1993: The Year In Music

1993 – Nelson Mandela and South African President F. W. de Klerk are awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. English mathematician Andrew Wiles proves the last theorem of French mathematician Pierre de Fermat after 356 years – the world’s most difficult maths problem. The Oslo Accords, an Israel-Palestinian peace agreement, is unveiled. Good to see that last one has stood the test of time … but will the music be timeless instead?

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 – Informer (Snow)

Strange white-boi Reggae Rap. Which makes it even more baffling how catchy “Informer” is.

It won’t be my favourite song of the year, but it certainly put a smile on my face.

9 – Rump Shaker (Wreckx-n-Effect)

I can see why “Rump Shaker” was a hit, but it’s too shallow for my liking.

8 -Dreamlover (Mariah Carey)

Better than the previous Mariah Carey song to make the Billboard Top 10, but I’m still not into it.

Carey is unfortunately one of those artists I’ll never get behind.

7 – If I Ever Fall in Love (Shai)

Like Boyz II Men, except entirely acapella. “If I Ever Fall in Love” is unique in that regard, but not very interesting.

6 – Weak (SMV)

A smooth 90’s ballad. SMV’s “Weak” is female RnB done right – it’s just not my kind of music.

5 – Freak Me (Silk)

Another sensual RnB track – 1993 seems to be full of them.

The whispered vocals are uncomfortable, but the chorus of “Freak Me” is fairly catchy.

4 – That’s the Way Love Goes (Janet Jackson)

Janet Jackson consistently had some of the best production of the era.

“That’s the Way Love Goes” doesn’t hook me, but I’m fairly impressed nonetheless.

3 – Can’t Help Falling in Love (UB40)

UB40 were such a weird band. They did these lazy, bizarre reggae covers of old songs … and yet somehow it works?!?

What I’m trying to say is I feel dirty for liking “Can’t Help Falling in Love”.

2 – Whoomp! (There It Is) (Tag Team)

Really deep bass, but otherwise forgettable.

1 – I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston)

Whitney Houston singing a classic Dolly Parton track? “I Will Always Love You” was destined for success.

The vocals are sublime – this is one of the greatest love ballads of all time.

FAVOURITE – “I Will Always Love You” (Whitney Houston)

LEAST FAVOURITE – “Rump Shaker” (Wreckx-n-Effect)

Top-Rated Songs

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

10 – Heart-Shaped Box (Nirvana)

“In Utero” is widely overlooked thanks to how incredible “Nevermind” is, but Nirvana were still cooking!

“Heart-Shaped Box” is definitely one of the highlights – moody, almost depressive, and with a heavy chorus that sticks in the mind.

9 – Cherub Rock (The Smashing Pumpkins)

The opening track of “Siamese Dream”, and it’s a great first impression.

There’s no riff or lyric I can latch onto, however, so it isn’t my favourite Smashing Pumpkins song of the year. Luckily for us, there’ll be a few more choices on this top ten …

8 – Disarm (The Smashing Pumpkins)

There are some cool stylistic choices on “Disarm” – the hints of violins and church bells are much appreciated.

7 – Today (The Smashing Pumpkins)

“Today” sounds much more like a Smashing Pumpkins trademark classic.

That weighty noise in the chorus is immense!

6 – Alison (Slowdive)

The opening song on “Souvlaki” is a peach.

Slowdive are the masters of Shoegaze, and “Alison” is the perfect introduction to their sound. It reminds me of a more psychedelic Stone Roses song, if that makes sense.

5 – Katy Song (Red House Painters)

An eight-minute, emotive, gravelly-sung track wasn’t what I was expecting, but I had a surprisingly good time with “Katy Song”.

It’s like if Lou Reed had a go at writing Alternative 90’s Rock.

4 – Mayonaise (The Smashing Pumpkins)

“Mayonaise” has half the Spotify streams of these other Smashing Pumpkins songs, and I have no idea why – it’s probably the best one!

The guitar work is fantastic, and the melodies are much more of an earworm.

3 – C.R.E.A.M. (Wu-Tang Clan)

“C.R.E.A.M.”, or “Cash Rules Everything Around Me”, is my favourite song in this top ten. Spoilers, I guess.

The rap flow is unparalleled, and that piano hook and drum beat are a perfect combinations.

2 – When The Sun Hits (Slowdive)

That ethereal guitar instantly lets you know that “When The Sun Hits” demands attention.

It’s probably the definitive Shoegaze track.

1 – Fade Into You (Mazzy Star)

We’ve finally found it – with over 550 million streams on Spotify, “Fade Into You” is officially the biggest old-school song I’d never heard before.

What’s more baffling is how boring it is. The lyrics and relatively simple chord progressions do nothing for me, but at least the overall package sounds nice in a melancholic way.

BEST SONG OF 1993 – “C.R.E.A.M.” (Wu-Tang Clan)

Top-Rated Albums

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

5 – Vs. (Pearl Jam)

If you liked “Ten” by Pearl Jam, you’ll probably like “Vs.”. It just has less memorable songs on the whole.

Highlights include “Daughter”, “Rearviewmirror” and “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town”. Even on the slower songs, Eddie Vedder’s vocals are exceptional.

4 – Souvlaki (Slowdive)

“Souvlaki” is a Shoegaze milestone – every track on here boasts some truly unique songwriting and production.

“Alison” is a great opener, “40 Days” and “Souvlaki Space Station” keeps spirits high, and “When The Sun Hits” comes in to blow you away.

3 – Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (Wu-Tang Clan)

Wu-Tang Clan aren’t the first group I think of when I recall classic rap, but maybe they should be – this album is awesome.

“C.R.E.A.M.” is definitely the highlight, but other bops like “Bring Da Ruckus” and “Protect Ya Neck” impressed me.

2 – In Utero (Nirvana)

Despite growing fame, “In Utero” – the follow-up to “Nevermind” – is somehow even more visceral and anti-mainstream.

Lots of my favourite Nirvana songs are on here, like “Heart-Shaped Box” and “All Apologies”, and other tracks like “Rape Me” and “Pennyroyal Tea” are classics as well.

1 – Siamese Dream (The Smashing Pumpkins)

It doesn’t have the hits of “Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness” (coming soon in 1995), but “Siamese Dream” is arguably the more consistent record.

I’ve already talked about the highlights in the top-rated songs, so just know that the whole album is memorable.

BEST ALBUM OF 1993 – “In Utero” (Nirvana)

Final Thoughts

There were some good albums and tracks in 1993, but none of them blew my socks off.

Overall Grade: B-

Aaaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below: