1. Sheryl Crow - All I Wanna Do
Courtesy A&M
With the words "This ain't no disco. It ain't no country club either. This is L.A.," the world was introduced to the neo-folkie, irresistible pop of Sheryl Crow. "All I Wanna Do" unfolds lyrically like a mini-movie. Thanks to Crow's artful word paintings, the listener receives a luminous picture of the adventures of Sheryl and "Billy" "until the sun comes up over Santa Monica Boulevard."
2. Ini Kamoze - Here Comes the Hotstepper
Courtesy Columbia
Selected to play a key role on the soundtrack for Robert Altman's exploration of the fashion world in the movie Pret-a-Porter, "Here Comes the Hotstepper" brought dancehall, a sub-genre of reggae, into the mainstream. It remains one of the most catchy songs of the mid-90's. "Hotstepper" is a Jamaican term for a man on the run from the law.
3. Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Philadelphia
Courtesy Columbia
Jonathan Demme's film Philadelphia was the first big budget, mainstream motion picture to deal directly with the AIDS epidemic. Bruce Springsteen's "Streets Of Philadelphia" is the perfect theme for the film. Springsteen creates an atmosphere of darkness and loneliness that still manages to maintain a sense of dignity as well. The song won a much deserved Academy Award for Best Song from a Motion Picture.
4. Counting Crows - Mr. Jones
Courtesy Geffen
The voice of Counting Crows' lead vocalist Adam Duritz is a magnificent instrument. "Mr. Jones" introduced music fans to Duritz' amazing facility at storytelling within the context of a song. Just try to sing along on "Mr. Jones" and after you finish gasping for breath, you realize just how phenomenal this performance is.
5. Beck - Loser
Courtesy DGC
If any major pop hit from 1994 could be described as coming from left field, it would be Beck's "Loser." It's a bit like welding a killer self-deprecating chorus to Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues." In the years to come Beck would prove "Loser" was just a tiny peek at his well of creativity.
6. Melissa Etheridge - Come To My Window
Courtesy Island Records
Although she is often accused of being overly earnest in her style of rock, "Come To My Window" conjures up a powerful picture of romantic angst and erotic tension that can be felt through Etheridge's raspy words. The lightly rocking background is nearly irrelevant as the words are what grabs the listener's attention.
7. Madonna - Secret
Courtesy Warner Bros.
"Secret" is one of Madonna's least flamboyant major hits of the 90's, 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.
8. 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 90's new jack swing with the romance of classic r&b.
9. 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.
10. John Mellencamp w/ Me'Shell NdegeOcello - Wild Night
Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Mellencamp and NdegeOcello are one of the matches made in rock 'n' roll heaven. Together they took a Van Morrison chestnut and made it into something transcendent. Turn this one up and try NOT to dance.
