Saturday, June 4, 2016

The Top 100 Songs of 1991*: #20-11

In 1991, Tim Berners-Lee announced the creation of the first web browser called the World Wide Web, and we would soon see the formation of a global Internet linking computers throughout the world.  Nations from the former Soviet Union one by one declared independence, and the name Saint Petersburg was restored to the city which was renamed Leningrad in 1924.  In sports, the New York Giants edged the Buffalo Bills 20-19 in the Super Bowl.

And these 10 great songs are among the year's best:







#20:

Unbelievable
EMF

At #20, British newcomers EMF came up with one of the biggest international hits of the year.  It reached #1 in the U.S., #3 in the U.K. and Switzerland, #4 in Canada and Belgium, #5 in Ireland, #6 in the Netherlands, #8 in Australia and Norway and #9 in Germany and Sweden.









#19:
Wicked Game
Chris Isaak

In 1989, Chris Isaak recorded this song for his album Heart Shaped World.  After an instrumental version of the song was included in the movie Wild at Heart the following year, a radio station in Atlanta, Georgia began playing the vocal version and it became the station's most-requested song.  Word soon spread to other radio stations and the record company released the song as a single.  It went on to reach #3 in Sweden, #5 in the Netherlands, #6 in the United States, #7 in New Zealand, #9 in Germany and #10 in the U.K.  "Wicked Game" continues to get stronger as the former #6 song is now among the 20 best for 1991.





#18:
It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over
Lenny Kravitz

This artist produced "Justify My Love" for Madonna, but after various record labels told him his music was either "not black enough" or "not white enough", he hired Stephen Elvis Smith to be his manager.  Within a month, some of the top labels on the planet--Warner Brothers, Elektra, Geffen and Capitol--started a bidding war for him.  He finally signed with Virgin Records and the world could hear his magnificent blend of Rock & Roll with R&B.







#17:
Wind Of Change
Scorpions

As we have seen in the headlines, 1991 was a year of historical change, of previously unimaginable change.  We have already heard Jesus Jones sing about it in "Right Here, Right Now".  Another song which seemed to best capture the moment was this one at #17.







#16:
Losing My Religion
R.E.M.

Although this group had gained a reputation for writing provocative lyrics and whose musical talent was unquestioned, R.E.M. scored their biggest hit in 1991 with one of only four Top 10 songs.  It peaked at #4 but has since outpaced many #1, #2 and #3 songs at the time.







#15:
Gonna' Make You Sweat
C + C Music Factory

What a year for this group.  They placed "Things That Make You Go Hmmm" at #58 and "Here We Go" at #65.  This one by C + C Music Factory is all the way up at #16.  It was a huge international smash, going to #1 in the United States, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland, #2 in New Zealand and Spain, #3 in the U.K., Australia and Belgium, #5 in Norway and Sweden, #6 in Canada and #8 in Finland.  And its ability to stand the test of time is evidenced by its inclusion in no less than 15 movies and 11 television series since 1991.







#14:
More Than Words
Extreme

This song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.  It reached #1 in the U.S., Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand, #2 in the U.K., Australia and Ireland, #3 in Switzerland, #4 in Norway, #6 in Finland and #8 in Germany and France, sold over one million copies and helped sell over two million albums.  The song has slipped at bit since 1991.







#13:
Coming Out Of The Dark
Gloria Estefan

In 1989, this superstar suffered a near fatal accident in which she fractured a spine when an 18-wheeler rammed into her tour bus during a snowstorm.  This song describes the experience and the recovery of both she and her husband.









#12:
Every Heartbeat
Amy Grant

Here's yet another example of a song that didn't reach #1 which is stronger than many that did.  It was #2 on the Popular chart and #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart for six weeks.  Billboard officially ranked it #28 for the year but our research shows that's off, having achieved huge success against some of the top competition of the year and contributing to five million in sales for the album Heart In Motion.







#11:
It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday
Boyz II Men

At #11, we have a song which only peaked at #4 at the time, although it went #1 on the R&B chart.  It not only sold over one million copies but helped the album Cooleyhiharmony sell over nine million.

Updating and Editing of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs*

We have always tried to be diligent about keeping this most popular category so each page loads quickly for you.  To keep each page at 10 songs or less (and allow for continued growth of the category), we have added 11 pages to the feature.  Please check out all 37 pages!

Part 37 of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*

We have greatly expanded the number of pages in this category to give you a much quicker load time.  The songs are so good and obviously, the category is so popular that we don't want you to miss out because it is taking too long to load.  Enjoy!


Part 36 of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*

The load time on these is now much quicker thanks to a revamping of the pages of this popular category:


The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*, Part 35

We guarantee that some of the songs in this feature will become some of your favorite songs of the Rock Era--we've included a good variety so that no matter your particular taste, you should be able to find some you love!



The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*, Part 34

Enjoy this great segment of this popular category and click on the links below for more great songs!


Friday, June 3, 2016

Part 26 of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*

To decrease load times for you, we have added pages for the ever-increasing list of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs*:



Part 27 of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*

We have prepared a delicious dish of some of the best music never to reach the Top 10:



Part 28 of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*

We love to turn you on to new music, especially when it's of the caliber of the songs found among this category.  Enjoy and tell your friends about the songs!



Part 29 of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*

Do yourself a favor and be treated to some of the great underrated songs of the last 60 years:




Part 30 of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*

When you begin to check out the pages of our most popular feature, you'll be amazed at how many great songs never made the Top 10.  Here is just a sample.  But don't quit now--click the links at the bottom to experience all of these:



The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*, Part 31

You get a whole library of great undiscovered and underrated songs right here on Inside The Rock Era!


The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*, Part 32

Enjoy these songs and many more by clicking on the links below:


Part 33 of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*

To make pages load easier for you, we have added eight more segments of this popular feature.  Be sure to check out all the songs in this category by clicking on the links at the bottom of the page!



This Date in Rock Music History: June 4

1942:  Glenn Wallichs began Capitol Records in the United States in a second-floor room south of Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles.  Capitol would become the home for Frank Sinatra, the Beach Boys, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Glen Campbell, Steve Miller, Anne Murray, Dr. Hook, Bob Seger, Tina Turner, Heart and many, many others.

Featured Unknown/Underrated Song: Kelly Clarkson's "The Trouble With Love Is"

Only Kelly Clarkson fans and fans of the movie Love Actually will know this song.  It's the next song to be featured in Inside The Rock Era's Top Unknown/Underrated Songs*:

The Trouble With Love Is
Kelly Clarkson


Written by Kelly Clarkson, Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken


Oooh oooh, ooooh yeah, mmmm...

Love can be a many splendored thing
Can't deny the joy it brings
A dozen roses, diamond rings
Dreams for sale and fairy tales
It'll make you hear a symphony
And you just want the world to see
But like a drug that makes you blind,
It'll fool ya every time

The trouble with love is
It can tear you up inside
Make your heart believe a lie
It's stronger than your pride
The trouble with love is
It doesn't care how fast you fall
And you can't refuse the call
See, you got no say at all

Now I was once a fool, it's true
I played the game by all the rules
But now my world's a deeper blue
I'm sadder, but I'm wiser too
I swore I'd never love again
I swore my heart would never mend
Said love wasn't worth the pain
But then I hear it call my name

(The trouble with) The trouble with love is
It can tear you up inside
Make your heart believe a lie
It's stronger than your pride
The trouble with love is
It doesn't care how fast you fall
And you can't refuse the call
See, you got no say at all

Every time I turn around
I think I've got it all figured out
My heart keeps callin' and I keep on fallin'
Over and over again
This sad story always ends the same
Me standin' in the pourin' rain
It seems no matter what I do
It tears my heart in two

(The trouble with love is) The trouble with love, yeah
(It can tear you up inside) It can tear you up inside
(Make your heart believe a lie) Make your heart believe a lie
It's stronger than your pride

(The trouble with love is)
It's in your heart
It's in your soul (doesn't care how fast you fall)
You won't get no control
(and you can't refuse the call)
See, you got no say at all

(The trouble with love is) Oh, yeah
(It can tear you up inside)
(Make your heart believe a lie)

Really Check Out the Inside The Rock Era Tabs!

After 5+ years, this website is now established enough to where you can spend an eternity (practically) exploring the Tabs located at the top of the page.  There are numerous entries in each now, and whether you want to discover some new music (Top Unknown/Underrated Songs* or Top Tracks*), see live footage of a great artist performing a song live (Captured Live in Concert*), view the history of some of the top artists of the Rock Era (Five Best Songs*, Discographies* and Hits List*) or see where your favorite songs, stars and albums rank in history (Charts and Lists*), Inside The Rock Era is the place for you, a great lover of music!

The Top 100 Songs of 1991*: #30-21

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall announced he was retiring.  Meanwhile, Steffi Graf won the Wimbledon Women's Singles Championship and Sega produced the first game of Sonic the Hedgehog.

In music, these 10 songs continue to be strong 25 years later:





#30:

Can't Stop This Thing We Started
Bryan Adams


Bryan Adams enjoyed a great year in 1991 with his album Waking Up The Neighbours.  This #2 smash was nominated for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Solo Performance at the Grammy Awards.








#29:
I Like The Way (The Kissing Game)
Hi-Five

This #1 Gold song places at #29.  It's by the Waco, Texas group Hi-Five.







#28:
Set Adrift On Memory Bliss
P.M. Dawn

This #1 song in the U.S. also landed at #3 in the U.K. and Germany, #4 in Switzerland, #5 in Ireland, #6 in the Netherlands, #7 in Australia and #9 in Canada and Austria.  The success of the song from their debut album got P.M. Dawn off the ground in 1991.







#27:
Justify My Love
Madonna

At #27, a #1 song that has slipped over the years.







#26:
Power Of Love/Love Power
Luther Vandross

Beloved soul singer Luther Vandross gave us this great song at #26, which led to American Music Awards for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Album and a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male.  This song was also nominated for Best R&B Song at the Grammys.









#25:
Love Is A Wonderful Thing
Michael Bolton

This great song was produced by Walter Afanasieff, who greatly helped Mariah Carey in her career.  It led to 11 million in album sales and has now topped one million in radio airplay.  








#24:
You're In Love
Wilson Phillips

After giving the world a phenomenal debut album, Wilson Phillips never came close to matching its success.  The trio plucked four Top 5 hits from the album, including this one, #1 on both the Popular and Adult Contemporary charts.







#23:
I Adore Mi Amour
Color Me Badd


We heard this group at #40 with "I Wanna' Sex You Up".  Color Me Badd also contributes this song to The Top 100 for 1991*.






#22:
The First Time
Surface

In 1989, this group who were once songwriters working for EMI Records reached #5 with "Shower Me With Your Love".  Two years later, they gave us this one, another #1 on both the Adult Contemporary and Popular charts.








#21:
Love Will Never Do (Without You)
Janet Jackson

At #21, a #1 song in both the U.S. and Canada.

The Top 100 Songs of 1991*: #40-31

In 1991, Georgia voted for independence from the Soviet Union and the Dow Jones Industrial Averaged closed above 3,000 for the first time ever.  Also that year, the first Starbucks coffee store opened in California.

In music, these 10 songs from 1991 are among those which have best stood the test of time:







#40:

High Enough
Damn Yankees

This #3 song helped the album Damn Yankees sell over two million copies.









#39:
Time, Love & Tenderness
Michael Bolton

Michael Bolton came up with one of the top albums of the year which went to #1 and has now topped eight million in sales.  Four songs from the album went to #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart including the title song.







#38:

I Wanna' Sex You Up
Color Me Badd

This group from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma went to #2 with this smash, which captured the American Music Award for Best R&B Soul Single.






#37:

Love Of A Lifetime
Firehouse

This #5 song from 1991 continues to gain in popularity.  Firehouse won Best New Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Band at the American Music Awards.    







#36:

Something To Talk About
Bonnie Raitt

At #36, a woman who started her career in 1970 but until the 1989 album Nick of Time had only a small but loyal following.  Two years later, Bonnie Raitt released the album Luck of the Draw with this song as the lead single.  It earned Raitt a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and was nominated for Record of the Year, although it lost out to "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole.







#35
Mysterious Ways

U2

This song by supergroup U2 went to #1 in Ireland and #9 in the U.S.  But it is has stood the test of time far better than many of its contemporaries, ranking #23 among songs from 1991 in YouTube views.







#34:

Unforgettable
Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole

We mentioned this song above as winner of Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards in 1991.  It ranks #39 among 1991 songs in YouTube views.







#33:

Motownphilly
Boyz II Men

This Philadelphia group went on to become one of the top acts of the '90s.  That success all started with this one, the first single from Boyz II Men.







#32:
One More Try
Timmy T

In 1990, Timmy T recorded the song "Time After Time" in his garage and when Power 106 in Los Angeles put the song into rotation, it led to increased airplay from stations around the country and a record contract with Quality Records.  That song only peaked at #40, but this song, released later in the year, became a #1 song in 1991.







#31:
Right Here, Right Now
Jesus Jones

We briefly mentioned the breakup of the Soviet Union, not only one of the best things to ever happen to Russia but to the world in general.  The Berlin Wall, constructed to keep East Germans from crossing over into West Germany, began to come down in 1990.  The group Jesus Jones wrote about how great it was to be alive at the time.

Thursday, June 2, 2016

This Date in Rock Music History: June 3

1953: Elvis Presley graduated from L.C. Humes High School in Memphis, Tennessee. Wonder if they had the foresight to vote him "Most Likely to Succeed".  (Note:  several websites claim Elvis graduated on June 2, and one says the graduation was June 14.  According to the official Graceland website, numerous Elvis websites, as well as the books 'Elvis for Dummies' by Susan Doll and 'Why Elvis Left the Building:  Revealing Seven Lost Years' by Heart Lanier Shapr, Presley graduated on June 3, 1953.)
1964:  The Rolling Stones taped a performance for the television show Hollywood Palace.  (Note:  numerous websites incorrectly identify June 3 as the date of the show.  'Hollywood Palace' on ABC-TV on Saturday nights.  Saturday in 1964 fell on June 6, and the date of the show is confirmed by both the newspaper 'The Baltimore Sun' and the book 'Overweight Sensation:  The Life and Comedy of Allan Sherman' by Mark Cohen.    What happened on June 3 was not the airing of the show but rather the taping of it.)
1964:  Just as the Beatles were preparing to tour Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, the Netherlands and Hong Kong, drummer Ringo Starr collapsed from exhaustion.  Jimmy Nicol temporarily replaced him as drummer for the Beatles for 13 days.
1967:  Jefferson Airplane appeared on American Bandstand on ABC-TV, performing the hits "White Rabbit" and "Somebody To Love".


The Top 100 Songs of 1991*: #50-41

In 1991, Arkansas governor Bill Clinton announced he would run for president of the United States while the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee interviewed Supreme Court candidate Clarence Thomas and former Thomas aide Anita Hill, who alleged that Thomas sexually harassed her.  And, four Los Angeles policeman were indicted in the beating of Rodney King during an arrest.

The 10 songs helped serve as a soundtrack for the year:






#50:

Where Does My Heart Beat Now
Celine Dion


This single by French Canadian newcomer Celine Dion gave Celine her a Top 10 smash that reached #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart.







#49:
Cream
Prince
(no YouTube presence for Prince)


After this song, Prince only reached the Top 10 three more times in the next 25 years.




#48:
Sadeness Part 1
Enigma

Producer Michael Cretu, one worked with Vangeles, came up with this song which featured his wife Sandra on vocals. Enigma is the same group that gave us "Return To Innocence".







#47:
Fading Like A Flower (Every Time You Leave)
Roxette

1991 was a big year for this Swedish duo--you'll hear two songs in this segment from Roxette.







#46:
That's What Love Is For
Amy Grant

At #46, one of five songs from the album Heart of Motion to go Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart for Amy Grant.







#45:
Rhythm Of My Heart
Rod Stewart

The late-'80s and early '90s represented something of a comeback for this superstar.  He landed five Top 10 songs in a three-year period from 1989-1991.







#44:
Romantic
Karyn White

This #1 song for L.A.'s Karyn White was produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.







#43:
Joyride
Roxette

Here's another smash from Joyride, the biggest seller of Roxette's career.  They were riding high, performing to over 1.5 million fans in 107 concerts throughout the world.  






#42:
Place In This World
Michael W. Smith

This Christian artist wrote songs for artists such as Amy Grant and Kathy Troccoli, some of which can now be found in church hymnals.  He toured often with Grant before recording this smash in 1991. It had special relevance for graduates heading out into the world.









#41:
All This Time
Sting

You'll find the #41 song on Sting's album Soul Cages.  This single was big on the album rock stations and also hit #1 in Canada.

The Top 100 Songs of 1991*: #60-51

In 1991, The Cold War ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, saving both Russia and the United States billions of dollars.  And, Iragi leader Saddam Hussein announced the withdrawal of troops from Kuwait just one month after the United States sent troops to reverse the Iraqi takeover.  Iraqi soldiers set fire to Kuwait old fields as they retreated.

In music, these 10 songs were among the year's best:



#60:

Hole Hearted
Extreme

At #60, this Massachusetts band which also gave us "More Than Words" in 1991.







#59:

Still Got The Blues
Gary Moore

Here's the elite guitarist once with Thin Lizzy who delivered a phenomenal album in 1991.  This is the title track from Gary Moore.







#58:

Things That Make You Go Hmmm
C + C Music Factory

This group had a huge year in 1991--all four singles from their debut album reached #1 on the Dance chart.







#57:

Set The Night To Music
Roberta Flack with Maxi Priest

Superstar Roberta Flack combined with Maxi Priest for this song which was also recorded by Jefferson Starship.







#56:

Blowing Kisses In The Wind
Paula Abdul

Likable Paula Abdul had another fine year in 1991.  We heard her at #81 with "The Promise Of A New Day" and here she is at #56.







#55:

Cry For Help 
Rick Astley

This British artist has now sold over 40 million records worldwide.







#54:

Touch Me (All Night Long)
Cathy Dennis

Cathy Dennis scored an international hit when this song reached the Top 10 in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia and Ireland.







#53:

Summertime
D.J. Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

This song hit #1 on the R&B chart and earned a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.







#52:

Good Vibrations
Marky Mark And The Funky Bunch Featuring Loleatta Holloway

Mark Wahlberg went on to become a successful actor, but in 1991, this song went to #1 in the U.S., Sweden and Switzerland







#51:

Tell Me What You Want Me To Do
Tevin Campbell

This million seller is from the Waxahachie, Texas singer who first signed with Warner Brothers Records in 1988.  He went to work on his debut album, which contained the hit "Round And Round".  He enjoyed an even bigger hit on the album with this one.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

This Date in Rock Music History: June 2

1956:  Gene Vincent released the single "Be-Bop-A-Lula" on Capitol Records.
1957:  Johnnie Ray had the #1 song in the U.K. with "Yes Tonight Josephine".



1962:  "I Can't Stop Loving You" by Ray Charles was the new #1 song in the United States, replacing "Stranger On The Shore".
1962:  "Stranger On The Shore" was #1 for the seventh week on the Easy Listening chart for Mr. Acker Bilk.


The Top 100 Songs of 1991*: #70-61

We continue with more of The Top 100 of 1991*:


#70:
3 A.M. Eternal
KLF







#69:
Signs
Tesla







#68:
Silent Lucidity
Queensryche







#67:
Shiny Happy People
R.E.M.







#66:
Walking In Memphis
Marc Cohn







#65:
Here We Go
C + C Music Factory







#64:
Don't Cry
Guns N' Roses







#63:
I Touch Myself
Divinyls







#62:
Hold You Tight
Tara Kemp







#61:
Show Me The Way
Styx

The Top 100 Songs of 1991*: #80-71

The Class of 1991 is celebrating their 25-year Class Reunion this year and Inside The Rock Era presents The Top 100 Songs of 1991*, based on up-to-the-minute sales and airplay information, awards won, and the competition faced.  Here are the next 10:





#80:

Do Anything

Natural Selection









#79:

UB40
I Can't Wait Another Minute
Hi-Five







#78:

Here I Am (Come And Take Me)
UB40








#77:

Too Many Walls
Cathy Dennis






#78:

Disappear
INXS








#75:

Enter Sandman
Metallica







#74:

The Dream Is Still Alive
Wilson Phillips







#73:

Miracle
Whitney Houston







#72:

Don't Want To Be A Fool
Luther Vandross







#71:

I'll Give All My Love To You
Kieth Sweat