The top selling songs of the 1990’s, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and the National Endowment for the Arts. It’s an interesting and eclectic mix. Do you see any favorites?:
Garth Brooks – Friends in Low Places – 1990
M.C. Hammer – U Can’t Touch This – 1990
R.E.M. – Losing My Religion – 1991
Bonnie Raitt – Something to Talk About – 1991
BeBe& CeCe Winans – Addictive Love – 1991
Billy Ray Cyrus – Achy Breaky Heart – 1992
Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You – 1992
*Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit – 1992 (top song of the decade)
Sheryl Crow – All I Wanna Do – 1994
Boyz II Men/Mariah Carey – One Sweet Day – 1996
Eric Clapton – Change the World – 1996
Elton John – Candle in the Wind – 1997
R. Kelly – I Believe I Can Fly – 1997
Will Smith – Men in Black – 1997
Celine Dion – My Heart Will Go On – 1998
Dixie Chicks – Wide Open Spaces – 1998
Lauryn Hill – Doo Wop (That Thing) – 1998
Shania Twain – You’re Still the One – 1998
Destiny’s Child – Bills, Bills, Bills – 1999
Faith Hill – This Kiss – 1999
Tim McGraw – Please Remember Me – 1999
Ricky Martin – Livin’ La Vida Loca – 1999
Santana/Rob Thomas – Smooth – 1999
TLC – No Scrubs – 1999
Here’s the top song of the decade:
Enjoy!
Don'stuff 
I loved some of these; Candle in the Wind being a particular favorite of mine. But I went through a phase where I would listen to Celine Dion CD’s over and over.
I have to say though, I’m disappointed that “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was the top song, or even on the list. I’ve never really been a Nirvana fan.
I also note that there’s no N*SYNC. I thought they were big at the end of the 90’s, most popular band in the world or something like that. That bubble popped fairly soon, but still. Eh, maybe that was in the early 2000’s. I’ve lived too long to keep my decades straight.
I remember someone (Keith Richards?) making fun of Elton John for Candle in the Wind, saying that he only writes songs about animated lions and dead blondes. For the record, I like Elton John songs, I’ve never been a big fan of Celine Dion, and Nirvana came along too late in my life for me to really listen to much of their work but I like Smells like Teen Spirit.
I remember N’Sync being around right at the turn of the century (that sounds weird), but I can’t remember the exact timing (I tried to ignore them).
By the way… Your’s is comment #600 on this blog. Thanks.
Wow, what a truly bleak decade that was for the music industry. Personal favorites would be “Losing My Religion” and “Smooth” with the remainder either being marginally enjoyable (“Change The World”) or downright hated by me (“Friends in Low Places”).
Good post!
Thanks. I’m not much on C&W, so I was mildly surprised at how many were in the top selling songs (it shouldn’t be a surprise, I know it’s a huge industry – I just haven’t paid attention).
I LOVE Nirvana. I’m pretty sure I’ve said that before…but just in case…
The only two songs/bands on this list that I actually, really love are Nirvana and REM. I like most of the rest.
The only song I actively hate is (might seem odd) the Sheryl Crow song.
Oh, and Elton John seemed to lose that “something special” in the 90’s and on. His earlier stuff is most excellent.
The Rocket Man just wanted to have some fun, but it smells like he lost his religion. Oh well.
R.E.M., Nirvana, Eric Clapton, Elton John, R. Kelly
No Lennon?
There are all kinds of great acts missing, but it’s a list of top selling and there are likely several great songs just below that surface. Just like Beatles’ #1 songs – some of their great songs never made it past #2 because another Beatles’ song was #1.
Oh, I’m sad – you’re not a Celine Dion fan? Then you probably will laugh when I tell you David took me to see her act in Las Vegas a few years ago! It was great!!
Quite an eclectic mix – I like REM’s Losing My Religion, and I Will Always Love You was back when Whitney was at her best. I admit I’m a Garth Brooks fan, too. I have such a wide-range of music tastes, I actually like quite a few on there! Interesting list!
You are the 90’s!
Are you kidding me???? I like Nirvana. But to be the top of the decade… I don’t think so… no way.
Top selling of the decade… lots of teen angst in the 90’s.
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