28/100 Video - "Sabotage" - The Beastie Boys (1994)

A fusion of rap, rock, punk and metal, "Sabotage" by The Beastie Boys is one powerful tune.

The video is worthy of the overused 'epic' descriptor.

More of movie trailer of a long lost cop show from the 70s, the video reels you with its colourful characters, non-stop action and chase scenes. 

Like many viewers, Beavis and Butt-Head were also confused by the whole thing: 

"This is gonna be cool when this video finally comes out," Beavis says. 

The slightly smarter Butt-Head tries to correct him: "This is the real video, dumb-ass."

31/100 Video - "Sly" – Massive Attack (1994)

"Sly" by Massive Attack blew my mind since the first listen.

A tasty delicacy for the ears and eyes, the futuristic video could have been the best James Bond theme song that never was.

The psychedelic trippy clip is a fitting complement to the captivating and hypnotic trip hop tune.

The swirling strings and synths amid the video game-esque beat is sublime.

62/100 video - "Sweet Lullaby" – Deep Forest (1994)

 

"Sweet Lullaby" by Deep Forest is a moving track. 

I remember being blown away this touching piece of ambient world music got played on commercial radio in Vancouver.

Originally sung by a woman from The Solomon Islands, this song has a unifying spirit. It could be the universal anthem of the earth. 

The warmth of the harmonies around the two-minute mark is spine-tingling.  

The image of the little girl on the tricycle with her mini umbrella visiting places near and far is breath-taking.

It wasn't a surprise that the music video, directed by Tarsem Singh, was nominated for several awards at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards.

1994 - "Interstate Love Song" - Stone Temple Pilots

Like in the 80s, the middle part of the decade held the most memorable tracks for me.  1994 has been the toughest year to pick just one, with classics from the Counting Crows, Toad the Wet Sprocket and Alice in Chains all vying for the top track.

This is such a powerful yet chill tune. Starting with the epic intro that gives way to that now iconic guitar riff. Add in the soulful chorus delivered with equal parts desperation and devil-may-care vibe and voila, one of the most memorable post-grunge anthems and essential driving tune. 

"Interstate Love Song" reminds me of Billy Idol's road trip bender "Eyes Without a Face" released ten years earlier. Except now in my-20s, I wasn't looking up to cartoon heroes; these artists were from my generation.

Other favourites from 1994: 

"Something's Always Wrong" – Toad the Wet Sprocket

"Which Way Does the River Run" – Lennie Gallant

"Round Here" – Counting Crows

"Mr. Jones" – Counting Crows

"No Excuses" – Alice in Chains

"Sly" - Massive Attack 

"Dark Train" - Underworld