| 1990s in music in the UK |
| Events |
|---|
TheUK Singles Chart is one of many music charts compiled by theOfficial Charts Company that calculates the best-selling singles of the week in the United Kingdom.[1] Before 2004, the chart was only based on the sales of physical singles.[2][3] This list shows singles that peaked in the Top 10 of theUK Singles Chart during 1990, as well as singles which peaked in1989 and1991 but were in the top 10 in 1990. The entry date is when the single appeared in the top 10 for the first time (week ending, as published by the Official Charts Company, which is six days after the chart is announced).
One-hundred and forty-two singles were in the top ten in 1990. Eight singles from 1989 remained in the top 10 for several weeks at the beginning of the year, while "Pray byMC Hammer, "Sadeness (Part I)" byEnigma and "The Grease Megamix" byJohn Travolta andOlivia Newton-John" were all released in 1990 but did not reach their peak until 1991. Thirty artists scored multiple entries in the top 10 in 1990.Adamski,Happy Mondays,MC Hammer,Mariah Carey andSnap! were among the many artists who achieved their first UK charting top 10 single in 1990.
The 1989Christmas number-one, "Do They Know It's Christmas?" byBand Aid II, remained at number-one for the first week of 1990. The first new number-one single of the year was "Hangin' Tough" byNew Kids on the Block. Overall, eighteen different singles peaked at number-one in 1990, withCliff Richard andKylie Minogue (2, including theBand Aid II charity single) having the joint most singles hit that position.
One-hundred and forty-two singles charted in the top 10 in 1990, with one-hundred and thirty-one singles reaching their peak this year.
Thirty artists scored multiple entries in the top 10 in 1990. American boybandNew Kids on the Block secured the record for most top ten singles in 1990 with eight hit singles. "Hangin' Tough" reached number-one, where it remained for two weeks, and a further three weeks in the top ten. Other entries included "Step by Step" (number 2), "Tonight" (3) and "Cover Girl" (4). FormerNeighbours actressKylie Minogue had three top ten singles in 1990. "Tears on My Pillow" spent one week at number-one in January; "Better the Devil You Know" (2) and "Step Back in Time" (4) also reached the top ten.Madonna continued her success from the 1980s with four more top ten hits in 1990. "Vogue" was the highest entry, peaking at number-one for 1 week in April; "Dear Jessie", "Hanky Panky" and "Justify My Love" were the other singles to reach the top 10.
Rapper and DJMC Hammer had three top-ten entries, including his biggest hit and signature song, "U Can't Touch This", which peaked at number 3 in August.Cliff Richard,Jimmy Somerville andJive Bunny and the Mastermixers were the other artists to reach the top 10 with three singles in 1990.
Beats International were one of a number of artists with two top-ten entries, including the number-one single "Dub Be Good to Me".Adamski,Black Box,Happy Mondays,Michael Bolton andThe Stone Roses were among the other artists who had multiple top 10 entries in 1990.
Seventy artists achieved their first top 10 single in 1990, either as a lead or featured artist. Of these, eight went on to record another hit single that year:Adamski,Beats International,The Farm,Happy Mondays,Mantronix,Michael Bolton,Paul "Gazza" Gascoigne andYa Kid K.MC Hammer had two more top 10 singles in 1990.Snap! had three other entries in their breakthrough year.
The following table (collapsed on desktop site) does not include acts who had previously charted as part of a group and secured their first top 10 solo single.
Jimmy Somerville had a successful career as a member ofCommunards andBronski Beat prior to 1990, and had also participated on theBand Aid II charity single. His cover of "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" became his first solo top 10 single.David A. Stewart had his first top 10 credit in 1990 without music partnerAnnie Lennox and the bandEurythmics, whose songs included "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)". "Lily Was Here" reached number 6 in March.
Englandneworder was a collaboration betweenNew Order and members of theEngland squad selected for the1990 FIFA World Cup, includingJohn Barnes contributing the main rap andPaul "Gazza" Gascoigne on vocals.The KLF first appeared in the chart under the pseudonymThe Timelords, but their first official single under their new name came this year.
Along with her late sisterMel,Kim Appleby had entered the top 10 on several occasions as the duoMel and Kim, including 1987's number-one single "Respectable". "Don't Worry" was her first hit on her own.
Original songs from various films entered the top 10 throughout the year. These included "Tears On My Pillow" (fromThe Delinquents), "It Must Have Been Love" (Pretty Woman), "Turtle Power!" (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), "Show Me Heaven" (Days Of Thunder) and "Unchained Melody" (Ghost).
Additionally, "Hanky Panky" was used to promote the filmDick Tracy and appeared on the soundtrack album although the song itself did not appear in the actual film.
The Righteous Brothers had the best-selling single of the year with a reissue of their 1965 hit "Unchained Melody". The single spent nine weeks in the top 10 (including four weeks at number one), sold over 840,000 copies and was certified platinum by theBPI. "Nothing Compares 2 U" bySinéad O'Connor came in second place, selling more than 600,000 copies and losing out by around 240,000 sales.Elton John's "Sacrifice"/"Healing Hands", "Ice Ice Baby" fromVanilla Ice and "Killer" byAdamski made up the top five. Singles byMaria McKee,Beats International featuringLindy Layton,Madonna,Englandneworder andSnap! were also in thetop ten best-selling singles of the year.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ‡ | Single peaked in 1989 but still in chart in 1990. |
| ♦ | Single released in 1990 but peaked in 1991. |
| (#) | Year-endtop-ten single position and rank |
| Entered | The date that the single first appeared in the chart. |
| Peak | Highest position that the single reached in the UK Singles Chart. |
| Entered (week ending) | Weeks in top 10 | Single | Artist | Peak | Peak reached (week ending) | Weeks at peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singles in 1989 | ||||||
| 18 November 1989 | 7 | "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" ‡[C] | New Kids on the Block | 1 | 25 November 1989 | 3 |
| 2 December 1989 | 7 | "Lambada" ‡ | Kaoma | 4 | 9 December 1989 | 1 |
| 9 December 1989 | 7 | "Get a Life" ‡ | Soul II Soul | 3 | 16 December 1989 | 3 |
| 7 | "When You Come Back to Me" ‡ | Jason Donovan | 2 | 16 December 1989 | 3 | |
| 16 December 1989 | 4 | "Let's Party" ‡ | Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers | 1 | 16 December 1989 | 1 |
| 5 | "Dear Jessie" ‡ | Madonna | 5 | 30 December 1989 | 3 | |
| 4 | "Donald Where's Your Troosers?" ‡ | Andy Stewart | 4 | 30 December 1989 | 1 | |
| 23 December 1989 | 4 | "Do They Know It's Christmas?" ‡[D] | Band Aid II | 1 | 23 December 1989 | 3 |
| Singles in 1990 | ||||||
| 6 January 1990 | 2 | "The Magic Number"/"Buddy" | De La Soul | 7 | 13 January 1990 | 1 |
| 5 | "Hangin' Tough" | New Kids on the Block | 1 | 13 January 1990 | 2 | |
| 13 January 1990 | 5 | "Touch Me" | 49ers | 3 | 20 January 1990 | 1 |
| 3 | "Got to Get" | Rob'n'RazfeaturingLeila K | 8 | 13 January 1990 | 2 | |
| 1 | "Listen to Your Heart" | Sonia | 10 | 13 January 1990 | 1 | |
| 20 January 1990 | 5 | "Tears on My Pillow" | Kylie Minogue | 1 | 27 January 1990 | 1 |
| 5 | "Got to Have Your Love" | Mantronix featuringWondress | 4 | 20 January 1990 | 2 | |
| 3 | "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" | Jimmy Somerville | 5 | 20 January 1990 | 1 | |
| 2 | "Put Your Hands Together" | D Mobfeaturing Nuff Juice | 7 | 20 January 1990 | 1 | |
| 2 | "Going Back to My Roots"/"Rich in Paradise" | FPI Project | 9 | 27 January 1990 | 1 | |
| 27 January 1990 | 8 | "Nothing Compares 2 U"(#2) | Sinéad O'Connor | 1 | 3 February 1990 | 4 |
| 3 | "Could Have Told You So" | Halo James | 6 | 3 February 1990 | 2 | |
| 3 February 1990 | 6 | "Get Up! (Before the Night Is Over)" | TechnotronicfeaturingYa Kid K | 2 | 10 February 1990 | 2 |
| 4 | "Happenin' All Over Again" | Lonnie Gordon | 4 | 10 February 1990 | 2 | |
| 4 | "I Wish It Would Rain Down" | Phil Collins | 7 | 10 February 1990 | 2 | |
| 10 February 1990 | 3 | "Walk On By" | Sybil | 6 | 17 February 1990 | 1 |
| 1 | "Instant Replay" | Yell! | 10 | 10 February 1990 | 1 | |
| 17 February 1990 | 8 | "Dub Be Good to Me"(#7) | Beats InternationalfeaturingLindy Layton | 1 | 3 March 1990 | 4 |
| 4 | "I Don't Know Anybody Else" | Black Box | 4 | 24 February 1990 | 1 | |
| 2 | "Live Together" | Lisa Stansfield | 10 | 17 February 1990 | 2 | |
| 24 February 1990 | 6 | "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" | Michael Bolton | 3 | 3 March 1990 | 3 |
| 3 | "Enjoy the Silence" | Depeche Mode | 6 | 24 February 1990 | 3 | |
| 3 March 1990 | 4 | "The Brits 1990" | Various artists[E] | 2 | 10 March 1990 | 2 |
| 2 | "Elephant Stone" | The Stone Roses | 8 | 3 March 1990 | 1 | |
| 4 | "Infinity" | Guru Josh | 5 | 10 March 1990 | 2 | |
| 1 | "Downtown Train" | Rod Stewart | 10 | 3 March 1990 | 1 | |
| 10 March 1990 | 2 | "Moments in Soul" | JT and the Big Family | 7 | 17 March 1990 | 1 |
| 17 March 1990 | 3 | "That Sounds Good to Me" | Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers | 4 | 17 March 1990 | 2 |
| 6 | "Love Shack" | The B-52's | 2 | 24 March 1990 | 3 | |
| 4 | "Blue Savannah" | Erasure | 3 | 24 March 1990 | 1 | |
| 3 | "Lily Was Here" | David A. StewartfeaturingCandy Dulfer | 6 | 24 March 1990 | 1 | |
| 24 March 1990 | 3 | "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" | New Kids on the Block | 5 | 24 March 1990 | 1 |
| 4 | "Strawberry Fields Forever" | Candy Flip | 3 | 31 March 1990 | 2 | |
| 31 March 1990 | 7 | "The Power"(#10) | Snap! | 1 | 31 March 1990 | 2 |
| 3 | "Birdhouse in Your Soul" | They Might Be Giants | 6 | 7 April 1990 | 1 | |
| 7 April 1990 | 9 | "Vogue"(#8) | Madonna | 1 | 14 April 1990 | 4 |
| 4 | "Don't Miss the Party Line" | Bizz Nizz | 7 | 14 April 1990 | 2 | |
| 3 | "Hang on to Your Love" | Jason Donovan | 8 | 14 April 1990 | 1 | |
| 14 April 1990 | 6 | "Black Velvet" | Alannah Myles | 2 | 21 April 1990 | 2 |
| 5 | "Kingston Town" | UB40 | 4 | 14 April 1990 | 2 | |
| 3 | "Step On" | Happy Mondays | 5 | 14 April 1990 | 1 | |
| 21 April 1990 | 6 | "Opposites Attract" | Paula Abdul withThe Wild Pair | 2 | 5 May 1990 | 1 |
| 3 | "All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You" | Heart | 8 | 21 April 1990 | 2 | |
| 28 April 1990 | 8 | "Killer"(#5) | Adamski | 1 | 12 May 1990 | 4 |
| 2 | "Ghetto Heaven" | The Family Stand | 10 | 28 April 1990 | 2 | |
| 5 May 1990 | 6 | "Dirty Cash (Money Talks)" | The Adventures of Stevie V | 2 | 12 May 1990 | 1 |
| 3 | "A Dreams a Dream" | Soul II Soul | 6 | 12 May 1990 | 1 | |
| 12 May 1990 | 5 | "Better the Devil You Know" | Kylie Minogue | 2 | 19 May 1990 | 2 |
| 3 | "Cover Girl" | New Kids on the Block | 4 | 19 May 1990 | 2 | |
| 19 May 1990 | 5 | "Hold On" | En Vogue | 5 | 26 May 1990 | 2 |
| 2 | "Won't Talk About It" | Beats International | 9 | 26 May 1990 | 1 | |
| 26 May 1990 | 3 | "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" | The Chimes | 6 | 26 May 1990 | 2 |
| 1 | "Take Your Time" | MantronixfeaturingWondress | 10 | 26 May 1990 | 1 | |
| 2 June 1990 | 8 | "World in Motion"(#9)[F] | Englandneworder[G] | 1 | 9 June 1990 | 2 |
| 3 | "Venus" | Don Pablo's Animals | 4 | 9 June 1990 | 1 | |
| 1 | "How Can We Be Lovers?" | Michael Bolton | 10 | 2 June 1990 | 1 | |
| 9 June 1990 | 4 | "Hear the Drummer (Get Wicked)" | Chad Jackson | 3 | 9 June 1990 | 2 |
| 4 | "Doin' the Do" | Betty Boo | 7 | 16 June 1990 | 2 | |
| 3 | "The Only One I Know" | The Charlatans | 9 | 16 June 1990 | 1 | |
| 16 June 1990 | 2 | "Step by Step" | New Kids on the Block | 2 | 16 June 1990 | 1 |
| 9 | "Sacrifice"/"Healing Hands"(#3) | Elton John | 1 | 23 June 1990 | 5 | |
| 8 | "It Must Have Been Love" | Roxette | 3 | 30 June 1990 | 2 | |
| 4 | "Hold On" | Wilson Phillips | 6 | 30 June 1990 | 1 | |
| 23 June 1990 | 5 | "Nessun dorma"[H] | Luciano Pavarotti | 2 | 30 June 1990 | 3 |
| 5 | "Ooops Up" | Snap! | 5 | 30 June 1990 | 2 | |
| 30 June 1990 | 6 | "Mona" | Craig McLachlan & Check 1–2 | 2 | 21 July 1990 | 1 |
| 3 | "Close to You" | Maxi Priest | 7 | 7 July 1990 | 1 | |
| 7 July 1990 | 8 | "U Can't Touch This" | MC Hammer | 3 | 11 August 1990 | 1 |
| 1 | "The Only Rhyme That Bites" | MC Tunes vs.808 State | 10 | 7 July 1990 | 1 | |
| 14 July 1990 | 2 | "One Love" | The Stone Roses | 4 | 14 July 1990 | 1 |
| 3 | "Thunderbirds Are Go" | F.A.B.featuring MC Parker | 5 | 21 July 1990 | 1 | |
| 21 July 1990 | 6 | "Turtle Power!" | Partners in Kryme | 1 | 28 July 1990 | 4 |
| 28 July 1990 | 4 | "Hanky Panky" | Madonna | 2 | 4 August 1990 | 1 |
| 7 | "Naked in the Rain" | Blue Pearl | 4 | 11 August 1990 | 2 | |
| 3 | "Rockin' Over the Beat" | TechnotronicfeaturingYa Kid K | 9 | 28 July 1990 | 2 | |
| 5 | "I'm Free" | The Soup DragonsfeaturingJunior Reid | 5 | 11 August 1990 | 1 | |
| 4 August 1990 | 5 | "Tom's Diner" | DNAfeaturingSuzanne Vega | 2 | 11 August 1990 | 3 |
| 11 August 1990 | 2 | "Thieves in the Temple" | Prince | 7 | 11 August 1990 | 1 |
| 6 | "Tonight" | New Kids on the Block | 3 | 1 September 1990 | 1 | |
| 18 August 1990 | 6 | "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" | Bombalurina | 1 | 25 August 1990 | 3 |
| 3 | "Listen to Your Heart"/"Dangerous" | Roxette | 6 | 25 August 1990 | 1 | |
| 25 August 1990 | 3 | "Praying for Time" | George Michael | 6 | 1 September 1990 | 1 |
| 4 | "Where Are You Baby?" | Betty Boo | 3 | 8 September 1990 | 1 | |
| 1 September 1990 | 4 | "Four Bacharach & David Songs (EP)" | Deacon Blue | 2 | 1 September 1990 | 2 |
| 1 | "Can Can You Party" | Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers | 8 | 1 September 1990 | 1 | |
| 1 | "Silhouettes" | Cliff Richard | 10 | 1 September 1990 | 1 | |
| 8 September 1990 | 5 | "Groove Is in the Heart"/"What Is Love" | Deee-Lite | 2 | 15 September 1990 | 2 |
| 5 | "The Joker" | Steve Miller Band | 1 | 15 September 1990 | 2 | |
| 4 | "What Time Is Love?" | The KLF | 5 | 15 September 1990 | 1 | |
| 2 | "Rhythm of the Rain" | Jason Donovan | 9 | 8 September 1990 | 1 | |
| 15 September 1990 | 3 | "The Space Jungle" | Adamski | 7 | 15 September 1990 | 1 |
| 2 | "Vision of Love" | Mariah Carey | 9 | 15 September 1990 | 1 | |
| 22 September 1990 | 2 | "Holy Smoke" | Iron Maiden | 3 | 22 September 1990 | 1 |
| 8 | "Show Me Heaven"(#6) | Maria McKee | 1 | 29 September 1990 | 4 | |
| 3 | "Groovy Train" | The Farm | 6 | 29 September 1990 | 1 | |
| 29 September 1990 | 5 | "I've Been Thinking About You" | Londonbeat | 2 | 6 October 1990 | 1 |
| 1 | "Cult of Snap" | Snap! | 8 | 29 September 1990 | 1 | |
| 3 | "Fascinating Rhythm" | Bassomatic | 9 | 29 September 1990 | 2 | |
| 6 October 1990 | 5 | "Blue Velvet" | Bobby Vinton | 2 | 13 October 1990 | 1 |
| 3 | "So Hard" | Pet Shop Boys | 4 | 6 October 1990 | 1 | |
| 5 | "The Anniversary Waltz: Part One" | Status Quo | 2 | 20 October 1990 | 1 | |
| 3 | "I Can't Stand It!" | Twenty 4 SevenfeaturingCaptain Hollywood | 7 | 6 October 1990 | 3 | |
| 13 October 1990 | 3 | "Megamix" | Technotronic | 6 | 13 October 1990 | 2 |
| 2 | "Have You Seen Her" | MC Hammer | 8 | 13 October 1990 | 1 | |
| 7 | "A Little Time" | The Beautiful South | 1 | 27 October 1990 | 1 | |
| 20 October 1990 | 1 | "Let's Try It Again"/"(Didn't I) Blow Your Mind This Time" | New Kids on the Block | 8 | 20 October 1990 | 1 |
| 27 October 1990 | 9 | "Unchained Melody"(#1)[I] | The Righteous Brothers | 1 | 3 November 1990 | 4 |
| 2 | "Kinky Afro" | Happy Mondays | 5 | 27 October 1990 | 1 | |
| 4 | "I'm Your Baby Tonight" | Whitney Houston | 5 | 3 November 1990 | 1 | |
| 4 | "Take My Breath Away"[J] | Berlin | 3 | 3 November 1990 | 2 | |
| 3 November 1990 | 3 | "(We Want) The Same Thing" | Belinda Carlisle | 6 | 3 November 1990 | 2 |
| 3 | "Step Back in Time" | Kylie Minogue | 4 | 10 November 1990 | 1 | |
| 10 November 1990 | 6 | "Don't Worry" | Kim Appleby | 2 | 24 November 1990 | 1 |
| 5 | "Fantasy" | Black Box | 5 | 17 November 1990 | 1 | |
| 4 | "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" | Robert Palmer &UB40 | 6 | 17 November 1990 | 1 | |
| 17 November 1990 | 2 | "Fog on the Tyne (Revisited)"[K] | Gazza &Lindisfarne | 2 | 17 November 1990 | 1 |
| 24 November 1990 | 9 | "Ice Ice Baby"(#4) | Vanilla Ice | 1 | 1 December 1990 | 4 |
| 5 | "Unbelievable" | EMF | 3 | 1 December 1990 | 2 | |
| 2 | "To Love Somebody" | Jimmy Somerville | 8 | 24 November 1990 | 1 | |
| 1 | "Cubik"/"Olympic" | 808 State | 10 | 24 November 1990 | 1 | |
| 1 December 1990 | 2 | "It Takes Two" | Rod Stewart &Tina Turner | 5 | 1 December 1990 | 1 |
| 2 | "Falling"[L] | Julee Cruise | 7 | 1 December 1990 | 1 | |
| 1 | "King of the Road" | The Proclaimers | 9 | 1 December 1990 | 1 | |
| 8 December 1990 | 2 | "Kinky Boots"[M] | Patrick Macnee &Honor Blackman | 5 | 8 December 1990 | 1 |
| 5 | "Saviour's Day" | Cliff Richard | 1 | 29 December 1990 | 1 | |
| 5 | "Justify My Love" | Madonna | 2 | 15 December 1990 | 1 | |
| 15 December 1990 | 6 | "All Together Now" | The Farm | 4 | 15 December 1990 | 1 |
| 1 | "This One's for the Children" | New Kids on the Block | 9 | 15 December 1990 | 1 | |
| 1 | "Wicked Game" | Chris Isaak | 10 | 15 December 1990 | 1 | |
| 22 December 1990 | 4 | "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'"/"Ebb Tide"[N] | The Righteous Brothers | 3 | 29 December 1990 | 1 |
| 7 | "Sadeness (Part I)" ♦ | Enigma | 1 | 19 January 1991 | 1 | |
| 4 | "Mary Had a Little Boy" | Snap! | 8 | 22 December 1990 | 2 | |
| 4 | "Pray" ♦ | MC Hammer | 8 | 12 January 1991 | 1 | |
| 29 December 1990 | 5 | "The Grease Megamix" ♦ | John Travolta &Olivia Newton-John | 3 | 12 January 1991 | 1 |
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The following table shows artists who achieved two or more top 10 entries in 1990, including songs that reached their peak in 1989 or 1991. The figures include both main artists and featured artists, while appearances on ensemble charity records are also counted for each artist.
General
Specific
