Pop Shots – A Look At The Charts … From 23 Years Ago
Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week I’m hopping into my time machine again, this time setting the coordinates for 23 years ago this week.
Looking at the Billboard Hot 100 from this week back in 1993, Janet Jackson was at #1 with her ballad, “Again.” Other things happening “again” included a comeback for a ’70s legend, and a song from that same decade being given new life.
So let’s get into this exploration in Billboard Hot 100 history! Of course, since this is Pop Shots, you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
This epic comeback song from Meat Loaf enthralled, and confused, a nation. We couldn’t get enough of “I’d Do Anything For Love,” but wondered what the “that” was in “but I won’t do that.” Years later, Meat Loaf attempted to explain it, but I think a small part of us prefers it as a mystery.
The Swedes have a habit of creating ridiculously amazing pop music, and in 1993, Ace of Base was the latest Swedish pop group to take over America. They debuted with “All That She Wants,” followed it up with “The Sign,” and 23 years later we still crank up both whenever they come on the radio as “throwback” songs.
Two years after making Ashley Banks faint on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Tevin Campbell became a true superstar with “Can We Talk.” The anthem for shy guys who are always thinking of the right thing to say for the next time they see their dream girl, lines from this song would still work today.
One of the best songs in 2Pac’s vast catalogue, “Keep Ya Head Up” was a needed dose of compassion for some, while for others it was an eye opening lesson in the realities others go through. The song stands the test of time as a shining example of Pac’s true greatness as an artist.
A dance pop song that probably would have faded into obscurity after its run, “What Is Love” was given not just new life, but seemingly infinite life thanks to SNL. Now the song is just as synonymous with The Roxbury Guys nodding their heads to it as it is to the artist who recorded it.
Oh, and if the song is now stuck in your head because you made the mistake of pressing play on the video, that’s on you!
This is a ridiculously amazing rendition of a ridiculously amazing song. Written by Bruce Springsteen, and originally released by Patti Smith Group in 1978, 10,000 Maniacs, led by the incredible vocals of Natalie Merchant, made “Because The Night” their own on their edition of MTV Unplugged.
And with that, my time is up for the week, but I'll be back next week with more shots on all things pop.
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