Billboard Hot 100 Top #1 Singles of 1990 – RANKED

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.

25. Tommy Page - I'll Be Your Everything

We see you and that saxophone, Tommy Page. Fun fact, this song was co-written by some of the New Kids on the Block, who Page opened for on tour in 1989.

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.

23. Sweet Sensation - If Wishes Came True

Synthesizer, flamenco guitar, and a sizzling electric guitar solo open the biggest hit from girl group Sweet Sensation.

22. Glenn Medeiros ft. Bobby Brown - She Ain't Worth It

This song’s sound is so classic late ’80s/early ’90s, and features a rap verse from Bobby Brown. It was Medeiros’ only #1 hit, and Brown’s second and last #1 hit.

21. Stevie B - Because I Love You (The Postman Song)

This song was written by Stevie B’s friend Warren Allen Brooks — he saw Brooks perform the song in 1985 and recognized its potential.

20. Taylor Dayne - Love Will Lead You Back

Diane Warren wrote this song with Whitney Houston in mind, but Taylor Dayne ended up singing this hit ballad with a rockin’ chorus.

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.

18. Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time

Carey’s debut album was already completed when she co-wrote this song with Ben Margulies. She showed a quick recording of it to the CBS Records CEO, and he insisted it be included on her first album, though she wanted to save it for her second album.

17. George Michael - Praying for Time

This song is one of Michael’s only politically-themed hits released as a single. Michael refused to shoot videos for the album.

16. Nelson - (Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection

Did you know that this song was based on a crush on Cindy Crawford? How very ’90s. The song is super catchy, so you can see why it hit #1.

15. Mariah Carey - Vision of Love

Vision of Love was Mariah’s debut single, and you could argue it sounds very similar to Love Takes Time, so that’s why it gets a bit higher on the list since it was the first one out of the gate.

14. Janet Jackson - Black Cat

This song was a departure from Jackson’s typical industrial dance-pop hits to a more heavy rock and arena rock style. She performed the song at the 1990 MTV VMAs and was nominated for a Grammy as well.

13. New Kids on the Block - Step by Step

When you think of NKOTB, you think of Step by Step — it was their top-selling song and is certainly a boy band legend, having been included on many different top boy band song lists.

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.

10. Wilson Phillips - Release Me

How can you resist the harmonizing of Wilson Phillips? Release Me is the second single from their debut album, and is about a woman trying to get over a man who keeps coming back around, making it difficult.

9. Maxi Priest - Close to You

Best known as a reggae singer, Maxi Priest had a crossover hit with Close to You, the lead single from his fifth album.

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.

7. Alannah Myles - Black Velvet

Myles won the Grammy for best female rock performance for this single, which was a tribute to Elvis, who used a hair dye called Black Velvet.

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.

2. Whitney Houston - I'm Your Baby Tonight

Whitney had a lot of hits throughout her tenure – this song was the lead single off the album of the same name and reached the top ten in numerous countries. The song was written and produced by LA Reid and Babyface.

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.