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.
