Pop Shots – A Look At The Top 10 … From 34 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, and this time I’m setting the coordinates to 34 years ago, to take a look at the Billboard Top 10 from this week back in 1992.

This Top 10 had a little bit of everything, including an epic rock ballad, a trio of R&B classics, and a novelty song you probably wish you could forget. It all starts out, however, with a heaping dose of booty.

So 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. Sir Mix-A-Lot – Baby Got Back

I would hasten to say that with the noted exception of retirement communities, there isn’t a soul alive who doesn’t know the lyric, “I like big butts and I cannot lie.”

What some may have thought of as simply a cheeky (pun intended) song about derrières, has become a legitimate part of Americana, and personally, I think we’re all better for it … because even white boys got to shout, baby got back!

2. Madonna – This Used To Be My Playground

I can honestly say I do not remember this Madonna song at all, and apparently I’m not the only one, seeing as the video doesn’t even have 10 million views.

“This Used To By My Playground,” which, like many Madonna songs, made it all the way to #1, is from the soundtrack to A League of Their Own, but since it’s a ballad, I think it’s slipped through the cracks of her vast catalog.

You know you have a lot of hits, when you can have a #1 song get lost in your greatest hits shuffle!

3. TLC – Baby-Baby-Baby

A sexy jam that has stood the test of time (pretty much all TLC songs have stood the test of time, their catalog is just that damned good), I think one of the things that made “Baby-Baby-Baby” so great was that TLC were open about having standards, but also about loving their men. We seem to get a lot of the former in music now, but not very much of the latter, and certainly not both at the same time.

4. Billy Ray Cyrus – Achy Breaky Heart

I’ve been reading Disco Duck and Other Adventures in Novelty Music, and there’s a chapter on “Achy Breaky Heart,” which reveals the inner workings of the manufacturing of Billy Ray Cyrus’ fame. The powers that be knew the song was awful, so they hired a choreographer to create a dance, and then made a music video that would give the appearance that ladies loved the then unknown Cyrus.

The label then released the video first, and let it gain momentum. Once there was a high demand for the song, they finally released it as a single.

It’s safe to say the plan worked better than anyone could’ve expected, as 34 years later we are still all too familiar with Cyrus’ unique heart condition.

5. Jon Secada – Just Another Day

Before the Latin explosion of the late ‘90s, Jon Secada was seeing chart success in the early ‘90s with “Just Another Day.” The Latin meets pop meets soul production, coupled with his soaring vocals, was a heck of a combination.

Oh, and yes, that’s Gloria Estefan singing background vocals. Her husband, Emilio, produced the song!

6. Guns N’ Roses – November Rain

If we’re having a conversation about the greatest music videos of all-time, “November Rain” has to be in the discussion. Not because it makes a ton of sense, but because it’s so grandiose, and so over the top, it’s a perfect example of what a big budget music video can be. The scene with Slash performing his guitar solo in front of the church in the desert, with the wind whipping around him, is nothing short of epic. It also helps that “November Rain” is an incredible song.

If you don’t crank it up whenever it comes on, I don’t know what’s wrong with you.

7. Tom Cochrane – Life is a Highway

When the harmonica kicks in at the beginning of “Life is a Highway” you know you’re about to go for a very fun ride.

A great tune, “Life is a Highway” is still an essential part of any road trip soundtrack. Of course, in reality, life being a highway might mean a few delays for construction, but delays, changes, and improvements, are all part of life, so perhaps Cochrane was being sneaky deep here.

8. Boyz II Men – End of the Road

Can we please note the poetry of going from “Life is a Highway” to “End of the Road”?

When it comes to the latter, if you are a male of a certain age you always attempted to do the spoken word part of the song, and always failed to hit the lows of the incredible bass vocals. Heck, some of us still make the attempt!

One of the greatest breakup songs of all-time, Boyz II Men sounded so good on “End of the Road” we almost wanted to break up with someone just so we could play it on repeat.

9. En Vogue – Giving Him Something He Can Feel

From breakups, to the exact opposite of a breakup, En Vogue were “Giving Him Something He Can Feel,” and thanks to a sensual chorus, fantastic harmonies, and a video so hot I’m surprised it didn’t melt our TV screens, we’re still feeling it 34 years later.

Personally, I can’t see a red dress without thinking of En Vogue, and I’m sure there are plenty of folks who feel the same way.

10. The Cover Girls – Wishing on a Star

The Cover Girls – who had plenty of hits that weren’t covers, despite the coincidence of their name, and the fact that this song is a cover – introduced a whole new audience to this Rose Royce song from 1977, and they sounded great doing it.

Yes, The Cover Girls’ lineup had switched up a bit, with a new lead singer, but the result was still fantastic.

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

If you liked this article, check out my latest book – One Hit Wondering: The Stories of 40 One Hit Wonders + Other Tales From The Crates. Available now!