Or, Which Early 90′s Song Holds Up the Best?
It’s a given fact in any music debate: the early 1990′s were a golden age of musical innovation. Or, you know, at least the moderately catchy mainstreaming of somewhat electronicky dance pop.
Despite enjoying songs like C+C Music Factory in its day — and even going so far as to make Positive K the first CD I would ever purchase — it has recently come to my attention that a lot of the music from that era is totally cheesy and lame.
Except for Ace of Base.
That shit is timeless. I don’t mean it’s always going to be awesome. But listening today, it’s the same blend of terrible-but-just-catchy-enough today that it was when it was originally released, and that makes it awesome. Just to be sure, let’s look at the competition.
Move This
This song was technically released by Technotronic in 1989, but that was just the album version. The single blew up big time in the glorious early 90′s year of 1992, so it makes the cut for the club.
But ugh! listen to that primitive 80′s beat.
My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)
En Vogue, 1992. This song is not alone on this list for being horribly misnamed. It should clearly be called Mmmbop! based on the opening line, but unfortunately that honor was stolen later in the decade by the ignominious Hanson. Fun fact: did you know that Mmmbop! was produced by the Dust Brothers, who also produced the Fight Club soundtrack?
True story. But here’s an even more fun fact: did you know mediocre MLB roster filler Delino DeShields used My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It) as his plate approach music while playing for the Orioles? I did. I was a first-hand witness to that atrocity.
Groove Is in the Heart
Deee Lite, 1990. This one has also aged as well as a stack of dusty newspapers. Dusty newspapers with big woman-jacket shoulder pads. I will give it the honorary distinction of Best Use of Slide Whistle, though. Certainly best use on this list, possibly best use ever.
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)
C+C Music Factory, 1990. Just so, so horribly misnamed. The parentheses are bracketing the most important part! How can you not see that and reverse your title!
This song and Technotronic are clearly birds of a feather, sharing some sort of bizarre, deep spiritual connection. Either that or C+C Music Factory just ripped off Technotronic and rode their coat tails. Fun fact: did you know C+C Music Factory was planning to partner with the Bee Gees on a knockoff music venue called CBCG designed to capitalize on the popularity of CBGB? Me neither; I just made that up. But wouldn’t that be fun?
The Sign
Ace of Base, 1993. See, I just don’t think it comes across as that dated. It may never have been as good as Everybody Dance Now, but if you heard it for the first time today, would you be like “whoa, that just screams out bygone era?” No, you would not be like that.
Also in The Sign’s favor, what’s up with that note she misses on “joy?” Why did they do that? It’s not like this was a concert album or something. I’ve decided it’s endearing, though, and that must be why they left it in. Sort of like that Soko chick who can’t really sing, but is mega endearing nonetheless. You know, endearing in the vaguely homicidal sense.
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