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.

< Previous week: 24 May 1993               Next week:  7 June 1993 >

Week commencing 24 May 1993

This week in 1993’s new entries peaking outside the Australian top 100 are a mixed bag, split between artists your parents wouldn’t object to listening to and newer acts struggling with their latest releases.  Shall we take a look?

Kenny G doesn’t quite hit ’em with the old Peabo.

Top 150 debuts:

Number 126 “By the Time This Night Is Over” by Kenny G with Peabo Bryson

Peak: number 122

Peak date: 21 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 7 weeks

Chart run: 126-129-128-130-122-128-124

Weeks on chart: 7 weeks

American lurve song crooner Peabo Bryson last joined us in 1992.  American saxophone whizz Kenny G (born Kenneth Bruce Gorelick… shortening the surname to G was a wise decision) first made small ripples on the Australian singles chart with “Songbird” (number 76, November 1987), lifted from his fourth album Duotones (number 25, November 1987).  More-recently, he scraped into the top 50 with “Forever in Love” (number 49, March 1993), the lead single from his sixth studio album Breathless (number 1 for one week in May 1993).

For this release, the pair joined forces, for what would become the second single from Kenny’s Breathless album.  “By the Time This Night Is Over” would go on to appear on Peabo’s sixteenth studio album Through the Fire (number 193, August 1994).  A Kenny collaboration with Michael Bolton, “Missing You Now” (number 61, August 1992), charted in 1992.  Coincidentally, “By the Time This Night Is Over” was co-written by Michael Bolton and beige songwriter extraordinaire, Diane Warren.

With that pedigree, you’d expect “By the Time This Night Is Over” to be a chart smash, but it was only a major hit in Canada, where it peaked at number 6 in July 1993.  Elsewhere, the single peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in July 1993, and at number 56 in the UK in July 1993.  The song registered on several US Billboard genre-specific charts, reaching number 68 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in June 1993, number 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart in July 1993, number 29 on the Pop Airplay chart in July 1993, number 37 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in July 1993, number 24 on the Radio Songs chart in July 1993, and number 46 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales chart in July 1994.

Locally, “By the Time This Night Is Over” performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 92 on the state chart.

I didn’t recall this one by title, but recognised it once the chorus kicked in.  I would have heard it being blasted from my parents’ then-new CD player they bought around March 1993.  Breathless was one of the first CDs my dad bought, and I remember still being subjected to it more than 18 months later.  Of course, now that I am middle-aged myself, I don’t have as strong a visceral reaction to Kenny G’s style of easy-listening music, and don’t even mind “Songbird”!  Both that song and “Forever in Love” remind me of the nightly ‘Love Songs and Dedications’ program aired on Melbourne’s ultra-daggy TT F.M. radio station - but hey, there wasn’t much choice at the time, and often listening to this was preferable to the ‘classic rock’ stations or Triple M.

Although the music video embedded below claims to be ‘live’, the studio version of the song is used - so it’s just a live (sic) performance video.

This was Peabo’s final charting release in Australia.  Kenny had a later low-charting single with “Legacy” (number 4118, January 2022).

Number 132 “C’mon People” by Paul McCartney

Peak: number 132

Peak date: 24 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 4 weeks

Chart run: 178-(off chart for one week)-132-146-147-147

Weeks on chart: 5 weeks

We last saw English former-Beatle Paul McCartney in 1990.

“C’mon People” was the third single released in Australia from Paul’s ninth solo studio album Off the Ground (number 8, March 1993).  It followed the singles “Hope of Deliverance” (number 29 for two weeks in February-March 1993) and title-track “Off the Ground” (number 66, April 1993); the latter does not appear to have been issued as a single in the UK.

Internationally, “C’mon People” peaked at number 41 in the UK in February 1993, number 41 in Germany in May 1993, and number 80 in Canada in June 1993.

Domestically, “C’mon People” was most popular in Victoria/Tasmania, where it reached number 117 on the state chart.

I hadn’t heard this one before.  It sounds a bit Beatles-esque, as you might expect.  The initially sparse black and white video ends in colour and with a lot happening.

Paul will join us next in 2001.

Number 135 “The World (In a Wrapper)” by Ratcat

Peak: number 115

Peak date: 7 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 7 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 135-123-115-123-116-129-130

Weeks on chart: 8 weeks

Sydney band Ratcat formed in 1985.  They released an EP, Ratcat in 1987, and an album, This Nightmare (number 81, July 1991), independently, before signing to RooArt, a label founded by INXS’s manager at the time, Chris Murphy.

The group experienced their first taste of commercial success when the Tingles EP (number 1 for two weeks in April-May 1991), led by “That Ain’t Bad”, debuted at number 118 in October 1990.  The EP slowly climbed up the chart, reaching the top spot for two weeks in April-May 1991.  The Tingles EP reaching number one was probably the first sign of ‘alternative’ music becoming mainstream in Australia.  

Ratcat swiftly followed that up with another number one single “Don’t Go Now” (number 1 for one week in May 1991), and a number one album Blind Love (number 1 for three non-consecutive weeks in May-June 1991).  However, Ratcat’s sudden success seemed to disappear just as quickly as it arrived, and the third single from Blind Love, “Baby Baby” (number 21 for three non-consecutive weeks in July-August 1991), ‘only’ reached number 21.

Taking a year off to record their third album, Ratcat returned in the second half of 1992 with the single “Candyman” (number 38, September 1992), and the album Inside Out (number 59, November 1992), which were both relative flops.  Second single “Holiday” (number 41, November 1992) stalled outside the top 40, despite being one of the poppier-sounding songs they released.  Third single “The World (In a Wrapper)” fared even worse, missing the top 100.

On the state charts, “The World (In a Wrapper)” was most popular in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 80.  Nationally, the single performed better on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 97.

Another one I don’t recall hearing at the time, the featured rapper in the middle of the song was not something I was not expecting!  It was performed by Rosano “The Assassin” Martinez from Sound Unlimited Posse.

I think Ratcat suffered much the same fate as Aussie group Frente!  Having major commercial success kills off any ‘indie’ credibility you had.  The situation was probably worse for Ratcat, as they (at least the singer) had ‘pin-up’ appeal with teenage girls.

Ratcat would not trouble the top 100 again, but we will see them bubble under again in 1995.

Number 149 “Miss Chatelaine” by k.d. lang

Peak: number 145

Peak date: 21 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 3 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 149-149-(out of top 150 for two weeks)-145

Weeks on chart: 11 weeks

Canadian singer-songwriter k.d. lang last visited us in 1992.

“Miss Chatelaine” was the second single lifted from k.d.’s second solo studio album Ingénue (number 3, April 1993), following “Constant Craving” (number 38, April 1993).  Internationally, “Miss Chatelaine” peaked at number 58 in Canada in October 1992, and number 68 in the UK for two weeks in June 1993.  The song also registered on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, reaching number 32 in April 1993.

Domestically, “Miss Chatelaine” performed strongest in Victoria/Tasmania, reaching number 115 onthe state chart.  Interestingly, the single debuted on the ARIA chart at number 209 on 16 November 1992, following its initial Australian release two weeks prior.  “Miss Chatelaine” was re-released in Australia after the belated success of “Constant Craving”, re-entering the chart one week after its re-issue.

We’ll next see k.d. in July 1993.

Bubbling WAY down under:

Number 167 “Helpless Heart” by Graeme Connors

Peak: number 166

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 5 weeks

Aussie country singer-songwriter Graeme Connors last joined us in 1989.

“Helpless Heart” was the second single lifted from his sixth studio album The Return (number 90, March 1993).  On the state charts, the single was most popular in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 157.

I don’t really like country music, but this wasn’t too bad.

We’ll next see Graeme in June 1993 with, oddly, the single released before this one.

Number 184 “Looks Like I’m in Love Again” by Key West featuring Erik

Peak: number 184

Peak date: 24 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

Key West was a pseudonym for British producer and multi-instrumentalist Richard Anthony Hewson, from the RAH Band, who had a hit in Australia with “The Crunch” (number 16, April 1978).  Erik was British singer Erica Harrold.  The two joined forces for this release, which was produced by Stock/Waterman (formerly of Stock Aitken Waterman).

Internationally, “Looks Like I’m in Love Again” peaked at number 46 in the UK in April 1993.

In Australia, “Looks Like I’m in Love Again” was most popular in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 170 on the state chart.

We’ll see Key West again in 1999, and Erik in 1994.

Number 197 “Rave the Brave” by Celtic Kings of Rock

Peak: number 197

Peak date: 24 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

Aussie synth-pop duo Celtic Kings of Rock were David Smith and Crispin Trist from Boxcar, whom we last saw in 1992.  “Rave the Brave”, which makes the unusual pairing between bagpipes and dance music, was their only release under this artist name.

“Rave the Brave” performed strongest on the Western Australia state chart, where it reached number 158.

The song reminds me a little bit of Utah Saints and Usura.

Number 204 “It’s OK, All Right” by Def Dames Dope

Peak: number 158

Peak date: 9 May 1994

Weeks on chart: 22 weeks

Belgian girl group Def Dames Dope were produced by 2 Unlimited’s producers, Phil Wilde and Jean-Paul De Coster.  “It’s OK, All Right” was their first single, appearing on their debut album It’s a Girl! The Album, which does not appear to have been released in Australia.

Internationally, the single peaked at number 9 in the Netherlands in February 1993, and was number 1 for two weeks in the Flanders region of Belgium in February-March 1993.

In Australia, “It’s OK, All Right” was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 80 on the state chart.  The single had a second lease of life following its re-release in April 1994, reaching its national peak the following month.  “It’s OK, All Right” peaked in either April or May 1994 on all state charts.  Spending 22 weeks on the chart is quite decent for a single that missed the top 150.  “It’s OK, All Right” fared much better nationally on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 74 in 1994.

This one didn’t seem familiar to me by artist or title name, but I recognised the chorus riff.

We shall see Def Dames Dope on one more occasion, in 1994.

Number 213 “I’m Gonna Soothe You” by Maria McKee

Peak: number 160

Peak date: 28 June 1993

Weeks on chart: 9 weeks

American (I previously assumed she was British) singer-songwriter Maria McKee is best known for “Show Me Heaven” (number 3 for five weeks in December 1990-January 1991), which appeared on the Days of Thunder soundtrack (number 31, September 1990), and was her only solo Australian top 100 entry.  A little over a year before “Show Me Heaven”, Maria’s debut solo album Maria McKee (number 117, September 1989) made small ripples outside the top 100, despite yielding no charting singles.  Prior to going solo, Maria fronted the band Lone Justice, who had a top 40 single in Australia with “Shelter” (number 38, February 1987), and a top 100 album with their second album Shelter (number 66, February 1987).

Despite having limited commercial success in Australia with her own recording career, Maria penned a number one single recorded by Feargal Sharkey, “A Good Heart” (number 1 for two weeks in February 1986).  She also had a song written about her become a hit, Deacon Blue’s “Real Gone Kid” (number 18, February 1989).  The band toured with Lone Justice, and dedicated the song to her wild onstage performance.  Arguably, a second song written about Maria was a hit in Australia, Feargal Sharkey’s “You Little Thief” (number 4, March 1986), which was written by Maria’s ex (whom she had written “A Good Heart about after they split), Benmont Tench from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, though he denies this.

“I’m Gonna Soothe You” was the lead single from Maria’s second solo album, You Gotta Sin to Get Saved (number 135, July 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 35 in the UK in May 1993, and number 49 in Canada in September 1993.

In Australia, “I’m Gonna Soothe You” performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 123 on the state chart.

I hadn’t heard this one before.  It’s very nice.  Maria’s unique voice, as always, is a highlight.

A second single from You Gotta Sin to Get Saved, “I Can’t Make It Alone”, was released in Australia in September 1993, but failed to chart.

As this was Maria’s last charting release in Australia, I thought I would mention Maria’s 1992 collaboration with Sweetest Child, “Sweetest Child”, which I like a lot.

Number 222 “Harbor Lights” by Bruce Hornsby

Peak: number 180

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

We last saw American singer-songwriter-pianist Bruce Hornsby in 1990 as part of Bruce Hornsby & The Range.  The group split in 1991, and Bruce embarked on a solo career.

“Harbor Lights” was the lead single from Bruce’s debut solo album Harbor Lights (number 118, May 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 14 in Canada in June 1993.  The song also registered on two US Billboard genre-specific charts, reaching number 38 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in April 1993, and number 13 on the Adult Contemporary chart in June 1993.

Locally, “Harbor Lights” was most popular in Queensland, reaching number 170 on the state chart.

Bruce would not trouble the ARIA top 150 again, but came close with his second solo album Hot House (number 151, September 1995), which became his final top 200 entry in Australia.  Bruce had two later very low-charting singles during the streaming era, with “Voyager One” (number 1782, March 2019) and “Cast Off” (number 1574, April 2019).

Next week (31 May): Six top 150 entries and five bubbling WAY down under entries.

< Previous week: 17 May 1993               Next week: 31 May 1993 >

Week commencing 17 May 1993

Another week where I can't identify any unifying theme among this week in 1993's new entries peaking outside the top 100... so let's just dive straight in.

Hothouse Flowers wilted on the Australian chart with this release.

Top 150 debuts:

Number 137 “One Tongue” by Hothouse Flowers

Peak: number 117

Peak date: 24 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 137-117-131-139-139

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

Irish band Hothouse Flowers made their debut on the Australian charts in 1988, with the single “Don’t Go” (number 39, August 1988), from their debut album People (number 30, October 1988).  Between 1988 and 1993, the band placed nine top 100 singles on the Australian chart with their version of “I Can See Clearly” (number 22, March 1991 - almost six months after its debut) being their biggest hit, from the album Home (number 1 for one week in March 1991).

“One Tongue” was the second single lifted from their third studio album Songs from the Rain (number 19, March 1993).  It followed “An Emotional Time” (number 57, February 1993), which would be their last top 100 single in Australia.

Internationally, “One Tongue” peaked at number 45 in the UK in May 1993, and number 55 in Germany in July 1993.

In Australia, “One Tongue” was most popular in Western Australia, where it reached number 89 on the state chart.

We shall see Hothouse Flowers on one more occasion, in 1998.

Number 142 “Start Choppin” by Dinosaur Jr.

Peak: number 137

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 8 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 142-143-137-143-145-143-148-147

Weeks on chart: 10 weeks

American band Dinosaur Jr last joined us in March 1993.

“Start Choppin” (no apostrophe) was the second single lifted from their fourth studio album Where You Been (number 45, May 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 20 in the UK in January 1993, number 20 in Ireland in February 1993, and number 40 in Sweden in February 1993.  The song also peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Alternative Airplay chart in March 1993.

Locally, “Start Choppin” performed strongest in Queensland, where it reached number 121 on the state chart.

We’ll next see Dinosaur Jr. in September 1993.

Number 144 “I Got a Man” by Positive K

Peak: number 123

Peak date: 21 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 8 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 144-128-126-124-126-123-130-132

American rapper Positive K, real name Darryl Gibson, hails from The Bronx, New York.  “I Got a Man”, his debut Australian release, was the second single lifted from his debut album The Skillz Dat Pay the Billz (released in Australia in July 1993, missed the top 150).  The album was split into two halves, The Skills Side and Pay the Bills Side; “I Got a Man” appears on the latter.

Internationally, “I Got a Man” peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in March 1993, number 43 in the UK in May 1993, number 41 in New Zealand in June 1993, and number 14 in the Netherlands in February 1994.  The song also peaked at number 1 on the US Billboard Rap Songs chart, and number 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in February 1993.

An interesting fact about “I Got a Man” is that the ‘female’ vocals on the track are actually those of Positive K pitch-shifted upwards!  A woman lip syncs the female lines in the video, however.

I knew this song at the time, but can’t recall where I first heard it - probably on Triple J.  “I Got a Man” would be Positive K’s only top 150 entry in Australia.

Number 149 “Fear of Life” by Sam Brown

Peak: number 135

Peak date: 14 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 10 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 149-144-139-138-135-(out of top 150 for 3 weeks)-144-148-145-150-150

Weeks on chart: 11 weeks

English singer-songwriter Sam Brown last joined us in 1990.

“Fear of Life” was the only single released from Sam’s third album 43 Minutes (number 132, June 1993).  Sam started writing the songs for the album while her mother, singer Vicki Brown, was dying of breast cancer in mid-1991.  Sam’s UK label, A&M Records, were not satisfied with the album, and insisted that Sam include sone more-commercial songs that they could release as singles.  Sam refused to compromise, and released the album as it was, independently.  Both “Fear of Life” and 43 Minutes were distributed in Australia through Festival Records, who distributed her first two albums and the accompanying singles, however.

Australia appears to have been the only country that “Fear of Life” charted in.  The single was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 109 on the state chart.

I didn’t hear this one at the time, but obtained the music video (embedded below) from someone I trade videos with in 2006.  It’s a nice song, though perhaps not immediately commercial-sounding.

 

Sam will join us on one more occasion, in 1997.

Bubbling WAY down under:

Number 195 “Alone” by Big Country

Peak: number 195

Peak date: 17 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 3 weeks

Scottish rock band Big Country last paid us a visit in 1989.

“Alone” was the lead single from their sixth studio album The Buffalo Skinners (number 193, July 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 24 in the UK in March 1993.

In Australia, “Alone” performed strongest in Western Australia, reaching number 156 on the state chart.

I hadn’t heard this one before.  I liked it, though it’s a bit more guitar-heavy than music I normally listen to.

We shall see Big Country once more, in July 1993.

Number 203 “In Our Love” by Caron Wheeler

Peak: number 203

Peak date: 17 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 1 week

English singer-songwriter Caron Wheeler previously visited us in 1990.

“In Our Love” was the second single lifted from Caron’s second album Beach of the War Goddess (number 125, June 1993).  It followed “I Adore You”, which appeared on the Mo’ Money soundtrack (number 39, January 1993) and was released as a single in Australia in February 1993, but failed to chart.  “In Our Love” was issued locally on 19 April 1993, but took four weeks to make a blip on the ARIA singles chart just outside the top 200.

Internationally, “In Our Love” registered on two US Billboard genre-specific charts, peaking at number 61 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in March 1993, and number 54 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in April 1993.

Domestically, “In Our Love” was most popular in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, where it reached number 186 on the state chart.

I remember seeing the Beach of the War Goddess album reviewed in Smash Hits magazine, but didn’t hear any singles from it at the time.

Caron will join us on one more occasion, in October 1993.

Number 222 “Tetris” by Doctor Spin

Peak: number 222

Peak date: 17 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

Co-written by Andrew Lloyd-Webber, together with producer Nigel Wright under the name of Doctor Spin, “Tetris” was a novelty rave song based on the Nintendo Game Boy game.  We saw another one of its ilk late in 1992.  While both Nintendo-themed tracks were top 10 hits in the UK, they both languished outside the top 100 in Australia, partly due to receiving zero promotion.  The “Tetris” game music is based on Russian folk song “Korobeiniki”.

“Tetris” peaked at number 6 in the UK in October 1992, number 7 in Ireland in October 1992, and number 23 in Austria in December 1992.

In Australia, “Tetris” performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 185 on the state chart.

I first heard “Tetris” on the UK Chart Attack radio show.  “Tetris” was released there four weeks before “Supermarioland”.  Not being completely averse to novelty records and liking Eurodance, I actually like this one.  Jake Canuso, who would go on to become an actor in Benidorm, appears as a dancer in the music video and on the Top of the Pops TV performance.

This was the only Doctor Spin release.

Next week (24 May): Four top 150 entries and six bubbling WAY down under debuts.

< Previous week: 10 May 1993                Next week: 24 May 1993 >

Week commencing 10 May 1993

I don’t know what to say about this week in 1993’s new entries peaking outside the Australian top 100, other than they are an eclectic bunch.  Shall we take a look?

D:Ream: things could only get better from this chart position.

Top 150 debuts:

Number 128 “Things Can Only Get Better” by D:Ream (1993 release)

Peak: number 128 (1993 chart run); number 9 (1994 chart run)

Peak date: 10 May 1993 (1993 chart run); 28 March 1994 (1994 chart run)

Weeks in top 150: 35 weeks (5 weeks in 1993; 30 weeks in 1994)

Top 150 chart run: 1993: 128-145-133-142-134.  

Re-entry 14 February 1994: 87-59-42-24-19-13-9-11-10-10-10-11-10-11-14-14-18-20-19-21-26-36-43-50-58-61-89-68-106-105

Weeks on chart: 43 weeks (1993 and 1994 chart runs combined)

Pop group D:Ream formed in Manchester, England in 1992.  The band’s live line up included Brian Cox, who would later become a professor of particle physics and a famous TV science broadcaster, on keyboards, although singer Peter Cunnah played keyboards on their studio recordings.  Their first single, an early version of “U R the Best Thing”, scraped into the lower end of the UK Top 75 in June 1992.  “Things Can Only Get Better”, their second single, would become their breakthrough hit in Australia, but not upon its initial 1993 release.  The track was lifted from their debut album D:Ream on Vol. 1 (number 12, June 1994).

The early 1993 release of “Things Can Only Get Better” peaked at number 24 in the UK in January 1993, and at number 23 in Austria for two weeks in June 1993.  The song would get a subtle remix, and a new music video, opening with the “you can walk my path, you can wear my shoes” couplet, for a late December 1993 re-release in the UK, where it became a much bigger hit, peaking at number 1 there for four weeks in January-February 1994.

The late 1993/early 1994 release of “Things Can Only Get Better” also peaked at number 2 in Ireland in January 1994, number 7 in Sweden in February 1994, number 20 in Germany in March 1994, number 20 in the Netherlands in March 1994, number 11 in Switzerland in March 1994, number 10 in the Flanders region of Belgium in April 1994, and number 46 in New Zealand in April 1994.  The song also reached number 7 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in January 1994.

In Australia, the 1994 release of “Things Can Only Get Better” peaked at number 9 in March 1994.  The single performed strongest in South Australia/Norther Territory, where it reached number 3 on the state chart.

“Things Can Only Get Better” received a third lease of life in the UK, being used (with D:Ream’s permission) as the ‘new Labour’ campaign song, led by Tony Blair, at the 1997 election.  The single was re-released again, peaking at number 19 in the UK in April 1997.  D:Ream came to regret to regret their decision to allow Labour to use their song, following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which was supported by Tony Blair.

We’ll see D:Ream next in July 1993 with another single that would later go on to become a hit when remixed and re-released.

Number 130 “Play Me” by The Welcome Mat

Peak: number 123

Peak date: 24 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 8 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 130-124-123-124-133-125-135-144

We last saw Sydney band The Welcome Mat in March 1993.  “Play Me” was the second single lifted from their debut album Gram (number 107, April 1993).

We’ll next see The Welcome Mat in 1996.

Number 134 “Gentleman Style” by Indecent Obsession

Peak: number 118

Peak date: 24 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 6 weeks

Chart run: 134-127-118-140-140-136

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

Aussie pop band Indecent Obsession last graced our presence in 1992.

“Gentleman Style” was the fourth and final single released in Australia from the band’s second album Indio (number 39, August 1992).  Another track from the album, “Whispers in the Dark”, received a single release in Europe, but not Australia.  On the state charts, “Gentleman Style” performed strongest in Queensland, where it reached number 70.

I hadn’t heard this one until writing this post.  I liked it.  As I have no doubt previously written, I think Indecent Obsession’s success was hindered by being initially marketed as a ‘pin-up’ boy band aimed at teenage girls… and possibly also by having a stupid band name.

Indecent Obsession singer David Dixon would soon leave the group, taking on the role of Joseph in the Australian leg of stage production Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a role Jason Donovan filled in Europe.  David embarked on a brief solo career, landed a minor hit on the Australian chart with “Joseph Mega-Mix” (number 53, June 1993).  We shall see David bubble under with a solo single in 1994.  He further delved into acting, taking on the role of bad boy Nathan Roberts (almost my namesake), Irene’s jailbird son, on Home and Away towards the end of 1993.  I read somewhere years ago that David was now working as a helicopter pilot.

The rest of the group, meanwhile, continued as Indecent Obsession, recruiting English vocalist Richard Hannassey.  We’ll see the new line up Indecent Obsession bubble under in 1994.

Number 140 “All Together Now” by Jon English

Peak: number 128

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 6 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 140-141-131-128-141-143

English-born Australian-based singer-songwriter and actor Jon English placed 18 singles on the Australian top 100 between 1973 and 1983, with  “Six Ribbons” (number 5 for two weeks in February-March 1979) being the biggest of those.  Jon played the role of ageing rocker Bobby Rivers on Australian sitcom All Together Now, which aired between January 1991 and September 1993.  This was the theme song used for the show.  Although I don’t recall ever watching an episode of it, I do remember the show.

This would be Jon’s final top 150 single in Australia.  He died in 2016, aged 66, due to complications from surgery for an aortic aneurysm.

Number 144 “Ride Like the Wind” by East Side Beat

Peak: number 144

Peak date: 10 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 1 week

Known chart run: 188-144

Weeks on chart: 6 weeks

We last saw Italian dance project East Side Beat in March 1993.  “Ride Like the Wind”, a cover version of the Christopher Cross song (number 25, June 1980), was released in Europe in late 1991 as their first single, but received a belated Australian release in 1993 as their second single.

Internationally, “Ride Like the Wind” peaked at number 3 in the UK in December 1991, number 4 in Ireland, number 4 in the Flanders region of Belgium for five weeks in January-February 1992, number 29 in Austria in January 1992, number 6 in the Netherlands in February 1992, number 24 in Germany in February 1992, number 12 in France in February 1992, and number 23 in Switzerland in March 1992.

Domestically, “Ride Like the Wind” was most popular in Victoria/Tasmania, where it reached number 132 on the state chart.

While there was no music video filmed for “Ride Like the Wind”, you can see East Side Beat perform it live on Top of the Pops here.

We won’t see East Side Beat again, but singer Carl Fanini will bubble under with Clubhouse in 1994.

Number 145 “The Love I Lost” by West End featuring Sybil

Peak: number 145

Peak date: 10 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 1 week

Top 150 chart run: 145

Weeks on chart: 8 weeks

We last saw American singer Sybil Lynch in 1991.

West End was an alias of Eddie Gordon, though what role he played on this recording, I am not sure, as his role is not specified on the credits.  “The Love I Lost” was otherwise just a Stock Waterman (formerly Stock Aitken Waterman) production with Sybil on vocals.  Eddie’s role at PWL was to find artists or songs to bring in to be produced by Stock Waterman or distributed in the UK through PWL Records.  As doing a version of this song was Eddie’s idea, he wasn’t too pleased that he did not receive any credit, other than West End being billed, on the single sleeve.  The song is a cover version of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ “The Love I Lost” from 1973.  This version was the lead single from Sybil’s fourth studio album Good ‘N’ Ready (released in Australia in August 1993, did not chart).

Internationally, “The Love I Lost” peaked at number 3 in the UK for two weeks in January 1993, number 9 in Ireland, number 90 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in April 1993, and number 68 in Germany in April 1993.  The song also peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs in May 1993, and number 18 on the Dance Singles Sales chart in June 1993.

In Australia, “The Love I Lost” performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 117 on the state chart.

I didn’t hear this one until picking up the UK 2-CD compilation The Greatest Hits of 1993 while on a family holiday in Hong Kong in January 1994.

We will see Sybil on one more occasion, in August 1993.

Number 147 “Dollar Bill” by Screaming Trees (1993 release)

Peak: number 147 (1993 chart run); number 119 (1995 chart run)

Peak date: 10 May 1993 (1993 chart run); 13 February 1995 (1995 chart run)

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks (1 week in 1993; 4 weeks in 1995)

Top 150 chart run: 147.  Re-entry 6 February 1995: 132-119-139-144

American rock band Screaming Trees formed in 1984 in Ellensburg, Washington.  “Dollar Bill” was the second single issued from the band’s sixth studio album Sweet Oblivion (number 77, March 1993), following “Nearly Lost You” (number 96, March 1993), which was their only single to dent the ARIA top 100.

Internationally, “Dollar Bill” peaked at number 52 in the UK in April 1993.  The song also registered on two US Billboard genre-specific charts, peaking at number 28 on the Alternative Airplay chart in January 1993, and number 40 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in July 1993.

Interestingly, “Dollar Bill” re-entered the ARIA top 150 in early 1995, reaching a higher peak of number 119.

I hadn’t heard this one before.  The guitar refrain during the introduction and verses reminds very much of George Michael’s “Waiting for That Day” (number 50, May 1991).

Screaming Trees lead singer Matt Lanegan died in 2022, aged 57.  A cause of death has not been publicly revealed.  Screaming Trees bassist Van Conner has also passed away, in 2023 aged 55, from pneumonia after contracting COVID-19 following surgery.

We’ll next see Screaming Trees in 1996.

Number 149 “Tap the Bottle” by Young Black Teenagers

Peak: number 136

Peak dates: 17 May 1993 and 31 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 10 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 149-136-145-136-148-148-140-141-148-(out for 1 week)-150

American hip-hop group Young Black Teenagers formed in 1989 in Long Island, New York.  Contrary to the group’s name, none of its members were teenagers, and all were Caucasian!  “Tap the Bottle” was lifted from their second and final album Dead Enz Kidz Doin’ Lifetime Bidz (released in Australia in May 1993, missed the top 150).

Internationally, “Tap the Bottle” peaked at number 5 in New Zealand in May 1993, number 55 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in April 1993, and number 39 in the UK in April 1994 (not a typo).

This was the only Young Black Teenagers release to trouble the top 150 in Australia.  I am not sure whether I have heard this one before; the chorus riff seemed vaguely familiar.

Bubbling WAY down under:

Number 174 Brisbane EP by Custard

Peak: number 153

Peak date: 19 July 1993

Weeks on chart: 14 weeks

Brisbane band Custard last joined us in 1992.  It fits that they should release an EP named after their home city.

“Nightmare Two” was the lead track from the 7-track EP, which includes one unlisted track.  On the state charts, the EP was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 79.

Custard will join us next in November 1993.

Number 192 “Slow Emotion Replay” by The The

Peak: number 173

Peak date: 31 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 3 weeks

English band The The, fronted by Matt Johnson who was the only constant member, last joined us in 1989.

“Slow Emotion Replay” was the second single lifted from their fourth studio album Dusk (number 20, February 1993), following “Dogs of Lust” (number 70, March 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 35 in the UK in the April 1993.

Domestically, “Slow Emotion Replay” performed strongest in Western Australia, reaching number 153 on the state chart.

I didn’t hear this one at the time, but caught the video (I cannot remember where, probably on rage) a few years back and like the song very much.  “Everybody knows what’s going wrong with the world, I don’t even know what’s going on in myself” is a powerful lyric.

Skip to 4:17 minutes in the video embedded below to bypass the dialogue intro and get to the song.

We’ll next see The The in August 1993.

Next week (17 May): Four top 150 entries and three bubbling WAY down under debuts.

< Previous week: 3 May 1993                   Next week: 17 May 1993 >

Week commencing 3 May 1993

Before taking a look at this week in 1993’s new entries peaking outside the Australian top 100, I wish to update you on my health situation.  I wrote in early 2024 that my cancer appeared to be in remission, as the review CT, MRI and PET scans I had at that time showed no evidence of disease.  Unfortunately, the scan results were not matched with reality when I underwent a minor procedure to evaluate the primary site.  I continued chemotherapy throughout 2024, completing 36 cycles, and earlier this year switched to oral chemotherapy after the intravenous combinations I had been taking stopped working.  Unfortunately, the oral chemo has also stopped working and I am now out of treatment options, other than clinical trials, which I am unlikely to be eligible for due to my complicated medical history.  Given my current situation, I have thought of accelerating the frequency of my chart recaps (i.e. writing more than one post a week), but am not sure if I want to commit to that… watch this space.  Now onto this week’s new entries.

This single was the kiss of death for Sade on the Australian chart.

Top 150 debuts:

Number 106 “If You Have to Ask” by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Peak: number 106

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Chart run: 106-121-115-136-120

Weeks on chart: 5 weeks

American band Red Hot Chili Peppers formed in Los Angeles in 1982.  After several years underground, they finally made some ripples on the chart with their fourth album Mother’s Milk (number 33, May 1992 - after originally peaking at number 67 in April 1990), and the single “Higher Ground” (number 45, March 1990), which was a Stevie Wonder cover.

Red Hot Chili Peppers had their major commercial breakthrough with their fifth album, and first release on Warner Bros. Records, Blood Sugar Sex Magik (number 1 for 2 weeks in April 1992). “If You Have to Ask” was the fifth single lifted from Blood Sugar Sex Magik, following “Give It Away” (number 41 for 3 weeks in November 1991), “Under the Bridge” (number 1 for 4 weeks in April-May 1992), “Suck My Kiss” (number 8, May 1992), and “Breaking the Girl” (number 30, October 1992).  It was only released as a single in Australia and Germany, and only charted in Australia.

On the state charts, “If You Have to Ask” performed strongest in Queensland, where it reached number 90.

We’ll next see Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1996.

Number 118 “How I’m Comin” by LL Cool J

Peak: number 101

Peak date: 17 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 6 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 118-104-101-109-112-116

Weeks on chart: 8 weeks

American rapper LL Cool J last joined us in 1989.

“How I’m Comin” was the lead single from LL Cool J’s fifth studio album 14 Shots to the Dome (number 112, June 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in April 1993, number 37 in the UK in April 1993, and number 16 in New Zealand in May 1993.  “How I’m Comin” also registered on several US Billboard genre-specific charts, peaking at number 28 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in April 1993, number 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales chart in April 1993, number 55 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in April 1993, number 24 on the Dance Singles Sales chart in May 1993, and number 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart in May 1993.

In Australia, “How I’m Comin” performed strongest in Western Australia, where it reached number 71 on the state chart.  The single peaked within the top 100 on all state charts except South Australia/Northern Territory.  “How I’m Comin” peaked higher nationally on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 98.

We’ll next see LL Cool J in July 1993.

Number 123 “Who Let in the Rain” by Cyndi Lauper

Peak: number 109

Peak date: 10 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 4 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 123-109-119-129

Weeks on chart: 7 weeks

American singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper last visited us in 1992.

“Who Let in the Rain” was the first single released from Cyndi’s fourth studio album Hat Full of Stars (number 102, July 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 12 in New Zealand in June 1993, number 76 in Canada in August 1993, and number 32 in the UK in January 1994.  “Who Let in the Rain” also peaked at number 33 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in April 1993.

In Australia, “Who Let in the Rain” was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 96 on the state chart.  Nationally, “Who Let in the Rain” performed slightly better on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 100.

I don’t recall hearing this one before.  While it’s nice enough, it doesn’t stand out like Cyndi’s classic singles from the 80s, and doesn’t sound like lead single material to me.  Cyndi’s commercial success after the 1980s waned partly because I think she was too closely associated with that decade, image wise.  Taking a four year hiatus between albums also didn’t help.

We’ll next see Cyndi in 1995.

Number 144 “All About Eve” by Marxman

Peak: number 144

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 3 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 144-146-(out for 1 week)-148

English four-piece hip-hop group Marxman formed in London in 1989.  “All About Eve” was the third single lifted from their debut album 33 Revolutions per Minute, which does not appear to have been released in Australia.  This single peaked at number 28 in the UK in February 1993, and was their only top 150 chart entry in Australia.

Number 145 “Dream On (Kathy’s Song)” by Jenni Forbes

Peak: number 104

Peak date: 14 June 1993

Weeks in top 150: 11 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 145-135-135-141-122-114-104-107-115-137-142

Weeks on chart: 15 weeks

“Dream On (Kathy’s Song)” was Australian singer-songwriter Jenni Forbes’ debut release.  Despite the music video receiving some airplay, the single stalled outside the top 100 nationally, but was more popular in Queensland, where it reached number 45 on the state chart.  “Dream On (Kathy’s Song)” peaked much higher nationally on the Australian Music Report singles chart, where it reached number 62.

Jenni, who would later change her name to Jenn Forbes, co-wrote Toni Pearen’s “I Want You” (number 10, May 1993), which was charting at the same time as this release.  When Toni met Jenni to listen to some of her demo recordings, Jenni told Toni that she could have any song except for “I Want You”, which Jenni wanted to keep for herself.  Obviously, Toni got her way by being permitted to record that one, and landed a hit with it.

“Dream On (Kathy’s Song)” would go on to appear on Jenni’s debut album (released as Jenn Forbes) I, No Y (number 169, October 1995).  We'll see Jenni again (as Jenn) in 1995.

Number 148 “Erotic” by The Exponents

Peak: number 148

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 2 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 148-(out for 5 weeks)-149

New Zealand band The Exponents formed in 1981, and were originally named Dance Exponents.  Their biggest hit in New Zealand as Dance Exponents, was “Victoria”, which reached number 6 there in August 1982.  “Sex and Agriculture” (number 11 in New Zealand in September 1984) was charting in New Zealand when my family relocated there for six months, but I have no recollection of hearing that one before.

Dance Exponents relocated to London in 1987, presumably hoping to gain international success which never came.  They returned to New Zealand in 1991, and renamed themselves The Exponents.  “Erotic” was lifted from the band’s fourth studio album Something Beginning with C, their first as The Exponents, which does not appear to have been released in Australia.  “Erotic” peaked at number 27 in New Zealand in January 1993, where it was their fourteenth top 50 single.  “Erotic” would be their only top 150 entry in Australia.

Number 149 “Slow Dance” by Mark Williams

Peak: number 139

Peak date: 10 May 1993

Weeks in top 150: 5 weeks

Top 150 chart run: 149-139-147-147-144

Weeks on chart: 9 weeks

We last saw New Zealand-but-now-Australia-based singer Mark Williams in 1991.

“Slow Dance” was the second single released from Mark’s sixth, and to date last, studio album Mind Over Matter (number 133, June 1993), following “We Can Dream” (number 95, October 1992).  In between, Mark had a charting single with Tara Morice, covering Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” (number 82, January 1993), from the Strictly Ballroom soundtrack (number 6 for two weeks in August-September 1992).

On the state charts, “Slow Dance” was most popular in South Australia/Northern Territory, where it reached number 120.

This was Mark’s last charting single in Australia.  A third single from Mind Over Matter, “I Can’t Help You Anymore”, was released in August 1993, but failed to chart.

Bubbling WAY down under:

Number 184 “The Right Decision” by Jesus Jones

Peak: number 184

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 3 weeks

English band Jesus Jones last paid us a visit in 1992.

“The Right Decision” was the second single lifted from the band’s third studio album Perverse (number 32, February 1993), following “The Devil You Know” (number 54, February 1993).  Internationally, “The Right Decision” peaked at number 36 in the UK in April 1993, and at number 88 in Canada in May 1993.  The song also peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Alternative Airplay chart.

Domestically, “The Right Decision” performed strongest in Victoria/Tasmania, where it reached number 167.

Jesus Jones will join us on one more occasion, in August 1993.

Number 186 “Kiss of Life” by Sade

Peak: number 186

Peak date: 3 May 1993

Weeks on chart: 2 weeks

English band Sade last joined us in January 1993.

“Kiss of Life” was the third single lifted from Sade’s fourth studio album Love Deluxe (number 13, March 1993).  Internationally, the single peaked at number 44 in the UK in May 1993, number 78 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in May 1993, number 30 in Canada in May 1993, number 88 in Germany in May 1993, and number 33 in New Zealand in May 1993.  “Kiss of Life” also registered on several US Billboard genre-specific charts, peaking at number 46 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales chart in May 1993, number 65 on the Radio Songs chart in May 1993, number 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in May 1993, number 9 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in May 1993, and number 20 on the Adult Contemporary chart in May 1993.

In Australia, “Kiss of Life” was most popular in Queensland, where it reached number 159 on the state chart.

“Kiss of Life” was released in Australia just before the first Love Deluxe single, “No Ordinary Love” (number 21, June 1993, after originally peaking at number 95 in November 1992), was climbing the chart.

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

Next week (10 May): Eight top 150 entries and two bubbling WAY down under debuts.

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Kent Music Report beyond the top 100: 2 May 1983

This week in 1983 sees just one new entry.  Let's take a look...

 

Sylvia: like nothing ever happened on the Australian chart.

 

Beyond the top 100:

 

Position 7 "Like Nothing Ever Happened" by Sylvia

Highest rank: 7th

Peak date: 2 May 1983

Weeks on below list: 2 weeks

 

American country singer Sylvia, born Sylvia Jane Kirby, hails from Kokomo, Indiana.  She moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1975 to pursue a career as a country recording artist.  "Like Nothing Ever Happened" was lifted form her second album Just Sylvia.  The song reached number 2 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in January 1983, and number 1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.

 

Sylvia had previously registered on the Kent Music Report singles chart with "Nobody" (number 41, December 1982), which was her only top 100 entry in Australia. 

Sylvia is still recording, with her latest album released in 2024.

 

 

Next post (6 June): Two new entries peaking outside the top 100.

 

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