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The Top 10 Number 1 Hits of the 1990s

Posted Wed Jul 1, 2009 7:11pm PDT by Robert of the Radish in The Y! Music Playlist Blog

This playlist contains the ten top songs of the 1990s in the U.S. To come up with these 10 I started with a list of all songs that reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States during the decade. I then picked one song for each year. To determine what the top song was for each year I simply looked at which track held the number one spot for the most weeks. The only year with a tie was 1990 -- Sinéad O'Connor, Mariah Carey and Stevie B all had #1 hits this year, and each one of them held the position for 4 straight weeks. Since Mariah already made the list, and Stevie B is forgettable at best, I chose to use the Prince-penned "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinéad to kick off the list. And if I can be honest, if it wasn't for this track the playlist would be pretty close to unbearable to these ears. Partly because of the schmaltzy, slow-dance vibe many of these hits contain, and partly because of how over-played many of them were.

What do you think of the top songs of the 1990s?

The Top 10 Number 1 Hits of the 1990s 

   1990: Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor   

   1991: (Everything I Do) I Do For You - Bryan Adams   

   1992: End Of The Road - Boyz II Men   

   1993: I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston   

   1994: I'll Make Love To You - Boyz II Men   

   1995: Fantasy - Mariah Carey   

   1996: Macarena - Los del Rio   

   1997: Candle In The Wind 1997 - Elton John   

   1998: The Boy Is Mine - Brandy and Monica   

   1999: Smooth - Santana  

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15 Comments

1. D33PPURPLE -
Robert, this is a foul concoction of the easily forgettable past. No nostalgie here on my part, though I'll give O'Connor some tracks, and Santana easily stands out here.

But tell me Robert...Do you also dislike the Santana song? Just wonderin'.

2. Yahoo! Music User -
I don't dislike the Santana song. I actually really liked it when it was realeased. But it falls into the category of the overexposed. That song was driven into the ground with airplay for the better part of a year. I love lobster, but if I was force fed it every day for a year at breakfast, lunch and dinner there would come a point when I would vomit from the smell alone.

3. José -
Baby hit me one more time should be on the list. Britney rocked the world then and still does by the way.

4. Guy W -
Nothing Compares 2 U and Fantasy are cool. The rest are crap.
But the decade as a whole actually was full of great music.

5. Karen -
"Smooth" is easily the best song on the list. The rest (well, maybe not Sir Elton) are forgettable...and yes, that includes Whitney's bombastic trashing of the Dolly Parton ballad.

6. Gerry -
This list is proof positive that quality music and a No. 1 hit song have nothing in common. Robert, you are far too forgiving. Even Ms. O'Connor's presence can't help this list rise beyond the dreck that it is.
As for my top 1990's tracks, a few choices wopuld have to include...
"Spoonman"-Soundgarden
"Girlfriend"-Matthew Sweet
"Buddy Holly"-Weezer
"Them Bones"-Alice In Chains
"Two Princes"-The Spin Doctors
"Been Caught Stealing"-Jane's Addiction

7. JasmineF -
I love all the songs on the list, especially "Fantasy," "End of the Road," "The Boy is Mine," and "Nothing Compares 2 U." Wonderful compilation! Perhaps with the exception of Brian Adams and the Macarena. Everyone needs to stop whining.

8. MattJ -
This playlist helps remind me what a poor judge of music quality the hits chart is. Might I suggest you make a playlist of YOUR No.1 hits of the 90s? The songs that deserved it, I mean.

9. Yahoo! Music User -
Note to self: Do not send Robert that 100 pound shipment of Maine lobster for the holiday....Send only a 25 pound shipment instead.............

10. Yahoo! Music User -
Little known fact: Sinead O'Connor is actually Rob O'Connor's cousin.

11. Joey -
This one goes out to one of my favorite local punk rock bands ,,Spitting On Cops from Victorville Ca,,,

12. Ana -
what about nirvana? "smells like teen spirit" was huge... it changed music at that point in time. also you shoul've put jane's addiction on there, just cause they were a pretty amazing band...

13. John -
2pac songs should b up there

14. Destine -
oh the early 90s with sweet grunge

15. Tia -
I love them to death!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My favorite song is (To The End of The Road) and Cold December Night
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