For most music fans, the early 90s are a mixture of the good, great, and regrettable. The Billboard Hot 100 from 1993 is populated with many names that we should be glad never made it to the present decade with us. However, mixed in there with the stonewashed denim, club beats, and neon, there were a number of great artists releasing songs that made it a year in music worth remembering.
Here are my picks for the five best songs released in 1993:
“Alison” by Slowdive
It’s been a while since the release of “Alison,” but the song could fit easily into any great present-day playlist. The washed out guitar and vocals that are the trademark of the shoegaze genre make this song enveloping and almost asphyxiating, drawing you in to Slowdive’s sad vision of reality. With lyrics detailing a dysfunctional relationship between two drug users, this song offers a good dose of real life that seemed so absent from much of popular 90s music.
“Today” by Smashing Pumpkins
According to the now defunct music website Stylus, “nothing can make ‘Today’ sound fresh again,” which they attributed to heavy MTV and radio airplay. Luckily for those of us who weren’t cognizant enough in 1993 to spend our time listening (or over-listening) to the Smashing Pumpkins, “Today” still does sound fresh, both in its own context and 20 years later. Moreover, the fact that industry executives promoted this song illustrates an appreciation for well-crafted music that was largely missing in the year of its release. The song’s blasting, upbeat guitar riffs and positive chorus contrast with the delicate and depressing lyrical content of the rest of the song. Ultimately, this is a song we should be glad to remember 1993 for.
“For Tomorrow” by Blur
Although they toured the United States to support Modern Life is Rubbish, the album that “For Tomorrow” appeared on, Blur was left feeling negative about the whole experience because North America never truly embraced the band. Many people have enjoyed Blur frontman Damon Albarn’s other project, Gorillaz, so it’s too bad that Blur and this song didn’t enjoy greater success. Eschewing the grunge aesthetic that dominated much of the early part of the decade, this song is unabashedly melodic, British, and easily one of the best of the year.
“Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star
Last year was slated to be the first time in 16 years that Mazzy Star would release new work, which unfortunately never materialized. Instead, fans will have to console themselves with the duo’s earlier work, including the 1993 album So Tonight That I Might See, of which “Fade Into You” was the lead single. The song is slow, sad, haunting, and proved to be the group’s most enduring hit.
“Creep” by Radiohead
Over the years, Radiohead has taken their fans in a number of different musical directions. This single predates the band’s electronic experimentation, and could likely hook even the most straightforward rock and roll fan. In fact, early show attendees liked the song so much that they were often indifferent to the rest of the band’s catalogue, and Radiohead played “Creep” less frequently as the decade went on. However, the song is still a fan favourite, and the distorted guitar, especially leading up to the chorus, paired with lead singer Thom Yorke’s pained lyrics, makes this song immediately affecting and memorable.
And here are my picks for the five songs that make me glad 1993 is long behind us:
“Whoomp! (There It Is)” by Tag Team
Party people, don’t deny it – you loved this one. Perfect for basketball video montages everywhere, this feel-good hit originated in Miami. Besides the overall dated feel of this song, it’s undeniably very catchy. One thing we can take away from this song: if you’re ever stuck for song lyrics, take a cue from Tag Team and throw a few “shakalakas” in there.
“Informer” by Snow
If you managed to avoid Snow in the 90s, consider yourself lucky. “Informer,” which reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, was written and performed by Darrin Kenneth O’Brien, the Toronto-born reggae artist also known as Snow. It features such deep and introspective lyrics as “you know say daddy Snow me [ . . . ] a licky boom-boom down.” Enough said.
“Dreamlover” by Mariah Carey
Not unlike the high-waisted jean shorts featured in the video for this song, Mariah Carey has experienced a comeback in recent years. As part of the American Idol judging panel, she helps aspiring artists across the nation master their multi-octave runs. This type of oversinging, which is Carey’s signature, is exactly what detracts from this song. Although she has good control of her voice, the simplistic musical arrangement and breathy vocal work does nothing to add any substance, and the track ultimately falls flat.
“What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes
If you’re having trouble clearly recalling 1993 (and the bad fashion that went along with it) frontwoman Linda Perry’s bathrobe and goggle ensemble in the video for this song will definitely do the trick. The band should be given kudos for being an alternative to their 90s girl group contemporaries (Spice Girls, I’m looking at you). However, this song’s engineered sound, along with Perry’s grating vocals, make this a poor alternative to Top 40. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Perry herself seems to feel the project hasn’t aged well, admitting, “I wasn’t really a big fan of my band.”
“Forever in Love” by Kenny G
Two words: “smooth jazz.” No, wait, two more: “adult contemporary.” Since 1993, this song has been heard in countless elevators in nondescript office buildings everywhere. Although it can’t be argued that this saxophonist has his technique down pat—he must, given he’s the top selling instrumental artist in modern times—his songs come off a tad schmaltzy in 2013. The gentle, inoffensive piano paired with multiple overwrought sax solos is enough to make any elevator ride feel far too long.
