1992 – John Major is elected Prime Minister after his Conservative Party wins the most votes in British electoral history. The Church of England approves the ordination of female priests. Johnny Carson makes his final appearance as host of “The Tonight Show”. Irish Pop singer Sinead O’Connor rips up a picture of Pope John Paul II on “Saturday Night Live”. People made waves this year … so let’s hope the musicians followed suit!
I’ll be looking at the popular and highest-rated songs / albums of the year, giving my opinions on their musicality and longevity as well as an overall verdict for the year as a whole.
Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:
Billboard Top 10 (Popular) Singles
Source: Wikipedia
10 – Just Another Day (John Secada)
A Pop song with a Latin twist.
It’s got a nice shuffle and some pleasant vocals from Secada, but “Just Another Day” is quite forgettable on the whole.
9 – All 4 Love (Color Me Badd)
Bright and cheery. A bit repetitive, though.
8 – Under the Bridge (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
I’ve already talked about “Under The Bridge” in my 1991 list (it appeared in the highest-rated tracks), so I’ll keep this recap brief.
It’s one of the best Red Hot Chili Peppers songs, with more mature lyrics than what they usually go for.
7 – My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It) (En Vogue)
An absolute anthem.
The vocals are sublime across the board, and the chorus is incredibly catchy.
6 – Tears In Heaven (Eric Clapton)
Eric Clapton turned a moment of utter tragedy in his life into something beautiful.
“Tears In Heaven” is one of the saddest songs ever once you know its backstory.
5 – Baby-Baby-Baby (TLC)
I’m familiar with TLC, but “Baby-Baby-Baby” is from an era prior to their mega-fame.
It just doesn’t sound right. Later works like “No Scrubs” and “Waterfalls” are much catchier.
4 – Save the Best for Last (Vanessa Williams)
This is neither the best nor the last song in this top ten. Unacceptable!
It’s a decent enough ballad, but it’s not for me.
3 – Jump (Kris Kross)
Kris Kross were comprised of two thirteen-year-old rappers. I find that weird.
“Jump” has a catchy hook, but it’s too odd for me to really enjoy it.
2 – Baby Got Back (Sir Mix-a-Lot)
One of the most early-nineties songs you’ll ever hear.
“Baby Got Back” is an anthemic classic, but it’s not going to win any awards any time soon.
1 – End of the Road (Boyz II Men)
One of the better 90’s ballads.
Boyz II Men have some of the best vocal harmonies of the era, and “End of the Road” is one of their greatest efforts.
FAVOURITE – “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It) (En Vogue)
LEAST FAVOURITE – “Baby-Baby-Baby” (TLC)
Top-Rated Songs
Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com
10 – It Was A Good Day (Ice Cube)
We’re immediately starting out with a shout for song of the year.
“It Was A Good Day” is one of my favourite rap songs ever – Ice Cube’s lyrics are really powerful, and that groove is awesome.
9 – So What’cha Want (Beastie Boys)
Beastie Boys were the Alternative act of a generation, and their sound is only growing stronger as the years roll by.
I hadn’t heard “So What-cha Want” before, but now it’s a favourite.
8 – Motorcycle Emptiness (Manic Street Preachers)
I was sure “Motorcycle Emptiness” was a song from the 2000’s!
It sounds ahead of its time in a way. I love both the verses and choruses equally, which is also quite rare.
7 – Nightswimming (R.E.M.)
A piano and violin suite? Count me in.
“Nightswimming” is a gorgeous song, packed with all of that R.E.M. goodness.
6 – Man On The Moon (R.E.M.)
One of the more popular R.E.M. songs, and I can see why.
It has a catchy hook and some simple lyrics to draw you in.
5 – They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) (Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth)
Oooooooh that saxophone is sultry.
I’d heard bits and bobs of “They Reminisce Over You” (mainly that hook), but the whole track is worth adding to a playlist.
4 – Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang (Dr. Dre)
One of the most iconic rap songs ever.
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg lay down amazing bars on “Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang”, and the production is stellar.
3 – Xtal (Aphex Twin)
“Xtal”, much like the rest of the “Selected Ambient Works 85-92” album, is a masterclass in electronic music.
It’s a chill ambient track, and yet at the same time there’s enough going on to make it exciting.
2 – Would? (Alice In Chains)
An amazing closer to a great album.
“Would?” has a meaty bassline and some intelligent songwriting.
1 – Killing In The Name (Rage Against The Machine)
The Grunge movement had been heavy, but nothing could prepare the general public for the pitch-black bars on Rage Against The Machine’s debut album.
“Killing In The Name” is definitely their best – hard-hitting, accusatory, and a riff to die for.
BEST SONG OF 1992 – “Killing In The Name” (Rage Against The Machine)
Top-Rated Albums
Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com
5 – Selected Ambient Works 85-92 (Aphex Twin)
Slightly before the age of Daft Punk, there was Aphex Twin making electronic bangers.
“Selected Ambient Works 85-92” is filled to the brim with exciting songs like “Xtal”, “Ageispolis” and “Heliosphan”.
4 – Dirt (Alice In Chains)
From the moment you hear “Them Bones” you know you’re about to experience a Grunge masterpiece.
“Dirt”, and Alice In Chains by extension, is Grunge done perfectly. The opener “Them Bones”, “Rooster” and closer “Would?” are personal favourites.
3 – Slanted And Enchanted (Pavement)
Lazy vocals, minimal production, simple songwriting. Yeah, Pavement aren’t my thing.
“Slanted And Enchanted” stands unique from other Grunge-centric albums of the era, but not in a good way.
2 – Rage Against The Machine (Rage Against The Machine)
Hell yeah! Get mad! Power to the people!
It’s amazing just how evocative Rage Against The Machine’s debut album is – “Bombtrack”, “Killing In The Name”, “Know Your Enemy” and “Wake Up” all make me want to punch a hole in my wall.
1 – Automatic For The People (R.E.M.)
I’m struggling to think of a better R.E.M. album.
“Automatic For The People” is exactly what makes this band so great, and songs like “Everybody Hurts”, “Drive”, “Man On The Moon” and “Nightswimming” live long in the memory.
BEST ALBUM OF 1992 – “Rage Against The Machine” (Rage Against The Machine)
Final Thoughts
The hits were mixed, but the high-rated songs and albums qualified 1992 for a decent grade.
Overall Grade: B
Aaaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below:
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