Blessid Union of Souls "Oh Virginia"

Also known as the French harp or mouth organ, Blessid Union of Souls featured what we call the harmonica in their 1996 song "Oh Virginia".

Natalie Merchant "Wonder"

The names and faces of some guest stars on The Wonder Years will surprise you. For example:

• Dustin Diamond (Screech from Saved by the Bell) was Kevin's classmate, but let's not forget Mark-Paul Gosselear (Zack Morris) also appeared as a classmate on the sitcom
• Juliette Lewis played Wayne's girlfriend Delores in the show's second season
• Punky Brewster herself, Soleil Moon Frye, turned up in one episode
• Kevin's sister Karen dated and later married David Schwimmer on the show, but couldn't return for the show's season finale in 1993 because he was working on a little project later known as Friends
• Before all those Aerosmith videos, Alicia Silverstone starred as Jessica -- a classmate Kevin fancied
• Seth Green played class clown Jimmy Donnelly
• Let's not forget that Grey's Anatomy Doctor McSteamy (Eric Dane) also appeared as a high school jock who dated the girl with the big nose

Alanis Morissette "You Learn"

When you're a morning show producer and the host of the show asks you to get a guest, you better deliver. In the case of Bill Leff, he had an idea for a recurring segment back when we worked together at WNND-FM in Chicago. At the time, our radio station was playing all-Christmas music and Bill wanted to do an on-air Advent Calendar where each day we would turn to a celebrity to reveal what was on the calendar. His pick for the celebrity: Ed Asner. It was 2003 and I had no idea who Ed Asner was, so I went to IMDB and learned he was on Mary Tyler Moore and discovered he was going to be in the upcoming Will Ferrell film Elf. That could help me book him on the show -- or so I believed.

Many unanswered phone calls later, I suggested to Bill that we turn to Plan B. Asner's people weren't interested in doing some silly radio bit. We discussed using a Harry Caray impersonator or Edie McClurg (the secretary from Ferris Bueller's Day Off) or even Chicagoan Bill Kurtis...none of which scratched Bill's itch. Then, one afternoon, I got a voicemail from Asner's secretary who requested I phone her and go into more detail about the bit. I called her and she actually answered. I quickly explained what we wanted to do and then faxed some sample scripts to her. Again, I didn't hear anything. A few days later, she called and said that Ed agreed to do it. WHAT?!? I called Bill and shared the news. He was equally shocked and excited.

We phoned Ed to tape all the segments and he had some trepidation. The script seem off, he told us. "It seems to me that people should be nicer the closer we get to Christmas," he explained. Our script didn't reflect that. "We can do that! You want to do that?" Leff reassured him. The script called for Asner to became progressively angrier with each passing day. Things like "a candy cane" turned into "a ratty-looking elf with an overbite" as each day passed. There was even a day when Asner snarled, "I don't feel like doing one today," and then hung up the phone. We all laughed and sat in amazement that he was playing along. When we aired them back, listeners were confused. Was it really Ed Asner? Why was he so angry? Was he pretending to be so upset? Some folks even kept track of all the items on the Advent Calendar believing it would lead to cash and prizes (it didn't, but we were flattered). For Leff, it was comedy gold. For me, I felt validated for delivering to Leff exactly who and what he wanted.

Soraya "Suddenly"

The Columbian-Jersey girl named Soraya released "Suddenly" from her debut bilingual En Esta Noche / On Nights Like This album. Four years later, the 31 year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer. After fighting back and entering remission, Soraya became a breast cancer support advocate while maintaining her music career. By 2006, her cancer returned and ultimately took her life. Her departing words were:

"I know there are many questions without answers and that hope doesn't leave with me, and above all, that my mission does not end with my physical story."  

No Doubt "Just A Girl"

The word "just" could be severely misinterpreted. When you overhear someone saying, "I'm just going to homecoming with Todd...", it could mean:

1. I'm not very exciting about going to the dance with Todd, but he was available.
2. I was planning to go to the homecoming dance with a group of people but chose Todd.
3. I'm merely attending the homecoming dance with Todd and then going home.

Let's face it, #1 is the only real explanation, right? Unfortunately for my homecoming date (in 1993), my friend (we'll call him "Russell") overheard her and became upset with her. He sternly informed her that she wasn't "just going with Todd" -- instead she was very lucky to be going with Todd. This resulted in a flurry of phone calls from Russell and my date to explain what happened and why. Although we went to homecoming and another dance a few months later, the two of us never exited the dreaded "friend-zone". It hurt at the time, but it showed me how lucky I was to have friends stand up for me. Years later, things with Russell would take a turn...for the worse. I'll explain tomorrow.

Hootie & the Blowfish "I Go Blind"

Some popular '90s phenomenons that I somehow avoided:

• AOL Chat Rooms
• Overalls and flannel shirts
• Melrose Place, Seinfeld & Friends
• Hootie & the Blowfish, Nirvana & the Grunge movement

I hopped on the Seinfeld wagon in the 2000s but never really embraced anything else on this list especially Friends. Someone once described the show as a bunch of wimpy dudes who managed to date hot girls in an over-sized New York apartment. No arguments here. 

Bryan Adams "Let's Make a Night to Remember"

Whenever Bryan Adams tours, he now seems to favor performing acoustic shows which highlight his ballads like "Let's Make a Night to Remember" versus his earlier electric guitar-leading hits like "Summer of '69". When he does perform songs like "Summer of '69", he typically plays stripped-down versions.

Matchbox 20 "3 A.M."

Matchbox 20's successful single "3 A.M." is about something far deeper than the time of the day. The song chronicles the cancer battle of the mother of lead singer Rob Thomas. Thomas originally wrote the song while with the group Tabitha's Secret.

Aaron Neville "Crazy Love"

Recorded for the Phenomenon Soundtrack, Aaron Neville's rendition of "Crazy Love" found its way onto Adult Contemporary radio stations in 1996. His take on the Van Morrison classic took a backseat to the soundtrack's biggest hit: "Change the World" from Eric Clapton.

Michael English "Your Love Amazes Me"

You really can't be a successful Christian music artist when you're cheating on your wife and impregnate your mistress. Singer Michael English learned that unfortunate lesson in 1994. English just finished his tour with the Christian rock group Last Call when news broke that he got the lead singer (who was also married) pregnant. Even after English publicly apologized, his record company dumped him and Christian radio stations dropped his music. He even returned the Dove Awards he won (which can be likened to the Grammy Awards for Christian music). Two years after hitting rock bottom, English remade the country ballad "Your Love Amazes Me" from John Berry and turned it into a Top 10 Adult Contemporary hit. Coincidentally, the song was a hit at the same time English's personal and professional life fell off the tracks. Two years later, the Christian music community welcomed English back.

Spice Girls "Wannabe"

"If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends" sing the Spice Girls in their breakthrough hit "Wannabe". Well, those aren't just lyrics. Spice Girls Mel B. ("Scary Spice") and Geri Halliwell ("Ginger Spice") rapped in that song, but that's not all they did. Mel B. admitted she once slept with Geri. At first, Mel B. teased that the two simply slept in the same bed before admitting Geri had nice boobs. By the end of the interview with Piers Morgan, Mel B. claimed the two slept together. "This is all news to me," said Mel C. ("Sporty Spice"). Another source "familiar with the situation" denied the two slept together. Is this simply a way to drum up interest in the group's reunion show? Maybe. This time around, it's "Posh Spice" (Victoria Beckham) who won't be joining the girls on tour. Halliwell split from the Spice Girls in 1998 in the midst of their world tour.

Bryan Adams & Barbara Streisand "I Finally Found Someone"

Largely absent on Adult Contemporary radio during in the '90s, Barbara Streisand elbowed her way back thanks to her duet with Bryan Adams. The pair teamed up for the sleepy ballad "I Finally Found Someone" on The Mirror Has Two Faces Soundtrack. While not exactly a toe-tapper, the tune hit #2 on the Adult Contemporary Charts and #8 on the Hot 100 Chart.

Madonna "You Must Love Me"

For her role as Evita Peron, Madonna immersed herself and pushed herself outside her boundaries both in her acting and singing abilities. For the song "You Must Love Me", Madonna underwent vocal training to help her reach an upper register she didn't know she had. The ballad peaked at #15 on the Adult Contemporary Chart. 

Amy Grant "The Things We Do for Love"

Ellen DeGeneres still pokes fun at her first movie...the dud called Mr. Wrong. The 1996 flick starred Ellen alongside Bill Pullman in a dark comedy about a man (Pullman) who fooled everyone into think he's Mr. Right when, in reality, he's an awful human being who basically stalks Ellen's character after she breaks up with him. With a budget of $19 million, the film only grossed about $13 million in 1996 leading to the headline "Little Right About Mr. Wrong" from the SF Gate. The movie's soundtrack did spawn Amy Grant's remake of the classic 10cc tune "The Things We Do for Love" which Adult Contemporary radio stations gladly spun in 1996. 

Peter Cetera "One Clear Voice"

The morning show I produced once did a promotion that featured a breakfast meet-and-greet at the radio station with soft rock stallion Peter Cetera. Called "Panera with Cetera", Cetera charmed the ladies and gentlemen after conducting an infamous interview with the morning hosts. One of the hosts joked that we had to enlist Cetera after singer Billy Vera dropped out and no other names rhymed with Panera.

Celine Dion "Because You Loved Me"

Suddenly, Phil Collins, Celine Dion and Michael Bolton are hot again! The year 2018 saw an influx of "soft" adult contemporary radio stations spring up all across the country. Their respective playlists focus on songs and artists featured right here on Growing Up Adult Contemporary -- ballads and artists who've been missing from the radio for well over a decade. With names like "The Breeze", "Easy" and "The Sound", soft Adult Contemporary radio stations are attracting older listeners and, in many cases, dominating in their respective markets. For example, the #1 radio station in Miami? Easy 93.1. I'll gladly accept credit for bring this music back into the mainstream. You're welcome.

Collective Soul "The World I Know"

"The World I Know" actually saved someone's life. The following comment sits on SongMeanings.com's page for Collective Soul's 1996 hit song:

"A few months ago I was as low as I have ever been. Everything in my life was going wrong. I decided that the only thing for me to do is to kill myself. I decided that I would jump off my appartment roof. Then I heard this song and the lyrics made me change my mind. To me this song is about some guy that was at his personal low, and when he was about to take the jump, he realized that he knows this world and so he changed his mind because the world isn't that bad after all." 

George Michael "Fastlove"

Two years before his infamous arrest for engaging in a lewd act, George Michael's career was sizzling. Radio stations all across the globe spun his slinky tune "Fastlove". The song would be his final Top 10 hit. Adele later performed the song during a tribute at the 2017 Grammy Awards.

Sting "You Still Touch Me"

If you were ever stuck on an elevator with one of your favorite musicians, would you say anything? If so, what would you say? Would you sing? That was the premise of a memorable SNL sketch that found Kevin Nealon playing the every man opposite Sting while riding an elevator to the top of a New York skyscraper. After running through the usual pleasantries ("I have all your albums", "I'm a big fan"), Nealon declares his love for the song "Roxanne" and then even sings a few verses (as though Sting doesn't know how it goes). Next, Dana Carvey enters the sketch and can't help but sing "If You Love Somebody (Set Them Free)" followed by Nealon and Carvey both singing "De Do Do Do". Sting eventually leaves the elevator long before the 101st floor and takes the stairs while the duo continue to sing "Spirits in the Material World".

Toni Braxton "Un-Break My Heart"

With new owners and a looming format change to pop-dance, 100.3 WPNT-FM started spinning dance versions of certain current songs when I worked there during the fall of 1996. Along with a remix to "Missing" from Everything But the Girl, the Adult Contemporary station mixed in a dance version of Toni Braxton's popular ballad "Un-Break My Heart". Ultimately, WPNT found another set of owners in 1997 (Bonneville) and "switched" formats. The station re-branded itself "Windy 100" -- a Mainstream Adult Contemporary format.