There was great music in the chart in October 1994 and then there was 'Sure'. Understandably rather forgotten in Take That's discography.

Eurgh, Sure is beyond bland. Would be right near the bottom for me.

Yeah Sure is definitely the weakest of the TT singles in that era, not very memorable

Edited May 8May 8 by Jaz13music

Total yawnfest from Take That, an example of how an act so huge and untouchable can release any old dross and get a #1 with it.

Bland and with a rubbish video to boot, it makes their cover versions sound great in comparison. It's stuff like this that made me annoyed with Gary Barlow first time round. He had no quality control whatsoever when he had 2 budding co-songwriters he could have been training up to take the slack and they don't get any slacker than this. Bottom rung for me.

…and there falls the other track I really hate. I didn’t like Take That at all at the time but I can in retrospect see that they had some decent songs… but Sure ain’t one of them, beyond average and feels like it goes on forever

Yeah this would probably be bottom two for me too. One of their weakest, total b-side territory at best and it definitely wasn't Gary playing to his stregnths.

This is one of those that would be bottom two for me as well, a complete non-event of a song that disappeared down the chart very quickly by 1994 standards. The other one is still to come.

Mariah Carey’s version of Without You is definitely a strong cover, adding a powerful female perspective and vocal intensity to the classic arrangement made famous by Harry Nilsson. The song was originally written by Badfinger and first appeared as an album track on their 1970 album "No Dice". Although the original version was never released as a major hit single, Nilsson’s 1971 interpretation transformed it into a worldwide #1 hit and one of the defining ballads of the era.

Mariah’s 1994 cover stayed very faithful to Nilsson’s arrangement but showcased her incredible vocal range and emotional delivery, helping it become a massive international success. It reached #1 in the UK and became the first of her three UK chart-toppers. While I still prefer Nilsson’s timeless version overall, Mariah’s take is a very good one in its own right, and I’d rate it a solid 7/10. From this point on, I really enjoy all #1's.

Ken Lee...

That's the other one which would be bottom two for me, she has the voice for it but completely oversings it. Fortunately, a much better Mariah hit of that year would also reach #1, even if it would take 26 years to get there.

Yeah an okay cover version but a long way behind Nilsson’s version

Not a Mariah favourite for me either but it's nice enough. She has so many great originals that it was a quirk for a long time that her only UK No.1s were two covers. Glad that was corrected a few years ago.

NIlsson's version is the classic, emotion bordering on hystrionics but staying on the right side. Genius. Took an OK original and made it into a tortured ballad like no other. Mariah's is way too much trying to outdo Harry (which didnt work for me) and lacks the class she displayed on Dream Lover. Sometimes less is more. As Harry had died earlier in the year I'll take this to be a tribute to the man - but it's still my least fave chart-topper track of the year, sorry! She will though, be back with an absolute classic at christmas, and she wrote it herself, followed by a total banger in 1995 in Fantasy. Either of those should have topped the charts of the time!

Pato Banton (born Patrick Murray on October 28, 1961, in Birmingham, England) is a British reggae singer, toaster, and songwriter best known for blending reggae, dancehall, and socially conscious lyrics with humor and positivity. His stage name “Pato” comes from Jamaican slang meaning “wise” or “clever,” while “Banton” refers to a respected DJ or storyteller in reggae culture.

Starting in the middle of the 1980's his career, his breakthrough came in 1994 with "Baby Come Back", which also features vocals from Ali & Robin Campbell of UB 40. "Baby Come Back" was originally recorded by Eddie Grant's band The Equals in 1967 reaching #1 for three weeks in 1968. While the original was more soul funk, Oato's version went full into the pop-reggae trend of the early 1990. A version fine enough to reach the top spot for four weeks in 1994 and to reach #9 in my ranking. It is really a bit strange that this was released that late in the year as this is a perfect summer hit potential. Pato had 3 further UK Top 40 hits in 95 and 96, one "Spirits In A Material World" featuring also vocals from Sting.

Compared to the other reggae hits of 1993-4, it sounds quite 2-tone ska and very 1980 production-wise so maybe this had an older audience too and is a bit retro-revival. Its a pleasant listen but I prefer the other 90s reggae hits!

Edited May 11May 11 by TheSnake

No complaints about anything that has dropped out since I last commented!

The Beatles are my favourite band yet not even their version of 'Twist & Shout' is one I particularly seek out from their catalogue, not helped by John's voice sounding battered on that recording, albeit passionately. Chaka Demus & Pliers' take gives me nothing.

'Come On You Reds' is catchy for sure but not something I'd ever choose to listen to either.

'Sure' is a total duffer in Take That's catalogue. The quality difference between that and the next single is like night and day.

I actually have a soft spot for Mariah's 'I'll Be There' cover, there's something quite magical about her and Trey Lorenz's chemistry when watching it live, but 'Without You' does not move me in the same way. Forever overridden by 'Ken Lee' memories indeed.

'Baby Come Back' brings back happy memories of my dad demonstrating that he knows every word to it, but I'd much rather listen to the original.

Not a bad track. I would probably rank it around the same area, fun pop reggae cover with infectious production but not one I ever listen to out of choice.

Just now, gooddelta said:

Not a bad track. I would probably rank it around the same area, fun pop reggae cover with infectious production but not one I ever listen to out of choice.

And preferable to UB40 on their own with a dreary Elvis cover at #1 in 1993.

Edited May 11May 11 by TheSnake

'Baby Come Back' is like a time capsule I secretly quite enjoy.

I love Baby Come Back, which is odd as I usually despise reggae!