This is the second time I’ve had to bypass the #1 hit in the summer of 1993 because Janet Jackson had a stranglehold on the position with ‘That’s the Way Love Goes.’ I don’t remember that song having such a stranglehold on the pop music landscape, but I guess I wasn’t listening to much radio in 1993.
That theory is certainly borne out by the fact that I have zero familiarity with the song at #2, ‘Weak’ by R&B trio SWV. In fact, I’d never heard of SWV before today, despite the fact that the group had three top ten songs in the early 90s in addition to this, their only #1 hit.
SWV (which stands for Sisters with Voices) have sold more than 25 million records without crossing my radar, which says all you need to know about my indifference to 90s R&B. ‘Weak’ was their biggest hit, and 30 years ago next week it became the song to finally dethrone Janet Jackson and claim the #1 spot.
“Weak” also describes the song itself, a lifeless ballad that I will promptly forget after publishing this post.
I don’t know what it is that you’ve done to me
But it’s caused me to act in such a crazy way
Whatever it is that you do when you do what you’re doing
It’s a feeling that I want to stay
[Pre-Chorus]
‘Cause my heart starts beating triple time
With thoughts of loving you on my mind
I can’t figure out just what to do
When the cause and cure is you
[Chorus]
I get so weak in the knees, I can hardly speak (I lose)
I lose all control and something takes over me (Control, takes over me)
In a daze and it’s so amazing (Amaze)
It’s not a phase (It’s not), I want you to stay with me (Stay with me)
By my side, I swallow my pride (My pride)
Your love is so sweet
It knocks me right off of my feet
Can’t explain why your lovin’ makes me weak
[Verse 2]
Time after time, after time I try to fight it
But your love is strong, it keeps on holding on
Resistance is down when you’re around, cries fading
In my condition, I don’t want to be alone
[Pre-Chorus]
‘Cause my heart starts beating triple time
With thoughts of loving you on my mind
I can’t figure out just what to do
When the cause and cure is you, ohh
[Chorus]
I get so weak in the knees, I can hardly speak (I lose)
I lose all control and something takes over me (Control, takes over me)
In a daze and it’s so amazing (Amaze)
It’s not a phase (It’s not), I want you to stay with me (Stay with me)
By my side, I swallow my pride (My pride)
Your love is so sweet
It knocks me right off of my feet
Can’t explain why your lovin’ makes me weak
[Bridge]
I try hard to fight it
No way can I deny it
Your love’s so sweet
Knocks me off my feet
[Chorus]
I get so weak in the knees, I can hardly speak (I lose)
I lose all control and something takes over me (Control, takes over me)
In a daze and it’s so amazing (Amaze)
It’s not a phase (It’s not), I want you to stay with me (Stay with me)
By my side, I swallow my pride (My pride)
Your love is so sweet
It knocks me right off of my feet
Can’t explain why your lovin’ makes me weak
[Verse 3]
(I get so weak)
Blood starts racing through my veins
(I get so weak)
Boy, it’s something I can’t explain
(I get so weak)
Something ’bout the way you do
The things you do, it
(Knocks me right off of my feet)
Ohh, off my feet, I
Can’t explain why your lovin’ makes me weak
[Chorus]
I get so weak in the knees, I can hardly speak (I lose)
I lose all control and something takes over me (Control, takes over me)
In a daze and it’s so amazing (Amazing)
It’s not a phase (It’s not), I want you to stay with me (I want you to stay)
By my side, I swallow my pride (My pride)
Your love is so sweet
It knocks me right off of my feet (Ohh, I)
Can’t explain why your lovin’ makes me weak
Meet Me In Montauk 
As I said before, I was checked out of the music scene through much of the 90s, and particularly in ‘93, the year after getting married and graduating law school. So, I too have no recollection of this song or this group. Doesn’t seem like I missed much though.