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.

90's Nostalgia: Garbage - 'Only Happy When It Rains'

I'm only happy when it rains 
I feel good when things are going wrong 
I only listen to the sad, sad songs 
I'm only happy when it rains 

I only smile in the dark 
My only comfort is the night gone black 
I didn't accidentally tell you that 
I'm only happy when it rains 

If you've been reading DailyBOOM for any real length of time, then you already know that I absolutely love Garbage. I'll worship at the feet of Shirley Manson and praise the talent of the rest of the band each and every chance that I get. Finally getting to see them was absolutely everything that I had hoped for and more. It's always risky when you wait years to see a band that you love for the first time. Especially more than 20 years. You run the risk of voices fading, vocal range diminishing, and fingers just not playing the way that they once did.

Not the case with Garbage. I can't imagine them ever sounding better than they currently do. And Shirley has certainly gotten better with some good years under her belt. The performance anxiety she once had has been traded in for a sense of authority and control as she stalks the stage.  There have been so many great tracks over the years, but since it is currently pouring, I'm going to make a fairly obvious choice.

Is "Only Happy When It Rains" their best song? Maybe. Is it their best song played live? Definitely maybe. It has always created or (embraced an already existing) mood. It described the 90's angst perfectly, which is, I'm sure, why it became such a huge breakout (and breakthrough) hit for Garbage. I also think it has one of the best videos of the entire decade to accompany it.  Check it out below! Fabulous still, isn't it?

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: Shai - 'If I Ever Fall In Love'

"The very first time
That I saw your brown eyes
Your lips said hello and I said hi
I knew right then you were the one
But I was caught up
In physical attraction
But to my satisfaction
Baby you were more than just a face"

Shai is one of those groups that I expected to go so much further than they actually did. The quartet first got together in the early 90's and by 1992 the title song, "If I Ever Fall In Love" , from their first album shot to number 2 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Their first three albums produced songs that at least charted and after 1996 they dropped off the radar. If you google the group now you'll see that they do still pop up and perform here and there, but it's none of the original members. 

It's strange how sometimes a group with so much potential just kind of fizzles out with no real explanation. The original Shai was super talented, hot and marketable. Check out their video for "If I Ever Fall In Love" below!

90's Nostalgia: The Scorpions -'When You Came Into My Life'

You make me dream

By the look in your eyes
You give me the feel, I've been longing for
I wanna give you my soul
All my life
Cause you are the one I've been waiting for
I've been waiting for so long
When you came into my life
It took my breath away
And the world stopped turnin' round
For your love

When you hear "The Scorpions", songs like "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and "No One Like You" probably first come to mind and why wouldn't they?  The Scorpions are considered heavy metal royalty and they are one of the longest-running bands to still grace a stage. Rudolf Schenker and lead vocalist Klaus Meine first teamed up all the way back in 1965 and every album that the German group has released in the last FIFTY years has had its unmistakable imprint on it.

The Scorpions have found success by mixing ballads in with their rock anthems, most of which have been penned by Meine. He admits that many of these songs have been inspired by his wife of 40 years. "When You Came Into My Life" was first released back in 1996 and I think it's one of their best even if not the Scorpion's most popular power ballad. Check out the live unplugged performance of it from 2013 below.

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia- Laissez Faire- 'In Paradise'

You are the sun, I am the sky
Together we'll live in paradise
Our hopes and dreams will come alive
In paradise

Do you remember Laissez Faire?  Gina, Marlo and Jennifer first got together in 1989 and eventually put out an album under Metropolitan Records. While Hands Off didn't do as well on the charts as they may have wanted, the ladies did develop a strong fan base within the freestyle community. "In Paradise" the groups' first single did do quite well on the dance charts and brought Laissez Faire enough clout to open for the then-huge Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.

This song is Laissez Faire's signature jam and they are still performing it. The ladies recently reunited for the first time in 15 years and pop up occasionally to perform at live events.

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: Giant - 'I'll See You In My Dreams'

I'll see you in my dreams

There we'll be safe tonight from the lonely days of memory

I'll see you in my dreams

Back in my arms again and no matter what tomorrow brings

I'll see you in my dreams

It's kind of amazing how much staying power a good rock ballad can have, even if it's a one-hit-wonder. In 1990 "I'll See You In My Dreams" hit the radio airwaves and it was one of those songs that everyone wanted to know who was singing on it. It's that big, showy power ballad that grabs your attention right from the start and holds it. It gave Giant their first and only real moment in the chart success sun that is Billboard. The guys first got together in 1987 and had disbanded by 1992. While they've moved in different directions over the years, a reunion album and some shows have popped up every once in awhile.

I'm not sure if Giant will ever find themselves with another hit, but "I'll See You In My Dreams" is still getting plenty of airplay on rock stations. Check out the video below. Do you remember this one?

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: George Michael - 'Fastlove'

I won't bore you with the details, baby
I don't even wannna waste your time
Let's just say that maybe
You could help to ease my mind
Baby, I ain't Mr. Right
But if you're looking for fast love
If that's love in your eyes, it's more than enough
Had some bad love
Some fast love, is all that I've got on my mind

There's something really refreshing about a person that just owns their stuff and says exactly what they mean, isn't there? You don't have to agree with or even like the message, but to have the nerve to do it is really something. So back in April of 1996 when George Michael finally put his real cards on the table I was impressed.

Of course I'm talking about "Fastlove" one of the best tracks off of Michael's Older album. Rather than wishing for love or trying to mend a broken heart, he knows exactly what he wants- a no strings attached fling. What's interesting is the way that people really embraced this song in spite of it being about a one night stand. Michael is smooth, risque and kind of at his best on this dance song, probably because of the authenticity.

What are your thoughts on 90's George Michael? Do you prefer this sexier variation or do you rather him from his days fronting Wham?

Exclusive Interview: Sabrina Nieves of 'The Cover Girls'

We are flashing back to some of the best of the best content here at DailyBOOM.

(ICYMI)

Here is a great recent chat with Sabrina Nieves of The Cover Girls.)

Isn't it interesting how some music just really stands the test of time? Being a DJ's kid I can rattle off songs and artists easily, My dad trained me well and a corner of my brain has 40 years' worth of music neatly filed away, just in case I need it someday. Then there are those groups and artists that for whatever reason really stand out. The Cover Girls are a big one for me. I can't tell you exactly what it was that initially made me pay attention, but "Because Of You" was my song back in 1987. Mixed in with my hairbands there was a bit of freestyle music and these ladies topped the list. 

I can distinctly remember taping The Cover Girls off of Open House Party because they hadn't hit locally (yet) and even though I could have had my dad order their album I hedged on that because I had my rocker image to maintain. Any long-suffering fan of freestyle music knows that The Cover Girls went through a lineup change when Angel Sabater left as the lead vocalist and was swiftly replaced by Evelyn Escalera. What many don't know is that her departure was completely anticipated, so much so that Escalera had already been trained and was simply waiting for that phone call to come naming her as the new lead voice of The Cover Girls.

What's interesting is the fact that Escalera has been performing with the group regularly for the last 25 years and still takes heat for daring to replace a singer who left on their own accord. She has been joined onstage for the last 12 years by Sabrina Nieves and Lorraine Munoz and let me tell you, these ladies really kill it. After catching a recent freestyle show in Westchester County, NY where The Cover Girls performed, I had the privilege of chatting with Nieves for a few minutes and I quickly realized that while my teenage self loved the originals, my grown-up self is far more in tune with the class act that blew me away onstage a bit earlier.

While Nieves readily admits that there is often "noise" that surrounds them, she is completely humbled by the love that they do receive. The connection that these women actually share is pretty intense too. As it turns out, Nieves and Munoz actually go all the way back to 4th grade and they attended the same performing arts school together. In their earlier years, Nieves focused on dance while Munoz was more into voice training. While they naturally hoped to one day work together, neither ever could have imagined that they would spend over a decade together performing with The Cover Girls. 

Cate Meighan: What is it like for you to still work with Evelyn and Lorraine after all of these years?

Sabrina Nieves:  It's actually pretty amazing. I really respect what Evelyn has done, she is THE longest running Cover Girl! I think that she also really respects Lorraine and me, what we bring to the stage as well. We all really love and respect the Cover Girls brand and want our performances to be the best that they can be. But behind the scenes, we are all really just clowns (laughing). We have so much fun and nothing breaks the bond we share. Even if we are busy with our 9 to 5 jobs and don't talk for a bit, once we finally do get together it's always all good. 

C.M.:  Is there any new music on the horizon for Cover Girls fans?

S.N.:  It's funny because we have written and we have recorded some other things! We also realize that we only get so long on stage and people really want to hear the classics. They come to a freestyle show to hear the old songs and we really understand that. As long as we can get out there and keep performing them then that's what we're going to do. There is a real sense of peace with where we are at now. It's good, really good.

C.M.: What is it like to perform the same songs for so many years?

S.N.:  I love it! I'm a boss and a mother in my daily life so this is what gives me a chance to play dress up! There is a moment at the start of every show when Evelyn, Lorraine, and I are just standing there. When the music hits and the lights go on- that feels like it's my moment. It's funny because I also instantly look for a heckler. If I find him then I will work extra hard to try and change his mind about us (laughing). I also really love it when the crowd sings along with us. "Show Me" is my favorite song to perform and it's always last. It feels like a lot of people came just to hear that and to hear them singing the words with us is just the most amazing feeling!

C.M.: What would you like to say to the fans that come out to support The Cover Girls?

S.N.:  Oh my gosh, the Cover Girls fandom is diehard! There are those people that really do follow us from show to show, so much so that I kind of look for them (laughing)! We are so very grateful for all that the fans have done to support us. We love that they have introduced our music to their kids and now we have another generation of fans following us. That's honestly what helps to keep the Cover Girls alive, so thank you!

Talking to Nieves makes it extra easy to root for these ladies. The talent is obvious. Escalera's live rendition of "Wishing On A Star" kind of rips the roof off of any building, but the grown-up Cover Girls are also role models. They juggle children, are businesswomen, have nursed broken hearts, and whatever else life has thrown their way, all with a little grace and a whole lot of class. 

Daily Boom Lost Hit: Heavy D & The Boyz - 'Got Me Waiting'

90's Nostalgia: Tevin Campbell - 'Can We Talk'

"Last night I,

I saw you standing,

And I started,

Started pretending,

I knew you and you knew me too,

And just like a roni,

You were too shy,

But you weren't the only,

Cause so was I,

And I've dreamed of you ever since,

Now I've built up my confidence,

Girl next,

Next time you come my way,

I'll know just what to say

Can we talk for a minute

Girl I want to know your name"

I'll never forget getting in a cab a few years ago. The driver was in his 40's and had big curly headbanger hair, still frosted as if it was 1988. He was wearing an old RATT concert tee that blended in with his sleeves of tattoos. He was on the phone at first trying to figure out who was going to get the Motley Crue tickets for him and his friends once they went on sale the next day and I instantly liked him. He was like a fossil leftover from the 80's but the thing was, he was the real deal. He stayed true to the music that he was raised on and had no desire to change any of that. Or at least that was my first impression. I've since learned never to think for certain that I have someone all figured out in a quick glance or three.

As the cab finally started to move he asked if I minded the radio and of course I didn't. Then he told me he didn't like what was on so he was switching over to a CD. The CD was Tevin Campbell and my jaw hit the floor. As "Can We Talk" started to play I told him I never expected to hear that in any cab, because years later most people don't seem to remember him let alone play his stuff. The driver loved him as much as I always have and we totally bonded over 3.5 songs before I got out of the cab.

Tevin first broke through in 1991 with his album T.E.V.I.N. but I wasn't hooked until he dropped I'm Ready in 1993. I think he was the artist that really convinced me to pay more attention to some of the slow jams peppering the charts, in between my Hole and Nirvana listening parties. The video for "Can We Talk" was shot in NYC's Central Park and I love it to this day. Check it out below.

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: H-Town- 'Knockin' Da Boots'

"I feel so good when I'm near you
That's why I always wanna be close to you
I'm so addicted, I'm so addicted
To makin' love to you, baby
All night long, baby, all night long, long, long, long"

H-Town's "Knockin' Da Boots" is one of my all-time favorite slow jams. The 1993 R&B classic hit Billboard's charts at the height of the New Jack Swing era and it sat near the top for several weeks in the spring of that year. Kristine Huskey, who is now a distinguished attorney and author actually appeared in the video as a dancer.

H-Town remained popular throughout much of the 90's and were putting the finishing touches on an album when lead singer Keven "Dino" Conner was killed in a car accident along with his pregnant girlfriend. The album was released nearly two years later but without Conner it didn't garner much airplay or distribution.  The remaining members of H-Town, Solomon Conner and Darryl Jackson perform some of their classics from time to time.

Currently Booming: Old School R&B Playlist

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: R.E.M. - 'Losing My Religion'

"That's me in the corner

That's me in the spotlight

Losing my religion

Trying to keep up with you

And I don't know if I can do it

Oh no I've said too much

I haven't said enough"

If you're an R.E.M. fan, "Losing My Religion" probably helped you to become one. Back in 1991 the Indie alternative band had a huge underground following but it was this unexpected hit that made them a mainstream sensation. The video went a long way in helping to boost the band as it was nominated for numerous awards. "Losing My Religion" was also nominated for several Grammy's.

You know how at different times certain songs really click with whatever you have going on in your personal life? Well when this first came out I was dealing with a bunch of religious conflicts within my family and so it just hit a really deep nerve for me. Looking back so many years later the video is strikingly beautiful, don't you think?

90's Nostalgia: Céline Dion - 'Because You Loved Me'

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

It was nearly 30 years ago that Celine Dion first hit the top of Billboard's charts with "Because You Loved Me". The song, a power ballad by Diane Warren and David Foster, was from the Up Close & Personal soundtrack and really helped to establish Dion's now-signature style. Big, mushy-gushy ballads became her calling card a' la Titanic. But before Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" shattered records, she garnered critical acclaim with "Because You Loved Me".

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: En Vogue - 'Don't Let Go (Love)'

What's it gonna be 'cuz I can't pretend
Don't you want to be more than friends
Hold me tight and don't let go
Don't let go
You have the right to lose control
Don't let go

I love when every member of a girl group can hold their own vocally, don't you? Throughout most of the '90s no other girl group seemed to compare to En Vogue. When the ladies (Cindy Herron, Dawn Robinson, Maxine Jones, and Terry Ellis) first broke through with "Hold On" off their debut album Born To Sing in 1989 it was immediately clear that they would become a force to reckon with. From that first single on En Vogue found great success with nearly every track that they dropped and it didn't hurt that their videos were as hot as their music.

"Don't Let Go (Love)", released in 1996 on the Set It Off soundtrack is arguably the group's best vocal performance ever and it also marked the end of Dawn Robinson's stint with them. The single sold 1.3 million copies in the states alone and quickly became En Vogue's top international hit. It was also nominated for a Grammy in 1997, at a point when En Vogue's lineup and future were in a state of flux.

Years of legal wrangling followed the release of "Don't Let Go (Love)". Maxine Jones and Robinson both embarked on solo careers but fought for the right to still use the En Vogue name. It was a fairly unsuccessful plight and you can actually catch Ellis, Herron, and Rhona Bennett on tour now. The ladies are currently part of the lineup on various 80's tours that are winding their way across the country and yes, they still sound fantastic live!

90's Nostalgia: Everything But The Girl - 'Missing'

I step off the train

I'm walking down your street again

And past your door, but you don't live there anymore

It's years since you've been there

Now you've disappeared somewhere, like outer space

You've found some better place

And I miss you like the deserts miss the rain.

"Missing". the dance song from 1994 by Everything But The Girl technically classifies as a one-hit-wonder for most people, in spite of the group being around for more than 30 years. This is one of those songs that remains pretty timeless for multiple reasons. First off the sound isn't the least bit dated or obvious and then there are those lyrics, ones that surely resonate with anyone who has ever had a significant other for even an hour.

We all know what it's like after a breakup when all of those familiar haunts no longer have any meaning. Who hasn't done the random drive by just to see, well, what are we actually looking for in those moments? A familiar face? Proof that everything is different now? Closure?

Soundtrack Sunday: Singles

Singles, and its soundtrack, will turn 30 in a few months. Thirty! Where has the time gone? Easily one of the most popular soundtracks of modern day pop culture. Singles hit when grunge and alternative music were the biggest thing around and the soundtrack is loaded with tracks from everyone who was anyone back then. Check it out below!

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: Queen - 'The Show Must Go On'

Empty spaces, what are we living for
Abandoned places, I guess we know the score
On and on, does anybody know what we are looking for
Another hero, another mindless crime
Behind the curtain, in the pantomime
Hold the line, does anybody want to take it anymore
The show must go on

"The Show Must Go On" is probably one of my most favorite songs by Queen. It was recorded in 1990 at the height of Freddie Mercury's battle with full blown AIDS and there was concern that he wouldn't be able tp actually hit the necessary high notes. While the rest of the band may have thought that he was too weak to actually perform it Mercury knew better and pulled off the tough vocals in spite of his fading health. The song itself is filled with innuendo about Mercury's health and how change was pretty imminent. 

The press had speculated that the legendary front man was ill but no confirmation of Mercury's HIV-positive status was ever given until the day before his death in 1991. "The Show Must Go On" was also released in 1991 and the video that accompanies it features the band performing together at various gigs over the years. Check out the late, great Freddie Mercury and the rest of Queen below.

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: New Kids On The Block - 'Step By Step'

Step by step, oh, baby, gonna get to you, girl
Step by step, oh, baby, really want you in my world
Step! Hey, girl, in your eyes I see your picture of me all the time
Step! And, girl, when you smile you got to know that you drive me wild
Step by step, oh, baby, you're always on my mind
Step by step, oh, girl, I really think it's just a matter of time.

Let's kick this week off with a great dance track by New Kids On The Block. Even if you weren't a fan of bubble gum pop there is probably one song by this iconic boy band that you did secretly like and it might have been "Step By Step". The guys first broke through in 1988 with songs like "Please Don't Go Girl" and "Hangin' Tough" which helped them to develop a rock solid screaming teen girl fan base in record time. By the time "Step By Step" was released in the spring of 1990, NKOTB were already bonafide superstars.

This song takes me back to high school when I was trying to figure out what I really wanted to do with my life. While lost in that confusion I was a die-hard fan of USA network's Dance Party USA. The teen dance program taped about an hour away from me and on many cool occasions my friends and I piled into an old car and drove to the studio to be on the show. As big as NKOTB was in my hometown, it was nothing compared to the love for the boy band that this entire group of kids felt. Maybe it was because the guys had been guests on the show quite often and that strengthened the appeal, but when you walked in you were clearly on NKOTB turf and that was fine with me.

Who was your favorite member of New Kids On The Block? Come on, we both know that you really did have one! In case you need a refresher, check out the video below and report back!

Daily Boom's 90's Nostalgia: Sade - 'No Ordinary Love'

"I gave you all the love I got
I gave you more than I could give
I gave you love
I gave you all that I have inside
And you took my love
You took my love"

So a mermaid walks into a bar...

Nope. That's not the start of a joke, but it is exactly what happens in Sade's video for "No Ordinary Love". This was the lead single off of her 1992 Love Deluxe release and it became a signature song for Sade. While she first burst on the scene in the early 80's with songs like "Smooth Operator" and "The Sweetest Taboo", Sade really hit her stride with this album. While lots of singers in the 90's were soulful, very few set a mood quite like Sade.