200 ESSENTIAL 90s SONGS: #40-31. More: tomorrow.

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.

40

NOTHING COMPARES 2 U Sinéad O'Connor

 Prince penned "Nothing Compares 2 U" but Sinéad O'Connor transformed the tearjerker into a classic track. Her interpretation gave the lyrics even greater impact. The measured vocal is perfect. In 1990, the single reached #1 in America, Britain, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Its award-winning music video added gravitas to her performance. O'Connor became a star on the strength of this release. She remained a controversial and outspoken artist following its success.

39

WONDERWALL Oasis

Oasis was the leading exponent of 90s Britpop. "Wonderwall" was its crowning moment. Upon its release in 1995, the song immediately became a cherished radio staple. Written by Noel Gallagher and sung by his brother Liam, the track is a defining recording of the time. 

38

GROOVE IS IN THE HEART Deee-Lite

Deee-Lite meshed dance, funk and R&B into the party favourite "Groove Is In The Heart". The irresistible track became a hit around the planet in 1990. The US dance group featured lead vocals from Lady Miss Kier. Guest artists on the single include Bootsy Collins (From Parliament / Funkadelic) and Q-Tip (from A Tribe Called Quest).

37

EVERYBODY HURTS R.E.M.

R.E.M. was an uncompromising stalwart of the American college radio scene. When it was finally discovered by the pop mainstream, the band held true to its musical vision. 

In 1992, 'Automatic For The People' brought the group its artistic peak. It was a commercial success, fueled largely by the sweet melody of "Everybody Hurts".

 The song's lyrics, instrumentation and Michael Stipe's lead vocals came together to produce a soothing and empowering effect. On the British, Canadian and Australian charts, the track made the Top 10.    

36

PROTECT YA NECK Wu-Tang Clan

American hip hop group Wu - Tang Clan unleashed its debut album 'Enter The Wu - Tang (36 Chambers)' in 1993. The act's first release was "Protect Ya Neck", one of the seminal tracks of the genre, aligning rap with a hardcore edge. Its approach has since been emulated by countless other hip hop acts.

35

U CAN'T TOUCH THIS MC Hammer

Rap was unpopular until some seminal recordings diluted the resistance towards it. If there is 1 single track that was most responsible for setting off the domino effect it was MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This". 

Built around the Rick James funk work-out "Super Freak", the single was cheeky and harmless. What it did was prove that rap could sell. The disc topped charts in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. It made the UK and US Top 10.  Hammer's 1990 debut album 'Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em' has sold 10 million copies, remaining one of the best selling rap albums of all-time. 

While its content and his parachute pants were a world away from the music of hip hop legends such as NWA, Beastie Boys, Jay Z or Kanye West, Hammer proved that the mainstream was ripe for the picking.

34

SONG 2 Blur

Created as a parody of Nirvana, Blur's "Song 2" became one of the Britpop group's finest moments. It was a brief track, lasting only 2 minutes. Lead singer's Damon Albarn's trademark "woo hoo" sprinkled throughout the song gave it greater immediacy and appeal. Influenced by grunge, the track took the genre down a new sonic direction and into popular culture forever. 

33

MY LOVIN' En Vogue

Before Destiny's Child, TLC or SWV, there was En Vogue. 
The latter ushered in the 'new jill swing' sub-genre that was a response to the more misogynistic new jack swing and hip hop trends that existed at the dawn of the 1990s. The American female group possessed a strong confidence that became a feature of women in music during the decade.
"My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get it)" was lifted off En Vogue's 2nd album 'Funky Divas'.

32

INTERGALACTIC Beastie Boys

The Beastie Boys continued evolving in the 1990s. "Intergalactic", the lead single from the hip hop act's 1998 album 'Hello Nasty', led hip hop down a new aural direction that would intersect with Daft Punk and (later) the Black Eyed Peas.

31

END OF THE ROAD Boyz II Men

With debut album 'Cooleyhighharmony', Boyz II Men scored chart success with the singles "Motownphilly" and "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday". While on tour, the 4 youths recorded the ballad "End Of the Road" for the 1992 Eddie Murphy film 'Boomerang'. 
The song was issued as a single that year and gave the R&B group even greater success. On the American chart, the disc reigned for a record-breaking 13 weeks at #1. It also topped charts in Britain, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Boyz II Men revived the harmony vocal tradition that had proven to be popular for groups such as The Temptations, Four Tops and Jackson 5. 
Boyz II Men mined the sound and were rewarded with massive hits that included "I'll Make Love to You", "On Bended Knee", "Water Runs Dry" and "One Sweet Day". 

1990s