Billboard Hot 100 Top #1 Singles of 1996 – 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 1996. 

Interestingly, “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt likely would have been on this list, however it was not allowed to be included in the Billboard Hot 100 as it was never released as a commercial single on its own in the US, which was required at the time. It would probably be very high on our ranking if we were able to include it!

Note: “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men started the year at number one, but it had previously also reached number one in 1995, and as is our rule, we will not include it here, since it was already included in our list for 1995.

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 1996…