80. Tag Team - "Whoomp! (There It Is)"
Courtesy Life Records
Although no one would pretend that "Whoomp! (There It Is)" is art, it is possibly the most popular party single of the last 15 years. The incessant chant of "Whoomp! (There It Is)" could also be heard for many years as part of the soundtrack for breaks in sports events of all kinds. This is hip hop at its most mindlessly fun.
79. Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch - "Good Vibrations"
Courtesy Interscope
"Good Vibrations" introduced the world to Mark Wahlberg (aka Marky Mark), the younger brother of Donnie Wahlberg, a member of New Kids On the Block. Mark Wahlberg had a history of scrapes with the law as a teenager, but his ready-for-video buffed body and good looks combined with energetic dance beats and Loleatta Holloway's diva vocals for a smash pop hit. Mark Wahlberg never repeated this musical success, but he has moved on to be a well-respected movie actor.
78. R. Kelly - "Bump 'n Grind"
Courtesy Jive Records
This song demonstrates exactly why we fell in love with the music of R. Kelly if not the man. The a capella anguish in Kelly's voice opening the song is brilliant. His music frequently is amazingly sexy. "Bump 'N Grind" connects the vocal stylings of early 90s new jack swing with the romance of classic r&b.
77. Arrested Development - "Tennessee"
Courtesy Chrysalis Records
Arrested Development finished their banner year by being awarded the Grammy for Best New Artist of 1992 in February 1993. The spiritual quest detailed in "Tennessee" was a big part of the band's success. The uplifting, intelligent lyrics and positive tone seemed to herald a new direction for rap, but the gangsta takeover was just a year away.
76. Elton John - "Candle in the Wind 1997"
Courtesy A&M
The summer of 1997 seemed to come to a tragic close as Princess Diana died in a horrific car accident. The attention of the world was riveted on her funeral, and Elton John reworked his song "Candle In the Wind" for the occasion. It quickly became the biggest selling single ever worldwide.
75. Us3 - "Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)"
Courtesy Blue Note
Us3 created a unique sound by placing contemporary rap rhymes on top of samples of classic jazz from the Blue Note record label. "Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)" is built on a Herbie Hancock sample from "Cantaloupe Island." The fusion didn't always work well, but this time it did, and the overall effect is imminently engaging.
74. Boyz II Men - "End of the Road"
Courtesy Motown
While their swiftly growing group of adoring fans waited for a second album, Boyz II Men recorded this ballad for the soundtrack to the Eddie Murphy film Boomerang. The four part crooning and gorgeous pleading fade were irresistible. Along with Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You," this became the second hit of 1992 to place on the all time top 10 list of pop hits.
73. Jesus Jones - "Right Here Right Now"
Courtesy SBK
The band Jesus Jones rode the same wave from the U.K. to American shores that carried EMF. "Right Here Right Now" is less frenetic than EMF's "Unbelievable," but it settled easily into the pop mainstream and quickly rose to the top of the pop singles chart.
72. Will Smith - "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It"
Courtesy Sony
Will Smith set out solo for the first time, and the results were very pleasing. His brand of clean, good-humored, party hip hop caught on instantly.
71. Madonna - "Secret"
Courtesy Warner Bros.
"Secret" is one of Madonna's least flamboyant major hits of the 90s, but it remains one of her most satisfying. A midtempo beat wraps itself around her warm, inviting vocals. "Secret" is one of her best although it is frequently overshadowed by more showy outings.
