94.5 The Edge was the greatest radio station I have ever heard. It debuted in Dallas in the summer of 1989, and for five years it exposed me to more new alternative music than I could have ever imagined. In this continuing series, we’ll take a look back at the songs that made the Edge required listening for anyone with a musical pulse in North Texas in the late ’80s and early ’90s.
I received the following comment yesterday on last month’s Songs From The Edge: 1989, Part 2 post:
“This series is so great–I started high school in the fall of 1989 and the Edge (and George Girmarc) made growing up in the suburbs of Dallas so much cooler than it had any right to be. So, uh…thanks for this!”
Comments like this make all the work I put into this blog more than worth it. Joolie B, thanks for reading (and listening)– today’s post is just for you!
Songs From The Edge: 1990, Pt. 2
The Origin: “Growing Old” (The Origin)
From the album The Origin
Virgin Records America, 1990
I just found this CD last week at a used shop. I took one look at the song listing and immediately knew that I would know track one, and sure enough I remembered every word to “Growing Old” thanks to The Edge. Singer Michael Andrews would go on to collaborate with original Origin member Gary Jules on a classic version of Tears For Fears’ “Mad World” for the Donnie Darko soundtrack.
Gene Loves Jezebel: “Jealous” (Aston/Stevenson)
From the album Kiss Of Life
Geffen Records, 1990
Gene Loves Jezebel’s “Jealous” reached the top spot on Billboard’s Modern Rock chart in 1990, and even managed to break into the Hot 100 (it peaked at #68). Can I ruin (or perhaps enhance) “Jealous” for you? Tell me that singer Jay Aston doesn’t sound exactly like Ozzy Osbourne on this song…
Devo: “Post Post-Modern Man” (Mothersbaugh/Casale)
From the album Smooth Noodle Maps
Enigma Records, 1990
I’m not sure if “Post Post-Modern Man” received radio airplay anywhere else in the country, but The Edge treated it like a #1 single. Devo had been off my radar since about 1984 or so, and “Post Post-Modern Man” helped to remind me what I loved about the band in the first place. “That’s Good” will always be my favorite Devo song, but “Post Post-Modern Man” isn’t far behind.
The Charlatans UK: “The Only One I Know” (Baker/Blunt/Brookes/Burgess/Collins)
From the album Some Friendly
RCA Records, 1990
“The Only One I Know” may be a blatant rip-off of Deep Purple’s “Hush,” but that doesn’t mean it’s not awesome. The song was the first Top 10 hot for the band in the U.K., and it also reached #5 on the Modern Rock chart in the U.S. Keyboardist Rob Collins, who helped craft the band’s unique sound with his psychedelic organ, was killed in an auto accident in 1996.
![World In Motion [U.S. CD Single]](https://analogkidblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/world-in-motion-u-s-cd-single.png)
New Order: “World In Motion [Single Mix]” (Sumner/Hook/Morris/Gilbert/Lewis)
From the U.S. CD single World In Motion
Qwest Records, 1990
“World In Motion” was a non-album single released by New Order in support of England’s 1990 World Cup team. Was the song a winner? “World In Motion” remains New Order’s only #1 single in the U.K., and the Three Lions made it to the semifinals in Italy. And, of course, The Edge played the shit out of it. Goal!
The Church: “You’re Still Beautiful” (Kilbey/Wilson-Piper/Koppes/Ploog)
From the album Gold Afternoon Fix
Arista Records, 1990
Gold Afternoon Fix was a bit of a commercial disappointment for The Church after the success of Starfish, but it still contained a number of really good songs. “Metropolis” topped the U.S. Modern rock chart in 1990, but the acerbic “You’re Still Beautiful” is by far my favorite song from the album. The Edge only played it a few times, likely due to the inclusion of a certain naughty word. I’m convinced the band did this on purpose, as Arista’s insistence on radio-friendly material had already grown tiresome for The Church.
Jellyfish: “The King Is Half-Undressed” (Manning/Sturmer)
From the album Bellybutton
Charisma Records, 1990
If you don’t know about Jellyfish, my advice to you is quite simple. The band only made two records, and you should buy them both. Immediately. As in, right now. What are you waiting for? Go!
The Soup Dragons: “I’m Free” (Jagger/Richards)
From the album Lovegod
Big Life/Polygram Records, 1990
A Jagger/Richards composition hadn’t been this danceable since “Miss You.” Don’t be afraid of your freedom!
The Sundays: “Here’s Where The Story Ends” (Gavurin/Wheeler)
From the album Reading, Writing And Arithmetic
DGC Records, 1990
I fell in love with The Sundays in the summer of 1990. The Edge played “Here’s Where The Story Ends” about once an hour that summer, and I never grew tired of it. One of my biggest concert regrets is that I missed The Sundays when they came through Austin in early 1991, as I never got another chance to see the band live.
If you are interested in another post about my love for The Sundays, check out this entry from the early days of the blog: https://theanalogkidblog.com/2013/11/24/sunday-morning-sundays/
The Beloved: “Time After Time” (Marsh)
From the album Happiness
Atlantic Records, 1990
A little confession: I don’t recall The Edge playing “Time After Time,” and I didn’t really discover the song myself until the late ’90s. It has since become one of my favorite songs, and I couldn’t write a post about 1990 without including it. “Hello” was the big single from Happiness and received a large amount of airplay on The Edge, but “Time After Time” is the song that continues to mesmerize me.
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Bonus Tracks!
The first rule of The Analog Kid blog is that if you write about a song on the Analog Kid blog, you share the song on the Analog Kid blog.
Michael Andrews Featuring Gary Jules: “Mad World” (Orzabal)
From the album Donnie Darko: Original Soundtrack
Rambling Records, 2002
Tears For Fears: “Mad World” (Orzabal)
From the U.K. 12″ single Mad World
Also available on the album The Hurting
Mercury Records, 1982
Ozzy Osbourne: “No More Tears” (Osbourne/Wylde/Castillo/Inez/Purdell)
From the album No More Tears
Epic Records, 1991
Devo: “That’s Good” (Mothersbaugh/Casale)
Fromn the album Oh, No! It’s Devo
Warner Brothers Records, 1982
Deep Purple: “Hush” (South)
From the album Shades Of Deep Purple
Tetragrammaton Records, 1968
The Church: “Reptile” (Kilbey/Wilson-Piper/Koppes/Ploog)
From the album Starfish
Arista Records, 1988
The Church: “Metropolis” (Kilbey/Wilson-Piper/Koppes/Ploog)
From the album Gold Afternoon Fix
Arista Records, 1990
The Rolling Stones: “I’m Free” (Jagger/Richards)
From the album December’s Children (And Everybody’s)
London Records, 1965
Sorry guys, there used to be a link to a Stones song right here– until I got a notice that said, “You’re a very naughty boy, Mr. Analog Kid, Please remove our song from your site. Love, Mick & Keef.” I’m a little bummed, but also very honored to be sent a legal notice from the Stones!
The Rolling Stones: “Miss You” (Jagger/Richards)
From the album Some Girls
Rolling Stones Records, 1978
The Beloved: “Hello” (Marsh)
From the album Happiness
Atlantic Records, 1990
Wow, this is awesome! Thanks.
Also, have you heard about this? http://www.stereogum.com/1677331/the-sundays-reveal-plans-for-new-music-in-rare-interview-with-american-airlines-inflight-magazine/news/
That is amazing! Thanks for the link. Let’s just hope it happens!