The Top 10 Pop Songs of 1990

From Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation” to Madonna’s “Vogue,” here are the top 10 pop songs of 1990.

Introduction

It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly three decades since the 1990s began. Those were the days of grunge and hip-hop, when the music industry was booming and some of the biggest names in pop culture were dominating the airwaves. The decade saw some incredible talent emerge, and many of those artists are still making music today. So which songs were the biggest hits of 1990? Here are the 10 most popular songs, according to Billboard’s Year-End charts.

“Hold On” – Wilson Phillips

“Hold On” is a song recorded by American vocal group Wilson Phillips. It was released on February 20, 1990, as the lead single from their self-titled debut album, Wilson Phillips. The song was written by group members Carnie and Wendy Wilson and Chynna Phillips, along with Glen Ballard, and produced by Ballard. “Hold On” was released to positive reviews from music critics and was a commercial success, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and becoming the group’s signature song. It has sold over one million copies in the United States and won the Grammy Award for Best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals.

“Vogue” – Madonna

“Vogue” is a song by American singer Madonna from her second soundtrack album I’m Breathless (1990). It was released as the first single from the album on February 27, 1990, by Sire Records. “Vogue” later appeared on her greatest hits compilation albums GHV2 (2001) and Celebration (2009). The song peaked at number one in Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as charting at number two in Australia and France. In the United States, “Vogue” reached number one on Billboard Hot 100 on April 28, 1990; it was Madonna’s seventh number-one single on the chart and topped the chart for four weeks. The song also hit number one on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs and Dance/Mix Show Airplay charts.

An accompanying music video was directed by David Fincher. The video features Madonna and her dancers dressed in Art Deco-inspired clothing line dancing adroitly to the music; it also features footage of fashion models lip-synching to the words “catwalk”. The video had heavy rotation on MTV and became very popular. It won three MTV Video Music Awards for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Direction. “Vogue” remains one of Madonna’s signature songs internationally; it is considered one of her defining hits of her career.

“It Must Have Been Love” – Roxette

It Must Have Been Love is a song written by Per Gessle and recorded by Swedish pop duo Roxette. It was released in late spring 1990 as the fourth single from their second studio album, Look Sharp! (1989). The song became the duo’s second chart-topping hit in the United States, while peaking at number six in their home country of Sweden. It also topped the charts in numerous countries including Australia, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand.

“Nothing Compares 2 U” – Sinead O’Connor

“Nothing Compares 2 U” is a song written and composed by Prince for one of his side projects, The Family. The song was first released on The Family’s self-titled album in 1985. Prince later recorded a version of the song with his backing band The Revolution and it was released as a single in Denmark in December 1985, reaching number one on the Danish Singles Chart. Although it was not released in the United States until March 1986, the song found success here as well, eventually becoming a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 at the beginning of May.

The single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). “Nothing Compares 2 U” became O’Connor’s biggest hit worldwide; it peaked at number one on charts in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom. It reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US and has become one of Prince’s most memorable songs.

“U Can’t Touch This” – MC Hammer

“U Can’t Touch This” is a song co-written and recorded by MC Hammer that became a worldwide hit and one of the most popular songs of 1990. The song features a sample of Rick James’ hit “Super Freak”. “U Can’t Touch This” was released as a single from MC Hammer’s third album, Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em, in 1990. The track peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his biggest hit. In 1991, the song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance.

“Pray” – MC Hammer

“Pray” is a song performed by American rapper MC Hammer, released as the lead single from his third studio album, Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em. The song reached number one in nine countries and was his most successful single.

“Wind of Change” – Scorpions

1. “Wind of Change” – Scorpions
2. “Nothing Compares 2 U” – Sinéad O’Connor
3. “Vogue” – Madonna
4. “Enjoy the Silence” – Depeche Mode
5. “With or Without You” – U2
6. “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” – Bryan Adams
7. “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” – Whitney Houston
8. “U Can’t Touch This” – MC Hammer
9. “. . .Baby One More Time” – Britney Spears
10. “House of Pain” ~ ‘Fine Malt Lyrics’

“Another Day in Paradise” – Phil Collins

“Another Day in Paradise” is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Phil Collins. It was released as the first single from his number-one album …But Seriously (1989). Written about the homeless, the song was released in late 1989, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1990, and eventually becoming one of the most successful songs of his solo career. Despite its chorus being adapted from an earlier song by Stevie Wonder, “Another Day in Paradise” has been credited to Collins.

“I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” – Whitney Houston

“I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” is a song recorded by American singer Whitney Houston for her second studio album, Whitney. It was released on May 2, 1987, by Arista Records as the lead single from the album. The song was written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam of the band Boy Meets Girl, and produced by Narada Michael Walden. “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” received positive reviews from music critics and won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 30th Grammy Awards.

The song became Houston’s fourth number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and also peaked at number one in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and Sweden. In 2008, it was ranked at #79 on Billboard’s Greatest Songs of all time. It also appeared in other top 10lists, such as those published by Blender (2006) and Rolling Stone (2010).

In October 2014, following Houston’s death, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 73; 22 years after its original release.”