Week commencing 17 May 1993

Another week where I can't identify any unifying theme among this week in 1993's new entries peaking outside the top 100... so let's just dive straight in.

Hothouse Flowers wilted on the Australian chart with this release.

Top 150 debuts:

Number 137 “One Tongue” by Hothouse Flowers

Peak: number 117

Peak date: 24 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 137-117-131-139-139

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

Irish band Hothouse Flowers made their debut on the Australian charts in 1988, with the single “Don’t Go” (number 39, August 1988), from their debut album People (number 30, October 1988).  Between 1988 and 1993, the band placed nine top 100 singles on the Australian chart with their version of “I Can See Clearly” (number 22, March 1991 - almost six months after its debut) being their biggest hit, from the album Home (number 1 for one week in March 1991).

“One Tongue” was the second single lifted from their third studio album Songs from the Rain (number 19, March 1993).  It followed “An Emotional Time” (number 57, February 1993), which would be their last top 100 single in Australia.

Internationally, “One Tongue” peaked at number 45 in the UK in May 1993, and number 55 in Germany in July 1993.

In Australia, “One Tongue” was most popular in Western Australia, where it reached number 89 on the state chart.

We shall see Hothouse Flowers on one more occasion, in 1998.

Number 142 “Start Choppin” by Dinosaur Jr.

Peak: number 137

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 8 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 142-143-137-143-145-143-148-147

Weeks on chart: 10 weeks

American band Dinosaur Jr last joined us in March 1993.

“Start Choppin” (no apostrophe) was the second single lifted from their fourth studio album Where You Been (number 45, May 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 20 in the UK in January 1993, number 20 in Ireland in February 1993, and number 40 in Sweden in February 1993.  The song also peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Alternative Airplay chart in March 1993.

Locally, “Start Choppin” performed strongest in Queensland, where it reached number 121 on the state chart.

We’ll next see Dinosaur Jr. in September 1993.

Number 144 “I Got a Man” by Positive K

Peak: number 123

Peak date: 21 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 8 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 144-128-126-124-126-123-130-132

American rapper Positive K, real name Darryl Gibson, hails from The Bronx, New York.  “I Got a Man”, his debut Australian release, was the second single lifted from his debut album The Skillz Dat Pay the Billz (released in Australia in July 1993, missed the top 150).  The album was split into two halves, The Skills Side and Pay the Bills Side; “I Got a Man” appears on the latter.

Internationally, “I Got a Man” peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in March 1993, number 43 in the UK in May 1993, number 41 in New Zealand in June 1993, and number 14 in the Netherlands in February 1994.  The song also peaked at number 1 on the US Billboard Rap Songs chart, and number 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in February 1993.

An interesting fact about “I Got a Man” is that the ‘female’ vocals on the track are actually those of Positive K pitch-shifted upwards!  A woman lip syncs the female lines in the video, however.

I knew this song at the time, but can’t recall where I first heard it - probably on Triple J.  “I Got a Man” would be Positive K’s only top 150 entry in Australia.

Number 149 “Fear of Life” by Sam Brown

Peak: number 135

Peak date: 14 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 10 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 149-144-139-138-135-(out of top 150 for 3 weeks)-144-148-145-150-150

Weeks on chart: 11 weeks

English singer-songwriter Sam Brown last joined us in 1990.

“Fear of Life” was the only single released from Sam’s third album 43 Minutes (number 132, June 1993).  Sam started writing the songs for the album while her mother, singer Vicki Brown, was dying of breast cancer in mid-1991.  Sam’s UK label, A&M Records, were not satisfied with the album, and insisted that Sam include sone more-commercial songs that they could release as singles.  Sam refused to compromise, and released the album as it was, independently.  Both “Fear of Life” and 43 Minutes were distributed in Australia through Festival Records, who distributed her first two albums and the accompanying singles, however.

Australia appears to have been the only country that “Fear of Life” charted in.  The single was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 109 on the state chart.

I didn’t hear this one at the time, but obtained the music video (embedded below) from someone I trade videos with in 2006.  It’s a nice song, though perhaps not immediately commercial-sounding.

 

Sam will join us on one more occasion, in 1997.

Bubbling WAY down under:

Number 195 “Alone” by Big Country

Peak: number 195

Peak date: 17 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 3 weeks

Scottish rock band Big Country last paid us a visit in 1989.

“Alone” was the lead single from their sixth studio album The Buffalo Skinners (number 193, July 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 24 in the UK in March 1993.

In Australia, “Alone” performed strongest in Western Australia, reaching number 156 on the state chart.

I hadn’t heard this one before.  I liked it, though it’s a bit more guitar-heavy than music I normally listen to.

We shall see Big Country once more, in July 1993.

Number 203 “In Our Love” by Caron Wheeler

Peak: number 203

Peak date: 17 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 1 week

English singer-songwriter Caron Wheeler previously visited us in 1990.

“In Our Love” was the second single lifted from Caron’s second album Beach of the War Goddess (number 125, June 1993).  It followed “I Adore You”, which appeared on the Mo’ Money soundtrack (number 39, January 1993) and was released as a single in Australia in February 1993, but failed to chart.  “In Our Love” was issued locally on 19 April 1993, but took four weeks to make a blip on the ARIA singles chart just outside the top 200.

Internationally, “In Our Love” registered on two US Billboard genre-specific charts, peaking at number 61 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in March 1993, and number 54 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in April 1993.

Domestically, “In Our Love” was most popular in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 186 on the state chart.

I remember seeing the Beach of the War Goddess album reviewed in Smash Hits magazine, but didn’t hear any singles from it at the time.

Caron will join us on one more occasion, in October 1993.

Number 222 “Tetris” by Doctor Spin

Peak: number 222

Peak date: 17 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

Co-written by Andrew Lloyd-Webber, together with producer Nigel Wright under the name of Doctor Spin, “Tetris” was a novelty rave song based on the Nintendo Game Boy game.  We saw another one of its ilk late in 1992.  While both Nintendo-themed tracks were top 10 hits in the UK, they both languished outside the top 100 in Australia, partly due to receiving zero promotion.  The “Tetris” game music is based on Russian folk song “Korobeiniki”.

“Tetris” peaked at number 6 in the UK in October 1992, number 7 in Ireland in October 1992, and number 23 in Austria in December 1992.

In Australia, “Tetris” performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 185 on the state chart.

I first heard “Tetris” on the UK Chart Attack radio show.  “Tetris” was released there four weeks before “Supermarioland”.  Not being completely averse to novelty records and liking Eurodance, I actually like this one.  Jake Canuso, who would go on to become an actor in Benidorm, appears as a dancer in the music video and on the Top of the Pops TV performance.

This was the only Doctor Spin release.

Next week (24 May): Four top 150 entries and six bubbling WAY down under debuts.

< Previous week: 10 May 1993                Next week: 24 May 1993 >

Week commencing 10 May 1993

I don’t know what to say about this week in 1993’s new entries peaking outside the Australian top 100, other than they are an eclectic bunch.  Shall we take a look?

D:Ream: things could only get better from this chart position.

Top 150 debuts:

Number 128 “Things Can Only Get Better” by D:Ream (1993 release)

Peak: number 128 (1993 chart run); number 9 (1994 chart run)

Peak date: 10 May 1993 (1993 chart run); 28 March 1994 (1994 chart run)

Weeks in top 150: 35 weeks (5 weeks in 1993; 30 weeks in 1994)

Top 150 chart run: 1993: 128-145-133-142-134.  

Re-entry 14 February 1994: 87-59-42-24-19-13-9-11-10-10-10-11-10-11-14-14-18-20-19-21-26-36-43-50-58-61-89-68-106-105

Weeks on chart: 43 weeks (1993 and 1994 chart runs combined)

Pop group D:Ream formed in Manchester, England in 1992.  The band’s live line up included Brian Cox, who would later become a professor of particle physics and a famous TV science broadcaster, on keyboards, although singer Peter Cunnah played keyboards on their studio recordings.  Their first single, an early version of “U R the Best Thing”, scraped into the lower end of the UK Top 75 in June 1992.  “Things Can Only Get Better”, their second single, would become their breakthrough hit in Australia, but not upon its initial 1993 release.  The track was lifted from their debut album D:Ream on Vol. 1 (number 12, June 1994).

The early 1993 release of “Things Can Only Get Better” peaked at number 24 in the UK in January 1993, and at number 23 in Austria for two weeks in June 1993.  The song would get a subtle remix, and a new music video, opening with the “you can walk my path, you can wear my shoes” couplet, for a late December 1993 re-release in the UK, where it became a much bigger hit, peaking at number 1 there for four weeks in January-February 1994.

The late 1993/early 1994 release of “Things Can Only Get Better” also peaked at number 2 in Ireland in January 1994, number 7 in Sweden in February 1994, number 20 in Germany in March 1994, number 20 in the Netherlands in March 1994, number 11 in Switzerland in March 1994, number 10 in the Flanders region of Belgium in April 1994, and number 46 in New Zealand in April 1994.  The song also reached number 7 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in January 1994.

In Australia, the 1994 release of “Things Can Only Get Better” peaked at number 9 in March 1994.  The single performed strongest in South Australia/Norther Territory, where it reached number 3 on the state chart.

“Things Can Only Get Better” received a third lease of life in the UK, being used (with D:Ream’s permission) as the ‘new Labour’ campaign song, led by Tony Blair, at the 1997 election.  The single was re-released again, peaking at number 19 in the UK in April 1997.  D:Ream came to regret to regret their decision to allow Labour to use their song, following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which was supported by Tony Blair.

We’ll see D:Ream next in July 1993 with another single that would later go on to become a hit when remixed and re-released.

Number 130 “Play Me” by The Welcome Mat

Peak: number 123

Peak date: 24 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 8 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 130-124-123-124-133-125-135-144

We last saw Sydney band The Welcome Mat in March 1993.  “Play Me” was the second single lifted from their debut album Gram (number 107, April 1993).

We’ll next see The Welcome Mat in 1996.

Number 134 “Gentleman Style” by Indecent Obsession

Peak: number 118

Peak date: 24 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 6 weeks

Chart run: 134-127-118-140-140-136

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

Aussie pop band Indecent Obsession last graced our presence in 1992.

“Gentleman Style” was the fourth and final single released in Australia from the band’s second album Indio (number 39, August 1992).  Another track from the album, “Whispers in the Dark”, received a single release in Europe, but not Australia.  On the state charts, “Gentleman Style” performed strongest in Queensland, where it reached number 70.

I hadn’t heard this one until writing this post.  I liked it.  As I have no doubt previously written, I think Indecent Obsession’s success was hindered by being initially marketed as a ‘pin-up’ boy band aimed at teenage girls… and possibly also by having a stupid band name.

Indecent Obsession singer David Dixon would soon leave the group, taking on the role of Joseph in the Australian leg of stage production Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a role Jason Donovan filled in Europe.  David embarked on a brief solo career, landed a minor hit on the Australian chart with “Joseph Mega-Mix” (number 53, June 1993).  We shall see David bubble under with a solo single in 1994.  He further delved into acting, taking on the role of bad boy Nathan Roberts (almost my namesake), Irene’s jailbird son, on Home and Away towards the end of 1993.  I read somewhere years ago that David was now working as a helicopter pilot.

The rest of the group, meanwhile, continued as Indecent Obsession, recruiting English vocalist Richard Hannassey.  We’ll see the new line up Indecent Obsession bubble under in 1994.

Number 140 “All Together Now” by Jon English

Peak: number 128

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 6 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 140-141-131-128-141-143

English-born Australian-based singer-songwriter and actor Jon English placed 18 singles on the Australian top 100 between 1973 and 1983, with  “Six Ribbons” (number 5 for two weeks in February-March 1979) being the biggest of those.  Jon played the role of ageing rocker Bobby Rivers on Australian sitcom All Together Now, which aired between January 1991 and September 1993.  This was the theme song used for the show.  Although I don’t recall ever watching an episode of it, I do remember the show.

This would be Jon’s final top 150 single in Australia.  He died in 2016, aged 66, due to complications from surgery for an aortic aneurysm.

Number 144 “Ride Like the Wind” by East Side Beat

Peak: number 144

Peak date: 10 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 1 week

Known chart run: 188-144

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

We last saw Italian dance project East Side Beat in March 1993.  “Ride Like the Wind”, a cover version of the Christopher Cross song (number 25, June 1980), was released in Europe in late 1991 as their first single, but received a belated Australian release in 1993 as their second single.

Internationally, “Ride Like the Wind” peaked at number 3 in the UK in December 1991, number 4 in Ireland, number 4 in the Flanders region of Belgium for five weeks in January-February 1992, number 29 in Austria in January 1992, number 6 in the Netherlands in February 1992, number 24 in Germany in February 1992, number 12 in France in February 1992, and number 23 in Switzerland in March 1992.

Domestically, “Ride Like the Wind” was most popular in Victoria/Tasmania, where it reached number 132 on the state chart.

While there was no music video filmed for “Ride Like the Wind”, you can see East Side Beat perform it live on Top of the Pops here.

We won’t see East Side Beat again, but singer Carl Fanini will bubble under with Clubhouse in 1994.

Number 145 “The Love I Lost” by West End featuring Sybil

Peak: number 145

Peak date: 10 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 1 week

Top 150 chart run: 145

Weeks on chart: 8 weeks

We last saw American singer Sybil Lynch in 1991.

West End was an alias of Eddie Gordon, though what role he played on this recording, I am not sure, as his role is not specified on the credits.  “The Love I Lost” was otherwise just a Stock Waterman (formerly Stock Aitken Waterman) production with Sybil on vocals.  Eddie’s role at PWL was to find artists or songs to bring in to be produced by Stock Waterman or distributed in the UK through PWL Records.  As doing a version of this song was Eddie’s idea, he wasn’t too pleased that he did not receive any credit, other than West End being billed, on the single sleeve.  The song is a cover version of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ “The Love I Lost” from 1973.  This version was the lead single from Sybil’s fourth studio album Good ‘N’ Ready (released in Australia in August 1993, did not chart).

Internationally, “The Love I Lost” peaked at number 3 in the UK for two weeks in January 1993, number 9 in Ireland, number 90 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in April 1993, and number 68 in Germany in April 1993.  The song also peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs in May 1993, and number 18 on the Dance Singles Sales chart in June 1993.

In Australia, “The Love I Lost” performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 117 on the state chart.

I didn’t hear this one until picking up the UK 2-CD compilation The Greatest Hits of 1993 while on a family holiday in Hong Kong in January 1994.

We will see Sybil on one more occasion, in August 1993.

Number 147 “Dollar Bill” by Screaming Trees (1993 release)

Peak: number 147 (1993 chart run); number 119 (1995 chart run)

Peak date: 10 May 1993 (1993 chart run); 13 February 1995 (1995 chart run)

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks (1 week in 1993; 4 weeks in 1995)

Top 150 chart run: 147.  Re-entry 6 February 1995: 132-119-139-144

American rock band Screaming Trees formed in 1984 in Ellensburg, Washington.  “Dollar Bill” was the second single issued from the band’s sixth studio album Sweet Oblivion (number 77, March 1993), following “Nearly Lost You” (number 96, March 1993), which was their only single to dent the ARIA top 100.

Internationally, “Dollar Bill” peaked at number 52 in the UK in April 1993.  The song also registered on two US Billboard genre-specific charts, peaking at number 28 on the Alternative Airplay chart in January 1993, and number 40 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in July 1993.

Interestingly, “Dollar Bill” re-entered the ARIA top 150 in early 1995, reaching a higher peak of number 119.

I hadn’t heard this one before.  The guitar refrain during the introduction and verses reminds very much of George Michael’s “Waiting for That Day” (number 50, May 1991).

Screaming Trees lead singer Matt Lanegan died in 2022, aged 57.  A cause of death has not been publicly revealed.  Screaming Trees bassist Van Conner has also passed away, in 2023 aged 55, from pneumonia after contracting COVID-19 following surgery.

We’ll next see Screaming Trees in 1996.

Number 149 “Tap the Bottle” by Young Black Teenagers

Peak: number 136

Peak dates: 17 May 1993 and 31 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 10 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 149-136-145-136-148-148-140-141-148-(out for 1 week)-150

American hip-hop group Young Black Teenagers formed in 1989 in Long Island, New York.  Contrary to the group’s name, none of its members were teenagers, and all were Caucasian!  “Tap the Bottle” was lifted from their second and final album Dead Enz Kidz Doin’ Lifetime Bidz (released in Australia in May 1993, missed the top 150).

Internationally, “Tap the Bottle” peaked at number 5 in New Zealand in May 1993, number 55 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in April 1993, and number 39 in the UK in April 1994 (not a typo).

This was the only Young Black Teenagers release to trouble the top 150 in Australia.  I am not sure whether I have heard this one before; the chorus riff seemed vaguely familiar.

Bubbling WAY down under:

Number 174 Brisbane EP by Custard

Peak: number 153

Peak date: 19 July 1993

Weeks on chart: 14 weeks

Brisbane band Custard last joined us in 1992.  It fits that they should release an EP named after their home city.

“Nightmare Two” was the lead track from the 7-track EP, which includes one unlisted track.  On the state charts, the EP was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 79.

Custard will join us next in November 1993.

Number 192 “Slow Emotion Replay” by The The

Peak: number 173

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 3 weeks

English band The The, fronted by Matt Johnson who was the only constant member, last joined us in 1989.

“Slow Emotion Replay” was the second single lifted from their fourth studio album Dusk (number 20, February 1993), following “Dogs of Lust” (number 70, March 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 35 in the UK in the April 1993.

Domestically, “Slow Emotion Replay” performed strongest in Western Australia, reaching number 153 on the state chart.

I didn’t hear this one at the time, but caught the video (I cannot remember where, probably on rage) a few years back and like the song very much.  “Everybody knows what’s going wrong with the world, I don’t even know what’s going on in myself” is a powerful lyric.

Skip to 4:17 minutes in the video embedded below to bypass the dialogue intro and get to the song.

We’ll next see The The in August 1993.

Next week (17 May): Four top 150 entries and three bubbling WAY down under debuts.

< Previous week: 3 May 1993                   Next week: 17 May 1993 >

Week commencing 3 May 1993

Before taking a look at this week in 1993’s new entries peaking outside the Australian top 100, I wish to update you on my health situation.  I wrote in early 2024 that my cancer appeared to be in remission, as the review CT, MRI and PET scans I had at that time showed no evidence of disease.  Unfortunately, the scan results were not matched with reality when I underwent a minor procedure to evaluate the primary site.  I continued chemotherapy throughout 2024, completing 36 cycles, and earlier this year switched to oral chemotherapy after the intravenous combinations I had been taking stopped working.  Unfortunately, the oral chemo has also stopped working and I am now out of treatment options, other than clinical trials, which I am unlikely to be eligible for due to my complicated medical history.  Given my current situation, I have thought of accelerating the frequency of my chart recaps (i.e. writing more than one post a week), but am not sure if I want to commit to that… watch this space.  Now onto this week’s new entries.

This single was the kiss of death for Sade on the Australian chart.

Top 150 debuts:

Number 106 “If You Have to Ask” by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Peak: number 106

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Chart run: 106-121-115-136-120

Weeks on chart: 5 weeks

American band Red Hot Chili Peppers formed in Los Angeles in 1982.  After several years underground, they finally made some ripples on the chart with their fourth album Mother’s Milk (number 33, May 1992 - after originally peaking at number 67 in April 1990), and the single “Higher Ground” (number 45, March 1990), which was a Stevie Wonder cover.

Red Hot Chili Peppers had their major commercial breakthrough with their fifth album, and first release on Warner Bros. Records, Blood Sugar Sex Magik (number 1 for 2 weeks in April 1992). “If You Have to Ask” was the fifth single lifted from Blood Sugar Sex Magik, following “Give It Away” (number 41 for 3 weeks in November 1991), “Under the Bridge” (number 1 for 4 weeks in April-May 1992), “Suck My Kiss” (number 8, May 1992), and “Breaking the Girl” (number 30, October 1992).  It was only released as a single in Australia and Germany, and only charted in Australia.

On the state charts, “If You Have to Ask” performed strongest in Queensland, where it reached number 90.

We’ll next see Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1996.

Number 118 “How I’m Comin” by LL Cool J

Peak: number 101

Peak date: 17 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 6 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 118-104-101-109-112-116

Weeks on chart: 8 weeks

American rapper LL Cool J last joined us in 1989.

“How I’m Comin” was the lead single from LL Cool J’s fifth studio album 14 Shots to the Dome (number 112, June 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in April 1993, number 37 in the UK in April 1993, and number 16 in New Zealand in May 1993.  “How I’m Comin” also registered on several US Billboard genre-specific charts, peaking at number 28 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in April 1993, number 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales chart in April 1993, number 55 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in April 1993, number 24 on the Dance Singles Sales chart in May 1993, and number 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart in May 1993.

In Australia, “How I’m Comin” performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 71 on the state chart.  The single peaked within the top 100 on all state charts except South Australia/Northern Territory.  “How I’m Comin” peaked higher nationally on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 98.

We’ll next see LL Cool J in July 1993.

Number 123 “Who Let in the Rain” by Cyndi Lauper

Peak: number 109

Peak date: 10 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 4 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 123-109-119-129

Weeks on chart: 7 weeks

American singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper last visited us in 1992.

“Who Let in the Rain” was the first single released from Cyndi’s fourth studio album Hat Full of Stars (number 102, July 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 12 in New Zealand in June 1993, number 76 in Canada in August 1993, and number 32 in the UK in January 1994.  “Who Let in the Rain” also peaked at number 33 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in April 1993.

In Australia, “Who Let in the Rain” was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 96 on the state chart.  Nationally, “Who Let in the Rain” performed slightly better on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 100.

I don’t recall hearing this one before.  While it’s nice enough, it doesn’t stand out like Cyndi’s classic singles from the 80s, and doesn’t sound like lead single material to me.  Cyndi’s commercial success after the 1980s waned partly because I think she was too closely associated with that decade, image wise.  Taking a four year hiatus between albums also didn’t help.

We’ll next see Cyndi in 1995.

Number 144 “All About Eve” by Marxman

Peak: number 144

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 3 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 144-146-(out for 1 week)-148

English four-piece hip-hop group Marxman formed in London in 1989.  “All About Eve” was the third single lifted from their debut album 33 Revolutions per Minute, which does not appear to have been released in Australia.  This single peaked at number 28 in the UK in February 1993, and was their only top 150 chart entry in Australia.

Number 145 “Dream On (Kathy’s Song)” by Jenni Forbes

Peak: number 104

Peak date: 14 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 11 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 145-135-135-141-122-114-104-107-115-137-142

Weeks on chart: 15 weeks

“Dream On (Kathy’s Song)” was Australian singer-songwriter Jenni Forbes’ debut release.  Despite the music video receiving some airplay, the single stalled outside the top 100 nationally, but was more popular in Queensland, where it reached number 45 on the state chart.  “Dream On (Kathy’s Song)” peaked much higher nationally on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 62.

Jenni, who would later change her name to Jenn Forbes, co-wrote Toni Pearen’s “I Want You” (number 10, May 1993), which was charting at the same time as this release.  When Toni met Jenni to listen to some of her demo recordings, Jenni told Toni that she could have any song except for “I Want You”, which Jenni wanted to keep for herself.  Obviously, Toni got her way by being permitted to record that one, and landed a hit with it.

“Dream On (Kathy’s Song)” would go on to appear on Jenni’s debut album (released as Jenn Forbes) I, No Y (number 169, October 1995).  We'll see Jenni again (as Jenn) in 1995.

Number 148 “Erotic” by The Exponents

Peak: number 148

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 2 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 148-(out for 5 weeks)-149

New Zealand band The Exponents formed in 1981, and were originally named Dance Exponents.  Their biggest hit in New Zealand as Dance Exponents, was “Victoria”, which reached number 6 there in August 1982.  “Sex and Agriculture” (number 11 in New Zealand in September 1984) was charting in New Zealand when my family relocated there for six months, but I have no recollection of hearing that one before.

Dance Exponents relocated to London in 1987, presumably hoping to gain international success which never came.  They returned to New Zealand in 1991, and renamed themselves The Exponents.  “Erotic” was lifted from the band’s fourth studio album Something Beginning with C, their first as The Exponents, which does not appear to have been released in Australia.  “Erotic” peaked at number 27 in New Zealand in January 1993, where it was their fourteenth top 50 single.  “Erotic” would be their only top 150 entry in Australia.

Number 149 “Slow Dance” by Mark Williams

Peak: number 139

Peak date: 10 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 149-139-147-147-144

Weeks on chart: 9 weeks

We last saw New Zealand-but-now-Australia-based singer Mark Williams in 1991.

“Slow Dance” was the second single released from Mark’s sixth, and to date last, studio album Mind Over Matter (number 133, June 1993), following “We Can Dream” (number 95, October 1992).  In between, Mark had a charting single with Tara Morice, covering Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” (number 82, January 1993), from the Strictly Ballroom soundtrack (number 6 for two weeks in August-September 1992).

On the state charts, “Slow Dance” was most popular in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 120.

This was Mark’s last charting single in Australia.  A third single from Mind Over Matter, “I Can’t Help You Anymore”, was released in August 1993, but failed to chart.

Bubbling WAY down under:

Number 184 “The Right Decision” by Jesus Jones

Peak: number 184

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 3 weeks

English band Jesus Jones last paid us a visit in 1992.

“The Right Decision” was the second single lifted from the band’s third studio album Perverse (number 32, February 1993), following “The Devil You Know” (number 54, February 1993).  Internationally, “The Right Decision” peaked at number 36 in the UK in April 1993, and at number 88 in Canada in May 1993.  The song also peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Alternative Airplay chart.

Domestically, “The Right Decision” performed strongest in Victoria/Tasmania, where it reached number 167.

Jesus Jones will join us on one more occasion, in August 1993.

Number 186 “Kiss of Life” by Sade

Peak: number 186

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

English band Sade last joined us in January 1993.

“Kiss of Life” was the third single lifted from Sade’s fourth studio album Love Deluxe (number 13, March 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 44 in the UK in May 1993, number 78 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in May 1993, number 30 in Canada in May 1993, number 88 in Germany in May 1993, and number 33 in New Zealand in May 1993.  “Kiss of Life” also registered on several US Billboard genre-specific charts, peaking at number 46 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales chart in May 1993, number 65 on the Radio Songs chart in May 1993, number 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in May 1993, number 9 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in May 1993, and number 20 on the Adult Contemporary chart in May 1993.

In Australia, “Kiss of Life” was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 159 on the state chart.

“Kiss of Life” was released in Australia just before the first Love Deluxe single, “No Ordinary Love” (number 21, June 1993, after originally peaking at number 95 in November 1992), was climbing the chart.

We’ll see Sade on one more occasion, in September 1993.

Next week (10 May): Eight top 150 entries and two bubbling WAY down under debuts.

< Previous week: 26 April 1993                   Next week: 10 May 1993 >

Kent Music Report beyond the top 100: 2 May 1983

This week in 1983 sees just one new entry.  Let's take a look...

 

Sylvia: like nothing ever happened on the Australian chart.

 

Beyond the top 100:

 

Position 7 "Like Nothing Ever Happened" by Sylvia

Highest rank: 7th

Peak date: 2 May 1983

Weeks on below list: 2 weeks

 

American country singer Sylvia, born Sylvia Jane Kirby, hails from Kokomo, Indiana.  She moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1975 to pursue a career as a country recording artist.  "Like Nothing Ever Happened" was lifted form her second album Just Sylvia.  The song reached number 2 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in January 1983, and number 1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.

 

Sylvia had previously registered on the Kent Music Report singles chart with "Nobody" (number 41, December 1982), which was her only top 100 entry in Australia. 

Sylvia is still recording, with her latest album released in 2024.

 

 

Next post (6 June): Two new entries peaking outside the top 100.

 

< Previous post: 18 April 1983                             Next post: 6 June 1983 >

Week commencing 26 April 1993

This week in 1993’s new entries peaking outside the top 100 in Australia are quite a mixed bag, featuring veteran artists who had been around for decades, as well as new artists making their chart debut.  Unusually, we also have two new entries from the same artist.  Let’s take a look at them.

PJ Harvey didn’t quite measure up on the Australian chart with this release.

Top 150 debuts:

Number 113 “Sugar Kane” by Sonic Youth

Peak: number 110

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 6 weeks

Chart run: 113-110-122-117-124-134

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

We last saw American alternative band Sonic Youth in 1992.

“Sugar Kane” was issued as the third single from Sonic Youth’s seventh full-length studio album Dirty (number 22, August 1992).  “Sugar Kane” was also the lead track on their Whores Moaning EP (number 44, February 1993), released only in Australia and New Zealand to coincide with their Australasian tour, which was the band’s highest-charting release on the Australian singles chart.  It’s unusual that “Sugar Kane” would receive a single release in its own right just a couple of months later.

Internationally, “Sugar Kane” peaked at number 26 in the UK in March 1993.  Domestically, the single performed strongest in Victoria/Tasmania, where it reached number 93.

I didn’t know this one at the time, but have caught the music video several times on rage over the years.

Sonic Youth will next join us in 1994.

Number 120 “Blood of Eden” by Peter Gabriel

Peak: number 112

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Chart run: 174-120-112-123-132-140

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

English singer-songwriter Peter Gabriel last joined us in 1991.

“Blood of Eden”, featuring uncredited guest vocals on the chorus from Sinéad O’Connor (though she appears in the music video), was the third single lifted from Peter’s sixth studio album Us (number 3, October 1992).  It followed “Digging in the Dirt” (number 23, November 1992) and “Steam” (number 29, February 1993).  An earlier version of the track, minus vocals from Sinéad, appeared on the 1991 film Until the End of the World, but not on the soundtrack.

Internationally, “Blood of Eden” peaked at number 43 in the UK in April 1993.  In Australia, “Blood of Eden” was equally most popular in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory and Queensland, reaching number 93 on both state charts.  “Blood of Eden” performed better nationally on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 97.

I didn’t know this one until checking it out on YouTube out of curiosity when I got hold of the 1993 top 150 charts several years ago.  I like it a lot, and think it deserved to do much better on the chart.

We shall next see Peter Gabriel in November 1993, and Sinéad O’Connor with another duet in August 1993.

Number 122 “Simple Life” by Elton John

Peak: number 122

Peak date: 26 April 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 122-126-126-138-138

Weeks on chart: 7 weeks

English singer-songwriter Elton John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, needs no introduction.  Starting with “Your Song” (number 10 on the Go Set chart, April 1971), Elton had placed 62 singles on the Australian top 100 chart at this point in 1993, with “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” (number 1 for one week in August 1976) and “That’s What Friends Are For” (number 1 for one week in March 1986) reaching the top.

“Simple Life” was the fourth single lifted from Elton’s twenty-third studio album The One (number 2 for two weeks in June-July 1992), following title track “The One” (number 15, June 1992), Eric Clapton duet  “Runaway Train” (number 53, September 1992), and “The Last Song” (number 32, January 1993).

Internationally, “Simple Life” peaked at number 3 in Canada in April 1993, number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in April 1993, number 44 in the UK in May 1993, and number 63 in Germany in June 1993.  “Simple Life” also registered on three US Billboard genre-specific charts, reaching number 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart in March 1993, number 26 on the Radio Songs chart in April 1993, and number 17 on the Pop Airplay chart in April 1993.

In Australia, “Simple Life” performed strongest in South Australia/Northern Territory, reaching number 99 on the state chart.  “Simple Life” peaked higher nationally on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 100.

We’ll next see Elton in 1996.

Number 128 “Dreams of Heaven” by Ground Level

Peak: number 119

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 4 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 128-119-136-140

Weeks on chart: 12 weeks

Australian electronic music duo Ground Level were David Walker, hailing from Melbourne, and American Jean-Marie Guilfoil.  “Dreams of Heaven”, their fourth single, achieved some underground success in the UK, reaching number 54 on the UK singles chart in January 1993.

“Dreams of Heaven” debuted on the ARIA singles chart at number 174 on 29 March 1993, taking almost a month to crack the top 150.  On the state charts, “Dreams of Heaven” performed strongest in Western Australia, reaching number 60.  “Dreams of Heaven” fared better nationally on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 92.

“Dreams of Heaven” would eventually appear on the debut and only Ground Level album New Moon, in 1995, which did not chart.

I didn’t think I knew “Dreams of Heaven”, but it sounded familiar to me.  I am not sure where I might have heard it, though have read it was used as background music on Neighbours at the time - but I stopped watching Neighbours in 1988.  “Dreams of Heaven” sounds quite innovative and ahead of its time for 1993, which is impressive for an Australian dance track.  It’s a shame that Australian radio wouldn’t touch this kind of music with a barge pole at the time - other than perhaps Triple J - as this could have been a hit had it received better promotion.

We’ll see Ground Level with another new entry, debuting outside the top 150, this week, unusually.

Number 142 “Lord of the Flies” by Scarymother

Peak: number 132

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 10 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 142-136-137-133-137-132-135-141-142-149

Sydney band Scarymother formed in 1990.  They supported Faith No More on their Australian tour in April-May 1993, coinciding with the release of their debut single “Lord of the Flies”, which was produced by Faith No More producer Matt Wallace.  “Lord of the Flies” would go on to appear on Scarymother’s debut and only album Tai Laeo (number 94, May 1994), which was the band’s only top 100 entry in Australia.

We shall see Scarymother again in August 1993.

Bubbling WAY down under:

Number 176 “Candy Everybody Wants” by 10,000 Maniacs

Peak: number 174

Peak date: 24 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 7 weeks

We last saw American alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs in February 1993.

“Candy Everybody Wants” was released as the second single from the band’s fifth studio album One Time in Eden (number 171, November 1992).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 47 in the UK in April 1993, and at number 67 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in April 1993.  In Australia, “Candy Everybody Wants” performed strongest in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, reaching number 163 on the state chart.

I hadn’t heard this one before; it’s quite pleasant.

10,000 Maniacs will next join us in 1994.

Number 182 “Anything” by Sydney Youngblood

Peak: number 163

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 8 weeks

Germany-based American singer-songwriter Sydney Youngblood last visited us in 1991.

“Anything” was the lead single from Sydney’s third studio album Just the Way It Is (number 211, May 1993).  Internationally, “Anything” peaked at number 48 in the UK in March 1993, number 27 in the Flanders region of Belgium in April 1993, and number 51 in Germany in May 1993.  Locally, “Anything” was most popular in Western Australia, where it reached number 146 on the state chart.

I didn’t know this one at the time, but digitised the video from a UK HMV in-store VHS compilation I picked up over a decade ago.

This was Sydney’s last single to chart in Australia.  A second single from Just the Way It Is, “No Big Deal”, which sounds rather like Ace of Base musically, was released in Europe.  Sydney released a fourth album in Europe, The Hat Won’t Fit, in 1994, containing the single “So Good So Right (All I Can Do)”, which has a lyrical and melodic nod to his earlier hit “Sit and Wait” (number 59, April 1990).

1

Number 189 “50 Ft Queenie” by PJ Harvey

Peak: number 179

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 4 weeks

PJ Harvey was originally a three-piece band formed in Bristol, England in 1988, named after front woman Polly Jean Harvey who sang and played guitar, with Rob Ellis on drums and backing vocals, and Ian Oliver on bass.  The trio released their debut album Dry (number 156, July 1992) in 1992, which contained the singles “Dress” (released in Australia in April 1992, did not chart) and “Sheela-Na-Gig” (released in Australia in March 1992, did not chart).

The trio returned in 1993 with their second album and first major label release Rid of Me (number 110, June 1993), led by the single “50 Ft Queenie”.  Internationally, “50 Ft Queenie” peaked at number 27 in the UK in April 1993.  Domestically, the single performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 148.

The trio disbanded in August 1993 after growing apart while on tour, and ‘PJ Harvey’ was relaunched as a solo act.  An album of demos recorded for the Rid of Me album, 4-Track Demos (number 189, February 1994), was released later in the year, effectively launching Polly’s solo career.

I first became aware of PJ Harvey in early 1995, with the single “Down by the Water” (number 84, April 1995), preceding the album To Bring You My Love (number 38, April 1995), which I purchased.  The material from the first two PJ Harvey albums is a little more guitar-heavy than I normally listen to, but I do enjoy “50 Ft Queenie”, no doubt helped by the music video in which Polly really hams it up.  My favourite track from Rid of Me is the title track, “Rid of Me”.

Between 1995 and 2001, PJ Harvey placed five singles on the Australian top 100, with  “Good Fortune” (number 71, April 2001) being the highest-charting of those.  “A Perfect Day Elise” (number 83, September 1998) is probably my favourite single of hers.

We’ll next see PJ Harvey in July 1993.

Number 202 “Don’t Let It Go to Your Head” by The Brand New Heavies

Peak: number 195

Peak date: 28 June 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

British acid jazz band The Brand New Heavies, containing several American singers, last joined us in 1992.  Since then, the band’s second album Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1 (number 282, November 1992), an album of collaborations with other artists, was released.

“Don’t Let It Go to Your Head” was the second single released in Australia from The Brand New Heavies’ debut album The Brand New Heavies (number 139, August 1992).  The song is a cover version of a song originally recorded by Jean Carn in 1978.

Internationally, The Brand New Heavies’ version of “Don’t Let It Go to Your Head” peaked at number 24 in the UK in August 1992.

Domestically, “Don’t Let It Go to Your Head” was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 161 on the state chart.

The Brand New Heavies will next join us in 1994.

Number 204 “Took My Love” by Bizarre Inc featuring Angie Brown

Peak: number 190

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 5 weeks

We last saw English dance act Bizarre Inc in 1992.

“Took My Love” was Bizarre Inc’s fourth single release in Australia, and their fourth release to peak outside the top 100.  The track was lifted from the band’s second album Energique (released in Australia in November 1992, did not chart).  As with their previous single, Angie Brown is again featured on vocals, although this time she does not appear in the music video.

Internationally, “Took My Love” peaked at number 19 in the UK in February 1993, number 17 in Ireland in March 1993, and number 22 in the Netherlands in April 1993.  “Took My Love” also peaked at number 1 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in April 1993, and number 15 on the Dance Singles Sales chart in May 1993.

In Australia, “Took My Love” performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 153 on the state chart.

I didn’t hear this one until finding it on a UK promo VHS compilation about 15 years ago.  It no doubt received an airing on the UK Chart Attack radio program.

This was Bizarre Inc’s last charting release in Australia.  Angie Brown’s vocals would be heard again on Motiv 8’s “Rockin’ for Myself” (number 9, September 1994).

Number 208 “Out of Body” by Ground Level

Peak: number 208

Peak date: 26 April 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

The second new entry this week from Australian electronic duo Ground Level, “Out of Body” was their third single, released in Australia only on 12” vinyl in May 1992.  I can’t explain its belated debut almost a year later, other than perhaps the ‘success’ of their next release, “Dreams of Heaven” (discussed above) resulted in renewed interest in this track.

On the state charts, “Out of Body” was most popular in Western Australia, where it reached number 174.

We’ll next see Ground Level in November 1993.

Number 220 “Independence” by Lulu

Peak: number 195

Peak date: 10 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

Scottish singer, actress and TV personality Lulu, born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie, made her Australian chart debut in the 1960s.  Her biggest Australian chart hit would not come until the 2000s, though, with her duet with Ronan Keating, “We’ve Got Tonight” (number 12, February 2003).  Lulu’s previous charting single in Australia was 1981’s “I Could Never Miss You (More Than I Do)” (number 71, March 1982).

“Independence” was Lulu’s first new single in the UK since 1990.  Internationally, “Independence” peaked at number 11 in the UK in January 1993, number 21 in Ireland, and number 52 in Germany in April 1993.  The song also reached number 3 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

Domestically, “Independence” was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 169 on the state chart.

We’ll see Lulu again in July 1993.  She landed another top 40 hit in Australia as a featured artist on Take That’s “Relight My Fire” (number 33, February 1994).

Number 227 “One Shining Moment” by Diana Ross

Peak: number 227

Peak date: 26 April 1993

Weeks on chart: 1 week

American Motown legend Diana Ross last joined us in 1989.  “One Shining Moment” was the belated second single released in Australia from Diana’s nineteenth studio album The Force Behind the Power (number 100, March 1992), following “When You Tell Me That You Love Me” (number 83, March 1992).

Internationally, “One Shining Moment” peaked at number 10 in the UK in June 1992, and number 16 in Ireland.

In Australia, “One Shining Moment” peaked at number 226 on all state charts except Western Australia, where it peaked at number 227.  That suggests to me that “One Shining Moment” was very near to, if not at, the bottom of the chart this week in 1993.

Another single from The Force Behind the Power, “If We Hold on Together”, was released in Australia in June 1993, but failed to chart.

Diana will join us next in 1995.

Next week (3 May): Seven top 150 entries and two bubbling WAY down under debuts.

< Previous week: 19 April 1993                  Next week: 3 May 1993 >

Week commencing 19 April 1993

Before we take a look at this week in 1993’s new entries peaking outside the top 100, I wish to inform you that I have resumed my series of posts on singles that made the Kent Music Report’s list of singles receiving significant sales reports beyond the top 100, here.  Now, back to 1993…

Billy Ray Cyrus: those locks were made for snippin’.

Top 150 debuts:

Number 135 “De-Emphasize” by Blazing Salads

Peak: number 135

Peak date: 19 April 1993

Weeks in top 150: 1 week

Top 150 chart run: 135

We last saw Australian duo Blazing Salads in March 1993.  “De-Emphasize” (note the American spelling) was the second single issued from their only album Blazing Salads (number 130, May 1993).

Two further singles were released by the duo, “A Little Ray of Sunshine” and “Out of Time” - neither of which made the top 150.

Number 137 “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” by Billy Ray Cyrus

Peak: number 115

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 137-118-115-125-131

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

Hailing from Kentucky, American country singer Billy Ray Cyrus burst onto the chart in 1992 with his debut single “Achy Breaky Heart”, which was number 1 for seven weeks in September-November 1992, becoming the highest-selling single of the year in Australia.  One thing I didn’t realise until writing this post is that “Achy Breaky Heart” was originally recorded by The Marcy Brothers as “Don’t Tell My Heart” in 1991, with the slightly different chorus lyric, “my achy breakin’ heart”.  Like most artists who come out of nowhere with a novelty number one hit, Billy never landed a second top 40 single in Australia, with follow-up “Could’ve Been Me” (number 43, February 1993) falling just a few places short.

“These Boots Are Made for Walkin’”, a cover version of the 1966 number one Nancy Sinatra single, was issued as the third single from Billy’s debut album Some Gave All (number 1 for two weeks October 1992) in Australasia and Europe, while the US went with “She’s Not Cryin’ Anymore”.

Internationally, Billy Ray’s version of “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” peaked at number 63 in the UK in November 1992, number 27 in the Netherlands in February 1993, number 32 in the Flanders region of Belgium in February 1993, and number 42 in New Zealand in April 1993.

In Australia, “These Boots…” was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 90 on the state chart.

We’ll next see Billy Ray in November 1993.

Number 143 “Hate It When You Leave” by Keith Richards

Peak: number 143

Peak date: 19 April 1993

Weeks in top 150: 1 week

Top 150 chart run: 143

Weeks on chart: 5 weeks

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards last paid us a visit in 1992.

“Hate It When You Leave” was issued as the second single from Keith’s second solo album Main Offender (number 96, November 1992).  While I cannot find evidence of this single charting anywhere else at the time of its release, interestingly, it registered on several UK format-specific charts (which I didn’t know existed until now) in 2020, following a special Record Store Day release.  The re-release of “Hate It When You Leave” peaked at number 81 on the Offical Singles Sales Chart (so excluding streaming), number 10 on the Official Physical Singles Chart, and number 8 on the Official Vinyl Singles Chart - all in October 2020.  I am thinking that the music video embedded below, although set to the audio of the original 1992 recording, may have been put together for the 2020 re-release, given the ’(2020)’ alongside the title.

In Australia, the 1993 release of “Hate It When You Leave” performed strongest in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 107.

Keith had six low-charting singles in Australia between 2015 and 2019, with “Amnesia” (number 871, September 2015) being the ‘biggest’ of those.

Number 147 “Sweet Harmony” by The Beloved

Peak: number 147

Peak date: 19 April 1993

Weeks in top 150: 2 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 147-148

Weeks on chart: 8 weeks

We last saw English electronic band The Beloved in 1991.  Since then, the group’s lineup had pared back to singer Jon Marsh and his wife Helena.

“Sweet Harmony” was the lead single from the second Beloved studio album Conscience (number 144, April 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 8 in the UK in January 1993, number 14 in Ireland, number 3 in Austria in March 1993, number 14 in Sweden in March 1993, number 40 in the Flanders region of Belgium in April 1993, number 6 in Germany in May 1993, number 6 in Switzerland in May 1993, number 21 in the Netherlands in July 1993, and number 16 in France in November 1993.  “Sweet Harmony” also peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 in May 1993, number 23 on the Alternative Airplay chart in May 1993, and number 23 on the Dance Club Songs chart in June 1993.  As you might have surmised from all of these stats, “Sweet Harmony” was The Beloved’s biggest international hit, as well as their highest-charting single in their native UK.

In Australia, where The Beloved were criminally underrated, “Sweet Harmony” would be their third biggest ‘hit’.  On the state charts, the single performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 122.

Owing to the UK Chart Attack radio show wrapping up in Melbourne in early January 1993, I did not hear “Sweet Harmony” until early 1996, when flipping between radio stations.  Triple M, of all stations, were playing it, when they had a brief period of adding dance/pop to their playlist.  I thought it was a new release, liked it, and recorded it onto cassette (how quaint).  I am thinking that the ‘nude’ (though very well covered up) music video may have not helped “Sweet Harmony” receive exposure on TV.  It’s a shame that this song didn’t receive proper promotion in Australia.  It’s easily my favourite new entry this week.

We’ll next see The Beloved in June 1993.

Bubbling WAY down under:

Number 166 “Happy Birthday to Me” by Cracker

Peak: number 157

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

American rock band Cracker last paid us a visit in 1992.

“Happy Birthday to Me” was the second single released from the band’s debut album Cracker (number 178, November 1992).  The only other chart this single registered on was the US Billboard Alternative Airplay chart, where it reached number 13 in July 1992.

Domestically, “Happy Birthday to Me” was most popular in Western Australia, reaching number 130 on the state chart.

I hadn’t heard this one before; it’s quite good.

Cracker will next join us in 1994.

Number 177 “Never Saw a Miracle” by Curtis Stigers

Peak: number 177

Peak date: 19 April 1993

Weeks on chart: 1 week

American jazz singer Curtis Stigers last joined us in 1992.

“Never Saw a Miracle” was issued as the third single in Australia from Curtis’ debut album Curtis Stigers (number 84, October 1992), in late January 1993.  I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that ARIA have made a boo-boo on their database, as the follow-up single, “You’re All That Matters to Me”, was released in Australia one week prior to this chart survey, on 12 April 1993, and it would make much more sense for that release to be debuting at number 177 one week later than a single that came out twelve weeks’ prior.

Overseas, “Never Saw a Miracle” peaked at number 34 in the UK in October 1992, and number 39 in Canada in November 1992.  The single also peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart in December 1992, and number 5 on the Adult Contemporary chart in November 1992

Locally, “Never Saw a Miracle” performed strongest in Victoria/Tasmania, reaching number 169 on the state chart.

If this listing should actually be “You’re All That Matters to Me”, that release peaked at number 98 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in March 1992, number 6 in the UK in April 1992, number 11 in Ireland in April 1992, number 38 in Canada in April 1992, number 83 in the Netherlands in May 1992, number 32 in the Flanders region of Belgium in June 1992, and number 54 in Germany in July 1992.  The track also reached number 17 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in April 1992.

I recall hearing “Never Saw a Miracle” at the time, but not “You’re All That Matters to Me”.  Of the two, I prefer “Never Saw a Miracle”.

We shall see Curtis on one more occasion, in 1995.

Number 196 “If I Should Fall Behind” by Bruce Springsteen

Peak: number 196

Peak date: 19 April 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen last paid us a visit in 1992.

“If I Should Fall Behind” was the third single released in Australia from Bruce’s tenth studio album Lucky Town (number 6, April 1992).  It appears that this track was only released as a single in Australia and select continental European countries.  I cannot find evidence of “If I Should Fall Behind” charting elsewhere.  On the state charts, “If I Should Fall Behind” performed strongest in Queensland, where it reached number 173.

No music video appears to have been filmed for this track, although an official live recording (which sounds completely different to the studio version embedded below) has been uploaded to YouTube here.

I hadn’t heard this one before; it’s quite nice.

We’ll next see Bruce in 1995.

Number 203 “Fall from Grace” by Eskimos & Egypt

Peak: number 186

Peak date: 24 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 5 weeks

Hailing from Manchester, UK band Eskimos & Egypt would be best known by Australians for their remix of Headless Chickens’ “Cruise Control” (number 26, November 1994), which was the version that became a hit here.

“Fall from Grace”, lifted from the band’s debut album Perfect Disease (released in Australia in January 1994, did not chart), peaked at number 51 in the UK in February 1993.  Locally, “Fall from Grace” was most popular in Western Australia, where it reached number 167.  The track features vocals from Diane Charlemagne, who went on to front Urban Cookie Collective, who had top 10 hits in Australia with “The Key: The Secret” (number 4 for 5 weeks in November-December 1993) and “Feels Like Heaven” (number 10, January 1994).  Sadly, Diane passed away in 2015, aged 51, from kidney cancer.  We’ll see Urban Cookie Collective bubble under in 1994.

Eskimos & Egypt will join us again in August 1993.

Number 204 “Many Rivers to Cross” by Cher

Peak: number 204

Peak date: 19 April 1993

Weeks on chart: 1 week

American singer/actress Cher last visited us in January 1993.

“Many Rivers to Cross”, a cover of the Jimmy Cliff song from 1969, was the second new single released from Cher’s Greatest Hits 1965-1992 (number 48, December 1992).  To my surprise, it is a live recording, ‘live from The Mirage’.  The song had been performed live by Cher since at least 1975, with a live rendition performed for The Cher Sow in 1975.  The lyric, “’cause I’ve been licked, washed up for years” sounds particularly poignant, coming from Cher.

Internationally, Cher’s version of this track peaked at number 37 in the UK in March 1993.  In Australia, “Many Rivers to Cross” performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 168 on the state chart.

A third new single from Cher’s Greatest Hits 1965-1992, “Whenever You’re Near”, was released in Australia in June 1993, but failed to chart.

Cher will next join us in 1996.

Next week (26 April): Five top 150 entries and eight bubbling WAY down under debuts.

< Previous week: 12 April 1993                    Next week: 26 April 1993 >