Week commencing 14 December 1992

Welcome to the final chart survey of 1992.  Fittingly, there's a Christmas song among the list of new entries below.  In other news, I have added top 150 chart runs for my posts covering February 1990 to September 1990 inclusive.

Bjӧrn Again: Santa Claus was coming to town, but not the top 100.

Top 150 dubuts:

Number 106 “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” by Bjӧrn Again

Peak: number 106 (1992-3 chart run); number 105 (1994-5 chart run)

Peak dates: 14 December 1992 (1992-3 chart run); 19 December 1994 (1994-5 chart run)

Weeks in top 150: 8 weeks (4 weeks in 1992-3; 4 weeks in 1994-5)

Top 150 chart run: 106-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-109

Re-entered 12 December 1994: 130-105-(chart repeated for 1 week Xmas break)-141

Weeks on chart: 9 weeks

The ABBA revival was well and truly underway by the end of 1992, with the ABBA Gold: Greatest Hits compilation atop the ARIA albums chart for Christmas 1992.  It all kicked off with Erasure's Abba-esque EP (number 13, August 1992) topping the UK singles chart in June 1992.  As a response to that, Australian ABBA tribute band Bjӧrn Again, cleverly named after ABBA founding member Bjӧrn Ulvaeus, covered two Erasure singles, "A Little Respect" and "Stop!", in ABBA style, released as the Erasure-ish EP in the UK, where it reached number 25 in October 1992. Oddly, the single was not released in Australia - perhaps because the Erasure originals of those songs were not hits locally.

"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" did receive a local release, however, just in time for Christmas.  Unlike most tribute acts, Bjӧrn Again did not merely perform ABBA covers, but rather, often re-interpreted others' songs in ABBA style, which was part of their novelty appeal.  Their version of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" begins with a "Waterloo" (number 4, August 1974) mash-up, and contains their attempt at a Swedish accent, particularly noticeable on the word "Claus".  A version of "Little Drummer Boy" appeared as the single's B-side.

 

Internationally, "Santa Claus..." peaked at number 55 in the UK in December 1992.

 

Locally, "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" was most popular in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 66 on the state chart in December 1994.   The single was re-released for Christmas 1994 after the success of their "Flashdance... What a Feeling" (number 27, August 1994) single and Flashback! (number 40, August 1994) album.  It stalled just outside the top 100 on both occasions, however, with the 1994 release bettering its original chart peak by only one place.

Bjӧrn Again had various line-ups over the years, but the original line-up was by far the best, and most commercially-successful.

We shall see Bjӧrn Again next in 1994.

Number 132 “A Good Idea” by Sugar

Peak: number 108

Peak date: 18 January 1993

Weeks in top 150: 8 weeks 

Top 150 chart run: 132-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-119-112-108-122-114

We last saw American band Sugar in October 1992.

 

"A Good Idea" was the second single lifted from their debut album Copper Blue (number 92, October 1992).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 62 in the UK in October 1992.

I hadn't heard this one before.  While it's not something I would seek out, it wasn't bad.

This was Sugar's last top 150 single in Australia.

Number 146 “The New Time Warp” by The New Rocky Horror Show (Australian Cast)

Peak: number 106

Peak date: 18 January 1993

Weeks in top 150: 10 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 146-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-118-109-106-135-127-135-142

 

OK, you know from the song title and artist credit above that this is going to be a (probably bad) version of the famous Rocky Horror Show song, "The Time Warp", from 1973, which originally peaked at number 3 in Australia for 5 non-consecutive weeks in December 1980 and January 1981.  Before that, an Australian cast recording of the same song peaked at number 85 in November 1977.  We also saw Damian's version of the song bubble under in 1989.

The New Rocky Horror Show Australian cast was made up of Ally Fowler (of Chantoozies), Alyssa Jane Cook, Craig McLachlan, Frankie J Holden, Gina Riley (the comedienne), Glenn Butcher, Linda Nagle, Peter Rosethorn, Red Symons, Steve Kearney and Wilbur Wilde.  There was an accompanying album, The New Rocky Horror Show (Australian Cast Recording) (number 124, January 1993). 

I hadn't heard this one before.  It's interesting to see Gina Riley (Kim from Kath & Kim) on the charts.

Number 149 “Love Changes Everything” by Peter Cousens

Peak: number 136

Peak date: 11 January 1993

Weeks in top 150: 8 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 149-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-137-136-140-150-141

Australian singer and actor Peter Cousens guest-starred in a number of TV soap operas, including Sons and Daughters, which I was too young to have watched the first time around, but viewed the repeats on 7Two starting in 2009.  I had to google who he played, as I couldn't place it, but he portrayed Luke Carlyle, who had a brief stint on the show in 1984.

Peter also landed the role of The Phantom for the Australian leg of the musical theatre production The Phantom of the Opera.  "Love Changes Everything" was recorded for another Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Aspects of Love, in which Peter performed in for its Australian shows.  The original London Cast recording of Aspects of Love peaked at number 86 on the ARIA albums chart in November 1989.  We saw Michael Ball's recording of “Love Changes Everything” bubble under in 1989.

Bubbling WAY down under:

Number 180 “Love, Oh Love” by Lionel Richie

Peak: number 165

Peak date: 11 January 1993

Weeks on chart: 9 weeks 

We last saw Lionel Richie in October 1992.

"Love, Oh Love" was the third new recording released as a single from Lionel's greatest hits album Back to Front (number 1, June 1992).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 52 in the UK in November 1992, number 25 in Ireland in November 1992, number 15 in the Netherlands in December 1992, number 13 in the Flanders region of Belgium in January 1993, and number 71 in Germany in February 1993.  "Love, Oh Love" does not appear to have been released as a single in North America.

Locally, "Love, Oh Love" performed strongest in Western Australia, reaching number 157 on the state chart.

We shall next see Lionel in 2000 (if I am writing recaps for that year).  Before then, he had an album peak outside the top 100 in Australia with Time (number 174, June 1998).

Number 181 “Slow and Sexy” by Shabba Ranks featuring Johnny Gill

Peak: number 181

Peak date: 14 December 1992 (chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)

Weeks on chart: 7 weeks 

We last saw Shabba Ranks in June 1992, and Johnny Gill in 1991.  The unlikely pair (given Shabba's stance on homosexuality at the time and Johnny's rumoured sexual orientation) teamed up for this track, lifted from Shabba's X-tra Naked (number 188, February 1993) album.

 

Overseas, "Slow and Sexy" peaked at number 17 in the UK in November 1992, and at number 33 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in January 1993.

 

"Slow and Sexy" also registered on a bunch of genre-specific Billboard charts in the US, reaching number 4 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales chart in November 1992, number 36 on the Rhythmic Airplay chart in November 1992, number 63 on the Radio Songs chart in November 1992, number 4 on the Dance Singles Sales chart in December 1992, number 4 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in December 1992, and number 7 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in December 1992.

 

Domestically, "Slow and Sexy" was most popular in Western Australia, where it reached number 125 on the state chart.

I don't recall hearing this one before, though probably caught it on the American Top 40 radio show at the time.  Shabba's vocals are a bit too abrasive for my liking on this track.

Johnny would go on to finally land a major hit, his only real one, in Australia with "The Floor" (number 6, October 1993) the next year.

We will see Shabba next in 1994, and Johnny in 1996.

Number 186 “Who Pays the Piper” by Gary Clail On-U Sound System 

Peak: number 177

Peak date: 18 January 1993

Weeks on chart: 7 weeks 

 

English artist (I'm reluctant to call him a singer) Gary Clail last graced our presence in 1991.

 

"Who Pays the Piper" was the lead single from Gary Clail On-U Sound's third album Dreamstealers (number 180, August 1993).  As with his hit "Human Nature" (number 38, August 1991), "Who Pays the Piper" deals with social issues... this time illicit drug use.

Internationally, "Who Pays the Piper" peaked at number 31 in the UK in November 1992.  In Australia, "Who Pays the Piper" was most successful in Western Australia, where it reached number 156 on the state chart.

I first heard this one on the UK Chart Attack radio show, and caught the video as a new release on rage at the time.

We'll next see Gary in 1993.

Number 205 “Real Love” by Mary J. Blige

Peak: number 205

Peak date: 14 December 1992 (chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)

Weeks on chart: 4 weeks 

 

Hailing from New York, "Real Love" was Mary J. Blige's (the J stands for Jane) second single, and first Australian release, from her debut album What's the 411?, which oddly does not appear to have been released in Australia.  It followed "You Remind Me".

Elsewhere, "Real Love" peaked at number 68 in the UK in November 1992, number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in December 1992, and number 34 in Canada in December 1992.

The song also registered on a bunch of US Billboard's subsidiary charts, reaching number 4 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales chart in September 1992, number 2 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in October 1992, number 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in October 1992, number 36 on the Dance Club Songs chart in October 1992, number 5 on the Dance Singles Sales chart in October 1992, number 4 on the Radio Songs chart in November 1992, number 1 on the Rhythmic Airplay chart in November 1992, and number 8 on the Pop Airplay chart in November 1992.

Locally, "Real Love" performed strongest on the New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory state chart, where it reached number 185.

I heard this one several times on the American Top 40 radio show, and knew it quite well.  Although R&B was generally making only small inroads on the Australian chart in 1992, its presence would increase in 1993.  I am surprised this was not a bigger hit, though I don't recall the song receiving any air or video play here at the time.

Mary would have to wait until 2001 to land a breakthrough hit on the Australian chart, with "Family Affair" (number 8, January 2002); a song which I could probably be caught doing some dad dancing to if I was on my own and did such things...

We'll next see Mary in 1993.

Number 217 “To Hell with Love” by Suzanne Rhatigan

Peak: number 195

Peak date: 11 January 1993

Weeks on chart: 5 weeks 

 

Irish songstress Suzanne Rhatigan last paid us a visit in November 1992.

 

This song was the title track from her debut and only album To Hell with Love, which was released locally in February 1993 but did not chart.

 

"To Hell with Love" did not chart anywhere else.  It performed strongest on the Western Australia state chart, where it reached number 159.

 

I think I did hear this one at the time, probably as a new release video on rage.

 

We shall see Suzanne once more in 1993.

Number 220 “The Bitter Pill” by Warrant

Peak: number 220

Peak date: 14 December 1992 (chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)

Weeks on chart: 3 weeks 

We last saw American glam metal/rock band Warrant in September 1992.

 

"The Bitter Pill" was the second single lifted from the band's third studio album Dog Eat Dog (number 105, October 1992).   I cannot find evidence of this track charting elsewhere.

On the state charts, "The Bitter Pill" peaked highest in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 192.

I hadn't heard this one before.  It's not the sort of thing I would seek out, but I didn't mind it.

This would be Warrant's final chart entry in Australia.

Number 221 “Siva”/“Window Paine” by The Smashing Pumpkins 

Peak: number 216

Peak date: 1 March 1993

Weeks on chart: 4 weeks 

American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins formed in Chicago in 1988.  Their first Australian singles chart entry was the Lull EP (number 74, August 1992), led by the track "Rhinoceros".  Both "Siva" and "Window Paine" were lifted from the band's debut album Gish (number 51, March 1996), which initially peaked at number 98 in July 1992.  Like most Australians, I first became aware of The Smashing Pumpkins when their single "Disarm" (number 16, August 1994) became a chart hit.

 

Internationally, "Siva"/"Window Paine" peaked at number 45 in New Zealand in February 1993.

 

Domestically, the single performed strongest on the Western Australian state chart, where it reached number 166.

A random memory I have involving The Smashing Pumpkins is my incredibly uncool audiology lecturer at uni put a question on the exam in 1998 regarding the loudness of the music at a “Roaring Pumpkins” concert.  I don’t know if he was that clueless he didn’t know the correct name of the band, or if he just got it wrong.

 

We'll next see The Smashing Pumpkins in 1995.

Next chart (4 January 1993): The new year kicks off with four new top 150 entries, and two bubbling WAY down under debuts.

< Previous week: 7 December 1992              Next chart: 4 January 1993 >

Week commencing 7 December 1992

This week in 1992 was a relatively quiet one, compared to recent weeks, with only three new top 150 entries and one bubbling WAY down under debut.  Before taking a look at them, I have added top 150 chart runs to my October 1990 to March 1992 posts inclusive.

Southern Sons would have to wait longer for their next hit.

Top 150 debuts:

Number 118 “I Can’t Wait Any Longer” by Southern Sons

Peak: number 111

Peak date: 11 January 1993

Weeks in top 150: 9 weeks 

Top 150 chart run: 118-113-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-132-111-121-119-119

Aussie band Southern Sons formed in Melbourne in 1989, and were initially known as The State, whom we saw bubble under in 1989.  Since then, they recruited a new vocalist, Iwrin Thomas, who was then using the stage name of Jack Jones.  "Jack" had a taste of chart success as the voice of John Farnham on The D-Generation's "Five in a Row" (number 12, December 1989) single.

Southern Sons burst onto the chart in 1990 with their debut single “Heart in Danger” (number 5, November 1990).  Their album Southern Sons (number 5, April 1991) produced three more top 40 hits, including "Always and Ever" (number 16, January 1991), "Hold Me in Your Arms" (number 9, April 1991), and the Train Tracks EP (number 40, July 1991), led by the track "Waiting for That Train".

 

Southern Sons returned with the lead single from their second album Nothing but the Truth (number 26, May 1993), “Lead Me to Water” (number 36, November 1992), in the latter part of 1992.  While being my favourite single of theirs, it didn't exactly set the charts alight.  "I Can't Wait Any Longer", which is just titled "Can't Wait Any Longer" on the album, was issued as the second single form Nothing but the Truth, and fared even worse on the chart, stalling outside the top 100.

The group would score another top 10 hit with their next single, “You Were There” (number 6, May 1993), which appeared in the Sydney Dance Company's stage production of Beauty and the Beast.

We shall see Southern Sons again in 1996.

Number 130 “Lifetime Piling Up” by Talking Heads

Peak: number 108

Peak date: 11 January 1993

Weeks in top 150: 8 weeks 

Top 150 chart run: 130-134-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-128-108-120-128

American band Talking Heads formed in New York City in 1975.  Between 1978 and 1986, Talking Heads placed nine singles on the Australian top 100, with “And She Was” (number 10, March 1986) being the highest-charting of those.  I tend to think the band are better known for "Road to Nowhere" (number 16, December 1985), or "Wild Wild Life" (number 13, October 1986), though.  Going by YouTube video views, it appears that "Once in a Lifetime" (number 23, May 1981) is their best-known track.

Talking Heads split in 1991.  We have seen their lead singer, David Byrne, bubble under as a solo artist in 1990 and 1992.  "Lifetime Piling Up" was issued as a single to promote the best-of compilation Once in a Lifetime: The Best of (number 35, November 1992), which was released as a 2-CD set in North America titled Popular Favorites 1976-1992: Sand in the Vaseline.

Internationally, "Lifetime Piling Up" peaked at number 50 in the UK in October 1992.  It also reached number 11 on the US Billboard Alternative Airplay chart.

I don't recall hearing this one before, though have seen the video on rage, which is a montage of their earlier music videos.  I like it.

Number 147 “Pretty Vacant” by Sex Pistols

Peak: number 126

Peak date: 11 January 1993

Weeks in top 150: 9 weeks 

Top 150 chart run: 147-141-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-133-126-137-133-139

 

British punk band Sex Pistols (no 'The') formed in 1975.  Despite having a high profile and name recognition (I was aware of them as a teen in the early 90s), they only placed two singles on the Australian top 100 chart during the band's existence, with the 1977 release of "Pretty Vacant" being the biggest of those, peaking at number 52 in January 1978.    The track was lifted from the band's only studio album Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols (number 23, January 1978), and the song's riff was apparently inspired by ABBA's "S.O.S." (number 1, January 1976).  Although they later reformed, the Sex Pistols initially disbanded in 1978.  The band's second bassist, Sid Vicious (real name Simon John Ritchie), died in 1979, aged 21, from a heroin overdose.

"Pretty Vacant" was re-issued in 1992 to promote the band's best-of compilation Kiss This (number 40, November 1992).  Internationally, the 1992 release of the single peaked at number 56 in the UK in December 1992 (it originally peaked at number 6 there in July 1977).

We saw Sex Pistols’ singer John Lydon’s next band, PiL, bubble under last in 1990.

Sex Pistols will bubble under again in 1996.

Bubbling WAY down under:

Number 221 “Jelly Funk” by Swoop

Peak: number 221

Peak date: 7 December 1992

Weeks on chart: 1 week 

 

Australian band Swoop formed in Sydney in 1991.  "Jelly Funk" was their debut single, released in July 1992, though took nearly five months to scrape into the bottom of the chart.  I suspect that "Jelly Funk" may have been at the very bottom of the singles chart this week in 1992, as it peaked at number 221 on all five of the state charts, as well as nationally.  Swoop released a second single, "Everyone Loves the Sunshine" at the end of November 1992, and as I write this, I am wondering if ARIA made a mistake and that one was actually number 221 this week, as the chronology would fit better.  But we will never know...

Both tracks would appear on Swoop's debut album Thriller (number 160, May 1994).  Swoop would land a bunch of singles registering in the lower half of the ARIA top 100, but managed to score one breakthrough hit with “Apple Eyes” (number 9, January 1996), which I thought was a cover version (because it sounded so 70s to my ears) until I discovered it wasn't just a few years ago!

 

We shall next see Swoop in 1996.

Next week (14 December): The last chart survey for 1992 sees four new top 150 entries and seven new bubbling WAY down under debuts.

< Previous week: 30 November 1992                  Next week: 14 December 1992 >

Week commencing 30 November 1992

A minor theme I noted running through this week in 1992's new entries peaking outside the top 100 is that three of them are cover versions, and another three are remixes or re-recordings of an artist's previous work.

Before we take a look, I have updated the following previous posts:

* 6 May 1991 - with new bubbling WAY down under entry from D.J.H. featuring Stefy;

* 9 September 1991 - with new bubbling WAY down under entry from D.J.H. featuring Stefy.

Mariah Carey: her top 100 run of hits was over this week in 1992.

Top 150 debuts:

Number 127 “Who Needs Love (Like That)” (Remix) by Erasure

Peak: number 120

Peak dates: 7 December 1992 and 4 January 1993

Weeks in top 150: 8 weeks 

Top 150 chart run: 127-120-129-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-120-137-124

Weeks on chart: 9 weeks

We last saw English pop duo Erasure a mere four weeks ago.

"Who Needs Love Like That" (minus brackets) was Erasure's debut single in 1985, peaking at number 55 in the UK in September of that year.  The single was issued locally in October 1985, but failed to make a dent on the chart.

 

"Who Needs Love (Like That)" - now with added brackets, was remixed (the single version titled the Hamburg Mix) and released as a single to promote Erasure's first compilation album Pop! The First 20 Hits (number 122, November 1992).  In keeping with the drag theme of their recent "Take a Chance on Me" video, Andy and Vince appear as frocked dancers in the music video for the 1992 version of “Who Needs Love (Like That)”. 

The 1992 version of "Who Needs Love (Like That)" peaked at number 10 in the UK in November 1992, number 8 in Ireland in November 1992, number 31 in Sweden in November 1992, number 27 in Germany in December 1992, and number 18 in Austria in December 1992.

Locally, "Who Needs Love..." was most popular in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 94.

I first heard this one on the UK Chart Attack radio show, and caught the video as a new release on rage.

 

We will next see Erasure in 1994.

Number 130 “If It’s Over” by Mariah Carey

Peak: number 115

Peak date: 11 January 1993

Weeks in top 150: 9 weeks

Chart run: 130-124-126-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-127-115-126-130

Weeks on chart: 9 weeks

American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey burst onto the scene in 1990 with her debut single “Vision of Love" (number 9, September 1990), and her debut album Mariah Carey (number 6, February 1991), which spawned four US Billiboard Hot 100 number one hits.  At this point in 1992, Mariah had notched up eight consecutive top 100 singles in Australia, with only "Can't Let Go" (number 63, January 1992) falling short of the top 50.  My favourite Mariah single is "Someday" (number 44, April 1991), though I prefer the original album version to the New Jack Swing remix used in the music video.

 

"If It's Over" was originally a studio track on Mariah’ second album Emotions (number 8, October 1991).  It was one of the tracks Mariah performed for her MTV Unplugged (number 7, August 1992) set on 16 March 1992.  "If It's Over" received a limited single release in the Netherlands, Japan and Australia as the second single from MTV Unplugged, following "I'll Be There" (number 9, August 1992).

 

Internationally, "If It's Over" peaked at number 80 in the Netherlands in December 1992.

 

In Australia, "If It's Over" performed strongest on the Western Australia state chart, where it reached number 87.

 

While we won't see Mariah again in this region of the chart (I have no intention of continuing these posts into the 2000s), she had numerous lower-charting singles from the late 2000s onwards, including "Obsessed" (Remix) (number 258, August 2009), "Infinity" (number 108, May 2015), and “GTFO” (number 360, September 2018).  Interestingly, the European-only single from Mariah's debut album, "There's Got to Be a Way" EP (number 4059, August 2020) also charted in Australia during the streaming era.

Number 131 “Tell Me Why” by Genesis

Peak: number 110

Peak date: 11 January 1993

Weeks in top 150: 13 weeks 

Top 150 chart run: 131-131-124-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-116-110-115-118-(out for one week)-140-143-132-147

Weeks on chart: 18 weeks

Between 1978 and 1992, English group Genesis amassed 16 Australian top 100 singles, starting with "Follow You Follow Me" (number 16, September 1978).  Their biggest hit in Australia was "Invisible Touch" (number 3, July 1986).  "Land of Confusion" (number 21, February 1987), also from the Invisible Touch (number 3, July 1986) album, is my favourite Genesis single.

"Tell Me Why" was issued as the fifth and final single from the fourteenth Genesis studio album We Can't Dance (number 8, July 1992).  It followed "No Son of Mine" (number 29, November 1991), "I Can't Dance" (number 7, March 1992), "Hold on My Heart" (number 63, July 1992), and "Jesus He Knows Me" (number 56, September 1992).  "Tell Me Why" was the last Genesis single to feature Phil Collins on lead vocals.  Phil quit the group in March 1996.

Internationally, "Tell Me Why" peaked at number 37 in the Netherlands in December 1992, number 51 in Germany in December 1992, number 27 in France in February 1993, and number 40 in the UK in February 1993.  The UK release of the single was postponed to make way for the live version of "Invisible Touch" from the group's The Way We Walk Volume One: The Shorts (number 37, December 1992) live album.

In Australia, "Tell Me Why" was most popular in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 74 on the state chart.

We'll next see Genesis, minus Phil, in 1997.  We'll see Phil solo next in 1993.

Number 138 “Thunderbirds Are Go!” by F.A.B. featuring MC Parker

Peak: number 135

Peak dates: 11 January 1993 and 18 January 1993

Weeks in top 150: 12 weeks 

Chart run: 185-138-139-140-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-138-135-135-144-142-143-149

Weeks on chart: 13 weeks 

 

Here's an interesting one.  "Thundebirds Are Go!" was released internationally in 1990, and received a 12" vinyl release in Australia in October 1990 on dance music label Colossal Records.  Its 1992 Australian release, on cassingle and CD single, was through BMG Records.  But, more interesting than that, a snippet of "Thunderbirds Are Go!" charted in Australia in 1991, as one of the tracks sampled on Megabass' “Time to Make the Floor Burn” (number 40, April 1991) megamix.  You can hear the "Thunderbirds Are Go!" sample from around 3:57 minutes into the video embedded in the previous sentence.  As you might expect, the track samples the theme song and audio from the 1960s British science fiction TV series Thunderbirds, which made use of electronic marionette puppetry.  While I was never really a Thunderbirds fan, I do recall catching part of a few episodes when they aired at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday morning here in the late 1980s.

 

Internationally, "Thunderbirds Are Go!" peaked at number 5 in the UK in July 1990, and at number 50 in the Netherlands in September 1990.

In Australia, “Thunderbirds Are Go!” was most popular in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 87 on the state chart.

I remember reading about this track in UK pop magazine Number One in 1990, but didn't hear the full song until it appeared on a UK VHS compilation I picked up in the late 2000s.

 

Number 141 “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” by Sinéad O’Connor

Peak: number 138

Peak date: 7 December 1992

Weeks in top 150: 6 weeks 

Top 150 chart run: 141-138-139-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-150

Weeks on chart: 8 weeks

Irish singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor last graced our presence in 1990.

"Don't Cry for Me Argentina", a cover version of the Evita musical song originally recorded by Julie Covington (number 1 for seven weeks in May-June 1977), was the second single issued from Sinéad's covers album Am I Not Your Girl? (number 17, October 1992), following "Success Has Made a Failure of Our Home" (number 37, September 1992).

 

Internationally, Sinéad's version of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" peaked at number 31 in the Flanders region of Belgium in November 1992, number 53 in the UK in December 1992, and number 44 in the Netherlands in December 1992.

 

Locally, "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 111 on the state chart.

 

We'll next see Sinéad in 1993.

Number 148 “Suspicious Minds” by Dwight Yoakam

Peak: number 129

Peak date: 4 January 1993

Weeks in top 150: 10 weeks 

Top 150 chart run: 148-135-136-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-129-131-132-139-135

American singer-songwriter, actor and film producer Dwight Yoakam released his debut album in 1986.  He made his first appearance on the Australian chart in 1988, with his third studio album Buenos Noches from a Lonely Room (number 91, October 1988).  He also charted locally with the appropriately-titled compilation album Just Lookin' for a Hit (number 141, November 1989), and his fourth studio album If There Was a Way (number 147, January 1991).

"Suspicious Minds", a Mark James cover version, better known recorded by Elvis Presley (number 1 for 2 weeks in December 1969 on the Go Set chart) and Fine Young Cannibals (number 6, April 1986), was Dwight's first - and only - top 150 single in Australia.  The track does not appear on Dwight's fifth studio album This Time (number 121, April 1993), but was recorded for the Honeymoon in Vegas soundtrack (number 46, November 1992).

Internationally, Dwight's version of "Suspicious Minds" peaked at number 31 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in December 1992, and at number 35 on the US Billboard Country Airplay chart in December 1992.

 

Dwight would eventually score a commercial breakthrough in Australia in 1996 with the Gone album (number 17, February 1996).

 

Number 149 “Walking in London” by Concrete Blonde

Peak: number 142

Peak date: 7 December 1992

Weeks in top 150: 2 weeks 

Known chart run: 210-149-142

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

We last saw American band Concerete Blonde in 1989.  Since then, they landed a major breakthrough hit in Australia with “Joey” (number 2, August 1990).  They followed that up with the minor hit “Caroline” (number 39, October 1990), which is my favourite single of theirs, and an excellent cover version of Leonard Cohen’s “Everybody Knows” recorded for the movie Pump Up the Volume soundtrack (number 74, January 1992), which oddly did not chart when released as a single locally in November 1990.

Concrete Blonde returned in 1992 with their fourth studio album Walking in London (number 18, March 1992).  “Walking in London” was issued as the album’s third single, following "Ghost of a Texas Ladies' Man" (number 31, March 1992) and "Someday" (number 72, July 1992).

 

I could not find evidence of the "Walking in London" single charting elsewhere.  Locally, "Walking in London" was most successful in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 119.

 

We'll next see Concrete Blonde in 1994.

Number 150 “Wicked As It Seems” by Keith Richards

Peak: number 136

Peak date: 4 January 1993

Weeks in top 150: 8 weeks 

Chart run: 150-149-137-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-136-141-138

Weeks on chart: 8 weeks

We last saw Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards in 1989.

"Wicked As It Seems" was the lead single from Keith's second solo studio album Main Offender (number 96, November 1992).  Internationally, "Wicked As It Seems" peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in January 1993.

Locally, "Wicked As It Seems" performed strongest in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 101 on the state chart.

We'll next see Keith in 1993.

Bubbling WAY down under:

Number 153 “I Am What I See” by Single Gun Theory

Peak: number 153

Peak date: 30 November 1992

Weeks on chart: 12 weeks 

 

Australian electronic group Single Gun Theory formed in Sydney in 1986.  They experienced their first state of chart success with the single "From a Million Miles" (number 64, March 1992).  "I Am What I See" was issued as the second and final single from their second studio album Millions, Like Stars in My Hands, Daggers in My Heart, Wage War (number 41, February 1992).  The single performed strongest in Victoria/Tasmania, where it reached number 130 on the state chart.

We shall see Single Gun Theory again in 1995.

Number 167 “Even Better Than the Real Thing” (Remixes) by U2

Peak: number 167

Peak date: 30 November 1992

Weeks on chart: 1 week 

We last saw Irish band U2 in 1989.

The original version of "Even Better Than the Real Thing" (number 11, July 1992) was issued as the fourth single from U2's seventh studio album Achtung Baby (number 1, November 1991).  While I have questioned ARIA separating remix singles from the main release on the singles chart in 1992, the Perfecto Remix of "Even Better Than the Real Thing" (embedded below), which received its own music video, charted separately in the UK, where it reached number 8 in July 1992 (peaking higher than the original, which reached number 12 in June 1992), and at number 10 in Ireland in July 1992 (the original reached number 3 there in June 1992).

 

The remixed version of "Even Better Than the Real Thing" also registered on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, where it reached number 27 in September 1992, and at number 35 on the US Billboard Dance Singles Sales chart in October 1992.

 

In Australia, "Even Better Than the Real Thing" (Remixes) performed strongest in Victoria/Tasmania, where it reached number 143 on the state chart.

 

U2 would bubble under again in 2006 with the Wide Awake in America EP (number 145, March 2006), which was led by the live track "Bad".

Number 168 “Come on Boy” by DJ Herbie

Peak: number 161

Peak date: 14 December 1992 (chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)

Weeks on chart: 12 weeks 

DJ Herbie was an alternative name for D.J.H., whom we last saw bubble under with Stefy in 1991.

I cannot find evidence of "Come on Boy" charting elsewhere.  The single performed best on the Western Australia state chart, reaching number 95.  "Come on Boy" peaked considerably higher nationally on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 97.

 

This would be DJ Herbie's only charting release under that name in Australia.

Number 173 “Ashes to Ashes” by The Wallflowers 

Peak: number 156

Peak date: 8 March 1993

Weeks on chart: 15 weeks 

Like most people, I was not aware of The Wallflowers, led by Bob Dylan's son Jakob Dylan, until their hit “One Headlight” (number 14, September 1997) in 1997.  The band formed in Los Angeles in 1989.

 

"Ashes to Ashes", which is not a cover of the David Bowie song of the same name, was lifted from the band's debut album  The Wallflowers (number 154, March 1993).

I cannot find evidence of this one charting elsewhere.  Locally, “Ashes to Ashes” was most popular in Victoria/Tasmania, where it reached number 144 on the state chart.

We shall next see The Wallflowers in 1996.

Number 192 “Reach for the Sky” by Firehouse

Peak: number 192

Peak date: 30 November 1992

Weeks on chart: 1 week 

American band Firehouse graced our presence a mere week ago!

 

"Reach for the Sky" was issued as the second single in Australia from the band's second album Hold Your Fire (number 180, October 1992).  Internationally, "Reach for the Sky" peaked at number 83 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in July 1992, where it was the first single from the album.

In Australia, "Reach for the Sky" was most popular in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 175 on the state chart.

I hadn't head this one before; I liked the verses more than the chorus.  The music video is typical of high-budget rock band videos from the early 90s, with skydiving and shots of bungee jumping.

This would be Firehouse's final charting single in Australia.  They had a later low-charting album, though, with Lowflows: The Columbia Anthology ('91-'93) (number 1083, July 2012).

Number 212 “24 Hours a Day” by Nomad

Peak: number 212

Peak date: 30 November 1992

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks 

We last saw British house duo Nomad in June 1992.  "24 Hours a Day" is a cover version of a song originally recorded by L.J. Johnson in 1979.  Internationally, their version of the track peaked at number 61 in the UK in November 1992.

Locally, "24 Hours a Day" performed strongest in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 184.

This was Nomad's final new single; though they released two later remixes of "(I Wanna Give You) Devotion" (number 37, August 1991) in the UK in 1995 and 2003.

Next week (7 December): Three top 150 entries and one bubbling WAY down under debut.

< Previous week: 23 November 1992                   Next week: 7 December 1992 >

Week commencing 23 November 1992

This week in 1992 saw no fewer than 14 new top 150 entries peaking between numbers 101 and 150 - though we don’t know what one of them is, one title would eventually crack the top 100 in six months’ time, and another is a remixed repackaging of two top 30 hits from the last 18 months.  In addition to that, five of the 14 titles registered a place on the Australian Music Report top 100 - one peaking 76 places lower on the ARIA chart, which is probably another record.  Another title appears to have two separate, possibly concurrent, chart runs.  Shall we take a look?

M.C. Mario: ‘Supermarioland’ did not quite cross over to Super ARIA Land.

Top 150 debuts:

Number 110 Unknown Single by Unknown Artist 

Peak: number 102

Peak date: 30 November 1992

Weeks in top 150: 9 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 110-102-104-119-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-113-130-127

The last, and only previous, time an unknown single from an unknown artist entered the top 150 was in January 1992.

I cannot say with any certainty whether any of these singles are the unknown title, but my thoughts are that it could be Robert Palmer’s “Witchcraft” (which was released locally the week prior, so the timing would fit), Simple Minds’ “Love Song”/“Alive and Kicking” 1992 re-release (also released 16 November 1992 locally), or Vanessa Williams’ “Work to Do” (released 9 November 1992 locally) - none of which otherwise registered on the ARIA chart.  The Simple Minds single did make the Australian Music Report’s list of singles receiving significant sales reports beyond the top 100.

My contact at ARIA kindly investigated this for me, referring back to their old database, which did not shed any light on what the missing title should be, as you can see by the blank entry debuting at number 110 in the screenshot below:

A screenshot from the 30 November 1992 chart, showing the blank title at number 102:

A screenshot from the 7 December 1992 chart, showing the blank title at number 104:

This will be the last blank title - at least until 1999! (I do not have those charts as of yet.)

Number 118 “Heartbreak Radio” by Roy Orbison

Peak: number 103

Peak date: 18 January 1993

Weeks in top 150: 13 weeks 

Top 150 chart run: 118-119-126-125-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-123-120-103-109-112-126-110

Weeks on chart: 15 weeks 

Roy Orbison last paid us a visit in May 1992.

 

"Heartbreak Radio" was the second single lifted from Roy's posthumous album King of Hearts (number 25, May 1982).  As with the previous single, it's another Jeff Lynne production, and, to my surprise, Jeff performs in the music video (obviously, Roy wasn't able to... although his image is used throughout).  The song is a cover version, originally recorded by Frankie Miller in 1980.

Overseas, "Heartbreak Radio" peaked at number 36 in the UK, number 31 in Canada, and number 69 in Germany - all peaking in November 1992.

Domestically, "Heartbreak Radio" performed much stronger on the South Australia/Northern Territory state chart than elsewhere, where it reached number 37.  Its next-highest state chart peak was number 94 in Queensland, for contrast.

"Heartbreak Radio" peaked higher nationally on the Australian Music Report singles chart, reaching number 98.

We won't see Roy on the singles chart again, although his previous single, "I Drove All Night", would re-enter the chart in March 1993 after being re-released.

 

Number 122 “Hot Fun in the Summertime” by The Beach Boys

Peak: number 122

Peak date: 23 November 1992

Weeks in top 150: 7 weeks

Chart run: 215-122-129-129-128-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-142

Weeks on chart: 8 weeks 

We last saw American band The Beach Boys in 1990.

"Hot Fun in the Summertime", a cover version of a song originally recorded by Sly & The Family Stone in 1969, was the lead single from The Beach Boys' twenty-seventh studio album Summer in Paradise (number 81, November 1992).

 

Internationally, "Hot Fun in the Summertime" peaked at number 66 in Canada in September 1992.  It also reached number 17 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart during the same month.

 

Locally, "Hot Fun in the Summertime" was most popular in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 92.

 

Watching the video for this song for the first time, my first thought was how incredibly ancient all members of The Beach Boys look (John Stamos excepted, obviously) - yet they only would have been around 50/in their early 50s at the time, which isn't much older than I am now!  Somehow, people used to look older at a given age than they do these days.

The Beach Boys had later low-charting singles with "That's Why God Made the Radio" (number 914, July 2012), which was their first new single in 20 years, and two older recordings: "Wouldn't It Be Nice" (number 1184, June 2016) and "Sloop John B" (number 1807, June 2016).  "Little Saint Nick" (number 39, January 2023) also tends to chart around Christmas time in recent years.

Number 126 “Don’t You Want Me” by The Farm

Peak: number 115

Peak date: 7 December 1992

Weeks in top 150: 11 weeks 

Known chart run: 204-126-118-115-121-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-(out of top 150 for 4 weeks)-134-149-141-142-131

Weeks on chart: 17 weeks 

English band The Farm last paid us a visit in August 1992.

 

"Don't You Want Me", originally recorded by The Human League (number 4, July 1982), was the second single lifted from The Farm's second album Love See No Colour (number 242, November 1992).  The track was recorded for Ruby Trax (The NME's Roaring Forty) compilation, an album from which we have now seen three tracks bubble under.

 

Internationally, The Farm's version of "Don't You Want Me" peaked at number 18 in the UK in October 1992, and at number 19 in Ireland in October 1992.

 

Locally, "Don't You Want Me" performed strongest in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 88.  The single peaked higher nationally on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 99.

 

I first heard this track on the UK Chart Attack radio show.  I otherwise would probably have not heard it at the time.

 

This would be The Farm's final single to chart in Australia, although they would have a later low-charting album with Hullabaloo (number 169, August 1994).

Number 127 “I’m Gonna Get You” by Bizarre Inc featuring Angie Brown

Peak: number 127

Peak date: 23 November 1992

Weeks in top 150: 3 weeks

Known chart run: 127-140-137-177-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)

Weeks on chart: 11 weeks (this chart run); plus 22 weeks (second/duplicate chart run).  33 weeks total?

We last saw Bizarre Inc in November 1991.

 

"I'm Gonna Get You" features Angie Brown on vocals.  While that may not be a name familiar to most readers, she provided uncredited vocals on Motiv 8's "Rockin' for Myself" (number 9, September 1994), which was a top 10 hit in Australia in 1994. 

Internationally, "I'm Gonna Get You" peaked at number 3 in the UK in October 1992, number 17 in Ireland in October 1992, number 3 in the Netherlands in January 1993, number 14 in the Flanders region of Belgium in February 1993, and number 47 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in April 1993.  The single also topped the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in January 1993.

In Australia, "I'm Gonna Get You" was most popular in Western Australia, where it reached number 66 on the state chart in August 1993.  For reasons unknown, there are two separate chart listings/runs for "I'm Gonna Get You" on the ARIA database: one peaks at number 127, and the other, entering on 14 December 1992, peaks at number 158!  The first chart run lasts 11 weeks on the chart, and the second has a 22-week chart run.  Both are charting in February and September 1993, so I am not sure whether there is overlap/duplication.

"I'm Gonna Get You" peaked higher nationally on the Australian Music Report chart, reaching number 95.

 

"I'm Gonna Get You" is another that I owe a debt to UK Chart Attack for introducing me to.  I love the "why waste your time, you know you're gonna be mine" couplet repeated throughout.  It should have been a much bigger hit in Australia.

 

We shall see Bizarre Inc again in 1993.

Number 128 “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young

Peak: number 117

Peak date: 30 November 1992

Weeks in top 150: 11 weeks

Known chart run: 190-128-117-143-127-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-124-124-122-124-125

Weeks on chart: 15 weeks 

Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young is best known for his 1972 hit "Heart of Gold", which peaked at number 15 in Australia on the Go Set chart in June 1972.  His previous charting single in Australia was "Ten Men Workin'" (number 100, July 1988), with The Blue Notes.

"Harvest Moon" was the title track from Neil's twenty-first studio album Harvest Moon (number 40, November 1992).  Internationally, "Harvest Moon" peaked at number 5 in Canada in February 1993, number 36 in the UK in February 1993, and number 28 in Ireland in February 1993.

On the state charts, "Harvest Moon" was most successful in Queensland, where it reached number 89.

We'll next see Neil in 1993.

 

Number 131 “I’ll Be Gone” by John Williamson

Peak: number 131

Peak date: 23 November 1992

Weeks in top 150: 2 weeks 

Top 150 chart run: 131-137

Weeks on chart: 3 weeks

We last saw Aussie country singer John Williamson in September 1992.

 

"I'll Be Gone" was the second new single lifted from John's Australia Calling: All the Best Vol 2 (number 32, December 1992) compilation.  The single was most popular in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 100.

We'll next see John in 1993.

Number 135 “Bad Moon Rising” (Remixes) by The Reels

Peak: number 125

Peak date: 11 January 1993

Weeks in top 150: 10 weeks 

Chart run: 135-136-145-142-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-139-125-134-129

Weeks on chart: 10 weeks 

We last saw Aussie band The Reels in August 1991.

 

“Bad Moon Rising” (number 11, October 1986), originally released by the band in 1986, was a cover version of a song originally recorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival (number 3, July 1969 on the Go Set chart).  The song was remixed by Filthy Lucre and issued as a single to promote their Requiem (number 131, January 1993) compilation.

 

On the state charts, "Bad Moon Rising" (Remixes) was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 87.

 

Unfortunately, I was unable to find a copy of the Filthy Lucre Edit, used as the single version, to embed in this post.  The video embedded below uses the Filthy Lucre Temple Dub, which was another track on the CD single.

 

This would be The Reels' final singles chart entry.  They had later low-charting albums with Reel to Reel: 1978-1992 (number 563, September 2007), Quasimodo's Dream (number 339, September 2011), Beautiful (number 627, March 2013), The Reels (number 852, March 2019) and 6 Great Gift Ideas (number 1187, November 2019).

Number 140 “When I Look into Your Eyes” by Firehouse 

Peak: number 140

Peak date: 23 November 1992

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks 

Top 150 chart run: 140-147-(out for one week)-148-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)

Weeks on chart: 18 weeks

We last saw American rock band Firehouse in January 1992.

 

"When I Look into Your Eyes" was issued as the lead single in Australia from Firehouse's second album Hold Your Fire (number 180, October 1992).

Internationally, "When I Look into Your Eyes" peaked at number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in October 1992, number 18 in Canada in October 1992, and number 65 in the UK in December 1992.

Domestically, "When I Look into Your Eyes" performed strongest in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 31 on the state charts.  The single was much more-popular in South Australia/Northern Territory than elsewhere, as it peaked outside the top 100 on the remaining four state charts.

"When I Look into Your Eyes" peaked higher nationally on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 64.

I became acquainted with this song via the American Top 40 radio show.  The single debuted on the chart at the end of September 1992, but took almost two months to dent the top 150.

We shall see Firehouse again next week!

Number 142 “The Crying Game” by Boy George (1992 release)

Peak: number 142 (1992 chart entry): number 39 (1993 chart entry)

Peak dates: 23 November 1992 (1992 chart run); 24 May 1993 and 31 May 1993 (1993 chart run)

Weeks in top 150: 2 weeks (1992 chart run); 14 weeks (1993 chart run); 16 weeks total.

Known chart run (1992 entry): 171-142-146

Top 150 chart run (1993 entry, entered 26 April 1993): 85-61-54-40-39-39-40-47-44-46-62-61-82-102

Weeks on chart: 28 weeks 

Boy George last graced our presence in 1989.

 

"The Crying Game" is a cover of a song written by Geoff Stephens and first released by Dave Berry in 1964 (number 73, September 1964).   It was recorded for use in the movie The Crying Game.   The track would also eventually appear on the At Worst... The Best of Boy George and Culture Club (number 185, January 1994) compilation.

Internationally, "The Crying Game" peaked at number 22 in the UK in September 1992, number 68 in Germany in December 1992, number 26 in Ireland in April 1993, number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in May 1993, number one in Canada for one week in May 1993, and number 32 in Sweden in June 1993.

Locally, "The Crying Game" was most popular in Western Australia, where it reached number 17.

I am not certain, but I may have first heard "The Crying Game" on UK Chart Attack.  I do not know why it took a re-release six months later for it to become a minor hit in Australia - perhaps coinciding with the film's local release?

 

We'll next see Boy George in 1994.

Number 144 Balistyx EP by Various

Peak: number 133

Peak dates: 14 December 1992 (chart repeated 21 December 1992 and 28 December 1992)

Weeks in top 150: 9 weeks 

Top 150 chart run: 144-143-148-133-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-147-144.  Re-entered 31 May 1993: 148.

The Balistyx EP contains five tracks by four different artists.  The lead track, "I Told Ya" (embedded below), is credited to David Faustino ("D" Lil).  David is best known for playing the role of Bud Bundy on the American sitcom Married... with Children.

 

Track 2 is Rainbow "Keep It Up" (which I cannot find online), track 3 is Total Opposite "Love & Games" (ditto), and track 4 is MHNC Crew "Music Hears No Color".  Track 5 is a remix of "I Told Ya".

That's about all I can tell you about this release.

 

Number 145 “Dance without Sleeping” by Melissa Etheridge

Peak: number 145

Peak date: 23 November 1992

Weeks in top 150: 1 week

Top 150 chart run: 145

Weeks on chart: 8 weeks 

We last saw American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge in 1990.

"Dance without Sleeping" was issued as the third and final single from Melissa's third studio album Never Enough (number 8, April 1992), following "Ain't It Heavy" (number 44, April 1992) and "2001" (number 71, June 1992).

Internationally, "Dance without Sleeping" peaked at number 118 in the UK in November 1992, number 74 in the Netherlands in November 1992, and number 46 in Canada in November 1992.  It also peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in November 1992.

Domestically, "Dance without Sleeping" performed strongest in Victoria/Tasmania, where it reached number 127.

I hadn't heard this one before, but quite enjoyed it.  The song had a much more laidback vibe than I was expecting.

We will next see Melissa in 1994.

Number 146 “Supermarioland” by Ambassadors of Funk featuring M.C. Mario

Peak: number 126

Peak date: 4 January 1993

Weeks in top 150: 9 weeks 

Top 150 chart run: 146-145-140-143-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-126-127-131

Weeks on chart: 15 weeks 

Although I had been a chart/music nerd since I was 9, I was also quite into Nintendo computer games in my tweens and early teens.  So much so that I was branded "Nintendo Nath" by a friend of a friend in high school at one point.  The Super Mario Bros games were my favourite.  I didn't make the transition to the Game Boy handheld device, though, which if I remember correctly, was first available in Australia around late 1990.  The graphics in particular seemed to be much lower quality than that available on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).  The Super Mario Land game was popular on Game Boy, but was not available on NES.  I guess it was only a matter of time until some bright spark thought of releasing a single based on the Super Mario Land theme.  That bright spark in this instance was Simon Harris.  M.C. Mario was also known as Einstein, who had a minor hit in Australia with Technotronic on "Turn It Up" (number 87, March 1991), which also featured Melissa.

Elsewhere, "Supermarioland" peaked at number 8 in the UK in November 1992, number 22 in Ireland in November 1992, and number 69 in the Netherlands in December 1992.

Locally, "Supermarioland" performed strongest in Western Australia, where it peaked at number 73.

This is another track that I first heard on UK Chart Attack.  I probably otherwise would not have been aware of the song at the time.

 

We will see another Nintendo-themed track bubble under in 1993.

Number 150 “Gypsy Woman”/“Peace” (Remixes) by Crystal Waters/Sabrina Johnston

Peak: number 150

Peak date: 23 November 1992

Weeks in top 150: 1 week

Known chart run: 164-150

Weeks on chart: 3 weeks 

 

Crystal Waters' "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)" (number 11, August 1991) was originally a top 20 hit in Australia in 1991.  Sabrina Johnston's "Peace" (number 24, March 1992) was a top 30 hit in Australia in early 1992.  The two tracks were paired together, in remixed form, for a single release, promoting the Red Hot + Dance (released in Australia in July 1992, missed the top 150) compilation.  Red Hot + Dance was released to raise funds for HIV/AIDS research, and contained three new George Michael songs recorded for his shelved album Listen without Prejudice Vol. 2, including "Too Funky" (number 3, August 1992), plus remixes of already-released tracks by ten other artists.  “Gypsy Woman” (Joey Negro’s MindMix) and “Peace” (Nu-Mix). embedded below, were combined for this single release.

 

Internationally, the combined "Gypsy Woman"/"Peace" (Remixes) single peaked at number 35 in the UK in September 1992.  Locally, the single performed strongest in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 135.

 

Crystal and Sabrina will join us next, separately, in 1995, with Sabrina being a featured artist next time.

Bubbling WAY down under:

Number 154 “Million Miles Away” by Kim Wilde

Peak: number 154

Peak date: 23 November 1992

Weeks on chart: 7 weeks 

 

We last saw Kim Wilde in August 1992.

 

"Million Miles Away" was issued in Australia as the third and final single from Kim's eighth studio album Love Is (number 82, July 1992).  The single was not released in Kim's homeland the UK; instead only receiving a commercial release in continental Europe, Japan and Australia.  "Million Miles Away", despite being one of Kim's best singles and better music videos in my opinion, did not chart anywhere else, performing strongest on the New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory state chart, where it reached number 142.  Sometimes there is no justice... although a lack of promotion was a factor.  I caught the video as a new release once on rage, but that’s it.

We will next see Kim in 1994.

Number 209 “Kickin’ It” by After 7

Peak: number 191

Peak date: 30 November 1992

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks 

American R&B group After 7 last joined us in 1990.

"Kickin' It" was issued as the first single from the group's second album Takin' My Time (number 196, October 1992).  Internationally, it peaked at number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in October 1992, and number 29 in New Zealand in December 1992.

Locally, "Kickin' It" performed strongest in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory where it reached number 173.

I hadn't heard this one before.  It's typical early 90s New Jack Swing.

This would be After 7's last single to peak outside the top 100 in Australia.  They landed their biggest hit in Australia in 1996 with "'Til You Do Me Right" (number 16, March 1996). 

 

After 7 had a later album peaking outside the top 100 in Australia with The Very Best of After 7 (number 181, May 1997).

Number 217 “Goodbye” by The Sundays

Peak: number 175

Peak date: 30 November 1992

Weeks on chart: 11 weeks 

We last saw English band The Sundays in 1990.

 

"Goodbye" was issued as the lead single from The Sundays' second album  Blind (number 78, January 1993).  The single peaked at number 27 in the UK in September 1992.

Locally, "Goodbye" performed equally-strongest in Victoria/Tasmania and Western Australia, reaching number 161 on both state charts.

The Sundays would land their biggest Australian hit with their next charting release “Summertime” (number 42, February 1998), which reminds me of the long Summer break between my first and second year of university.

 

 

Next week (30 November): Eight top 150 entries and six bubbling WAY down under debuts. 

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