1. Proclaimers - "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)"
Courtesy Chrysalis
"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" was originally released in 1988, but upon its inclusion in the Benny and Joon movie soundtrack, the energetic pop-rock tune became a hit and is now a classic. The Proclaimers are the Scottish duo of Craig and Charlie Reid. Their music is an energetic, infectious brand of pop-rock with influences from their Scottish background.
2. 4 Non Blondes - "What's Up?"
Courtesy Interscope
"What's Up?" seemingly appeared out of nowhere becoming a neo-folkie, hippie hit first on modern rock radio stations and then crossing over to pop. Although it only reached #11 on the pop chart, it has been a fixture on pop radio stations ever since. The group 4 Non Blondes never duplicated the success of this hit, but lead vocalist Linda Perry has become a successful songwriter and producer.
3. Soul Asylum - "Runaway Train"
Courtesy Columbia
Soul Asylum shot to the top of the ranks of alt-rock bands with this folkish classic. The video for "Runaway Train" was accompanied by advertisements about missing children serving a powerful public service. Many alt-rock fans abandoned Soul Asylum as having sold out to the mainstream, but pop fans pushed "Runaway Train" to #5 on the chart, and it became a well-deserved classic.
4. Dr. Dre - "Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang"
Courtesy Death Row
This single and the album it came from, Dr. Dre's "Chronic," took hip hop down an entirely new road that would eventually be called Gangsta Rap. "Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang" features Dre's protege Snoop Doggy Dogg who would soon become a star on his own. Fat, Parliament-style funky beats, laidback rap vocals, words reflecting the violence of life on the street, and pop hooks combined for a tremendously successful new sound.
5. Blind Melon - "No Rain"
Courtesy Capitol
The upbeat feel of Blind Melon's biggest hit "No Rain" stands in contrast to the band's own tragic history. Lead vocalist Shannon Hoon fought battles against drug addiction through much of the early 90's and would be dead by late 1995 at the age of 28. Although many remember the "dancing bee girl" fondly from the video for "No Rain," the genesis of the song is darker. It was written out of the efforts of bassist Brad Smith to cope with the struggles of his girlfriend with clinical depression.
6. Stereo MC's - "Connected"
Courtesy Island
Stereo MC's became one of the most successful of British hip-hop acts. "Connected" is propelled along by a catchy, but downbeat, atmospheric brand of hip hop. It is distinguished from much of early 90's hip hop by being constructed entirely without samples.
7. Us3 - "Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)"
Courtesy Blue Note
Us 3 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 eminently engaging.
8. 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.
9. 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 90's 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.
10. Billy Joel - The River Of Dreams
Courtesy Columbia
For the centerpiece of his last pop album, Billy Joel put together this stream of consciousness, gospel-influenced recording. It spent three weeks at the top of the pop singles chart and is one of the most uplifting hits of Joel's career.
