1. R.E.M. - "Losing My Religion"
Courtesy Warner Bros.
With the grunge revolution lurking just over the horizon, R.E.M., pioneers of alt rock, burst into the mainstream. Sparking dozens of conversations about its meaning, "Losing My Religion" is, in its most basic sense, a gorgeous folk-influenced pop tune about the feeling of going crazy. It is understated and unforgettable.
2. Boyz II Men - "Motownphilly"
Courtesy Motown
This remains one of the best ever autobiographical songs by a pop recording artist. "Motownphilly" details the group's discovery by Michael Bivins, of New Edition and Bell Biv Devoe fame, and their first taste of stardom. The a capella break is simply gorgeous. See the entry on Boyz II Men in the list of Top 10 Boy Bands.
3. Gloria Estefan - "Coming Out Of the Dark"
Courtesy Epic
In March 1990 Gloria Estefan, her husband, and her son were all injured when a truck struck their tour bus. Gloria suffered a fractured vertebra and was unable to tour for a year. The accident and long recovery inspired this gorgeous hit ballad. "Coming Out Of the Dark" swiftly became one of the top inspirational pop hits of all time.
4. C&C Music Factory - "Gonna Make You Sweat"
Courtesy Columbia
Inspired by the powerful beats of house, hit after hit crossed over from the dance chart to the pop top 10 in 1991, but it took producers Robert Clivilles and David Cole (aka C&C Music Factory) to climb all the way to #1. "Gonna Make You Sweat" featured the powerful diva vocals of Martha Wash and a rap from Freedom Williams along with state of the art house rhythms to make up one of the most exhilarating sounds of the year.
5. Amy Grant - "Baby Baby"
Courtesy A&M
Amy Grant spent the 80's as one of the most successful of Christian pop singers, but it was not until 1991 that she enjoyed a major crossover into the pop mainstream. "Baby Baby" is a delightful celebration of love between life partners. See the entry for "Baby Baby" on the Top 10 Love Songs - Happily Ever After list.
6. EMF - "Unbelievable"
Courtesy EMI
EMF rode the British invasion wave that broke on U.S. shores in the wake of the U.K.'s infatuation with the Manchester dance scene. "Unbelievable" mixed intoxicating rhythms, sweet high vocals from lead singer James Atkin, and rousing shouts to storm the top of the pop charts.
7. D.J. Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - "Summertime"
Courtesy Jive
D.J. Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith (aka the Fresh Prince) took a big step forward in the maturity of their sound with the 1991 album Homebase. "Summertime," their biggest hit, is the centerpiece of the album. Its laid back grooves settled in as THE summer song of 1991. Homebase is one of the Top 10 Summer Albums of all time.
8. 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 above. "Right Here Right Now" is less frenetic than "Unbelievable," but it settled easily into the pop mainstream and quickly rose to the top of the pop singles chart.
9. Marky Mark & 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.
10. L.L. Cool J - "Mama Said Knock You Out"
Courtesy Def Jam
LL Cool J established himself in the 80's as a top hard-edged rapper while still a teenager. By the end of the decade he had hit the pop charts and was being accused of selling out to pop audiences. "Mama Said Knock You Out" is his response to the criticisms. It's a hard hitting aggressive rap classic that brought together both rap and pop audiences and cemented LL's status as one of the top rap artists of all time.
