Week commencing 14 June 1993

This week in 1993’s new entries peaking outside the Australian top 100 singles chart are another eclectic bunch, with short-lived supergroups, metal, techno, acoustic artists and models-turned-singers.  Something for everyone.  Shall we take a look?

Nick Scotti: despite the Madonna connection, he couldn’t wake up anybody with this release.

Top 150 debuts:

Number 116 “Only” by Anthrax

Peak: number 101

Peak date: 21 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 7 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 116-101-110-115-120-119-125

We last saw American thrash metal band Anthrax in 1990.

“Only” was the lead single from the band’s sixth studio album Sound of White Noise (number 30, May 1993).  Internationally, “Only” peaked at number 36 in the UK in May 1993, and number 48 in the Netherlands during the same month.  The song also peaked at number 26 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in June 1993.

This would be Anthrax’s last single to peak in the number 101 to 150 region of the Australian chart.

Number 131 “Baby You’re a Rich Man” by Company of Strangers

Peak: number 118

Peak dates: 21 June 1993 and 28 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 6 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 131-118-118-120-126-133

Weeks on chart: 9 weeks

During the early 90s, there seemed to be a mini-trend of Australian artists either collaborating with each other, or forming ‘supergroups’.  Company of Strangers, a supergroup of sorts, was put together by songwriter-producer Simon Hussey, roping in James Reyne, Daryl Braithwaite and Jef Scott.  Simon had previously collaborated with James Reyne on all three of his solo albums to this point in 1993, and Daryl Braithwaite’s two solo albums at this point since his 1988 comeback.

“Baby You’re a Rich Man”, a cover of the Beatles song from 1967, was the fourth and final single released from the band’s only album Company of Strangers (number 9, March 1993).  It followed  “Motor City (I Get Lost)” (number 26, September 1992), “Sweet Love” (number 21, January 1993), and “Daddy’s Gonna Make You a Star” (number 35, March 1993).  The latter of those three is my favourite Company of Strangers single, and it’s ‘nice’ to see that the official Australian Crawl YouTube channel have stolen my upload of it (complete with rage superscript) for their channel…

On the state charts, “Baby You’re a Rich Man” performed strongest in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 93.

Number 140 “Boss Drum” by The Shamen

Peak: number 116

Peak date: 12 July 1993

Weeks in top 150: 6 weeks

Chart run: 140-(off chart for two weeks)-136-116-131-122-126

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

Scottish electronic band The Shamen last joined us in 1991.

“Boss Drum” was issued as the fourth single in Australia from The Shamen’s fifth studio album Boss Drum (number 35, February 1993).  In Europe, however, it was the album’s third single.  It’s Australian release followed “LSI (Love Sex Intelligence)” (number 53, January 1993), “Ebeneezer Goode” (number 14, January 1993) and “Phorever People” (number 63, February 1993).

Internationally, “Boss Drum” peaked at number 4 in the UK in November 1992, number 5 in Ireland in November 1992, number 47 in the Flanders region of Belgium in December 1992, number 46 in the Netherlands in December 1992, number 22 in Switzerland in January 1993, number 20 in Sweden in January 1993, and number 20 in Austria in January 1993.  The song also reached number 8 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in April 1993.

Domestically, “Boss Drum” was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 66 on the state chart.

I heard “Boss Drum” a couple of times on the UK Chart Attack radio program in late 1992, but was not aware of its belated local release in mid-1993.  The song didn’t really grab me until I gave it a proper listen in the early 2010s when it appeared on a music video VHS compilation I was digitising.

We’ll next see The Shamen in October 1993.

Number 142 “When Heroes Go Down” by Suzanne Vega

Peak: number 113

Peak date: 5 July 1993

Weeks in top 150: 6 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 142-134-120-113-123-134

Weeks on chart: 10 weeks

American singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega last paid us a visit in February 1993.

“When Heroes Go Down” was the third and final single released in Australia from Suzanne’s fourth studio album 99.9°F (number 56, November 1992).  The single was virtually a Greatest Hits EP, with the other tracks on it being Suzanne’s first three Australian top 40 hits: “Marlene on the Wall” (number 39, April 1986), “Luka” (number 21, August 1987), and “Left of Center” (number 35, July 1986).

Internationally, “When Heroes Goes Down” peaked at number 58 in the UK in February 1993.  Locally, the single performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 100 on the state chart.

I didn’t hear this one until getting hold of Suzanne’s Tried and True: The Best of (number 96, November 1998) compilation in early 2000.  It must be one of the shorter singles to register on the Australian singles chart, clocking in at just 1 minute and 54 seconds, and is surely one of the only songs to contain the word ‘equivocate’ in its lyrics,

We’ll next see Suzanne in 1996.

Number 150 “Penthouse and Pavement” (The Tommy D Remixes) by Heaven 17

Peak: number 150

Peak date: 14 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 1 week

Top 150 chart run: 150

Weeks on chart: 8 weeks

We last saw English electronic band Heaven 17 in in April 1993.

“Penthouse and Pavement” (The Tommy D Remixes) was the third remixed single released to promote their Higher and Higher: The Best of (number 129, May 1993) compilation album, although this time, the updated version of the track does not appear on the album.

Released as a single in 1981, the original version of “Penthouse and Pavement” peaked at number 57 in the UK in November 1981, number 37 in New Zealand in March 1982, and number 93 in Australia for two non-consecutive weeks in April 1982.  The 1993 remix peaked at number 54 in the UK in April 1993, and at number 26 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

The 1993 release of “Penthouse and Pavement” was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 112 on the state chart.

This was the last Heaven 17 singles chart entry in Australia.  The group had a later album release, Bigger Than America (number 155, February 1997), that narrowly missed the ARIA top 150 albums chart.

Although we shall not see Heaven 17 again, the band’s lead singer Glenn Gregory will make an appearance fronting another act in July 1993.

Bubbling WAY down under:

Number 175 “Wake Up Everybody” by Nick Scotti

Peak: number 171

Peak date: 28 June 1993

Weeks on chart: 5 weeks

Born Domenico Nicola Aniello Scotti, American Nick Scotti was primarily an actor, though also branched out into modelling and singing.  Nick played Tony Viscardi on long running US soap opera The Young and the Restless between 1996 and 1999.  He also appeared in a 1998 episode of one of my favourite shows Tracey Takes On…, and in a 2002 episode of Sex and the City.

Music-wise, Nick only recorded and released one album, Nick Scotti, which was released in Australia in April 1993 but did not chart.  “Wake Up Everybody”, the first single issued from the album, was originally recorded by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes in 1976.  Nick ran into a pre-fame Madonna and Jellybean Benitez while out clubbing in New York underage.  At 17, he embarked on a successful modelling career in Japan, relocating to France at 19.  In 1991, Nick, crossed paths with Madonna again, at a birthday party for photographer Herb Ritts.  Nick got talking to Madonna and told her that he was writing some songs.  She suggested he send her a demo tape, which she then passed on to Warner Bros. Records (Madonna’s Maverick label did not yet exist), and they offered Nick a recording contract.  Madonna co-wrote, produced, and sang backing vocals on one of the songs on the album, which we will see bubble under in September 1993.

While all of this would seem like a promising recording career was beckoning for Nick, this wasn’t to be the case.  Nonetheless, Nick’s version of “Wake Up Everybody” reached number 9 on the US Dance Club Songs chart in May 1993.  The single also peaked at number 90 (number 84 on the truncated chart with exclusions below number 75) in the UK in May 1993.

In Australia, “Wake Up Everybody” performed strongest in Queensland, where it reached number 162 on the state chart.

I didn’t hear this one at the time.  I thought Nick’s voice was surprisingly soulful, and had I closed my eyes, I could have believed he was black.

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

Number 214 “Take Me for a Little While” by Coverdale Page

Peak: number 214

Peak date: 14 June 1993

Weeks on chart: 1 week

Another supergroup of sorts, Coverdale Page was a collaboration between Whitesnake front man David Coverdale and Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin.  Together, the duo recorded one album, Coverdale Page (number 25, April 1993), from which “Take Me for a Little While” was the second single released, following “Pride and Joy” (number 89, April 1993).

Internationally, this single peaked at number 29 in the UK in June 1993.  The song also reached number 15 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart in August 1993.

Locally, “Take Me for a Little While” was most popular in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 159 on the state chart.

I wasn’t expecting to like this one, but the chorus isn’t bad.

This would be the last Coverdale Page single to chart in Australia.

Next week (21 June): Seven top 150 entries and four bubbling WAY down under debuts.

< Previous week: 7 June 1993                   Next week: 21 June 1993 >

Kent Music Report beyond the top 100: 13 June 1983

This week in 1983, there was just one single bubbling under the top 100 that didn’t break on through into the top 100.  Let’s take a look.

Van Morrison tries phoning home.

Beyond the top 100:

Position 10 “Cry for Home” by Van Morrison

Highest rank: 9th

Peak date: 27 June 1983

Weeks on below list: 2 weeks

I have written about Northern Irish guitar whizz Van Morrison previously in a 1990 chart recap.  “Cry for Home” was the lead single from Van’s fourteenth studio album Inarticulate Speech of the Heart (number 21, June 1983).

Internationally, “Cry for Home” peaked at number 98 in the UK in February 1983, and number 40 in New Zealand in June 1983.

Next post (27 June): Two singles peaking outside the top 100, both of which I am already familiar with for once.

< Previous week: 6 June 1983                 Next post: 27 June 1983 >

Week commencing 7 June 1993

A couple of themes stick out from this week in 1993’s new entries peaking outside the Australian top 100 singles chart.  One of the themes is grunge, and how it made 80s ‘hair metal’ seemingly irrelevant overnight.  Another theme is re-released singles.  A third theme is double A-side singles - or those that might have been.  Intrigued?  Read on!

Boy Krazy: Australia was not ‘krazy’ for this release.

Top 150 debuts:

Number 123 “Until You Suffer Some (Fire and Ice)” by Poison

Peak: number 104

Peak date: 28 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 123-114-120-104-125

Weeks on chart: 7 weeks

American glam metal band Poison last joined us in 1992.

“Until You Suffer Some (Fire and Ice)” was the second single lifted from Poison’s fourth studio album Native Tongue (number 60, May 1993).  It followed the release of “Stand” (number 80, March 1993).

Internationally, “Until You Suffer Some…” peaked at number 32 in the UK in April 1993, and number 4 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 in May 1993.

In Australia, “Until You Suffer Some…” performed strongest on the South Australia/Northern Territory state chart, where it reached number 64.  Nationally, the single peaked higher on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 94.

While I heard “Stand” a couple of times in early 1993, I hadn’t heard this one before.  It’s another mid-tempo rock song, I guess Poison tried to tone down their over the top ‘glam’ image from the 80s, as it was quite past its use-by date at this point in the 90s, as grunge and alternative made metal suddenly obsolete.

This was Poison’s final single to chart in Australia.  They had later low-charting albums with Crack a Smile… and More (number 367, November 2000), The Best of - 20 Years of Rock (number 233, April 2006), and Double Dose: Ultimate Hits (number 545, July 2011).

Number 125 “Rooster” by Alice In Chains

Peak: number 121

Peak dates: 21 June 1993 and 5 July 1993

Weeks in top 150: 7 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 125-128-121-125-121-128-139

American rock band Alice In Chains, formed in Seattle in 1987, were the perfect example of the type of band who would replace the likes of Poison on the charts in the 1990s.  “Rooster” was the second single issued in Australia from Alice In Chains’ second studio album Dirt (number 13, November 1993), following "Would?" (number 69, April 1993).  The song was written by guitarist/backing singer Jerry Cantrell for his father, who served in the Vietnam war and whose childhood nickname was Rooster.  The music video for “Rooster” contains documentary and news footage from the Vietnam war.

Internationally, “Rooster” peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in April 1993.

Like numerous Seattle grunge band lead singers, Alice In Chains lead singer Layne Staley died in 2002, aged 34, from an accidental drug overdose.

We’ll next see Alice In Chains in 1996.

Number 127 “Crazy, Crazy Eyes” by Hard-Ons

Peak: number 104

Peak date: 21 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 127-118-104-111-109

Weeks on chart: 7 weeks

The alternative ‘hits’ keep coming this week, this time from Aussie band Hard-Ons, whom we last saw in 1991.

“Crazy, Crazy Eyes” was the lead single from Hard-Ons’ fifth studio album Too Far Gone (number 107, June 1993).  On the state charts, the single was most popular in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 69.

I hadn’t heard this one before.  It’s a bit too much of a noisy racket for me to appreciate.

We’ll next see Hard-Ons in 1994.

Number 129 “That’s What Love Can Do” by Boy Krazy

Peak: number 124

Peak date: 14 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 129-124-130-136-138

Weeks on chart: 11 weeks

Now here’s one with an interesting back story - or so I think.  Boy Krazy were initially a 5-piece American vocal quintet, who were paired with English producers Stock Aitken Waterman to record their debut, and only, album Boy Krazy (released in Australia in May 1993, did not chart).  “That’s What Love Can Do” was released as their debut single, and its original 1991 release bombed on the chart, reaching number 98 (number 86 on the truncated chart with exclusions below number 75) in the UK in July 1991.  The Boy Krazy album was one of the last Stock Aitken Waterman productions, before Matt Aitken split from the trio in mid-1991.  Interestingly, “That’s What Love Can Do” was also offered to Samantha Fox, while recording her fourth album Just One Night (number 167, August 1991).  Samantha recorded vocals for the track, but it was otherwise not finished.  In 2012, producer Matt Pop gave the track a SAW-esque early 90s production for inclusion on a re-issued and expanded version of Sam’s Just One Night album.  You can hear her version here.

A second Boy Krazy single, “All You Have to Do”, was released in the UK, reaching number 116 (number 91 on the truncated chart with exclusions below number 75).  Band member Renee Veneziale had left the group by this point.  The band then effectively dissolved, until “That’s What Love Can Do” started receiving club and airplay in the US towards the end of 1992.  The song got a second lease of life, receiving a commercial release in North America, and a re-release across Europe.  “That’s What Love Can Do” peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks in February-March 1993, number 6 in Canada in April 1993, number 89 (number 80 on the truncated chart with exclusions below number 75) in the UK in April 1993, number 29 in the Netherlands in June 1993, and number 54 in Germany in June 1993.

In Australia, “That’s What Love Can Do” performed strongest in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 97 on the state chart.  The single peaked higher nationally on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 97.

Despite being a Stock Aitken Waterman fan, I didn’t actually hear this one until 2007, when someone embedded the video on a pop music forum I frequented at the time.  Boy Krazy member Johnna Lee Cummings sings lead on this track, and many have commented that her voice sounds similar to Kylie Minogue’s, which I can hear - although I would say that Johnna’s vocals are much stronger than Kylie’s.  Despite not hearing “That’s What Love Can Do” at the time, I was aware of Boy Krazy’s existence, as they were mentioned as a new act in a Smash Hits article pondering whether the songwriting/production trio Stock Aitken Waterman were now down the dumper (i.e. their hit-making days were over).  Rather unexpectedly, “That’s What Love Can Do” was playing over the PA system while I was getting a script filled at the hospital pharmacy last year.

While we will not be seeing Boy Krazy on the chart again, the lead singer of “That’s What Love Can Do”, Johnna, had a brief solo career, and we shall see her bubble under in 1996.

Number 130 “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” by Bryan Ferry

Peak: number 127

Peak date: 14 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 6 weeks

Chart run: 130-127-132-132-133-145

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks 

English singer-songwriter Bryan Ferry last joined us in 1989.

“Will You Love Me Tomorrow” was the second single lifted from Bryan’s eighth solo studio album Taxi (number 26, May 1993), which was a covers album, other than one original written by Bryan that was tacked onto the end.  The song, written by Garry Goffin and Carole King, is a cover of The Shirelles from 1960, and followed "I Put a Spell on You" (number 68, May 1993).  If you ask me, covers albums are almost universally bad, and I can only think of one that I actually like (Pauline Henry’s Do Over from 1996 - probably because I didn’t know most of the originals).  This version of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” is really quite mundane and pointless.

Internationally, Bryan’s version of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” peaked at number 23 in the UK in May 1993, and number 79 in Germany in July 1993.

Locally, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” was most popular in Western Australia, where it reached number 101.

We’ll next see Bryan in 1994.

Number 137 “Sax-A-Go-Go” by Candy Dulfer

Peak: number 107

Peak date: 19 July 1993

Weeks in top 150: 10 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 137-134-133-127-114-113-107-115-121-121

Weeks on chart: 11 weeks

Dutch saxophone maestro Candy Dulfer previously paid us a visit in 1991.

“Sax-A-Go-Go” was the lead single from Candy’s second studio album Sax-A-Go-Go (number 79, July 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 87 (number 83 on the truncated chart with exclusions below number 75) in the UK in February 1993, number 12 in the Netherlands in March 1993, number 32 in the Flanders region of Belgium in April 1993, and number 33 in Switzerland in April 1993.

In Australia, “Sax-A-Go-Go” performed strongest in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 81 on the state chart.

American hip-hop producer Easy Moe Bee performs the rap on this track, but does not receive a featured artist credit.

We shall see Candy next in August 1993.

Number 146 “My Hippy Angel” by Bob Geldof

Peak: number 143

Peak date: 28 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 4 weeks

Chart run: 146-146-149-143

Weeks on chart: 4 weeks

Irish singer-songwriter/philanthropist Bob Geldof last paid us a visit in 1992.

“My Hippy Angel” was released as the second single from Bob’s third solo studio album The Happy Club (number 91, May 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 146 (number 100 on the truncated chart with exclusions below number 75) in the UK.

Domestically, “My Hippy Angel” was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 125 on the state chart.

I hadn’t heard this one before; it’s not bad.  Bob’s then-wife Paula Yates appears in the music video.

We shall see Bob again in 1994.

Number 150 “Sex Type Thing” by Stone Temple Pilots

Peak: number 138

Peak date: 2 August 1993

Weeks in top 150: 6 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 150-(out of top 150 for 4 weeks)-150-(out of top 150 for 1 week)-144-138-139-140

Weeks on chart: 16 weeks

American grunge/alternative rock band Stone Temple Pilots formed in San Diego, California in 1989.  “Sex Type Thing” was the band’s debut single, lifted from their debut album Core (number 29, August 1993).

In the opening of this post, I mentioned there being some confusion about whether a single was a double A-side release or not.  Well, this single is one of the culprits.  The ARIA database initially lists it as just “Sex Type Thing”, but then on the 16 August 1993 chart, a week that “Sex Type Thing” is out of the top 150, “Sex Type Thing”/“Wicked Game” (sic) is listed as a double A-side release, entering at number 140, before dropping off the chart the following week.  The “Wicked Game” in question should actually be “Wicked Garden”, as Stone Temple Pilots do not have a song with the former title.  “Wicked Garden” was a promotional-only single in the US, but does not appear to have been released as a commercial single in its own right, although it has a music video!  To complicate matters further, “Wicked Garden” was the second track on the “Sex Type Thing” CD single, but is not listed on the front cover or spine, as you would expect for a double A-side release.  I assumed that this anomaly was just an error on the ARIA database, but they have listed it with its own unique catalogue number (7567873644), and I cannot find any release matching this catalogue number on discogs.com or through googling it.  Can anyone out there shed some light on this?

Internationally, “Sex Type Thing” initially peaked at number 60 in the UK in March 1993, before being re-released later in the year when it reached a slightly higher peak of number 55 in November 1993.  The song also registered on two US Billboard genre-specific charts, peaking at number 23 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in January 1993, and number 8 on the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart in December 2015.

Locally, “Sex Type Thing” performed strongest in Victoria/Tasmania, where it reached number 119 on the state chart.

Stone Temple Pilots would crack the ARIA top 100 singles chart with their next release, “Plush” (number 47, October 1993).  Their biggest hit in Australia, “Vasoline” (number 24, August 1994) - note the spelling difference from the petroleum jelly brand Vaseline - would come from their second album Purple (number 1 for one week in June 1994).

Like numerous front men from grunge/alternative bands from the 90s, Stone Temple Pilots front man Scott Welland died prematurely, aged 48, after an accidental drug overdose, in 2015.

We’ll next see Stone Temple Pilots in 1996.

Bubbling WAY down under:

Number 191 The Only Living Boy in New York EP by Everything But the Girl

Peak: number 191

Peak date: 7 June 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

We last saw English musical and romantic (although this was not publicised, and they did not marry until 2009) duo Everything But the Girl in 1992.

The The Only Living Boy in New York EP, led by the title track, was the lead single and a new track recorded for the compilation album Home Movies (number 183, July 1993).  “The Only Living Boy in New York” was a cover version of the Simon & Garfunkel song from 1969.  Internationally, the EP peaked at number 42 on the UK singles chart in May 1993.

In Australia, The Only Living Boy in New York EP was most popular in Queensland, reaching number 178 on the state chart.

The duo’s next release, I Didn’t Know I Was Looking for Love EP, does not appear to have been released in Australia, but the title track from it would become a hit across Europe in 1998, and a number 47 minor hit in Australia in October 1998, when covered by Karen Ramirez, and its title shortened to “Looking for Love”.  Although I wouldn’t have heard the Everything But the Girl original at the time, somehow I could instantly tell it was a song of theirs when I first heard the Karen Ramirez version.

Everything But the Girl will next grace our presence in 1996.

.

Number 194 “Prodigal Son”/“Better Off Alone” by Graeme Connors

Peak: number 194

Peak date: 7 June 1991

Weeks on chart: 1 week

Now for an actual double A-side single!  We saw Aussie country singer Graeme Connors a mere two weeks ago.  Despite its later debut on the chart than its follow-up release, this was actually the first single lifted from Graeme’s sixth studio album The Return (number 90, March 1993).  The album’s title was presumably taken from the chorus lyric “the return of the prodigal son”.

“Prodigal Son”/“Better Off Alone” performed strongest on the New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory state chart, where it reached number 172.

This would be Graeme’s last top 150 single.  He had a low-charting single last year with “The Road Less Travelled” (number 1062, April 2024), which originally appeared on his 1996 album The Road Less Travelled (number 62, September 1996).

Number 203 “Black Gold” by Soul Asylum

Peak: number 197

Peak date: 7 February 1994

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

American band Soul Asylum last joined us in March 1993.

“Black Gold” was the second single release from the band’s sixth studio album Grave Dancers Union (number 63, February 1994).  Internationally, “Black Gold” initially peaked at number 76 in the UK in March 1993, number 58 in Canada in May 1993, number 25 in New Zealand in December 1993, and number 26 in the UK in March 1994 when re-released after the success of follow-up release “Runaway Train” (number 11, November 1993).  “Black Gold” also registered on two US Billboard genre-specific charts, reaching number 6 on the Alternative Airplay chart in February 1993, and number 4 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in May 1993.

In Australia, “Black Gold” was initially released on 19 April 1993, taking nearly two months to spend a solitary week at number 203.  I am assuming there was a re-release in early 1994, where it re-entered the chart reaching a slightly higher peak; but nothing is listed in The ARIA Report’s lists of new release titles.  On the state charts, “Black Gold” was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 176.

We’ll next see Soul Asylum in 1995.

Number 205 “In Trance” by General Base

Peak: number 152

Peak date: 21 June 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

Here’s the second new entry this week that I am not sure whether it was a double A-side single or not.  In the ARIA Report’s weekly lists of new release titles, “In Trance” and “Back Again” by General Base are listed as separate releases, released simultaneously on 29 March 1993.  But then on 21 June 1993, a double A-side single, “Back Again”/“In Trance” is listed, with a different catalogue number to either earlier release - and this coincides with the single re-entering the chart at its peak (obviously, the double A-side single had to have been released in the week prior to the 21st, which was the chart survey date).  I have embedded both songs below to cover all bases.

General Base was essentially German DJ and Eurodance artist/producer Thomas Kukula.  Both “In Trance” and “Back Again”, which are largely instrumental, appear on General Base’s debut and only album First (released in Australia in June 1994, did not chart).  Interestingly, I cannot find evidence of either track charting elsewhere.  Who knew that Australia could be ahead of the curve in the commercial success of Eurodance?!  On the state charts, “In Trance” performed strongest in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 126.

General Base never had a top 100 entry in Australia, though came rather close.  We’ll next see General Base in November 1993.

Number 208 “You’ve Got Me Thinking” by The Beloved

Peak: number 200

Peak date: 28 June 1993

Weeks on chart: 3 weeks

Finally, here’s a third release debuting this week for which there is some ambiguity over whether it was a double A-side single or not.  On UK and European pressings of the 12” vinyl single for this release, “Celebrate Your Life” is listed as the lead track on the single artwork, and two mixes of this track appear on the CD single, but not as the first track.  “You’ve Got Me Thinking” is relegated to the B-side on the 12” pressings.

Both “You’ve Got Me Thinking” and “Celebrate Your Life” are lifted from The Beloved’s - whom we last saw in April 1993 - second studio album Conscience (number 144, April 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 23 in the UK in April 1993, and number 21 in Ireland in April 1993.

In Australia, “You’ve Got Me Thinking” was most popular in Western Australia, where it reached number 182 on the state chart.

One thing I didn’t know until recently is that “You’ve Got Me Thinking” was originally meant to be a duet between The Beloved and Neneh Cherry.  A demo featuring Neneh has made its way online - you can listen to it here.

A third single from Conscience, “Outerspace Girl”, was released in Australia in November 1993, but failed to chart.  Oddly, despite its lack of chart success, “Outerspace Girl” was the only single from Conscience I heard in 1993.

We shall next see The Beloved in 1996.

Next week (14 June): Five top 150 entries and two bubbling WAY down under debuts.

< Previous week: 31 May 1993                Next week: 14 June 1993 >

Kent Music Report beyond the top 100: 6 June 1983

This week in 1983, we had two singles peaking outside the top 100, both from English artists... so I thought it fitting to post the picture of one of them below, decked out in union jack outfits. 

Def Leppard: this release fell on ‘def’ ears in Australia.

Beyond the top 100:

Position 6 “Photograph” by Def Leppard

Highest rank: 4th

Peak date: 13 June 1983

Weeks on below list: 2 weeks

English band Def Leppard have previously appeared in one of my 1990 chart recaps.

“Photograph” was the lead single from the band’s third studio album Pyromania (number 70, February 1984).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 66 in the UK in February 1983, number 32 in Canada in May 1983, and number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in May 1983.  The song also registered on several US Billboard genre-specific charts, reaching number 1 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart for six weeks in March-April 1983, number 4 on the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart in February 2018, number 23 on the Hot Rock Songs chart in May 2019, and number 23 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart in May 2019.

 

Def Leppard would land their first Australian top 100 single with their next release, "Rock of Ages" (number 96, October 1983). 

Position 8 “That’s Love” by Jim Capaldi

Highest rank: 6th

Peak date: 13 June 1983

Weeks on below list: 2 weeks

I have previously written about English singer-songwriter Jim Capaldi in a 1989 post.

 

"That's Love" was the lead single from Jim's ninth studio album Fierce Heart.  This track was co-produced by Jim and Steve Winwood.  Internationally, the single peaked at number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in June 1983.

 

 

Next week (13 June): Just one new entry peaking outside the top 100.

 

< Previous post: 2 May 1983                     Next  week: 13 June 1983 >

Week commencing 31 May 1993

Before we take a look at this week in 1993's new entries peaking outside the Australian top 100, I have updated the following posts:

* 10 July 1989 - with a new bubbling WAY down under entry from The Neville Brothers;

* 26 March 1990 - with a new bubbling WAY down under entry from Joe Satriani;

* 20 August 1990 - with a new bubbling WAY down under entry from The Neville Brothers;

* 1 October 1990 - with a new bubbling WAY down under entry from The Neville Brothers;

* 3 December 1990 - with a new bubbling WAY down under entry from Judas Priest;

* 25 March 1991 - with a new bubbling WAY down under entry from The Waterboys;

* 24 August 1992 - with a new bubbling WAY down under entry from Joe Satriani;

* 14 December 1992 - with a new bubbling WAY down under entry from You Am I;

* 22 February 1993 - with a new bubbling WAY down under entry from The Neville Brothers.

 

 

Tasmin Archer: Australia didn’t show much ‘care’ for this release.

Top 150 debuts:

Number 118 “Don’t Tear Me Up” by Mick Jagger

Peak: number 108

Peak date: 21 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 8 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 118-119-120-108-119-119-131-136

Weeks on chart: 10 weeks

Being the front man of one of the most successful bands ever does not necessarily mean you’ll have a successful solo career, as Mick Jagger, lead singer of The Rolling Stones, whom we last saw in 1991, can attest to.  Mick’s solo career began in 1984 with a collaboration with The Jacksons, “State of Shock” (number 10, July 1984).  His debut solo album She’s the Boss (number 6, March 1985) was released the following year, led by “Just Another Night” (number 13, March 1985), his first solo single proper.  Between 1984 and 1993, Mick placed seven singles on the Australian top 100, with his Live Aid duet with David Bowie, “Dancing in the Street” (number 1 for two weeks in October 1985), being the biggest of those.

In early 1993, solo Mick had been absent from the Australian singles chart for five years, since “Say You Will" (number 21, February 1988).  “Don’t Tear Me Up” was the second single issued from Mick’s third solo album Wandering Spirit (number 12, March 1993).  It followed “Sweet Thing” (number 18, March 1993), which would become Mick’s seventh and final top 100 single in Australia.

Internationally, “Don’t Tear Me Up” peaked at number 97 (number 86 on the truncated chart with exclusions below number 75) in the UK in April 1993, 31 in the Netherlands in May 1993, number 39 in the Flanders region of Belgium in May 1993, and number 77 in Germany in June 1993.  The song also peaked at number 1 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in February 1993.

In Australia, “Don’t Tear Me Up” performed strongest in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 58 on the state chart.  The single peaked higher nationally on the Australian Music Report, where it reached number 81.

I hadn’t heard this one before.  I liked it more than I was expecting to.

Mick will join us next in August 1993.

Number 121 “Merry Go Round” by Living Daylights

Peak: number 105

Peak date: 14 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 2 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 121-(out for 1 week)-105

Aussie band Living Daylights last joined us in March 1993.  “Merry Go Round” was their third and final top 150 entry in Australia, and their highest-charting single.

I hadn’t heard this one before; it’s quite good.  Pity this didn’t have more success.

Number 135 Coprolalia EP by You Am I

Peak: number 117

Peak date: 5 July 1993

Weeks in top 150: 8 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 135-136-129-124-123-117-127-118

Weeks on chart: 10 weeks

We have previously seen Australian band You Am I in 1992.  The Coprolalia EP was the band's third EP release.  'Coprolalia', in case you didn't know, basically means foul language.  Track 2 on the EP, "Last Thing You Can Depend On", appears to have been the main track used to promote this release, as a music video (embedded below) was filmed for it.  Interestingly, "Can't Get Started", the title track of the band's previous EP, appears on this release, although it was not on the Can't Get Started EP!  That makes it twice in a row that the band have done this - include the title of an EP on the follow-up release.  Following this pattern, the song "Coprolalia" does not appear on this EP, but is on the band's second album Sound As Ever (number 56, July 2013 - initially peaked at number 61 in June 1994).

 

On the state charts, the Coprolalia EP was most popular in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 91.

 

We'll next see You Am I in November 1993.

Number 138 “The Return of Pan” by The Waterboys

Peak: number 127

Peak date: 21 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 7 weeks

Chart run: 138-132-132-127-131-139-148

Weeks on chart: 7 weeks

Scottish lads The Waterboys last joined us in 1991.

 

"The Return of Pan" was the lead single from The Waterboys' sixth studio album Dream Harder (number 69, June 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 24 in the UK in May 1993, number 28 in Ireland in May 1993, and number 64 in Canada in July 1993.  The song also peaked at number 10 on the US Billboard Alternative Airplay chart in May 1993.

 

In Australia, "The Return of Pan' performed strongest in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 110 on the state chart.

 

This will be the last occasion we see The Waterboys in the top 150.  They had later low-charting singles in the streaming era with “Where the Action Is” (number 2040, April 2019) and “Blackberry Girl” (number 4475, October 2022).

 

Number 145 “In Your Care” by Tasmin Archer

Peak: number 145

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 3 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 145-149-(out of top 150 for 1 week)-148

Weeks on chart: 10 weeks

Hailing from Bradford, England, Tasmin Archer arrived out of nowhere with her debut single “Sleeping Satellite” (number 14, April 1993), which topped the UK singles chart for two weeks in October 1992, topped the Irish singles chart, became a top 10 hit across Europe, and a top 40 hit in the US.  As a somewhat reluctant pop star, Tasmin later said that she was disappointed when her debut release went to number 1, as there was then nowhere else to go.

“Sleeping Satellite” was more of a ‘sleeper’ hit in Australia.  I first heard the song on the UK Chart Attack radio program in September 1992 and liked it instantly.  The single debuted at number 137 on the ARIA singles chart on 23 November 1992, and didn’t creep into the top 100 until the first chart of 1993.  I thought its chance of becoming a hit had passed until it debuted at number 60 on the rage top 60 in mid-February 1993.  “Sleeping Satellite” would take another two months to reach its Australian peak of number 14, five months after its local release.

“In Your Care” was the second release from Tasmin’s debut album Great Expectations (number 56, May 1993).  Unfortunately for Tasmin (or maybe fortunately, since she didn’t seem to like being famous), “In Your Care” was not nearly as successful as its predecessor.  Internationally, the single peaked at number 16 in the UK in February 1993, and number 37 in New Zealand in May 1993.

In Australia, “In Your Care” performed strongest in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 123 on the state chart.

While not as commercially successful as “Sleeping Satellite”, “In Your Care” was an artistic triumph.  The song tells the harrowing tale of child abuse from a child’s perspective, which is illustrated effectively in the poignant music video.  Subsequently, proceeds from the single in the UK were donated to Child Line, a phone counselling service for children and adolescents.  The “son of a bitch, you broke my heart” chorus lyric doesn’t really bode well for airplay.  This was a bold single choice.

While I toyed with the idea of purchasing Tasmin’s Great Expectations album in 1993, for some reason I didn’t buy it until the late 2000s.  I remember reading in Smash Hits magazine that “In Your Care” was the next single, but I didn’t hear the song or see the music video until 2005, when I downloaded the song out of curiosity.  I was taken aback by how raw the song was, and its subject matter.  I was similarly shocked by the stark music video when I first saw it.  There is an alternative edit of the music video, toned down slightly, which I didn’t know about until researching for this post, here.

Subsequent singles from Great Expectations, “Lords of the New Church” (released locally in July 1993 - I did catch this one on rage as a new release) and “Arienne” (released locally in February 1994), failed to chart in Australia.

We shall see Tasmin again in 1996.

Number 147 “Let Your Hair Down” by Starclub

Peak: number 147

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 1 week

Top 150 chart run: 147

English band Starclub formed in 1991.  “Let Your Hair Down” was their debut single, lifted from the band’s only album Starclub (released in Australia in February 1993, missed the top 150).

Internationally, “Let Your Hair Down” peaked at number 90 (number 83 on the truncated chart with exclusions below number 75) in the UK in November 1992.  The band never entered the UK top 75.

This would be Starclub’s only single released in Australia.  The band were dropped by their record label and split in 1994.

Bubbling WAY down under:

Number 168 “Don’t Take Away My Heaven” by Aaron Neville

Peak: number 162

Peak date: 7 June 1993

Weeks on chart: 13 weeks

We last saw American R&B/soul singer Aaron Neville with his brothers, The Neville Brothers, in February 1993.

Despite releasing two solo albums in the 1960s and a couple of non-album singles in the 1970s, Aaron didn’t make his solo debut on the Australian chart until November 1989 with “Don’t Know Much” (number 2, February 1990), a duet with Linda Ronstadt.  Aaron followed that up with another, less successful duet with Linda on "All My Life" (number 57, May 1990), and his first truly solo charting single in Australia with “Everybody Plays the Fool” (number 52, September 1991).

“Don’t Take Away My Heaven” was the lead single from Aaron’s fifth solo studio album The Grand Tour (number 154, June 1993).  The song was written by beige songwriter extraordinaire Diane Warren.

Internationally, “Don’t Take Away My Heaven” peaked at number 56 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in July 1993, number 17 in Canada in July 1993, and number 10 in New Zealand in August 1993.  The song registered on two US Billboard genre-specific charts, reaching number 37 on the Radio Songs chart in July 1993, and number 4 on the Adult Contemporary chart in August 1993.

Domestically, “Don’t Take Away My Heaven” was most popular in Western Australia, where it reached number 104 on the state chart.

I hadn’t heard this one before.  At first I thought I wasn’t going to like it, but the song grew on me as it went on.

This would be Aaron’s last solo single to chart in Australia.  He had later top 200 albums with Soulful Christmas (number 176, December 1993) and Tattooed Heart (number 150, July 1995).

Number 176 “Gepetto” by Belly

Peak: number 176

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

American alternative rock band Belly last joined us in February 1993.

“Gepetto” was Belly’s second single release in Australia, in November 1992, when it failed to chart.  The single was re-released locally in April 1993, becoming their second Australian top 200 ‘hit’.  On the state charts, “Gepetto” performed strongest in Victoria/Tasmania, where it reached number 160.

Internationally, “Gepetto” peaked at number 49 in the UK in April 1993.  The single peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under chart in October 1992, and number 8 on the Alternative Songs chart.

“Gepetto”, which was the name of Pinocchio’s creator, was lifted from Belly’s debut album Star (number 74, June 1993).

We’ll see Belly next in 1995.

Number 192 “House of the Rising Sun” by Rage

Peak: number 171

Peak date: 7 June 1993

Weeks on chart: 8 weeks

English dance group Rage formed in 1992, and had landed a UK number 3 single by the end of the year, with a dance version of Bryan Adams’ “Run to You” (number 56, February 1993).  The band were fronted by singer Tony Jackson, who had previously been a member of Ritz, who had a top 20 hit in Australia with their disco version of “Locomotion” (number 12, March 1980).

“House of the Rising Sun”, a cover of the traditional American folk song, was the third Rage single in their homeland, but their second Australian release.  It would later appear on their debut and only album Saviour (number 144, July 1993).

Internationally, “House of the Rising Sun” peaked at number 41 in the UK in May 1993, number 23 in Sweden in June 1993, and number 20 in Austria in June 1993.  In Australia, the single was most popular in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 140 on the state chart.

I don’t recall hearing this one at the time, but got hold of the music video in the 2000s.  I like this arrangement of the song.

 

Tony Jackson died in 2001.

We will see Rage again in August 1993.

Number 194 “We’re on a Mission” by Frankë

Peak: number 194

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 1 week

We last saw American singer Frankë Pharoah in March 1993.  “We’re on a Mission” was his second Australian release, and like its predecessor, it peaked in the 190s, performing strongest in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 177 on the state chart.

Internationally, “We’re on a Mission” peaked at number 100 (number 86 on the truncated chart with exclusions below number 75) in the UK in March 1993.

I hadn’t heard this one before.  Vocally, Frankë reminds me of Seal, with clubbier backing music.  I think this could have become a hit if it received better promotion.

This would be Frankë’s final charting release in Australia in his own right.  He would appear as an uncredited featured vocalist later in the year on Usura’s “Sweat” (number 48, August 1993).

Number 199 “Plan 9” by 808 State

Peak: number 199

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 1 week

English electronic group 808 State last joined us in February 1993.  “Plan 9” was issued as the second single in Australia from their fifth studio album Gorgeous (number 131, March 1993).

Internationally, “Plan 9” peaked at number 50 in the UK in January 1993.  In Australia, the single performed strongest in Queensland, reaching number 177 on the state chart.

I hadn’t heard this one before.  I was not expecting an acoustic guitar to feature so prominently on an 808 track.

We’ll see 808 State one more time, in September 1993.

Next week (7 June): Eight top 150 entries and five bubbling WAY down under debuts.

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