good thing.

Verdict - Good

24. Pizzaman - Sex On The Streets (New)

Pizzaman was one of many aliases of Norman Cook which came after Freak Power and before Fatboy Slim. I would say this one is the best of the 3 Pizzaman hits, it was very much of its time and makes me nostalgic for that time.

Verdict - Good

23. 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

22. Loveland ft Rachel McFarlane - Don't Make Me Wait (New)

The final Top 40 hit to date for Loveland, but Rachel McFarlane would be back. I would also say this was the best Loveland record, yes it was still a commercial dance record but some of them can be pretty good if done well.

Verdict - Good

21. 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

20. 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

19. Dodgy - Staying Out For The Summer '95 (New)

This was the Top 40 debut for Dodgy in 1994 which reached number 38. I guess it made more sense to release it in the summer really and I'd say this was the record that made people notice Dodgy. It was a great summer too.

Verdict - Good

18. 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

17. Reef - Naked

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

16. Annie Lennox - A Whiter Shade Of Pale (New)

This was originally a chart topper for Procol Harum back in the 60s and is one of the all time great 60s records in my opinion. It's therefore going to be very difficult to cover this record without ruining it. Inevitably then this cover is a bit shit.

Verdict - Rubbish

15. Ladysmith Black Mambazo ft China Black - Swing Low Sweet Chariot

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

14. Jam And Spoon ft Plavka - Right In The Night (Fall In Love With Music) (New)

The Top 40 debut for Jam & Spoon which first charted in 1994. It's their highest charting hit and the one they're best known for. It's nowhere near as good as their less successful records from 1995 and it's difficult to not make the comparison. If I ask myself if it's better than "Don't Make Me Wait" by Loveland ft Rachel McFarlane though I'd say yes it probably is.

Verdict - Good

13. 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

12. Whigfield - Think Of You (New)

Whigfield is best known for her chart topping debut "Saturday Night" which is an irritating record. Then came "Another Day" which is basically the same tune with different lyrics. Then came this which made me think what the fuck, I like this Whigfield record. It's still cheesy don't get me wrong, but in a good way. Those who remember it are likely to remember it for the line "I need you inside me tonight".

Verdict - Good

11. 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

10. 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

9. Black Grape - Reverend Black Grape (New)

Black Grape was what Shaun Ryder and Bez did after the Happy Mondays. This was their Top 40 debut. It's a funky number and I'm not sure whether Shaun Ryder is trying to sing or rap it. A decent record nonetheless.

Verdict - Good

8. 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

7. Bon Jovi - This Ain't A Love Song (New)

I was really critical of this song at the time. It's called "This Ain't A Love Song" but it clearly is one, something I'd shout when I'd hear it. I was still very much in my anti-Bon Jovi phase. In reality though this is one of my favourite Bon Jovi records and a good one to scream your lungs out to.

Verdict - Good

6. 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

5. 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

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

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

3. Michael Jackson And Janet Jackson - Scream (New)

Michael Jackson first made a name for himself singing with his brothers. Now here he is singing with his sister. The issue I have with this record is it's over the top like a lot of his records are. If I put that to one side though and concentrate on the music alone then I like it if I'm in the right mood.

Verdict - Good

2. Pulp - Common People

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 23/30, or 77%. It's proving to be a good year.

UK Number 40s: Eimear Quinn - The Voice (1996)

 

In the 1990s Ireland seemed unstoppable in the Eurovision Song Contest. They won 2 years in a row between 1992 - 1994 and then won it again in 1996 with this record which brought their overall total to 7.

Their first 2 winning entries, "All Kinds Of Everything" by Dana and "What's Another Year" by Johnny Logan were both also chart toppers in the UK whilst the 3rd "Hold Me Now" by Johnny Logan reached number 2.

Their 90s winners didn't translate into UK chart success though with the only Top 40 hits being this and "In Your Eyes" by Niamh Kavanagh which reached number 24. 

This was the only Top 40 hit for Eimear Quinn. She continues to tour and record music today, but perhaps not the sort of music you'd expect in the charts.

The songwriter of this was Brendan Graham. There was one other Top 40 hit he wrote which was "You Raise Me Up" which Westlife took to the top of the charts in 2005 and was shortly followed by a version by Brian Kennedy which reached number 4 under the title "George Best - A Tribute".

Top 30 in 1993 Reviewed: Week 23

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. Barbra Streisand - With One Look (New)

Not many artists can claim to have had a Top 40 hit in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s but Barbra Streisand was one of those. It's fair to say that her music was never considered cool in any of those decades. This one was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and from a musical and it's as bad as it sounds. Instantly forgettable too.

Verdict - Rubbish

29. 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

28. 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

27. Mica Paris - I Wanna Hold On To You (New)

British R&B has often sounded inferior to American R&B. Yet this record was written by American songwriter Narada Michael Walden so being British is not an excuse. Either way it's a poor record. 

Verdict - Rubbish

26. Tasmin Archer - Lords Of The New Church (New)

The 3rd Top 40 hit for Tasmin Archer. I quite like the lyrical content on this record, it's not a religious record but one about politicians that holds even more meaning now. Musically though I'm struggling somewhat. It's not bad but could be better.

Verdict - OK

25. 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

24. Sade - No Ordinary Love

There seemed to be a lot of 80s acts making a brief comeback in 1992. We can add Sade to that list, though this was the penultimate Sade Top 40 hit to date. It's also the 2nd highest charting. Doesn't really have enough about it for me to truly like it, but it's not bad.

Verdict - OK

23. Bryan Ferry - Will You Love Me Tomorrow (New)

This is the final Top 40 hit to date for Bryan Ferry. Like with much of his solo career, it's a cover. He's definitely made it his own, it sounds very different to the Shirelles original version. At the same time though he's made it rather boring.

Verdict - Rubbish

22. A-ha - Dark Is The Night (New)

On Popmaster they like asking questions about A-ha records which came after their 90s heyday. This is one of those records and one could be forgiven for having no recollection of it. I think they had reached the point where they could put out any old crap and they had enough fans to buy it. 

Verdict - Rubbish

21. Guns N' Roses - Civil War (EP)

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

20. Tears For Fears - Break It Down Again

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 

19. Stereo MC's - Creation

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 

18. Haddaway - What Is Love (New)

This is an iconic 90s record that everybody remembers. My memory of this record was having a teacher called Mrs Hathaway who we started calling Mrs Haddaway which led to people randomly singing it in her lessons. That said, I've always considered it to be a bit crap and still think the same.

Verdict - Rubbish

17. 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

16. 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

15. 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

14. 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

13. Lisa Stansfield - In All The Right Places (New)

It's a bad sign when you release a new record and it enters the charts lower than your previous record. That's what's happened here with the "Five Live EP" at number 6 when this entered the charts. That said it did come pretty soon after and it would become the 4th highest charting record for Lisa Stansfield. The record itself though is a boring ballad.

Verdict - Rubbish

12. Jamiroquai - Blow Your Mind (New)

The 2nd Top 40 hit for Jamiroquai. I'd forgotten how good the bass was on this record. The blend of a record being quite laid back with a funky bassline works really well. 

Verdict - Good

11. House Of Pain - Jump Around / Top O' The Morning To Ya

"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

10. 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

9. Tina Turner - I Don't Wanna Fight

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

8. 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

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

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

6. 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

5. Green Jelly - Three Little Pigs (New)

You can't knock this record for originality. The story of the three little pigs with a modern twist and done rock style. It's a dreadful record, but that's the point. They even acknowledge that fact at the end of the record.

Verdict - Rubbish

4. 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

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 13.5/30, or 45%. Not a massive drop given there's only one good new entry this week, again the good ones must be sticking around longer.

20th Century in the 20s - 2022 (plus early 2023)

One thing I forgot to do at the start of this year was the next in the series of 20th Century in the 20s posts. To recap, this is listing all acts who had a Top 40 hit in the 20th Century and an original Top 40 hit in the 2020s. As we've since had further acts scoring Top 40 hits in 2023 I thought I may as well include them too.

The first to do so in 2022 was Mariah Carey. It came 9 years after her last original hit in the Top 40. The record was "Big Energy" which in reality was a record by Latto and DJ Khaled that sampled "Fantasy" by Mariah Carey. 

Next up was Metallica with "Master of Puppets". It was never a Top 40 hit the first time round in 1986 but it's inclusion in the TV series "Stranger Things" helped it into the Top 40 and giving Metallica their first Top 40 hit since 2008.

Elton John's Top 40 career had looked to be finished in 2009 until he returned to top the charts by rehashing his older tunes EDM style with a modern artist. He did the same in 2022 with "Hold Me Closer" but this time his collaborator was another 20th century artist in 1999 debutant Britney Spears who was in the Top 40 for the first time since 2015.

Blink 182 just about qualify as a 20th century act with their debut "What's My Age Again?" making number 38 in October 1999 before it fared better in the charts in the year 2000. Original singer/guitarist Tom Delonge rejoined the band and they made the Top 40 with their new single "Edging".

Finally for 2022 Nat 'King' Cole overtook Vera Lynn for having the longest Top 40 career. Like Vera Lynn he was in the first ever chart and he was back in the Top 40 with "The Christmas Song" which was originally recorded in 1946 before the charts even existed.

Into 2023 we had Missy Elliot back in the Top 40 for the first time in a decade as featured artist on "Fly Girl" by girl group Flo. The previous time Missy Elliot had been in the Top 40 it was with girl group Little Mix, you have to go back to 2006 for the last time she was in the Top 40 as the sole artist.

The latest 20th century act to have a Top 40 hit is Kylie Minogue with "Padam Padam", her first Top 40 hit in 5 years. 

Here's the full list:

Top 30 in 1996 Reviewed: Week 22

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. 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

29. 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

28. 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

27. 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

26. 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

25. Bedrock ft KYO - For What You Dream Of (New)

John Digweed is a big name DJ who always maintained his credibility despite his popularity. From a Top 40 perspective his only hits came alongside Nick Muir under the name Bedrock and this was the first of 2 Top 40 hits for them. It was on the soundtrack to Trainspotting. 

Verdict - Good

24. Sean Maguire - Good Day

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

23. Ice-T - I Must Stand (New)

The 3rd and penultimate Top 40 hit to date for Ice-T. The good thing about Ice-T was he just did his own thing regardless of what other rappers were doing. It sounds quite a personal record and the way he delivers it is spot on.

Verdict - Good

22. 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

21. 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

20. Grace - Down To Earth (New)

You knew the sort of thing you were getting on a Grace record by this point, but it was a decent formula and was of it's time. Like their debut hit, joining Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne on songwriting duties is Rob Davis of Mud

Verdict - Good

19. Gloria Estefan - Reach

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

18. Pizzaman - Trippin' On Sunshine (New)

This was the Top 40 debut for Pizzaman in 1994 when it made number 33. It fared better when re-issued in 1996 and became his biggest Top 40 hit to date. This was the end of Pizzaman in the Top 40, but Norman Cook would return in a bigger way.

Verdict - Good

17. 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

16. John Alford - Blue Moon / Only You

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 

15. LL Cool J - Doin' It (New)

LL Cool J records have generally been on the more commercial side of rap. That's not always a bad thing, he's made some decent records that very much fit the commercial category. It does however mean inevitably some record will me too much in that respect and this is one of them. 

Verdict - Rubbish 

14. Backstreet Boys - Get Down (You're The One For Me) (New)

The Backstreet Boys were part of the Childliners collective who charted with "The Gift Of Christmas". The name Backstreet Boys had been banded about prior to this as I recall, but this was their Top 40 debut. It's the formula we came to know to expect from the Backstreet Boys but this wasn't written by the usual Swedish songwriting team. 

Verdict - Rubbish

13. 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

12. M-Beat ft Jamiroquai - Do You Know Where You're Coming From (New)

At the time I was thinking what the fuck, Jamiroquai have done a drum & bass record. Not only that but it's a decent drum & bass record instead. Then it made sense when I discovered it was a collaboration with M-Beat who brought jungle to the Top 40 in 1994. It was just the 5th drum & bass record to make the Top 40.

Verdict - Good

11. Lighthouse Family - Ocean Drive (New)

This was the Top 40 debut for the Lighthouse Family in 1995 which made number 34. Following the chart success of "Lifted" this fared better when re-issued. I do like the soothing nature of the Lighthouse Family's music I have to say.

Verdict - Good

10. 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

9. Celine Dion - Because You Loved Me (New)

Celine Dion was pretty well established as a chart act by this point and was mainly known for doing ballads. It therefore seemed almost inevitable really that she'd end up with a single written by Diane Warren and here it is. 

Verdict - Rubbish

8. 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

7. 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

6. Bryan Adams - The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You (New)

It had been nearly 5 years since he released his "Waking Up The Neighbours" album which contained a certain 16 week chart topper. He was seemingly ever present on the singles chart since then, but album wise it wasn't until now he was releasing this the lead single from his follow up album "18 Till I Die". It's a bit more uplifting than we'd previously been used to, but it's not great.

Verdict - Rubbish

5. Metallica - Until It Sleeps (New)

Metallica released 4 albums in the 80s and established themselves as one of the big thrash metal bands. Then in 1991 they released their self titled album that gave them mass appeal but alienated some of the original fans. It would be another 5 years until the next album came of which this was the lead single. They'd softened their sound even further and all of them now had short hair. I guess they were just moving with the times, but even as a non-metal fan I have to say this is pretty poor.

Verdict - Rubbish

4. 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

3. Peter Andre ft Bubbler Ranx - Mysterious Girl (New)

The record that Peter Andre was best known for. It's a reggae style pop record that sounds a bit like its ripping off "Sweat" by Inner Circle. I remember this being in the charts when Peter Andre was presenting Top of the Pops and during the chart countdown he said it was "by Bubbler Ranx and me". It's not the worst record in the world, but I'm sick to death of it now and would happily never hear it again.

Verdict - Rubbish

2. 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

1. Baddiel / Skinner / Lightning Seeds - Three Lions (New)

As a general rule music and football do not mix. New Order however showed it is possible to make a decent football record. In theory there was no reason why the Lightning Seeds couldn't have done the same and it is liked by many, but not by me.

Verdict - Rubbish

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 13.5/30, or 42%. We're slipping again.

Christmas Charts Rated: 1964

Top 40

Best Song: The Moody Blues - Go Now

It's one of those records I've known as long as I can remember, but it was from watching a best of the 60s type TV show that taught me how much I liked it. It was probably the first time I'd sat down and properly took notice and afterwards I felt it was a record I had to include in a music quiz I was writing.

Worst Song: Julie Rogers - The Wedding

There were 2 records by Julie Rogers in this Top 40 and she only had 3 overall. There wasn't much in it between both records, both sound like they would have fitted in better in the 50s but stand out like a sore thumb in 1964.

Top 40 Review

Beatlemania was still in full effect and it was The Beatles who once again got the Christmas number one record. The "Beat" sound was also dominating the Top 40, but you could sense it was on its way out.

An example here was "I Understand" by Freddie & the Dreamers, a cover of a record by the G-Clefs in 1961 and just sounds wrong. They would have just one further Top 40 hit which was a minor one.

We also had covers by Wayne Fontana And The Mindbenders of "Um Um Um Um Um Um" and by Fourmost of "Baby I Need Your Lovin'" which both weren't bad, but sounded far inferior to the original versions.

No doubt capitalising on the success of The Beatles was the record "Ringo" by Lorne Greene. It had nothing to do with Ringo Starr, but the title gave people that impression and that must have been intentional.

There were 4 Christmas hits in the Top 40, there was "Blue Christmas" by Elvis Presley and "Pretty Paper" by Roy Orbison which you still hear now. There was also the long forgotten "Christmas Will Be Just Another Lonely Day" by Brenda Lee and "A Starry Night" by Joy Strings. As usual with Christmas hits it's zeros all round.

A strong contender for the best song was "Baby Love" by The Supremes which was the first Motown number one. Another record picking up full marks was the Motown inspired "Downtown" by Petula Clark which was the number 2 record.

Making it a perfect Top 3 was the ever reliable Gene Pitney with "I'm Gonna Be Strong". No such luck with the number 4 though which was "Walk Tall" by Val Doonican.

With the 2nd half of the 60s just around the corner I would say the best representation of the direction music would take was "All Day And All Of The Night" by The Kinks which gets full marks.

All in all half the records get no points and half do, but the latter includes those which get half points.

Score: 16

Table

The post-Beatles debut era of the 60s is bucking the trend of the Christmas charts nosediving, but the 1964 score is much lower than the 1963 one: