2 May 1991 Here we see one of the inherent risks involved with the '90s marketing strategy of releasing a huge tie-in single for your movie: what happens when the single gets so huge that it overshadows the movie? This was the first-world problem that afflicted Mermaids, what looks like an early-'60s-set rom-com starring Cher, … Continue reading Cher – ‘The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss)’
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The Simpsons – ‘Deep, Deep Trouble’
4 April 1991 Another four weeks at number one in Ireland for a Simpsons track, making it 13 weeks of 1991 in total. As much as I like classic Simpsons, I also like pop music, and I didn't need Simpsons merchandise at the top of the hit parade for a quarter of the year (or … Continue reading The Simpsons – ‘Deep, Deep Trouble’
Rod Stewart – ‘Rhythm Of My Heart’
28 March 1991 Sandwiched between two number one singles by Bart Simpson, Rod Stewart had been something of a blond spiky-haired cartoon himself for much of the '80s: the spandex-clad synth-rock playboy, the 'D'Ya Think I'm Sexy' ladies' man, and the like. However, at the turn of the decade he made a clear effort to … Continue reading Rod Stewart – ‘Rhythm Of My Heart’
The Simpsons – ‘Do The Bartman’
24 January 1991 Poor me. Not only was I deprived of the UK terrestrial channels, but I was now also missing out on UK satellite TV, home to 1991's first big pop-cultural hit: The Simpsons. I had seen the prototype Simpsons shorts as part of The Tracey Ullmann Show, which was shown on RTÉ, but … Continue reading The Simpsons – ‘Do The Bartman’
Enigma – ‘Sadness (Part I)’
17 January 1991 It's about devil worship! If you play it backwards you can hear satanic messages! Such was the chatter in my school and on night-time radio about this record. This was mostly based on the word "diabolique" in the lyrics, which were all in Latin and French; if we couldn't understand them, we … Continue reading Enigma – ‘Sadness (Part I)’
Zig and Zag – ‘Christmas No. 1’
13 December 1990 In the early '90s The Den was appointment viewing for teens, college students, grown-ups and perhaps even children too. Much as The Saw Doctors and Scrap Saturday did, Zig and Zag's brand of cheeky energy flourished in feel-good post-Italia '90 Ireland. The show was an essential promo stop for any Irish band, … Continue reading Zig and Zag – ‘Christmas No. 1’
Vanilla Ice – ‘Ice Ice Baby’
6 December 1990 Yet again a 1990 number one proves to be dubious pop music but impeccable pop culture. MC Hammer had already struck oil that year by dressing rap in the gold lamé baggy trousers of familiar funk samples and family-friendly lyrics. However, Vanilla Ice's 'Ice Ice Baby' was the first rap or hip … Continue reading Vanilla Ice – ‘Ice Ice Baby’
Watch Your House ft. Paul McGrath – ‘Ooh Aah Paul McGrath’
22 November 1990 Banned at number one! I am pretty sure, and I'm happy to be corrected on this, that at some point in its heyday this song was not being played on the usual 2FM outlets like the chart show, The Beat Box or The Hotline. I'll go into the reason for this further … Continue reading Watch Your House ft. Paul McGrath – ‘Ooh Aah Paul McGrath’
The Righteous Brothers – ‘Unchained Melody’
8 November 1990 Ever wondered why this song is called 'Unchained Melody'? It was written as the theme for a 1955 prison drama called Unchained, that's why. Since 1990, though, we've known it from a different movie: the much-parodied romantic weepie Ghost. Movie soundtrack songs had been going to number one since God was a … Continue reading The Righteous Brothers – ‘Unchained Melody’
The Saw Doctors – ‘I Useta Lover’
20 September 1990 We'd already had a stage culchie (Miley from Glenroe) at number one that year, plus a stage Dub (Liam Harrison) for balance. The Irish live rock music scene was thriving: bands like The Stunning and The 4 Of Us enjoyed genuine chart success and huge live audiences, the first Féile had rejuvenated … Continue reading The Saw Doctors – ‘I Useta Lover’
