Every year, songs shoot to the top of the charts, either for just one week, or for multiple weeks in a row. In a series of posts, we’re going to rank Billboard’s “The Hot 100” number one singles for each year of the 1980s and 1990s. Today, we’re looking at the year 1990.
Note: “Another Day in Paradise” by Phil Collins started the year at number one, but it had previously also reached number one in 1989, and as is our rule, we will not include it here, since it was already included in our list for 1989.
As always, these lists are subjective, we’re not claiming to be the definitive ranking here. We’re not that important, but you are, so we hope seeing the below songs conjures up a friendly memory or two.
But first, to get you in the mood for the year 1990…
- On February 11th, Nelson Mandela was released from prison in South Africa after 27 years.
- The Hubble Space Telescope was launched on April 24th. But, its main mirror had been ground incorrectly, which compromised the telescope’s capabilities. The optics were corrected to their intended quality by a servicing mission in 1993.
- Jim Henson passed away on May 16th after a bacterial infection caused his organs to stop working.
- In the fall of 1990, Tim Berners-Lee created the first web server, which was the foundation for the World Wide Web.
- The Human Genome Project, a scientific research project aimed at determining the base pairs of human DNA and mapping the full human genome officially launched — it was eventually completed in 2003.
- On February 11th, Nelson Mandela was released from prison in South Africa after 27 years.
- The Hubble Space Telescope was launched on April 24th. But, its main mirror had been ground incorrectly, which compromised the telescope’s capabilities. The optics were corrected to their intended quality by a servicing mission in 1993.
- Jim Henson passed away on May 16th after a bacterial infection caused his organs to stop working.
- In the fall of 1990, Tim Berners-Lee created the first web server, which was the foundation for the World Wide Web.
- The Human Genome Project, a scientific research project aimed at determining the base pairs of human DNA and mapping the full human genome officially launched — it was eventually completed in 2003.
24. James Ingram - I Don't Have the Heart
Ever heard of two artists releasing the same song at the same time? It’s true – Stacy Lattisaw released this song as well, but it was not as successful.
19. Jon Bon Jovi - Blaze of Glory
Jon Bon Jovi’s only hit song away from his band Bon Jovi, this song is a power ballad he wrote for the soundtrack of the movie Young Guns II.
12. Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby
This song famously used the bassline from “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie without giving credit. Nonetheless, it’s still a memorable song that many a child of the ’90s can “rap” all the way through.
11. Michael Bolton - How Am I Supposed to Live Without You
Laura Branigan first hit the charts with this song in 1983, but everyone remembers this version of the ballad recorded by Bolton, who co-wrote it with Doug James in 1982.
8. Paula Abdul - Opposites Attract
The video for this single is iconic – Abdul dancing with cartoon MC Skat Kat. The male vocals are provided by the duo The Wild Pair. The video won the 1991 Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video and was nominated for Breakthrough Video at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards.
6. Janet Jackson - Escapade
The song was partially inspired by Martha & the Vandellas’s 1965 song “Nowhere to Run”, which Jackson originally considered covering for the album, but she chose to record this new song instead.
5. Roxette - It Must Have Been Love
Originally recorded by Roxette as a Christmas song, this version was recorded for Pretty Woman and omitted those holiday references to create the hit it still is today.
4. Madonna - Vogue
Another classic music video from the ’90s, released during Madonna’s era of pushing boundaries of sexuality. The video was directed by David Fincher.
3. Sinead O’Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U
This song has another iconic video of just Sinead’s face singing this classic power ballad. The single is actually a cover of the version originally recorded by Prince.
1. Wilson Phillips - Hold On
There’s a reason the girls in Bridesmaids were obsessed with this song — it’s awesome. The song was written by Chynna Phillips while battling substance abuse and a bad relationship.
What’s your favorite #1 hit from 1990? Let us know in the comments!
