27 Best Songs From 1992
Contents
“Give Him Something He Can Feel” by En Vogue
Aretha Franklin originally recorded “Give Him Something He Can Feel” in 1976 for the film Sparkle. En Vogue provided the song with a sultry makeover for their album Funky Divas.
En Vogue honored the song’s Motown roots by creating complex, beautiful vocal harmonies. Each female singer contributed to the vocal line, crooning the amorous, love-drunk lyrics about providing a partner with tangible evidence of affection.
En Vogue released their iconic cover on March 24, 1992. The song reached number one on the U.S. Hot R&B and Hip-Hop Singles chart and landed on nine countries’ charts.
“Under the Bridge” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Under the Bridge”, released March 2, 1992, was an earnest, sincere musical departure for the Red Hot Chili Peppers that nearly didn’t happen. Anthony Kiedis was hesitant to show the lyrics to his bandmates, convinced it was too different from their standard fare.
Kiedis wrote the lyrics about his recovery from drug addiction and how isolated her felt from his old running crew. The singer remembers that he doesn’t want to return to his drug days or the person he was during them.
The song changed the critical perception of the Chili Peppers, branding them a force to be reckoned with. In addition, it charted in many countries and inspired a cover by the British girl band, All Saints.
“Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough” by Patty Smyth and Don Henley
Patty Smyth and Don Henley provided vocals to two wildly successful bands. After Smyth abandoned Scandal and Henley left the Eagles, the duo paired up for “Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough”.
The lovelorn ballad owned Canada, where it was the most successful single of 1992. The song performed respectably, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Smyth and Henley released “Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough” in August of 1992. Smyth included the song on her self-titled album.
“This Used to Be My Playground” by Madonna
While Madonna is a guaranteed hitmaker in her own right, “This Used to Be My Playground” benefited from the success of the Penny Marshall film, A League of Their Own.
Madonna contributed the song to the hit movie’s soundtrack. “This Used to Be My Plaground” foregoes Madge’s dance tendencies, trading in fast beats for a melancholy tune and introspective lyrics.
Madonna released “This Used to Be My Playground” to immediate acclaim on June 16, 1992. The song was a global success, landing on the charts of 22 countries.
“All I Want” by Toad the Wet Sprocket
While Nirvana was inspiring a generation of angsty teens, Toad the Wet Sprocket was chasing a gentler success.
The alternative rock band found their first success in 1992 with “All I Want,” a soft and introspective song about fleeting satisfaction. The lyrics describe a longing for a fulfilling feeling that cannot last.
Though the song was a modest success, charting in six countries, it was featured in multiple TV series, including Dawson’s Creek and Homeland.
“Everything About You” by Ugly Kid Joe
Ugly Kid Joe defied the standard pop love song route to success with “Everything About You”, an ode to contempt.
“Everything About You” is an upbeat ode to disliking everything. The narrator provides a long list of things, ranging from the weather to every kind of terrain. The band delivers the negative message over a happy tune, providing a tongue-in-cheek perspective that keeps the song from being a downer.
Ugly Kid Joe release “Everything About You” on March 19, 1992, including the single on their album America’s Least Wanted. The song put Ugly Kid Joe on the map, landing the group on many countries’ top 100 lists.
“Only Shallow” by My Bloody Valentine
My Bloody Valentine brought shoegaze to the unsuspecting masses. “Only Shallow” features the band’s signature fuzzy guitar sound. The vocals are kept low in the mix, making it nearly impossible for even the most attentive listener to discern the lyrics.
The song became their only U.S. charting song. The second single off the band’s second album, Loveless, inspired covers and received moderate radio play. My Bloody Valentine released the song in March of 1992.
“Would?” by Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains contributed as much to the development and popularization of grunge music as any other greats of the genre.
Jerry Cantrell wrote “Would?” about Andrew Wood’s heroin overdose in 1990. The lyrics are ambiguous, an abstract rumination on life and death that allows for personal interpretation. Alice in Chains released “Would?” on June 30, 1992.
The song was also covered by Opeth and Breaking Benjamin. Furthermore, Alice in Chains’ original appeared in the trailer for The Punisher as well as in the video games Burnout Dominator and Burnout Paradise.
“Protect Ya Neck” by Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan is an institution. The seminal rap group helped shape the path of contemporary hip-hop, setting the bar high for internal rhymes and wordplay.
“Protect Ya Neck”, released December 14, 1992, established the Clan as a powerhouse right out of the gate. It was the group’s first single off their first album. The song finds each member cementing their bona fides with tight, clever rhymes, introducing themselves and stating their credentials.
While the song didn’t make a splash on the charts, it appeared in TV shows and video games. Wu-Tang’s debut track earned critical acclaim and helped the group establish itself as one of the best in the business.
“Babies” by Pulp
Pulp is one of the world’s premiere Brit-pop bands. “Babies” was the group’s first proper pop single and helped gain them international acclaim.
The song displays Jarvis Cocker’s signature naughty wit tempered with nostalgic melancholy.
The lyrics tell the story of a young man and his female friend who would hear his sister having noisy sex after school. The boy develops a voyeuristic fascination with his sister, though he is in love with his friend. Unsurprisingly, the situation ends tragically.
“Babies” reached number 19 on the U.K. Singles chart and earned Pulp a reputation for erudite pop music. The band released the song on October 5, 1992.
