Pop Shots – A Look At The Charts … From 28 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 28 years ago this week.

Touching down in 1994 I’m reminded of what a great, and at times odd, time it was for music. Seven artists – well, six artists, and one NBA player (that would be the odd part) – each had two songs on the chart. Those artists were Salt-N-Pepa, Mariah Carey, Ace of Base, Janet Jackson, Snoop Doggy Dogg (which was what he was going by back then), Color Me Badd (although neither song was the one you’re thinking of, unless you were thinking of “Choose” and “Time and Chance”), and Shaquille O’Neal.

Celine Dion, however, was truly dominating the Billboard Hot 100, as her mega-hit “The Power of Love” was at #1. The rest of the chart featured some personal favorites, a few one hit wonders, and a song that was recently turned into an epic commercial.

So let’s get into the exploration in chart history! Of course, since this is Pop Shots, you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

 

2. Ace of Base – The Sign

 

Ace of Base was of the many acts pulling double duty on the chart this week back in 1994, with “The Sign” coming in at #2, and “All That She Wants” following just 20 spots later at #22. Does it hurt my soul when one of these songs comes on the oldies station? Yep. Do I still crank it up and sing along? You know it!

 

3. Salt-N-Pepa w/ En Vogue – Whatta Man

 

This song was so incredibly huge, I feel like the video was on MTV at least three times per hour, and you know what – absolutely no one was complaining! Imagine an anthem that celebrates your significant other … it would be nice to get back to that, wouldn't it? It would also be nice if someone would upload a higher quality version of this video. C’mon Salt-N-Pepa, and En Vogue, you deserve to be seen in high-def!

 

12. Us3 – Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)

 

This was a song I fell in love with the moment I heard it. The combination of jazz and hip-hop was fantastic, and while there had been jazz-influenced hip-hop groups before, I think this was the first song that made want to not just hear, but learn more. It made me want to dig through liner notes, which is something I still do today. All these years later I’ve been lucky enough to interview the mastermind behind Us3, Geoff Wilkinson, a number of times, and I love the music he continues to create.

 

13. Domino – Getto Jam

 

If you were wondering if in February of ’94 my 15 year old suburban self knew every lyric to this song – you’re damned right I did! The smooth groove of both the track, and Domino’s flow, made “Getto Jam” (which is how it’s spelled on the track listing), and the entire Domino album, a personal fave.

 

16. 10,000 Maniacs – Because The Night

 

10,000 Maniacs’ MTV Unplugged album is easily one of the Top 10 Unplugged albums of all-time, and “Because The Night,” which was written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith, was THE monster hit from the album. The song would become a prime example of the show at its very best best. Even the moment when Natalie Merchant’s voice cracks is fantastic, because it showed that an imperfection can make a performance perfect.

 

17. Snoop Doggy Dogg – Gin and Juice

 

Nearly three decades after “Gin and Juice” first ruled the airwaves it’s still a song that can get the party started. The only difference is back then Snoop was considered part of the “gangsta rap” scene, whereas today he’d be welcome at your family’s Thanksgiving dinner … although it’s still a safe bet he’d be bringing some … ahem … greens.

 

29. Janet Jackson – Again

 

Pretty much everything about the janet. album was gorgeous – from the artwork, to the music, to the videos – and the clip for the sentimental ballad “Again” was no exception. This was probably my favorite era of Janet, who I maintain has a better overall catalogue than any of her brothers.

 

32. Tag Team – Whoomp! (There It Is)

 

If you weren’t there when “Whoomp! (There it Is)” came out it might be difficult to understand just how huge this song was. It was played at every party, every school dance, every BBQ, and could be heard coming out of every car in literally every corner of the country.

Geico bringing it back for an insurance commercial, and turning it into an anthem about dessert, was pure genius, and Tag Team looked like they had a ball doing the spot.

 

 

43. Beck – Loser

 

“Loser” was the world’s introduction to Beck, and while the song is great, I don’t think any of us could’ve predicted that he’d turn into the musical icon that he’s become. “Loser” is now considered classic rock, and many of us have had the nonsensical lyrics stuck in our head for 28 years, myself included.

 

44. The Breeders – Cannonball

 

A ‘90s alt-rock anthem with a killer bass line, “Cannonball” was a gigantic hit for The Breeders, but they wouldn’t be able to properly follow it up due to Kelley Deal getting busted for possession of heroin not long after the song blew up. Thankfully, word is she’s been clean and sober for over a decade now.

 

67. Sagat – Funk Dat/Why Is It

 

Yes, Sagat’s “Funk Dat/Why Is It” made him a ‘90s one hit wonder, but that’s not why I wanted to mention the song. I wanted to mention it because of the epic commentary Beavis and Butt-Head did while watching the video. This is the world’s two greatest music critics at their finest.

 

That’s all for this edition of Pop Shots, but come back next Monday for more shots on all things pop.

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