VA - Now Yearbook 1992 (Special Edition) (2023)

NOW Music is proud to present the next instalment in our ongoing ‘Yearbook’ series – and our first to celebrate the ‘90s, NOW – Yearbook 1992, 79 tracks from a brilliant year in Pop!

George Michael’s Dance classic ‘Too Funky’ from the ‘Red Hot & Dance’ project – opens the first disc, followed by the longest-running #1 of the year – with 8 weeks at the top - ‘Stay’ from Shakespears Sister, the final single from The KLF with ‘America: What Time Is Love?’ and U2’s ‘Even Better Than The Real Thing’, remixed by Perfecto. 1992 was a superb year for pure Pop, including here, Take That, Kylie Minogue, and a #1 from Jimmy Nail with ‘Ain’t No Doubt’. Another #1 from Charles & Eddie, and similarly huge global hits from Shanice and En Vogue lead into an outstanding run of self-penned contemporary standards from Sade, Annie Lennox, Tori Amos and the #1 debut from Tasmin Archer, ‘Sleeping Satellite’… with Marc Almond, Boy George, Electronic, and the Brothers In Rhythm remix of Heaven 17’s ‘Temptation’ leading towards the disc closer from Tears For Fears.

1992 saw Bruce Springsteen release two new albums, ‘Human Touch’ and ‘Lucky Town’ on the same day, and the title track from the former kicks off Disc 2 – followed by massive Rock hits from Bon Jovi, Iron Maiden and ZZ Top’s cover of ‘Viva Las Vegas’. Roy Orbison had a posthumous Top 10 hit, and Richard Marx had a huge track with ‘Hazard’… Texas, Mr Big, Sophie B. Hawkins and the collaboration between Patty Smyth and Don Henley provided massive radio-friendly soft Rock – and Chris Rea and Elton John each released a timeless and sophisticated ballad, before great vocals from Des’ree, Julia Fordham and Lisa Stansfield sign off the disc.

Dance-Pop filled the charts in 1992, and Disc 3 explodes into action with worldwide #1 ‘Rhythm Is A Dancer’ from SNAP!, plus The Shamen, Utah Saints, 2 Unlimited, and Dr. Alban. Classic late ‘70s songs ‘Baker Street’ and ‘Please Don’t Go’ were re-made as huge Dance hits – and floor-fillers from CeCe Peniston, Kym Sims, Dina Carroll and Paula Abdul are all featured. Completing the third disc is a superb run of ‘92’s ‘alternative’ Pop – including ‘Friday I’m In Love’ from The Cure, ‘Metal Mickey’ from Suede, Manic Street Preachers’ ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’, ‘Love Song’ an early Simple Minds track re-released – and closing with ‘Face To Face’, Siouxsie And The Banshees’ track from the film ‘Batman Returns’.

1992’s biggest seller in both the UK and the US opens the final disc: ‘I Will Always Love You’ from Whitney Houston, followed by huge hits from Vanessa Williams and Lionel Richie, before second tracks on this collection from Kylie Minogue and Take That – with their first Top 10 single ‘It Only Takes A Minute’. The diversity of genres contributing to the year’s Pop is reflected with tracks from East 17, MC Hammer, Kris Kross, Bananarama, and Roxette – before a closing run, including Go West, Crowded House and Simply Red – who, with ‘Stars’ had the year’s biggest selling album. Wet Wet Wet enjoyed a #1 with ‘Goodnight Girl’ and the last word goes to Shakespears Sister with their stunning ballad ‘Hello (Turn Your Radio On)’.

NOW Yearbook 1992 – A celebration of the diversity and wonderful creativity of the year in Pop.