The Top 10 Songs of the 1990’s are very near and dear to my heart. Every one of them evokes an emotion in me, whether I love it or hate it. This article will list the Billboard Top Ten Songs of every year as well as the Top 10 Singles of the whole decade. I will also offer some small tidbits of music news. (Disclaimer: Even though I did grow up in the nineties, I do not pretend to be an expert. Please pardon any mistakes. Heck, if they did it for O’J….)
The Billboard Top Ten songs of the year 1990 were:
1.) “Because I Love You (The Postman Song)” by Stevie B
2.) “The Power” by Snap
3.) “Cradle of Love” by Billy Idol
4.) “Pray” by M.C. Hammer
5.) “Hold On” by Wilson Phillips
6.) “Unskinny Bop” by Poison
7.) “Step By Step” by New Kids On The Block
8.) “Pump Up The Jam” by Technotronic/Felly
9.) “I Wish It Would Rain Down” by Phil Collins
10.) “Love And Affection” by Nelson
The Grammys presented the following awards in 1990:
“Song of the Year”: Bette Midler for “From a Distance”
Best Rock Male Vocal”: Eric Clapton for “Bad Love
“Best Rock Female Vocal”: Alannah Myles for “Black Velvet”
“Best Rock Duo or Group”: Aerosmith for “Janie’s Got a Gun”
Best Pop Male Vocal”: Roy Orbison for “Pretty Woman
“Best Pop Female Vocal”: Mariah Carey for “Vision of Love”
“Best Pop Duo or Group”: Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville for “All My Life”
A very sad year in Music History, the following deaths headlined the papers:
Sammy Davis Jr. dies at the age of 64 on May 16th.
Albert Collins, guitarist of “Lynyrd Skynyrd” dies of pneumonia on January 28th.
Troy Dixon, rapper (Trouble T-Roy of Heavy D) on July 15th of a fall at the age of 22.
Stevie Ray Vaughan, blues guitarist, dies in a helicopter crash at 35, on August 27th.
Tom Fogerty, of “Creedence Clearwater” dies of tuberculosis at 48 on September 6th.
The Billboard Top 10 songs of the year 1991were
1.) “Baby Baby” by Amy Grant
2.) “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” by C&C; Music Factory
3.) “I Like The Way”by Hi-Five
4.) “More Than Words” by Extreme
5.) “Unbelievable” by EMF
6.) “3 A.M. Eternal” by The KLF
7.) “High Enough” by Damn Yankees
8.) “Right Here, Right Now” by Jesus Jones
9.) “Hold You Tight” by Tara Kemp
10.) “I Adore Mi Amor” by Color Me Badd
The Grammys presented the following awards in 1991:
Song of the Year”: Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole for “Unforgettable” (They also won “Record of the Year” and “Album of the Year”).
Best Rock Song”: Sting for “Soul Cages
“Best Rock Solo”: Bonnie Raitt for “Luck of the Draw”
“Best Rock Duo or Group”: Bonnie Raitt and Delbert McClinton for “Good Man, Good Woman”
“Best Pop Male Vocal”: Michael Bolton for “When a Man Loves a Woman”
“Best Pop Female Vocal”: Bonnie Raitt for “Something to Talk About”
“Best Pop Duo or Group”: R.E.M. for “Losing My Religion”
The first Lollapalooza (an American travelling music festival) was first Organized in 1991 by Perry Farrell, the singer for the band Jane’s Addiction,
On March 20th Connor Clapton, Eric Clapton’s four year old son, passes away after falling out of a 53rd floor window, prompting the grief stricken father to write “Tears in Heaven
Two country legends also pass away this year, Dottie West on September 4th and Tennessee Ernie Ford on October 16th.
The Billboard Top Ten songs of the year 1992 were
1.) “Just Another Day” by Jon Secada
2.) “To Be With You” by Mr. Big
3.) “Live And Learn” by Joe Public
4.) “I Can’t Dance” by Genesis
5.) “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot
6.) “How Do You Talk To An Angel” by The Heights
7.) “Jump” by Kriss Kross
8.) “Masterpiece” by Atlantic Star
9.) “Tell Me What You Want Me To Do” by Tevin Campbell
10.) “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred
The Grammys presented the following awards in 1992:
“Song of the Year”: Eric Clapton for “Tears in Heaven”
Best Rock Song”: Eric Clapton for “Layla
“Best Rock Female Vocal”: Melissa Etheridge for “Ain’t It Heavy”
“Best Pop Male Vocal”: Eric Clapton for “Tears in Heaven”
“Best Pop Female Vocal”: K.D. Lang for “Constant Craving”
“Best Pop Duo or Group”: Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson “Beauty and the Beast”
On February 6th, 1992 “Late Night’s 10th Anniversary Show at Radio City Music Hall” aired on NBC.
“The Real World” is launched on MTV this year. The first cast of “Seven Strangers” cohabitated in New York.
The Billboard Top 10 songs of the year 1993 were:
1.) “Rhythm Is A Dancer” by Snap!
2.) “I’m Gonna Be (I Would Walk 500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers
3.) “Bad Boys (Them from TV’s Cops)” by Inner Circle
4.) “Ditty” by Paperboy
5.) “All That She Wants” by Ace Of Base
6.) “Mr. Wendel” by Arrested Development
7.) “Ordinary World” by Duran Duran
8.) “Informer” by Snow
9.) Show Me Love” by Robin S
10.) “Whoomp! (There It Is)” by Tag Team
The Grammys presented the following awards in 1993:
“Song of the Year”: Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle for “A Whole New World” (Theme From Aladdin)”
Best Rock Song”: Soul Asylum for”Runaway Train”
Best Rock Solo”: Meat Loaf for “I’d Do Anything for Love
“Best Rock Duo or Group”: Aerosmith for “Livin’ on the Edge”
“Best Pop Male Vocal”: Sting for “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You”
“Best Pop Female Vocal”: Whitney Houston for “I Will Always Love You” Also won “Record of the Year”
“Best Pop Duo or Group”: Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle for “A Whole New World” (Theme From Aladdin)”
Two legends passed away this year: John B “Dizzy” Gillespe, blues trumpeter, of cancer at 75 on January 6th, 1993 and Audrey Hepburn, “Breakfeast at Tiffanies”, of colon cancer at the age 63 on January 20th.
Millions also mourned the death of Jeff Ward, the drummer from “9 Inch Nails”, when he committed suicide on March 19th at the age of 30.
The Billboard Top Ten songs of the year 1994 were:
1.) “Here Comes The Hotstepper” by Ini Kamoze
2.) “Baby I Love Your Way” by Big Mountain
3.) “Can We Talk” by Tevin Campbell
4.) “The Sign” by Ace Of Base
5.) “Bump N’ Grind” by R. Kelly
6.) “Now And Forever” by Richard Marx
7.) “Regulate” by Warren G./Nate Dogg
8.) “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm” by the Crash Test Dummies
9.) “If You Go” by Jon Secada
10.) “Cantaloop” by US3
The Grammys presented the following awards in 1994:
Song of the Year”: Bruce Springsteen for “Streets of Philadelphia” (Theme from the movie Philadelphia)
“Best Rock Song”: Bruce Springsteen for “Streets of Philadelphia” (Theme from the movie Philadelphia)”
“Best Rock Male Vocal”: Bruce Springsteen for “Streets of Philadelphia” (Theme from the movie Philadelphia)”
“Best Rock Female Vocal”: Melissa Etheridge fro “Come To My Window”
“Best Rock Duo or Group”: Aerosmith for “Crazy”
“Best Pop Male Vocal”: Elton John for “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”
“Best Pop Female Vocal”: Sheryl Crow for “All I Wanna Do”
“Best Pop Duo or Group”: All-4-One for “I Swear”
For many hardcore fans, time stood still when On April 5th 1994, Kurt Cobain, the lead singer of “Nirvana”, dies. The world is still at odds over if it was really suicide or a murder conspiracy.
The Billboard Top 10 songs of the year 1995 were:
1.) “I Know” by Dionne Farris
2.) “Rhythm Of The Night” by Corona
3.) “I Believe” by Blessed Union Of Souls
4.) “I Got 5 On It” by Luniz
5.) “Only Wanna Be With You” by Hootie & The Blowfish
6.) “Run Away” by Real McCoy
7.) “You Remind Me Of Something” by R. Kelly
8.) “I’ll Be There for You (Theme From TV’s Friends)” by The Rembrandts
9.) “Back For Good” by Take That
10.) “Cotton Eye Joe” by Rednex
The Grammys presented the following awards in 1995:
“Song of the Year”: Seal for “Kiss From A Rose”
“Best Rock Song”: Alanis Morissette for “You Oughta Know”
“Best Rock Male Vocal”: Tom Petty for “You Don’t Know How It Feels”
“Best Rock Duo or Group”: Blues Traveler for “Run-Around”
“Best Pop Female Vocal”: Annie Lennox for “No More `I Love You’s”
“Best Pop Duo or Group”: Hootie & the Blowfish for “Let Her Cry”
Former singer Sonny Bono becomes a U.S. Congressman in 1995.
The Billboard Top Ten songs of the year 1996 were:
1.) “Macarena” by Los Del Rio
2.) “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men
3.) “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion
4.) “Nobody Knows” by Tony Rich
5.) “Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey
6.) “Give Me One Reason” by Tracy Chapman
7.) “The Crossroads” by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
8.) “I Love You Always Forever” by Donna Lewis
9.)Tie between “Your Makin’ Me High/Let it Flow”by Toni Braxton
10.) “Twisted” by Keith Sweat
The Grammys presented the following awards in 1996:
“Song of the Year”: Eric Clapton “Change The World”
“Best Rock Song”: Tracy Chapman for “Give Me One Reason”
“Best Rock Male Vocal”: Beck for “Where It’s At”
“Best Rock Female Vocal”: Sheryl Crow for “If It Makes You Happy”
Best Rock Duo or Group”: Dave Matthews Band for “So Much To Say
“Best Pop Male Vocal”: Eric Clapton “Change The World”
“Best Pop Female Vocal”: Toni Braxton for “Un-Break My Heart”
“Best Pop Duo or Group”: The Beatles for “Free As A Bird”
Minnesota Fats, [Rudolf Wanderone Jr], the famous billiard hustler dies, at the age of 82, on January 18th 1996.
The top news in music history from the year seems to be when singer Michael Jackson married LA nurse Debbie Rowe on November 5th 1996.
The Billboard Top 10 songs of the year 1997 were:
1.) “Candle in the Wind 1997 (Remake for Princes Diana)” by Elton John
2.) Tie between”You Were Meant for Me / Foolish Games” by Jewel
3.) “I’ll Be Missing You” by Puff Daddy & Faith Evans
4.) “Un-Break My Heart” by Toni Braxton
5.) “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” by Puff Daddy
6.) “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly
7.) “Don’t Let Go (love)” by En Vogue
8.) “Return of the Mack” by Mark Morrison
9.) “How Do I Live” by LeAnn Rimes
10.) “Wannabe” by Spice Girls
The Grammys presented the following awards in 1997:
“Song of the Year”: Shawn Colvin for “Sunny Came Home”
“Best Rock Song”: the Wallflowers for “One Headlight”
Best Rock Male Vocal”: Bob Dylan for “Cold Irons Bound
“Best Rock Female Vocal”: Fiona Apple for “Criminal”
“Best Rock Duo or Group”: the Wallflowers for “One Headlight”
“Best Pop Male Vocal”: Elton John for “Candle In The Wind 1997 (Remake for Princess Diana )
“Best Pop Female Vocal”: Sarah McLachlan for “Building a Mystery”
“Best Pop Duo or Group”: Jamiroquai for “Virtual Insanity”
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Titanic Top was the top grossing movie of 1997. The movie’s theme song “My Heart Will Go On” sung by Celine Dion became an instant favorite for lovers.
On August 31st, 1997 the world mourned the death of the beloved Princess Diana when she dies in a car crash, reportedly running from the Paparazzi. The controversies surrounding her death are still being debated today.
The Billboard Top Ten songs of the year 1998 were:
1.) “The Boy Is Mine” by Brandy and Monica
2.) “Too Close” by Next
3.) “You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain
4.) “Candle in the Wind 1997 (Remake for Princes Diana) by Elton John
5.) “Been Around the World” by Puff Daddy & The Family
6.) “How Do I Live” by LeAnn Rimes
7.) “Nice & Slow” by Usher
8.) “No, No, No” by Destiny’s Child
9.) “My Way” by Usher
10.) “My All” by Mariah Carey
The Grammys presented the following awards in 1998:
“Song of the Year”: Celine Dion for (“My Heart Will Go On” The Theme from the movie “Titanic”)
“Best Rock Song”: Alanis Morissette for “Uninvited”
“Best Rock Male Vocal”: Lenny Kravitz for “Fly Away”
“Best Rock Female Vocal”: Alanis Morissette for “Uninvited”
“Best Rock Duo or Group”: Aerosmith for “Pink”
“Best Pop Male Vocal”: Eric Clapton for “My Father’s Eyes”
“Best Pop Female Vocal”: Celine Dion for (“My Heart Will Go On” The Theme from the movie “Titanic”)
Best Pop Duo or Group”: The Brian Setzer Orchestra for “Jump Jive An’ Wail
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1998 was Another sad year in Music History with the following headlines:
Phil Hartman, known best for his stints on SNL “Saturday Night Live”, is murdered by hi wife whom then kills herself on May 28th.
Frank Sinatra died on May 14th.
Sonny Bono died in a ski accident on January 28th.
Cozy Powell, drummer for Black Sabbath died in a car crash on April 8th, 1998.
Carl Wilson, rock vocalist (Beach Boy), died of lung cancer at the age of 51 on February 6th.
Wendy O’Williams, singer for the Plastmatics, committed suicide on April 8, 1998. Many recall that this was the fourth anniversary of Kurt Kobain’s “suicide”.
The Billboard Top 10 songs of the year 1999 were:
1.) “Believe” by Cher
2.) “No Scrubs” by TLC
3.) “Angel of Mind” by Monica
4.) “Heartbreak Hotel” by Whitney Houston
5.) “Hit Me Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears
6.) “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer
7.) “Genie in a Bottle” by Christina Aguilera
8.) “Every Morning” by Sugar Ray
9.) “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” by Deborah Cox
10.) “Livin’ La Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin
The Grammys presented the following awards in 1999:
Song of the Year”: Santana featuring Rob Thomas for “Smooth
Best Rock Song”: The Red Hot Chili Peppers for “Scar Tissue
“Best Rock Male Vocal”: Lenny Kravitz for “American Woman”
“Best Rock Female Vocal”: Sheryl Crow for “Sweet Child O’ Mine”
“Best Rock Duo or Group”: Santana featuring Everlast for “Put Your Lights On”
“Best Pop Male Vocal”: Sting for “Brand New Day”
“Best Pop Female Vocal”: Sara McLachlan for “I Will Remember You”
“Best Pop Duo or Group”: Santana for “Maria Maria”
Mel Torme died on June 5th 1999 and Gar Samuelson, the original Megadeth drummer, died of liver failure on July 14th, 1999.
Millions panicked at the idea of “Y2K” where the world as we knew it was supposed to come to an end. Even thought the start of a new millennium was not technically until 2001.
The Top Ten Singles of the entire 1990’s were:
1.) “Smooth” by Santana featuring Rob Thomas
2.) “Un-break My Heart” by Toni Braxton
3.) “Macarena” by Los Del Rio
4.) “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men
5.) “I’ll Make Love To You” by Boyz II Men
6.) “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
7.) Tie between “Candle in The Wind (1997) and “Something About The Way You Look Tonight” by Elton John
8.) “How Do I Live” by Leann Rimes
9.) “End of The Road” by Boyz II Men
10.) “Next” by Close
This brings us to the end of a wonderful decade. As our children are now referring to the music as “classic”, we can all smile and “Remember when…” as they listen to the oldies from the Top Ten Songs of the 1990’s.
Reference:
- 1990’s Flashback: www.1990sflashback.com/ In The Ninties: www.inthe90s.com/ “1990’s” found on: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
