Far too many pop hits from 1992 have since been forgotten by today’s listeners. I think that’s a shame, especially since so much killer music dropped that year. Let’s look at just a few examples, shall we?
“Why” by Annie Lennox from ‘Diva’
Like many of Annie Lennox’s songs, “Why” has that sophisticated and ethereal quality that seems to do well no matter what time period you’re in. Sadly, though, few people might remember this hit from Lennox after all these years, outside of diehard Gen X fans.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Why” by Annie Lennox reached No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but it did much better in the UK at No. 5.
“Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover” by Sophie B. Hawkins from ‘Tongues And Tails’
This rock song was a crossover pop hit, namely due to that sexy, alt-leaning vibe that everyone was after in 1992. And yet, I can’t remember the last time I heard this modern-sounding tune out in the wild.
“Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover” by Sophie B. Hawkins peaked at No. 5 on the Hot 100 and reached the Top 40 almost across the globe.
“Would I Lie To You?” by Charles & Eddie from ‘Duophonic’
Remember Charles & Eddie? This duo had a real soul-pop hit on their hands with “Would I Lie To You?” in 1992. It’s warm, it’s soulful, and it’s got that easygoing R&B movement to it that was popular at the time. It’s no surprise to me that this song became a hit, but it does surprise me that so few listeners seem to remember it.
“Would I Lie To You?” by Charles & Eddie was a funky fresh hit across the board in 1992. It reached the Top 20 almost globally, peaking at No. 13 on the Hot 100 chart.
“Stay” by Shakespears Sister from ‘Hormonally Yours’
This entry on our list of forgotten pop hits from 1992 is a personal favorite. I really wish Shakespears Sister got bigger, because they were a unique duo for the time. “Stay” was their biggest hit, and it’s a theatrical alt-pop song for the ages.
“Stay” by Shakespears Sister peaked at No. 4 on the Hot 100 and did similarly well in the UK and Canada.
Photo by Ian Dickson/Redferns/Getty Images
More The List
-
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JULY 30: Vince Gill performs at Ryman Auditorium on July 30, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images) -
Photo by Chris Walter / WireImage / Getty Images -
American Country musicians Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers (1938 – 2020) perform together onstage at Brendan Byrne Arena (later Meadowlands Arena), East Rutherford, New Jersey, October 20, 1988. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images) -
American singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks joins Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers onstage as the band play the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, 30th July 1981. (Photo by Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images) -
US singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile attends Billboard Women in Music at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on April 29, 2026. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) -
LONDON – MAY 19: (L-R) English musician, singer, songwriter and guitarist George Harrison (1943-2001), English musician, singer and drummer Ringo Starr, English singer, songwriter and guitarist John Lennon (1940-1980), and English singer, songwriter and bassist Paul McCartney of the Beatles attend a press party at the home of manager Brian Epstein supporting the release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, May 19, 1967 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images) -
FRISCO, TEXAS – Clint Black performs onstage during the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards at The Star in Frisco on May 08, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM) -
Canadian musician Neil Young of Crosby, Stills, Nash And Young performs on stage at Wembley Stadium, London on September 14th 1974. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)