Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1993.

For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

In 1993, James Bulger a 2-year-old is murdered by two 10-year-old boys, unemployment reaches 3,000,000, IRA bombs are planted and explode at gas holders in Warrington, the IRA bomb Warrington again this time in the town centre and kill a 3-year-old and a 12-year-old and injure 50, black London teenager Stephen Lawrence is stabbed to death in London in a racially motivated attack, massive IRA bombs explode in London destroying a medieval church, badly damaging the NatWest tower and Liverpool Street tube station and killing one person, the government declare the end of the recession, the Queen opens Buckingham Palace to the public for the first time, Bill Clinton becomes the president of the United States, Islamic Fundamentalists bomb the World Trade Centre killing 6 and injuring over a thousand, tennis player Monica Seles is stabbed by a spectator– an obsessed Steffi Graff fan, Slovakia gains independence when Czechoslovakia divides into Slovakia and the Czech Republic, the films Schindler’s List, Groundhog Day, Jurassic Park and Mrs Doubtfire were all released and I turned 17-years-old.

1993 is another fantastic year for music. And oh yes, there’s Blur again, there’s REM again and there’s Queen Bjork again. Here, in no particular order are the top ten tunes from 1993 (Spotify playlist at the end).

1. Jump Around by House of Pain

2. Cannonball by the Breeders

3. Stutter by Elastica

And as a bonus, here’s a photo of peak Justine (Elastica) and Damon (Blur). Gawd bless ’em.

4. Regret by New Order

5. It Was a Good Day by Ice Cube

6. Venus as a Boy by Bjork

7. Animal Nitrate by Suede

8. For Tomorrow by Blur

9. La Tristesse Durera (Scream to a Sigh) by Manic Street Preachers

10. Everybody Hurts by R.E.M.

Tell me fam, which is your favourite from this week’s list? For me, it’s the Breeders. Oh, but also, try and keep me off the dance floor when House of Pain come on.

See you next week for 1994!

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Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1992.

For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991  1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Windsor Castle ablaze

In 1992, IRA bombs in Omagh kills 7 and injures more, the Queen commemorates her Ruby Jubilee, the Duke and Duchess of York (Andy & Fergie) separate, the Conservative party are re-elected for the fourth consecutive term, the IRA detonate two bombs in central London killing 3 people, the first female Speaker of the House of Commons is elected- Betty Boothroyd, the Olympics takes place in Barcelona, two IRA bombs explode in London, but no one is injured, the government closes a third of all mines, the IRA force a taxi driver to drive to Downing Street where they detonate a bomb- again no one is hurt, the Church of England vote to allow women to become priests, a fire breaks out in Windsor Castle causing over £50 million worth of damage, another IRA bomb is detonated in Manchester city centre causing millions of pounds of damage and injuring 65 people, Prince Charles and Diana separate, 4 people are injured by an IRA bomb on Oxford St, London, Euro Disney opens in France, rioting breaks out across Los Angeles following the acquittal of four white police officers accused of beating Rodney King, Mike Tyson is convicted of rape and the Maastricht Treaty is signed founding the European Union…

The films Reservoir Dogs and Basic Instinct are released and I turn sweet sixteen.

I loved 1992. In 1992 I did my GCSEs, left school and started at Henley College where I did my A-Levels, met Stephen and went to my first ever Glastonbury festival (the first of muddy many). At Glastonbury, I saw Shakespear’s Sister, Blur, Joan Armatrading, Primal Scream (you can read about how that went here) and PJ Harvey (and many, many others). I ended 1992 by attending a Blur gig and gate crashing their afterparty in a recording studio. 1992 marked the start of my regular and slightly obsessive attendance of gigs around London. Brixton Academy, the Town & Country club (later the Forum) and the Astoria were all regular haunts of mine. Here, in no particular order are my favourite songs from 1992.

1.People Everyday by Arrested Development

2. Hit by the Sugarcubes (this will not be the only time Queen Bjork features in these playlists)

3. Finally by CeCe Peniston

4. End of the Road by Boyz II Men (Mate, I loved a bit of Boyz II Men back in the day and I’m here all day, everyday for the Barry White-esq sexy talk bit in the middle of this song).

5. Motorcycle Emptiness by Manic Street Preachers

6. Friday I’m in Love by the Cure

Robert Smith’s 1992 hair game was strong

7. Pretend We’re Dead by L7 (thought I’d add the video of L7’s infamous 1992 appearance on the brilliant/awful The Word. Anyone around my age and from the UK will remember watching this programme half-cut on a Friday after the pubs closed)

8. Stay by Shakespear’s Sister

9. Creep by Radiohead

Aah look at baby Radiohead

10. Winter by Tori Amos

My favourite song from this lot is Tori Amos. That song is just stunning and I still have to stop what I’m doing and just listen whenever I hear it now. Sooooooo, which one of these gems is your favourite? Please someone say Boyz II Men…

See you next week for 1993!

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Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1991.

For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

The release of John McCarthy

In 1991, 27 people die in gale-force winds across the UK, a train crash at Cannon Street, London injures over 500 people and kills one, the Gulf War begins, the PIRA (provisional IRA) attacked 10 Downing Street and blew all the windows in of the cabinet room during a session at the War Cabinet, the IRA detonates bombs at both Paddington and Victoria stations, John McCarthy a British journalist who had been held captive for 5 years in Lebanon is free, rioting breaks out across the country, business tycoon Robert Maxwell is found dead, two IRA bombers die in St. Albans when a bomb detonates prematurely, Terry Waite a British hostage held for 4 and a half years is freed, Freddie Mercury announces he has AIDS and sadly dies the next day, USSR is dissolved and many countries gain independence, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi is assassinated, apartheid is dismantled in South Africa, Slovenia and Croatia declare independence from Yugoslavia, police are captured on video beating Rodney King, the internet is now made available for commercial use and the films Boyz in the Hood, Thelma and Louise and Silence of the Lambs are released. I turn 15 years old.

From here on in, watch me delve into the British alternative music scene, but never fear there will always be plenty of pop and American tunes thrown into the mix too. So, here in no particular order, are my top ten tunes from 1991.

1. There’s No Other Way by Blur

2. Gett Off by Prince

3. I Touch Myself by The Divinyls

Clearly playing a particularly tricky game of Twister

4. The Size of a Cow by the Wonder Stuff

5. Dress by PJ Harvey

6. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana

7. Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack

8. The Whole of the Moon by the Waterboys (originally released in 1985, it was only when it was re-issued in 1991 that it became a big hit)

9. Sit Down by James (I had to include this. My first ever gig was James at the Oxford Apollo in 1991)

10. Losing My Religion by REM

REM are a close second, but it’s the lads- Nirvana that are a clear winner this week.

So, gang…….which is your favourite?

See you next week for 1992!

Just Another Blog From a Woman has been nominated for an award. If you enjoy my blog and you have a spare few seconds, would you mind voting for me HERE It’s very simple and there’s no need to register or provide an email address, just vote for Just Another Blog From a Woman under the Best Pal category. Thank you SO much.

Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1990. Oh yes, I welcome you to the Nineties!

For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

OK brace yourself, the news doesn’t really get any better during this year. In 1990, hurricane force winds kill over 50 people in the UK, the IRA bomb Leicester city injuring 3 people, Princess Eugenie is born, riots opposing the Poll Tax take place across London, four soldiers are killed by an IRA bomb in County Down, riots take place in Strangeway prison which then prompts riots to take place in other prisons across the UK, an army recruit is shot dead and two others are injured by an IRA gunman in Staffordshire, an IRA bomb explodes at the base of the London Stock Exchange building, an IRA car bomb kills a British MP, British hostages in Iraq are paraded on TV, the whole of the UK enters a recession, Margaret Thatcher announces her resignation as Leader of the Conservative party and therefore as Prime Minister- she was the longest serving Prime Minister of the 20th Century, John Major becomes Prime Minister, Channel Tunnel workers from the UK and France meet establishing land connection between the UK and mainland Europe for the first time in 8,000 years, Roald Dahl dies at 74, Tim Berners-Lee publishes his proposal for the World Wide Web, the demolition of the Berlin Wall officially begins and East & West Germany are reunited, a stampede of religious pilgrims in Mecca leaves 1,400 people dead, a fire in an illegal social club in New York kills 87 people, an earthquake in the Philippines kills over 1,600 people, Twin Peaks premiers on TV and Nelson Mandela is released from prison (see something good DID happen in 1990). The films Ghost, Misery, Home Alone and Goodfellas are released. I turn 14 years old.

Oh and also, in case you’re all wondering, this is what I looked like in 1990 and I think we can all agree that I was quite the catch:

Can anybody tell me why I couldn’t get a boyfriend in 1990?

So this week, I give you not one, but two female British rappers (yep Brits can rap, a post on British rap is literally brewing as you read this post). Also, our George makes another appearance (as does Madge and our Kylie). The nineties are here and they’re looking mighty fine.

1. Doin’ the Do by Betty Boo

2. Step Back in Time by Kylie Minogue

3. Dub Be Good To Me by Beats International

4. Vogue by Madonna

5. Freedom ’90 by George Michael

6. It’s A Shame (My Sister) by Monie Love

7. Loaded by Primal Scream

8. There She Goes by The La’s

9. Hold On by Wilson Philips

10. Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O’Connor

So, whilst Madge and Beats International are very close runners up, it’s Battersea’s finest Monie Love that is my absolute favourite. I can still do the whole rap word perfectly (this may come as a surprise to you, but despite all of my many, MANY talents- I can’t actually rap). So, pray tell me, which is your 1990 favourite?

See you next week for 1991!

Just Another Blog From a Woman has been nominated for an award. If you enjoy my blog and you have a spare few seconds, would you mind voting for me HERE It’s very simple and there’s no need to register or provide an email address, just vote for Just Another Blog From a Woman under the Best Pal category. Thank you SO much.

Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1987.

For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986  1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

The Simpsons looking a little bit different in 1987

In 1987, Terry Waite is kidnapped in Beirut, Margaret Thatcher wins the general election again for the third time, in Hungerford, Berkshire Michael Ryan shoots dead 16 people and injures 16 before turning the gun on himself (this is the same day that whilst staying with our grandparents, my brother & I decided to go for a walk in the woods. We told our grandmother we’d be 10 minutes. We were gone for over 2hrs. Where did my grandparents live? Berkshire. Not far from Hungerford. Cue a very panic stricken grandmother greeting us at the gate when we nonchalantly returned),  hurricane force winds kill 23 people in South-East England, a fire at Kings Cross underground station claims 31 lives, The Simpsons first appear on the Tracey Ullman Show, a cross-channel ferry capsizes near Zeebrugge, Belgium killing 193 people and Dirty Dancing, Robocop and the film that would deter anyone from having an affair (and then leaving your pet rabbit unattended) Fatal Attraction were released. And I turned 11 years old.

Yes, I know it’s about the 900th time that both the Smiths and George Michael have featured in my top tens, but hey- the heart wants what the heart wants. And it’s not my fault they were both so prolific and good (it’ll be the last appearance of the Smiths FYI). Anyway, never fear- we’ve got plenty of first time appearances from several artists this week too. 1987 coming atcha (in no particular order)…

1.Sweet Little Mystery by Wet Wet Wet

Poor ginger bloke from Wet Wet Wet

2. Respectable by Mel & Kim (the first single I ever bought. Purchased with the £1 coin that my brother had sellotaped to my Birthday card as my gift. I genuinely couldn’t have been happier. I literally ran to the local record shop to buy the 7″…does this all make me sound old?)

3. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) by Whitney Houston

4. Don’t Get Me Wrong by the Pretenders

5. Heaven is a Place on Earth by Belinda Carlisle

6. Faith by George Michael

7. The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson

8. China in Your Hand by T’Pau

9. Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship

10. Last Night I Dreamt Someone Loved Me by The Smiths

So easy to choose my favourite this week. As I’m at my happiest when it’s 2am, I’ve sunk a few Sambuccas and am dancing with my girl gang to I Wanna Dance With Somebody, it most definitely has to be our Whitney this week. Which one of these 1987 treats is your favourite?

And if you want more deliciousness from 1987, hop over to the wonderful Talk About Pop Music‘s blog on what songs they thought were the best from 1987 here. See you next week for 1988!

Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1986.

For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985  1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

In 1986, the trusty Sun newspaper claims that comedian Freddie Starr ate a live hamster, journalist John McCarthy is kidnapped in Beirut, rioting breaks out in Portadown in Northern Ireland between Protestants and Catholics, Prince Andrew marries Sarah Ferguson, the Commonwealth Games are held in Edinburgh, GCSE exams replace ‘O’ Levels, Australian soap opera Neighbours is launched on the BBC, Margaret Thatcher opens the completed M25, the government launches a £20million campaign to warn people about the dangers of AIDS, the first case of BSE (mad cow disease) is discovered in British cattle, the highest audience of all time for a British TV drama is recorded on Christmas Day as Dirty Den hands Angie Watts divorce papers– 30 million people tune in, a Soviet nuclear reactor explodes at Chernobyl, Comet Halley reaches it’s closest point to Earth during it’s second visit to the solar system in the 20th century, The space shuttle Challenger disintegrates seconds after launch killing all 7 astronauts, FOOTballer Diego Maradona scores a goal with the back of his hand (“the hand of God“) against England in the World Cup and the films Top Gun and Stand By Me (one of my all time favourite films) are released. And I celebrate entering by double figures.

In case you haven’t worked this out already, you really need to get used to Madonna appearing in these top tens. What can I say, I’m a woman who had an 80s childhood- of course she’s is going to feature heavily. Anyway, here’s my personal top ten from 1986 (in no particular order). Spotify list at the end as per.

1.World Shut Your Mouth by Julian Cope

2. You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon (so in love with 1980s Chevy Chase)

3. Caravan of Love by the Housemartins

4. Manic Monday by the Bangles

Another example of 80s hair magnificence

5. Don’t Leave Me This Way by the Communards

6. Panic by the Smiths

7. For America by Red Box

8. A Different Corner by George Michael

9. True Colors by Cyndi Lauper

10. Live to Tell by Madonna

It’s so very close between The Smiths, Paul Simon and Cyndi Lauper this week, but I’m going to have to give it to my girl Cyndi. It always makes me feel emotional. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE? Answers on a cyber postcard below.

See you next week for 1987.

Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1984.

For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Band Aid 1984

In 1984, Torvill and Dean wins gold at the Winter Olympics, the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is assassinated, the miners’ strikes begin, comedian Tommy Cooper collapses and dies from a heart attack live on TV, police officer Yvonne Fletcher is shot and killed in the Libyan Embassy siege, a Brighton hotel is bombed by the IRA in an attempt to kill PM Margaret Thatcher- she narrowly escapes injury, but 5 people are killed and 31 were injured, the Thames Barrier is opened by the Queen, British unemployment reaches an all time record high, runner Zola Budd controversially collides with Mary Decker during the 3000 metre race at the Los Angeles Olympics, Prince Harry (officially Henry) is born, the Band Aid charity single is released and goes to the top of the charts, pop band Bucks Fizz are involved in a serious road accident, Marvin Gaye is shot and killed by his father and the films Ghostbusters, Gremlins, the Terminator, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Footloose are released. I turned 8 years old.

I think 1984 is another one of my favourite years so far. So many big names this week and our George features twice. So here’s my top ten 10 tunes from 1984, in no particular order. There’s a Spotify playlist at the end as per.

1. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go by Wham! (This video is pure 80s, pure Wham! and pure George- shaky camera work and bad miming ‘n’ all)

2. White Lines (Don’t Do It) by Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel

Is this the most perfect band photo ever?

3. Borderline by Madonna

4. Hero Takes a Fall by the Bangles (watch the Bangles destroying the patriarchy in this video)

5. Seven Seas by Echo and the Bunnymen

6. Careless Whisper by George Michael

7. Smalltown Boy by Bronski Beat

8. The Power of Love by Frankie Goes to Hollywood

9. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper

10. Purple Rain by Prince

What?! Now you want me to pick one, singular track from that lot to be my favourite?! When you’ve got George Michael, Cyndi Lauper, Frankie, Wham AND Prince in that list altogether, it’s not possible, surely?…but I’m thinking as I still can’t listen to Purple Rain without getting misty eyes, it’s probably that. So, can you decide which one is your favourite? Let me know below.

See you next Friday for 1985.