The 1990s marked a transformative decade of peace, economic growth, and cultural change. With the fall of the Soviet Union and the explosive rise of the internet, music trends shifted dramatically. The era gave birth to grunge, alternative rock, gangsta rap, and iconic pop ballads. Here’s a curated list of the most unforgettable songs that defined the 90s, reshaping the global music scene.
1. Because I Love You – Stevie B (1990)
This ballad peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1990, holding the spot for four weeks. It reached the top ten in several countries, including Belgium and the Netherlands, and received Gold certifications in Australia and the US. Billboard ranked it the 71st-biggest Hot 100 hit in history in 2018.
2. More Than Words – Extreme (1991)
Extreme’s acoustic ballad broke away from their usual funk-metal style and topped the Billboard Hot 100. The song became their breakthrough hit worldwide, reaching number two in the UK.
3. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston (1992)
Whitney Houston’s cover for The Bodyguard spent 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time and the best-selling single by a female artist.
4. I’d Do Anything for Love – Meat Loaf (1993)
Released as the lead single from Bat Out of Hell II, it hit number one in 28 countries and earned Meat Loaf a Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance. It remains his only Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper.
5. Here Comes the Hotstepper – Ini Kamoze (1994)
Ini Kamoze’s dancehall hit topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks and became a number-one hit in Denmark, New Zealand, and Zimbabwe, reaching the top 10 in over a dozen countries.
6. Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman? – Bryan Adams (1995)
Written for Don Juan DeMarco, the ballad spent five weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and hit number one in multiple countries, including Canada and Australia.
7. Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion (1996)
Serving as the theme song for Up Close & Personal, Celine Dion’s hit topped charts worldwide and won the Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media, selling over five million copies globally in six months.
8. Wannabe – Spice Girls (1997)
“Wannabe” became an anthem for female empowerment and the best-selling single by a girl group, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching number one in 37 countries by March 1997.
9. Truly Madly Deeply – SavageGarden (1998)
The Australian duo’s global hit topped charts in Australia, Canada, and the US, winning major awards and becoming their signature love ballad.
10. Bailamos – Enrique Iglesias (1999)
Featured in Wild Wild West and later on Iglesias’s English debut, “Bailamos” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and Spanish Singles Chart, marking Iglesias’s breakthrough in English-language markets.
11. Opposites Attract – Paula Abdul & The Wild Pair (1990)
The final single from Abdul’s debut album, this R&B and dance-pop hit topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and won acclaim for its playful theme about love across differences.
12. (Everything I Do) I Do It for You – Bryan Adams (1991)
Adams’s power ballad for Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves topped charts in at least 19 countries, set a 16-week record at number one in the UK, and sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
Stay tuned—more unforgettable hits will be added soon.
