1992. I was born this year in a hospital in Connecticut. This year is significant to me for that reason and that reason alone. I also recently found a website that lists the most critically acclaimed songs by year. A Swedish statistician combed through many top 10 song lists compiled by Rolling Stone, NME, and other music publications from all over the world. With this data, he found the most acclaimed songs and separated them by genre, year, and country. For fun, I decided to see what the most critically-loved songs of my birth year were, listen to the top 100, and rank my favorites.
To see the list and complain about my choices click here.
Honorable Mentions:
- Sheela-na-gig by PJ Harvey (#23): For those who don't know, a sheela-na-gig is a crude carving of a woman exposing her lady parts found in Europe in the 11th century. In the song, PJ Harvey uses her body to get the attention of a man. In return, she gets slut shamed by the man. In return, PJ references South Pacific and moves on to the next guy. I like how Harvey's power comes from her vocals with some rocking production to back her up in the tight little song.
- Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia) by US3 (#39): Can jazz-rap make a comeback, please? It inspired some of Kendrick Lamar's best work, but I want to hear it from more rappers. This song is anchored by a sample of a Herbie Hancock song, This sample kills every second it plays. The rapper, as well, sounds smooth and confident on top of the sample. He does not say anything of value, just brags about his rapping, but it's an enjoyable three-minute listen.
- Constant Craving by k.d. lang (#33): I was disappointed that I couldn't find room for "I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar" by Jonathan Richman. Instead, we get a song by an actual lesbian about her struggles with desire. You could make the parallel that it is about the desire for another woman, but the lyrics are vague enough to be any desire. Her lovely, sincere delivery allows me to feel what she feels.
- Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang by Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg (#2): This is the most important rap song of the '90s. Gangsta rap only goes mainstream with this song. This song is a smooth ride from two MCs who can flow well on an old funk sample.
- Babies by Pulp (#19): A likable story song about a boy who crushes on his female friend's older sister and sneaks into her wardrobe (Don't try this at home.) to find her with some other guy. From this experience, he learns he has a crush on his friend. This song is a joyful moment of discovery that almost masks how creepy his actions are.
10. Hey Jealousy by the Gin Blossoms (#69)
1992 was the dawn of the Alt-rock Revolution. Nirvana came in and ended the relevance of hair-metal. In addition to that genre, there was also a bunch of cheesy soft rock that went away during this era, thanks to R.E.M. From their influence, we have this band from Arizona. This song was written by the band's guitarist, Doug Hopkins. Hopkins had a drinking problem and channeled this issue to write about a flawed man asking his ex for a second chance. It feels sincere and is covered with memorable guitar hooks. This song would eventually become a hit after a year of promotion and touring. During that time, the band fired Hopkins because of his drinking. Overall, it's a rocking tune I love to hear anytime it plays.
9. Protect Ya Neck by Wu-Tang Clan (#6)
In 1976, three cousins went to a block party in Brooklyn, fell in love with hip-hop, and started their own group. This group would disband after two cousins got signed to separate record contracts. Both rappers failed and were dropped by the labels. After that, the three cousins would reunite plus six other guys. This is the birth of the Wu-Tang Clan and their first single "Protect Ya Neck." This is how you make an excellent first impression. Each rapper brings his A-game. I tried ranking all the member's verses, but that was too hard. Everyone in this group is charismatic and a good songwriter. My favorite is RZA (pronounced rizz-uh) where he "flows like Christ when he speaks the Gospel." From this start, Wu-Tang became the most important and influential hip-hop collective of the 90's.
8. Man on the Moon by R.E.M. (#11)
R.E.M.'s tribute to comedian Andy Kaufman. For those who do not know (like me), Andy Kaufman was an innovative comedian in the 1970s who created the basics of anti-humor and cringe comedy. To many (like me), his humor is way more cringy than funny (I do see how he is influential to comedians like Nathan Fielder and Diane Morgan.). However, R.E.M. makes a case for him. If you can believe in his schtick, you will get it. To further the argument, lead singer Michael Stipe cites examples from Moses, Isaac Newton, and Charles Darwin. All these men were seen as illogical in their days, but now they are recognized as geniuses. This song also plays into the conspiracy theory that Andy Kaufman faked his death in 1984 as the biggest joke of his career. The song is an excellent send-up to a weird, influential comedian who does not click for me.
7. Popscene by Blur (#83)
Now let's go on a trip to England. The Brits heard grunge music for the first time and hated its dark themes and lyrics. In reaction, some bands made happy-sounding music based on classic English rock bands like the Kinks and the Beatles that embraced its Britishness. From these contributions, we have the alternative rock subgenre Britpop. One of the biggest bands in the scene was Blur. There is not much to say about the song itself. It's a bop with abstract lyrics. It would also prepare England and eventually the world for more Britpop. Blur itself did not make it to the American charts. That pleasure would go to their contemporary/rival band Oasis. The frontman, Damon Albarn, would have more success with his next band Gorillaz. This song still stands up as a fun song from the beginning of Britpop.
6. Pretend We're Dead by L7 (#29)
Now to represent grunge we have this song from girl group L7. Lead singer Donita Sparks wanted to write a break-up song, but somehow she ended up with a song about conservative apathy. The only solution for the left-leaning musicians is to fade into the background or pretend they are dead. Conservative politics do not care about them. The lyrics are not the selling point for me. I love the guitar riff, the chorus, and its overall vibe.
5. Underwhelmed by Sloan (#85)
Sloan is a rock band from Canada. all the band members write songs and sing lead vocals on their own songs. This means the other band members may need to switch instruments during concerts. This song, "Underwhelmed," was their first single. I like their display of immaturity in the lyrics. Normally immaturity comes up in teenage girls complaining about a recent breakup. That is not happening here. The singer flirts with a girl, but he is socially inept. He would rather correct her grammar instead of focusing on her. I relate to this more than I'd like to admit. The song describes realistic teenage awkwardness. Many awkward boys do not date the girl, but they do understand striking out.
Rule #376 for music fans/critics: You must like the Cure. This band spent a good decade or so making sad, gloomy post-punk. Then the frontman, Robert Smith, got tired of that and made the happiest song imaginable. He is happy that it's Friday, and he gets to see his girlfriend. Smith does all he can to sell how happy he is. This song is simple fun for someone who knows how great it feels to be finished with work on Friday.
3. They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) by Pete Rock and CL Smooth (#18)
My top three songs are all hip-hop songs. First, we have this hip-hop track dedicated to the group's friend, Troy "Trouble T Roy" Dixon. Dixon died in a horrible accident two years earlier at the age of 22. In the song, CL Smooth raps his life story. In the first verse, he talks about his birth and his mama and how he raised him and his sister as a single mom. The next verse is dedicated to his stepfather who raised him into the man he is. Finally, in the last verse, he talks about how Trouble T Roy was the first person to believe he could make it as a rapper. I love the sentiment of CL noticing how others impacted his life for the better. As for Pete Rock, the producer, he found a great saxophone sample from an old jazz fusion band and expertly placed it in the track. That sample is memorable as hell and has been sampled, in turn, on many other rap songs. I first heard it in a Lupe Fiasco track. This song is a great slice of old hip-hop to remember those who have inspired you and guided you.
2. Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat) by Digable Planets (#37) (Explicit Language)
When I was reviewing the list of songs, I thought this would be number one. This is the smoothest rap song in the history of rap. The slowed-down jazz sample makes the rappers sound like beat poets. The rappers' flows are also very smooth and laid back. The first guy's bars do not rhyme, but I do not care. He also has rap's greatest tagline (We be to rap what key be to lock.). Sadly, their subgenre of jazz rap would be upstaged by the gangstas next year, and this would be their only hit.
1. Passin' Me By by The Pharcyde (#32)
This is the best song about unrequited love to exist. In the first verse, Bootie Brown talks from the point of view of a little boy who is in love with his teacher. He even makes his voice sound young and prepubescent. He shows his love by writing graffiti on a bus with his name and her name. This romance is not going to work due to pedophilia laws and on top of that, his teacher is married. The next verse is handled by Slimkid3. He raps about being in love with his childhood friend. He wants to make a move but doesn't because she is out of his league. In the end, he musters up the courage to talk to her about it. The next rapper, Imani, tries to break up a relationship with a girl dating a "nincompoop." (I'm so happy they use that word.) She promises to ditch her man but ultimately flakes and leaves Imani by himself. Finally, Fatlip tries to start a relationship with a girl he barely knows. He writes a letter confessing his love for her. This letter was sent back three days later. These verses have great production underneath them that gives the song a sad vibe. Of the top 100 most acclaimed songs of 1992, this is my favorite.
And for fun, here are the bottom five tracks.
#5. I Got A Man by Positive K (#75)- Hey Positive K, stop pestering this girl who isn't interested in you that you are also voicing.
#4. Raving I'm Raving by Shut Up and Dance (#100)- Boring rave song that lazily samples "Walking in Memphis."
#3. Television the Drug of the Nation by Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy (#60)- A very preachy song about how bad television is. I really want this rapper to shut up during this song (even though he isn't wrong).
#2. Don't You Want Me by Felix (#88)- Another boring, repetitive dance track.
#1. Fuck wit Dre Day (And Everybody's Celebratin')/Dre Day by Dr Dre feat. Snoop Dogg (#98)- Well this song age aged very poorly. It's a diss track against a rapper I have never heard of, where Dre and Snoop both rap like they really want to receive oral sex from him.
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