1993: THE GREATEST SONGS. This post: #150- 1. This concludes the countdown.

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1993

THE 150 GREATEST SONGS

MCMXCIII

In 1993, Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk shared the Nobel Peace Prize. A siege in Waco, Texas ended tragically. The World Trade Centre was bombed. Hundreds died from a ferry sinking (Haiti), bombings (India) and earthquakes (Japan; India; Indonesia). The Maastricht Treaty was signed. Slovakia gained independence. Bill Clinton was inaugurated.

River Phoenix died, as did Arthur Ashe, Federico Fellini and Audrey Hepburn. Bill Wyman quit The Rolling Stones. 

‘The X-Files’ debuted on TV. Among the most popular films were: ‘Schindler’s List’, ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘Philadelphia’ and ‘In The Name Of The Father’.

 Here are 150 songs representing the best of the music released during that year. 

 

1

 

THE SIGN

Ace Of Base

 

Jonas Berggren and his sisters Jenny and Malin formed Ace Of Base with the addition of Ulf Ekberg. The former worked using the name ‘Joker’ while the latter adopted the moniker ‘Buddah’. Both men composed “All That She Wants”. As the group was being launched in America, Ace Of Base was working on a new song: “The Sign”. It would prove to be an even bigger hit for Ace Of Base. Joker co-produced the track with Denniz Pop. The catchy song was packed with hooks; a feature of Swedish pop. This single fared even better on the world charts. It reached the top in the U.S.A., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The single climbed to #2 in Britain and Europe. While the single sat atop the US Hot 100, parent album (now re-issued with “The Sign”) ‘Happy Nation’ was the #1 album. This feat made Ace Of Base the first Swedish group to score simultaneous #1s on both charts; something ABBA nor Roxette had managed to achieve.

2

 

THAT’S THE WAY LOVE GOES

Janet Jackson

 

“That’s The Way Love Goes” was the first offering from Janet Jackson after signing a (then) record-breaking contract with Virgin worth around $32 million. It served as the lead single from her forthcoming album ‘Janet’. This saw the artist again collaborating with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. They produced the album and co-wrote this track with Jackson. The song sampled the James Brown R&B #1 track “Papa Don’t Take No Mess”. It finds a looser and more confident Janet than on previous releases. “That’s The Way Love Goes” reached the chart summit in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The disc peaked at #2 in the UK.  

3

 

GO WEST

Pet Shop Boys

 

“Go West” was originally recorded by The Village People and charted in 1979. British synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys covered the song for the ‘Very’ album. The remake peaked at #2 in the UK and Europe. Both acts tapped into its anthemic quality, with lyrics about a better life where there is cohesion, inclusion and acceptance.

4

 

ALL THAT SHE WANTS

Ace Of Base

 

In 1992, Ace Of Base issued its ‘Happy Nation’ album in Scandinavia. “All That She Wants” helped pave the way for the Swedish group’s international success. The song is a fusion of Scandi pop and reggae. Ace Of Base joined ABBA and Roxette as Swedish groups that have enjoyed global hits. “All That She Wants” was co-produced by Denniz Pop, an integral figure in the new phase of Sweden’s musical exports. The single topped the charts in Britain, Canada and Australia. It peaked at #2 in America and Europe.

 

5

 

THE RIVER OF DREAMS

Billy Joel

 

Billy Joel released his final studio album of new rock music in 1993. “The River Of Dreams” was its title track. It reached #1 in Australia and New Zealand. The single was a Top 10 hit in America, Britain, Europe and Canada. On the US Adult Contemporary Chart, the track spent a dozen weeks at #1.

 

6

 

THAT’S HOW I’M LIVIN’

Ice-T

 

Tracy Marrow became Ice-T and went on to help pave the way for gangsta rap. After time as a member of Body Count, he released his debut solo LP ‘Rhyme Pays’ in 1987. “That’s How I’m Livin’” was lifted off his ‘Home Invasion’ album. It is a raw song that conveys the harsh reality of life from Ice-T’s perspective.

7

 

ARE YOU GONNA GO MY WAY

Lenny Kravitz

 

Kravitz produced and co-wrote the title track from his third studio album. “Are You Gonna Go My Way” evoked memories of Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Sly & The Family Stone and James Brown all fused with a hard rock edge. As well as topping the Australian chart, the disc was a Top 10 smash in Britain, Europe, Canada and New Zealand.

8

 

WHATTA MAN

Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue

 

The 1968 soul track recorded by Linda Lyndell was given a rap makeover. The new version brought together two pioneering hip hop groups: Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue. In America, Britain and Australia, the single peaked in the Top 10. It delivered a positive message describing what an ideal man was for the singers.

9

 

I JUST HAD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE

Oleta Adams

 

Most of us first encountered this talented vocalist through her work with Tears For Fears before her solo career took off. “I Just Had To Hear Your Voice” finds the protagonist aching for her partner. The couple have agreed to a break, but she is missing her man. Adams’ song was included on her fourth album ‘Evolution’.

 

10

 

MMM MMM MMM MMM

Crash Test Dummies

 

A haunting song released by Canadian band Crash Test Dummies delivered with force from lead singer Brad Roberts who also penned the track. The single was produced by Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads) and the group and made the Top 5 in America, Britain, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

 

 

11 CAN YOU FORGIVE HER? Pet Shop Boys

12 IF I HAD NO LOOT Tony! Toni! Toné!

13 NO LIMIT 2 Unlimited

14 WHOOPS NOW Janet Jackson

15 YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS MAD Pet Shop Boys

16 BI Living Colour

17 SHOOP Salt-N-Pepa

18 I’VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN

Frank Sinatra & Bono

19 AS IF WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE Barbra Streisand

20 I WOULDN’T NORMALLY DO THIS KIND OF THING

Pet Shop Boys

 

21 DELICATE Terence Trent D’Arby & Des’ree

22 I AM THE CITY ABBA

23 PHILADELPHIA Neil Young

24 ONE NIGHT IN HEAVEN M People

25 THE HITMAN A.B. Logic

26 BREATHE AGAIN Toni Braxton

27 STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA Bruce Springsteen

28 BOOM! SHAKE THE ROOM

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

29 WITH ONE LOOK Barbra Streisand

30 LIFE Haddaway

 

31 ANOTHER SAD LOVE SONG Toni Braxton

32 MOVING ON UP M People

33 REBIRTH OF SLICK (COOL LIKE DAT) Digable Planets   

34 OH CAROLINA Shaggy

35 DREAMLOVER Mariah Carey

36 REGRET New Order

37 WHAT IS LOVE Haddaway

38 ALL APOLOGIES Nirvana

39 I GOT A MAN Positive K

40 MR. VAIN Culture Beat

 

41 STAY Eternal

42 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT

Barbra Streisand & Michael Crawford

43 AGAIN Janet Jackson

44 SWEET LULLABY Deep Forest

45 LOSER Beck

46 JUMP THEY SAY David Bowie

47 THE LOVE I LOST West End ftg. Sybil

48 PEACH Prince     

49 LOST The Badloves

50 BELIEVE Lenny Kravitz

 

51 IF Janet Jackson

52 TIME CAPSULE Matthew Sweet

53 STAY (FARAWAY, SO CLOSE) U2   

54 TWIST AND SHOUT Chaka Demus & Pliers   

55 LIBERATION Pet Shop Boys

56 I DON’T WANNA FIGHT Tina Turner

57 LOVE SONG FOR A VAMPIRE Annie Lennox   

58 HIP HOP HOORAY Naughty By Nature

59 PUSH TH’ LITTLE DAISIES Ween

    60 IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT {a capella} Boyz II Men

 

61 DREAMS Gabrielle

    62 I’D DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE (BUT I WON’T DO THAT)

Meat Loaf

63 YOU WANT THIS Janet Jackson

64 PLEASE SEND ME SOMEONE TO LOVE Sade

65 I’VE GOT A CRUSH ON YOU

Frank Sinatra & Barbra Streisand

66 HUMAN BEHAVIOUR Bjork

    67 SHE KISSED ME Terence Trent D’Arby   

68 WHOOMP! THERE IT IS Tag Team

69 RIGHT HERE / HUMAN NATURE SWV

70 HEY MR. D.J. Zhane

 

71 SWEAT (A LA LA LA LA LONG) Inner Circle

72 IT KEEPS RAININ’ Bitty McLean

73 TWO PRINCES Spin Doctors

74 IS THERE ANY LOVE IN YOUR HEART Lenny Kravitz

75 THROB Janet Jackson

   76 SHOW ME LOVE Robin S.

     77 HERO Mariah Carey

    78 WHERE IS THE LOVE Margaret Urlich & Rick Price 

79 COME UNDONE Duran Duran

80 ELOISE Arvingarna

 

81 TEARDROPS Elton John & K.D. Lang

     82 BECAUSE OF LOVE Janet Jackson

83 IF I EVER LOSE MY FAITH IN YOU Sting

84 EASY Faith No More

    85 INSANE IN THE BRAIN Cypress Hill

86 I’M YOUR PUPPET Elton John & Paul Young

87 ANYTIME YOU NEED A FRIEND Mariah Carey

88 (I CAN’T HELP) FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU UB40

89 I WANT YOU Toni Pearen

90 METAL MICKEY Suede

 

91 YOU DON’T TREAT ME NO GOOD Sonia Dada

92 AIN’T NO LOVE (AIN’T NO USE) Sub Sub ftg.

Melanie Williams

93 THE KEY, THE SECRET Urban Cookie Collective

94 BLACK GIRL Lenny Kravitz

95 MACARENA Los Del Rio

96 RUNAWAY TRAIN Soul Asylum

 97 GIMME A LITTLE SIGN Peter Andre

98 WITHOUT YOU Mariah Carey

99 INFORMER Snow

100 OPEN YOUR MIND U.S.U.R.A.

 

101 SOUL TO SQUEEZE Red Hot Chili Peppers

102 A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW Pet Shop Boys

103 MRS. ROBINSON The Lemonheads

104 HEAVEN HELP Lenny Kravitz

105 PRAY Take That

106 GANGSTA Bell Biv Devoe

107 GOT 2 HAVE U Color Me Badd

108 LOVE LETTERS Elton John & Bonnie Raitt

109 ONE IN A MILLION Pet Shop Boys

110 BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW Sonia

 

111 THE RIGHT KIND OF LOVE Jeremy Jordan

112 WHEN THE SHIT GOES DOWN Cypress Hill

113 JUST BE A WOMAN Lenny Kravitz

114 IT’S PROBABLY ME Sting

115 MAN I LOVE Barbra Streisand

116 YOUNG OFFENDER Pet Shop Boys

117 TRUE LOVE Elton John & Kiki Dee

118 TRIBAL DANCE 2 Unlimited

119 CHILDREN WILL LISTEN Barbra Streisand

120 WHAT’LL I DO Janet Jackson

 

121 WHAT NOW MY LOVE

Frank Sinatra & Aretha Franklin

122 FIELDS OF GOLD Sting

123 HOLY GRAIL Hunters & Collectors

124 RELIGHT MY FIRE Take That ftg. Lulu

125 WHY? D-Mob ftg. Cathy Dennis

126 IF ONLY I COULD Wendy Matthews

127 THE LADY IS A TRAMP

Frank Sinatra & Luther Vandross

128 SHAPE OF MY HEART Sting

129 I AIN’T GOIN’ OUT LIKE THAT Cypress Hill

130 LITTLE BIRD Annie Lennox

 

131 DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART Elton John & RuPaul

132 COME ON AND LOVE ME Lenny Kravitz

133 ALL ABOUT SOUL Billy Joel

134 FUNKY JUNKY Peter Andre

135 RUMP SHAKER Wrecks-N-Effect

136 EVERYBODY SAYS DON’T Barbra Streisand

137 SEVEN DAYS Sting

138 YOUNG AT HEART The Bluebells

139 CAT’S IN THE CRADLE Ugly Kid Joe

140 TRAIN OF THOUGHT Sharp

 

141 BAD BOYS Inner Circle

142 PAINT THE WHITE HOUSE BLACK George Clinton

143 ALL FOR LOVE Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart & Sting

144 I’D DIE WITHOUT YOU PM Dawn

145 CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF YOUR LOVE Taylor Dayne

146 WHAT’S UP 4 Non-Blondes

147 NOTHIN’ BUT A ‘G’ THANG Dr Dre ftg. Snoop Dogg

148 WHY CAN’T I WAKE UP WITH YOU Take That     

149 NEW YORK, NEW YORK

Frank Sinatra & Tony Bennett

150 KILLING IN THE NAME Rage Against The Machine

 

 

Check out the playlist on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ORMn9PMeJblOKtjXZIjdr?si=35d81e9277ba4298&pt=d350b3d2643fbf0c016a86d76e2b3cf3