#1 at KUKQ/Phoenix: “Come As You Are” by Nirvana, featuring the ironically prophetic lyric “And I swear that I don’t have a gun.” It’s the followup single to the game-changing breakthrough hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
U2 scores its fourth hit from Achtung Baby with the stunning “Until The End Of The World” (#4), which is also the title song from a Wim Winders film. Another song from that soundtrack album is “Sax And Violins” (#38), the final hit in the long career of Talking Heads.
Iceland’s Sugarcubes (featuring future breakout star Bjork) has a hit with “Hit” (#10).
Tempe’s Gin Blossoms have a local hit with “Allison Road” (#3), from their Up And Crumbling EP. A later version of the song (whose video briefly shows local legend Ladmo at the beginning) would appear on the group’s major label debut album, New Miserable Experience.
The Pixies chart with two cover songs: their version of the Jesus & Mary Chain’s 1989 hit “Head On” (#19) from the Trompe le Monde album; and “I Can’t Forget” (#31), their contribution to the excellent Leonard Cohen tribute album, I’m Your Fan — and a song that mentions Phoenix in its lyrics.
Several artists who would enjoy significant careers have their very first hits:
- the band Live with “Operation Spirit” (#9) (in the video, lead singer Ed Kowalczyk has hair!);
- Pearl Jam’s seminal “Alive” (#11);
- Sarah McLachlan with her U.S. debut single, “Into The Fire” (#30);
- Smashing Pumpkins’ “Rhinoceros” (#46) (in the video, lead singer Billy Corgan has hair!).
Two exponents of the “shoegazing” genre (pioneered by the Cocteau Twins and My Bloody Valentine) also appear on this week’s chart with their breakthrough hits: Lush with “Nothing Natural” (#36) and Curve with “Coast Is Clear” (#49).
Among other cool songs:
- Social Distortion’s rockin’ “Bad Luck” (#7);
- Lou Reed’s tender “What’s Good” (#12);
- Enya’s ethereal “Caribbean Blue” (#24);
- Primus’ unusual take on “Making Plans For Nigel” (#34), originally a hit for XTC in 1979;
- 808 State’s remix of “Sound + Vision,” David Bowie’s classic from the landmark album, Low — though this version doesn’t sound too much different until the added minute at the end of the song.