This week In ’90s Throwback’ 01/52
R.E.M., Portishead, Marilyn Manson, Daft Punk, Daft Punk, Björk, Portishead, Tori Amos, Eva Cassidy, Kristin Hersh, Tori Amos, Cassandra Wilson
They are the ’90s Throwback’ artists selected among the 210 Posts we publish this week.
Here, they are reunited in one glorious playlist. Enjoy!
Tracklist
1 . R.E.M. . Everybody Hurts“Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M. is a track from their eighth studio album “Automatic for the People,” released on October 5, 1992, by Warner Bros.Records. Written primarily by drummer Bill Berry, the song is notable for its universal message of hope, aimed at listeners experiencing despair. The single was released on April 15, 1993, reaching number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 7 on the UK Singles Chart. Its iconic music video, directed by Jake Scott, depicts a traffic jam where various drivers are shown through subtitles revealing their inner thoughts, culminating in a moment of collective solidarity. The song was awarded an MTV Europe Music Award for Best Song in 1994 and has been included in numerous TV programs and films, including “Friends” and “The Sopranos.” In 2010, a charity cover of “Everybody Hurts” was recorded by an ensemble of artists including Mariah Carey, Jon Bon Jovi, and Rod Stewart to aid victims of the Haiti earthquake, reaching number 1 on the UK Singles Chart. The track has also been performed in significant events like the 2005 Hurricane Katrina benefit concert. Recognized for its emotional orchestration, the string arrangement on “Everybody Hurts” was handled by Led Zeppelin’s bassist John Paul Jones. 
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2 . Portishead . Glory Box“Glory Box” is a track by the English trip-hop band Portishead, featured as the closing song on their debut studio album “Dummy,” released on August 22, 1994. The song prominently samples Isaac Hayes’ 1971 track “Ike’s Rap II” from his album “Black Moses,” tying it to a lineage of hip-hop and R&B influences. Written by band members Geoff Barrow, Beth Gibbons, and Adrian Utley, it showcases Gibbons’ distinctive vocals over a melancholic and sultry arrangement. “Glory Box” peaked at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart following its release as a single on January 2, 1995, and has since become one of the band’s most recognized tracks. The music video was directed by Alexander Hemming and was noted for its noir aesthetic. The track has been used in several films and television shows, such as “Stealing Beauty” (1996) and “The Craft” (1996). “Dummy” won the Mercury Prize in 1995, boosting the song’s prominence. The track has also been widely covered and sampled, including by artists like John Martyn and Marilyn Manson. In 2011, NME placed “Glory Box” at number 117 on its list of “150 Best Tracks of the Last 15 Years.”
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3 . Marilyn Manson . The Dope ShowReleased on September 15, 1998, “The Dope Show” is the lead single from Marilyn Manson’s third studio album, “Mechanical Animals.” Written by Manson and Twiggy Ramirez, the song blends glam rock and industrial sounds, featuring a bass-driven groove inspired by David Bowie’s works. Its music video, directed by Paul Hunter, depicts Manson in a gender-ambiguous alien persona, drawing visual parallels to films like “The Man Who Fell to Earth.” The video won Best Cinematography at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards and received a nomination for Best Special Effects. The single achieved commercial success, reaching number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and landing in the top 10 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart. “Mechanical Animals” debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making it Manson’s first album to top the chart. The song was frequently performed on the “Mechanical Animals Tour” and featured on the band’s 2004 compilation album, “Lest We Forget: The Best Of.” In interviews, Manson has identified the song as a commentary on celebrity culture and consumerism, themes that recur throughout “Mechanical Animals.” Notably, the track gained exposure through controversial performances on programs like “Saturday Night Live” and appearances in media that examined Manson’s cultural impact in the late 1990s.
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4 . Daft Punk . Revolution 909“Revolution 909” is a track from Daft Punk’s debut studio album “Homework,” released on January 20, 1997, by Virgin Records. The song is a testament to the duo’s focus on house music, incorporating a four-on-the-floor beat and a notable intro featuring police sirens, often interpreted as a nod to anti-rave laws in France during the 1990s. “Homework” is widely credited for bringing French house music into the global spotlight, and “Revolution 909” was one of its key tracks. Although not released as an official single in the United States, it gained prominence in European markets, with its music video directed by Roman Coppola, offering a storyline involving a police raid at a rave party. The music video was included in the “D.A.F.T.: A Story About Dogs, Androids, Firemen and Tomatoes” collection of Daft Punk music videos, released in 1999. The track is an example of Daft Punk’s early use of minimal sampling and drum programming techniques, which became a hallmark of their production style. Though “Revolution 909” did not chart as highly as other singles from the album, such as “Around the World,” it remains a notable piece of the duo’s discography, representing their early experimentation with narrative music videos and thematic elements tied to social commentary.
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5 . Daft Punk . Burnin“Burnin” is an instrumental track by Daft Punk, featured as the ninth song on their debut studio album “Homework,” released on January 20, 1997. The song highlights the duo’s signature house and funk-influenced style, characterized by repetitive loops and driving beats. “Burnin” was released as a single on September 15, 1997, and was accompanied by a music video directed by Seb Janiak, featuring a narrative centered around a fire at a Los Angeles house party. Although the track didn’t chart on major global rankings, it became a staple in clubs and electronic music circuits, further defining the French house movement of the late 1990s. The album “Homework” itself reached number 3 in the UK Albums Chart and received critical acclaim for redefining electronic music in the 1990s. Daft Punk notably performed “Burnin” during their 1997 “Daftendirektour,” which was one of their first major concert tours. The track also appears in live sets and retrospectives, highlighting its role in shaping their early career.
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6 . Björk . Bachelorette“Bachelorette,” a single by Björk, is the third release from her 1997 album “Homogenic.” The song was co-written by Björk, Sjón (Icelandic poet and frequent collaborator), and co-produced by Björk, Mark Bell, and Howie B. It features a lush orchestral arrangement that blends with electronic beats, emphasizing the album’s thematic fusion of nature and technology. The track’s music video, directed by Michel Gondry, received notable acclaim for its intricate, recursive storytelling style and was nominated for an MTV Video Music Award in 1998 for Best Art Direction. “Bachelorette” peaked at number 21 on the UK Singles Chart and also entered charts in other European countries such as France and Spain. The single includes remixes by Alec Empire and Mark Bell, extending its reach in electronic music circles. Björk performed “Bachelorette” during her 1998 Homogenic Tour and on TV platforms, including “Later… with Jools Holland.” It showcases her distinctive vocal style and orchestral experimentation, making it a pivotal part of her live performances and recorded work during this era.
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7 . Portishead . Only YouReleased as part of Portishead’s second studio album “Portishead” on September 29, 1997, “Only You” is a track that blended elements of trip-hop with a cinematic sound. The song prominently features a sample of Ken Thorne’s “Danube Incident,” which was also used in Isaac Hayes’ “Ike’s Mood I,” creating a layered and atmospheric production. The album peaked at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) within its first year of release. The music video for “Only You,” directed by Chris Cunningham, is noted for its innovative use of underwater filming techniques and reverse-motion effects, portraying lead vocalist Beth Gibbons and a child floating serenely through urban alleys. The video was widely featured on music television networks, including MTV, and is regarded as a visual hallmark of Cunningham’s directorial style. While “Only You” was not individually released as a single in all markets, it highlighted the album’s success, which was nominated for the 1998 Mercury Prize. Portishead supported the album with several live performances, including a notable set at the Glastonbury Festival in 1998, which further expanded the reach of their work. The dark and hypnotic tone of the track has been frequently sampled or referenced in works spanning various media, demonstrating its influence within the genre’s development during the late 1990s.
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8 . Tori Amos . Crucify“Crucify” is a song by Tori Amos from her debut solo album “Little Earthquakes,” released on January 13, 1992, in the UK and February 25, 1992, in the US. The song was released as a single in May 1992 and reached No.22 on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, it appeared on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, peaking at No.15. The song addresses themes of personal struggle and societal expectations and features Amos’s signature piano-driven arrangements. The accompanying music video, directed by Cindy Palmano, includes visual elements such as Amos in a bathtub, which became iconic imagery associated with the single. The “Crucify” EP, released concurrently, included three cover songs: “Angie” by The Rolling Stones, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana, and “Thank You” by Led Zeppelin, showcasing Amos’s reinterpretations of classic tracks. Tori Amos performed the song live during several prominent events, including an appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in 1992. Though not released as a single in the US, “Crucify” and its EP collectively contributed to the album’s success, which was later certified double platinum by the RIAA. Amos’s work on “Little Earthquakes” earned her critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, positioning the song as a staple in her discography.
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9 . Eva Cassidy . Time After TimeReleased posthumously in 2000 as part of the compilation album “Time After Time,” Eva Cassidy’s rendition of “Time After Time” is a cover of the 1984 hit by Cyndi Lauper and Rob Hyman. This version features Cassidy’s distinct acoustic guitar arrangement, recorded live at Maryland Sound Studios in 1996. The album, which includes this track among other covers like “Woodstock” and “Kathy’s Song,” reached No.52 on the UK Albums Chart in 2001 and gained further attention in multiple countries after its release. Known for its intimate and stripped-back production style, this specific recording continues to attract listeners globally, with clips from her performance widely shared on tribute platforms and through video compilations, including those on YouTube. “Time After Time” was included in numerous posthumous collections celebrating Cassidy’s work, contributing to her global sales exceeding 10 million recordings by the 2000s. Although the song itself did not chart as a single, its inclusion in the album contributed to the steady rise of Cassidy’s legacy through repeated airplay on BBC Radio and features on television programs spotlighting her music.
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10 . Kristin Hersh . Your Ghost (w/ Michael Stipe)“Your Ghost,” a haunting duet by Kristin Hersh featuring R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, was released as the lead single from Hersh’s debut solo album “Hips and Makers” on January 24, 1994. The collaboration marked a significant moment as it paired Hersh, also a founding member of the alternative rock band Throwing Muses, with Stipe, whose band was at the height of its commercial success during the 1990s. The song did not chart on the US Billboard Hot 100 but became a minor hit internationally, peaking at #45 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1994 and #11 on the Icelandic Singles Chart. Notable for its sparse instrumentation, the track features an acoustic guitar, cello by Jane Scarpantoni, and minimalist production, highlighting Hersh’s plaintive vocals intertwining with Stipe’s harmonies. The song also received airplay on alternative radio stations and was accompanied by a music video directed by Kevin Kerslake. “Hips and Makers” was released on 4AD Records and Sire in the U.S. and became the label’s highest-charting album in the U.S. at the time, reaching #61 on the Billboard 200. Though “Your Ghost” itself did not win awards, it became a memorable track in indie music circles and has been used in several film soundtracks and TV shows over the years, although specific placements are unverified from primary sources to date.
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11 . Tori Amos . Tear In Your Hand“Tear In Your Hand” is a track from Tori Amos’s debut solo album “Little Earthquakes,” released on January 13, 1992, in the UK and February 25, 1992, in the US. The song, notable for its introspective lyrics and emotive vocal delivery, includes a reference to Neil Gaiman’s character Sandman, a nod that later contributed to a friendship between Amos and Gaiman. “Little Earthquakes” reached No.54 on the US Billboard 200 and peaked at No.14 on the UK Albums Chart. While “Tear In Your Hand” was not released as a single, it became a fan-favorite and has been featured frequently in Amos’s live performances, including on the “Little Earthquakes” World Tour in 1992. The album itself received critical acclaim and laid the foundation for Amos’s career in music. No specific collaborations or awards are associated solely with this track, but the album marked Amos’s significant break into the mainstream, supported by singles like “Silent All These Years” and “Winter.” The layered production of the song includes acoustic piano and subtle string arrangements, combining to create the emotive atmosphere central to the track’s identity.
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12 . Cassandra Wilson . Last Train To ClarksvilleCassandra Wilson’s rendition of “Last Train to Clarksville,” originally recorded by The Monkees in 1966, was featured on her 1995 album “New Moon Daughter,” which won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance in 1997. The song showcases Wilson’s signature jazz interpretation with a slower, blues-infused arrangement that departs from the original’s pop-rock roots. “New Moon Daughter” climbed to the No.1 spot on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart, further cementing its commercial success. The track was produced by Wilson alongside Craig Street, whose collaborations with her have been pivotal in shaping her sound. Although “Last Train to Clarksville” itself was not released as a single, the album as a whole contributed significantly to Wilson’s heightened recognition within the jazz genre during the mid-1990s. Wilson’s cover has been praised for preserving the song’s anti-war subtext, which is associated with its 1960s origin during the Vietnam War. The album “New Moon Daughter” also includes reimagined versions of other well-known tracks like Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” and U2’s “Love Is Blindness,” emphasizing its eclectic approach to repertoire. Wilson performed songs from “New Moon Daughter” during a widely acclaimed concert at the Blue Note Tokyo in the months following the album’s release, further demonstrating her impact on the global jazz scene.
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