Pop Shots – A Look At The Top 10 … From 32 Years Ago

Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, sometimes I like to hop into my time machine and take a look at the Billboard Hot 100 charts of the past. This time around, when I set the coordinates to 32 years ago this week, I landed on a Hot 100 with a Top 10 so incredible I decided I would stick strictly to those ten songs.

1992 was a great year for music, specifically R&B, and that was reflected in a Top 10 that was bursting with soul … and one white dude from a TV show who had a pop ballad. The ballad is actually pretty good, it just looks hilariously out of place on the list.

So without giving away any spoilers, let’s get into this exploration in chart history. Of course, since this is Pop Shots, you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

1. Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You

 

There are an endless number of arguments people can have about music, but pretty much everyone agrees that Whitney Houston’s cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” ranks as one of the greatest vocal performances of all-time.

A standout moment from one of the standout singers of this, or any other era, Dolly wrote it, but Whitney owned it.

2. Shai – If I Ever Fall In Love

 

I feel like we’re in dire need of a renaissance of R&B groups. Just listen to Shai’s a capella version of their hit “If I Ever Fall In Love,” and try to tell me it isn’t pure magic.

If you don’t have goosebumps by the end, you may need to check to see if you have a pulse.

3. Wreckx-N-Effect – Rump Shaker

 

Teddy Riley, one of the creators of New Jack Swing, gave us an undeniable party anthem with “Rump Shaker,” and we have been zoom-a zoom zoom zooming ever since.

Thankfully, we didn’t really know what the chorus was about when we were reciting it as kids … and apparently our parents didn’t know either! Thank you Teddy Riley!

4. The Heights – How Do You Talk to an Angel

 

It’s time for the white dude from a TV show with a pop ballad!

This is like the intermission of this list of R&B and hip-hop classics, but Jamie Walters, as the frontman of The Heights, did a pretty damned good job on “How Do You Talk to an Angel.” The song was the theme for the TV show The Heights (yes, the show and the band shared a name), which he starred on before becoming a cast member on Beverly Hills 90210.

If only he’d landed a role on Buffy, everyone’s favorite slayer could’ve told him exactly how to talk to an Angel.

5. P.M. Dawn – I’d Die Without You

 

P.M. Dawn will probably always be remembered as the duo that KRS-One threw off stage, and that’s a bummer, because musically their mix of hip-hop, and R&B provided a special vibe that, in retrospect, is a timeless type of cool.

“I’d Die Without You” was one of their R&B jams, and honestly, how can you not love this song?

6. Snap! – Rhythm is a Dancer

 

Two years after Snap! let us know they had “The Power,” they filled dance floors worldwide with “Rhythm is a Dancer.”

There was something special about the ‘90s dance music scene. Every song made you feel good.

They really don’t make ‘em like this anymore, and it’s a damned shame.

7. Mary J. Blige – Real Love

 

We will not be talking about the executive producer of “Real Love.” We will be talking about how this was a hell of a song from a woman would become one of the pillars of R&B in the ‘90s, and beyond.

While technically her second single, this was the one that let the world know Mary J. Blige had arrived. Listening to it today, it’s pretty easy to figure out why it didn’t take long for her to become an absolute force in the R&B scene.  

8. Bobby Brown – Good Enough

 

Written and produced by Babyface, L.A. Reid, and Daryl Simmons … I’m sorry, do I really have to say anything else? 1992. Bobby Brown. Babyface. L.A. Reid. Daryl Simmons. That should be more than “Good Enough” for anyone!

9. TLC – What About Your Friends

 

This is your friendly reminder that New Jack Swing is timeless, and TLC could do damned near anything with their music. From a high energy jam like “What About Your Friends,” to sultry songs like “Red Light Special,” I’d go as far to say TLC is underrated in the annals of music history. Thankfully, there’s plenty of time to correct that!

10. Boyz II Men – End of the Road

 

The second of two songs in the Top 10 from the Boomerang soundtrack (P.M. Dawn’s “I’d Die Without You” was the first), every man alive has attempted to do the speaking part of this song, and not a single one of us has been able to match the brilliant bass vocals.

Hey, you can’t fault us for trying!

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