27 Best Songs From 1992

1992 was a good year for eclectic music. Pop radio embraced a wide array of styles and genres, from synth-pop to hip-hop.

The year also saw seminal bands like Nirvana and Wu-Tang Clan enter the music scene. These top songs from 1992 helped change the face of music as we know it.

“Friday I'm in Love” by The Cure

“Friday I'm in Love” finds Robert Smith brighter and more optimistic than The Cure fans expect. The song has an interesting backstory. Smith convinced himself he had stolen the tune and called every songwriter he knew and played them the song.

Multiple sources confirmed what we all know; the upbeat and hopeful love song was a The Cure original, one that performed massively well globally, charting in various countries. The Cure set “Friday I’m in Love” loose on the airwaves on May 15, 1992.

“The One” by Elton John

Elton John and Bernie Taupin have one of the most fruitful collaborative partnerships in music. “The One” found the pair at their swooning, romantic best.

Taupin's lyrics detail the long and complicated nature of finding true love. The May 25, 1992 song earned Elton John a Grammy nomination and a spot on multiple charts, reaching number one in America, Canada, and Portugal.

“Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover” by Sophie B. Hawkins

Sophie B. Hawkins came hot out the gate on March 31, 1992,  with “Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover.” The song is the singer's debut single, a dreamy torch song with queer undertones.

Hawkins's lyrics lament seeing a woman she has feelings for abused by a partner. The song explains all the ways the narrator wants to rescue the potential lover and the life they would share.

“Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover” established Hawkins as a voice to listen to. The single charted globally and inspired several covers.

“Real Love” by Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige is one of the most powerful voices in music. On July 28, 1992, “Real Love” helped establish the multi-hyphenate as a force to be reckoned with.

Cory Rooney and Mark Morales wrote the song. The lyrics craft a powerful narrative of a woman claiming control over her life. She's settled for partners before, but she's not afraid of being alone and won't settle until she's found a lover who meets her needs.

“Real Love” landed young Mary J. on numerous charts and earned her a gold record.

“Nearly Lost You” by the Screaming Trees

The Screaming Trees, led by the late great Mark Lanegan, released their most successful song, “Nearly Lost You,” in March of 1992. The song was the first single off the band's sixth album and appeared on the soundtrack to Singles.

The song features Lanegan's trademark ambiguously poetic lyrics. It received heavy radio play on modern rock stations and charted in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

“End of the Road” by Boyz II Men

Philly's own Boyz II Men knows their way around a torch song. The band effortlessly fused new jack swing and Motown into a radio-friendly, r&B pop phenomenon. Boyz II Men sent “End of the Road” into the world on June 30, 1992.

“End of the Road” tells the relatable story of a man whose relationship is over, but he isn't ready to accept the end.

The song was a massive hit, holding the number-one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 13 straight weeks. Moreover, it earned two Grammys and landed on multiple charts.

“November Rain” by Guns N' Roses

Guns N' Roses trimmed over four minutes off of the album version of “November Rain” for the radio edit. While the cuts may have been painful, the modifications paid dividends. The song was a hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

The lyrics tell the story of a couple at a come-to-Jesus moment in their relationship. The narrator speaks fondly of the love, waxing poetic on the fleeting nature of life and romance.

The song, released in February of 1992, performed extremely well, charting in many countries.

“Walking on Broken Glass” by Annie Lennox

Annie Lennox performed a master class in going solo with “Walking on Broken Glass.” Released on August 10, 1992, it was Lennox's first single as a solo artist after she separated from the Eurhythmics.

The song features a bright, upbeat tune. In contrast, the melancholy lyrics are about the eternal pain of separating from a lover, comparing the misery to the feeling of walking on broken glass.

This hit single proved that Annie Lennox would be just fine on her own, charting globally and earning critical raves.                                           

“Just Another Day” by John Secada

For a brief moment in the 1990s, John Secada was synonymous with adult-contemporary hits. The singer lends his smooth vocals to “Just Another Day”, a bilingual testament to lost love and surviving heartbreak.

Secada’s lyrics are primarily in English, however the Cuban-American singer weaves in occasional Spanish lines.

Secada released “Just Another Day” on March 24, 1992, as his debut single. The song launched him to stardom, charting globally.

“Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot

Sir Mix-A-Lot's ode to voluptuous cakes is arguably one of the biggest hits of all time, not just 1992. Listeners responded favorably to “Baby Got Back” s fun beat, cheeky lyrics, and complimentary message.

Released on May 7, 1992, It was 1992's second-best-selling song, cementing Sir Mix-A-Lot's place in pop culture history. The rapper never replicated the song's success, but during its reign, it dominated the charts in eight countries.