We take a look back at some songs for a particular year that you hardly hear played anymore.
This time we wind the clocks back to 1994.
Over 14000 singles entered the UK Top 100 singles chart this year, but we've picked 10 songs that might be a blast from the past or an earworm you thought you'd forgotten forever! *
*we think there's some cracking track in here btw
Kylie Minogue - Confide In Me
This was the lead single from Kylie's self-titled 5th album. The track is one of Kylie's best vocal performances, incorporating world music elements alongside orchestral and electronic sounds. The track shares some similarities with Jane Sidbury's track 'Temple' in its pop-focused trip-hop and dance elements. The song was quite ground-breaking at the time for fusing these sounds and marked a change of direction for Kylie as she began to move away from an 80s teeny-bop princess into a more credible musical artist.
The song has become a classic track for Kylie and a fan favourite but despite reaching number two in the UK charts, it's seldom played on the radio and is often forgotten apart from die-hard pop fans. It's certainly one of her best songs and deserves to be remembered and given more airplay.
Cyndi Lauper - 'Who Let In The Rain'
This track comes from the 'Hat Full of Stars' album and reached number 32 in the UK singles chart. It's quite an introspective, low-key song, but is blessed with Lauper's wonderful turn of phrase and ability to convey deep emotion in a very understated way.
It may have passed unnoticed due to a lack of promotion from the record company but remains one of her best vocal performances.
Gloria Estefan - Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me is taken from Gloria Estefan's cover album of the same name. The song was originally performed by Karen Chandler in 1952 and also by Mel Carter.
Estefan shuns the usual Latino flavour of her music on this track and embraces the innocence and power of this song. The arrangements may be different from the ones we are used to but, one thing that still remains is her distinctive and flawless vocal performance. It's probably played more at weddings these days than on the radio.
Ruby Turner - Stay With Me Baby
Taken from Ruby's 1994 album 'Restless Moods' and used as the theme song to Lynda LaPlante's TV series 'Comics' . This heartwrenching track was first recorded by Lorraine Ellison and anybody who's heard Ruby sing understands why she's the UK's Queen of Soul!
The track only reached number 39 in the official charts.
Of course, Madonna fans never forgot this song, but this song from the controversial album Erotica, is hardly ever played. Musically, it features smooth melodies and a lush, atmospheric production that Madonna would go on to develop. 'Rain' was well-received for its emotional depth and became a hit on the charts, further establishing Madonna's versatility as an artist.
"Stop Loving Me, Stop Loving You" is a soulful track by Daryl Hall, originally featured on his 1986 album Three Hearts in the Happy Ending Machine. The song blends Hall's signature smooth vocals with its blend of pop and R&B influences. It only got to number 30 in the UK charts.
"How Do You Stop" by Joni Mitchell is a poignant ballad from her 1991 album Night Ride Home, in which Mitchell explores the complexity of love and the emotional challenges that come with it.
By this point in her career, Joni Mitchell's voice had matured, becoming more nuanced and soulful. In "How Do You Stop," her delivery is tender yet filled with emotional power, which enhances the song's themes of longing and pain.
The track features Michael Landau on guitar.
Taken from the 1993 album 'The Red Shoes' , "And So Is Love" is one of the most emotive and haunting tracks on the album, capturing Bush's signature ability to convey intense emotional depth. In the song, Bush reflects on the nature of love's bittersweet qualities, acknowledging that even though it can bring suffering, it remains an undeniable and fundamental part of life.
This song from Sophie B. Hawkins' debut album Tongues and Tails got to number 36 in the UK charts. Even though it may not have had the success of some of her earlier singles, Hawkins' raw vocal delivery, and 90s alt-pop instrumentation, make it a joy of a track to rediscover.
Despite being one of STP's most well-known tracks, it only reached number 53 in the UK charts.
Originally the track was supposed to have more of a Bossa Nova feel, rather than the lazy rock vibe. Vocalist Scott Weiland recorded the track in one take. It's often been cited as one of the best rock tracks from the 90s, but sadly gets any airtime these days outside rock radio.
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