200 ESSENTIAL 90s SONGS: #80-71. 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.

80

THIS IS HOW WE DO IT Montell Jordan

Montell Jordan's debut hit "This Is How We Do It" was a defining example of the New jack swing sound that dominated R&B during the decade. In America, the single topped the Pop and R&B charts during 1995.

79

SABOTAGE Beastie Boys

The Beastie Boys continued redefining rap with the 1994 album 'Ill Communication'. Its lead single was "Sabotage". The album, which fused rap with rock, reached #1 on the Billboard Album Chart.

78

SADENESS (PART I) Enigma

Mixing ambient and new age with -of all things, Gregorian chants,- resulted in the thrilling 1990 hit "Sadeness". Enigma revolved around Micheal Crétu. The creative mix proved popular in dance clubs. On the UK, European and Japanese charts, the single reached #1. The track also made the Top 5 in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

77

HIP HOP HOORAY Naughty By Nature

In 1993, Naughty By Nature expanded its fanbase with the rap chant "Hip Hop Hooray". Its release preceded the album '19 Naughty III' early in the following year. The infectious song attracted a wider audience for hip hop.

76

ONE SWEET DAY Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men

"One Sweet Day" brought together 2 chart titans. The 1995 collaboration, featuring Mariah Carey and the group Boyz II Men, dealt with bereavement. The public related enough with its theme to make it a massive worldwide smash. In the USA, the song spent a record-breaking 16 weeks at #1.

75

THE UNFORGIVEN Metallica

1991 saw Metallica's sound shift with a more mature focus. The metal band released its self-titled album that year. "The Unforgiven" was its 2nd single. 'Metallica' reached #1 in America, Britain, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The album was a game-changer for heavy metal. Its content catapulted the group to a mainstream audience.

74

CORNFLAKE GIRL Tori Amos

In the decade of Alanis Morissette, Fiona Apple and Sinead O'Connor, Tori Amos was another integral woman in rock. Amos seemingly took over where Kate Bush left off. Her piano driven "Cornflake Girl" was an intriguing self-penned track. It was lifted off her 1994 album 'Under The Pink'.

73

OH CAROLINA Shaggy

Jamaican recording act Shaggy broke through in 1993 with "Oh Carolina". It was lifted off his debut album 'Pure Pleasure'. The reggae single was a remake of a Folkes Brothers 1960 hit. Shaggy was a key figure in bringing dancehall to a crossover audience. The single reached #1 on the British chart.

72

THAT'S THE WAY LOVE GOES Janet Jackson

"That's The Way Love Goes" was issued in 1993 and it unleashed a more mature, confident and sexy attitude for Janet Jackson on her album 'Janet'. The song's groove was built around James Brown's 1994 track "Papa Don't Take No Mess". Jackson's hit defined the sound of soul for the 1990s. The single went to #1 in America, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. On the UK chart, it peaked at #2.

71

BORN SLIPPY Underworld

"Born Slippy" mixed techno and trance with innovative dance beats. In 1996, its use in the Danny Boyle cult film 'Trainspotting' jetisoned Underworld to a wider market. The single reached #2 in Britain.

1990s