With this entry, let’s wind up…
40 years of chart history, shall we?
As with my previous three posts I’m listing the top 100 songs for four decades since rock music began topping the Billboard pop chart. I measure them by these factors:
- Peak position in the top 10, multiplied by number of weeks at the peak
- Number of weeks in the top 10
- Number of weeks on the Hot 100 total
Each song in each year receives a score in reverse ranking, meaning:
- 1 point for peaking at 10
- 2 for peaking at 9 and so on..,
- up to 10 for #1 records. Ties are broken in that order where possible.
For this entry, the minimum overall score to qualify is down considerably from a 61 in the 1975-84 compilation to 55. There were three songs to score that number that just missed the top 100. They are:
- “I Wanna Be Down,” Brandy
- “You Mean the World to Me,” Toni Braxton
- “Just Another Day,” Jon Secada
What did make the cut?
Read on – and be prepared for some truly high scores near the top of the listing, not to mention a few surprises as always.
100. “Finally,” Ce Ce Peniston – 55 points
(1992; #5, 2 weeks, 10 weeks top 10, 33 weeks total)
99. “Motownphilly,” Boys II Men – 55 points
(1991; #3, 3 weeks, 7 weeks top 10, 24 weeks total)
The first of 6 appearances on this listing by the group, more than any other artist.
97 (tie). “Do Me!,” Bell Biv DeVoe – 55 points
(1990; #3, 3 weeks, 9 weeks top 10, 22 weeks total)
97 (tie). “Ordinary World,” Duran Duran – 55 points
(1993; #3, 3 weeks, 9 weeks top 10, 22 weeks total)
96. “In the Still of the Nite (I’ll Remember),” Boys II Men – 55 points
(1993; #3, 3 weeks, 11 weeks top 10, 20 weeks total)
One of at least 14 remakes to my knowledge on this countdown. The original doowop classic by the Five Satins peaked at #24 over 19 weeks in 1956 and reappeared briefly on the Hot 100 in 1960 and 1961.
95. “One More Try,” George Michael – 55 points
(1988; #1, 3 weeks, 7 weeks top 10, 18 weeks total)
94. “Achy Breaky Heart,” Billy Ray Cyrus – 56 points
(1992; #4, 3 weeks, 10 weeks top 10, 25 weeks total)
91 (tie). “Shout,” Tears for Fears – 56 points
(1985; #1, 3 weeks, 7 weeks top 10, 19 weeks total)
Its predecessor, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” fell short of this listing with a total score of 52.
91 (tie). “Stuck with You,” Huey Lewis and the News – 56 points
(1986; #1, 3 weeks, 7 weeks top 10, 19 weeks total)
91 (tie). “Lost in Your Eyes,” Debbie Gibson – 56 points
(1989; #1, 3 weeks, 7 weeks top 10, 19 weeks total)
89 (tie). “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” REO Speedwagon – 56 points
(1985; #1, 3 weeks, 8 weeks top 10, 18 weeks total)
89 (tie). “With or Without You,” U2 – 56 points
(1987; #1, 3 weeks, 8 weeks top 10, 18 weeks total)
88. “Baby, I Love Your Way,” Big Mountain – 57 points
(1994; #6, 4 weeks, 9 weeks top 10, 28 weeks total)
This is the first time that a song that peaked at #6 has made one of these listings. Its chart performance outdid that of 1988’s “Baby, I Love Your Way/Freebird Medley” by Will To Power, even though the latter peaked at #1.
87. “Jump Around,” House of Pain – 57 points
(1992; #3, 2 weeks, 11 weeks top 10, 30 weeks total)
85 (tie). “Party All the Time,” Eddie Murphy – 58 points
(1986; #2, 3 weeks, 9 weeks top 10, 22 weeks total)
85 (tie). “Right Here/Human Nature,” SWV – 58 points
(1993; #2, 3 weeks, 9 weeks top 10, 22 weeks total)
The original mix for “Right Here” alone peaked at #93 for 2 weeks in January 1993. This remix proved adding a take on Michael Jackson’s 1983 top 10 hit was the key to make it a hit.
84. “Regulate,” Warren G & Nate Dogg – 58 points
(1994; #2, 3 weeks, 11 weeks top 10, 20 weeks total)
82 (tie). “La Bamba,” Los Lobos – 58 points
(1987; #1, 3 weeks, 7 weeks top 10, 21 weeks total)
82 (tie). “Right Here Waiting,” Richard Marx – 58 points
(1989; #1, 3 weeks, 7 weeks top 10, 21 weeks total)
81. “Rhythm is a Dancer,” Snap! – 59 points
(1993; #5, 1 week, 14 weeks top 10, 39 weeks total)
80. “Cherish,” Kool & The Gang – 59 points
(1985; #2, 3 weeks, 7 weeks top 10, 22 weeks total)
Coincidentally, The Association’s “Cherish” (same name, different tune) finished at #80 in the 1965-1974 listing. And Madonna’s different tune of the same name peaked at #2 in 1989 but tallied an overall score of only 38.
79. “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You,” Michael Bolton – 59 points
(1990; #1, 3 weeks, 6 weeks top 10, 23 weeks total)
77 (tie). “Alone,” Heart – 59 points
(1987; #1, 3 weeks, 8 weeks top 10, 21 weeks total)
77 (tie). “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” Poison – 59 points
(1988; #1, 3 weeks, 8 weeks top 10, 21 weeks total)
The first of four “glam metal” or “hair band” acts to make this listing during the genre’s heyday. Others to come are Damn Yankees, Mr. Big and of course: Bon Jovi. It’s also one of only three songs to chart from 1988.
76. “Freak Me,” Silk – 60 points
(1993; #1, 2 weeks, 16 weeks top 10, 24 weeks total)
74 (tie). “On My Own,” Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald – 60 points
(1986; #1, 3 weeks, 7 weeks top 10, 23 weeks total)
74 (tie). “Opposites Attract,” Paula Abdul with the Wild Pair – 60 points
(1989; #1, 3 weeks, 7 weeks top 10, 23 weeks total)
73. “Money for Nothing,” Dire Straits – 60 points
(1985; #1, 3 weeks, 8 weeks top 10, 22 weeks total)
72. “Careless Whisper,” George Michael – 60 points
(1985; #1, 3 weeks, 9 weeks top 10, 21 weeks total)
This was credited as Wham! featuring George Michael in the United States, but it’s a solo effort, as are 2 other entries credited to him. That makes him the male soloist with the most hits on this listing.
71. “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World,” Prince – 61 points
(1994; #3, 3 weeks, 11 weeks top 10, 26 weeks total)
70. “Remember the Time,” Michael Jackson – 61 points
(1992; #3, 4 weeks, 9 weeks top 10, 20 weeks total)
69. “Looking for a New Love,” Jody Watley – 61 points
(1987; #2, 4 weeks, 6 weeks top 10, 19 weeks total)
68. “Weak,” SWV – 61 points
(1993; #1, 2 weeks, 15 weeks top 10, 26 weeks total)
67. “Straight Up,” Paula Abdul – 62 points
(1989; #1, 3 weeks, 7 weeks top 10, 25 weeks total)
The second of three entries for Paula Abdul makes her the runner-up among female soloists (somewhat surprisingly, Madonna and Janet Jackson have only two entries here). Go three spots ahead to find out who’s the leader in this category.
66. “Vogue,” Madonna – 62 points
(1990; #1, 3 weeks, 8 weeks top 10, 24 weeks total)
65. “High Enough,” Damn Yankees – 63 points
(1991; #3, 2 weeks, 8 weeks top 10, 29 weeks total)
64. “Love Takes Time,” Mariah Carey – 63 points
(1999; #1, 3 weeks, 7 weeks top 10, 26 weeks total)
Mariah scores her first of five songs on this countdown, putting her ahead of the other females on the chart.
63. “To Be With You,” Mr. Big – 63 points
(1992; #1, 3 weeks, 9 weeks top 10, 24 weeks total)
62. “I’m Too Sexy,” Right Said Fred – 63 points
(1992; #1, 3 weeks, 12 weeks top 10, 21 weeks total)
61. “Whatta Man,” Salt ‘N’ Pepa with En Vogue – 64 points
(1994; #3, 3 weeks, 11 weeks top 10, 29 weeks total)
This is the only duet between two groups in the countdown. Four others involve pairing solo artists together.
60. “Poison,” Bell Biv DeVoe – 64 points
(1990; #3, 4 weeks, 10 weeks top 10, 22 weeks total)
59. “I Love Your Smile,” Shanice – 64 points
(1992, #2, 3 weeks, 11 weeks top 10, 26 weeks total)
58. “Here Comes the Hotstepper,” Ini Kamoze – 65 points
(1994; #1, 2 weeks, 15 weeks top 10, 30 weeks total)
Ini Kamoze is 1 of 15 foreign artists to make this listing and the only one from Jamaica.
57. “Roll With It,” Steve Winwood – 65 points
(1988; #1, 4 weeks, 7 weeks top 10, 18 weeks total)
56. “I Have Nothing,” Whitney Houston – 66 points
(1993; #4, 5 weeks, 11 weeks top 10, 20 weeks total)
55. “All for Love,” Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting – 66 points
(1994; #1, 3 weeks, 14 weeks top 10, 22 weeks total)
54. “We Are the World,” USA for Africa – 66 points
(1985; #1, 4 weeks, 8 weeks top 10, 18 weeks total)
53. “Livin’ on a Prayer,” Bon Jovi – 68 points
(1987; #1, 4 weeks, 7 weeks top 10, 21 weeks total)
I swear, I had no idea we’d be almost halfway there on this countdown when I found where this one finished.
52. “Miss You Much,” Janet Jackson – 68 points
(1989; #1, 4 weeks, 8 weeks top 10, 20 weeks total)
51. “Another Day in Paradise,” Phil Collins – 68 points
(1989; #1, 4 weeks, 10 weeks top 10, 18 weeks total)
50. “I Wanna Sex You Up,” Color Me Badd – 69 points
(1991; #2, 4 weeks, 10 weeks top 10, 23 weeks total)
49. “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday,” Boys II Men – 69 points
(1991; #2, 4 weeks, 11 weeks top 10, 22 weeks total)
48. “Vision of Love,” Mariah Carey – 69 points
(1990; #1, 4 weeks, 7 weeks top 10, 22 weeks total)
47 (tie). “Say You, Say Me,” Lionel Richie – 69 points
(1985; #1, 4 weeks, 9 weeks top 10, 20 weeks total)
A little surprisingly, this is Lionel’s only appearance on this listing. However, he did co-write position #54.
47 (tie). “Faith,” George Michael – 69 points
(1987; #1, 4 weeks, 9 weeks top 10, 20 weeks total)
45. “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It),” En Vogue – 70 points
(1992; #2, 3 weeks, 13 weeks top 10, 30 weeks total)
44. “Rump Shaker,” Wreckx-N-Effect – 70 points
(1992; #2, 3 weeks, 15 weeks top 10, 28 weeks total)
43. “Wild Night,” John Mellencamp & Me’Shell Ndegeeocello – 71 points
(1994; #3, 2 weeks, 13 weeks top 10, 42 weeks total)
Only one other entry in this countdown had more than the 42 weeks on the Hot 100 that this effort compiled. See #5 to find out what it was.
42. “Walk Like an Egyptian,” The Bangles – 71 points
(1986; #1, 4 weeks, 8 weeks top 10, 23 weeks total)
41. “Nothing Compares 2 U,” Sinead O’Connor – 71 points
(1990; #1, 4 weeks, 10 weeks top 10, 21 weeks total)
40. “I’ll Remember,” Madonna – 72 points
(1994; #2, 4 weeks, 10 weeks top 10, 26 weeks total)
38 (tie). “That’s What Friends Are For,” Dionne & Friends – 73 points
(1986; #1, 4 weeks, 10 weeks top 10, 23 weeks total)
The “Friends” were Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder, and this was their only appearance in this listing along with Dionne Warwick. (Although all had made previous countdowns in this series.)
38 (tie). “Because I Love You (The Postman Song),” Stevie B – 73 points
(1990; #1, 4 weeks, 10 weeks top 10, 23 weeks total)
37. “Tears in Heaven,” Eric Clapton – 74 points
(1992; #2, 4 weeks, 12 weeks top 10, 26 weeks total)
36. “Don’t Turn Around,” Ace of Base – 74 points
(1994; #4, 4 weeks, 15 weeks top 10, 31 weeks total)
Ace of Base will appear twice more on the countdown, the most for any group after Boys II Men.
35. “Breathe Again,” Toni Braxton – 76 points
(1994; #3, 3 weeks, 17 weeks top 10, 35 weeks total)
34. “I’d Die Without You,” PM Dawn – 76 points\
(1992; #3, 4 weeks, 16 weeks top 10, 28 weeks total)
33. “Fantastic Voyage,” Coolio – 76 points\
(1994; #3, 5 weeks, 11 weeks top 10, 25 weeks total)
32. “Stay (I Missed You),” Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories – 76 points
(1994; #1, 3 weeks, 16 weeks top 10, 30 weeks total)
Loeb and her band Nine Stories got a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for this. They lost to the entry at #4 in this listing.
31. “Bump N’ Grind,” R. Kelly – 77 points\
(1994; #1, 4 weeks, 12 weeks top 10, 25 weeks total)
30. “Rush, Rush,” Paula Abdul – 78 points
(1991; #1, 5 weeks, 9 weeks top 10, 19 weeks total)
29. “All That She Wants,” Ace of Base – 81 points
(1993; #2, 3 weeks, 18 weeks top 10, 36 weeks total)
28. “When Can I See You,” Babyface – 82 points
(1994; #4, 5 weeks, 11 weeks top 10, 36 weeks total)
27. “Without You,” Mariah Carey – 84 points(1994; #3, 6 weeks, 13 weeks top 10, 23 weeks total)
Another freak occurrence: Nilsson’s original hit version of “Without You” finished nearly identical as this one in the 1965-74 category at #26.
26. “Hero,” Mariah Carey – 86 points
(1993; #1, 4 weeks, 16 weeks top 10, 30 weeks total)
25. “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That),” Meat Loaf – 86 points
(1993; (#1, 5 weeks, 14 weeks top 10, 22 weeks total)
24. “Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough,” Patty Smyth and Don Henley – 89 points
(1992; #2, 6 weeks, 11 weeks top 10, 24 weeks total)
23. “The Power of Love,” Celine Dion – 89 points
(1994; #1, 4 weeks, 16 weeks top 10, 33 weeks total)
“The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and the News, a 1985 number one hit with the same name but different song, failed to make this list because its overall score was only 47.
22. “Save the Best for Last,” Vanessa Williams – 90 points
(1992; #1, 5 weeks, 13 weeks top 10, 27 weeks total)
21. “Always,” Bon Jovi – 92 points
(1994; #4, 6 weeks, 18 weeks top 10, 32 weeks total)
20. “Knockin’ Da Boots,” H-Town – 93 points
(1991; #3, 7 weeks, 12 weeks top 10, 25 weeks total)
19. “Baby Got Back,” Sir Mix-A-Lot – 93 points
(1992; #1, 5 weeks, 15 weeks top 10, 28 weeks total)
18. “Black or White,” Michael Jackson – 100 points
(1991; #1, 7 weeks, 10 weeks top 10, 22 weeks total)
The second and last appearance of Michael on this list after position #70. Like Lionel Richie, he also co-wrote position #54.
16 (tie). “Baby-Baby-Baby,” TLC – 101 points
(1992; #2, 6 weeks, 14 weeks top 10, 33 weeks total)
16 (tie). “All I Wanna Do,” Sheryl Crow – 101 points
(1993; #2, 6 weeks, 14 weeks top 10, 33 weeks total)
15. “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You,” Bryan Adams – 102 points
(1991; #1, 7 weeks, 10 weeks top 10, 22 weeks total)
One of only two nominees for the Oscar for Best Song on this list, along with “I Have Nothing” at position #56. The only winner of the statuette on the countdown is “Say You, Say Me” at position #47.
14. “On Bended Knee,” Boys II Men – 104 points\
(1994; #1, 6 weeks, 17 weeks top 10, 27 weeks total)
13. “Informer,” Snow – 108 points
(1993; #1, 7 weeks, 13 weeks top 10, 25 weeks total)
12. “If I Ever Fall in Love,” Shai – 114 points
(1992; #2, 8 weeks, 15 weeks top 10, 27 weeks total)
11. “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” UB40 – 114 points
(1993; #1, 7 weeks, 15 weeks top 10, 29 weeks total)
Shockingly, the original version of this song by Elvis in 1962 didn’t make the 1955-64 countdown.
10. “Jump,” Kris Kross – 114 points
(1992; #1, 8 weeks, 13 weeks top 10, 21 weeks total)
9. “That’s the Way Love Goes,” Janet Jackson – 117 points
(1993; #1, 8 weeks, 14 weeks top 10, 23 weeks total)
Janet outperforms her brother Michael on this listing with her final entry finishing nine places ahead of the best by the King of Pop.
8. “The Sign,” Ace of Base – 122 points
(1994; #1, 6 weeks, 21 weeks top 10, 41 weeks total)
7. “Dreamlover,” Mariah Carey – 123 points
(1993; #1, 8 weeks, 14 weeks top 10, 29 weeks total)
6. “Whoomp! (There It Is),” Tag Team – 128 points
(1993; #2, 7 weeks, 24 weeks top 10, 41 weeks total)
5. “Another Night,” Real McCoy – 156 points
(1994; #3, 11 weeks, 23 weeks top 10, 45 weeks total)
The highest finish for any song that peaked at #3 in these decade countdowns. Previous finishes for #3 records were:
- #26 for 1955-64 (“Whatever Will Be, Will Be” by Doris Day),
- #63 for 1965-74 (“Little Willy” by Sweet)
- And #56 for 1975-84 (“Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel).
4. “I Swear,” All-4-One – 158 points
(1994; #1, 11 weeks, 18 weeks top 10, 30 weeks total)
3. “I Will Always Love You,” Whitney Houston – 172 points
(1992; #1, 14 weeks, 16 weeks top 10, 26 weeks total)
2. “End of the Road,” Boys II Men – 181 points
(1992; #1, 13 weeks, 19 weeks top 10, 32 weeks total)
1:
“I’ll Make Love to You,” Boys II Men
195 points (1994; #1, 14 weeks, 22 weeks top 10, 33 weeks total)
No other act has had the top two songs in a decade listing before Boys II Men pulled the trick. Very impressive.
And this wraps up my effort on doing these compilations. I’ve hoped you’ve enjoyed this different take on chart data.
Let me know what you think in the comments below.
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I feel that the big news here is the bias towards post-SoundScan releases.
57 songs from just the three years of 1992, 1993 and 1994, including the entire Top 14!
If we assume that the 1991 releases also benefited from SoundScan methodology, then that’s the entire Top 30 from just three-and-a-half-ish years!
I was pleasantly surprised to see “We Are the World” make this list as it often gets the shaft in other countdowns (most of which are less sales-weighted).
Good to get a reminder that Mariah made popular songs other the song of this season.
Madonna’s songs, while extremely popular, often lacked the staying power on the chart of other artists. If this countdown had gone another six months, though, I’m positive “Take a Bow” would have placed high based on its long stays at No. 1 and on the chart overall.
Great job, Ozmoe!
Excellent work, Ozmoe. The nerd in me wants to see the spreadsheet you set up to figure all this out.
I was in full punk/grunge mode through these years, so a lot of these titles mean nothing to me. I’m sure I’d recognize “Another Night” if I heard it, but it’s not anywhere near my front of mind. Still, there are some bangers here: “Miss You Much,” “Fantastic Voyage,” “Whatta Man,” and everyone’s favorite, “Baby Got Back.” Turns out there was some good stuff outside of Seattle.
Curiously enough, I talked, talked, talked to you about “Another Night” a couple of months ago!
https://tnocs.com/about-this-time-30-years-ago-its-the-hits-of-october-ish-1994/
Even more curiously, Sir Mix-A-Lot was from Seattle!!!!
Great stuff Ozmoe. A big win for R&B it seems, rock left trailing in its wake by some distance.
I know 99 of these. One final surprise for me is H-Town. Didn’t cross over to these shores and I don’t remember them ever coming up here or in Tom’s columns.
Feels weird to me that Kool & The Gang show up in the same 10 year period as Kriss Kross, Snow and Coolio. Feels like they belong to a much earlier era.
Here to shout-out Shanice. Love that song!
I want to shout-out, too.
The music video for “Stay(I Missed You)” is the nineties.
Data? Lists?
NOM NOM NOM!
I wound up owning 24 of your top 100, but most of them appeared at the lower ends of your ranking, mainly because after 1992 I was more into the club/modern rock scene than the pop charts.
Great stuff!!!
Wonderful series – thank you!
I was still deep in the Pop pocket while Alt-ing out during this time, so I know 87 of these.
What a great year of music that got less my style the closer we got to number one.