Ahh, a new week, a new blog post. It's a little sad (but mostly awesome) how much I look forward to writing these nostalgic music pieces. So many songs I've almost forgotten about, so many songs that others have never heard of (I'm looking at you, youngin's.) And, to top it off, it's Monday. What better way to make a Monday tolerable than with a hefty dose of 90s music? There is no better way, I tell you. None.
So, as per my usual MO, here are some fun facts about the next year in our line-up, 1992. Think of them as an appetizer, if you will:
*I turned 7
*President Bush (senior) becomes ill and vomits and faints into the lap of the Japanese Prime Minister on national television (Watch this little ditty here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnOnDatqENo. It's delightful to watch over and over again. Hours of fun!)
*Euro Disney Resort (now Disneyland Paris) opens in France
*The Freddy Mercury Tribute Concert is held at Wembley Stadium and raises millions for AIDS research
*Yitzhak Rabin becomes the Prime Minister of Israel
*Hurricane Andrew hits South Florida
*Sinead O'Connor rips up a picture of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live after singing a song of protest about child abuse in the Catholic Church
*Prince Charles and Princess Diana announce their separation
Now that the appetizer is polished off, it's time to make way for the main course. I hope you saved room, as we're about to over-indulge in yet another classic year in music history. Here is the first Top Ten list for 1992:
1) "Smells Like Teen Spirit" ~ Nirvana: Although released on their 1991 album, Nevermind, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" didn't hit the mainstream charts or gain popularity until 1992. The song was a highly unexpected success for both the public and the band, who became exceedingly uncomfortable with all the attention they were received post-release. Kurt Cobain later explained to Rolling Stone Magazine that all he was trying to do with the song was write in the style of the Pixies (a late-eighties/early-nineties indie-surf rock band). Cobain penned the song just weeks before recording Nevermind, and while it was initially dismissed by the rest of the band, the boys spent time working on it together, making it the only song on the album to credit all three band members as authors.
As far as the song's title, it is said that Kurt took the name from his wall, where his friend Kathleen Hanna (lead singer of Bikini Kill) spray painted "Kurt Smells Like Teen Spirit." (You know, the deodorant we all used?) Unaware of the deodorant brand, Cobain took this to mean something revolutionary. Hanna meant that he smelled like deodorant. Ignorance is both bliss and unmatched success.
If you're a big Nirvana fan (as I am), then you probably both love and hate this song (as I do). I love this song because, well, it's a Nirvana song and, taken out of context, it's still pretty great. At the time, it was unlike anything the mainstream had ever heard and was, as Kurt had thought, revolutionary (and deodorant-y). However, in order to think all these thoughts, I have to take a step back from all the reasons why I hate it. This song has, unfortunately, become the ultimate cliche. It's THE Nirvana song that everyone knows, and it boils my blood when people rock out to this song like they're big fans but have no idea how to even hum along to "Polly," which was released on the very same album. Frustration abound. I still usually skip this song if it comes up on my iPod or switch stations if it pops up on the radio. I'd rather remember Kurt for songs like "About A Girl" and "Pennyroyal Tea." RIP, Kurt. (Can you believe it's been over 17 years already?)
2) "I Will Always Love You" ~ Whitney Houston: Written by one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Ms. Dolly Parton, this Whitney cover version was released in 1992 on the soundtrack to The Bodyguard. The original version was written in 1973 and released on Dolly's album Jolene in 1974. She wrote the song for her once-partner and mentor, Porter Wagoner, with whom business was splitting.
This song, in retrospect, was an obvious choice for The Bodyguard's main theme; however, the original pick was a cover of Jimmy Ruffin's "What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted." When Whitney learned that Ruffin's song had been used in another film, she decided to look for another. Co-star Kevin Costner brought her Linda Ronstadt's version of "I Will Always Love You" and Whitney and her producer redid the song as a soul power ballad. (Nice choice, Whit.) The song spent 14 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 (a record at the time), was Houston's longest-running number one hit (and her 10th number one), and also became the longest-running hit from a soundtrack. The song also smashed a number of other records, stealing titles from the likes of Bryan Adams and such. Whitney also took home 2 Grammys for the song for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal.
This song gives me chills every time I hear it. There's no denying Whitney Houston's once-coveted voice and power. Her vocals are one in a million on nearly every song she's recorded, but this song is somehow more special than the rest. The song itself is haunting and sad, yet beautiful, and the pure burst of power she uses to belt out the the end of the song is nearly unfathomable. The way Whitney holds back for nearly the entire length of the song until the very end at the key change makes the recording that much more powerful, satisfying, and genius. We know girl can belt it out, but to make us wait until the end of the song to hear those spine-curving notes is pure anticipatory glee. And then I cry. No big deal.
3) "To Be With You" ~ Mr. Big: Written by Eric Martin (the band's lead singer) while he was still a teenager, "To Be With You" was released on the band's second album, Lean Into It. Despite the fact that the album was to be purely rock, "To Be With You" was eventually included and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and was number one in 14 other countries simultaneously. The song was, by far, Mr. Big's biggest (ha!) hit of all time and has been covered by tons of others artists since it's release.
This is, for sure, one of my go-to feel-good songs. Every girl loves a good song about a man who wants to save her from her recent heartbreak by loving her more, right? It's another one of those songs that I like to pretend is being sung to me, plus it's totally fun to sing along to, especially in the chorus. (I like to do the lead vocal and sing in between the rest of the band while they generically sing the chorus lyrics. "You feel it toooo, yeaaahhh....") Also, this song makes a great addition to a bonfire/camp sing-along. Just sayin'.
4) "End Of The Road" ~ Boyz II Men: It seems 1992 was dominated by the ballad. This song was written by Babyface, LA Reid, and Daryl Simmons and is Boyz II Men's most successful single of all time. It also became Motown's most successful single, replacing the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There." That's one hell of a feat. The song was originally recorded for the movie Boomerang with Eddie Murphy and quickly became a mainstream smash hit, a la Boyz II Men style. The song was also the first the break Elvis's 11-week holding record at number one by staying on top for 13 weeks, but was quickly beaten out but Whitney Houston (see above). The song has been covered by everyone from Gladys Knight to the Backstreet Boys and was re-recorded (a cappella) by the Boyz for their 2007 album, Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA.
As stated in previous posts, I have had a long-time love affair with Boyz II Men, and this song is no exception. Their voices make my knees weak, and this song is another classic case of "Man, I wish someone had written this for me." I completely suggest buying the a cappella version on iTunes, as the record is just proof of their undeniable talent for harmony and soul. Plus, the rest of their Motown album is awesome if you're a fan of the old Motown classics like I am. Boyz II Men can sing Temptations songs to me all day, if they like.
5) "Baby Got Back" ~ Sir Mix-a-Lot: From his album Mack Daddy came Sir Mix-a-Lot's big one hit wonder. The song sat pretty at number one for 5 weeks in the summer of 1992 despite all the controversy surrounding it, such as being briefly banned from MTV. The song also managed to get Sir Mix-a-Lot a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance and has been parodied countless times on shows like The Simpson's and Robot Chicken.
Talk about a serious 90s anthem. If you don't know every word to this song, you're just not as cool as the rest of us. This song gave all us white girls a good reason to shake our booties, despite looking completely ridiculous, and gave everyone a greater appreciation for a fuller butt. It had every woman in American wishing they had an "LA face with an Oakland booty" and "36-24-36" measurements, but only if you 5"3 (which I am! Almost. 5"2 1/2...it counts. The measurement part though, not so much). This anthematic song has spanned decades and for good reason---it's catchy and fun and dancy. Even white boys got to shout.
6) "Tears In Heaven" ~ Eric Clapton: This song was written by Eric Clapton and Will Jennings about the grief over Clapton's son's death in March of 1991. Clapton's four-year-old son, Conor, fell to his death from a window on the 53rd floor of an apartment building in New York City and Clapton arrive at the scene shortly after the accident. Eric Clapton was obviously (and rightfully so) distraught and beside himself for many months after the accident and isolated himself for a period of time.
A year later, Jennings and Clapton were contracted to write songs for the upcoming movie Rush and Clapton asked Jennings to help him write a song about his son. While initially against helping Clapton write something so personal, the two eventually came up with "Tears In Heaven," which was featured in the movie and, later, on Clapton's MTV Unplugged album. Clapton stopped playing "Tears In Heaven" and "My Father's Eyes" in 2004, saying he may or may bring them back at a later time.
This may be the saddest song ever written. I don't have children and, so, I cannot understand mourning the loss of a child; however, I do know that it may be one of the worst pains to ever overcome a person. I can't even pretend to understand how this could have felt for Clapton, and I give him much credit for writing about it and being able to perform it for his fans for years. The lyrics and melody are so simple and perfect for the situation. According to Clapton, the music helped him to to cope with his grief, and once he felt complete about it, he stopped performing to song. Understandable, no?
7) "Black or White" ~ Michael Jackson: Released from his eighth (eighth!) studio album, Dangerous, "Black or White" was written, composed, and produced by Michael Jackson and Bill Bottrell. Although it was technically released in 1991, the song was at the height of its popularity in 1992. The song is the fastest chart-topper since the Beatles's "Get Back," going from number 35 to number 1 in less than three weeks. The song and video both stand behind their message of "Prejudice is Ignorance." The video shows Michael dancing with various cultures in West Africa, India, Russia, etc. and later smashing car windows boasting racial and cultural slurs. The video caused controversy with it's "sexual tones" (read: Michael grabs his crotch, again) and violence, and the video was later edited to "fix" these issues for mainstream video play.
This song is both iconic and ironic. I mean, let's be honest. It was a bit ironic (even a little giggle-worthy) that Michael just so happened to release a song titled "Black or White" at the height of his skin color confusion. How's that for adding fuel to the fire? But all jokes aside, I think this song is done in the true Michael Jackson fashion of promoting cultural and racial acceptance and tolerance with the help of some nifty dance moves, panthers, and facial morphing (which, by the way, is still awesome to watch). The video cameos (Macaulay Culkin, Tess Harper, and George Wendt) were equally exciting and took another Michael Jackson song from just a music video to epic short movie. The song is fun, catchy, good-natured, and, of course, cover-worthy. (Take a listen to Adam Lambert's cover version from American Idol. Delightful). Ain't nothin' wrong with rocking out to this one in your car and screaming "I'm not gonna spend my life being a color!" Go ahead. Promote equality out loud at red lights.
8) "Jump" ~ Kriss Kross: Released on their 1992 album Totally Krossed Out, these mini hip-hoppers achieved double platinum success with their first-ever single. When they recorded the song, Chris "Mac Daddy" Kelly and Chris "Daddy Mac" Smith were only 12 and 13-years-old. The song was written and produced by Jermaine Dupri and stayed on the top of the charts for eight weeks. "Jump" features samples from a handful of songs, including the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back," and the boys later toured Europe with Jackson himself. The original version featured an intro in which the boys dissed another kid group, Another Bad Creation, but was later removed for copyright infringement.
I still haven't decided if I love or hate this song. I know for a fact that I LOVED it in 1992, but now I have my doubts. I mean, it's cool when you hear kids single a popular song on the radio when you, yourself, are a kid. However, after hearing this song recently, I can understand why, according to adults, this song is one of the worst ever. Little kid voices constantly demanding that you "jump, jump!" No. No, thanks. I'm all set today. Maybe tomorrow. It can get nails-on-a-chalkboard irritating, especially when kids all around you are following the aforementioned demands. Sigh. Nothing profound here. Just a lot of jumping and backwards overalls. Always fashionable, mind you.
9) "Jump Around" ~ House Of Pain: Oh lord, another song about jumping, only this time it can't be excused with a 12-year-old mentality. Released on their debut, self-titled album, "Jump Around" reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. The song's intro, which made it unmistakable, was a sample from Bob & Earl's "Harlem Shuffle." It has been featured in countless movies, such as Happy Gilmore, Mrs. Doubtfire, Rush Hour, and many more. The song has also since become a staple at the University of Wisonsin-Madison home football games, the University of North Carolina's men's home basketball games, and at AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, when closing pitcher Brian Wilson (tee hee) enters the game.
First off, aside from the vast radio popularity of this song, I will forever associate it with Pringles. There was a very long stretch in the late 90s when the Pringles brand used this song in their commercials, a genius move. The song has staying power, proven with all the sports games it's associated with now, because it's fun and catchy and suggests, rather than demands, that you "jump around." This song is certainly better craftier than the Kris Kross song, with lyrics like "I got more rhymes than a Bible's got psalms" (my personal favorite), but still rests on the irritating side of the line should you find yourself outside of a sports arena. Also, I would love to know how Everlast (House of Pain's frontman) went from "Jump Around" to his 1998 solo single "What It's Like." Really? Wow.
10) "Just Another Day" ~ Jon Secada: This song is Jon's debut single off his debut, self-titled album. It was written by Secada and Miguel Morejon and reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Adult Contemporary charts, eventually reaching gold status. The song was also released in Spanish ("Otro Dia Mas Sin Verte"), since Jon (born Juan Francisco Secada Martinez) is Cuban and has long been involved in the Latin music world. The song was later covered by Bernie Williams (yes, of New York Yankees fame) and featured Secada on the track as well.
While completely admitting that this is what I would normally dub as "mom music," I really love Jon Secada, ironically because my mom loved Jon Secada. I have distinct memories of singing this song and "If You Go" along with her in the car and falling in love with his voice. (This also, unfortunately, happened with Johnny Mathis Christmas albums, but that's for another blog.) This is standard pop music at its best, and it does its job well. Catchy tune? Check. Simple lyrics? Check. Suave, handsome, Latin lover singing the song? Check. It's like Ricky Martin without the gay. Good times.
So, there you have it. 1992 wrapped up in a neat, little, 10-song package. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have, and if you did, leave a comment! If you didn't, leave a comment! If you read this at all, leave a comment! Meanwhile, I'll be putting a list together for next week's compilation of tunes from 1993. Rock on, Gen X/Gen Y-ers. Rock on.
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