Week commencing 22 February 1993

This week in 1993's new entries peaking outside the ARIA top 100 singles chart are quite a mixed bag.  Before we take a look at them, I have updated a few earlier posts with new bubbling WAY down under debuts:

 

* 1 May 1989 - with a new bubbling WAY down under entry from Tom Cochrane & Red Rider;

* 7 August 1989 - with a new bubbling WAY down under entry from Mark Williams and Karen Boddington;

* 25 February 1991 - with new bubbling WAY down under entries from Candy Dulfer and Stereo MC's;

* 18 March 1991 - with a new bubbling WAY down under entry from Harry Connick, Jr.;

* 22 April 1991 - with new bubbling WAY down under entries from Tom Jones and John Waite.

 

 Dr. Alban: one love, and only one real hit in Australia.

 

Top 150 debuts:

 

Number 115 "Drift Away" by Michael Bolton

Peak: number 104

Peak date: 1 March 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Known chart run: 223-115-104-109-119-123

Weeks on chart: 7 weeks

 

We last saw the God of flowing locks, Michael Bolton, in 1992.

 

"Drift Away" was the second single released in Australia from Michael's covers album Timeless (The Classics) (number 2, January 1993).  The song was originally recorded by John Henry Kurtz in 1972, and a version by Dobie Gray reached number 44 on the Kent Music Report singles chart in 1973 - I don't, however, consider David Kent's charts prior to May 1974, when the Kent Music Report started, as being 'official', as he back-calculated these pre-1974 charts for his 1992 book, i.e. they were not published at the time.  "Drift Away" followed Michael's version of "To Love Somebody" (number 39, January 1993).   While I don't recall hearing "Drift Away" at the time, I do remember an excerpt of the chorus being used on the TV advertisement for the Timeless... album.  Footage from a live performance, similar to the "To Love Somebody" video, was used in the commercial - but I cannot find this on YouTube.

 

Internationally, Michael's rendition of "Drift Away" peaked at number 18 in the UK in December 1992, number 15 in Ireland in December 1992, and number 23 in New Zealand in April 1993.  Oddly, it does not appear to have received a single release in North America.

 

Locally, "Drift Away" performed strongest on the Western Australia state chart, where it reached number 66.

 

We shall next see Michael in 1996.

 

 

Number 123 "Juice" by Headless Chickens

Peak: number 104

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 16 weeks

Known chart run: 206-123-124-137-136-122-128-121-116-116-106-104-111-106-113-119-126

Weeks on chart: 25 weeks

 

We last saw Kiwi band Headless Chickens in 1992.

 

"Juice" was issued as the fourth single from their debut album Body Blow (number 45, July 1993), although it did not appear on the original 1991 pressing of the album.  I didn't think I knew this song, from the title, but I was familiar with the more electronic-sounding version of the song, titled “Dreamchild”, that appears on Strawpeople's second album Worldservice, from 1992, which was later repackaged as Broadcast (number 46, August 1995).  Fiona McDonald, who was involved with both bands, sings vocals on both tracks.  One of the things I love about writing this blog is making discoveries like this, and "Dreamchild"/"Juice" is a song I like a lot.

 

Internationally, "Juice" peaked at number 7 in New Zealand in February 1993.

 

In Australia, "Juice" was most popular in Victoria/Tasmania, where it reached number 81 on the state chart.  The single peaked within the top 100 on four of the five state charts, only just missing out (number 103) in Queensland.

 

"Juice" definitely deserved to chart much higher here.  Despite narrowly missing the top 100, it had a decent chart run, though, spending nearly six months on the chart, with almost four of those inside the top 150.

 

Headless Chickens released a fifth single from Body Blow, "Mr Moon" (number 93, August 1993), which gave them their first Australian top 100 single.

 

We will next see Headless Chickens in 1997, but before then, we'll hear Fiona McDonald's voice on a Strawpeople track that bubbles under in 1996.

 

 

Number 129 "Back to the Light" by Brian May

Peak: number 123

Peak date: 1 March 1993

Weeks in top 150: 4 weeks

Chart run: 129-123-135-138

Weeks on chart: 4 weeks

 

We last saw Queen guitar maestro and astrophysics PhD Dr Brian May in 1992.

 

"Back to the Light" was the title track and third single lifted from Brian's first solo album proper, Back to the Light (number 94, December 1992).  It followed "Too Much Love Will Kill You" (number 18, November 1992).

 

Internationally, "Back to the Light" peaked at number 19 in the UK in November 1992, number 20 in the Netherlands in December 1992, and number 39 in the Flanders region of Belgium in January 1993.

 

In Australia, "Back to the Light" performed strongest in Queensland, reaching number 107 on the state chart.

 

I don't recall hearing this one before, though it probably received an airing on the UK Chart Attack radio show.

 

Brian made a new video for "Back to the Light" in 2021, which you can view here.

 

This would be Brian's last solo charting single in Australia, although he had later low-charting albums with Live at Brixton Academy (number 190, April 1994) and Another World (number 165, July 1998).

 

Two further singles from Back to the Light were released in the UK, but not Australia - "Resurrection" (UK number 23, June 1993) with Cozy Powell, and "Last Horizon" (UK number 51, December 1993).

 

We will see Brian bubble under as part of Queen next in 1996.  Meanwhile, another member of Queen will bubble under next week!

 

 

Number 135 "One in Ten" by 808 State Vs UB40

Peak: number 135

Peak date: 22 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 2 weeks

Known chart run: 159-135-141

Weeks on chart: 5 weeks

 

English electronic group 808 State last joined us in 1991, and we last saw English reggae band UB40 in 1990.  The two bands collaborated for this release - or rather, 808 State reworked the original UB40 single "One in Ten" (number 87, October 1981) from 1981.  UB40 are known for their cover versions, but "One in Ten" was one of their self-penned hits, written about the approximate 10% unemployment rate in the West Midlands of England, where the band originate from, in mid-1981.  Featuring cutting lyrics such as "I am the one in ten, a number on a list", "nobody knows me but I'm always there, a statistic a reminder of a world that doesn't care", “I'm the child that never learns to read, 'cause no-one spared the time", and “I’m another teenage suicide, in a street that has no trees”, this song packs a punch and paints a bleak picture.  Piercing social commentary isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when one thinks of UB40, even though the band’s name stems from the name of the British unemployment benefit.

 

I became familiar with the UB40 original after catching the video on rage in 2009, when Suggs from Madness was guest programming an episode, and liked the song.  I hadn't heard the 808 State remix of the song until writing this post.  It's a shame that the official YouTube channel upload of UB40's "One in Ten" video has mono audio and tape artefacts - my digital TV copy from rage is better quality than this.

 

The 808 State version of "One in Ten" was the first single issued in Australia from their fifth studio album, and third major label release, Gorgeous (number 131, March 1993).  However, it was the second single from the album in the UK, following "TimeBomb" (UK number 59, August 1992), which did not receive an Australian release.  This version of "One in Ten" contains a musical riff sampled from Kraftwerk's "The Model" (number 33, May 1982).

 

Internationally, "One in Ten" peaked at number 17 in the UK in December 1992, number 19 in Ireland in December 1992, and number 22 in the Netherlands in March 1993.

 

Locally, "One in Ten" was most popular in Western Australia, where it reached number 118 on the state chart.

 

We'll next see 808 State in May 1993, and UB40 in 1994.

 

 

Number 139 "No Tomorrow" by Atomic Dining Club

Peak: number 139

Peak date: 22 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 1 week

Top 150 chart run: 139

 

We last saw Aussie band Atomic Dining Club in 1992.  Unfortunately, this one wasn't available to listen to anywhere online, and I do not know the song.  This was the band's final top 150 single.

 

 

Number 146 "Starting to Believe" by Images

Peak: number 144

Peak date: 8 March 1993

Weeks in top 150: 3 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 146-146-144

 

Another obscure Australian band, and another one where I cannot find the song online anywhere to listen to.  I have been in touch with someone who owns the album this is taken from, Images (which missed the top 150), and I may be receiving an audio rip of the track to upload here... one day.  Watch this space!  This was the band's only single to trouble the top 150.

 

 

Bubbling WAY down under:

 

Number 193 "One Love" by Dr. Alban

Peak: number 193

Peak date: 22 February 1993

Weeks on chart: 1 week

We last saw Nigerian-born but Sweden-based Dr. Alban in 1991.  Since then, he broke through into the ARIA top 100 with the lead single from his second album One Love (The Album) (number 149, November 1992), "It's My Life" (number 97, November 1992), which would later reach a higher peak of number 43 in Australia in May 1994 when re-issued after his major hit "Sing Hallelujah!" (number 5, March 1994).  "One Love" was released as the second single from the album, sandwiched between the two aforementioned singles, the latter of which we received somewhat belatedly in Australia.

 

Internationally, "One Love" peaked at number 19 in Sweden in August 1992, number 10 in Norway in September 1992, number 27 in Austria in September 1992, number 11 in Switzerland in October 1992, number 7 in Germany in October 1992, number 14 in the Netherlands in October 1992, number 8 in the Flanders region of Belgium in November 1992, number 45 in the UK in November 1992, number 3 in Ireland in November 1992, and number 42 in New Zealand in February 1993.

 

In Australia, "One Love" was most popular in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 151 on the state chart.

 

I didn't hear "One Love" at the time, but the music video appeared on a VHS tape I digitised about 10 years ago.  I like it, but it doesn't really stand out like "It's My Life" or "Sing Hallelujah!".

 

We'll next see Dr. Alban in 1994.

 

 

Number 213 "Feed the Tree" by Belly

Peak: number 158

Peak date: 7 June 1993

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

Alternative rock band Belly formed in Rhode Island in 1991.  "Feed the Tree" was the third single issued in Australia from their debut album Star (number 74, June 1993).  It followed "Dusted" (released in Australia in July 1992, did not chart) and "Gepetto" (released in Australia in November 1992, did not initially chart but will later on in 1993).

 

Internationally, "Feed the Tree" peaked at number 32 in the UK in January 1993, and number 95 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in May 1993.  The track also reached number 1 on the US Billboard Alternative Airplay chart in March 1993, for what that is worth (not much in my book).

 

Locally, "Feed the Tree" performed strongest in Victoria/Tasmania, reaching number 149 on the state chart.

 

Belly never landed a top 100 single in Australia, but two of their albums dented the top 100.  Interestingly, "Feed the Tree" did not reach its peak until early June 1993, one week after their next charting single peaks!

 

I did hear "Feed the Tree" at the time, probably when switching radio stations to Triple J.

 

We'll next see Belly in May 1993.

 

 

Next week (1 March): Six top 150 entries and four bubbling WAY down under debuts.

 

< Previous week: 15 February 1993                Next week: 1 March 1993 >

Week commencing 15 February 1993

This week in 1993's new entries peaking outside the top 100 are an interesting bunch.  Among them, we have two live releases for which a lip syncing music video was made, a cover version featuring the artists who recorded the original song, and some underappreciated in Australia at the time R&B acts.  Before taking a look at them, I have updated the following earlier posts:

 

* 29 October 1990 - with new bubbling WAY down under entry from Archie Roach;

* 1 February 1993 - now with an audio clip for Paul Kelly and others’ "He Can't Decide".

 

Simply Red: love for sale... but was anyone buying?

 

Top 150 debuts:

 

Number 124 "Hold Back the Night" by K.W.S. featuring The Trammps

Peak: number 118

Peak date: 1 March 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Chart run: 124-121-118-125-135

Weeks on chart: 5 weeks

 

British band K.W.S. originate from Nottingham, England, and were named after the surnames of the group's three members, Chris King, Winston "Winnie" Williams, and Delroy St. Joseph... except singer Delroy only sang lead on their first two singles, "Please Don't Go" (number 2 for 4 non-consecutive weeks in July-August 1992; it topped 3 of the 5 state charts) and "Rock Your Baby" (number 38, November 1992).  Those tracks were cover versions of KC & The Sunshine Band and George McCrae, respectively.

All of K.W.S's singles were cover versions, and "Hold Back the Night", the third single from their debut and only album Please Don't Go (The Album) (number 148, February 1993) - released as KWS in Europe, Japan and South America - is another.  This time, however, the song was originally recorded by American band The Trammps, who perform on this version, in 1975.  The Trammps' original of this track did not chart in Australia; their only charting single here was "Disco Inferno" (number 32, June 1978).

 

Internationally, the K.W.S. version of "Hold Back the Night" peaked at number 30 in the UK in December 1992, and number 20 in Ireland during the same month.

 

In Australia, "Hold Back the Night" was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 102 on the state chart.

 

One thing I didn't realise until researching this post is that the two guys who play the instruments in K.W.S., Chris King and Winnie Williams, passed away in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

We shall see K.W.S. once more, in 1995.

 

 

Number 130 Montreux EP by Simply Red

Peak: number 130

Peak dates: 15 February 1993 and 22 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 4 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 130-130-138-150

Weeks on chart: 7 weeks

 

We last saw English band Simply Red in 1992.

 

As those of you familiar with the annual Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland might have guessed, the Montreux EP is a collection of songs recorded live at the aforementioned festival.  The four songs in question, recorded live on 8 July 1992, are:

* "Love for Sale" - this track was originally a B-side on Simply Red's "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" single, which was released in Australia in December 1987, but did not chart.  This song is a cover version of Waring's Pennsylvanians from 1931, written by Cole Porter.

 

* "Drowning in My Own Tears" - a cover version of Sonny Thompson from 1951, exclusive to this release.

 

*  "Granma's Hands" - this track was originally a B-side on Simply Red's "Come to My Aid" single, which was released in Australia in December 1985, but did not chart.  This song is a cover version of Bill Withers from 1971.

 

* "Lady Godiva's Room" - an original track that was originally a B-side on Simply Red's "Infidelity" (number 54, June 1987) single.  This appears to have been the main track on the Montreux EP, despite being track 4, as a music video (embedded below) was filmed for it.

 

Internationally, the Montreux EP peaked at number 11 in the UK in November 1992, and number 21 in Ireland during the same month.

In Australia, the Montreux EP performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 96 on the state chart.  The EP debuted nationally at number 185 on 18 January 1993, and took almost a month to crack the top 150.

We'll next see Simply Red in 1996.

 

Number 138 "From Paradise" by Archie Roach

Peak: number 107

Peak date: 22 March 1993

Weeks in top 150: 8 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 138-138-137-130-142-107-(out for 2 weeks)-139-150

Weeks on chart: 12 weeks

We last saw Indigenous Australian singer-songwriter Archie Roach in 1990.

 

"From Paradise" was Archie's third single, and first release from his second album Jamu Dreaming (number 55, April 1993).  It was, surprisingly, his only single to dent the top 150.  On the state charts, "From Paradise" performed strongest in Victoria/Tasmania, where it reached number 55.

We'll next see Archie in October 1993.

Number 140 "The Harder They Come" by Madness

Peak: number 136

Peak date: 1 March 1993

Weeks in top 150: 3 weeks

Chart run: 154-140-143-136

Weeks on chart: 4 weeks

We last saw zany English band Madness in 1992.

 

Taking a leaf out of Simply Red's book above, the "The Harder They Come" single consists of four live recordings, taken from the band's first live concerts since disbanding in 1986, on 8-9 August 1992.  Also like Simply Red, a music video was filmed for "The Harder They Come", despite it being a live recording!  The track, which is a cover version of the Jimmy Cliff song from 1971, was lifted from Madness's live album Madstock! (number 169, March 1993).  The group never made a studio recording of "The Harder They Come".

 

Internationally, "The Harder They Come" peaked at number 44 in the UK in November 1992, which was a bit surprising and must have been a disappointment for the band, given that their Divine Madness compilation album had topped the charts there for three weeks in March 1992.

 

Locally, "The Harder They Come" performed strongest in Queensland, reaching number 120 on the state chart.

Despite being a casual Madness fan, I hadn't actually heard "The Harder They Come" before.  I like it.

 

We won't see Madness again until 1999.  Before then, lead singer Suggs will bubble under with solo releases in 1996 and 1998.

Number 145 "Let This Housebeat Drop" by Ya Kid K

Peak: number 125

Peak date: 22 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 4 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 145-125-142-143

Weeks on chart: 5 weeks

We last saw Congolese rapper Ya Kid K in 1991.

 

"Let This Housebeat Drop" was Ya Kid K's second solo single, where she was not credited as a featured artist.  The track appears on Ya Kid K's debut and only solo album One World Nation (The Kids Shall Overcome), which does not appear to have been released in Australia.  Interestingly, the album contains the Technotronic song "Move This", which peaked at number 67 in Australia in October 1993 after initially peaking at number 98 in February 1993, on it.  "Move This" originally appeared on the first Technotronic album Pump Up the Jam (number 22, April 1990), but became a belated number 6 hit in the US in September 1992 after the song was used in a Revlon TV commercial.

 

I cannot find evidence of "Let This Housebeat Drop" charting anywhere else.  On the state charts, "Let This Housebeat Drop" was most popular in Victoria/Tasmania, where it reached number 104.

 

Only the video for the extended version of "Let This Housebeat Drop", embedded below, is available online.  Although I have a copy of this video in my collection, I hadn't actually listened to the track before.  I was surprised to see Lonnie Gordon appear in the video, and as an uncredited background/additional vocalist on the song.

 

Ya Kid K would rejoin Technotronic after the commercial failure of her debut solo album.  We will see her bubble under with them again in 1994.

 

Bubbling WAY down under:

 

Number 151 "These Are Days" by 10,000 Maniacs

Peak: number 151

Peak date: 15 February 1993

Weeks on chart: 5 weeks

 

American alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs previously paid us a visit in 1989.

 

"These Are Days" was the lead single from the band's fifth studio album One Time in Eden (number 171, November 1992).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 58 in the UK in September 1992, number 35 in Canada in December 1992, and number 66 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in December 1992.  "These Are Days" also peaked at number 1 on the US Billboard Alternative Airplay chart in November 1992, number 40 on the Pop Airplay chart in December 1992, number 34 on the Adult Contemporary chart in December 1992, and number 70 on the Radio Songs chart in December 1992.

 

In Australia, "These Are Days" performed strongest in Queensland, where it reached number 139 on the state chart.

 

I've heard "These Are Days" before, but couldn't remember how it went.  It's nice enough, but doesn’t really stand out as a lead single.

 

10,000 Maniacs will next join us in April 1993.

Number 192 "Reminisce" by Mary J. Blige

Peak: number 192

Peak date: 15 February 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

American R&B singer Mary J. Blige last joined us in 1992.

 

"Reminisce" was the second and final single released in Australia from Mary's debut album What's the 411? (not released in Australia).  Internationally, "Reminisce" peaked at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in December 1992, and number 31 in the UK in February 1993.  "Reminisce" registered on numerous US Billboard genre-specific charts, reaching number 46 on the Radio Songs chart in December 1992, number 21 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales chart in January 1993, number 34 on the Rhythmic Airplay chart in January 1993, number 5 on the Dance Singles Sales chart in January 1993, number 6 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in February 1993, and number 3 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in February 1993.

 

In Australia, "Reminise" was most popular in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 182 on the state chart.

 

I hadn't heard "Reminisce" before.  It sounds a bit too R&B to have been a big hit in Australia in 1993, but might have done better if it was released here a couple of years later.

 

We'll next see Mary J. Blige in 1995.

Number 216 "I'm Overjoyed" by Nona Gaye

Peak: number 216

Peak date: 15 February 1993

Weeks on chart: 1 week

 

As you might have guessed, Nona Gaye is the daughter of Marvin Gaye, whose biggest hit in Australia was "Sexual Healing" (number 4, March 1983).  Marvin was fatally shot by his father following an argument, a day before what would have been Marvin's 45th birthday, in 1984.  Nona was a mere 9 years old at that time.

 

"I'm Overjoyed" was Nona's debut single, lifted from her debut album Love for the Future (released in Australia in March 1993, did not chart).  Internationally, "I'm Overjoyed" peaked at number 86 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in November 1992, and at number 39 in New Zealand in December 1992.  The song also registered on several US Billboard genre-specific charts, reaching number 64 on the Radio Songs chart in October 1992, number 36 on the Rhythmic Airplay chart in November 1992, number 19 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in November 1992, and number 46 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in December 1992.

 

Locally, "I'm Overjoyed" performed strongest in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 197.

 

"I'm Overjoyed" would be Nona's only charting release in Australia.  A promotional single dueting with (then The Artist Formerly Known As) Prince, "Love Sign", was released in 1994, but did not receive a commercial single release.  Nona released a second album, Language of Love, in 2008, and acted in several movies in the 2000s.  Nona has since retired from acting.

 

I hadn't heard "I'm Overjoyed" before listening to it to write this post.  It's quite pleasant, and reminded me a little bit of Shanice.

Next week (22 February): Six top 150 entries and two bubbling WAY down under debuts.

 

< Previous week: 8 February 1993                         Next week: 22 February 1993 >

Week commencing 8 February 1993

Among the new entries peaking outside the Australian top 100 this week in 1993, we have a re-release of a song from the late 1970s, a live version of a song originally released in the 1970s, and two singles that spent some time on the ARIA albums chart!  Shall we take a look?

 

Patty Smyth: sometimes being a one-hit wonder (twice!) just ain't enough.

 

Top 150 debuts:

 

Number 102 "Bad Boy for Love" by Rose Tattoo

Peak: number 102

Peak date: 8 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 102-105-118-127-138

 

Australian band Rose Tattoo formed in Sydney in 1976.  "Bad Boy for Love" was their first release, and first single to chart, reaching number 19 in January 1978.  It was also the group's biggest hit on the Australian chart, although "We Can't Be Beaten" (number 28, December 1982) is the song I most associate with the band.  Between 1977 and 1987, when the band split, Rose Tattoo placed 11 singles on the Australian top 100.  Lead singer Angry Anderson (real name Gary Stephen Anderson), whom we saw bubble under in 1990, then embarked on a solo carer, and is best known for singing Scott and Charlene's wedding song from Neighours, "Suddenly" (number 2, August 1987).

Originally appearing on the band's debut album Rose Tattoo (number 40, December 1978), "Bad Boy for Love" was re-issued to promote their Nice Boys Don't Play Rock 'n' Roll (number 121, February 1993) best of compilation album.

 

Rose Tattoo reformed in 1992-1993, supporting Guns N' Roses on the Australian leg of their Use Your Illusion tour, and would again reform in 1998.  Five of the band's former members have died of various forms of cancer, between 1991 and 2009, outdoing Ramones on that grim metric.

 

Number 125 "99.5°F" by Suzanne Vega

Peak: number 125

Peak date: 8 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 4 weeks

Chart run: 125-133-137-140

Weeks on chart: 4 weeks

We last saw American singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega in 1990.

"99.9°F" was the second single released in Australia from Suzanne's fourth studio album 99.9°F (number 56, November 1992).  It followed "Blood Makes Noise" (number 61, October 1992), which would become Suzanne's final top 100 single in Australia.  In the UK, "In Liverpool" was issued as the first single from 99.9°F, but it did not receive a single release in Australia.  "99.9°F” deals with the subject of male erectile dysfunction.  Oo-er!

Internationally, "99.9°F" peaked at number 46 in the UK in October 1992.  It also registered on the US Billboard Alternative Airplay chart, reaching number 16 in January 1993.

In Australia, "99.9°F" performed strongest in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 91 on the state chart.

I didn't know "99.9°F" at the time, but became well-acquainted with the song after picking up Suzanne's Tried and True: The Best of (number 96, November 1998) compilation album in 2000.  This led me to purchase Suzanne's previous studio albums.  The 99.9°F album is notable for it being the first time Suzanne had really incorporated electronica into her music.  Presumably, this was inspired by the success of the DNA remix of "Tom's Diner" (number 8, November 1990).  I think "99.9°F" could have charted better had it received more promotion.

We shall next see Suzanne in June 1993.

Number 127 "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" (live) by AC/DC

Peak: number 112

Peak date: 15 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 127-112-128-149-146

Legendary Australian band AC/DC formed in Sydney in 1973.  Between 1974 and this point in 1993, the group had placed 26 singles on the Australian top 100, with "Thunderstruck" (number 4, October 1990) being the highest-charting of those.

The studio recording of "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" was released as a single in Australia in 1976 as the band's seventh single.  It reached number 29 on the Kent Music Report singles chart in December 1976.  The track was sung by then lead singer Bon Scott (real name Ronald Belford Scott), who died from acute alcohol poisoning in February 1980, aged 33.  England-born Brian Johnson was then recruited to front the band.  Joan Jett released a cover version of "Dirty Deeds" (with shortened title) in 1990, which peaked at number 59 in Australia in May 1990.

 

This live version of "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap", recorded in Birmingham, England, on 23 April 1991, was taken from the live album AC/DC Live (number 1 for 2 weeks in November 1992).  It followed a live version of "Highway to Hell" (number 29, November 1992), recorded in Glasgow, Scotland on 20 April 1991.

 

Internationally, this live version of 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" peaked at number 68 in the UK in February 1993, and number 34 in New Zealand in April 1993.

 

AC/DC will next join us in 2000.

Number 128 "It Ain't Love" by 1927

Peak: number 123

Peak date: 5 April 1993

Weeks in top 150: 9 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 128-131-131-126-142-148-131-130-123

Weeks on chart: 10 weeks

Aussie band 1927 formed in Melbourne in 1987, started by Garry Frost, previously a member of Moving Pictures, who scored a number 1 hit in Australia with "What About Me?" (number 1 for 6 weeks in March-April 1982).  Garry started writing songs for an as yet unformed band in 1986.  He recruited singer Eric Wiedeman in 1987 after catching his performance of The Police's "Roxanne" (number 34, June 1979) on the comedic 'Red Faces' segment of Hey Hey It's Saturday, and contacting the show to get hold of Eric.

1927 scored back-to-back top 10 hits in Australia with their first two singles "That's When I Think of You" (number 6, September 1988) and "If I Could" (number 4, December 1988) - both singles spent nearly six months inside the top 50.  Their debut album ...ish (number 1 for 4 weeks in April-May 1989) was the second best-selling album of 1989 in Australia.  Founding member Garry Frost quit the band before the release of their second album The Other Side (number 3, July 1990).  The singles from The Other Side were not as successful as those from their debut, with only lead single "Tell Me a Story" (number 17, June 1990) peaking within the top 40.

 

After a two-year hiatus, 1927 returned in 1992.  Their third album 1927 (number 40, November 1992) only yielded one top 50 single, "Scars" (number 46, November 1992).  "It Ain't Love" was the second and final single lifted from the album.

On the state charts, "It Ain't Love" performed strongest in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 90.

1927 disbanded in 1993, eventually reforming in 2009.  In the interim, singer Eric Weideman embarked on a solo career, with limited commercial success.  Eric's only solo single to dent the ARIA top 150 was "Nothing I Can Do", which peaked at number 73 in February 1997, after initially peaking at number 132 in October 1996 and falling out of the top 150 after three weeks.

While we won't be seeing 1927 again, they had two later charting albums: The Essential 1927 (number 94, July 2013), and Generation-i (number 100, August 2013).

Number 133 "Just Wanna Know" by Maxi Priest

Peak: number 122

Peak date: 1 March 1993

Weeks in top 150: 9 weeks

Chart run: 133-136-134-122-127-146-124-141-139

Weeks on chart: 9 weeks

Maxi Priest last joined us in 1992.

 

"Just Wanna Know" was issued as the second single from Maxi's fifth studio album Fe Real (number 130, May 1993).  Internationally, "Just Wanna Know" peaked at number 33 in the UK in November 1992.

Locally, "Just Wanna Know" was most popular in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 91 on the state chart.

We'll see Maxi again in 1997.

Number 134 Broken EP by Nine Inch Nails

Peak: number 115

Peak date: 15 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 2 weeks

Chart run: 134-115

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

Nine Inch Nails formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1988.  Lead singer Trent Reznor (born Michael Trent Reznor) was the only permanent member of the band until Atticus Ross, who Trent first worked with in 2002, became an official member in 2016.

The group first dented the ARIA chart in 1992 with the single "Head Like a Hole", which debuted at number 224 on 31 August 1992.  As "Head Like a Hole" did not climb into the top 150 upon its initial release, I am unable to tell you whether it climbed higher than its debut position.  It did, however, climb to number 57 in May 1995, when re-released after the success of "Closer" (number 3, November 1994).  "Head Like a Hole" was lifted from Nine Inch Nails' 1989 debut album Pretty Hate Machine (number 190, April 1995), which debuted on the ARIA albums chart at number 217 on 5 October 1992.

 

The Broken EP consisted of newly-recorded tracks that were not on Pretty Hate Machine.  Containing eight songs and clocking in at just under 32 minutes, the EP was more like a mini-album.  A short, 20 minute horror musical film was made, containing tracks from the EP, including the music videos for "Wish", "Happiness Is Slavery" and "Gave Up" (tracks 2, 5 and 6 from the EP).

 

It seems that ARIA were undecided on whether Broken should appear on the singles or albums chart.  The EP initially registered on the singles chart for its first two weeks, before being moved over to the albums chart, debuting at number 187 on 22 February 1993.  The EP spent four weeks on the ARIA albums chart, peaking at number 156 on it in January 1994.  Based on the state chart peaks, I can determine that three of the four weeks Broken spent on the albums chart were 22 February 1993, 31 January 1994 (when it peaked), and 16 January 1995 - so its chart life, although relatively brief, was over a long period.

When Broken charted on the singles chart, it was most popular in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 101 in February 1993.  When Broken charted on the albums chart, it was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 118 in January 1994.

Internationally, Broken charted as a single in New Zealand, where it reached number 46 in April 1993.  Broken charted as an album in the US, where it peaked at number 7 on the Billboard 200 in October 1992, and in the UK, where it reached number 18 in October 1992.

We'll next see Nine Inch Nails in 1996.

Number 137 "Washed Away" by Tom Cochrane

Peak: number 129

Peak date: 15 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 4 weeks

Chart run: 137-129-140-143

Weeks on chart: 4 weeks

Canadian singer-songwriter Tom Cochrane began his solo career on the Australian chart in 1992 with "Life Is a Highway" (number 2, September 1992), though it took nearly four months for the single to dent the top 50.  He followed that up with "No Regrets" (number 26, November 1992), and the album Mad Mad World (number 46, October 1992), which was his second solo studio album.

 

Tom's recording career began long before his Australian breakthrough, however, with his debut album being released in 1974.  Tom was also lead singer in the Canadian band Red Rider, whom we saw bubble under in 1989, and whose debut album was released in 1979.  Red Rider landed a minor hit in Australia in 1982 with "Lunatic Fringe" (number 52. May 1982).  "Boy Inside the Man", credited to Tom Cochrane and Red Rider, bubbled under the Australian top 100 in March 1987, reaching fifth place on the Kent Music Report's list of singles with significant sales reports beyond the top 100.

"Washed Away" was issued as the third single from Mad Mad World in Australia, although it was the fifth single from the album in Tom's native Canada.  Internationally, "Washed Away" peaked at number 7 in Canada in November 1992, and number 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in November 1992.

In Australia, "Washed Away" was most popular in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 72 on the state chart.  The single missed the top 100 on the other four state charts.

 

Tom will join us again in March 1993.

Number 138 "I Will Be Here for You" by Michael W. Smith

Peak: number 138

Peak date: 8 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 2 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 138-(out for 1 week)-149

Weeks on chart: 12 weeks

American contemporary Christian singer Michael W. Smith last joined us in 1991.

"I Will Be Here for You" was the lead single from Michael's sixth studio album Change Your World, which was released in Australia in November 1992 but did not chart.  The single took some time to climb into the ARIA top 150, after debuting at number 228 on 23 November 1992.

Internationally, "I Will Be Here for You" reached number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in November 1992, number 8 in Canada in November 1992, and number 233 (number 141 on the compressed chart) in the UK in November 1992.  The song also reached number 1 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in October 1992, number 19 on the Pop Airplay chart in November 1992, and number 36 on the Radio Songs chart in November 1992.

Locally, "I Will Be Here for You" performed strongest in Victoria/Tasmania, where it reached number 77 on the state chart.  The single peaked higher nationally on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 57.  It is interesting that the ARIA singles chart peak for "I Will Be Here for You" is 81 places lower than its AMR peak.

I didn’t think I knew this one, but the chorus seems vaguely familiar.  I probably heard it on the American Top 40 radio show at the time.

We'll next see Michael in 1998.

Number 141 "Cruel Little Number" by The Jeff Healey Band

Peak: number 141

Peak date: 8 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 1 week

Top 150 chart run: 141

We last saw Canadian band The Jeff Healey Band in 1990.

 

"Cruel Little Number" was the lead single from the band's third studio album Feel This (number 37, February 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 83 (number 79 on the compressed chart) in the UK in November 1992, and number 17 in Canada in December 1992.

This was The Jeff Healey Band's last single to dent the ARIA top 150.

Number 144 "Wasting Love" by Iron Maiden

Peak: number 132

Peak date: 1 March 1993

Weeks in top 150: 4 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 144-135-141-132

Weeks on chart: 5 weeks

 

English metal band Iron Maiden last joined us in 1992.

 

"Wasting Love" was issued as the third and final single from the band's ninth studio album Fear of the Dark (number 11, May 1992).  It appears that the single was only released in continental Europe, North America and Australasia - not in the band's native UK.  Interestingly, "Wasting Love" does not appear to have charted anywhere else.

In Australia, "Wasting Love" performed strongest in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 117 on the state chart.

I wasn’t expecting to like this one, but it’s not bad.

We'll next see Iron Maiden in November 1993.

Number 146 "No Mistakes" by Patty Smyth

Peak: number 127

Peak date: 22 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 6 weeks

Chart run: 146-134-127-130-149-147

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

American singer-songwriter Patty Smyth - not to be confused with Patti Smith - was the lead singer of the band Scandal, formed in 1981.  Scandal landed two top 100 singles in Australia, one being much bigger than the other, with "The Warrior" (number 6, November 1984) and "Hands Tied" (number 83, February 1985).  Curiously, both singles were credited to Scandal featuring Patty Smyth, rather than just Scandal, suggesting that Patty had her sights set on a solo career.  Indeed, Scandal disbanded in 1985, though would reform in 2004.

Patty launched her solo career with the album Never Enough (released in Australia in June 1987, did not chart) in 1987.  The title track, "Never Enough", was released as a single locally in March 1987, but failed to chart.  The album's second single, a cover of Tom Waits' "Downtown Train", was not released in Australia, but Rod Stewart's version of that song would go on to become a number 29 hit here in March 1990.

Patty's duet with former Eagles co-lead singer/drummer Don Henley, "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough" (number 5, November 1992), gave Patty a second hit, and her only solo top 100 single, in Australia, effectively making her a one-hit wonder here twice!

"No Mistakes" was the second single lifted from Patty's second solo studio album Patty Smyth (number 94, November 1992).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 149 (number 108 on the compressed chart) in the UK in November 1992, number 33 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in February 1993, and number 3 in Canada in February 1993.  The song also reached number 33 on the US Billboard Radio Songs chart in February 1993, number 15 on the Pop Airplay chart in February 1993, and number 4 on the Adult Contemporary chart in February 1993

Domestically, "No Mistakes" performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 89.

We'll see Patty once more in June 1993.

Number 148 "Revolution Earth" by The B-52's

Peak: number 146

Peak date: 15 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Chart run: 206-(off chart for 1 week)-148-146-147-150-148

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

We last saw zany American band The B-52's in 1992.

"Revolution Earth" was issued as the third single in Australia from the band's sixth studio album Good Stuff (number 36, July 1992).  I cannot find evidence of this single, which appears to have not been released in the UK, charting anywhere else.

 

Similar to the Nine Inch Nails EP discussed above, this single registered on the ARIA albums chart for one week, debuting at number 170 on 1 February 1993, one week after it debuted at number 206 on the singles chart!  This was presumably an error made by ARIA, as there are only 4 tracks on the CD single.  On the state charts, "Revolution Earth" performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 110.  When the single charted for one week on the albums chart, it also performed strongest in Western Australia, reaching number 149.

 

I hadn't heard "Revolution Earth" before.  The song only contains vocals from Kate Pierson, and not the two male members of the group, in a similar fashion to "Roam" (number 11, March 1990) - although Cindy Wilson, who was not part of the group for the Good Stuff album, sang in unison with Kate on that track.

 

Two further singles from Good Stuff were released overseas, but not in Australia: "Is That You Mo-Dean?" (UK number 78, November 1992) and "Hot Pants Explosion" (UK number 81 [number 78 on the compressed chart], February 1993).  Somehow, I heard "Is That You Mo-Dean?" at the time, but not "Revolution Earth".

 

The B-52's will join us next in 1999.

 

Bubbling WAY down under:

 

Number 166 "Walk on the Ocean" by Toad the Wet Sprocket

Peak: number 152

Peak date: 8 March 1993

Weeks on chart: 9 weeks

American band Toad the Wet Sprocket formed in Santa Barbara, California, in 1986.  Their 1989 debut album Bread and Circus was released in Australia in March 1990 - oddly, no singles were released here from it - but failed to chart.  Their second album, Pale, followed swiftly in June 1990, along with the single "Come Back Down", but they also failed to chart locally.

"Walk on the Ocean" was the second single issued in Australia from the third Toad the Wet Sprocket album Fear (number 179, March 1993).  It followed "All I Want" (number 99, February 1993), which debuted on the ARIA singles chart at number 163 in late September 1992, but took more than three months to reach its peak.  "All I Want" was the only release from the band to trouble the top 100 in Australia.  The single found greater success in the band's homeland, where it reached number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in September 1992.

Internationally, "Walk on the Ocean" peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in January 1993, number 10 in Norway in February 1993, number 22 in Canada in February 1993, number 67 in Germany in February 1993, and number 22 in New Zealand in April 1993.  The track also reached number 27 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in November 1992, number 10 on the Pop Airplay chart in January 1993, number 21 on the Radio Songs chart in February 1993, and number 31 on the Adult Contemporary chart in February 1993.

In Australia, "Walk on the Ocean" performed strongest in Queensland, where it reached number 110 on the state chart.

I hadn't heard this one before, but liked it.  I didn't know what a 'sprocket' was, so looked up its definition: it's a chainwheel, or "a toothed wheel engaging with a conveyor or power chain."

We shall see Toad the Wet Sprocket next in 1994.

Number 205 "Slam Jam" by The WWF Superstars

Peak: number 202

Peak date: 5 April 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

 

Regular readers will know that I am a fan of English producers Stock Aitken Waterman, or Stock Waterman as they were at this point, who were effectively a 'British Motown' for the 1980s (and early 90s).  But I concede they are responsible for some dross, and "Slam Jam" here is a prime example.

 

The WWF in WWF Superstars stands for World Wrestling Federation.  As you may have guessed, I am definitely not a wrestling enthusiast; nor am I a fan of most 'sports' tie-in songs.  Mike Stock and Pete Waterman, whose chart fortunes were dwindling in the early 90s, saw an opportunity to score a hit by writing a novelty song for The WWF Superstars, and this track gave them their first UK top 10 hit that was not sung by Kylie Minogue or Jason Donovan since early 1990.

Internationally, "Slam Jam" peaked at number 4 in the UK in December 1992, and number 3 in Ireland in December 1992.

Domestically, "Slam Jam" was most popular in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 164.

Next week (15 February): Five top 150 entries and three bubbling WAY down under debuts.

< Previous week: 1 February 1993                      Next week: 15 February 1993 >

Week commencing 1 February 1993

The only common thread linking this week in 1993’s debuts peaking outside the Australian top 100 is that all of them peaked within the month of February 1993.  Let's take a look at them.

Céline Dion: nothing broken but the chart.

Top 150 debuts:

Number 111 “Certain People I Know” by Morrissey

Peak: number 104

Peak date: 15 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 6 weeks

Chart run: 111-129-104-117-120-141

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

We saw Morrissey's former band The Smiths just last week, and last saw him as a solo artist in 1991.

 

"Certain People I Know" was issued as the third single in Europe and Australasia from Moz's third solo studio album proper, Your Arsenal (number 12, August 1992).  It followed "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" (number 55, June 1992) and "You're the One for Me, Fatty" (number 85, August 1992).

 

Internationally, "Certain People I Know" peaked at number 35 in the UK in December 1992, where it became Morrissey’s lowest charting solo single to date.

 

In Australia, "Certain People I Know" was most popular in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 92 on the state chart.

 

I didn't hear this one at the time, but became acquainted with the song via a UK VHS compilation I digitised in the late 2000s.

 

We will next see Moz in 1994.

Number 116 “Someday (I’m Coming Back)” by Lisa Stansfield

Peak: number 116

Peak date: 1 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 116-(out for 1 week)-123-119-128-131

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

English songstress Lisa Stansfield last graced our presence in 1992.

 

"Someday (I'm Coming Back)" was recorded for The Bodyguard soundtrack (number 1 for 5 weeks in January-February 1993).  It was the third single lifted from the album, following Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" (number 1 for 10 weeks between December 1992 and February 1993) and The S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M.'s "It's Gonna Be a Lovely Day" (number 90, February 1993).

 

Internationally, "Someday (I'm Coming Back)" peaked at number 10 in the UK in December 1992, number 16 in Ireland in January 1993, number 42 in the Netherlands in January 1993, number 39 in the Flanders region of Belgium in February 1993, and number 51 in Germany in February 1993.

 

Domestically, "Someday..." performed strongest in Victoria/Tasmania, where it reached number 85 on the state chart.  The single performed better nationally on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 98.

 

I am a bit surprised that "Someday (I'm Coming Back)" did not chart better in Australia, as it's one of Lisa's poppier efforts.  However, Lisa generally did not fare too well with her singles in Australia, for some reason.  Perhaps the mammoth success of The Bodguard soundtrack hindered “Someday (I’m Coming Back)”’s sales.

 

We'll see Lisa bubble under next in July 1993.

Number 118 “Can I Get Over” by Definition of Sound

Peak: number 106

Peak date: 15 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 7 weeks

Known chart run: 208-118-110-106-110-125-124-143

Weeks on chart: 9 weeks

English duo Definition of Sound last joined us in 1992.

 

"Can I Get Over" (no question mark) was the second and final single lifted from the group's second album The Lick (number 176, November 1992).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 61 in the UK in November 1992.

Locally, "Can I Get Over" was most successful in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 89 on the state chart.

I don't recall hearing this one at the time, but became familiar with it via its appearance on a VHS compilation I digitised in the early 2010s.

It looks like Definition of Sound lost their record deal with Circa Records, after the poor chart performance of The Lick and its singles.  They would eventually return in 1995 (1996 in Australia), on new label Fontana, with a single that would finally give the pair a top 40 hit here.  We will see Definition of Sound bubble under again in 1996.

Number 124 “Since I Met You Baby” by Gary Moore and B.B. King

Peak: number 124

Peak date: 1 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 2 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 124-142

Weeks on chart: 5 weeks

Northern Irish guitar whizz Gary Moore last joined us in 1992.

 

"Since I Met You" was the fourth and final single released in Australia from Gary's ninth solo studio album After Hours (number 8, April 1992).  For this track, he teamed up with veteran American blues guitarist/singer B.B. King, who landed a top 30 hit in Australia with U2 in 1989 with "When Love Comes to Town" (number 23, May 1989).  B.B., real name Riley B. King, was a mere 67 when "Since I Met You Baby" was charting.

Internationally, "Since I Met You Baby" peaked at number 59 in the UK in July 1992, where it was the third single issued from After Hours.

Locally, "Since I Met You Baby" performed equally-strongest in Victoria/Tasmania and Queensland, where it reached number 103 on the state charts.

Gary will join us once more in June 1993.  We will not see B.B. King, who died in 2015 aged 89, again.

Number 143 “Poison Heart” by Ramones

Peak: number 143

Peak date: 1 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 3 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 143-147-147

Weeks on chart: 4 weeks

American punk rock band Ramones (no 'The') last joined us in 1989.

 

"Poison Heart" was the lead single from the band's twelfth studio album Mondo Bizarro (number 93, October 1992).  Internationally, "Poison Heart" peaked at number 69 in the UK in December 1992.  The track also peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard Alternative Airplay chart in October 1992.

Locally, "Poison Heart" was most popular in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 127.

I won't be writing about Ramones again, but they had three later (very) low-charting singles in Australia during the streaming era: "I Just Want to Have Something to Do" (number 979, April 2014), "California Sun" (number 1815, August 2017), and "Rockaway Beach" (live at Friars, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, 30 December 1977) (number 2351, September 2019).

Number 144 “He Can’t Decide” by Paul Kelly, Renee Geyer, Vika Bull, Deborah Conway

Peak: number 112

Peak date: 22 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 8 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 144-130-117-112-113-122-128-139

We last saw Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly in 1992.

 

"He Can't Decide", a collaboration between Paul Kelly, Renee Geyer, Vika Bull (then of The Black Sorrows and later one half of Vika & Linda), and Deborah Conway was recorded for the ABC television series Seven Deadly Sins - the soundtrack album for which peaked at number 71 in March 1993.

 

I hadn't heard this one before.  I wasn't expecting the samba style.

 

We'll next see Paul Kelly in 1994, Renee Geyer in July 1993, Vika (as one half of Vika & Linda) in 1995, and Deborah Conway in 1994.

Number 146 “Laura” by Jimmy Nail

Peak: number 146

Peak date: 1 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 1 week

Top 150 chart run: 146

Weeks on chart: 11 weeks

English recording artist Jimmy Nail is also an actor, film producer, and writer for television.  He came to prominence in Australia with the single "Ain't No Doubt" (number 5, October 1992) - his only single to dent the top 100, effectively rendering him a one-hit wonder in this country.

Seven years before "Ain't No Doubt", Jimmy landed a hit in the UK with his version of Rose Royce's "Love Don't Live Here Anymore", peaking at number 3 there in May 1985.  The single was released in Australia in July 1985, but failed to chart.  Interestingly, and somewhat annoyingly, Jimmy changes the "just a vacancy" lyric in the chorus of "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" to "just look back and see" - perhaps it was a misheard lyric?

"Laura" was the follow-up release to "Ain't No Doubt".  Both tracks were lifted from Jimmy's second studio album Growing Up in Public (number 64, November 1992).  Internationally, "Laura" peaked at number 58 in the UK in September 1992.

In Australia, "Laura" was most popular in Western Australia, where it reached number 116 on the state chart.  "Laura" debuted on the ARIA singles chart at number 158 on 7 December 1992, but took almost two months to crack the top 150.

 

I don't recall hearing "Laura" before.

 

A third single from Growing Up in Public, "Only Love (Can Bring Us Home)", was released in Australia in March 1993, but failed to chart.  Oddly, this single does not appear to have been released in Jimmy's native UK, and only German pressings are listed on discogs.com.

 

Jimmy will join us next in 1996.

 

Number 147 “Lil' Red Ridin’ Hood” by Paul Norton

Peak: number 147

Peak date: 1 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 1 week

Chart run: 199-147

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

Australian singer-songwriter Paul Norton last joined us in 1990.

 

"Lil' Red Ridin' Hood" was the second and final single lifted from Paul's second album Let It Fly (number 141, November 1992).  It followed “When We Were Young” (number 99, October 1992).

 

On the state charts, "Lil' Red Ridin' Hood" performed strongest in Queensland, where it reached number 133.

 

I don't recall hearing this one before.  This was Paul's final single release.

Number 149 “Carry On” by Martha Wash

Peak: number 149

Peak date: 1 February 1993

Weeks in top 150: 1 week

Known chart run: 151-149

Weeks on chart: 5 weeks

Although "Carry On" was American singer Martha Wash's first charting release in her own right, she was no stranger to the charts.  Martha's career began as one of Sylvester's backing singers, together with Izora Armstead, as Two Tons o' Fun.  The pair then rebranded as The Weather Girls, and landed a number 16 hit in Australia with "It's Raining Men" in June 1983.

Martha's vocals were uncredited on a number of recordings from the late 80s/early 90s, from Seduction, Black Box, and C + C Music Factory.  Martha sang vocals on all of the non-"Ride on Time" tracks on Black Box's Dreamland (number 1, March 1991) album, including the singles "I Don't Know Anybody Else" (number 6, April 1990), "Everybody Everybody" (number 35, July 1990), "Fantasy" (number 3, February 1991), "The Total Mix" (number 24, April 1991), "Strike It Up" (number 20, May 1991), and "Open Your Eyes" (number 60, February 1992).  Her vocals were again used without her permission on C + C Music Factory’s "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" (number 3. February 1991.  Martha's vocals were lip-synced by others in the videos for these tracks, as her full-figured body was deemed unmarketable.  Martha successfully sued the aforementioned acts, and as a result, it became US law that featured vocalists must receive credit on studio recordings and in music videos.

"Carry On" was the first single lifted from Martha’s debut solo album Martha Wash (released in Australia in April 1993 but failed to chart).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 74 in the UK in November 1992, and number 38 in the Netherlands in February 1993.  The track also registered on several US Billboard genre-specific charts, reaching number 1 on the Dance Club Songs chart in December 1992, number 1 on the Dance Singles Sales chart in January 1993, number 68 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in January 1993, and number 97 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in January 1993.  A 1997 remix of "Carry On" peaked at number 49 in the UK in October 1997.

In Australia, "Carry On" performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 116.

We'll next see Martha in April 1993.

Bubbling WAY down under:

Number 180 “One Love in My Lifetime” by Innocence

Peak: number 168

Peak date: 15 February 1993

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

We last saw English R&B band Innocence in 1992.

 

"One Love in My Lifetime" was the second single lifted from the group's second album Build (number 217, December 1992).  The single peaked at number 40 in the UK in September 1992.

In Australia, "One Love in My Lifetime" was most popular in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 144 on the state chart.

We'll see Innocence on one more occasion, in March 1993.

 

Number 182 “Unsung” by Helmet

Peak: number 182

Peak date: 1 February 1993

Weeks on chart: 3 weeks

American Alternative metal band Helmet formed in New York in 1989.  "Unsung" was the first single lifted from their second album, and first major label release, Meantime (number 88, February 1993).

Internationally, "Unsung" peaked at number 119 (number 91 on the compressed chart) in the UK in November 1992.  "Unsung" also peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard Alternative Songs chart, and number 32 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

Locally, "Unsung" performed strongest in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 169 on the state chart.

Helmet will join us next in 1994.

Number 192 “Nothing Broken but My Heart” by Céline Dion

Peak: number 192

Peak date: 1 February 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

Canadian songstress Céline Dion launched her recording career as a 13 year old in the French-speaking province of Quebec.  Her international recording career commenced in 1990, and we saw Céline bubble under in 1991.

 

"Nothing Broken but My Heart" was lifted from Céline's eleventh studio album, and second album recorded in English, Céline Dion (number 15, September 1992).  The track, written by Diane Warren, was preceded by the singles “Beauty and the Beast” (number 17, July 1992), “If You Asked Me To” (number 52, September 1992), and “Love Can Move Mountains” (number 54, October 1992).  Although I have previously described Diane Warren as "beige songwriter extraordinaire", I actually don't mind "Nothing Broken but My Heart", which I became familiar with via the American Top 40 radio program.

 

Internationally, "Nothing Broken but My Heart" peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in October 1992, and number 3 in Canada in October 1992.  The track also registered on several US Billboard genre-specific charts, reaching number 26 on the Pop Airplay chart in October 1992, number 35 on the Radio Songs chart in October 1992, and number 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart in October 1992.

Domestically, "Nothing Broken but My Heart" performed strongest in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 178.

 

Céline would go on to greater commercial success in Australia with her next album The Colour of My Love (number 1 for 8 non-consecutive weeks between May 1995 and September 1995).  I won't be writing about Céline again, but she had a number of very low-charting singles in Australia between 2014 and 2020.

Number 193 “I Wish the Phone Would Ring” by Exposé

Peak: number 193

Peak date: 1 February 1993

Weeks on chart: 3 weeks

American Latin freestyle group Exposé last joined us in 1990.

 

"I Wish the Phone Would Ring" was the lead single from Exposé's third and final studio album Exposé, which does not appear to have been released in Australia.  Internationally, the single peaked at number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in December 1992, and number 49 in Canada in December 1992.  The track also registered on numerous US Billboard genre-specific charts, reaching number 20 on the Rhythmic Airplay chart in November 1992, number 21 on the Radio Songs chart in November 1992, number 21 on the Pop Airplay chart in December 1992, and number 14 on the Dance Singles Sales chart in December 1992.

Locally, "I Wish the Phone Would Ring" performed strongest in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 179.

"I Wish the Phone Would Ring" was the final Exposé single released in Australia.

Next week (8 February): Another busy week, with twelve top 150 entries and two bubbling WAY down under debuts.

< Previous week: 25 January 1993                     Next week: 8 February 1993 >