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 1999.
Weirdly, “I Want It That Way” by Backstreet Boys never made it to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, instead peaking at number 6. We all remember hearing that song so much, it seems bizarre that it wasn’t number one.
Note: “I’m Your Angel” by R. Kelly featuring Celine Dion started the year at number one, but it had previously also reached number one in 1998, and as is our rule, we will not include it here, since it was already included in our list for 1998.
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 1999…
- On January 1st, the Euro was established as the new common currency for the European Union, though at first it was only used digitally and didn’t circulate physically until 2002.
- The Columbine High School massacre happened on April 20th, and at the time was the deadliest school shooting in US history.
- Spongebob Squarepants debuted on Nickelodeon for the first time on May 1st, and is still being produced as of 2021, with over 264 episodes already completed.
- In June, Napster was released, and would end up changing the entire music industry as it was known. Check out our article — Napster: The Meteoric Rise and Fall of the Disruptive MP3 Giant
- The Y2K bug was prominent in everyone’s minds — people worried that computers would glitch out when clocks turned over to the year 2000, though most were given enough forewarning to update their systems ahead of time and there were very few problems once 2000 hit.
- On January 1st, the Euro was established as the new common currency for the European Union, though at first it was only used digitally and didn’t circulate physically until 2002.
- The Columbine High School massacre happened on April 20th, and at the time was the deadliest school shooting in US history.
- Spongebob Squarepants debuted on Nickelodeon for the first time on May 1st, and is still being produced as of 2021, with over 264 episodes already completed.
- In June, Napster was released, and would end up changing the entire music industry as it was known. Check out our article — Napster: The Meteoric Rise and Fall of the Disruptive MP3 Giant
- The Y2K bug was prominent in everyone’s minds — people worried that computers would glitch out when clocks turned over to the year 2000, though most were given enough forewarning to update their systems ahead of time and there were very few problems once 2000 hit.
13. Monica - Angel of Mine
This single is actually a cover of the version released by R&B girl group Eternal the previous year.
12. Will Smith ft. Dru Hill and Kool Moe Dee - Wild Wild West
Written for Smith’s movie of the same name, it’s certainly not one of his better songs, but nonetheless became a hit.
11. Mariah Carey ft. Jay-Z - Heartbreaker
Some criticized this song for sounding too similar to “Fantasy,” and honestly we can see it. It’s not one of Carey’s most memorable hits.
10. Enrique Iglesias - Bailamos
“Bailamos” was Enrique’s first single to hit the English-language market, and immediately shot to success — it was also on the Wild Wild West soundtrack.
6. Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Time
Can you imagine a world without Britney Spears and her debut music video? People still dress up as her today.
What was your favorite single of 1999? Do you agree with our list? Let us know in the comments!
