A look at the top 15 of the top 40 contemporary hit radio airplay charts, and the songs the stations added this week in 1992.
The Top 15
- Red Hot Chili Peppers, Under The Bridge – Their first hit on the pop charts became their first number one. 88% of Radio and Records pop stations were playing the song, and 66 of those 200 stations had it on top of their playlists. WAPW (Power 99) and WSTR (STAR 94) had “Bridge” at #1 and #6, respectively. Gold seller, 6 times platinum digital.
- En Vogue, My Lovin’-Made way at the top for RHCP after four weeks at the top. R&R still had this song on top at Major Market stations, while RHCP topped secondary and smaller market stations. The lead off single from their Funky Divas album.
- Michael Jackson, In The Closet-At it’s peak. Top 15 at Power 99. Third release from Dangerous.
- Sophie B. Hawkins, Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover– Damn, this was a hot jam from a newcomer.
- Celine Dion, If You Asked Me To-Dion’s star was rising that week and so was this track. Both Power and Star were one of 201 stations spinning this song. Originally recorded by Patti LaBelle in 1989.
- Kris Kross, Jump-Atlanta’s own Mack Daddy and Daddy Mack peaked at #3 on R&R while monster sales propelled it to #1 in Billboard. Double platinum.
- Genesis, Hold On My Heart-Top 5 airplay in Atlanta, huge acceptance (82% on it) nationally. Their “We Can’t Dance Album” was a steady performer, dropping five hit singles.
- Mariah Carey, I’ll Be There– Already top 10 in week 3 and speeding to the top. Remember when songs like this was what most folks remember from and not “that song?”
- Mr. Big, Just Take My Heart-Second top ten hit. #2 behind RHCP in small markets. Star ranks it #13 in their playlist.
- Amy Grant, I Will Remember You-77% of R&R pop stations on it. Both ATL stations giving it top 20 airplay. Another hit from her “Heart In Motion” album.
- Joe Public, Live And Learn-Former top 10 hit. Their only hit to date.
- Def Leppard, Let’s Get Rocked-Peaked at #10. Album Adrenalize wasn’t quite as big as Pyromania or Hysteria.
- Howard Jones, Lift Me Up-At his peak national position. Star gave this track top 10 airplay.
- Jon Secada, Just Another Day-Shaping up to be one of that summer’s biggest hits. Headed for the national top 10.
- Lionel Richie, Do It To Me-Top 10 track from his greatest hits album, “Back To Front.”
Add Ons
Richard Marx, Take This Heart-Added at Star and Power. The top added track nationally. Baseball-themed video features Oakland A’s Dennis Eckersley, Rickey Henderson, Jose Canseco, Tony LaRussa, Cubs Manager Jim Lefebvre, and baseball great Bob Uecker.
Bruce Springsteen, 57 Channels (And Nothin’ On)-The Boss grabs 74 stations in its first week. Falls short of the top 40, though.
Olivia Newton-John, I Need Love-Also missed the forty despite ranking third in adds.
Cover Girls, Wishing On A Star-This one didn’t miss. Was already at #33 and climbing and on its way to the top 5. Power already on board.
Billy Ray Cyrus, Achy Breaky Heart-CHR was slow to react to this cut, but the megaseller would hit the top 40.
Vanessa Williams, Just For Tonight– Headed for the top 10 as Williams’ music career was sizzling.
Indigo Girls, Galleo-Hometown favorites got local support from Power and Star. Barely reached the top 40. Sadly top 40 radio never really embraced this Atlanta based act.
Arrested Development, Tennessee– Added at Power. Top 30 bound at CHR. ATL represented this week, with AD, Kris Kross, Indigo Girls, and TLC (Ain’t Too Proud To Beg at #35) on the charts that week.
Neville Brothers, Fly Like An Eagle
Nia Peeples, Faces of Love-Formerly of TV’s “Fame”. Missed the 40.
Troop, What Ever It Takes
Jodeci, Come And Talk To Me-Hit R&B track.
Live, Pain Lies On The Riverside-Predated “Selling The Drama” and “Lighting Crashes” .
Cracker, Teen Angst-Got scattered national airplay. Nirvana’s breakthrough earlier that year opened doors for many Alternative bands to access CHR playlists.
XTC, The Ballad Of Peter Pumkinhead– Critically acclaimed but airplay-ignored track from a critically acclaimed but commercially ignored band.
Shakespear’s Sister, Stay-Ex-Bananarama singer Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit. Kept accumulating airplay all summer till it’s top 5 peak.
DasEFX, They Want EFX-Some airplay on hip hop-oriented CHR stations, missed the top 40.
Data courtesy Radio and Records, May 29, 1992. Editorials by Brian Allen.
