90. Oasis - "Wonderwall"
Courtesy Creation Records
The brothers Gallagher (Liam and Noel) and their band Oasis helped usher in a new period of glory for British guitar pop, at least in the UK. This is one of their few breakthrough American hits. It is gorgeous and irresistibly prods you into singing along.
89. Dishwalla - "Counting Blue Cars"
Courtesy A&M
I'm still not sure exactly what this hit song is about, but it definitely is catchy. The ultimate hook in the lyric is the line "Tell me all your thoughts on God / Cause I'd really like to meet her." It has something to do with asking questions like children often do.
88. Eric Clapton - "Tears in Heaven"
Courtesy Warner Bros.
In retrospect the song is rather treacly and certainly not a match for a number of other Eric Clapton classics, but in its historical context "Tears In Heaven" was a song that brought comfort to millions whose lives were touched by tragedy. The gentle ballad, written in response to the circumstances that took the life of Clapton's young son, Conor, was featured in the soundtrack to the film Rush. It returned in an even more popular acoustic rendition on Eric Clapton's Unplugged collection.
87. Alanis Morissette - "Uninvited"
Courtesy Maverick
This is one of Alanis Morissette's most memorable, and lyrically uncluttered, songs. The gothic, foreboding musical textures match well with her vocal intensity.
86. Spice Girls - "Wannabe"
Courtesy Virgin
Even after the years of hype surrounding this all-girl group and its members, "Wannabe" is an exhilarating listening pleasure. "Girl power" from the group swept the U.K. in 1996 and then conquered America the following year.
85. Cranberries - "Linger"
Courtesy Island Records
Although later hits would more dramatically demonstrate the vocal acrobatics of the Cranberries' Dolores O'Riordan, "Linger" has an almost ethereal beauty that does indeed remain long after the song ends. It was the chart debut of one of the most striking voices of the mid-90s.
84. R.E.M. - "Man on the Moon"
Courtesy Warner Bros.
R.E.M.'s album Automatic For the People is one of the top artistic achievements of the 90s in popular music. "Man On the Moon" is one of the most memorable and beautiful songs from the album. It is a moving tribute to comedian Andy Kaufman, and it is much more than that. The song is also a meditation on a wide range of elements of popular culture and memory.
83. No Doubt - "Don't Speak"
Courtesy Interscope
This song is somewhat of an anomaly in style from much of the rest of No Doubt's work, but it served to make No Doubt's lead vocalist Gwen Stefani a recognizable star. The song's pop hook is irresistible and kept it on the pop chart for most of the year.
82. Edwyn Collins - "A Girl Like You"
Courtesy Setanta
Edwyn Collins is a Scottish peformer who put together one of the most catchy and unique sounding pop hits of the air. On "A Girl Like You" he sounds like a more pop-oriented Iggy Pop. Unfortunately, Collins failed to replicate this success.
81. Marc Anthony - "I Need to Know"
Courtesy Columbia
The success of Ricky Martin early in 1999 opened the door for other Latin pop vocalists. One of the most talented is Marc Anthony. "I Need To Know" was the perfect vehicle to land his gorgeous voice on the radio airwaves.
