The 200 ESSENTIAL 90s Songs.  Today: #150-141. More next week.

Caffe` Latte` presents…

200

 ESSENTIAL SONGS

 of the  

1990s

Many new sub-genres were launched during the 1990s as hybrids of various styles were fused to create innovative new sounds. Females infiltrated the once misogynistic world of rap as it evolved into hip-hop. New Jack Swing gave way to New Jill Swing. Grunge exploded around the world. The music industry grappled with dwindling sales and the threat of piracy. Here are the 200 songs that mattered most -in terms of lasting impact, influence and enduring quality- in the final decade of the previous millennium.

150

ZOMBIE The Cranberries

Irish alternative rock outfit The Cranberries served up the protest song "Zombie" in 1994. It was a major hit in Europe and Australia.

 

149

SELLING THE DRAMA Live

Live's sound was a bridge between the angry grunge of Pearl Jam and alt-rock of R.E.M. The group had emerged out of shows at the infamous CBGB's and, by 1994, had developed its own approach to  post-grunge rock. On Live's thrilling 1994 'Throwing Copper' album, the band hit its creative pinnacle. "Selling The Drama" was its lead single.

148

WHY DOES MY HEART FEEL SO BAD? Moby

Built around a sample of the 1963 gospel song "He'll Roll Your Burdens Away" by The Banks Brothers, Moby's "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" is creatively transformed into a cathartic electronic ballad from his 1999 album 'Play'.

147

POISON Bell Biv Devoe

BBD was a splinter group from 80s boyband New Edition. The trio helped pioneer new jack swimg with hits such as "Gangsta", "Do Me!" and "Poison". The latter was Bell Biv Devoe's debut single. Later in the 1990s, the trio steered Boyz II Men to global success.

146

ALL THAT SHE WANTS Ace Of Base

Ace Of Base broke through globally with "All That She Wants". The single contained hints of reggae, Eurodance and pop. Released in 1992, the track reached #1 in the UK, Canada and Australia. It peaked at #2 in Europe and the USA. 

145

EVERY YOU, EVERY ME Placebo

PLacebo's sound was sprinkled with elements of glam, punk, Britpop, alt-rock and new wave. The 1999 single "Every You, Every Me" remains an enduring pop classic from the British group.

144

WHAT'S UP? 4 Non-Blondes

Female-dominated rock group 4 Non Blondes enjoyed only a brief time in the spotlight. The band topped the European Chart in 1993 with "What's Up?". In Britain and Australia, the single peaked at #2. Linda Perry, the group's lead vocalist and main songwriter, has since penned several major hits for other artists. These include: "Get The Party Started" (Pink); "Beautiful" (Christina Aguilera) and "What You Waiting For?" (Gwen Stefani).

143

IRIS Goo Goo Dolls

"Iris" remains a radio staple from the 1990s. The Goo Goo Dolls' 1998 single was featured in the film 'City Of Angels'. The alternative rock / pop crossover track topped the Canadian and Australian charts.

142

LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX Salt-n-Pepa

Salt-n-Pepa shattered rap's misogyny and male domination in the late 1980s. Females passed through the floodgates into the hip hop genre in their wake. With the 1991 single "Let's Talk About Sex", rap was used to address a social cause: safe sex and the risk of HIV/ A.I.D.S. The single peaked at #2 in Britain and topped the Australian chart. Only a few months later, Queen's lead singer Freddie Mercury joined the extensive list of casualties from A.I.D.S.

141

BOOMBASTIC Shaggy

In 1995, "Boombastic" raised Shaggy's international profile. The Jamaican- American recording artist evolved his reggae / pop/ funk sound for the title track from his latest album release. In Britain, Europe and Australia, the single reached #1. On the US chart, it peaked at #3.

1990s