Each summer on the blog, I recount the top 10 summer hits from 30, 20, and 10 years ago. Last week was 1988 and the sounds of three decades ago. If you missed it, you can find it here:
https://toddmthatcher.com/2018/06/21/top-ten-summer-hits-of-1988-a-look-back/
Today we move to 1998 and the tunes burning up our CD players (if we were lucky enough to have one in our car) 20 years ago. As with previous posts, I rank each track from 1 (summer bummer) to 10 (summer smash) and reveal the most important truth: is said song on my Apple Music?
Let’s get to it!
10. “All My Life” by K-Ci & JoJo
We start off quite well with this ballad from K-Ci and JoJo, who originally rose to fame with the R&B group Jodeci. It’s schmaltzy, yes, but in the best way and it gets the job done with the singers expert vocal performances.
My Ranking: 9 and a half
Is It On My Apple Music?: Yes
9. “Crush” by Jennifer Paige
I must confess to having no recollection of this track when I saw it was #9. Listening to it again, it’s a pleasant enough ditty from the one-hit wonder. That said, it’s also rather forgettable.
My Ranking: 6
It Is On My Apple Music?: No
8. “Make It Hot” by Nicole featuring Missy Elliot and Mocha
Timbaland was mostly busy around this time stirring up classics for Aaliyah and Missy Elliot. Yet he concocted this gem for Nicole with assists from Elliot and Mocha. It was her only major hit, but it’s a terrific example of its producer’s wizardry behind the boards.
My Rating: 9
Is It On My Apple Music?: Yes
7. “Come with Me” by Puff Daddy featuring Jimmy Page
Combine Puff’s love of sampling with the guitar riffs of Jimmy Page’s “Kashmir” and promoting the summer’s unfortunate Godzilla reboot? You get a hit… albeit one that is just as ultimately disappointing as the film in which it appeared on the soundtrack.
My Rating: 5
Is It On My Apple Music? No
6. “My All” by Mariah Carey
Ms. Carey has certainly had her share of powerful ballads. “My All” is an effective one, though I don’t rank it among her most memorable.
My Rating: 7
Is It On My Apple Music?: Yes (but mostly because I have her greatest hits and don’t listen to this one hardly at all)
5. “Adia” by Sarah MacLachlan
The Canadian singer is now mostly known for causing you tear up during commercials to help dogs, but she had a string of hits including this one. I’ve never been a big fan and this track does little for me, despite her lovely voice.
My Rating: 5 and a half
Is It On My Apple Music?: No
4. “My Way” by Usher
The title track from Usher’s multi-platinum album is a Jermaine Dupri produced banger that spent lots of time being played loudly in my 1987 Ford Thunderbird 20 years ago. Check out Tyrese in the video as well.
My Rating: 9
It Is On My Apple Music?: Yes
3. “Too Close” by Next
An incredibly catchy R&B song from a band that didn’t produce many more hits. This one, however, could still be a massive hit today.
My Rating: 9 and a half
Is It On My Apple Music?: Yes
2. “You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain
Another Canadian crooner had her first major crossover hit with this ballad. It moved Twain out of just being known as a country act to one with serious pop appeal.
My Rating: 8
Is It On My Apple Music?: No
1. “The Boy is Mine” by Brandy & Monica
It’s no “The Girl is Mine” by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney, but this mid-tempo pop track paired two of the era’s most successful R&B singers to hugely successful results on the charts. Looking back now, I don’t love it (I could list stronger tracks by both Brandy and Monica) but it’s decent.
My Rating: 7 and a half
Is It On My Apple Music?: No
And there you have it! The sounds of 1998 in the summertime…
I’ll return soon with 2008.
All My Life... I Wanted To Be A Blogster 