The 1990s were a decade of pioneering music, with many major artists emerging and defining the era’s sound – Top 100 songs of 1990. It was a decade of innovation, experimentation, and inventiveness, with genres like grunge, hip-hop, and R&B becoming mainstream. Looking back on 1990s music, it’s evident that many of the songs recorded during this period have lasted the test of time and are still adored by music fans of all ages.
In this article, we look at the top 100 songs from 1990, evaluating them according to their cultural effect, critical praise, and long-term popularity. From Madonna’s “Vogue” and Mariah Carey’s “Vision of Love” to alternative favorites like Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and Pearl Jam’s “Alive,” this list celebrates the varied range of music that defined the 1990s.
Not only did the 1990s generate some of the most iconic songs in music history, but it also marked a period of profound social and political transformation. This decade’s songs reflected the mood and worries of the time, with many musicians using their platforms to highlight themes like racism, gender, and inequality.
As we go through this list of the top 100 songs from 1990, we’ll look at the story behind these timeless songs and the impact they had on music and culture. Whether you were a die-hard fan of the 1990s or are hearing these songs for the first time, this list will take you on a nostalgic journey through one of music’s most fascinating decades.
1. HOLD ON by Wilson Phillips
2. IT MUST HAVE BEEN LOVE by Roxette
3. POISON by Bell Biv DeVoe
4. NOTHING COMPARES 2 U by Sinéad O’Connor
5. VISION OF LOVE by Mariah Carey
6. VOGUE by Madonna
7. DO ME! by Bell Biv DeVoe
8. HOLD ON by En Vogue
9. CRADLE OF LOVE by Billy Idol
10. CLOSE TO YOU by Maxi Priest
11. ESCAPADE by Janet Jackson
12. BLAZE OF GLORY by Jon Bon Jovi
13. RUB YOU THE RIGHT WAY by Johnny Gill
14. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE WITHOUT YOU by Michael Bolton
15. ALL I WANNA DO IS MAKE LOVE TO YOU by Heart
16. BLACK VELVET by Alannah Myles
17. ALL AROUND THE WORLD by Lisa Stansfield
18. PUMP UP THE JAM by Technotronic featuring Felly
19. THE POWER by Snap!
20. SHE AIN’T WORTH IT by Glenn Medeiros and Bobby Brown
21. I WANNA BE RICH by Calloway
22. (CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT YOUR) LOVE AND AFFECTION by Nelson
23. RELEASE ME by Wilson Phillips
24. OPPOSITES ATTRACT by Paula Abdul and The Wild Pair
25. IF WISHES CAME TRUE by Sweet Sensation
26. SENDING ALL MY LOVE by Linear
27. ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE by Phil Collins
28. UNSKINNY BOP by Poison
29. LOVE WILL LEAD YOU BACK by Taylor Dayne
30. STEP BY STEP by New Kids on the Block
31. TWO TO MAKE IT RIGHT by Seduction
32. DON’T WANNA FALL IN LOVE by Jane Child
33. I DON’T HAVE THE HEART by James Ingram
34. U CAN’T TOUCH THIS by MC Hammer
35. ICE ICE BABY by Vanilla Ice
36. EVERYTHING by Jody Watley
37. DOWNTOWN TRAIN by Rod Stewart
38. DANGEROUS by Roxette
39. ALRIGHT by Janet Jackson
40. ROAM by The B-52s
41. DON’T KNOW MUCH by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville
42. I’LL BE YOUR EVERYTHING by Tommy Page
43. HERE AND NOW by Luther Vandross
44. CAN’T STOP by After 7
45. HAVE YOU SEEN HER by MC Hammer
46. UNCHAINED MELODY by the Righteous Brothers
47. RHYTHM NATION by Janet Jackson
48. BLACK CAT by Janet Jackson
49. READY OR NOT by After 7
50. COME BACK TO ME by Janet Jackson
51. THE HUMPTY DANCE by Digital Underground
52. HOW CAN WE BE LOVERS by Michael Bolton
53. DO YOU REMEMBER by Phil Collins
54. JUST BETWEEN YOU AND ME by Lou Gramm
55. PRAYING FOR TIME by George Michael
56. GIVING YOU THE BENEFIT by Pebbles
57. I WISH IT WOULD RAIN DOWN by Phil Collins
58. NO MORE LIES by Michel’le
59. SOMETHING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO HEAVEN by Phil Collins
60. I’LL BE YOUR SHELTER by Taylor Dayne
61. FREE FALLIN’ by Tom Petty
62. JANIE’S GOT A GUN by Aerosmith
63. WE DIDN’T START THE FIRE by Billy Joel
64. WITH EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART by Taylor Dayne
65. LOVE TAKES TIME by Mariah Carey
66. GIRLS NITE OUT by Tyler Collins
67. LOVE SONG by Tesla
68. BACK TO LIFE (HOWEVER DO YOU WANT ME) by Soul II Soul featuring Caron Wheeler
69. ENJOY THE SILENCE by Depeche Mode
70. KING OF WISHFUL THINKING by Go West
71. GET UP! (BEFORE THE NIGHT IS OVER) by Technotronic featuring Ya Kid K
72. PRICE OF LOVE by Bad English
73. EPIC by Faith No More
74. EVERYBODY EVERYBODY by Black Box
75. I REMEMBER YOU by Skid Row
76. MAKE YOU SWEAT (#14) by Keith Sweat
77. WHAT KIND OF MAN WOULD I BE? by Chicago
78. I GO TO EXTREMES by Billy Joel
79. JERK OUT by The Time
80. ROMEO by Dino
81. JUST LIKE JESSE JAMES by Cher
82. C’MON AND GET MY LOVE by D Mob featuring Cathy Dennis
83. WHAT IT TAKES by Aerosmith
84. WHIP APPEAL by Babyface
85. ALL OR NOTHING by Milli Vanilli
86. FOREVER by Kiss
87. WHEN I’M BACK ON MY FEET AGAIN by Michael Bolton
88. OH GIRL by Paul Young
89. HERE WE ARE by Gloria Estefan
90. THIS ONE’S FOR THE CHILDREN by New Kids on the Block
91. MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY by Alias
92. WE CAN’T GO WRONG by The Cover Girls
93. WITHOUT YOU by Mötley Crüe
94. PRAY by M.C. Hammer
95. WHOLE WIDE WORLD by A’me Lorain
96. SWING THE MOOD by Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers
97. BLAME IT ON THE RAIN by Milli Vanilli
98. THIEVES IN THE TEMPLE by Prince
99. FEELS GOOD by Tony! Toni! Tone!
100. JUST A FRIEND by Biz Markie