Hit Songs of the 1990s

In many ways the ’80s sound keep right on going in 1990: Janet Jackson, Phil Collins, Billy Idol – these ’80s stalwarts didn’t seem to notice that the calendar had changed. But a long-brewing sound was becoming dominant. Enjoying huge hits was rapper M.C. Hammer, who scored with “Have You Seen Her” and “U Can’t Touch This.” Hammer would earn a cool $20 million (though end up bankrupt nonetheless), and the clean-cut rapper’s popularity signaled that the ’90s would be the decade of rap ascendancy. Children soon began carrying M.C. Hammer lunch-boxes to school.

100. (It’s Just) The Way That You Love Me, Paula Abdul
99. Mentirosa, Mellow Man Ace
98. Thieves In The Temple, Prince
97. Swing The Mood, Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers
96. Without You, Motley Crue
95. Whole Wide World, A’me Lorain
94. Just A Friend, Biz Markie
93. Jerk Out, Time
92. We Can’t Go Wrong, Cover Girls
91. Whip Appeal, Babyface
90. This One’s For The Children, New Kids On The Block
89. Make You Sweat, Keith Sweat
88. When I’m Back On My Feet Again, Michael Bolton
87. Forever, Kiss
85. Tic-Tac-Toe, Kyper
85. C’mon And Get My Love, D-Mob With Cathy Dennis
84. Oh Girl, Paul Young
83. What It Takes, Aerosmith
82. Everybody Everybody, Black Box
81. I Go To Extremes, Billy Joel
80. Romeo, Dino
79. All Or Nothing, Milli Vanilli
78. Love Shack, B-52’s
77. Just Like Jesse James, Cher
76. Love Takes Time, Mariah Carey
75. Epic, Faith No More
74. Here We Are, Gloria Estefan
73. Get Up! (Before The Night Is Over), Technotroic
72. What Kind Of Man Would I Be?, Chicago
71. King Of Wishful Thinking, Go West
70. Girls Nite Out, Tyler Collins
69. Price Of Love, Bad English
68. Love Song, Tesla
67. Enjoy The Silence, Depeche Mode
66. Giving You The Benefit, Pebbles
65. Free Fallin’, Tom Petty
64. I’ll Be Your Shelter, Taylor Dayne
63. The Humpty Dance, Digital Underground
62. Janie’s Got A Gun, Aerosmith
61. Can’t Stop, After 7
60. Black Cat, Janet Jackson
59. Something Happened On The Way To Heaven, Phil Collins
58. Just Between You And Me, Lou Gramm
57. I Wish It Would Rain Down, Phil Collins
56. U Can’t Touch This, M.C. Hammer
55. Ready Or Not, After 7
54. Do You Remember, Phil Collins
53. How Can We Be Lovers, Michael Bolton
52. Praying For Time, George Michael
51. No More Lies, Michel’le
50. Come Back To Me, Janet Jackson
49. With Every Beat Of My Heart, Taylor Dayne
48. Have You Seen Her, M.C. Hammer
47. Blame It On The Rain, Milli Vanilli
46. Ice Ice Baby, Vanilla Ice
45. Alright, Janet Jackson
44. Here And Now, Luther Vandross
43. Back To Life, Soul II Soul
42. Everything, Jody Watley
41. Roam, B-52’s
40. I’ll Be Your Everything, Tommy Page
39. Rhythm Nation, Janet Jackson
38. Downtown Train, Rod Stewart
37. I Don’t Have The Heart, James Ingram
36. We Didn’t Start The Fire, Billy Joel
35. Dangerous, Roxette
34. Step By Step, New Kids On The Block
33. Unskinny Bop, Poison
32. Sending All My Love, Linear
31. Two To Make It Right, Seduction
30. Don’t Wanna Fall In Love, Jane Child
29. Love Will Lead You Back, Taylor Dayne
28. (Can’t Live Without Your) Love And Affection, Nelson
27. The Power, Snap
26. If Wishes Came True, Sweet Sensation
25. She Ain’t Worth It, Glenn Medeiros Featuring Bobby Brown
24. Rub You The Right Way, Johnny Gill
23. I Remember You, Skid Row
22. l Wanna Be Rich, Calloway
21. All Around The World, Lisa Stansfield
20. Don’t Know Much, Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville
19. Hold On, En Vogue
18. Black Velvet, Alannah Myles
17. Close To You, Maxi Priest
16. All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You, Heart
15. Blaze Of Glory, Jon Bon Jovi
14. Opposites Attract, Paula Abdul
13. Pump Up The Jam, Technotronic
12. How Am I Supposed To Live Without You, Michael Bolton
11. Do Me!, Bell Biv Devoe
10. Escapade, Janet Jackson
9. It Must Have Been Love, Roxette
8. Release Me, Wilson Phillips
7. Another Day In Paradise, Phil Collins
6. Vision Of Love, Mariah Carey
5. Vogue, Madonna
4. Poison, Bell Biv Devoe
3. Cradle Of Love, Billy Idol
2. Nothing Compares 2 U, Sinead O’Connor
1. Hold On, Wilson Phillips

Continuing a hot streak that began in 1988 was dance-pop queen Paula Abdul, who kept sizzling on into the mid ’90s. Also having a good year was middle-of-the-road rocker Bryan Adams, the lusciously-layered R&B vocals of Boyz II Men, and the dance music of Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. Gangsta rap was becoming in vogue, but D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s brand of rap was light ‘n’ breezy, as on “Summertime.”
100. Shiny Happy People, R.E.M.
99. Rico Suave, Gerardo
98. The One And Only, Chesney Hawkes
97. Miles Away, Winger
96. I Saw Red, Warrent
95. Freedom 90, George Michael
94. O.P.P., Naughty By Nature
93. Do You Want Me, Salt-N-Pepa
92. All This Time, Sting
91. Real Real Real, Jesus Jones
90. Round And Round, Tevin Campbell
89. The Motown Song, Rod Stewart
88. Strike It Up, Black Box
88. Everybody Plays The Fool, Aaron Neville
87. Just Another Dream, Cathy Dennis
85. Groove Is In The Heart, Deee-Lite
84. Piece Of My Heart, Tara Kemp
83. I’m Not In Love, Will To Power
82. Silent Lucidity, Queensryche
81. Disappear, INXS
80. Get Here, Oleta Adams
79. Wicked Game, Chris Issak
78. Something To Believe In, Poison
77. Place In This World, Michael W. Smith
76. I’ll Give All My Love To You, Keith Sweat
75. Crazy, Seal
74. Too Many Walls, Cathy Dennis
73. Signs, Tesla
72. Here I Am (Come And Take Me), UB40
71. The Way You Do The Things You Do, UB40
70. Cry For Help, Rick Astley
69. Love Takes Time, Mariah Carey
68. Show Me The Way, Styx
67. Now That We Found Love, Heavy D. & The Boyz
66. Cream, Prince And The N.P.G.
65. I’ll Be There, Escape Club
64. Around The Way Girl, LL Cool J
63. Saideness Part I, Enigrna
62. Time. Love And Tenderness, Michael Bolton
61. 3 A.M. Eternal, The KLF
60. I Can’t Wait Another Minute, Hi-Five
59. Can’t Stop This Thing We Started, Bryan Adams
58. Temptation, Corina
57. Play That Funky Music, Vanilla Ice
56. After The Rain, Nelson
55. Something To Talk About, Bonnie Raitt
54. Iesha, Another Bad Creation
53. Tom’s Diner, DMA
52. I Touch Myself, Divinyls
51. Things That Make You Go Hmmmm…, C+C Music Factory

Grunge rockers Nirvana saw massive success with “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” from the group’s seminal Nevermind CD. The band eventually sold more than 50 million albums worldwide. The group’s brand of unshaven rock helped pave the way for other grunge groups, like Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden, and this raw sound became dominant in the rock scene in the mid ’90s. Meanwhile, the heavy radio play of Sir Mix-A-Lot’s homage to full-bottomed women, “Baby Got Back,” demonstrated that rap was not just another genre, but the star of the show.
100. Take This Heart, Richard Marx
99. They Want EFX, Das EFX
98. Let’s Get Rocked, Def Leppard
97. We Got A Love Thang, CeCe Peniston
96. I Will Remember You, Amy Grant
95. Uhh Ahh, Boyz II Men
94. What About Your Friends, TLC
93. Free Your Mind, En Vogue
92. Keep Coming Back, Richard Marx
91. I Can’t Make You Love Me, Bonnie Raitt
90. Would I Lie To You?, Charles & Eddie
89. Thinkin’ Back, Color Me Badd
88. Keep It Comin’, Keith Sweat
87. Slow Motion, Color Me Badd
86. Justified And Ancient, The KLF
85. Real Love, Mary J. Blige
84. Just Take My Heart, Mr. Big
83. I Wanna Love You, Jade
82. When I Look Into Your Eyes, Firehouse
81. That’s What Love Is For, Amy Grant
80. Have You Ever Needed Somone So Bad, Def Leppard
79. Everything Changes, Kathy Troccoli
78. Back To The Hotel, N2Deep
77. Missing You Now, Michael Bolton
76. Addams Groove, Hammer
75. Rhythm Is A Dancer, Snap
74. Thought I’d Died And Gone To Heaven, Bryan Adams
73. Blowing Kisses In The Wind, Paula Abdul
72. Everything About You, Ugly Kid Joe
71. Friday I’m In Love, Cure
70. Do I Have To Say The Words?, Bryan Adams
69. Wildside, Marky Mark And The Funky Bunch
68. No Son Of Nine, Genesis
67. People Everyday, Arrested Development
66. In The Closet, Michael Jackson
65. Warm It Up, Kris Kross
64. Beauty And The Beast, Calms Dion And Peabo Bryson
63. The Way I Feel About You, Karyn White
62. Hold On My Heart, Genesis
61. Keep On Walkin’, CeCe Peniston
60. One, U2
59. How Do You Talk To An Angel, Heights
58. Too Funky, George Michael
57. Mysterious Ways, U2
56. Hazard, Richard Marx
55. I Can’t Dance, Genesis
54. When A Man Loves A Woman, Michael Bolton
53. All I Want, Toad The Wet Sprocket
52. Good For Me, Amy Grant
51. I’d Die Without You, P.M. Dawn
50. She’s Playing Hard To Get, Hi-Five
49. Wishing On A Star, Cover Girls
48. Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes), Mint Condition
47. Please Don’t Go, K.W.S.
46. 2 Legit 2 Quit, Hammer
45. Stay, Shakespear’s Sister
44. Set Adrift On Memory Bliss, P.M. Dawn
43. The One, Elton John
42. Make It Happen, Mariah Carey
41. The Best Things In Life Are Free, Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson
40. Tennessee, Arrested Development
39. Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen
38. Move This, Technotronic
37. It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday, Boyz II Men
36. Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg, TLC
35. Tell Me What You Want Me To Do, Teven Campbell
34. Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover, Sophie B. Hawkins
33. Humpin’ Around, Bobby Brown
32. Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana
31. Come & Talk To Me, Jodeci
30. Live And Learn, Joe Public
29. Giving Him Something He Can Feel, En Vogue
28. If You Asked Me To, Celine Dion
27. Masterpiece, Atlantic Starr
26. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, George Michael & Elton John
25. Diamonds And Pearls, Prince & The N.P.G.
24. Jump Around, House Of Pain
23. Can’t Let Go, Mariah Carey
22. Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough, Patty Smyth
21. This Used To Be My Playground, Madonna
20. Finally, CeCe Peniston
19. I’ll Be There, Mariah Carey
18. Life Is A Highway, Tom Cochrane
17. November Rain, Guns N’ Roses
16. Remember The Time, Michael Jackson
15. Just Another Day, Jon Secada
14. Black Or White, Michael Jackson
13. I’m Too Sexy, Right Said Fred
12. To Be With You, Mr. Big
11. I Love Your Smile, Shanice
10. Achy Breaky Heart, Billy Ray Cyrus
9. All 4 Love, Color Me Badd
8. Under The Bridge, Red Hot Chili Peppers
7. My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It), En Vogue
6. Jump, Kris Kross
5. Baby-Baby-Baby, TLC
4. Save The Best For Last, Vanessa Williams
3. Tears In Heaven, Eric Clapton
2. End Of The Road, Boyz II Men
1. Baby Got Back, Sir Mix A-lot

Speaking of Big Emotion pop, Celine Dion, a songstress who never met an emotion she couldn’t inflate, enjoyed overblown sales this year. Her popularity would build steadily for the next few years, and her version of “My Heart Will Go On” – the theme song to Titanic – was one of the biggest hits of the ’90s. Also finding great success in 1994 – though short-lived – was Swedish dance-pop band Ace of Base. The group had one of the highest selling debut albums of all time, then disappeared not long after. Fame, in the ’90s as in all decades, could be fleeting.
100. Love Sneakin’ Up On You, Bonnie Raitt
99. Bop Gun (One Nation), Ice Cube
98. And Our Feelings, Babyface
97. What Is Love, Haddaway
96. Secret, Madonna
95. I’ll Take You There, General Public
94. Wanna Be Down, Brandy
93. Back In The Day, Ahmad
92. I’m The Only One, Melissa Etheridge
91. Here Comes The Hotstepper, Ini Kamoze
90. Indian Outlaw, Tim McGraw
89. December 1963 (Oh, What A Night), Four Seasons
88. Got Me Waiting, Heavy D & The Boyz
87. Don’t Take The Girl, Tim McGraw
86. Everyday, Phil Collins
85. Always, Bon Jovi
84. Always In My Heart, Tevin Campbell
83. Prayer For The Dying, Seal
82. Flava In Ya Ear, Craig Mack
81.U.N.I.T.Y., Queen Latifah
80. Stay, Eternal
79. Beautiful In My Eyes, Joshua Kadison
78. Anything, SWV
78. Anything, SWV
76. Mr. Vain, Culture Beat
75. Dreams, Gabrielle
74. Groove Thang, Zhane
73. Always, Erasure
72 Amazing, Aerosmith
71. Rock And Roll Dreams Come Through, Meat Loaf
70. At Your Best (You Are Love), Aaliyah
68. Crazy, Aerosmith
67. Never Keeping Secrets, Babyface
66. I Can See Clearly Now, Jimmy Cliff
65. Tootsee Roll, 69 Boyz
64. Your Body’s Callin’, R. Kelly
63. Another Night, Real McCoy
62. Who Am I (What’s My Name?), Snoop Doggy Dogg
61. Keep Ya Head Up, 2Pac
60. Cry For You, Jodeci
59. This D.J., Warren G
58. Understanding, Xscape
57. I Miss You, Aaron Hall
56. Endless Love, Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey
55. Getto Jam, Domino
54. Streets Of Philadelphia, Bruce Springsteen
53. Never Lie, Immature
52. Gin And Juice, Snoop Doggy Dogg
51. Found Out About You, Gin Blossoms
50. Loser, Beck
49. Linger, Cranberries
48. Because Of Love, Janet Jackson
47. Anytime You Need A Friend, Mariah Carey
46. 100% Pure Love, Crystal Waters
45. I’m Ready, Tevin Campbell
44. Stroke You Up, Changing Faces
43. Come To My Window, Melissa Etheridge
42. Whoomp! (There It Is), Tag Team
41. Cantaloop, US3
40. Because The Night, 10,000 Maniacs
39. Gangsta Lean, Drs
38. I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That), Meat Loaf
37. Funkdafied, Da Brat
36. Can We Talk, Tevin Campbell
35. Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm, Crash Test Dummies
34. All I Wanna Do, Sheryl Crow
33. Return To Innocence, Enigma
32. Said I Loved You…But I Lied, Michael Bolton
31. Shine, Collective Soul
30. Any Time, Any Place / And On And On, Janet Jackson
29. Shoop, Salt-N-Pepa
28. So Much In Love, All-4-One
27. Please Forgive Me, Bryan Adams
26. When Can I See You, Babyface
25. Now And Forever, Richard Marx
24. Back & Forth, Aaliyah
23. If You Go, Jon Secada
22. Regulate, Warren G & Nate Dogg
21. Baby I Love Your Way, Big Mountain
20. Fantastic Voyage, Coolio
19. Whatta Man, Salt-N-Pepa
18. Can You Feel The Love Tonight, Elton John
17. You Mean The World To Me, Toni Braxton
16. Without You / Never Forget You, Mariah Carey
15. Wild Night, John Mellencamp & Me’shell Ndegeocello
14. The Most Beautiful Girl In The World, Prince Symbol
13. I’ll Remember, Madonna
12. Again, Janet Jackson
11. Bump N’ Grind, R. Kelly
10. Don’t Turn Around, Ace Of Base
9. All That She Wants, Ace Of Base
8. The Sign, Ace Of Base
7. Breathe Again, Toni Braxton
6. Stay (I Missed You), Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories
5. I Swear, All-4-One
4. All For Love, Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart & Sting
3. I’ll Make Love To You, Boyz II Men
2. Hero, Mariah Carey
1. The Power Of Love, Celine Dion

Coolio’s wildly successful “Gansta’s Paradise” demonstrated that rap – street rap, not the light stuff of Jazzy Jeff or Hammer – had arrived. The song takes an ironic turn at the end. After spending several verses promoting the macho posturing of the gangsta lifestyle, in the last verse Coolio asks, “Tell me why are we so blind to see / That the ones we hurt are you and me.” On the other end of the musical spectrum, the success of Hootie & The Blowfish pointed to a rock era that favored an acoustic sound, as exemplified by Blues Traveler, the Dave Matthews Band, and Sheryl Crow.
100. Can’t Stop Lovin’ You, Van Halen
99. ‘Til You Do Me Right, After 7
98. Best Friend, Brandy
97. Give It 2 You, Da Brat
96. I Miss You, N II U
95. Dream About You-Funky Melody, Stevie B
94. Thank You, Boyz II Men
93. Turn The Beat Around, Gloria Estefan
92. I’ll Stand By You, Pretenders
91. I Live My Life For You, Firehouse
90. Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me, U2
89. 1st Of Tha Month, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
88. Misery, Soul Asylum
87. Cotton Eye Joe, Rednex
86. Brown Sugar, D’angelo
85. Good, Better Than Ezra
84. Sugar Hill, Az
83. Ask Of You, Raphael Saadiq
82. 100% Pure Love, Crystal Waters
81. Like The Way I Do-If I Wanted To, Melissa Etheridge
80. Constantly, Immature
79. You Used To Love Me, Faith Evans
78. No More “I Love You’s”, Annie Lennox
77. Brokenhearted, Brandy
76. Short Dick Man, 20 Fingers Featuring Gillette
75. The Sweetest Days, Vanessa Williams
74. Every Day Of The Week, Jade
73. Feel Me Flow, Naughty By Nature
72. Player’s Anthem, Junior M.A.F.I.A.
71. Secret, Madonna
70. This Ain’t A Love Song, Bon Jovi
69. Come And Get Your Love, Real McCoy
68. This Lil’ Game We Play, Subway
67. All I Wanna Do, Sheryl Crow
66. Can’t You See, Total
65. Tell Me, Groove Theory
64. You Want This-70’s Love Groove, Janet Jackson
63. Tootsee Roll, 69 Boyz
62. Back For Good, Take That
61. You Don’t Know How It Feels, Tom Petty
60. Carnival, Natalie Merchant
59. Believe, Elton John
58. I Wish, Skee-lo
57. Freek’n You, Jodeci
56. Scream / Childhood, Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson
55. Roll To Me, Del Amitri
54. The Rhythm Of The Night, Corona
53. Keep Their Heads Ringin’, Dr. Dre
52. Hold On, Jamie Walters
51. Dear Mama / Old School, 2Pac
50. I’ll Make Love To You, Boyz II Men
49. I Wanna Be Down, Brandy
48. Sukiyaki, 4 P.M.
47. Big Poppa / Warning, Notorious B.I.G.
46. Before I Let You Go, BLACKstreet
45. Every Little Thing I Do, Soul For Real
44. I’m The Only One, Melissa Etheridge
43. Shy Guy, Diana King
42. I’ll Be There For You-You’re All I Need To Get By, Method Man-Mary J. Blige
41. December, Collective Soul
40. He’s Mine, Mokenstef
39. As I Lay Me Down, Sophie B. Hawkins
38. Run Away, Real McCoy
37. Baby, Brandy
36. I Got 5 On It, Luniz
35. In The House Of Stone And Light, Martin Page
34. If You Love Me, Brownstone
33. Only Wanna Be With You, Hootie & The Blowfish
32. Someone To Love, Jon B.
31. Colors Of The Wind, Vanessa Williams
30. Strong Enough, Sheryl Crow
29. Runaway, Janet Jackson
28. Red Light Special, TLC
27. I Believe, Blessed Union Of Souls
26. Let Her, Hootie & The Blowfish
25. Candy Rain, Soul For Real
24. Here Comes The Hotstepper, Ini Kamoze
23. One More Chance-Stay With Me, Notorious B.I.G.
22. Hold My Hand, Hootie & The Blowfish
21. You Are Not Alone, Michael Jackson
20. You Gotta Be, Des’ree
19. Total Eclipse Of The Heart, Nicki French
18. I Can Love You Like That, All-4-One
17. Always, Bon Jovi
16. Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?, Bryan Adams
15. Boombastic / In The Summertime, Shaggy
14. Waterfalls, TLC
13. Freak Like Me, Adina Howard
12. Water Runs Dry, Boyz II Men
11. I Know, Dionne Farris
10. This Is How We Do It, Montell Jordan
9. Don’t Take It Personal (Just One Of Dem Days), Monica
8. Take A Bow, Madonna
7. Creep, TLC
6. Another Night, Real McCoy
5. On Bended Knee, Boyz II Men
4. Kiss From A Rose, Seal
3. Fantasy, Mariah Carey
2. Run-Around, Blues Traveler
1. Gangsta’s Paradise, Coolio

When Elton John released “Candle In the Wind 1997,” a single to honor the recently-deceased Princess Diana, it was if every music fan on the planet earth had been given orders to purchase it. And those orders were obeyed – the tune became the best selling single of all time. On a lighter note, the Spice Girls, a British all-girl dance-pop group, scored the year’s top selling album. The bubbly quintet went on to become the best selling girl group ever – even starring in their own movie, Spiceworld, which grossed $75 million – before they disbanded and were promptly forgotten.
100. Twisted, Keith Sweat
99. Barbie Girl, Aqua
98. You’re Makin’ Me High / Let It Flow, Toni Braxton
97. I Like It, Blackout Allstars
96. Let Me Clear My Throat, DJ Kool
95. When You’re Gone / Free To Decide, Cranberries
94. You Must Love Me, Madonna
93. Let It Go, Ray J
92. Coco Jamboo, Mr. President
91. Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix), Los Del Rio
90. Naked Eye, Luscious Jackson
89. Go The Distance, Michael Bolton
88. Someone, SWV
87. Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, Madonna
86. You Should Be Mine (Don’t Waste Your Time), Brian McKnight Featuring Mase
85. I Shot The Sheriff, Warren G
84. Don’t Wanna Be A Player, Joe
83. On & On, Erykah Badu
82. Butta Love, Next
81. One More Time, Real McCoy
80. No Time, Lil’ Kim
79. Fly Like An Eagle, Seal
78. The One I Gave My Heart, Aaliyah
77. Secret Garden, Bruce Springsteen
76. What’s On Tonight, Montell Jordan
75. Smile, Scarface
74. What About Us, Total
73. Big Daddy, Heavy D
72. ESPN Presents The Jock Jam, Various Artists
71. Last Night, Az Yet
70. Gotham City, R. Kelly
69. Tubthumping, Chumbawamba
68. My Baby Daddy, B-Rock & The Bizz
67. Change The World, Eric Clapton
66. C U When U Get There, Coolio
65. Your Woman, White Town
64. I Love You Always Forever, Donna Lewis
63. Building A Mystery, Sarah McLachlan
62. Pony, Ginuwine
61. Cold Rock A Party, Mc Lyte
60. Everyday Is A Winding Road, Sheryl Crow
59. I Don’t Want To / I Love Me Some Him, Toni Braxton
58. Up Jumps Da Boogie, Magoo And Timbaland
57. When You Love A Woman, Journey
56. Never Make A Promise, Dru Hill
55. If It Makes You Happy, Sheryl Crow
54. I’ll Be, Foxy Brown Featuring Jay-Z
53. I Finally Found Someon, Barbra Streisand & Bryan Adams
52. Where Do You Go, No Mercy
51. My Love Is The Shhh!, Somethin’ For The People
50. It’s All Coming Back To Me Now, Celine Dion
49. All By Myself, Celine Dion
48. Get It Together, 702
47. Look Into My Eyes, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
46. Not Tonight, Lil’ Kim
45. Invisible Man, 98 Degrees
44. I’m Still In Love With You, New Edition
43. All Cried Out, Allure Featuring 112
42. Mouth, Merril Bainbridge
41. Ooh Aah… Just A Little Bit, Gina G
40. It’s Your Love, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
39. Sunny Came Home, Shawn Colvin
38. Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?, Paula Cole
37. Cupid, 112
36. All For You, Sister Hazel
35. 2 Become 1, Spice Girls
34. Da’ Dip, Freaknasty
33. I Believe In You And Me, Whitney Houston
32. Honey, Mariah Carey
31. G.H.E.T.T.O.U.T., Changing Faces
30. 4 Seasons Of Loneliness, Boyz II Men
29. Do You Know (What It Takes), Robyn
28. Say You’ll Be There, Spice Girls
27. In My Bed, Dru Hill
26. Every Time I Close My Eyes, Babyface
25. Hypnotize, Notorious B.I.G.
24. I Belong To You (Every Time I See Your Face), Rome
23. No Diggity, BLACKstreet Featuring Dr. Dre
22. I Want You, Savage Garden
21. The Freshmen, Verve Pipe
20. Mo Money Mo Problems, Notorious B.I.G.
19. Bitch, Meredith Brooks
18. Barely Breathing, Duncan Sheik
17. Semi-Charmed Life, Third Eye Blind
16. Nobody, Keith Sweat
15. Hard To Say I’m Sorry, Az Yet Featuring Peter Cetera
14. You Make Me Wanna…, Usher
13. Return Of The Mack, Mark Morrison
12. MMMBop, Hanson
11. Quit Playing Games (With My Heart), Backstreet Boys
10. I Believe I Can Fly, R. Kelly
9. How Do I Live, LeAnn Rimes
8. For You I Will, Monica
7. Don’t Let Go (Love), En Vogue
6. Wannabe, Spice Girls
5. Foolish Games / You Were Meant For Me, Jewel
4. Un-Break My Heart, Toni Braxton
3. I’ll Be Missing You, Puff Daddy & Faith Evans
2. Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down, Puff Daddy
1. Candle In The Wind 1997, Elton John

Slickly produced R&B had been in vogue for many years, and several artists proved its staying power, including Usher, Janet Jackson, Brandy & Monica, and Destiny’s Child. On another front, hits by kiddie groups Backstreet Boys and ‘N Sync pointed to a major phenomenon on the rise: Tween power. Groups whose music was aimed at the young teen crowd (14 years old or younger) enjoyed a spike in popularity not seen since the early ’60s. If the music wasn’t artistically significant, it certainly was profitable for the record labels. Ka-ching!
100. Do For Love, 2Pac
99. Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here, Deborah Cox
98. Thinkin’ Bout It, Gerald Levert
97. Raise The Roof, Luke
96. 4 Seasons Of Loneliness, Boyz II Men
95. The One I Gave My Heart To, Aaliyah
94. Butta Love, Next
93. Sock It 2 Me, Missy Elliott Featuring Da Brat
92. The Party Continues, Jd
91. Heaven, Nu Flavor
90. Father, LL Cool J
89. Westside, TQ
88. Love You Down, Inoj
87. Spice Up Your Life, Spice Girls
86. A Rose Is Still A Rose, Aretha Franklin
85. Still Not A Player, Big Punisher Featuring Joe
84. All Cried Out, Allure Featuring 112
83. The Mummers’ Dance, Loreena McKennitt
82. Because Of You, 98 Degrees
81. Foolish Games / You Were Meant For Me, Jewel
80. Dangerous, Busta Rhymes
79. Bitter Sweet Symphony, The Verve
78. Money, Power & Respect, Lox
77. Touch It, Monifah
76. All For You, Sister Hazel
75. Ray Of Light, Madonna
74. I’ll Be, Edwin McCain
73. Turn It Up [Remix] / Fire It Up, Busta Rhymes
72. Friend Of Mine, Kelly Price
71. How Deep Is Your Love, Dru Hill Featuring Redman
70. Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are), Pras Feat. Ol’ Dirty Bastard & Mya
69. Too Much, Spice Girls
68. Victory, Puff Daddy & The Family
67. I Got The Hook Up!, Master P
66. Cruel Summer, Ace Of Base
65. Are You Jimmy Ray?, Jimmy Ray
64. Time After Time, Inoj
63. I Still Love You, Next
62. Quit Playing Games (With My Heart), Backstreet Boys
61. Lately, Divine
60. Looking Through Your Eyes, LeAnn Rimes
58. I Do, Lisa Loeb
58. I Do, Lisa Loeb
57. Semi-Charmed Life, Third Eye Blind
56. We’re Not Making Love No More, Dru Hill
55. Daydreamin’, Tatyana Ali
54. My Love Is The Shhh!, Somethin’ For The People
53. The Arms Of The One Who Loves You, Xscape
52. Swing My Way, K.P. & Envyi
51. One Week, Barenaked Ladies
50. I Will Come To You, Hanson
49. It’s All About Me, Mya & Sisqo
48. Romeo And Juliet, Sylk-E Fyne
47. Come With Me, Puff Daddy
46. Kiss The Rain, Billie Myers
45. Say It, Voices Of Theory
44. Feel So Good, Mase
43. I Get Lonely, Janet
42. Never Eve, All Saints
41. Make It Hot, Nicole Featuring Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott & Mocha
40. Make Em’ Say Uhh!, Master P
39. They Don’t Know, Jon B.
38. When The Lights Go Out, Five
37. I Want You Back, ‘N Sync
36. Deja Vu (Uptown Baby), Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz
35. Tubthumping, Chumbawamba
34. My Body, Lsg
33. Gone Till November, Wyclef Jean
32. Frozen, Madonna
31. What You Want, Mase
30. A Song For Mama, Boyz II Men
29. Show Me Love, Robyn
28. Sex And Candy, Marcy Playground
27. Let’s Ride, Montell Jordan
26. I Don’t Ever Want To See You Again, Uncle Sam
25. This Kiss, Faith Hill
24. Body Bumpin Yippie-Yi-Yo, Public Announcement
23. I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing, Aerosmith
22. Everybody (Backstreet’s Back), Backstreet Boys
21. Crush, Jennifer Paige
20. My Way, Usher
19. Been Around The World, Puff Daddy & The Family
18. The First Night, Monica
17. My All, Mariah Carey
16. Adia, Sarah McLachlan
15. You Make Me Wanna…, Usher
14. Gettin’ Jiggy Wit, Will Smith
13. My Heart Will Go On, Celine Dion
12. No, No, No, Destiny’s Child
11. Nice & Slow, Usher
10. I Don’t Want To Wait, Paula Cole
9. How’s It Going To Be, Third Eye Blind
8. How Do I Live, LeAnn Rimes
7. All My Life, K-Ci & JoJo
6. Together Again, Janet Jackson
5. Candle In The Wind 1997, Elton John
4. Truly Madly Deeply, Savage Garden
3. The Boy Is Mine, Brandy & Monica
2. You’re Still The One, Shania Twain
1. Too Close, Next

And in 1999 the biggest Tween Queen of all emerged, Britney Spears, who scored massively with “…Baby One More Time.” The onetime child performer on the Mickey Mouse Club TV show was now 17 years old, and set to launch a recording career that would sell 85 million albums worldwide (with most of those CD bought by people under 21 years old). Fueling her album sales was a major controversy over her image: Never before Spears had so young a female performer exuded such overt sexuality. Along with Spears, another former Mickey Mouse Club alum turned pop star, Christina Aguilera, would make 1999 the year of the young woman pop star.

100. God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You, Alabama Featuring ‘N Sync
99. Music Of My Heart, ‘N Sync & Gloria Estefan
98. Write This Down, George Strait
97. When You Believe, Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey
96. Better Days (And The Bottom Drops Out), Citizen King
95. Satisfy You, Puff Daddy Featuring R. Kelly
94. Out Of My Head, Fastball
93. Lesson In Leavin’, Jo Dee Messina
92. Stay The Same, Joey McIntyre
91. Take Me There, BLACKstreet & Mya Featuring Mase & Blinky Blink
90. Jamboree, Naughty By Nature Featuring Zhane
89. Sometimes, Britney Spears
88. Iris, Goo Goo Dolls
87. Ghetto Cowboy, Mo Thugs Family Featuring Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
86. Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem), Jay-Z
85. Amazed, Lonestar
84. Faded Pictures, Case & Joe
83. When A Woman’s Fed Up, R. Kelly
82. Back At One, Brian McKnight
81. How Forever Feels, Kenny Chesney
80. So Anxious, Ginuwine
79. I Need To Know, Marc Anthony
78. Steal My Sunshine, Len
77. Man! I Feel Like A Woman!, Shania Twain
76. Almost Doesn’t Count, Brandy
75. Back That Thang Up, Juvenile Featuring Mannie Fresh & Lil’ Wayne
74. All Night Long, Faith Evans Featuring Puff Daddy
73. My Love Is Your Love, Whitney Houston
72. Happily Ever After, Case
71. Chante’s Got A Man, Chante Moore
70. I Will Remember You (Live), Sarah McLachlan
69. Because Of You, 98 Degrees
68. I Do (Cherish You), 98 Degrees
67. I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing, Mark Chesnutt
66. These Are The Times, Dru Hill
65. Spend My Life With You, Eric Benet Featuring Tamia
64. Black Balloon, Goo Goo Dolls
63. Give It To You, Jordan Knight
62. Ex-Factor, Lauryn Hill
61. If You (Lovin’ Me), Silk
60. Trippin’, Total Featuring Missy Elliott
59. You, Jesse Powell
58. Love Like This, Faith Evans
57. From This Moment On, Shania Twain
56. Please Remember Me, Tim McGraw
55. Who Dat, JT Money Featuring Sole
54. Hands, Jewel
53. Miami, Will Smith
52. She’s All I Ever Had, Ricky Martin
51. She’s So High, Tal Bachman
50. 808, Blaque
49. Back 2 Good, Matchbox 20
48. Tell Me It’s Real, K-Ci & JoJo
47. Anywhere, 112 Featuring Lil’Z
46. Lullaby, Shawn Mullins
45. (God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time On You, ‘N Sync
44. It’s Not Right But It’s Okay, Whitney Houston
43. Sweet Lady, Tyrese
42. Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of…), Lou Bega
41. Doo Wop (That Thing), Lauryn Hill
40. Jumper, Third Eye Blind
39. Can I Get A…, Jay-Z Featuring Amil (Of Major Coinz) & Ja
38. Summer Girls, LFO
37. The Hardest Thing, 98 Degrees
36. I Still Believe, Mariah Carey
35. Heartbreaker, Mariah Carey Featuring Jay-Z
34. Scar Tissue, Red Hot Chili Peppers
33. Wild Wild West, Will Smith Featuring Dru Hill & Kool Moe Dee
32. That Don’t Impress Me Much, Shania Twain
31. Lately, Divine
30. Someday, Sugar Ray
29. Fly Away, Lenny Kravitz
28. What It’s Like, Everlast
27. What’s It Gonna Be?!, Busta Rhymes Featuring Janet
26. Bailamos, Enrique Iglesias
25. All I Have To Give, Backstreet Boys
24. Fortunate, Maxwell
23. Last Kiss, Pearl Jam
22. Save Tonight, Eagle-Eye Cherry
21. Bills, Bills, Bills, Destiny’s Child
20. All Star, Smash Mouth
19. Smooth, Santana Featuring Rob Thomas
18. Have You Ever?, Brandy
17. Unpretty, TLC
16. I’m Your Angel, R. Kelly & Celine Dion
15. I Want It That Way, Backstreet Boys
14. Angel, Sarah McLachlan
13. No Scrubs, TLC
12. If You Had My Love, Jennifer Lopez
11. Where My Girls At?, 702
10. Kiss Me, Sixpence None The Richer
9. Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here, Deborah Cox
8. Every Morning, Sugar Ray
7. Genie In A Bottle, Christina Aguilera
6. Livin’ La Vida Loca, Ricky Martin
5. Slide, Goo Goo Dolls
4. Angel Of Mine, Monica
3. Heartbreak Hotel, Whitney Houston
2. …Baby One More Time, Britney Spears
1. Believe, Cher