Compilation: 100% Hits Volume 6
Released: 1992 – EMI
Number of tracks: 18
Number one singles: 1 – "Achy Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus
Other top ten singles: 5
Best track: "Tennessee" by Arrested Development
Hidden gem: "Mary Mary" by Mantissa
So, my early '90s compilation album collection is off and running! This one lands us squarely in 1992 when a mulleted line-dancing old fart was dominating the charts with his cheesy country-music antics. Hoo boy...
Actually, speaking of one B. R. Cyrus, it's interesting that they put him, the sole number 1 on this disc, as the penultimate track. Although I do applaud that decision. Having him as track 1 would be intolerable. Instead, that honour goes to the Utah Saints (or the Leeds Saints if they named themselves after their true place of origin) – and their Kate Bush-sampling dancefloor stomper "Something Good".
One song from 1992 a lot of people remember is also on here, "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-A-Lot. Still good bawdy fun after all these years. The only thing I don't like about it is the spoken-word intro. Rage never used to play its video while it was charting; they denied me the bizarre sight of 3D butts on the record turntables! Lord knows who came up with that one.
"Do For You" by Euphoria is on here. Their first two singles were ace, and they both topped the charts. This third hit of theirs reached number 7 but fell some way short in the quality stakes (although their 4th single could only get to number 41, so I'd take a number 7 placing any day). Just imagine if this had got to number 1. Has there been an Australian act that got three number 1s with their first three singles? If not, this lot came close to being the first – 25 years ago.
The race issues introduced by Sir Mix-A-Lot come up again in "White Men Can't Jump" by Riff. Or, as MAD magazine referred to it, "White Men Can't Act". Heh. That's what pop music was like in the early '90s, kids. We were a lot more aware than you gave us credit for.
Rating: 6/10
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