The schlock. For every "Vogue," there was a "Step by Step" (New Kids on the Block). For every "Nothing Compares 2 U," there was a "Blaze of Glory" (Bon Jovi’s solo western ballad). Hair metal was on life support but still headlining arenas.
If 1991 is remembered as the year grunge broke, then 1990 was the final, glorious gasp of the late '80s—mixed with the first sparks of a new decade. It was a year of hair metal holdouts, newborn divas, and hip-hop’s commercial breakthrough. The charts were a dizzying, delightful mess. Here’s a look back at the tracks that ruled the airwaves. The Undisputed King: "U Can't Touch This" – MC Hammer No song defined 1990’s vibe more than this. Built on a thieving (but iconic) Rick James sample, Hammer turned parachute pants and excessive confidence into a global phenomenon. It’s not a deep listen—it’s a party. For better or worse, it kicked off the short era of "pop-rap" that dominated malls and school dances. The Ballad That Wouldn't Die: "Nothing Compares 2 U" – Sinéad O’Connor In a year of flash, this was the raw, weeping heart. Prince wrote it, but Sinéad owned it. Her shaved head, tear-streaked face in the video, and that gut-punch of a vocal made it the emotional landmark of 1990. It hit #1 globally and still feels like a wound. Pop Perfection: "Vogue" – Madonna Madonna didn't just release a hit; she created a cultural moment. Inspired by Harlem ballroom culture, "Vogue" was sleek, danceable, and impossibly chic. The black-and-white video, the breathy commands, the pose-off—it was 1990’s high-art pop masterpiece. It also gave suburban kids a vocabulary for striking a pose. Rock’s Last Roar (Before Nirvana): "Cherry Pie" – Warrant This is either a guilty pleasure or a groan-inducing relic, depending on your taste. "Cherry Pie" is the epitome of hair metal excess—loud, leering, and lyrically silly. It hit #10 on the Hot 100 and was inescapable. One year later, Nevermind would blow this sound off the map. In 1990, though? It was a stadium singalong. Hip-Hop Arrives (For Real): "The Humpty Dance" – Digital Underground While Hammer made rap safe for pop, Digital Underground made it weird and wonderful. Featuring a young Tupac Shakur as a backup dancer, "The Humpty Dance" was funky, goofy, and endlessly quotable. It proved hip-hop didn't have to be angry or serious to succeed—it just had to make you move. The Unsung Hero: "Hold On" – En Vogue Before Destiny’s Child, there was En Vogue. This track—with its layered harmonies, powerhouse vocals, and polished new jack swing beat—was a perfect pop-soul record. It hit #1 on the R&B chart and #2 on the Hot 100, and it still sounds timeless. The "Wait, That Was 1990?" Surprise Hit: "Ice Ice Baby" – Vanilla Ice Love it or hate it, this was a historic hit: the first hip-hop song to top the Billboard Hot 100. The bass line (stolen from Queen/David Bowie’s "Under Pressure") is iconic. The lyrics are... not. But in 1990, white suburban kids finally had "their" rap anthem. Its legacy is complicated, but its chart dominance is undeniable. Final Verdict: A Year of Transition, Not Definition The Good: Incredible variety. You could hear Sinéad O’Connor, Madonna, MC Hammer, and En Vogue on the same radio station. Dance-pop and new jack swing were thriving. The seeds of the alt-rock revolution were already sprouting (Jane’s Addiction, Sonic Youth, Fugazi—none of whom charted high). biggest hits of 1990
1990’s hits are a time capsule, not a trendsetter . It lacks a cohesive sound. But that’s also its charm. It’s the musical equivalent of New Year’s Eve 1989—celebrating the old while squinting toward the future. If you want grit and angst, go to 1991. If you want colorful, shameless, pre-internet fun, put on "U Can’t Touch This" and strike a pose. The schlock
★★★½ (Nostalgic, uneven, but impossible not to dance to) Hair metal was on life support but still headlining arenas