1998 was a landmark year in more ways than one – assembling began on the International Space Station, Google was founded, US president Bill Clinton is impeached, Windows ’98 revolutionises the world of computing and of course, this was the last time France held aloft the World Cup. One of the best French football teams of recent times booked their place in the history books with a magnifique 3-0 victory over reigning champions Brazil.
Whether you were celebrating or drowning your sorrows, 1998 was possibly one of the last “great” years for music of all genres. Cast your mind back 20 years ago to where you were when you first heard these tracks…
Dario G - Carnaval de Paris
Dario G may be better known for his feel-good smash “Sunchyme”, but when he penned this track to coincide with the World Cup he managed to capture the diversity of the tournament in one song. The result is not just a football anthem that soundtracked France’s World Cup win on home turf, but a track so engrained in large scale sporting events the world over.
Beastie Boys – Intergalactic
It feels like they seriously broke the mould when they made the Beastie Boys. Jamming together Rock with lightening quick and often hilarious raps is what made The Beasties so amazing and “Intergalactic” seriously rocked any party. The music video is also something else.
Stardust – Music Sounds Better With You
“Music Sounds Better With You” is undoubtedly one of the finest exponents of the French House movement. Instantly recognisable and for most its appeal hasn’t wained over the last 20 years. So much so, that the track is rumoured to be getting reissued. Much to the joy of those who missed out on the first release the first time around.
Massive Attack – Teardrop
This forlorn piece of trip hop from one the genres finest ambassadors is as bitter sweet as a track can get and when you look up the word timeless in the dictionary this track will magically start playing.
Fatboy Slim – You’ve Come A Long Way Baby
1998 belonged in “large” to one Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim. Few artists around that time made anywhere near the same amount of impact that he did and his debut album is packed full of chart topping cross over gems. It’s hard to pick just one so we went with the whole album.
Ultra Nate – Free
Few house tracks have crossed over from the club to the charts and then successfully back again (several times) like Ultra Nate’s “Free”. What started as a bona fide soulful house track was soon enjoying major chart success and this track was played everywhere. Unavoidable in a good way.
Danny Tenaglia & Celeda – Music is the Answer
In 1998 house music was everywhere and it seemed there wasn’t a week that went by that a huge track hit the charts and they don’t get much bigger than Danny Tenaglia’s iconic “Music Is the Answer”. On a darker tip than other huge house tracks of the year but still a track that has more than stood the test of time.
David Morales – Needin’ U
One of the biggest main room house tracks to ever be released and one that was almost a theme to clubbing in Ibiza in 1998. Grammy winning New Yorker David Morales went on to become one of the most sought after producers and remixers in the world.
Pras – Ghetto Superstar
When this track was released it instantly became a chart-topping success and has since retained its anthem status. Where were you when you first it “Ghetto Superstar”?
Daft Punk – Revolution 909
After the huge success of “Homework” the previous year, it was always going to be tough following up one of the best electronic albums ever made, “Revolution 909” was just that – a club track full of those overdriven hats and snares that The Robots are known and loved so much for. Still managing to retain that French touch but with just enough thud to keep the heads happy.