11TH NOVEMBER- WONDERWALL- Oasis (1 week)

 

The best No 2 of the 90s? well it should certainly be in the running.

1. Pulp - Common People

2. The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony

3. Pulp - Mis-Shapes/Sorted For E's and Wizz

4. Oasis - Wonderwall

5. Blur - Song 2

 

:P

16TH DECEMBER- FREE AS A BIRD- The Beatles (1 week)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/66/Beatles-singles-freeasabird.jpg

 

Oh boy I recall the great fuss made over this and the accompanying "Anthology 1" around Christmas 1995. Hundreds of articles on how both would be No 1 for literally weeks and weeks and sell millions, both were gross over exagerations, the album stalled at No 2 behind Robson & Jerome (them again) and even by the end of the 90s had still sold under 800k.

 

As for the single this was billed as "The first new Beatles single in 25 years" hype it couldn't possibly live up to. Recorded by Lennon as a demo in 1977, Ono gave the tapes to McCartney in 1994 after he requested from her anything that she had by way of demos for the Beatles Anthology project which the three remaining members had decided to put together. Once they all convened they thought why not record some "new" music and not wishing to replace Lennon they decided to re-record some of his demo's inserted Lennon's original vocal into the tracks as hey presto "Free As A Bird" was made, and widely tipped to become their tie breaking 18th chart topper for the festive period. They weren't counting on two things, one was the fact that actually the track is quite pedestrian and secondly on Michael Jacksons "Earthsong", which ended up being far too strong for the Beatles to overcome on its way to being a million seller.

 

"Free As A Bird" is sadly a snooze-fest, plodding along laconically, without aim or ambition, it intends to tug on the strings on nostalgia via its video, and by the fact that, with the advent of Britpop (and the further adulation heaped on them by that movement) the time was right for such a move. In a way such a hodge podge of recording style and digging up the past could never have really worked unless they did something outside of the box, and the memory of the Beatles (and the preservation thereof) wouldn't allow for such a radical move and thus you get this rather mornful echo of the once great band. A shame really.

 

Edited November 24, 201113 yr by gezza76

23RD DECEMBER- FATHER AND SON- Boyzone (3 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d0/Boyzone_Father_and_Son.jpeg

 

Sorry. Truly I am, but I loved this song back in 1995, and with a running time of under 3 mins I thought this song was great, of course you can put that down to the song smithery (?) of writer Cat Stevens whose track it was originally back in 1970, but it's a song that always takes me back to Christmas instantly (even though those lyrics have nothing explicitly to do with the festive season). Mind you Christmas is a time for families etc, so perhaps the song's tale of the relationship between a father and his son is pertinant, yet in the original the message is stronger, or at least clearer,as Stevens sings the two parts in a different pitch, a factor not replicated in this version. I know watching the Stevens original on You Tube that there is considerably more feeling and personal imput in that version, and to be honest even back in 1995 I did wonder how someone like Keating (a year younger than me) could pull of the voice of experience and sell it convincingly.

 

Maybe it's the start of this version, the trumpet emerging from the piano intro but it just seemed marvellous at the time. Also it proves to be the point that Boyzone really moved into the runner up spot behind Take That as the boyband of choice, when I was at Uni I did my dissertation on boybands and what's interesting about the video is the use of the classic boyband pose, the "all white" moment. Usually draped over each other and alwyas dressed in white it's enough to hint as homosexuality, but the white translates to virginal and thus non sexual, looking back to the 80s it was used by Wham! (on the cover of "make It Big") through to Take That ("Everything Changes" album) and countless other 90s boybands from Upside down (remember them?) through to 911, in either cover shots or video's.

 

Anyway that could be a load of rubbish, but the point is that I still love this version of "Father and Son" (certainly much more than the awful Ronan version for xmas 2004) and whilst that may be unfashionable I stand by it!

 

 

Edited November 24, 201113 yr by gezza76

I'm with you on the love for the Boyzone version of Father & Son, but then I always had a soft spot for them, and still do - I doubt anyone loved Gave It All Away as much as I did :lol:

30TH DECEMBER- WONDERWALL- The Mike Flowers Pops (1 week)

 

http://991.com/NewGallery/The-Mike-Flowers-Pops-Wonderwall-252314.jpg

 

Christmas is often the time of novelty records that wouldn't be "funny" at any other time of the year, turth is this wasn't really funny at the time! I recall seeing Mike Flowers Pops at my Fresher week at Uni in Sep 95, the group having got themsleves a cult following already, and after about 2 songs the joke wore thin with pretty much all of us and we waited for the disco music to start again (I'm so retro there). The band had been recruited by Radio 1 DJ Kevin Greening to cover various "Hits of 95" in their psedo 60's easy listening style,and "Wonderwall" was the first product. Chris Evans heard it and made it his record of the week after which the release became an inevitability.

 

With the origianl still riding high in the top 10 this cover joined it in time for the Christmas chart, and though popularly picked to become a surprise chart topper, it became the third "victim" of the phenomenal success of "Earthsong". I'm no fan of the song, even in an ironic or comedic way, but still I suppose as the silly season ended it did at least have the shame to drop like a stone spending a mere 5 weeks in the top 40.

 

 

Edited November 25, 201113 yr by gezza76

That's it- the end of my teenage years- Yes 20 is on the horizon in 1996 and Girl power arrives!!

You went to Uni a year after me then gezza - I started in September 94.

Yes three years to do my A Levels- I chopped and changed- dropped Sociology for English Lit- best move on my life! :D

Yes three years to do my A Levels- I chopped and changed- dropped Sociology for English Lit- best move on my life! :D

Ahhh! I was wondering why you were a year 'off' me :P

 

Enjoying this muchly, if you hadn't noticed.

Ahhh! I was wondering why you were a year 'off' me :P

 

Enjoying this muchly, if you hadn't noticed.

Why, thank you ever so! I love all things 90s- such great music!!

21ST OCTOBER- WHEN LOVE AND HATE COLLIDE- Def Leppard (1 week)

 

Sometimes you look back at big hits from a particular time and think to yourself "why?". From the 80s, that accolade would for me belong to Judy Boucher 'Can't Be With You Tonight' - a song I just don't understand how or why it became so successful. For the 90s this track by Def Leppard would at least for 1995 rank as one of those "why?" moments. At least being 14 years old, I can vaguely (ie; just about) remember this song. If I had to sing this song off the top of my head I would stuggle. I believe there's a line that goes "you could have a change of heart..." but then I'm struggling to remember the rest. The loyal fanbase must've been the ones responsible for getting this as high as #2 and in comparison 'Let's Get Rocked' was the better track of the two by far. I guess we should therefore be thankful for Simply Red dominating the charts with 'Fairground'. Each to their own but Simply Red are quite the guilty pleasure for me.

 

"love the thought..." :D

 

28TH OCTOBER- I'D LIE FOR YOU (AND THAT'S THE TRUTH)- Meat Loaf (1 week)

 

Oh Mr. Loaf!!! :drama: The first cd single I ever bought was 'I'd Do Anything For Love' as it was a song that was really popular with me and my mates at school. It was, imo, a great track and still enjoy hearing it these days. However, this 1995 rehash really missed the mark completely. Yes, it's Meat Loaf's trademark fast bit, slow bit, loud bit, quiet bit which is textbook when it comes to writing a Meat Loaf hit single. I think because 'IDAFL' was such a massve hit in late 1993, this maybe was always to come off looking like a cheaper lesser version of that song. I certainly never bought this nor did I ever consider buying this before changing my mind. We should be thankful then that Coolio released 'Gangsta's Paradise' in the same week. I even remember going into school on that Monday morning and most my mates saying "that Coolio song is #1" like it was the best news they'd heard all year. :lol: Considering its staying power and overall sales, it's fair to say the better song won the chart race this particular week.

 

4TH NOVEMBER- HEAVEN FOR EVERYONE- Queen (1 week)

 

I'm aware that there are a few Buzzjackers who aren't exactly the biggest of Queen fans. I myself wouldn't say I was a "massive" fan but I do like most of their singles. 'Heaven For Everyone' isn't really one of them. I like this more than 'When Love And Hate Collide' but both songs I've never really found that interesting. Don't think it's an age thing as there are other tracks I didn't like when I was young but like a lot more now. These songs just seem lacklustre and therefore don't appeal to me.

 

11TH NOVEMBER- WONDERWALL- Oasis (1 week)

 

Britpop really did play its part throughout 1995. When Blur beat Oasis at #1 in August, when they said Oasis won the war, the war started right here. Whilst Blur's singles success seemed to decline post 'Country House' with tracks like 'The Universal' struggling to reach the dizzying heights of the top 5, 'Wonderwall' propelled Oasis further up the "90s legends" ladder. For me, Oasis had an even better single around the corner (and much celebrated UK #1 with 'Don't Look Back In Anger') but I suppose 'Wonderwall' not being a no. 1 single is perhaps the reason why it's held with such regard. A bit like 'Fairytale Of New York' at Christmas. To conclude, 'Wonderwall' is a genre defining moment.

 

16TH DECEMBER- FREE AS A BIRD- The Beatles (1 week)

 

I too remember the hype but OMG what an anti climax!!! :manson: From pop pioneers of the 60s, was 'Free As A Bird' seriously the best track the record company felt was worthy of being the lead single for the 'Anthology 1' album? No wonder the album failed to hit the top spot. I've always used a theory that if an act release a really bad lead single, they need one hell of an excellent second single to entice people to buy the album. Then you get those artists who release an excellent lead single but then all other singles are so average in comparison, the album just won't sell. I suspect The Beatles album failed to be such a massive seller because 'Free As A Bird' put people off buying the album. Ultimately, Robson & Jerome were the housewives favourite - and never under estimate the power of the bored housewive. Why else would Westlife have survived 12 years churning the same old key change only to start seeing their popularity dwindle in the last 4 years. Anyways, I'm going off topic. :kink: Had the record company chosen a far more interesting single to release instead of 'FAAB', maybe the album would've sold more that Christmas and 'FAAB' could've just been classed as album filler.

 

23RD DECEMBER- FATHER AND SON- Boyzone (3 weeks)

 

Rather oddly by this point in their career, Boyzone had somehow become the cool alternative boyband when I was at school. I remember one lad in my class talking about this very song saying that it's a great song - the type of lad I'd never have expected to like any song by any boyband. That said, 'Father And Son' is easily one of Boyzone's better tracks. Still not quite my overall fave Boyzone - that's still to come. ;) At least this was a decent take on the Cat Stevens original. That said, I actually really like 'Earth Song' at the time. It was so OTT I probably found it hilarious and liked it for all the wrong reasons. :D I was coming to the end of compiling my own chart and Michael Jackson had my Xmas #1 of 1995. My Xmas #2 of 1995?

 

...'The Gift Of Christmas' by The Childliners!!! :drama:

 

30TH DECEMBER- WONDERWALL- The Mike Flowers Pops (1 week)

 

Everyone loves a novelty song. It's just some wear thin faster than others. Having already heard the Oasis version this rather kitsch 60s throwback version was odd yet strangely endearing to listen to. I remember liking it anyways and had expected this to be the Xmas #1 of 1995 but 'Earth Song' was a force like no other. I don't think anybody had expected Michael Jackson to spend six weeks at #1 at the time.

Why, thank you ever so! I love all things 90s- such great music!!

 

I'd also like to thank you too for doing these threads. They really are excellent. :D Also interesting seeing how the Female 90s Top 100 Hits pans out and seeing the over excited poster (whose name escapes me) going DO IT FAST!!! I LOVE THIS. FAST NOW. FAST.

 

Bless!!! :lol:

I'd also like to thank you too for doing these threads. They really are excellent. :D Also interesting seeing how the Female 90s Top 100 Hits pans out and seeing the over excited poster (whose name escapes me) going DO IT FAST!!! I LOVE THIS. FAST NOW. FAST.

 

Bless!!! :lol:

Thank you all for your kind words- I rather imagine "Kobbar", as he is called, will probably be blind and unable to type long before I get to the end of that list! :lol:

'Father And Son' is easily one of Boyzone's better tracks. Still not quite my overall fave Boyzone - that's still to come. ;)

 

Isn't It A Wonder? :o

3RD FEBRUARY- SLIGHT RETURN- The Bluetones (1 week)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1e/Slight_Return_Bluetones.jpg

 

So welcome to 1996, I turned the big 2-0 in January 96 and whilst we skip over Jan for this thread (it's just Boyzone back up anyway) it did see the return of George Michael (more of later) and the arrival of Babylon Zoo, which incidently resulted in "Slight Return" being in this thread.

 

A song that kinda passed me by at the time and I only grew to love over the years. It's a jaunty little number though and should have been a hit when first released in 1995, but taking advantage of the traditional post Christmas lull the single was re-issued and became the biggest single of a career which only came to an end last month. In my first year at Uni I was living with two flatmates who were quite into Indie and I probably developed a taste that would last me until this day (although always pplaying second fiddle to pop, and dance through the late 90s) so hearing this ong always reminds me of old friends, the kind you don't think of maybe month to month, but then you hear a song and you're back there.

 

Anyway this is an innocent enough tune and a rather underrated Britpop gem long due a re-evaluation, it's not "Don't Look Back In Anger" but then it's much better than Kula Shaker (oop's no spoilers!).

 

Edited November 26, 201113 yr by gezza76

Isn't It A Wonder? :o

 

No. 'I Love The Way You Love The Love I Love You With, Love'. :P

10TH FEBRUARY- ANYTHING- 3T (3 Weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1a/3TAnythingCDSingleCover.jpg

 

Proving the addage of "It's not what you know...." here's Jacko's nephews, briefly a boyband for about 12 months, Taj, Tito, and Taryll released a string of top 20 smashes none bigger than their first "Anything". Presented to them through Qunincy Jones, the track debuted in the top 5 here before ncountering Babylon Zoo, I can't find any explanation as to why it took them 8 years to release a follow up album, but needless to say it was unsuccessful.

 

It won't be the last time we'll hear from them in this thread but "Anything" never really grabbed me back in 96, it's a competant enough ballad, and I rather enjoyed listening to it again just now for the first time in years but beyond that it isn;t a song that brings back any particular fond memories. In my world I'd just discovered Dubstar who would be making one of the outstanding albums of the year in "Disgraceful", and of course mourning the sad departure of Take That from the pop arena. If nothing else this is the sound of radio friendly mid 90s R N B, like magnolia painted walls, it ain't gonna offend anyone, and that's not always good.

 

Edited November 26, 201113 yr by gezza76

2ND MARCH- CHILDREN- Robert Miles (3 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bb/Robert_Miles_-_Children_(Cover).jpg

 

Never a huge fan of this back in 1996, it's grown on me slightly over the years and I don't mind it now but quite why it gets the inordinate amount of praise heaped on it now is a little beyond me. Anyway written by Miles as a response to both the photograph's bought home by his father of child war victims from Former Yugoslavia, and the slew of deaths caused by ravers returning from clubs in car accidents in his native Italy. The "Strage del sabato sera (Saturday night slaughter) had claimed an estimated 2,000 lives in Italy by this point in the decade and Miles tried to pen a track that would be played at the end of the night to calm departing party goers down, a rare piece of pop altruism.

 

Anyway us brits took it to heart and propelled the songs into one of the top 10 best selling records of the year so clearly my opinion was in the minority, but I defy most people to hum the follow up "Fable" which also made the top 10? Well Ideas ran pretty thin on the ground clearly as that was more or less a retred of this track but he redeemed himself by the end of the year with the excellent, and in my opinion, much better track "One and one" which stalled two places to low to make this thread. It also went to No 1 in virtually every European country and but for Oasis and a farewell bow from Take That would have done the same here, so whilst it isn't a no from me I'm certainly ambivalent about its success.

 

 

Edited November 27, 201113 yr by gezza76

30TH MARCH- THE X FILES- Mark Snow (3 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/ca/X-files_(Mark_Snow).jpg

 

I'm not sure this works as a single by dear god it works as a theme. Listening to it now it actually pretty much sums the TV series, dark, eeire, tension laden, all conveyed without words. Mark Snow (real name Mark Fulterman) is mainly a composer for TV and Film who got his first major success composing the theme to Starsky & Hutch in the mid 70s, then "TJ Hooker" in the 80s before masterminding this theme to what became quite a big 90s sensation "X Files", indeed so successful was it that a "cover" of this by DJ Dado also made the top 10 here just a matter of weeks later. Snow's composition credits have now extended to One Tree Hill, Smallville, but this remains his calling card chart wise.

 

I have no strong feelings on this record, I quickly got bored of it chart wise, there were just TOO many instrumental hits around at this time for my liking, and you know my thoughts on that, but it was quite nice hearing it again 15 years on. Note made to listen again in 2026.

 

By way of trivia Snow is also married to the sister of Tyne Daley (she of "Cagney & Lacey" fame)

 

 

Edited November 27, 201113 yr by gezza76

I bought the Mark Snow track in the week of release as I was a MAJOR X-Phile back at the time, I had no idea it was out and just thought it would be a great addition for a fan like myself. As my life did not contain midweeks back then either, I was utterly astonished to hear it enter at #2 on the Sunday and it really made my weekend. Even as a big fan of the show, I couldn't deny that Firestarter was the more deserving and iconic track though so #2 was fine by me.

 

Slight Return was and still is a great little song. In fact, virtually the entirety of the Bluetones' debut album was rather strong and a real surprise in terms of quality.