1. Sinead O'Connor - "Nothing Compares 2 U"
Courtesy Chrysalis
It's difficult to remember now the image of Sinead O'Connor prior to the controversial television appearances that nearly brought down her career, but few pop performers have put together more powerful heart-stopping performances than this. The song itself, written by Prince, is outstanding, but Sinead's emotional, gutsy performance made it a classic. Painful loss meets stunning vocal beauty with a perfectly understated instrumental arrangement.
2. Madonna - "Vogue"
Courtesy Warner Bros.
It was not really part of any album project. It was added on to the I'm Breathless album of Dick Tracy - related material. "Vogue" was also significantly late in spotlighting the underground world of "voguing" (Malcolm McClaren made it there earlier), but this song is possibly the most perfect dance song Madonna, the most successful dance artist of all time, has ever recorded. The acclaimed David Fincher video wraps up a stunning pop-dance package.
3. Deee-Lite - "Groove Is In the Heart"
Courtesy Elektra
In a dance-happy pop environment, this trio swept in with a classic that still sounds half-retro, half-contemporary and completely groovy. "Groove Is In the Heart" effortlessly glides across genres from hip-hop to house and funk. Guest musicians including Bootsy Collins, Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, and A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip boost the party atmosphere. This was THE song of summer 1990.
4. Mariah Carey - "Vision Of Love"
Courtesy Columbia Records
Although 17 #1 hits have followed in its wake, this was the world's first introduction to the voice of Mariah Carey. Echoes of the influence of Whitney Houston are evident, but the sheer power and swooping highs are Mariah's own. This debut still ranks as one of her very best recordings.
5. M.C. Hammer - "U Can't Touch This"
Courtesy Capitol Records
The importance of M.C. Hammer to pop music history is that he proved without a doubt that rap could be as effortlessly entertaining as any other musical genre. "U Can't Touch This" is little more than Hammer's simple rap in place of Rick James' "Super Freak" vocals, but the image of Hammer working the crowd in his oversized parachute pants is one of the most memorable entertainment images of 1990.
6. Janet Jackson - "Escapade"
Courtesy A&M Records
Taken from Janet Jackson's hit-filled concept album Rhthym Nation: 1814, "Escapade" at first seems like simply a light piece of pop fluff. After listening to it multiple times, however, it's escapist charm sinks in. This was one of the most joy-filled hits of 1990, an atmosphere further enhanced by the accompanying video.
7. Digital Underground - "The Humpty Dance"
Courtesy Tommy Boy
Some might dismiss this song as simply a novelty hit, but it deserves closer listening. As hip hop was climbing further into the mainstream, this group from Oakland distinguished itself backing goofy raps with hot Parliament-Funkadelic inspired funk. Rarely has a pop classic made sex sound so fun and funny.
8. Faith No More - "Epic"
Courtesy Reprise Records
While Deee-Lite started with funk and hip hop to groove on the dancefloor, San Francisco's Faith No More threw in a heavy dose of metal guitars and drums for one of the hardest rocking top 10 hits of the year. A set of absurdist lyrics merely add to one of the most exhilarating aural experiences on pop radio in 1990, and, who can forget that fish in the accompanying video?
9. Bell Biv Devoe - "Poison"
Courtesy MCA
In the wake of the disintegration of New Edition, three of the group's members, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe, proved that Bobby Brown wasn't the only breakout talent in the group. The hard-edged funky R&B of "Poison" spearheaded the development of New Jack Swing as one of the freshest sounds in R&B in a decade.
10. Heart - "All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You"
Courtesy Capitol Records
Although they are best known for a long string of rock hits, this ballad, written by Robert John "Mutt" Lange, was one of the group's biggest pop hits. The record distinguished itself by generating controversy through its tale of a long night of making love with a hitchhiker. Some feared it encouraged picking up hitchhikers and having casual sex, but at heart it is romantic fantasy straight out of a romance novel.
