CAST YOUR MIND BACK: Triple J Hottest 100s, Episode 1, 1992.

A few weeks ago while I was flicking through the radio on my way to work (or rather, switching between Triple J and 4zzz, and River FM because sometimes they have some MAD CLASSICS), I heard an announcement that Triple J are doing a Hottest 100 countdown of the past 20 years, to mark the yearly poll's 20th birthday. 
Whether or not you feel inclined to vote for this, and will or won't be disappointed that the poll won't contain the ones you vote for; the event is going to take your mind back regardless. As they tend to do a Hottest 100 of All Time every couple of years or so, is there a point to this poll? Who knows. But I couldn't help but reminisce, as we all so love to do, being in our nature. 
When I first started to take notice of music other than Disney soundtracks and the Beatles, it would have been about 1993-1994 when I was about 7 or 8. My family had moved to the sticks (Caboolture), and we didn't have as many friends or things to do. We were living in a rental property while our house got built and my mum had initiated a new tradition of putting the radio on in the afternoons after school, unleashing all sorts of musical havoc on my ears. Mum and Dad also bought the Hottest 100 volume 2 CD that year which I basically took possession of and never gave back. It was all thanks to Triple J that I was the only 8 year old in my school who listened to Björk, knew who Nick Cave was, would grow to obsess over Regurgitator and Ben Folds Five and complained that all my best friend wanted to listen to was "My Heart Will Go On" on repeat. My parents have a lot to answer for, but my versatility in taste and eagerness to explore more new music, was thanks to one thing, Triple J. 
These days I've become jaded and insist that the music is not as good as it was back then, and the talk back so much more irritating (is it a sign of age or is it the truth?), but I can't shake the fond relationship I once had with Triple J. It got me through high school nights of cramming, and introduced me to the musical friends that would be there for me when human friends seemed scarce. So to pay tribute to this long running government funded radio station, I've decided to do a succession of posts detailing the highlights of the first ten years of Triple J Hottest 100's existence. After that, I'm retiring this tired neglected blog, in favour of a generic newfangled tumblr. 

So Triple J's first yearly poll (since doing 'All Time' polls from 1989 onwards) was in early 1993, listing off the best from 1992. I was 7, and not quite into the music that defined me just yet- but there were some gems that ended up in the countdown, that I distinctly remember dancing, humming, singing, or being transfixed by. My Dad did a pretty good job of shielding me from the number one song, Denis Leary's "Asshole", and I'm not including the songs I got into LATER in life.... So here's 15 that I remember getting into best.

The Shamen - "Ebeneezer Goode" (coming in at #99)

This song is pure 90's one-hit-wonder bliss in it's most infectious form. I was fascinated by it's weird "noorrrty noorrrty, verrrrrrrrrry norrrrrrrrrrrrtty" intro, random laughter, and sped up cockney lyrics, in that way that you don't really LIKE something but just can't help listening to it. It belongs firmly in the 90's but enjoys being rehashed by Triple J on the odd occasion. 


Inner Circle - "Sweat (A La La La La Long)" (#94)

I remember attempting to choreograph this song with my grade 2 school friends in the playground. We all loved it's silly a-lalala-long lyrics and made impressions of the lead singer's reggae voice, and all the while not realizing that were were singing about a guy wanting to basically rape a lady. It is also a terrible song.

Green Jelly - "Three Little Pigs" (#85)

I also have Rage to thank for my exposure of music of course, without which I would not have seen this fantastically novel video. This song was perfect for an innocent seven year old who had just had The True Story of the Three Little Pigs read to her by her teacher. Bastardized fairy tales were a bit of a thing for a while.
 

Culture Beat - Mr Vain (#68) 

I think I actually had to warm up to this song in jazz dance class, or at least watch another group do it. Ok, lets be real, the early nineties had some doozies, and this was one of them. But that was 90's dance for you and we've all progressed since then. In the meantime, I am doing some mad Night at the Roxbury-esque head pops right now. 

Utah Saints - "Something Good" (#66)

This song is bloody amazing, so much so that they remixed and re-released it in 2008. Not really necessary, but at least it reminded people that the song existed and was ah, something very good (lulz) for its time. I have a memory of doing a dance in the garden to this song. 

Faith No More - "Easy" (#62)

My first exposure to transvestism was thanks to this video clip. Of course I just thought it was silly and funny, and there was nothing that a young girl should worry about, so I'm glad for my naivety. This song is played to death now, but it was always quite a solid one.

Ween - "Push Th' Lil Daisies" (#40)

My mum hated this song, and I couldn't really figure out why. It was catchy and the singer had a cute little boy voice and the film clip was weird... I had no idea what he was singing about so I assumed it was something rude and that's why mum didn't like it. Which it's not... right??? R.I.P. Ween, I miss you.

Salt-N-Pepa - "Shoop" (#35)

This song was on all the bloody time. I probably asked "What does shoop mean" enough to drive my parents nuts. I thought the middle girl's hair was pretty cool. That's all my thoughts on this song. 


Ace of Base - "All That She Wants" (#29)

I remember singing this song with Dad a little later on when mum was pregnant with my little sister. That all my mum wanted was another bab-eh was debatable... just kidding, love you Maz! Anyway I completely adored this song, along with "The Sign". I wanted to dress like those swedish girls and light candles and brood.

4 Non Blondes - "What's Up" (#24)

I utterly HATED this song when it came out, and it remains as one of my least favourite songs of all time. SO annoying. What was she trying to achieve with that fucking hat and goggles, seriously? Do you have to be so badly 90's, lady? Can you please have a better voice? Also please get out of my head whenever I think of you?! Sheeeeesh. 


The Cruel Sea- "Black Stick" (#21)

My parents got this album around this time, and played it to smithereens. Once, many years later, an American exchange student was staying with a family friend and we took her out to some of the more interesting parts of Brisbane, and my mum put this on in the car. Probably the most Australian music you could play to a US dweller, I was kind of embarrassed at the time but was also reminded of what a great album this is. 

Pet Shop Boys - "Go West" (#18)

Another shit 90's song that I loved to pieces. I had a brief Pet Shop Boys love affair as a super youngster, but so did the rest of the world at the time. I'll assume, anyway. This is an awful song. Enjoy. 


REM - "Everybody Hurts" (#11)

My uncle was a huge REM fanatic and also helped me along my musical journey. The film clip was on all the time and I remember laughing at the captions in it. It also became one of the first songs I learnt on guitar. The album was another one my parents flogged a bit too, and I remember being frightened of "New Orleans Instrumental No. 1". I thought it sounded like aliens. 

Blind Melon - "No Rain" (#4)

One of those songs that was impossible to miss, and all my easy listening loving friends would still harp on it about a decade later. I don't know how popular it would have been without that film clip (Blogger won't let me post you the clip here for some reason). I really identified with that kid, man. 

Radiohead - "Creep" (#2) 

Duh. If you didn't hear this song at the time then you were without hearing. It seemed dark and not very nice and there was a swear in it (depending on where you were hearing it) and I didn't really think much of it, but I remember wondering why the man was so down about himself. I did think he was a bit creepy myself. NOW LOOK AT ME. 

For the complete list, click here. See you in a few days with the best of 1993... In the meantime, comment with your best memories of 92, if you wish!