UK Number 40s: Cliff Richard with Helen Hobson - The Wedding (1996)

 

One memory I have of listening to the Top 40 in the 90s was Mark Goodier having to assure the listeners that they're listening to Radio 1 after playing Cliff Richard in the Top 40 countdown. This was probably one of those records.

It comes from the musical "Heathcliff" which Cliff Richard appeared in himself as well as Helen Hobson.

It was Top 40 hit number 111 from Cliff Richard and his 16th of the 90s. He'd have just 2 further Top 40 hit in the 90s including his final chart topper to date "The Millennium Prayer" and had a handful of further hits in the 21st century including another number 40.

Top 30 in 1993 Reviewed: Week 21

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. Robert Plant - 29 Palms

Although I don't recall anyone owning a Led Zeppelin album around this time, the rock crowd were generally full of praise for them for being just about the heaviest band of their era. The same can't be said of this solo effort from Robert Plant. It's classic now I've made a name for myself I'm going to put out any old crap and people will still buy it.

Verdict - Rubbish

29. Felix - Stars (New)

Felix is of course best known for his debut hit "Don't You Want Me" and to a lesser extent his follow up "It Will Make Me Crazy". He had a 3rd Top 40 hit with this that's long forgotten. It's nowhere near as good as his first two hits though. 

Verdict - Rubbish

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

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. Saint Etienne - Hobart Paving / Who Do You Think You Are (New)

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

26. D:Ream - U R The Best Thing

This was the 2nd release of this record which failed to make the Top 40 when first released in 1992. It would take the 3rd release in 1994 to reach its peak. I'm not quite sure how well remembered this is now given their bigger hit, but it was certainly big back in the day. It is just another crappy dance pop record though.

Verdict - Rubbish

25. Kingmaker - 10 Years Asleep

Britpop was starting to take off at this point which meant the indie bands that were already established started to fall out of favour. Kingmaker were one of these bands, though this record was their joint highest charting single. It does sound a bit out of place in 1993, but it's not a bad record.

Verdict - OK

24. The Waterboys - The Return Of Pan

It had been just over 2 years since The Waterboys had their biggest hit with a re-issue of "The Whole Of The Moon". This was their next Top 40 hit and penultimate one to date. I've got no recollection of this record and it's not particularly catchy either. Think I'll just stick with "The Whole Of The Moon".

Verdict - Rubbish

23. Sybil - When I'm Good And Ready

With this record entering the charts I know that "Sweat (A La La La La Long)" by Inner Circle is just round the corner. Both take me back to school discos in an era where I loved pretty much everything which was played. It's one of the last Stock and Waterman hits, but according to West End aka Eddie Gordon they just replicated what he'd done previously, which explains why this is good.

Verdict - Good

22. The Bluebells - Young At Heart

This originally made the Top 40 in 1984 but topped the charts when re-released in 1993 after it featured on the Volkswagen Golf advert. It wasn't until years later that I realised this was an old record. It's a great feel good record.

Verdict - Good

21. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Stand Above Me

This was the lead single from the "Liberator" album which has since been dismissed by Andy McCluskey who was the sole member of OMD by this point. I can understand why, I like a lot of OMDs music but this is far from their best.

Verdict - Rubbish

20. 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

19. The Spin Doctors - Two Princes (New)

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

18. 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

17. 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

16. 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

15. 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

14. 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

13. 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

12. 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

11. 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

10. 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

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. 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

7. 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

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

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

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. 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

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 14/30, or 47%. We're back below 50%, but I've noticed much of the rubbish ones are in the lower reaches.

Top 30 in 1996 Reviewed: Week 20

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. The Prodigy - Firestarter

This was the record which ensured the Prodigy would never have to go back to the day job. At the time I loved the Prodigy and owned the first two albums. I remember listening to the Evening Session on Radio One where they said they were going to play the new Prodigy tune for the first time and I was excited about hearing it. However, when they played it I was very disappointed. I think the main reason was because when I started listening to the Prodigy, I was moving away from rock music to listen to rave, but this tune seemed to be going back towards rock music. Since then I've grown to like the rockier tunes from the Prodigy more than I used to, but I just can't bring myself to like this tune.

Verdict - Rubbish

29. Sleeper - Sale Of The Century

One thing I remember about this record at the time was how upbeat it was compared to the very dreary "What Do I Do Now" which came before. That doesn't mean this record is any good though, it's still pretty bland and there's nothing to like about it really.

Verdict - Rubbish

28. The Bluetones - Cut Some Rug / Castle Rock

The 4th Top 40 hit for The Bluetones with the floodgates now open following the success of "Slight Return". With "Cut Some Rug" they're starting to sound like Oasis and to be honest I had to play it to remind me how exactly it went. I don't think I've ever heard "Castle Rock" before but again it's sounding a bit like Oasis.

Verdict - Rubbish / Rubbish

27. Gabrielle - Give Me A Little More Time

Despite being a brand new record in 1996, this sounds like it could have easily come out in 1966. That's not a bad thing though. I do remember hearing this a lot at the time so I did get a bit sick of it, but still not a bad tune.

Verdict - OK

26. Rebekah Ryan - You Lift Me Up (New)

The only Top 40 hit for Rebekah Ryan. For some reason I thought she was Australian at the time but she's English. One of those dance pop records few people remembered but was probably marketed enough for me to notice at the time. It's throwaway rubbish really though. 

Verdict - Rubbish

25. Mark Snow - The X-Files

Mark Snow composed the actual them music to the X Files and here it is at number two in the charts. I can't say I'm a big fan of the theme music, or the programme itself for that matter. I can't say I particularly dislike it either though.

Verdict - OK

24. Underworld - Pearl's Girl (New)

Underworld had been going for almost a decade by this point, but this was their Top 40 debut. Quite surprising when you consider they had some pretty well known tunes prior to this. Underworld are one of those acts where my favourite album is their greatest hits because that's what captures the best of them and that includes this record.

Verdict - Good

23. 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

22. Shed Seven - Bully Boy (New)

This is one of those records I remember existing and even remember the video to, but have no memory of how the tune actually went. Even listening to it now only the video is really ringing a bell. I do know people who love Shed Seven, but I really don't get the appeal.

Verdict - Rubbish

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. 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

19. 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

18. 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

17. 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

16. 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

15. 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

14. Soundgarden - Pretty Noose (New)

The 5th of 7 Top 40 hits to date for Soundgarden and the last time they'll feature in these posts because the last 2 didn't reach the Top 30. It was the beginning of the end for the band. They were trying to shift away from the grunge sound but with that being what they were known for plus the dwindling popularity of grunge they were stuck between a rock and a hard place. I don't think this record sounds awfully different if I'm honest, but either way it's not my cup of tea. 

Verdict - Rubbish

13. 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

12. Horace Brown - One For The Money (New)

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

11. 1300 Drums - Ooh! Aah! Cantona ft The Unjustified Ancients Of M-U (New)

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

10. 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

9. 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

8. The Smashing Pumpkins - Tonight, Tonight (New)

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

7. JX - There's Nothing I Won't Do (New)

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. 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

5. 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

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

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

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. 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. 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

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 12/30, or 40%. We're slipping, but all could change next week.

Christmas Charts Rated: 1963

Top 40

Best Song: Ronettes - Be My Baby

There's little doubt that The Beatles influenced many musicians in 1963 but the record I've picked for the best song is one that's said to have influenced The Beatles amongst others. It was the Top 40 debut and biggest hit for the Ronettes and was quite revolutionary at the time. 

Worst Song: Dora Bryan - All I Want For Christmas Is A Beatle

This was the only Christmas record in the Christmas Top 40 in 1963 and The Beatles are being influential once again but for the wrong reasons. It's a novelty record by an actress so is supposed to be shit really.

Top 40 Review

Let's begin with The Beatles and they were so popular in 1963 that they held the Top 2 positions in the Christmas charts and both records get full marks.

In addition there were 2 further Lennon/McCartney compositions in the Top 40. There was the Rolling Stones cover of "I Wanna Be Your Man" and there was "I'll Keep You Satisfied" by Billy J Kramer And The Dakotas which Lennon/McCartney wrote for them. Again full marks here.

The "Beat" sound was dominating the charts with fellow Liverpool bands Gerry And The Pacemakers, The Searchers and Swinging Blue Jeans all having hits. There were also bands from outside of Liverpool but were part of that scene such as Freddie And The Dreamers in the Top 40.

You even had the likes of Adam Faith and Kathy Kirby jumping on the "Beat" bandwagon. The latter did a cover of "Secret Love" by Doris Day that I'd never heard before. It wasn't what I was expecting and I was pleasantly surprised by it. 

The only "Beat" record not to score points was "I Can Dance" by Brian Poole And The Tremeloes. They had previously topped the charts with a poor cover of "Do You Love Me" by The Contours and this follow up basically sounded the same.

There were still older artists in the Top 40 sticking to their tried and tested formula, with Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard and Shirley Bassey scoring zero points. However there was a posthumous hit from Buddy Holly which I like.

A strong contender for the best song was Gene Pitney with "24 Hours From Tulsa" which is arguably his best known record.

The first soap actor to have a Top 40 hit was in this chart. It came from Coronation Street actor Chris Sandford with "Not Too Little - Not Too Much" and it's actually not bad.

Perhaps the most baffling record in the Top 40 was "At The Palace (Parts 1 And 2) " by Wilfred Brambell And Harry H Corbett. It's not music, it's a recorded comedy sketch. I can understand people buying it, especially at a time when home video wasn't really a thing. Why it got in the music charts though I don't know and as it's about the music I can't really give it any points.

This has been by far the Christmas Top 40 I've enjoyed the most so far and we end up with a pretty outstanding score.

Score: 24

Table

Not only does the 1963 Christmas charts beat the best year chart by some distance, it also sits at the top miles ahead of 2nd and in the best year search only 1969 and 1995 got a better score:

Top 30 in 1995 Reviewed: Week 20

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. Runrig - An Ubhal As Airde (The Highest Apple)

Not only was this record "The Highest Apple", it was also the highest charting hit of the 90s for Runrig. Generally speaking they didn't make the sort of music you'd expect to make the Top 40. It's even more remarkable that this made the Top 40 because I just find it boring.

Verdict - Rubbish

29. Eurogroove - Move Your Body (New)

A eurodance record by an act called Eurogroove sounds like something that would come out of Germany, or at least another European country. It isn't though, the man behind Eurogroove was Tetsuya Komuro who was from Japan. This was the first of 3 Top 40 hits for Eurogroove, very formulaic but quite fun at the same time.

Verdict - Good

28. Elton John - Made In England (New)

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

27. Green Day - When I Come Around (New)

What I find one of the most appeal things about Green Day is the fast drum beat a lot of their records have. Yet if I had to pick my favourite Green Day single then this would probably be it and it's one of the slower ones. I love the simplicity to it and it has the best bassline I've ever heard in a Green Day record.

Verdict - Good

26. Skin - Take Me Down To The River (New)

Skin were a band I recall nobody liking at the time. I can understand why, they did sound a bit out of place in the 90s. The 4.9k views this video has had in 9 years implies they weren't particularly popular. That all said I do think a couple of their records are decent and this is one of those.

Verdict - Good

25. Brownstone - If You Love Me

The Top 40 debut for Brownstone and the record they are best known for. It reached number 8 in both the UK and America. I would also say this is their best Top 40 hit and was very much of it's time, that's a better time.

Verdict - Good

24. Everton FC - All Together Now (New)

Everton beat Man Utd in the FA Cup final in 1995, but they lost the chart battle. It's the Farm record with the lyrics changed to be about Everton. I like the original record by The Farm but they've done enough to it to ruin it. Music and football really don't mix.

Verdict - Rubbish

23. MN8 - If You Only Let Me In

The follow up to their Top 40 debut "I've Got A Little Something For You". Amongst the songwriters on this record is Conner Reeves who was yet to start his Top 40 career. Incidentally he never wrote any of his own Top 40 hits. It's a poor follow up record that's long forgotten now,

Verdict - Rubbish

22. (MC Sar And) The Real McCoy - Love And Devotion

German eurodance act The Real McCoy were successful in both the UK and America with their first 2 Top 40 hits. This was their 3rd Top 40 hit which failed to reach the Top 10 in the UK and didn't chart in America. I do prefer the first two, but this one is still decent enough.

Verdict - Good

21. 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

20. 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

19. Rod Stewart - You're The Star (New)

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

18. 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

17. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Keep On Moving (New)

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

16. 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

15. Ali Campbell - That Look In Your Eye (New)

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

14. 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

13. 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

12. 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

11. Celine Dion - Only One Road (New)

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

10. Billie Ray Martin - Your Loving Arms (New)

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. 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

8. 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

7. 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

6. 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

5. 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

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. 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

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

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 19/30, or 63%. We drop further but still comfortably above 50%.

UK Number 40s: Genius/GZA featuring D'Angelo & Inspektah Deck aka Rollie Fingers - Cold World (1996)

 

The Wu-Tang Clan are one of the most successful rap groups of all time, but their UK Top 40 career doesn't reflect this. A collaboration with Texas in 1998 and "Gravel Pit" in 2000 are the only Top 40 hits they have to their name, meaning at this point they were yet to have a Top 40 hit.

In terms of solo efforts from it's members, Method Man became the first member to have a Top 40 hit in 1995. Then came GZA and Inspektah Deck on this record which would be the only UK Top 40 hit for both of them.

D'Angelo had made his Top 40 debut in 1995 and this was hit number 3 of 5. Despite him being relatively well known, none of his hits have made the Top 20.

What we do have though is just the 6th UK Top 40 hit of the 90s to make the Billboard 100, but it only just made it making number 97.

Top 30 in 1993 Reviewed: Week 20

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. The Prodigy - Wind It Up (Rewound)

In 1993 rave music had all but disappeared from the Top 40 but The Prodigy had one last single from their "Experience" album which is what I'd call the first proper rave tune of the year. It's fair to say that The Prodigy had established themselves as the biggest rave act around by this point.

Verdict - Good

29. The Waterboys - The Return Of Pan (New)

It had been just over 2 years since The Waterboys had their biggest hit with a re-issue of "The Whole Of The Moon". This was their next Top 40 hit and penultimate one to date. I've got no recollection of this record and it's not particularly catchy either. Think I'll just stick with "The Whole Of The Moon".

Verdict - Rubbish

28. Rage Against The Machine - Bullet In The Head

The general rule around this time was that if you were a casual fan then "Killing In The Name" was your favourite Rage Against The Machine song but if you were a true fan then it would be "Bullet In The Head". The fact this was a single though would probably rubbish that claim. I personally preferred "Take the Power Back" and "Know Your Enemy" which weren't singles. There isn't a bad track on their self titled album though.

Verdict - Good

27. Jungle Book - The Jungle Book Groove (New)

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

26. Shaggy - Oh Carolina

I was yet to enter my phase as a rock purist because when this record came out it was my favourite song. I was such a fan that when I was getting sunglasses to go on holiday I said I wanted sunglasses like Shaggy. 

Verdict - Good

25. 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

24. Bon Jovi - In These Arms (New)

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

23. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Stand Above Me (New)

This was the lead single from the "Liberator" album which has since been dismissed by Andy McCluskey who was the sole member of OMD by this point. I can understand why, I like a lot of OMDs music but this is far from their best.

Verdict - Rubbish

22. Robin S - Show Me Love

There are many records that have been played to death over the years and this is definitely one of them. It's been remixed to death too, though this best known version was a remix itself. The remix was by Stonebridge, the same Stonebridge who were putting out cheesy dance records in the 21st century. The issue I have with this being overplayed is that it was nothing special to begin with.

Verdict - OK

21. Robert Plant - 29 Palms (New)

Although I don't recall anyone owning a Led Zeppelin album around this time, the rock crowd were generally full of praise for them for being just about the heaviest band of their era. The same can't be said of this solo effort from Robert Plant. It's classic now I've made a name for myself I'm going to put out any old crap and people will still buy it.

Verdict - Rubbish

20. Dina Carroll - Express (New)

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

19. D:Ream - U R The Best Thing

This was the 2nd release of this record which failed to make the Top 40 when first released in 1992. It would take the 3rd release in 1994 to reach its peak. I'm not quite sure how well remembered this is now given their bigger hit, but it was certainly big back in the day. It is just another crappy dance pop record though.

Verdict - Rubbish

18. Dr Alban - Sing Hallelujah

The 2nd and final Top 40 hit to date for Dr Alban. The fact that Mozaic did a cover a couple of years later means I don't know whether I remember this record or just remember the cover. It's got a good hook to it so I guess it's good.

Verdict - Good

17. SWV - I'm So Into You

This was the Top 40 debut for SWV. I'm not sure I remember it at the time but its one of those early 90s R&B anthems that I'm very familiar with. I made the effort to truly get into it during my R&B phase but if I'm honest I find it pretty average.

Verdict - OK

16. Sybil - When I'm Good And Ready

With this record entering the charts I know that "Sweat (A La La La La Long)" by Inner Circle is just round the corner. Both take me back to school discos in an era where I loved pretty much everything which was played. It's one of the last Stock and Waterman hits, but according to West End aka Eddie Gordon they just replicated what he'd done previously, which explains why this is good.

Verdict - Good

15. Kingmaker - 10 Years Asleep

Britpop was starting to take off at this point which meant the indie bands that were already established started to fall out of favour. Kingmaker were one of these bands, though this record was their joint highest charting single. It does sound a bit out of place in 1993, but it's not a bad record.

Verdict - OK

14. Depeche Mode - Walking In My Shoes

Depeche Mode just get darker and darker as the years go on. I would say this was their darkest single to this point. The electronic sound they'd been known for had all but disappeared in this record, but despite this it's still decent.

Verdict - Good

13. The Bluebells - Young At Heart

This originally made the Top 40 in 1984 but topped the charts when re-released in 1993 after it featured on the Volkswagen Golf advert. It wasn't until years later that I realised this was an old record. It's a great feel good record.

Verdict - Good

12. 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

11. 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

10. 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

9. 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

8. 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

7. 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

6. 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

5. 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

4. 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

3. 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

2. 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

1. 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

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 16/30, or 53%. Just one good new entry but we're still above 50%.