1990: THE 100 GREATEST SONGS.
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1990

THE 100 GREATEST SONGS

MCMXC

1990 saw tumultuous changes around the world. Nelson Mandela was finally released from prison in South Africa and became leader of the ANC. Germany was re-united as one country following the demolition of the Berlin Wall. Saddam Hussein ordered Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. Lech Walesa became President of Poland. In Great Britain, the controversial Poll Tax was introduced; protests ensued. Margaret Thatcher resigned and was replaced by John Major. The first web page was written. Musically, hybrids of genres spawned new sounds and hit songs. Here are 100 examples of that year’s sonic highlights; from “Suicide Blonde” to Concrete Blonde and from En Vogue to “Vogue”…

100 RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW Jesus Jones

99 I’M FREE The Soup Dragons

98 CAN’T STOP THIS FEELING I GOT Prince

97 1990 MEDLEY MIX Paula Abdul

96 FORGOTTEN YEARS Midnight Oil

95 INFINITY Guru Josh

94 THE MESSAGE IS LOVE Arthur Baker

93 JOEY Concrete Blonde

92 MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT LL Cool J

91 GIVING YOU THE BENEFIT Pebbles

90 I LOVE PARIS Les Negresses Vertes

89 I’VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT YOU Londonbeat

88 DIRTY CASH (MONEY TALKS)

Adventures Of Stevie V

87 BITTER TEARS INXS

86 OH GIRL Paul Young

   85 I DON’T WANT TO BE WITH NOBODY BUT YOU

Absent Friends

84 DON’T WANNA FALL IN LOVE Jane Child

83 HARLEY AND ROSE The Black Sorrows

     82 NOTHING EVER MATTERS Del Amitri

81 DOWNTOWN TRAIN Rod Stewart

80 BLUE SKY MINE Midnight Oil     

79 SPIN THAT WHEEL Hi Tek 3

    78 CANDY Iggy Pop featuring Kate Pierson  

     77 THE POWER Snap!

   76 SUICIDE BLONDE INXS  

75 I’LL BE YOUR BABY TONIGHT

Robert Palmer & UB40

74 CRYING IN THE CHAPEL Peter Blakeley

73 SHOW ME HEAVEN Maria McKee

72 LOVE GOES WILD The Black Sorrows

71 BECAUSE I LOVE YOU (THE POSTMAN SONG)

Stevie B

70 LOVE COMES TO MIND The Chimes

69 HANKY PANKY Madonna  

68 KINGSTON TOWN UB40

    67 ME SO HORNY 2 Live Crew   

66 TONIGHT New Kids On The Block

65 I’VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN Neneh Cherry

64 EVERY LITTLE THING Jeff Lynne   

63 SOMETHING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO HEAVEN

Phil Collins

    62 SHE’S NOT THERE Crowded House

61 MORE THAN WORDS Extreme   

    60 COWBOYS & ANGELS George Michael

59 JUKEBOX IN SIBERIA Skyhooks

58 FALLING Julee Cruise   

57 I TOUCH MYSELF Divinyls

56 SOMETHING TO REMEMBER Madonna

55 LIES En Vogue

54 BY MY SIDE INXS   

53 BLACK VELVET Alannah Myles

52 THUNDERSTRUCK AC/DC

51 FREEDOM George Michael

50 POISON Bell Biv Devoe

49 I WANNA BE RICH Calloway

48 SENSITIVITY Ralph Tresvant

47 YOU GOTTA LOVE SOMEONE Elton John

46 CRAZY Seal

45 FANTASY Black Box

44 NO MYTH Michael Penn

43 BEING BORING Pet Shop Boys

42 MOTHER’S PRIDE George Michael

41 NATURE BOY Kate Ceberano

40 COMMENT TE DIRE ADIEU Jimmy Somerville

39 WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO Kylie Minogue

38 GONNA MAKE YOU SWEAT C+C Music Factory

37 HIJO DE LA LUNA Mecano

36 YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY En Vogue

35 HEAL THE PAIN George Michael

34 AROUND THE WAY GIRL LL Cool J

33 DON’T WORRY Kim Appleby

32 SO HARD Pet Shop Boys

31 SHOCKED Kylie Minogue

30 STILL GOT THE BLUES (FOR YOU) Gary Moore

29 I STILL HAVEN’T FOUND WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR

The Chimes

28 VISION OF LOVE Mariah Carey

27 UNBELIEVABLE EMF

26 I’M YOUR BABY TONIGHT Whitney Houston

25 THE SHOOP SHOOP SONG (IT’S IN HIS KISS) Cher

24 HERE WE GO, LET’S ROCK & ROLL C+C Music Factory

23 WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME

(I CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU) Pet Shop Boys

22 ALL I WANNA DO IS MAKE LOVE TO YOU Heart

21 GROOVE IS IN THE HEART Deee-Lite

20 CLOSE TO YOU Maxi Priest

19 PRAYING FOR TIME George Michael

18 ICE ICE BABY Vanilla Ice

17 U CAN’T TOUCH THIS MC Hammer

16 TOM’S DINER Suzanne Vega / DNA

15 HAPPENING ALL OVER AGAIN Lonnie Gordon

14 HOLD ON En Vogue

13 ALL THE MAN THAT I NEED Whitney Houston

12 THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMMM…
C+C Music Factory

11 STEP BACK IN TIME Kylie Minogue

10

ENJOY THE SILENCE

Depeche Mode

One of synth-pop’s masterpieces, the British group Depeche Mode unleashed this memorable song in 1990 on its ‘Violator’ album. As well as going Top 10 across the European continent, the single did the same on both sides of the Atlantic.

 

9

LET LOVE RULE

Lenny Kravitz

This remains one of the best debut singles in the annals of pop music. Lenny Kravitz drew from the past and created his own sound, brimming with references to the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Prince and Sly & The Family Stone. Among the ingredients he threw into this musical feast were rock, psychedelia, R&B, indie and funk.

8

SADENESS PT. 1

Enigma

Enigma’s ingenious concept was the result of bringing together electronic music with New Age sounds and Gregorian chants. The inspired hybrid still stands out to this day. In the UK and Europe, the unique song topped the charts. The disc also peaked at #2 in Australia and reached #5 in the U.S.A.

 

7

JUSTIFY MY LOVE

Madonna

One of Madonna’s most adventurous recordings, “Justify My Love” is a trip hop sonic experience. Lenny Kravitz lends a hand as Madonna delivers some of the most seductive whispered words to ever grace an international hit. The single reached #1 in America and Canada, #2 in Britain, #3 in Europe and #4 in Australia.

 

6

NESSUN DORMA

Luciano Pavarotti

Although recorded in 1972, this aria became a signature song for one of history’s most celebrated tenors. The song was exposed to a wider audience through its use during the 1990 World Cup, which was won by Germany. Pavarotti put the classic in classical music; delivering the definitive version of the aria from Puccini’s 1926 opera “Turandot”.

5

BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW

Kylie Minogue

Until 1990’s ‘Rhythm Of Love’ album, Kylie Minogue was given a selection of songs to sing by her producers Mike Stock, Pete Waterman and Matt Aitken. But the young Australian was ready to take greater control over her output. It would no longer be a given that she would record any song the SAW team served up. The trio delivered the goods, particularly with the catchy “Better The Devil You Know”. In the UK, where she was especially popular (thanks to her acting role in the Australian soap “Neighbours”), the single peaked at #2.

 

4

IT MUST HAVE BEEN LOVE

Roxette

Sweden’s Roxette had already scored a worldwide #1 hit with “The Look” in 1989. The duo did it again with “It Must Have Been Love”. Previous attempts to craft it into a hit had failed. The original version had been issued in 1987. Three years later, a new direction finally succeeded. The ballad was featured in the box office hit film ‘Pretty Woman’ which paired Richard Gere with Julia Roberts. This time, the single reached the top in America, parts of Europe, Canada and Australia. In Britain, the disc peaked at #3.

3

LOVE REARS ITS UGLY HEAD

Living Colour

Living Colour’s genre hopping “Love Rears Its Ugly Head” fuses elements of alternative rock, blues, funk, heavy metal and indie. The majestic masterwork deserved more attention than was bestowed on it at the time.

2

VOGUE

Madonna

Madonna is at her best when she re-tweaks her musical canvas. “Vogue” remains a timeless signature song for the global pop phenomenon. She wrote and produced the smash hit with Shep Pettibone. Channelling Marilyn Monroe, Madonna namechecks some of the silver screen’s icons. These include: Marlon Brando, Grace Kelly, Bette Davis, James Dean and Katherine Hepburn. The irresistible track shot to the top; reaching the chart summit in the US, Britain, Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

 

1

NOTHING COMPARES 2 U

Sinead O’Connor

Sinead O’Connor took this Prince composition and transformed it into one of the standout tracks of the new decade. The accompanying music video was equally stunning. Her vocal was executed skilfully. The Irish singer / songwriter’s interpretation was embraced by music fans all over the planet; reaching #1 in America, Britain, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.