1997: The Year In Music

1997 – Scientists announce the first human stem cells to be cultured in a laboratory using tissue taken from aborted human embryos. Apple Computer Inc names co-founder Steve Jobs interim CEO. Princess Diana dies in a car crash in Paris. The UK returns Hong Kong and the New Territories to the People’s Republic of China. Some earth-shattering news this year … so let’s see if the music can keep up the pace!

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 – Wannabe (Spice Girls)

We’re starting off with a classic in 1997.

Spice Girls were a sensation in the late nineties, and “Wannabe” is the song everyone remembers.

9 – How Do I Live (LeAnn Rimes)

A soppy but touching ballad.

8 – Return of the Mack (Mark Morrison)

One of the great feel-good songs of the nineties.

It’s silky smooth from start to finish.

7 – Don’t Let Go (Love) (En Vogue)

I know En Vogue from the awesome “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)”, so “Don’t Let Go (Love)” doesn’t feel as impactful by comparison.

6 – I Believe I Can Fly (R. Kelly)

R. Kelly is a bit of a yikes, and “I Believe I can Fly” has aged about as well as the artist.

It’s the butt of the joke for a reason.

5 – Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down (Puff Daddy feat. Mase)

From R. Kelly to Puff Daddy a.k.a. P Diddy … 1997’s popular artists have aged like milk.

4 – Un-Break My Heart (Toni Braxton)

The ultimate 90’s ballad. I tend not to listen to ballads, however, so I’d personally give it a skip.

3 – I’ll Be Missing You (Puff Daddy and Faith Evans feat. 112)

A “cover” of “Every Breath You Take” by Police repurposed as an ode to the fallen Biggie. Touching sentiment aside, this is pretty lazy.

2 – You Were Meant For Me / Foolish Games (Jewel)

Jewel is a classic example of an artist who was huge in their time but has now faded into relative obscurity.

“You Were Meant For Me” is quite slow and plodding, whereas “Foolish Games” is slower but more heartfelt.

1 – Candle in the Wind 1997 / Something About the Way You Look Tonight (Elton John)

I don’t think anyone remembers “Something About the Way You Look Tonight” – it’s the other track that has gone down in music legend.

“Candle in the Wind” was originally written about Marilyn Monroe, but its use in Princess Diana’s funeral made it ten times more emotional.

FAVOURITE – “Return of the Mack” (Mark Morrison)

LEAST FAVOURITE – “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” (Puff Daddy feat. Mase)

Top-Rated Songs

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

10 – Trailer Trash (Modest Mouse)

The first half of “Trailer Trash” tells a sad tale, but then the second half leans into the instrumental. Not necessarily a personal favourite but I can appreciate it.

9 – Ocean Man (Ween)

Hey, it’s the meme song!

I had no idea “Ocean Man” came from the nineties, which goes to show how fresh and wacky it still sounds.

8 – Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space (Spiritualized)

The opener to the album of the same name – Spiritualized couldn’t have gotten more psychedelic if they tried.

It’s grand and cosmic, and for lack of a better term it feels like I’m floating in space.

7 – Between The Bars (Elliot Smith)

Elliot Smith has such a melancholic sound, and “Between The Bars” is his magnum opus.

That acoustic guitar is tender and yet earth-shattering, and his soft vocals cut right to the soul.

6 – Exit Music (For A Film) (Radiohead)

You’re about to see a lot of Radiohead in this top ten – to be honest, this entire list could’ve been tracks from “OK Computer” and I wouldn’t have complained.

“Exit Music (For A Film)” is all about the incredible build that leaves your mouth agape and your soul crushed.

5 – Let Down (Radiohead)

A fan-favourite Radiohead tune. I’ve never viewed it as the masterpiece fans make it out to be, but “Let Down” is still mesmeric.

Those vocals, albeit quite repetitive at points, become angelic once they start overlapping.

4 – Joga (Bjork)

“Joga” is bizarre from start to finish … but then again, it’s written by Bjork.

Those strings and synths sound so good together, and her vocals are powerful as hell.

3 – No Surprises (Radiohead)

These top three songs, all Radiohead, are a cut above the rest.

“No Surprises” gets under your skin with its simple premise and whimsical production, which makes the choruses hit that much harder.

2 – Karma Police (Radiohead)

My favourite Radiohead song.

I already love “Karma Police” for its unsettling verses and choruses, but the outro where the soundscape opens up and Thom Yorke’s character “forgets himself” is one of my favourite moments in music history.

1 – Paranoid Android (Radiohead)

It’s risky to make a song “through-composed”, where no sections repeat, but “Paranoid Android” pulls it off with ease.

Radiohead put on a masterclass in songwriting and performance, and Nigel Godrich’s production is the cherry on the icing on the cake.

BEST SONG OF 1997 – “Karma Police” (Radiohead)

Top-Rated Albums

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

5 – Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space (Spiritualized)

I didn’t know they were still doing pure Psychedelic Rock in the nineties.

The opening title track sets the ethereal standard, and the rest of “Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space” is just as freaky. The only drawback is that some of the tracks are too long and monotonous.

4 – The Lonesome Crowded West (Modest Mouse)

“The Lonesome Crowded West” is the Punk Rock installment of 1997.

This is some heavy yet intricate stuff – Modest Mouse sure know how to smash your face against the wall and burst your eardrums.

3 – Either/Or (Elliot Smith)

Elliot Smith has a very downbeat sound, and yet “Either/Or” is still memorable.

This is a singer-songwriter at the top of their game – highlights include “Ballad of Big Nothing”, “Say Yes” and especially “Between The Bars”.

2 – Homogenic (Bjork)

Bjork has such a distinct style, and a lot of my favourite tracks of hers come from “Homogenic”.

“Joga” is the show-stopper for good reason, but “Unravel” is another track that I’ve grown to adore.

1 – OK Computer (Radiohead)

Most of the top-rated songs were tracks from “OK Computer”, so it’s no alarm and no surprise that Radiohead’s seminal nineties record is my favourite of the year by a wide margin.

Other than “Fitter Happier”, this is an incredible run of tracks with some of the best songwriting and production I’ve ever heard on an album.

BEST ALBUM OF 1997 – “OK Computer” (Radiohead)

Final Thoughts

The Billboard hits were good but some of it aged like milk, and Radiohead had to carry the high-rated songs and albums. Not a bad year for music, but a little underwhelming.

Overall Grade: B-

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