Top 40 1990s songs

In honor of Billboard magazines 120th anniversary on Nov. 1, were revealing the top 20 Billboard Hot 100 hits from each decade since the 1960s [for a total of 120 songs].

The 90s were full of world-conquering ballads, the stuff of future American Idol performances: Toni Braxtons Unbreak My Heart, Whitney Houstons I Will Always Love You, Sinead OConnors Nothing Compares 2 U. Not surprisingly, in a world where ballads of epic proportion were king, Boyz II Men had a major presence on the Hot 100. They decade-end top 20 twice on their own, and once with assistance from Mariah Carey.

The Top 20 Billboard Hot 100 Hits of the 1960s

The 90s were notable for several other reasons. Nine of the 20 biggest 90s hits came from women more than in the 60s, 70s, or 80s. For the first time in three decades, Paul McCartney did not make it on to the list. And disco did not make an appearance in the top 20 either, though dance-leaning tracks like Macarena and Whoomp! [There It Is] enjoyed popularity, ranking Nos. 2 and 15, respectively for the 90s.

The Top 20 Billboard Hot 100 Hits of the 1970s

After managing to squeeze just one track onto the top 20 in the 60s and one in the 80s, country got a pair in the 90s one of which, LeAnn Rimess How Do I Live, is the biggest of the decade. [Despite it stopping at No. 2 on the weekly Hot 100, it reigns for the 90s thanks to its longevity: it logged a hefty 69 weeks on the chart.] While country earned increased representation, raps prominence was not yet reflected on the charts upper echelon. Coolio was the only rapper to make it.

The Top 20 Billboard Hot 100 Hits of the 1980s

Check out the Spotify playlist of the top 20 below and read on to see when each hit peaked. Dont miss the top 20 from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

1. How Do I Live LeAnn Rimes
Hot 100 Peak Position: 2, Peak Date: December 13, 1997

2. Macarena [Bayside Boys Mix] Los Del Rio
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: August 3, 1996

3. Un-Break My Heart Toni Braxton
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: December 7, 1996

4. Foolish Games/You Were Meant For Me Jewel
Hot 100 Peak Position: 2, Peak Date: April 19, 1997

5. [Everything I Do] I Do It For You Bryan Adams
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: July 27, 1991

6. Ill Make Love To You Boyz II Men
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: August 27, 1994

7. Too Close Next
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: April 25, 1998

8. One Sweet Day Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: December 2, 1995

9. Truly Madly Deeply Savage Garden
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: January 17, 1998

10. Candle In The Wind 1997/Something About The Way You Look Tonight Elton John
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: October 11, 1997

11. End Of The Road [From Boomerang] Boyz II Men
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: August 15, 1992

12. The Sign Ace Of Base
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: March 12, 1994

13. The Boy Is Mine Brandy andMonica
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: June 6, 1998

14. Because I Love You [The Postman Song] Stevie B
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: December 8, 1990

15. Whoomp! [There It Is] Tag Team
Hot 100 Peak Position: 2, Peak Date: July 31, 1993

16. Rush Rush Paula Abdul
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: June 15, 1991

17. Youre Still The One Shania Twain
Hot 100 Peak Position: 2, Peak Date: May 2, 1998

18. I Will Always Love You Whitney Houston
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: November 28, 1992

19. Gangstas Paradise [From Dangerous Minds] Coolio Featuring L.V.
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: September 9, 1995

20. Nothing Compares 2 U Sinead OConnor
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: April 21, 1990

This top Billboard Hot 100 songs of each decade is ranked based on each titles performance on the Hot 100 through the chart dated Nov. 1, 2014. Songs are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at No. 100 earning the least. To ensure equitable representation of the biggest hits across multiple decades, time frames are weighted to account for fluctuating chart turnover rates due to different methodologies utilized.