1. Everything But the Girl - "Missing"
Courtesy Atlantic
"Like the deserts miss the rain..." Remixed in countless ways over the years, there has never been a more powerful expression of emotional and sexual longing in pop music than that at the core of "Missing." In a year marked by wistfulness and longing in pop songs, this is the peak.
2. Blackstreet - "No Diggity"
Courtesy Interscope
This is the pinnacle of work created by producer, songwriter, performer Teddy Riley, leader of the group Blackstreet. He is one of the top R&B masters of the 1990's and a key architect of new jack swing. "No Diggity" is new jack swing fully refined.
3. Smashing Pumpkins - "1979"
Courtesy Virgin
In Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, an expansive double album dedicated to down emotion, "1979" is almost perky. However, it's gentle sense of nostalgic reverie works well with the year's mood of inward contemplation.
4. Fugees - "Killing Me Softly"
Courtesy Ruff House
On their second album The Score, the Fugees proved that hip hop could be about much more than gangstas. Lauryn Hill's stunning voice was at the heart of this major hit remake of Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly With His Song."
5. Collective Soul - "The World I Know"
Courtesy Atlantic
"So I walk up on high / And I step to the edge / To see my world below." Rock band Collective Soul pulled out all of the stops musically, including soaring strings, to support their beautiful ballad of self-awareness? absurdity? resignation? An outstanding music video added even more resonance to this powerful song.
6. Los Del Rio - "Macarena"
Courtesy RCA
Today most people seem to simply think of "Macarena" as being ridiculously overplayed and forever identified as a quirky relic for wedding reception dances. The truth is it was one of the most instantly entertaining and catchy hits of the decade...the first 50 times you heard it.
7. Tracy Chapman - "Give Me One Reason"
Courtesy Elektra
Just when most pop fans saw Tracy Chapman as a one-hit wonder based on the success of "Fast Car" from her first album, she reappeared with this deeply bluesy crowd pleaser.
8. Quad City DJ's - "C'mon 'N Ride It (The Train)"
Courtesy Quadrasound
The producers behind the irresistibly catchy "Whoomp! (There It Is)" came up with another irresistible party hit. "C'mon 'N Ride It (The Train)" inspired another wave of soundalike hits and is perennially welcome on any party soundtrack.
9. Dishwalla - "Counting Blue Cars"
Courtesy A&M
I'm still not sure exactly what this hit song is about, but it definitely is catchy. The ultimate hook in the lyric is the line "Tell me all your thoughts on God / Cause I'd really like to meet her." It has something to do with asking questions like children often do.
10. Oasis - "Wonderwall"
Courtesy Creation Records
The brothers Gallagher (Liam and Noel) and their band Oasis helped usher in a new period of glory for British guitar pop, at least in the UK. This is one of their few breakthrough American hits. It is gorgeous and irresistibly prods you into singing along.
