Week commencing 26 April 1993

This week in 1993’s new entries peaking outside the top 100 in Australia are quite a mixed bag, featuring veteran artists who had been around for decades, as well as new artists making their chart debut.  Unusually, we also have two new entries from the same artist.  Let’s take a look at them.

PJ Harvey didn’t quite measure up on the Australian chart with this release.

Top 150 debuts:

Number 113 “Sugar Kane” by Sonic Youth

Peak: number 110

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 6 weeks

Chart run: 113-110-122-117-124-134

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

We last saw American alternative band Sonic Youth in 1992.

“Sugar Kane” was issued as the third single from Sonic Youth’s seventh full-length studio album Dirty (number 22, August 1992).  “Sugar Kane” was also the lead track on their Whores Moaning EP (number 44, February 1993), released only in Australia and New Zealand to coincide with their Australasian tour, which was the band’s highest-charting release on the Australian singles chart.  It’s unusual that “Sugar Kane” would receive a single release in its own right just a couple of months later.

Internationally, “Sugar Kane” peaked at number 26 in the UK in March 1993.  Domestically, the single performed strongest in Victoria/Tasmania, where it reached number 93.

I didn’t know this one at the time, but have caught the music video several times on rage over the years.

Sonic Youth will next join us in 1994.

Number 120 “Blood of Eden” by Peter Gabriel

Peak: number 112

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Chart run: 174-120-112-123-132-140

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

English singer-songwriter Peter Gabriel last joined us in 1991.

“Blood of Eden”, featuring uncredited guest vocals on the chorus from Sinéad O’Connor (though she appears in the music video), was the third single lifted from Peter’s sixth studio album Us (number 3, October 1992).  It followed “Digging in the Dirt” (number 23, November 1992) and “Steam” (number 29, February 1993).  An earlier version of the track, minus vocals from Sinéad, appeared on the 1991 film Until the End of the World, but not on the soundtrack.

Internationally, “Blood of Eden” peaked at number 43 in the UK in April 1993.  In Australia, “Blood of Eden” was equally most popular in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory and Queensland, reaching number 93 on both state charts.  “Blood of Eden” performed better nationally on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 97.

I didn’t know this one until checking it out on YouTube out of curiosity when I got hold of the 1993 top 150 charts several years ago.  I like it a lot, and think it deserved to do much better on the chart.

We shall next see Peter Gabriel in November 1993, and Sinéad O’Connor with another duet in August 1993.

Number 122 “Simple Life” by Elton John

Peak: number 122

Peak date: 26 April 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 122-126-126-138-138

Weeks on chart: 7 weeks

English singer-songwriter Elton John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, needs no introduction.  Starting with “Your Song” (number 10 on the Go Set chart, April 1971), Elton had placed 62 singles on the Australian top 100 chart at this point in 1993, with “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” (number 1 for one week in August 1976) and “That’s What Friends Are For” (number 1 for one week in March 1986) reaching the top.

“Simple Life” was the fourth single lifted from Elton’s twenty-third studio album The One (number 2 for two weeks in June-July 1992), following title track “The One” (number 15, June 1992), Eric Clapton duet  “Runaway Train” (number 53, September 1992), and “The Last Song” (number 32, January 1993).

Internationally, “Simple Life” peaked at number 3 in Canada in April 1993, number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in April 1993, number 44 in the UK in May 1993, and number 63 in Germany in June 1993.  “Simple Life” also registered on three US Billboard genre-specific charts, reaching number 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart in March 1993, number 26 on the Radio Songs chart in April 1993, and number 17 on the Pop Airplay chart in April 1993.

In Australia, “Simple Life” performed strongest in South Australia/Northern Territory, reaching number 99 on the state chart.  “Simple Life” peaked higher nationally on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 100.

We’ll next see Elton in 1996.

Number 128 “Dreams of Heaven” by Ground Level

Peak: number 119

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 4 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 128-119-136-140

Weeks on chart: 12 weeks

Australian electronic music duo Ground Level were David Walker, hailing from Melbourne, and American Jean-Marie Guilfoil.  “Dreams of Heaven”, their fourth single, achieved some underground success in the UK, reaching number 54 on the UK singles chart in January 1993.

“Dreams of Heaven” debuted on the ARIA singles chart at number 174 on 29 March 1993, taking almost a month to crack the top 150.  On the state charts, “Dreams of Heaven” performed strongest in Western Australia, reaching number 60.  “Dreams of Heaven” fared better nationally on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 92.

“Dreams of Heaven” would eventually appear on the debut and only Ground Level album New Moon, in 1995, which did not chart.

I didn’t think I knew “Dreams of Heaven”, but it sounded familiar to me.  I am not sure where I might have heard it, though have read it was used as background music on Neighbours at the time - but I stopped watching Neighbours in 1988.  “Dreams of Heaven” sounds quite innovative and ahead of its time for 1993, which is impressive for an Australian dance track.  It’s a shame that Australian radio wouldn’t touch this kind of music with a barge pole at the time - other than perhaps Triple J - as this could have been a hit had it received better promotion.

We’ll see Ground Level with another new entry, debuting outside the top 150, this week, unusually.

Number 142 “Lord of the Flies” by Scarymother

Peak: number 132

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 10 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 142-136-137-133-137-132-135-141-142-149

Sydney band Scarymother formed in 1990.  They supported Faith No More on their Australian tour in April-May 1993, coinciding with the release of their debut single “Lord of the Flies”, which was produced by Faith No More producer Matt Wallace.  “Lord of the Flies” would go on to appear on Scarymother’s debut and only album Tai Laeo (number 94, May 1994), which was the band’s only top 100 entry in Australia.

We shall see Scarymother again in August 1993.

Bubbling WAY down under:

Number 176 “Candy Everybody Wants” by 10,000 Maniacs

Peak: number 174

Peak date: 24 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 7 weeks

We last saw American alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs in February 1993.

“Candy Everybody Wants” was released as the second single from the band’s fifth studio album One Time in Eden (number 171, November 1992).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 47 in the UK in April 1993, and at number 67 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in April 1993.  In Australia, “Candy Everybody Wants” performed strongest in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, reaching number 163 on the state chart.

I hadn’t heard this one before; it’s quite pleasant.

10,000 Maniacs will next join us in 1994.

Number 182 “Anything” by Sydney Youngblood

Peak: number 163

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 8 weeks

Germany-based American singer-songwriter Sydney Youngblood last visited us in 1991.

“Anything” was the lead single from Sydney’s third studio album Just the Way It Is (number 211, May 1993).  Internationally, “Anything” peaked at number 48 in the UK in March 1993, number 27 in the Flanders region of Belgium in April 1993, and number 51 in Germany in May 1993.  Locally, “Anything” was most popular in Western Australia, where it reached number 146 on the state chart.

I didn’t know this one at the time, but digitised the video from a UK HMV in-store VHS compilation I picked up over a decade ago.

This was Sydney’s last single to chart in Australia.  A second single from Just the Way It Is, “No Big Deal”, which sounds rather like Ace of Base musically, was released in Europe.  Sydney released a fourth album in Europe, The Hat Won’t Fit, in 1994, containing the single “So Good So Right (All I Can Do)”, which has a lyrical and melodic nod to his earlier hit “Sit and Wait” (number 59, April 1990).

1

Number 189 “50 Ft Queenie” by PJ Harvey

Peak: number 179

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 4 weeks

PJ Harvey was originally a three-piece band formed in Bristol, England in 1988, named after front woman Polly Jean Harvey who sang and played guitar, with Rob Ellis on drums and backing vocals, and Ian Oliver on bass.  The trio released their debut album Dry (number 156, July 1992) in 1992, which contained the singles “Dress” (released in Australia in April 1992, did not chart) and “Sheela-Na-Gig” (released in Australia in March 1992, did not chart).

The trio returned in 1993 with their second album and first major label release Rid of Me (number 110, June 1993), led by the single “50 Ft Queenie”.  Internationally, “50 Ft Queenie” peaked at number 27 in the UK in April 1993.  Domestically, the single performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 148.

The trio disbanded in August 1993 after growing apart while on tour, and ‘PJ Harvey’ was relaunched as a solo act.  An album of demos recorded for the Rid of Me album, 4-Track Demos (number 189, February 1994), was released later in the year, effectively launching Polly’s solo career.

I first became aware of PJ Harvey in early 1995, with the single “Down by the Water” (number 84, April 1995), preceding the album To Bring You My Love (number 38, April 1995), which I purchased.  The material from the first two PJ Harvey albums is a little more guitar-heavy than I normally listen to, but I do enjoy “50 Ft Queenie”, no doubt helped by the music video in which Polly really hams it up.  My favourite track from Rid of Me is the title track, “Rid of Me”.

Between 1995 and 2001, PJ Harvey placed five singles on the Australian top 100, with  “Good Fortune” (number 71, April 2001) being the highest-charting of those.  “A Perfect Day Elise” (number 83, September 1998) is probably my favourite single of hers.

We’ll next see PJ Harvey in July 1993.

Number 202 “Don’t Let It Go to Your Head” by The Brand New Heavies

Peak: number 195

Peak date: 28 June 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

British acid jazz band The Brand New Heavies, containing several American singers, last joined us in 1992.  Since then, the band’s second album Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1 (number 282, November 1992), an album of collaborations with other artists, was released.

“Don’t Let It Go to Your Head” was the second single released in Australia from The Brand New Heavies’ debut album The Brand New Heavies (number 139, August 1992).  The song is a cover version of a song originally recorded by Jean Carn in 1978.

Internationally, The Brand New Heavies’ version of “Don’t Let It Go to Your Head” peaked at number 24 in the UK in August 1992.

Domestically, “Don’t Let It Go to Your Head” was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 161 on the state chart.

The Brand New Heavies will next join us in 1994.

Number 204 “Took My Love” by Bizarre Inc featuring Angie Brown

Peak: number 190

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 5 weeks

We last saw English dance act Bizarre Inc in 1992.

“Took My Love” was Bizarre Inc’s fourth single release in Australia, and their fourth release to peak outside the top 100.  The track was lifted from the band’s second album Energique (released in Australia in November 1992, did not chart).  As with their previous single, Angie Brown is again featured on vocals, although this time she does not appear in the music video.

Internationally, “Took My Love” peaked at number 19 in the UK in February 1993, number 17 in Ireland in March 1993, and number 22 in the Netherlands in April 1993.  “Took My Love” also peaked at number 1 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in April 1993, and number 15 on the Dance Singles Sales chart in May 1993.

In Australia, “Took My Love” performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 153 on the state chart.

I didn’t hear this one until finding it on a UK promo VHS compilation about 15 years ago.  It no doubt received an airing on the UK Chart Attack radio program.

This was Bizarre Inc’s last charting release in Australia.  Angie Brown’s vocals would be heard again on Motiv 8’s “Rockin’ for Myself” (number 9, September 1994).

Number 208 “Out of Body” by Ground Level

Peak: number 208

Peak date: 26 April 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

The second new entry this week from Australian electronic duo Ground Level, “Out of Body” was their third single, released in Australia only on 12” vinyl in May 1992.  I can’t explain its belated debut almost a year later, other than perhaps the ‘success’ of their next release, “Dreams of Heaven” (discussed above) resulted in renewed interest in this track.

On the state charts, “Out of Body” was most popular in Western Australia, where it reached number 174.

We’ll next see Ground Level in November 1993.

Number 220 “Independence” by Lulu

Peak: number 195

Peak date: 10 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

Scottish singer, actress and TV personality Lulu, born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie, made her Australian chart debut in the 1960s.  Her biggest Australian chart hit would not come until the 2000s, though, with her duet with Ronan Keating, “We’ve Got Tonight” (number 12, February 2003).  Lulu’s previous charting single in Australia was 1981’s “I Could Never Miss You (More Than I Do)” (number 71, March 1982).

“Independence” was Lulu’s first new single in the UK since 1990.  Internationally, “Independence” peaked at number 11 in the UK in January 1993, number 21 in Ireland, and number 52 in Germany in April 1993.  The song also reached number 3 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

Domestically, “Independence” was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 169 on the state chart.

We’ll see Lulu again in July 1993.  She landed another top 40 hit in Australia as a featured artist on Take That’s “Relight My Fire” (number 33, February 1994).

Number 227 “One Shining Moment” by Diana Ross

Peak: number 227

Peak date: 26 April 1993

Weeks on chart: 1 week

American Motown legend Diana Ross last joined us in 1989.  “One Shining Moment” was the belated second single released in Australia from Diana’s nineteenth studio album The Force Behind the Power (number 100, March 1992), following “When You Tell Me That You Love Me” (number 83, March 1992).

Internationally, “One Shining Moment” peaked at number 10 in the UK in June 1992, and number 16 in Ireland.

In Australia, “One Shining Moment” peaked at number 226 on all state charts except Western Australia, where it peaked at number 227.  That suggests to me that “One Shining Moment” was very near to, if not at, the bottom of the chart this week in 1993.

Another single from The Force Behind the Power, “If We Hold on Together”, was released in Australia in June 1993, but failed to chart.

Diana will join us next in 1995.

Next week (3 May): Seven top 150 entries and two bubbling WAY down under debuts.

< Previous week: 19 April 1993                  Next week: 3 May 1993 >

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. 

< Previous week: 16 November 1992                    Next week: 30 November 1992 >

Week commencing 4 November 1991

All but two of this week in 1991's eleven new entries debuting and peaking outside the ARIA top 100 are by artists hailing from the UK, which is an unusual occurrence.  Let's take a look at them.

 

EMF scored an 'unbelievably' low peak in Australia with their latest single.

 

Top 150 debuts:

 

Number 110 "You Woke Up My Neighbourhood" by Billy Bragg

Peak: number 107

Peak date: 11 November 1991

Weeks in top 150: 6 weeks 

Chart run: 110-107-114-120-124-121

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

 

We last saw English singer-songwriter Billy Bragg, born Stephen William Bragg, in March 1989.  Since then, Billy landed his first top 100 single in Australia with "Sexuality" (number 46, September 1991).  Songs with 'sex', or a version thereof, in the title seemed to be big in 1991.

 

"You Woke Up My Neighbourhood" was the second single lifted from Billy's sixth studio album Don't Try This at Home (number 35, October 1991).

 

Internationally, "You Woke Up My Neighbourhood" peaked at number 54 in the UK in September 1991.  it also reached number 25 on the meaningless US Billboard Alternative Airplay chart in November 1991.

 

Domestically, "You Woke Up My Neighbourhood" performed equally-strongest in Victoria/Tasmania and Western Australia, reaching number 81 on both state charts.

 

Billy will next join us in 1996.

 

 

 

Number 136 "No Deeper Meaning" by Culture Beat

Peak: number 126

Peak date: 2 December 1991

Weeks in top 150: 11 weeks

Known chart run: 161-136-141-144-128-126-140-134-(chart repeated for 2 week Xmas break)-140-136

Weeks on chart: 13 weeks

 

German eurodance act Culture Beat last joined us in June 1991. 

"No Deeper Meaning" was the fourth and final single released from Culture Beat's debut album Horizon (number 150, August 1991).  It was also their third consecutive single to peak outside the ARIA top 100.

 

Overseas, "No Deeper Meaning" peaked at number 5 in the Netherlands in October 1991, number 30 in the Flanders region of Belgium in October 1991, and number 19 in Finland.

 

Within Australia, "No Deeper Meaning" was much more popular in Western Australia than elsewhere, where it reached number 74.  The next-highest state chart peak "No Deeper Meaning" obtained was number 111, in South Australia/Northern Territory. 

If a music video for "No Deeper Meaning" exists, it has not been uploaded to YouTube (and is not in my collection), but you can view a TV performance of the track here.

 

Culture Beat would finally make their breakthrough in Australia in 1993, when "Mr. Vain" topped the singles chart for one week in October of that year.  A new female singer, Tania Evans, was on board by then, replacing Lana Earl.

Culture Beat followed-up the ARIA platinum-certified "Mr. Vain" with two further gold singles from their second album, the gold-certified Serenity (number 5, March 1994): "Got to Get It" (number 7, December 1993) and "Anything" (number 12, March 1994).

 

We shall next see Culture Beat in 1996.

 

 

 

Number 138 "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" by Monty Python (1991 release)

Peak: number 119

Peak date: 18 November 1991

Weeks in top 150: 4 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 138-121-119-147

This single peaked at number 9 in Australia in March 1980, spending 14 weeks in the top 100.

 

Being born in 1978, I was exposed to, and enjoyed, numerous British comedy TV programs growing up, including some that were largely filmed before my time, such as George and Mildred and The Benny Hill Show.  Monty Python's Flying Circus, which was originally broadcast between 1969 and 1974, was not one of them, however, and I don't think I had even heard of them until noticing that this track was in the UK top 10 published in the back of the Australian edition of Smash Hits magazine in 1991.  I am pretty sure I caught the video for it once on TV around this time.

"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" started out as the double A-side on the UK 1979 "Life of Brian" single, with Sonia Jones' "Brian" on the A-side.  The latter track was the theme song from Monty Python's Life of Brian movie, in which "Always..." also featured.  Oddly for the UK, who seemed to lap up any old novelty record no matter how bad it was, this single did not chart there.

In continental Europe, North America and Australasia, this single was released with "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" as the A-side, and "Brian" as the B-side.  The original release of this single peaked at number 9 in Australia in March 1980, number 34 in the Netherlands in January 1981, and number 30 in the Flanders region of Belgium in January 1981.  This leads me to believe that Monty Python must have been quite big in Australia in the early 1980s, even though I had never heard of them as a toddler.

In 1991, BBC Radio 1 DJ Simon Mayo started playing "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" on his breakfast radio show, known for resurrecting novelty records, which led to its re-release.  The 1991 release of "Always..."  peaked at number 3 in the UK in October 1991, number 1 in Ireland, number 35 in the Flanders region of Belgium in December 1991, number 3 in Germany in December 1991, number 3 in Switzerland in December 1991, number 5 in Norway in December 1991, and number 2 in Austria in February 1992.

 

 

 

Number 142 "Waratah Street" by John Williamson

Peak: number 142

Peak date: 4 November 1991

Weeks in top 150: 3 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 142-144-148

Weeks on chart: 4 weeks

 

We last saw Australian country legend John Williamson in August 1991. 

 

"Waratah Street" was the second and final single, and almost title track, from John's tenth studio album Waratah St. (number 14, September 1991).

 

On the state charts, "Waratah Street" performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 119.

 

John will join us next in 1992. 

 

 

 

Number 147 "What Can You Do for Me" by Utah Saints (1991 release)

Peak: number 143

Peak date: 11 November 1991

Weeks in top 150: 6 weeks (in 1991-1992); 14 weeks (1991, 1992 and 1993 chart-runs combined)

Top 150 chart run: 147-143-149. Re-entered 27 January 1992: 144-149-148

Re-entered 29 March 1993: 105-104-90-93-99-99-105-126

Weeks on chart: 29 weeks (1991, 1992 and 1993 chart-runs combined)

This single peaked at number 90 in Australia in April 1993 when re-released, spending a further 8 weeks in the top 150.

Despite their name, Utah Saints hail from North Yorkshire in England rather than the American state of Utah.  "What Can You Do for Me" was their debut release.  Vocally, the track is based on samples from Eurythmics' "There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)" (number 3, August 1985) and Gwen Guthrie's "Ain't Nothin' Goin' on but the Rent" (number 75, November 1986).  The song's title comes from the sample from the Gwen Guthrie track. 

 

Internationally, "What Can You Do for Me" peaked at number 10 in the UK in September 1991, number 16 in Ireland, and number 35 in Sweden in December 1991.

 

Utah Saints made their breakthrough in Australia with their next single, "Something Good" (number 10, November 1992), which used vocal samples from Kate Bush's "Cloudbusting" -  a single that bubbled under in Australia in January and February 1986.

 

Both "What Can You Do for Me" and "Something Good" appear on Utah Saints' debut album Utah Saints (number 111, August 1993).  "Something Good" became a hit again, with Kate's vocals replaced by a sound-a-like singer, in 2008, when "Something Good '08" peaked at number 32 in May of that year.

 

Following the success of "Something Good", "What Can You Do for Me" was re-released in Australia, reaching a new peak of number 90 in April 1993.  On the state charts, the 1993 release of "What Can You Do for Me" performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 49.

 

There was also a US remix of "What Can You Do for Me", with a new music video filmed to promote its release there.

 

As if all of these different versions and releases was not enough, "What Can You Do for Me" had a third lease of life on the Australian chart, when the 2012 remix peaked at number 694 in April 2012.

 

Utah Saints landed a third top 100 single in Australia from their debut album with "Believe in Me" (number 92, August 1993), which prominently sampled The Human League's "Love Action (I Believe in Love)" (number 12, March 1982).

 

We shall next see Utah Saints in 1995.

 

Number 150 "Such a Feeling" by Bizarre Inc

Peak: number 150

Peak date: 4 November 1991

Weeks in top 150: 1 week

Top 150 chart run: 150

Weeks on chart: 5 weeks

 

We last saw English dance act Bizarre Inc in June 1991.  "Such a Feeling" was their second single released in Australia.

 

"Such a Feeling" peaked at number 13 in the UK in October 1991.

 

On the ARIA state charts, "Such a Feeling" performed strongest in Western Australia - where this early rave music seemed to do better than the rest of the country, based on the state chart peaks for this and, recently, The Prodigy - reaching number 80 there.

 

I get this one confused with the similarly-titled "Such a Good Feeling" by Brothers in Rhythm, which was released around the same time, though not in Australia.

 

We will next see Bizarre Inc in 1992, with one of my favourite tracks of the year.

 

 

Bubbling WAY down under:

 

Number 159 "Lies" by EMF

Peak: number 159

Peak date: 4 November 1991

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

 

One thing I did not know (or had forgotten) about English band EMF is that the band's name is short for Epsom Mad Funkers, which was the name of a New Order fan club.  I had perhaps thought the band's name stood for electromagnetic force.

EMF burst onto the Australian chart in early 1991 with their debut single "Unbelievable" (number 8, April 1991).  Just when it seemed like EMF were going to be the next big thing (a girl in my class at school had EMF written in large letters on her pencil case), their second single, "I Believe" (number 54, July 1991), flopped in Australia, although it did give them a second UK top 10 hit.

EMF's third single "Children" (number 49, September 1991) returned them to the ARIA top 50, if only just.  It looked at this point, to me, like EMF might become one-hit wonders in Australia, and indeed that is what happened.

"Lies", the fourth and final single from the band's debut album Schubert Dip (number 44, June 1991), fared even worse, peaking outside the ARIA top 150.

 

I am not sure why EMF faltered so quickly on the charts.  I can only guess that it was partly due to the band inhabiting that awkward spot between boy band who appeal to teenage girls (see the aforementioned pencil case example) and credible band who write their own songs and play their own instruments.  Having pin-up looks (well, some of the band did) can be both a blessing and a curse.  The teenage girl fans will move on to someone else six months later, and the 'serious music' fans won't take you seriously because of your appeal to teenyboppers.

Internationally, "Lies" peaked at number 18 in Ireland in August 1991, number 28 in the UK in August 1991, number 99 in Germany in September 1991, and number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in November 1991.  "Lies" was the only EMF single other than "Unbelievable" to register on the Billboard Hot 100.

 

Within Australia, "Lies" performed strongest in Queensland, where it reached number 133.

 

EMF split in 1997, though have since had a couple of reunions.  Lead singer James Atkin now works as a school teacher, which seems to be the career of choice for former pop stars.  You can view a video of James teaching on YouTube here.  The band's original bass player, Zac Foley, died in 2002 from a drug overdose, aged 31.

EMF would never trouble the ARIA top 100 again, though we will see them bubble under on a few occasions in the coming years, with the next one being in 1992.

 

 

Number 176 "Pet Shop Boys Mega Mix" by Pet Shop Boys

Peak: number 176

Peak date: 4 November 1991

Weeks on chart: 1 week

 

We last saw Pet Shop Boys in August 1991.

 

This single is a bit of an enigma to me - it is not listed in the weekly lists of new release titles for either The ARIA Report or the Australian Music Report, and only Scandinavian pressings (and promotional ones at that) are listed on discogs.com.  Do any Pet Shop Boys fans reading this know about this single's Australian release?  I am guessing that perhaps it was made available on 12" vinyl in DJ-orientated stores.

Anyway, the megamix contains excerpts from the Pet Shop Boys songs "Being Boring" (number 82, February 1991), "So Hard" (number 27, December 1990), "Heart" (number 18, June 1988), "Suburbia" (bubbled under, November 1986), and "It's a Sin" (number 10, August 1987).  They have not been mixed together in a particularly innovative way.

On the state charts, "Pet Shop Boys Mega Mix" performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 137.

We will see Pet Shop Boys again in a mere three weeks' time.

 

 

Number 186 "Stay Beautiful" by Manic Street Preachers

Peak: number 186

Peak date: 4 November 1991

Weeks on chart: 1 week

 

Welsh band Manic Street Preachers formed in Blackwood in 1986.  While the group released a number of singles independently in the UK between 1988 and 1991, "Stay Beautiful" was their major label debut, and their first Australian release.  The track was also the lead single from Manic Street Preachers' debut album Generation Terrorists (number 182, April 1992).

 

In the UK, "Stay Beautiful" peaked at number 40 in August 1991, becoming the first of the band's 34 UK top 40 singles to date.

 

Domestically, "Stay Beautiful" was most popular in Western Australia, where it reached number 151.

 

I first became aware of Manic Street Preachers when reading about the disappearance, and presumed suicide, of the band's rhythm guitarist Richey Edwards in early 1995, in the British music newspaper N.M.E, which was one of the music publications I graduated to from Smash Hits in the second half of 1994.  The first Manics song I heard, "A Design for Life" (number 50, July 1996), was also their first single to dent the ARIA top 100.

The Manics never really had major chart success in Australia, with only one other top 50 single, "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next" (number 49, September 1998).  The band have landed two top 20 albums in Australia, however; although both had relatively brief chart runs.

 

Manic Street Preachers sort-of scored their biggest hit in Australia as the backing musicians on Kylie Minogue's "Some Kind of Bliss" (number 27, October 1997), during her 'indie' phase. 

 

At my first ever 'job', standing in an assembly line collating packages for off-campus uni students, I remember a 'colleague' there stating that Manic Street Preachers were her favourite band, when the topic of music came up.  While the job was 'enjoyable' in the sense of getting paid to essentially stand around and talk all day, I declined the offer for more work after 3 days, due to the horrendous paper cuts I'd come home with on my fingers...

 

We shall next see Manic Street Preachers in 1992.

 

 

Number 192 "Crown of Madness" by Dave Stewart and The Spiritual Cowboys

Peak: number 192

Peak date: 4 November 1991

Weeks on chart: 1 week

 

We last saw Dave Stewart in January 1991. 

"Crown of Madness" was released as the lead single from the second Dave Stewart and The Spiritual Cowboys album Honest (number 187, November 1991).  The single peaked at number 96 in the UK (number 84 on the compressed chart) in September 1991; the only other country it charted in.

In Australia, "Crown of Madness" performed strongest in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 162.

 

Although Dave Stewart and The Spiritual Cowboys' releases were generally flops, Dave would have still been raking in the cash in 1991 from his former band Eurythmics' Greatest Hits compilation, which spent seven weeks at number 1 in Australia in April and May of 1991, and topped the charts in the UK, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.

 

We will next see Dave, on his own, in 1994.

 

 

Number 201 "Jacky" by Marc Almond

Peak: number 201

Peak date: 4 November 1991

Weeks on chart: 1 week

 

We last saw English singer Marc Almond, born Peter Mark Sinclair Almond, in June 1989.

 

"Jacky" was the lead single from Marc's seventh solo studio album Tenement Symphony, which was released in Australia in November 1991 but did not chart.  The track is a cover version of a 1966 song by Belgian singer-songwrister Jacques Brel.  An English language adaptation was released by Scott Walker in 1967.

Overseas, "Jacky" peaked at number 17 in the UK in October 1991, number 14 in Ireland, number 57 in the Netherlands in October 1991, and number 32 in the Flanders region of Belgium in November 1991.

Domestically, "Jacky" was most popular in Western Australia, where it reached number 169.

 

At the time of writing, "Jacky" is the earliest single I have an ARIA singles chart peak for outside the top 200.

 

I hadn't heard "Jackie" before.  Marc's next single, which I have heard before and like, "My Hand over My Heart", was released in Australia in March 1992, but failed to chart.

 

We will next see Marc in 1992.

The music video (if it becomes unblocked):

 

 

Next week (11 November): Four top 150 debuts, and two bubbling WAY down under entries.

< Previous week: 28 October 1991                                 Next week: 11 November 1991 >