Best of 1992 - The Album List

Following Freddie Mercury's death in November 1991, one of the significant events of 1992 was his tribute concert held five months later. Tickets for the event sold out within three hours of going on sale, despite no performers being announced apart from the remaining members of Queen. A star-studded lineup including Elton John, George Michael, Axl Rose, Metallica, Annie Lennox, and many others paid tribute to the late Freddie Mercury.

In the same year, Kylie Minogue ended her longstanding collaboration with Stock Aitken Waterman, with whom she had been recording music since 1987. Meanwhile, George Michael took on a different battle with Sony, filing a lawsuit against them for allegedly failing to promote his album "Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1." However, he would ultimately lose the case in June 1994.

In November of 1992, Factory Records was declared bankrupt. The label, founded in 1978 by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, boasted releases by iconic acts such as Joy Division, New Order, OMD, and others from the 80s. Their catalogue was subsequently sold to London Records.

On the UK charts, "Bohemian Rhapsody" made a return to the hit list in January. Shakespeare's Sister enjoyed the longest-running number one with "Stay," topping the charts for eight weeks. Additionally, Eurodance had a standout year, with Snap's "Rhythm is a Dancer" holding the top spot for six weeks.

Erasure also made a comeback in 1992 with their Abba tribute, topping the charts for five weeks in June with their "Abba-esque" EP, featuring the hit "Take a Chance on Me."

01. R.E.M. - Automatic for the People

02. Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes

03. Sade - Love Deluxe

04. The Cure - Wish

05. Madonna - Erotica

06. Ride - Going Blank Again

07. Alice in Chains - Dirt

08. Shakespear's Sister - Hormonally Yours

09. Annie Lennox - Why

10. The Jesus and Mary Chain - Honey's Dead

Retrovision: Prefab Sprout- If You Don't Love Me

Prefab Sprout released "If You Don't Love Me" 25 years ago, in 1992. It was a quite an unusual Prefab Sprout track, having this Anglo Dance rhythms with the touch of Pet Shop Boys and SAW. Back then, it was a brand new track on the 'A Life of Surprises: The Best of Prefab Sprout' compilation which was released during the same year. The song was produced by Stephen Lipson and it was covered by Kylie Minogue and released as b-side to "Confide in Me" on some Australia releases.

 

Retrovision: Opus III- It's a Fine Day

Twenty five years ago, Opus III topped the UK charts with "It's a Fine Day" reaching #5. The single was actually a cover and house makeover of the classic by Jane released in 1983 and written by poet and musician Edward Barton. The song's video below featured the singer Kirsty Hawkshaw (with her standout shaved head and bodysuit) performing and dancing.

 

Retrovision: The Shamen - LSI (Love, Sex, Intelligence)

Twenty five years ago in July 1992, The Shamen entered the UK charts with LSI (Love, Sex, Intelligence). They managed to reach Top tens in Finland, Sweden and UK with this track and it remained as one of their successful single releases to date which included Jhelisa Anderson on vocals. The song was taken from the album 'Boss Drum' released during the same year and the video for it was directed by Mathew Glamorre.

Retrovision: Tori Amos- Winter

It's official, winter has come in our corner of the world. Looking back twenty years ago, Tori Amos released this beautiful winter anthem which was about Amos' relationship with her father. "Winter" was the first track and the fourth single taken from her debut album Little Earthquakes. 

Retrovision: Boy George- The Crying Game

Boy George hit the charts twenty year ago with "The Crying Game". The song was originally performed by Dave Berry and it reached #5 in the UK charts in 1964. Both songs appeared in the movie of the same name which was directed by Neil Jordan. Boy George's version of this song was produced by Pet Shop Boys and entered the charts at #22. The song was also covered bu the Associates and Kylie Minogue. 

Retrovision: Shakespears Sister- Stay

Twenty years ago Shakespears Sister had their biggest hit in the UK with their song "Stay". It is one of the longest running UK number ones in UK chart history (8 weeks), and the longest by an all-female group or duo. The video for the song was directed by Sophie Muller whose concept was inspired by the film 'Cat Women of the Moon'. The video featured Detroit and Fahey fighting over a comatose man. The video won Best Video at the 1993 Music Week Awards and Brit Awards. The epic promo was featured in the Top 100 Music Videos of all time by Channel 4. To prove its longevity, in early November 2010, "Stay" re-entered the charts in the UK, Ireland and the European Hot 100 Singles.