Tuesday, 24 October 2023

UK Number 40s: Sparks vs Faith No More - This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us (1997)

 


"This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us" has the unique distinction of being both the highest charting and lowest charting Top 40 hit for Sparks. It was also both their first and last Top 40 hit, reaching number 2 in 1974 and number 40 in 1997.

The biggest hit for Faith No More was their cover of "Easy" by The Commodores. They received a bit of backlash for that and I can't help but think this Sparks cover/collaboration was a statement that they didn't give a shit.

It was however the beginning of the end for Faith No More. It would be their final Top 40 hit and the band would split up the following year.

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Sunday, 22 October 2023

Top 30 in 1993 Reviewed: Week 43

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:


This is the opening track to the "Keep the Faith" album which I'd listened to a lot over the summer. By this point though I can't remember whether I'd gone off Bon Jovi or not. That doesn't really matter though because it's what I think of it now that counts and I like it.

Verdict - Good


At the time there was someone who put forward the controversial opinion that The Lemonheads were better than Nirvana. I said don't be stupid, but who was I kidding. This song is miles better than any Nirvana song I've heard. 

Verdict - Good


I remember this one very well. The first thing that springs to mind is poundland Stereo MC's. Then I read up about Stakka Bo and this song and the comparisons with Stereo MC's are being made. Stakka Bo is Swedish so I assumed this was one from the Denniz Pop production line, but it isn't. Might as well be though.

Verdict - Rubbish


This was the only Top 40 hit for Goodmen, but they would return to the charts as Chocolate Puma, Rhythm Killaz and Riva. It's not very tuneful, but that's all part of it's appeal. 

Verdict - Good


A few years before Public Enemy sampled "For What It's Worth" Buffalo Springfield on "He Got Game" Oui 3 sampled/covered the same record. The chorus is the same but the verses are rapped. This was the first version I ever heard of this record and its one I've always liked. It was the first of 3 Top 40 hits for Oui 3.

Verdict - Good


I don't think I've heard this record since 1993 and listening to it again it's not quite how I remember it, the main hooks sounds right but I remember it having more of a rock sounding backing track. Still, it has a good flow to it and quite pleasant to listen to after all these years. It was the one and only Top 40 hit for Lena Fiagbe, maybe best kept that way.

Verdict - Good


Julia is the name of Chris Rea's daughter and this song was written about her. Nothing wrong with that, but I can't help but find the song a bit cringeworthy. It's quite upbeat but not particularly catchy. Let's just say I won't be in a hurry to listen to it again.

Verdict - Rubbish


This was the follow up to "Jump Around". I would hazard a guess most people don't know any House of Pain records other than "Jump Around", but I do. The fact I have the album helps somewhat. Both are solid efforts and good to hear their other material.

Verdict - Good / Good


We've reached the end of the first Bruce Dickinson era of Iron Maiden with this live version of a song that's was over a decade old. The rock crowd at school tended to not like Iron Maiden because they were too old. These days though my test of whether an Iron Maiden song is any good is how fast it is. It takes a while to get going, but once it gets fast it's good.

Verdict - Good


A few years after this came out I was flicking through the music channels and saw this video playing and it brought back memories of how I liked this record, but I couldn't remember what it was. It was being played on "The Lick" so didn't say what it was at the end of the video, but I eventually found out. The chants of "SWV" should have given it away, which was being done by a then unknown Pharrell Williams. 

Verdict - Good

20. Diana Ross - Chain Reaction

For the first time in almost 4 years I cannot find a song on YouTube or anywhere on the internet to review. I can find the original version, but not the 1993 remix which Wikipedia describes as being largely instrumental. I have no memory of the remix existing either so I can't say whether I like it or not.

Verdict - Unknown


I think this was the last Pet Shop Boys record I admitted to liking at the time. I remember the rules that the rock crowd weren't supposed to like pop music but a small number of exceptions were allowed and this was one of those for me. It wouldn't be long before even a small number of exceptions wasn't acceptable.

Verdict - Good


Cat here is Cat from Red Dwarf. Therefore with this being a record sung by a character on a comedy show you would expect it to be cheesy and crap, but that is the point. That's exactly what this record is.

Verdict - Rubbish


This is one of those records which was pretty big at the time but never gets played anymore. I don't think I've heard this since 1993. It bears a vague similarity to "Baby Baby" by Amy Grant which means I can't help but think this isn't as good. Not a bad record though.

Verdict - OK


I remember when this record came out it created a divide at school between the rock crowd and everyone else. It was singled out as an example of a crappy pop record by the rock crowd but everybody else seemingly loved it. Putting all that aside, my first thought when hearing this was have Snap changed their name to Culture Beat. 

Verdict - Rubbish


Lisa Stansfield is doing her song again. OK not all Lisa Stansfield songs are bad, but she's had far too many bland slow and boring singles like this one. Fortunately she won't feature again until 1997 with one I actually like.

Verdict - Rubbish


I was taking guitar lessons around this time and amongst the tablature in one of the books I had was pictures of iconic guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. One picture I did find quite strange though was Prince who was never someone I really thought of as a guitarist let alone an iconic one. Then he released this very guitar driven record. Of course I now know how good a guitarist Prince was. This has a decent riff to it, but doesn't quite have enough about it for me to truly like it.

Verdict - OK


After this topped the charts in 1984 and spent nearly the entire year in the charts you would have thought anyone who wanted this record would have already bought it. Seemingly not as this re-issue made the Top 10. I've heard it far too much in my life to truly like it, but I don't dislike it at the same time.

Verdict - OK


I never liked Bjork at the time and always questioned who exactly listens to her music. As time has gone on though some of her records have grown on me with this being one of them. I'd say the fact it has a very strong backing track helps a lot.

Verdict - Good


INXS were my 2nd favourite band at the start of the year, but by this point they had taken a slide down the rankings. I'm sure I still liked this record at the time because it was INXS, but it isn't their best. Not bad, but pretty average. Believe it or not, this was their joint 2nd highest charting single.

Verdict - OK


One of the things that's surprised me when doing these posts was how many Top 40 hits Dina Carroll had before "Don't Be A Stranger". This was her 8th of 14 Top 40 hits. It's no doubt her signature song, something she probably won't be happy about because it's one she didn't write. I wonder whether the success of this song dictated that she wouldn't write any of her remaining Top 40 hits after this. Anyway I couldn't stand this record at the time, too slow and boring. I can't say I've really changed my mind to be honest.

Verdict - Rubbish


I just assumed most people only remember Haddaway for "What Is Love" but 16 million views of this follow up hit on YouTube suggests otherwise. I'm not completely anti-Eurodance, there are a handful of records I like but most of it is dreadful and this is one of those.

Verdict - Rubbish


We're now into the "Music For the Jilted Generation" era of The Prodigy. This lead single isn't hugely different from the "Experience" era, but at the same time it is a mark of the fact the chart era for rave music is now in the past. We're being eased into the next era of The Prodigy.

Verdict - Good


I absolutely hated this record at the time. Along with "Mr. Vain" by Culturebeat I had it down as the ultimate shit record. I've heard worse, but it's exactly the sort of eurodance music that I consider to be a bit crap.

Verdict - Rubbish


I remember this record being on the list of non-rock music records I secretly liked at the time. As I'm going through the weeks I'm finding I like a lot of the reggae pop records that were coming out in 1993. 

Verdict - Good


The biggest hit for M People which also made the charts in America. I would also say this is the most pop record they'd made to this point as well. They knew what they were doing making records like this, but it's not for me.

Verdict - Rubbish


The Top 40 debut for Eternal. I remember when this came out my assessment of it was poundland SWV. I don't think I knew at the time that SWV were American and Eternal were British, but on reflection this is a prime example of how British acts don't do R&B as well as their American counterparts.

Verdict - Rubbish


I couldn't stand this record at the time, it's always irritated me. Then when I started going out on a Saturday night I'd hear this every week which made me hate it even more. My drunken self down the students union would dance to all sorts of rubbish, but I'd always leave the dancefloor when this came on.

Verdict - Rubbish


There was no avoiding Take That when this came out. They could release any old rubbish safe in the knowledge it would probably go to number one and they achieved that with this one. 

Verdict - Rubbish


Meat Loaf had been in the wilderness for several years before this and his previous big hits were before my music memories so I wasn't familiar with his music at the time, I'd just heard the name. At the same time someone at school was a Meat Loaf fan and would say he was heavy metal. I was therefore excited to finally hear a Meat Loaf song, but heavy metal it's certainly not. That disappointment along with the fact it goes on forever and is just ridiculously over the top means I've never liked it. 

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 14/29, or 48% (Diana Ross has been excluded). Just a slight drop on last week.
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Friday, 20 October 2023

Top 30 in 1996 Reviewed: Week 42

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:


The 9th Top 40 hit for Jamiroquai which became their highest charting to that point. I remember being quite surprised by this record because I saw Jamiroquai as being a futuristic band but here they are singing about "useless twisting our new technology". Maybe Jay Kay knew we'd have a lot more of that in the future which we do. One benefit of the modern era that didn't exist back then was the ability to go to YouTube and play music from the good old days.

Verdict - Good


What a name, well the presents Maddog bit anyway. It heavily samples "Boogie Wonderland" and has a rap over the top of it, but nothing too over the top. It did like it at the time but not sure whether I'd like it if I was hearing it for the first time now. The nostalgia means I still do like it though.

Verdict - Good


Alex Party reached their commercial peak in 1995 but by 1996 it seems a bit odd seeing them in the Top 40. That's how quickly music was moving back then. This record which was their final Top 40 hit to date is a vocal version of their Top 40 debut "Saturday Night Party". It managed one place higher, but to me it's one of many examples of how to ruin a decent dance record by putting vocals over the top of it.

Verdict - Rubbish


After a few hits that were either covers or written by a variety of different songwriters, Tina Turner returns to her more regular songwriters on this record in Terry Britten and Graham Lyle. When she sings the title of the song I can picture the fast forward on The Chart Show, not entirely sure whether that actually happened or not on the show itself. There's glimpses in this record of it going somewhere, but ultimately it never does.

Verdict - Rubbish


Nu Metal has officially arrived with this being the Top 40 debut for Korn. I can't say I was a huge fan of the genre but it wasn't all bad. This record is bad though. I feel the objective of this record was to be as unmusical as possible.

Verdict - Rubbish


This was the final Top 40 hit of the 90s for Luther Vandross and his penultimate Top 40 hit to date. I do like the way he stuck to his guns and continued to do the sort of music he does best. Completely out of place in 1996, but it's Luther Vandross so who cares. 

Verdict - Good


Slick Rick is one of the big names in rap music, but in terms of UK Top 40 hits this was it for him. The debut and biggest hit for Montell Jordan "This Is How We Do It" samples a Slick Rick record, now here they are collaborating. Montell Jordan was sticking to that tried and tested formula, but its a good formula. 

Verdict - Good


This was the 3rd post-Richey Edwards Top 40 hit for the Manic Street Preachers though this time it was a record with lyrics written by Richey Edwards. Still a no from me, I see this as an opportunity for them to make a record with some oomph in it but instead come up with something pretty dull.

Verdict - Rubbish


This record finally ended the Spice Girls time at the top of the charts. Peter Andre made a name for himself earlier on in the summer with "Mysterious Girl" which sounded like it was ripping off "Sweat" by Inner Circle. This time he's ripping off "Hoochie Booty" by Ultimate Kaos. The only thing I like about this record is that when you ask the question what was Peter Andre's first number one they normally get it wrong. 

Verdict - Rubbish


There was no escaping this song in the summer of 1996. It was the Top 40 debut for the Spice Girls and I thought it had one hit wonder written all over it at the time. Unfortunately it wasn't and there was no escaping them for the next 2.5 years which felt a lot longer. 

Verdict - Rubbish


This is a cover of the Four Seasons record which is a record which has always irritated me. Quite frankly I don't think any cover of this is going to change that fact. A cheesy commercial eurodance cover certainly isn't.

Verdict - Rubbish


Jeremy Healy was known to be the highest paid DJ at the time and Amos was known to be Jeremy Healy's sidekick. I always found it quite baffling why one would pay Jeremy Healy more than anyone else particularly as I never thought much of the DJ sets I'd heard from him. At the same time though I always thought this tune was good and listening to it again I still do.

Verdict - Good


This was the 2nd biggest Top 40 hit for The Boo Radleys after "Wake Up Boo". They were trying to make music that sounded completely different to their big hit by this point and were succeeding. I do remember them having other records which sounded nothing like it. I don't mind this record though.

Verdict - OK


Hardbag was more or less finished as a genre in the Top 40 by this point so it seems quite fitting to have a remix of the record which kicked it off in the first place. It ended up back in the Top 40 after featuring in the Tango advert that was apparently only shown 10 times, mostly during TFI Friday. It also contains samples from the advert itself.

Verdict - Good


In 1993 there was no escaping Dina Carroll. Then she disappeared for the next 3 years until she came back with this record. She picked up where she left off with a ballad which worked well for her before and this time round she scored her joint highest charting hit. Hearing this again after all these years I'm reminded of the lyrics about a heart on the shelf which I always found amusing. I was ready to write this off as another dreary ballad but now I've changed my mind. I really enjoyed listening to that.

Verdict - Good


My main complaint about music like this at the time was that it was too slow. I did however find myself drawn towards this record though. The backing vocals of "what's up" grabbed my attention. The word "underground" in the title also helped, after all I was a fan of underground music. It was the debut hit and biggest hit for The Sneaker Pimps.

Verdict - Good


The Top 40 debut for Damage who were filling the shoes of MN8 as the main British male R&B group. They too suffered the same problem of British R&B being inferior to its American counterpart. It was one of the early Top 40 hits for Wayne Hector as a songwriter.

Verdict - Rubbish


This was the 7th Top 40 single for LL Cool J which reached number 7 and became his highest charting hit to that point. It features uncredited vocals by Total, the R&B group I described as being poundland TLC when I reviewed their record a few weeks ago. They didn't really sound like TLC here, but just make an annoying sound that is the chorus. It's far too pop for my liking.

Verdict - Rubbish


I do remember this record but I had no idea it made the Top 40. It's not the sort of record you'd expect to make the Top 40 but again the good thing about the charts back then was that a range of music could and would get in. At the same time though this music isn't to my liking so it's a no from me.

Verdict - Rubbish


In 1996 you were more likely to find me listening to the drum & bass rip off of this rather than the Fugees record. In a way though I saw it as a good compromise between listening to this and staying true to the rave scene. It's a great record though, pretty dark but has a sung chorus to keep it radio friendly. There was no stopping the Fugees in 1996.

Verdict - Good


One thing that I get quite annoyed by is hearing that this record was the start of trance music. Trance had been around a long time before this and that includes Paul Oakenfold bringing it to the masses. It's legendary status has meant I've heard it too many times now, but it was a record I liked at the time and I still can find the enjoyment in it.

Verdict - Good


Although this wasn't the highest charting single for Blackstreet, this is the record they're best known for. With Dr Dre rapping the intro one could think it was him who produced it, but then Blackstreet already had their own big name producer in Teddy Riley and of course it was him who produced it. I love the sampling in this record, that's what makes it really stand out. 

Verdict - Good


The 4th Top 40 hit for Mark Morrison and he's turning down the tempo on this one. The trouble is he doesn't really have the voice for a record like this. It works alright on the more upbeat numbers but he's singing in exactly the same voice and it doesn't work.

Verdict - Rubbish


As someone who listened to the radio back in the 90s there were lots of records I'd hear that I didn't like. Generally I'd just put up with them, but there were some records that I hated so much I would have to turn off the radio. This was one of those records. I can also tell you that we'll be getting "Breakfast At Tiffany's" in the charts soon because that was another that made me turn off the radio at the time. Why break the habit of a lifetime, I'm stopping this before the end of the video.

Verdict - Rubbish


At the time I remember hearing that Babybird was a really prolific songwriter who'd written hundreds of songs. For many though, this is the only song of his they remember. It's a record I remember being out around the same time as "Breakfast At Tiffany's". It's not as crap, but is still crap.

Verdict - Rubbish


Prior to this record I thought The Beautiful South were pretty much finished. They'd failed to reach the Top 10 since they topped the charts in 1990, they'd released their greatest hits and were more likely to be heard on Radio 2 than Radio 1. Then this came out and all of a sudden they were big again. I like the sentiment of this song, I've been to numerous towns and cities over the years and thought this could be anywhere. Musically though not to my liking.

Verdict - Rubbish


I've made no secret of the fact I never liked Oasis. Therefore I didn't really want to like this tune because of it's inclusion of Noel Gallagher. But I couldn't help but like it. The Chemical Brothers were already pretty established by this point, but this record was the one that made them a household name. 

Verdict - Good


This is basically Celine Dion does Meat Loaf. It was written by Jim Steinman who wrote the bulk of Meat Loafs hits including a Meat Loaf version of this 10 years later. Therefore it's long and over the top and not to my liking, but I will concede it's better than her usual dreary ballads. Still crap though.

Verdict - Rubbish


After reviewing "I Love You Always Forever" by Donna Lewis I knew this record was just round the corner because it was another record that I hated so much I had to turn the radio off whenever it came on. Now I'm going to end the YouTube video before it finishes.

Verdict - Rubbish


It had been nearly 2 years since Boyzone made their Top 40 debut and I remember when Take That were still around some said they were losing their grip on the boy band world to Boyzone. Yet it took Boyzone until this record to score their first number one. Still, it was one hit sooner than Take That scored their first number one. A cover of the Bee Gees record which could be best described as the alternative lyrics of: shits only turds and turds are all I have to take your fart away.

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 12.5/30, or 42%. Same as last week.
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Thursday, 19 October 2023

Christmas Charts Rated: 1966

Top 40

Best Song: Martha And The Vandellas - I'm Ready For Love

When I was listening through this Top 40 I found myself enjoying this record more than the others, so it only seemed logical for me to pick it as best song. This was the 3rd Top 40 hit for Martha And The Vandellas and their highest charting at that point which was higher than the better known "Dancing in the Street" and "Nowhere to Run".

Worst Song: Bobby Darin - If I Were A Carpenter

I love the Four Tops version of this record and as a result I really can't take to this version. I know this came before the Four Tops version but I heard the Four Tops version first. If that version didn't exist I doubt I would like this record, but it may have not been the worst song.

Top 40 Review

1966 was the year the run of Beatles Christmas number ones came to an end. It was because they didn't even attempt to continue the streak by releasing a single. The Christmas number one instead went to Tom Jones with "Green Green Grass Of Home" which isn't my cup of tea.

There was an actual Christmas song in the Top 40 from Elvis Presley with "If Every Day Was Like Christmas". Maybe this was where Wizzard took their inspiration from.

The Barron Knights were back with "Under New Management". There was also a novelty record by New Vaudeville Band with "Winchester Cathedral". Perhaps more of a surprise inclusion on novelty hits was Manfred Mann with "Semi-Detached Suburban Mr James".

As always the soul music was delivering and there were quite a few in this chart and they all sored some points, which mostly came from Motown. This included hits from The Four Tops, The Temptations and The Supremes.

Plenty of other music contributing points to and a lot is coming from the lower reaches. At 40 we have "I Feel Free" by Cream. At 39 was The Righteous Brothers with "Island in the Sun", not one of their well known hits but it's good. At 38 is "Mustang Sally" by Wilson Pickett which is a classic.

There's also "East West" by Herman's Hermits which is possibly the best thing I've heard them do. Then we had "Deadlier Than The Male" by The Walker Brothers which inspired "Female of the Species" by Space in the 90s.

Towards the other end of the charts we had some good records such as "My Minds Eye" by The Small Faces" and "Friday On My Mind" by The Easybeats. 

There was still bland stuff in the Top 40 too though such as the obligatory Cliff Richard record at Christmas and "Somewhere My Love" by Mike Sammes Singers which sounds about a decade out of date.

Overall though the good stuff outweighs the bad and we end up with a good score.

Score: 22.5

Table

Another great score for a late 60s year:



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Wednesday, 18 October 2023

Top 30 in 1995 Reviewed: Week 42

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:


I've already mentioned a memory of listening to the Chris Evans Breakfast Show one day on Radio 1 around this time and liking everything he was playing. This was another of those records that he played. It became the biggest hit to that point for TLC.

Verdict - Good


The Red Hot Chili Peppers were just about the last guitar band I was still listening to before I started listening to nothing but rave. This was the last of those Red Hot Chili Peppers records I was liking at the time. It's certainly the best single from the "One Hot Minute" album.

Verdict - Good


The penultimate Top 40 hit to date for The Shamen and the last time they'll feature as their final Top 40 hit didn't make the Top 30. It came shortly before Mr C opened The End nightclub but I can't imagine this record getting played in there. Still decent enough though.

Verdict - Good


With a title like this it presumably didn't get much radio play. I have to say I do find the lyrics to this one quite funny. It's and American dance record which fitted in well with the hardbag scene, though not sure it was technically part of it. I like it whatever it is.

Verdict - Good


This was originally a Top 40 hit in 1994 but fared better on it's return to the Top 40 in 1995. Around the same time there was a happy hardcore record called "Rainbow in the Sky" by Paul Elstak that was based on the same tune but with different lyrics.

Verdict - Good


The 3rd and final Top 40 hit to date for Eurogroove. They found a formula that worked for 3 Top 40 hits but may have started to get tedious if they carried on for too long. For now though it was still good.

Verdict - Good


PJ And Duncan are definitely one of those acts who had more hits than you'd think. This was Top 40 hit number 7 and they were only just half way through their Top 40 career. The novelty of having a couple of ex Byker Grove actors in the charts had long worn thin by this point.

Verdict - Rubbish


Scooter didn't really become a household name in the UK until 2002 but they made their Top 40 debut in 1995 with this record. If you were a raver though you'd know who Scooter were. You also knew what you were getting from them, cheesy as fuck but brilliant at the same time.

Verdict - Good


A criticism I had of Bon Jovi during this era at the time was that their songs were either ballads or acoustic numbers. Then came this record which is neither. In fact I found it hard to pick a fault with this record.

Verdict - Good


This was perhaps the biggest move away from the Stock Aitken & Waterman era for Kylie Minogue. It's an unlikely collaboration and to be fair you can't really fault Kylie Minogue's contribution to the record, just a shame the records not very good.

Verdict - Rubbish


This record failed to reach the Top 40 when first released in 1994 but then The Lightning Seeds had a surge in popularity in 1995 and this record fared better. It's a good uplifting number with a great singalong chorus.

Verdict - Good


This would have been one of those records where the DJ would have to reassure listeners that they were listening to Radio 1 after it got played in the Top 40 countdown. No memory of the actual Cliff Richard songs though and I'm happy with that.

Verdict - Rubbish


The run of Top 10 hits continued for Wet Wet Wet with this record. Marti Pellow's ponytail had gone but it would seem he lost none of his power. Once again I feel like I shouldn't like this record but I do.

Verdict - Good


The penultimate Top 40 hit to date for Soul II Soul and the last time they'll feature as their final Top 40 hit never made the Top 30. It does feel too late for Soul II Soul still being active in the charts, but they hadn't forgotten how to make a good tune.

Verdict - Good


The penultimate Top 40 hit to date for 2 Unlimited and the final one from the Ray & Anita era. I guess the record buying public were getting pretty sick of them by this point

Verdict - Rubbish


I'm not sure I even knew there was such a place as Camden Town at the time, but now I've long since lost count of the number of times I've been to Camden. That's certainly made me understand this record more and as a result give me a more favourable opinion of it.

Verdict - Good


This is just about the only Ash hit of this era that you never really hear about anymore. Yet it is by far the best record they've ever done. It's helped by the fast drum beat, but it's more than that it's simply an all round great record.

Verdict - Good


After the impact that "Set You Free" had on me I was excited to hear a follow up record which was this. This quickly turned to disappointment, this wasn't rave at all, it was a cheesy remake of the Bee Gees record.

Verdict - Rubbish


This of course was the theme song for the TV show Friends. I used to watch Friends back in the 90s and I liked it but I have to say it's not aged very well. The theme music though was always shit, but it was probably intended to be that way.

Verdict - Rubbish


This record made the Top 40 earlier on in the year under the name "Legends of the Dark Black pt2" but fared better under it's name changed to "Renegade Master". Wildchild sadly passed away a month or so after this so probably never saw the true impact of this record.

Verdict - Good


1995 was the year that Louise left Eternal and this was her solo debut. Simon Climie from 80s pop duo Climie Fisher was on songwriting duties. It's a dreary ballad that I don't think I've heard since 1995 anf hopefully I'll never hear it again.

Verdict - Rubbish


When this record came out I remember being shocked at Mariah Carey making a record that was so upbeat. It's based around a sample of "Genius Of Love" by Tom Tom Club which is a great record. However the last thing it needs is Mariah Carey's whiny voice over the top of it.

Verdict - Rubbish


Listen to this tune and watch the video and this record would appear to be as British as they come. I was therefore surprised to discover a few years later that Josh Wink is American. It's a classic for sure.

Verdict - Good


This record was written by R Kelly. It's a ballad and R Kelly was one of those people who knew how to write a ballad well.

Verdict - Good


"Sorted For E's and Wizz" is the better known song on this double a-side and it's a decent enough record. I would however say that "Mis-Shapes" is miles better and is the best Pulp song I've heard. I love the attitude this record has.

Verdict - Good / Good


Louise had left Eternal and this was their first record without her. It was also the best record they've ever made. Admittedly the singing does grate on me a little but musically it's great. As you might imagine with it being about the power of a woman, this song was written by men.

Verdict - Good


After this record appeared on the Levi's advert it became Shaggy's second number one out of his first three Top 40 hits. It's a silly record really but great fun to listen to.

Verdict - Good


This was originally a Top 40 hit for Smokie back in 1976. Then there was a cover by Gompie that was big in Europe where the audience would reply "Alice, who the fuck is Alice". Smokie therefore decided to revive this song and get comedian Roy 'Chubby' Brown to add the "Alice, who the fuck is Alice" bit. I think it's great.

Verdict - Good


This single was from their greatest hits album "Vault". A relative who clearly knew nothing about my music tastes bought me that album as a Christmas present that year. At the time I was listening to nothing but rave, even when I was into guitar music I never really thought much of Def Leppard. The fact Joe Elliott had gone for the Kurt Cobain look in the video may have been misleading in that respect. That all said, this is the best song I've ever heard from Def Leppard and I did grow to like it. To this very day though I've never listened to the "Vault" album and its never really been in my possession. 

Verdict - Good


It had been 3 years since we'd last seen Simply Red in the Top 40 and this comeback single gave them their only number one record to date. The not very musical verses followed by a really catchy chorus works really well.

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 22/30, or 73%. On the rise again.
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