Max Picks … Songs From 1993

1993

It took me a while to find all of these but I’m very happy with this list for 1993. We only have 2 more to go until 1995 and the end.

Tom Petty – Mary Jane’s Last Dance

I like the rawness of the song and the lyrics are fun. Tom was making his second solo album Wildflowers but the record company wanted a couple of tracks to go on the greatest hits album. Mary Jane’s Last Dance is one of  Tom’s most successful songs. This would be the last song Stan Lynch played drums on for the Heartbreakers.

To tell you the truth…I always thought the title was Last Dance of Mary Jane.

Petty made some strange videos, and this was no exception. Tom plays a mortician who takes home a corpse played by Kim Basinger. When he gets her home, he puts her in a wedding dress and dances with her. Then he puts her in a pickup truck and throws her into the ocean, and she opens her eyes as she sinks. It won Best Male Video at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Counting Crows – Mr. Jones

In 1993 I was living at my studio apartment. I woke up one morning and heard this song coming from my radio. I immediately thought it was a new Van Morrison song. I was all excited and I loved the track. Earlier that week I had been at band practice and everyone was saying how a band called The Counting Crows was good but they were being hyped. I wasn’t reading Rolling Stone at this point so I had no clue. I later found out this was them and I liked what I heard.

The band was really good though and the lead singer Adam Duritz, could write and sing well. They were big for a few years and then faded.

Lenny Kravitz – Are You Going My Way

Love the guitar riff, the vibe, and the artist. To my surprise, this was not released as a single in the US, but in 1995 a live version was used as the B-side of Kravitz’ “Rock And Roll Is Dead” single.

I first learned of Lenny Kravitz in 1989 with Let Love Rule which is probably my favorite song by him. I like this one because it’s aggressive and right in your face.  The song was released in 1993.

The song is about Jesus Christ, whom Lenny referred to as “the ultimate rock star.” It’s about how God gives choice to man about where to turn.

Sheryl Crow – All I Wanna Do

I was an instant fan when I first heard Sheryl Crow. During the nineties, there were many pop-oriented females that I listened to (Sarah Mclaughlin is one)…and ones that I didn’t at all (her last name rhymes with “tears” “beers” “fears”) but Sheryl was different. She was more in the rock and roll genre. I saw her open up for the Rolling Stones at Vanderbilt’s Stadium and she sounded great.

I have always liked her lyrics…she has fun with them and always kept them interesting.

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – Over The Rainbow /  What A Wonderful World

We all know this song from The Wizard of Oz but this is a great version in its own right. I first heard this song in Life On Mars and will never forget it. Israel (IZ) fits “What a Wonderful World” in this and it is fantastic.

Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwo’ole recorded this in a medley with “What a Wonderful World” for his 1993 album Facing Forward. This version was used in the films Finding Forrester, Meet Joe Black, Life on Mars and 50 First Dates as well as on the television show ER.

Unknown's avatar

Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

41 thoughts on “Max Picks … Songs From 1993”

  2. nice list. didn’t know it was Kim Basinger in Petty’s video, but like many of his it was a memorable one and a better tune still. The Israel song really is out of left field, but it’s pretty cool. I’ve heard it now and then through the years andby now knew it was a big Hawaiian dude, but I wouldn’t have been able to remember his name. And Sheryl Crow, good call. I had that album back then and looking back, I think it was an even better debut than I gave it credit for at the time.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. it’s another one of those oddball songs David Marsden would once in awhile randomly throw into a set, which always kind of led to a reaction of ‘that’s weird! What the hell? but… it’s kinda good too!’

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Yea it’s something about it that is haunting. Or maybe thats because of the way I remember it in Life On Mars. He did a good job of it.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Cool picks Max. Thanks for reminding me that I need to get Wildflowers on vinyl. Always loved that album. I bought the Kravitz one as well at the time on CD but other than the single I don’t remember any of it. lol. Mr. Jones man that song was on huge rotation on radio and video and I love Sheryl Crow’s whole I’m baked like a cookie vibe but she pulls it off….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. “Baked Like A Cookie Vibe”….that I have to remember!
      Yea the Mr. Jones I really liked when I heard it…and yea Kravitz was good…this one and Let Love Rule. Petty is always there.

      Like

      Reply

  4. That Petty video was creepy, but then it was about that time MTV went gaga. Sheryl Crow has a great voice still. Her video with those blown up people floating around..man oh man somebody got into someones med cabinet. Good picks.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. Oh, I love (almost!) all of these. Mr. Jones is one of my happy-songs. Somewhere Over the Rainbow has been covered so much, but the 3 most different versions — Judy’s, Israel’s and Eva Cassidy’s are so perfect.

    Like

    Reply

  7. Thanks for the reminder that there was actually some good music coming out in the 90’s! Musicians were still playing instruments and writing actual songs… I know there are a few still out there today doing it, but they are fewer and farther between…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yea you have to look…they are out there but not on mainstream radio…at least not what I’ve heard. I liked this bunch quite a bit….that is why I’m ending this series in 1995. That will be at because I basically stopped listening then.

      Like

      Reply

  8. ‘Mr Jones’ is one of those eccentric songs that are personal to the writer- The opposite to the Brill Building style, which is ’let’s make a commercial hit and get paid.’ Both methods work and result in hits but one is all polished craft for the masses and the other you just take what the writer gives, quirks and all.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I would have been wrong but I would have bet it was Van Morrison. I could see him doing a song like that. I agree with you…a very personal song and not one written for a hit.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  10. All good picks and you’re coming down to the wire! Maybe you could continue but in ten year increments. Certainly The Hot 100 held less and less interest after 95. Life On Mars, there’s some brilliant stuff right there, they did have great music on that show!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Well I thought of something Randy…what I might do is do a 21st Century post once a week. Only one song but pick some that way.
      Life on Mars is one of my favorite TV shows of all time…it really introduced me to Atomic Rooster and other 70s bands.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  11. I love all of your picks. I didn’t recognize the name of the last artist but once I listened to his beautiful rendition, I remembered it right away.

    The longer I’m looking at newly released music, the more I am convinced it is possible to find decent music for each year. That said, I acknowledge it can be time-consuming, so I’m not trying to convince you to continue your series beyond 1995, though it might be fun!😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I have an idea Christian…what I was thinking of is a 21st Century Song once a week. Just one song on one day. Some new and some since 2000 since I’m not heavy in that area. What do you think?

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      2. Dude I respect what you do greatly! But whew…too much work for me LOL…no I’ll just pick one from now or in the past 24 years. That will balance me out a little.

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Pingback: Max Picks … Songs From 1993 – MobsterTiger

  16. Love the Sheryl Crow tune, and ‘Are You Gonna Go My Way’ is such a fizzing riff. It’s funny, though, ‘Mr Jones’ is one of those songs that others love, but that just gets on my nerves.

    Like

    Reply

  19. I recall the local college stations playing the heck out of Counting Crows. They seemed to be a big hit in general, but those stations played the heck out of their stuff, especially Mr. Jones. Every hour on the hour.🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. Petty’s surge back into relevance between 1989 and 1994 was pretty impressive. He was good at videos, which helped.

    I’ve just been listening through the Counting Crows’ discography. I think my favourite song is ‘Angel of the Silences’ from Recovering the Satellites. It’s rawer and more energetic, and stands up better to repeat plays.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment