90's Nostalgia: Janet Jackson- 'If'

The early ’90s were pretty damn emo.

If you weren’t walking around in some state of chronic melancholy, you almost didn’t fit in. Not that any of us really felt like we fit in anyway.

Douglas Coupland’s Gen X novels seemed to remind us that we had been born into confusion, uncertainty and a general sense of What the hell are we doing here? Feeling like a misfit was practically part of the uniform. And, for a while, I was absolutely leaning into it.

I had traded in my hair bands for Bush, Pearl Jam, the Afghan Whigs and pretty much anyone else who sounded like they were closer to Seattle or Portland than the East Coast. Flannel? Absolutely. Questioning the meaning of everything? Obviously.

Then Janet Jackson came along and completely changed the mood.

Her 1993 self-titled album, janet., stayed in my CD player for what seemed like months. I was obsessed with everything about it. The music. The videos. The attitude. The choreography. And, yes, Janet's abs. Let’s not pretend we weren't all staring at those too.

This wasn't the same Janet Jackson who had given us Control and Rhythm Nation. She had grown up, thrown open the doors and completely reinvented herself. The music was sexier, funkier and more confident, while still having that unmistakable Janet sound. And somehow, it was exactly what I needed.

Maybe it was the timing. Maybe it was the music. Maybe it was the fact that Janet seemed to have figured out something the rest of us were still struggling with: you didn't have to fit in. You could create your own damn world.

The entire era was so ridiculously well-packaged that it was impossible not to get sucked into it. Even the fashion worked. Yes, I am talking about the flannel shirts. Janet somehow made them look infinitely cooler than the ones the rest of us were wearing.

MTV was still a thing in those days, and Janet's videos were events. The behind-the-scenes footage featuring her dancers made me desperately wish I was one of her "kids." Seriously. Those dancers were awesome. And then came If. That video remains one of my absolute favorites. The song itself was fantastic, but the choreography? Holy hell.

Three-plus decades later, I can still remember pieces of it.

If was released as the second single from janet. and became another massive Janet moment. The video was visually stunning, incredibly sensual, and packed with choreography that seemed almost impossibly precise. It was one of those videos that made you stop whatever you were doing and watch.

Looking back, it's kind of funny to think about how much music could affect your mood back then. There were no playlists customized by an algorithm to tell you what you should be listening to. You bought a CD, put it in the player and lived with it. And I lived with janet for months.

It was the perfect antidote to my early ’90s existential crisis. While everyone else was busy being miserable in flannel, Janet was reminding us that there was nothing wrong with being confident, sexy, ambitious and completely in control of your own identity. Maybe that's why the album still hits differently for me. It wasn't just a great record it was a mood changer.

Currently Booming Lost Hit: REO Speedwagon- 'That Ain't Love'

90's Nostalgia: Pearl Jam - 'Jeremy'

"At home

Drawing pictures
Of mountain tops
With him on top
Lemon yellow sun
Arms raised in a V
And the dead lay in pools of maroon below"

I don't think anyone really expected "Jeremy" to break through quite the way that it did. Released as the third single from Pearl Jam's landmark 1991 debut album Ten, the song wasn't initially treated like an obvious blockbuster. It never received a standard commercial single release in the United States, which meant it wasn't eligible to climb the Billboard Hot 100 in the traditional way at the time. Yet somehow, it became one of the defining songs of the entire grunge era.

The reason? MTV.

Back when music television still had the power to launch songs into another stratosphere, the video for "Jeremy" arrived like a punch to the gut. Even if you only saw it once, you remembered it. The striking imagery, rapid-fire editing, and emotionally charged performance by Eddie Vedder made it impossible to ignore. It wasn't just another rock video, it felt like a short film that demanded your attention.

Vedder wrote the lyrics after reading a newspaper story about a Texas high school student who died by suicide in front of his classmates. He blended that real-life tragedy with another difficult childhood memory, creating a song that explored isolation, bullying, neglect, and the devastating consequences that can follow when someone feels invisible. Those themes were unsettling then, and sadly, they remain just as relevant today.

What made "Jeremy" so powerful wasn't simply the subject matter. It was the way Pearl Jam refused to sugarcoat it. The band paired haunting lyrics with one of the most unforgettable music videos of the '90s. Rather than relying on shock value alone, the video created an atmosphere that stayed with you long after it ended. It sparked conversations at school, around the dinner table, and among music fans who suddenly realized that rock songs could tackle subjects this heavy.

By the time the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards rolled around, "Jeremy" had become a cultural phenomenon. The video earned four Moon Person awards, including Video of the Year, cementing Pearl Jam as one of the biggest bands in the world and proving just how influential MTV could be during that era.

Looking back, "Jeremy" wasn't just another hit from Ten. It became a defining moment for an entire generation of music fans. It's one of those rare songs where the music and the visuals became inseparable. Mention "Jeremy," and chances are people immediately picture the video.

More than 30 years later, it remains one of the most powerful,  haunting songs of the decade. Not because it was everywhere on the radio, but because it made people stop, watch, and think. That's a rare accomplishment, and it's a big reason why "Jeremy" still stands as one of Pearl Jam's greatest achievements.

80s Throwback: RUN-DMC - 'It's Tricky'

This speech is my recital, I think it's very vital
To rock (a rhyme), that's right (on time)
It's Tricky is the title, here we go...

I was cruising through the DailyBOOM archives yesterday and realized something that honestly surprised me, there hasn't been nearly enough old-school rap featured here. That's a mistake I plan on correcting immediately, and there really isn't a better place to start than RUN-DMC.

While just about everyone else seemed completely obsessed with the group's legendary collaboration with Aerosmith on "Walk This Way," I was over in my own lane blasting "It's Tricky." It was the third track from their groundbreaking Raising Hell album, and for me, it was every bit as memorable as their biggest crossover hit.

Released in late 1986, "It's Tricky" was everywhere. It received constant airplay on local radio, and MTV had the video in heavy rotation. Back then, MTV still had the power to turn a great song into a cultural event, and RUN-DMC knew exactly how to make an impression. The video was packed with personality, humor, and one of those unexpected celebrity cameos that made you do a double take - magic duo Penn & Teller showed up to add even more fun to the chaos.

What I always loved about "It's Tricky" was that it perfectly captured the energy of RUN-DMC. The beat was infectious, the lyrics were playful, and the chemistry between Run, DMC, and Jam Master Jay was undeniable. It wasn't trying to be overly serious—it was simply cool, confident, and impossible not to sing along with. Even now, it's hard to hear that opening without wanting to shout, "It's Tricky to rock a rhyme..."

Looking back, Raising Hell was one of those albums that helped redefine what hip-hop could be. It introduced countless listeners to rap music while proving that the genre belonged right alongside rock, pop, and everything else dominating the charts in the mid-'80s. RUN-DMC weren't just making hit records, they were changing the landscape of popular music.

Nearly four decades later, "It's Tricky" still has all the energy it did back in 1986. It instantly transports me to afternoons spent watching MTV, waiting for my favorite videos to come on, and reminds me why this era of music continues to hold such a special place in my heart.

Boom Radio: MTV's First 24 Hours Playlist

Boom Radio: New Jack Swing Playlist

 

80s Throwback: Chicago - 'Hard Habit To Break'

 If you ask me to name the greatest year in music, I'm going to make a very strong case for 1984. It seemed like every week another iconic song was climbing the charts. Rock, pop, R&B, new wave, and power ballads were all thriving at the same time. There was something magical about turning on the radio or MTV because you never knew what masterpiece was coming next.

One song that still stops me in my tracks is Chicago's "Hard Habit to Break."

Released from the band's hugely successful Chicago 17 album, the song showcased everything that made the group so special during the 1980s. While many longtime fans debated their transition from jazz-rock pioneers to polished adult-contemporary hitmakers, there's no denying they struck lightning in a bottle. Producer David Foster helped shape a new sound for the band, and it resulted in some of the most memorable ballads of the decade.

"Hard Habit to Break" is simply beautiful. Peter Cetera's unmistakable voice carries so much emotion that you believe every word he's singing. The lyrics capture that universal feeling of trying to move on from someone while realizing that letting go isn't nearly as easy as you hoped. We've all been there at one point or another, and that's what makes the song timeless.

Musically, it has everything I love about '80s power ballads. The soaring piano, lush orchestration, layered harmonies, and dramatic build all come together perfectly without ever feeling overproduced. It manages to be powerful and restrained at the same time, a difficult balance that few songs ever achieve.

And then there was the video, which had that unmistakable cinematic quality that MTV embraced during its golden era. Back then, music videos weren't just promotional clips; they were events. They gave songs an entirely new life, and "Hard Habit to Break" fit right in with the era's polished storytelling.

Chicago 17 became one of the band's biggest albums, spawning hit after hit including "Stay the Night," "You're the Inspiration," and "Along Comes a Woman." Looking back, it's remarkable just how stacked that album was. It wasn't simply successful—it became one of the defining albums of the decade.

Whenever "Hard Habit to Break" comes on today, I'm instantly transported back to 1984. It reminds me why I consider that year one of the greatest in music history. The songs weren't afraid to be emotional. The musicianship was outstanding, and the melodies were unforgettable. Decades later, they still have the power to make you stop whatever you're doing and just listen.

90's Nostalgia: SWV - 'I'm So Into You'

"Boy, there you go 
You're telling me that you love me 
But boy you know 
That you belong to another girl who loves you 
You are so fine, (so fine, so fine) 
You blow my mind 
(Things you do) with the things you do to me 
(She sees) She's not blind, she's not blind 
Things you do for me, but I know 
[Chorus]
I'm so into you 
I don't know what I'm gonna do 
Boy, you got me so confused 
I don't know what I'm gonna do.

It's been a while since I've featured some classic '90s R&B, so I figured it was time to give SWV the spotlight.

Originally formed in the late 1980s as a gospel group, Sisters With Voices eventually shortened their name to SWV and embraced the exploding R&B scene of the early '90s. It turned out to be the perfect move. By 1992, smooth harmonies, slow jams, and heartfelt love songs were dominating both radio and MTV, and SWV quickly became one of the defining groups of the era.

It seemed like you couldn't turn on the radio without hearing "Weak," "Right Here," or "I'm So Into You." Flip over to MTV, and there they were again. Every couple of hours it felt like another SWV video was making its way into rotation. Along with groups like Jade, Xscape, En Vogue, and TLC, they helped define what R&B sounded like during one of the genre's strongest periods.

I'll admit something, though. Back then, I didn't always appreciate just how good we had it. I'd be watching MTV and think, "Ugh... there's SWV again." Funny how time changes your perspective.

Now? I'd love nothing more than to turn on MTV and have one of their videos randomly pop up. Those songs instantly transport me back to a simpler time when my biggest concern was getting through school, heading to work, or figuring out what music video was coming on next. Life moved a little slower, and somehow these songs became part of the soundtrack to all of it.

I think that's one of the reasons '90s R&B has aged so gracefully. The production still sounds smooth, the harmonies remain incredible, and the songs were built around melodies instead of trends. They're timeless in a way that so much modern music struggles to be.

I'm not even sure I can pick a favorite SWV song. "Weak" is a classic. "Right Here" is impossible not to sing along with. But today I'm going with "I'm So Into You." There's just something about its laid-back groove and effortless vocals that still sounds as fresh today as it did over 30 years ago.

If it's been a while since you've heard it, do yourself a favor. Press play, close your eyes, and let it take you back to the golden age of slow jams. I have a feeling you'll appreciate it even more now than you did back then.

80s Throwback: Don Henley- 'The Boys Of Summer'

But I can see you-
Your brown skin shinin' in the sun
You got your hair combed back and your sunglasses on, baby
And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone

I can still remember the first time I saw the video for Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer." It was late on a Friday night at my grandmother's house, sometime back in 1984. Those weekends usually meant staying up later than I was allowed at home, flipping through videos until my eyes couldn't stay open any longer. This video came on and I was completely mesmerized.

Looking back, I think it may have been the first time I realized just how much I loved black-and-white music videos. There was something about the stark imagery that made everything feel more important. It wasn't flashy or overloaded with special effects. Instead, it was cinematic, emotional, and haunting in a way that stayed with me long after it ended.

More than forty years later, the video still holds up beautifully. That's no small accomplishment. So many videos from the MTV era scream 1984 with giant hair, neon colors, and dated production techniques. "The Boys of Summer" somehow escaped all of that. It feels timeless. You could watch it today without knowing when it was made, and it would still have the same emotional impact.

Of course, when I was 13 years old, I had absolutely no idea what the song was really about.

The idea of looking back on your youth with a mixture of nostalgia and regret was completely foreign to me. Thirty years old seemed ancient. Forty? That practically meant your life was over. At that age, your world revolves around what happens this weekend, not what happened twenty years ago.

It's funny how life has a way of proving you wrong.

Today, I understand every word of that song in a way I never could back then. Memories become more valuable. Summers seem shorter. Certain songs instantly transport you back to a specific place, a specific person, or even a specific feeling you thought you'd forgotten.

Ironically, that's exactly what DailyBOOM has become.

Seven days a week, we're looking back at the music, movies, television shows, and moments that shaped our lives. We revisit them not because we're stuck in the past, but because those memories still matter. They remind us where we've been, who we were, and sometimes even who we've become.

Maybe that's why "The Boys of Summer" has never faded away. It isn't really about summer at all. It's about time. It's about growing older while holding onto the pieces of ourselves that made those younger years unforgettable.

Every summer, this song seems to find its way back onto playlists everywhere, and honestly, it deserves its annual return. It's one of those rare tracks that somehow becomes more meaningful with every passing year.

So if you're putting together your soundtrack for the season, this one belongs on it.

Turn it up, watch the video one more time, and let it take you wherever your own memories happen to live. Chances are, they're waiting for you in black and white.

Boom Radio: 80s Power Ballads

 

70s Yacht Rock: Ace - 'How Long'

Some songs just glide in with a groove so smooth that you're hooked before the first verse even begins. That's exactly what Ace accomplished with "How Long."

Released in 1974 from the band's debut album Five-A-Side, "How Long" became Ace's signature hit, climbing all the way to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. While it was technically released before the golden age of yacht rock, it's become one of those songs that fans of the genre proudly claim as an early classic.

For me, this song has always represented everything that's great about the softer side of the '70s. That opening bass line is instantly recognizable. Before Paul Carrack even sings a word, you already know exactly what song is coming on. Then his soulful voice takes over, and suddenly you're transported to another time.

Carrack has one of those voices that never seems to age. It's warm, effortless, and emotional without ever sounding over-the-top. Long before he found success with Mike + The Mechanics or lent his vocals to Squeeze, he was delivering one of the smoothest performances of the decade right here.

One of the things I always loved about "How Long" is that it sounds like it's about a relationship gone wrong. Most people assume it's about discovering an unfaithful lover, but that's not actually the case. Paul Carrack wrote the song after learning that Ace's bass player had been secretly playing with another band. It's essentially a song about betrayal between bandmates rather than romance—a twist that surprises people even today.

Musically, though, none of that bitterness comes through. Instead, you get an easy-going blend of soft rock, blue-eyed soul, jazz influences, and impeccable musicianship. It's the kind of record that sounds just as good cruising down the highway with the windows down as it does relaxing on the back deck on a summer evening.

This is also one of those songs that perfectly demonstrates why yacht rock has become so beloved in recent years. It's sophisticated without being pretentious. Every instrument has room to breathe, the harmonies are flawless, and the groove is so effortless that it almost feels accidental. Of course, it wasn't accidental at all; it was simply a group of incredibly talented musicians making music that has stood the test of time.

While Ace never duplicated the success of "How Long," the song itself has become immortal. It regularly appears on yacht rock playlists, classic rock radio stations, and countless "best of the '70s" collections. New generations continue to discover it, proving that truly great songs never really disappear.

Every time I hear that unmistakable bass line, I find myself smiling before the lyrics even begin. It's one of those records that never gets old. Whether you're a longtime yacht rock fan or just beginning to explore the genre, "How Long" deserves a permanent place on your playlist.

80s Throwback: Metallica - 'One'

"Darkness
Imprisoning me
All that I see
Absolute horror
I cannot live
I cannot die
Trapped in myself
Body my holding cell
Landmine
Has taken my sight
Taken my speech
Taken my hearing
Taken my arms
Taken my legs
Taken my soul
Left me with life in hell "

By 1988, hard rock and heavy metal were absolutely everywhere. Hair bands ruled MTV, rock radio, and the walls of every teenage bedroom plastered with posters. If you weren't an actual fan of the genre, chances are you probably couldn't tell Whitesnake from Europe or Skid Row. Every band seemed to consist of impossibly good-looking guys with teased hair, leather pants, and enough Aqua Net to single-handedly destroy the ozone layer. They all had power ballads, flashy guitar solos, and videos that were in constant rotation.

Then there was Metallica. They didn't fit the mold at all.

While the glam bands were busy singing about love, parties, and fast cars, Metallica had spent years building a loyal following in the underground thrash metal scene. They were heavier, darker, and far less interested in looking like rock stars than they were in making uncompromising music. To be honest, they weren't really on my radar.

That changed one cold morning while I was standing outside waiting for the school bus.

I remember hearing "One" for the first time, and it completely changed my opinion of Metallica. This wasn't just another loud metal song. It was haunting, emotional, and unlike anything else that was getting airplay at the time. Even before I understood the full story behind the lyrics, I knew I was hearing something different.

Released as the third and final single from ...And Justice for All, "One" became Metallica's breakthrough into the mainstream. More importantly, it introduced a whole new audience to a band that had already spent years earning respect from metal fans around the world.

The song itself is devastating.

Inspired by Dalton Trumbo's anti-war novel Johnny Got His Gun, "One" tells the story of a soldier who has lost his arms, legs, sight, hearing, and ability to speak after being critically wounded in combat. Trapped inside his own body, he's fully aware of what's happened to him but has no way to communicate with the outside world. It's one of the most powerful anti-war songs ever written, not because it preaches, but because it forces you to imagine the unimaginable.

The music video only intensified that message.

MTV put "One" into heavy rotation almost immediately, and it was impossible to look away. Alternating between Metallica performing in stark black-and-white and unforgettable scenes from the 1971 film Johnny Got His Gun, the video felt more like a short film than a typical rock video. There were no glamorous sets or pyrotechnics—just raw emotion, heartbreaking imagery, and a story that stayed with you long after the song ended.

For a band that had resisted making videos for years, Metallica couldn't have chosen a more impactful debut.

The song also earned Metallica their very first Grammy Award, taking home Best Metal Performance in 1989. It was a landmark moment not just for the band but for heavy music as a whole. Metal had finally received recognition on one of music's biggest stages, and "One" was the perfect song to do it.

Musically, it's a masterpiece.

It begins almost like a ballad, with clean guitars and a slow, haunting build before gradually exploding into one of the most intense finales in rock history. James Hetfield's vocals perfectly capture fear, anger, and despair, while Kirk Hammett delivers one of the greatest guitar solos of the era. By the time Lars Ulrich's machine-gun-like double bass kicks in during the final section, the song has transformed into something unforgettable.

Even after all these years, "One" still gives me chills every time I hear it.

I've been fortunate enough to experience it live, and it's one of those songs that somehow becomes even more powerful in concert. The opening notes are enough to send a wave of anticipation through the crowd, and by the explosive finale, thousands of fans are singing every word together. It's one of those rare live performances that you don't just watch, you feel.

Looking back, it's funny that a few minutes spent waiting for a school bus could completely change the way I looked at a band. "One" opened the door for me to appreciate Metallica's songwriting, musicianship, and willingness to tackle subjects far deeper than what most of their contemporaries were doing.

Nearly four decades later, it remains one of the greatest metal songs ever recorded and, in my opinion, one of the most powerful anti-war songs in rock history.

Boom Radio: 90s Club Hits