List of UK top 10 singles in 1990
| 1990s in music in the UK | |
| Number-one singles | |
| Number-one albums | |
| Best-selling singles | |
| Best-selling albums | |
| Summaries and charts 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 | |
| ←1989 | 2000→ |
| Top 10 singles 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 | |
| ←1989 | 2000→ |
New Kids on the Block band members Donnie Wahlberg (l) and Jordan Knight (r), pictured at the 1990 Grammy Awards. The band had seven top-ten entries in the UK in 1990, including the number-one single "Hangin' Tough".
The UK Singles Chart is one of many music charts compiled by the Official 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 with airplay figures and digital downloads excluded from the official chart. This list shows singles that peaked in the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart during 1990, as well as songs which peaked in 1989 and 1991 but were in the top 10 in 1990. The entry date is when the song appeared in the top 10 for the first time.
140 singles were in the top ten in 1990. American boyband New Kids on the Block had the most top ten singles in 1990 with seven. "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). Former Neighbours actress Kylie 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 DJ MC 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. Adamski, Betty Boo, Cliff Richard, Happy Mondays, Snap! and The Stone Roses were among the other artists who had multiple top ten singles in 1990.
The Righteous Brothers had the best-selling single of the year with a re-recording of their 1965 hit "Unchained Melody", which spent 9 weeks in the top 10, including 4 weeks at the top spot, and sold 840,000 copies afters its appearance on the soundtrack of the film Ghost. "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinéad O'Connor was the second best-selling single of 1990, selling 600,000 and being certified platinum by the BPI. Songs by Elton John, Beats International, Englandneworder and Vanilla Ice were also in the top ten best-selling singles of the year.
Top-ten singles
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Kylie Minogue (pictured in 2008) had 3 top ten singles in 1990, including the number-one single "Tears on My Pillow."
MC Hammer (pictured in 2008) had three top ten hits in 1990, including the number 3 single "U Can't Touch This".
Madonna had four top ten entries in 1990.
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Paula Abdul reached number 2 in April with "Opposites Attract".
Michael Bolton had two top ten entries in 1990. His cover of "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" peaked at number 3 in February.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ‡ | Single peaked in 1989 but charted in 1990. |
| ♦ | Single released in 1990 but peaked in 1991. |
| (#) | Year-end top ten single position and rank |
| Entered | The date that the song first appeared in the chart. |
| Peak | Highest position that the song reached in the UK Singles Chart. |
| Entered[A] | Weeks in top 10 | Single | Artist | Peak | Peak reached[A] | Weeks at peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singles in 1989 | ||||||
| 26 November | 7 | "Lambada" ‡ | Kaoma | 4 | 3 December | 1 |
| 3 December | 4 | "Get a Life" ‡ | Soul II Soul | 7 | 10 December | 3 |
| 3 December | 7 | "When You Come Back to Me" ‡ | Donovan, JasonJason Donovan | 2 | 10 December | 3 |
| 10 December | 5 | "Dear Jessie" ‡ | Madonna | 5 | 24 December | 3 |
| 17 December | 4 | "Do They Know It's Christmas?" ‡ | Band Aid II | 1 | 17 December | 3 |
| 31 December | 5 | "Hangin' Tough" | New Kids on the Block | 1 | 7 January | 2 |
| 31 December | 2 | "The Magic Number"/"Buddy" | De La Soul | 7 | 7 January | 1 |
| Singles in 1990 | ||||||
| 7 January | 5 | "Touch Me" | 49ers | 3 | 14 January | 1 |
| 7 January | 3 | "Got to Get" | Rob'n'Raz featuring Leila K | 8 | 7 January | 2 |
| 7 January | 1 | "Listen to Your Heart" | Sonia | 10 | 7 January | 1 |
| 14 January | 5 | "Tears on My Pillow" | Kylie Minogue | 1 | 21 January | 1 |
| 14 January | 5 | "Got to Have Your Love" | Mantronix | 4 | 14 January | 2 |
| 14 January | 3 | "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" | Jimmy Somerville | 5 | 14 January | 1 |
| 14 January | 2 | "Put Your Hands Together" | D Mob featuring Nuff Juice | 7 | 14 January | 1 |
| 14 January | 2 | "Going Back to My Roots" / "Rich in Paradise" | FPI Project | 9 | 21 January | 1 |
| 21 January | 8 | "Nothing Compares 2 U" (#2) | Sinéad O'Connor | 1 | 28 January | 4 |
| 21 January | 3 | "Could Have Told You So" | Halo James | 6 | 28 January | 2 |
| 28 January | 6 | "Get Up! (Before the Night Is Over)" | Technotronic featuring Ya Kid K | 2 | 4 February | 2 |
| 28 January | 4 | "Happenin' All Over Again" | Lonnie Gordon | 4 | 4 February | 2 |
| 28 January | 4 | "I Wish It Would Rain Down" | Phil Collins | 7 | 4 February | 2 |
| 4 February | 3 | "Walk On By" | Sybil | 6 | 11 February | 1 |
| 4 February | 1 | "Instant Replay" | Yell! | 10 | 4 February | 1 |
| 11 February | 8 | "Dub Be Good to Me" (#7) | Beats International featuring Lindy Layton | 1 | 25 February | 4 |
| 11 February | 4 | "I Don't Know Anybody Else" | Black Box | 4 | 18 February | 1 |
| 11 February | 2 | "Live Together" | Lisa Stansfield | 10 | 11 February | 2 |
| 18 February | 6 | "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" | Michael Bolton | 3 | 25 February | 3 |
| 18 February | 3 | "Enjoy the Silence" | Depeche Mode | 6 | 18 February | 3 |
| 25 February | 4 | "The Brits 1990 Dance Medley" | Various Artists | 2 | 4 March | 2 |
| 25 February | 2 | "Elephant Stone" | Stone Roses, TheThe Stone Roses | 8 | 25 February | 1 |
| 25 February | 4 | "Infinity (1990s... Time for the Guru)" | Guru Josh | 5 | 4 March | 2 |
| 25 February | 1 | "Downtown Train" | Rod Stewart | 10 | 25 February | 1 |
| 4 March | 2 | "Moments in Soul" | JT & the Big Family | 7 | 11 March | 1 |
| 11 March | 3 | "That Sounds Good to Me" | Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers | 4 | 11 March | 2 |
| 11 March | 6 | "Love Shack" | B-52's, TheThe B-52's | 2 | 18 March | 3 |
| 11 March | 4 | "Blue Savannah" | Erasure | 3 | 18 March | 1 |
| 11 March | 3 | "Lily Was Here" | David A. Stewart featuring Candy Dulfer | 6 | 18 March | 1 |
| 18 March | 3 | "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" | New Kids on the Block | 5 | 18 March | 1 |
| 18 March | 4 | "Strawberry Fields Forever" | Candy Flip | 2 | 25 March | 3 |
| 25 March | 7 | "The Power" (#10) | Snap! | 1 | 25 March | 2 |
| 25 March | 3 | "Birdhouse in Your Soul" | They Might Be Giants | 6 | 1 April | 1 |
| 1 April | 9 | "Vogue" (#8) | Madonna | 1 | 8 April | 4 |
| 1 April | 4 | "Don't Miss the Party Line" | Bizz Nizz | 7 | 8 April | 2 |
| 1 April | 3 | "Hang on to Your Love" | Jason Donovan | 8 | 8 April | 1 |
| 8 April | 6 | "Black Velvet" | Alannah Myles | 2 | 15 April | 2 |
| 8 April | 5 | "Kingston Town" | UB40 | 4 | 8 April | 2 |
| 8 April | 3 | "Step On" | Happy Mondays | 5 | 8 April | 1 |
| 15 April | 6 | "Opposites Attract" | Paula Abdul with The Wild Pair | 2 | 29 April | 1 |
| 15 April | 3 | "All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You" | Heart | 8 | 15 April | 2 |
| 22 April | 8 | "Killer" (#5) | Adamski | 1 | 6 May | 4 |
| 22 April | 2 | "Ghetto Heaven" | The Family Stand | 10 | 22 April | 2 |
| 29 April | 6 | "Dirty Cash" | Adventures of Stevie V, TheThe Adventures of Stevie V | 2 | 6 May | 1 |
| 29 April | 3 | "A Dream's A Dream" | Soul II Soul | 6 | 6 May | 1 |
| 6 May | 5 | "Better the Devil You Know" | Kylie Minogue | 2 | 13 May | 2 |
| 6 May | 3 | "Cover Girl" | New Kids on the Block | 4 | 13 May | 2 |
| 13 May | 5 | "Hold On" | En Vogue | 5 | 20 May | 2 |
| 13 May | 2 | "Won't Talk About It" | Beats International | 9 | 20 May | 1 |
| 20 May | 3 | "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" | Chimes, TheThe Chimes | 6 | 20 May | 2 |
| 20 May | 1 | "Take Your Time" | Mantronix featuring Wondress | 10 | 20 May | 1 |
| 27 May | 8 | "World In Motion" (#9) | Englandneworder | 1 | 3 June | 2 |
| 27 May | 3 | "Venus" | Don Pablo's Animals | 4 | 3 June | 1 |
| 27 May | 1 | "How Can We Be Lovers?" | Michael Bolton | 10 | 27 May | 1 |
| 3 June | 4 | "Hear the Drummer (Get Wicked)" | Chad Jackson | 3 | 3 June | 2 |
| 3 June | 4 | "Doin' the Do" | Betty Boo | 7 | 10 June | 2 |
| 3 June | 3 | "The Only One I Know" | Charlatans, TheThe Charlatans | 9 | 10 June | 1 |
| 10 June | 2 | "Step by Step" | New Kids on the Block | 2 | 10 June | 1 |
| 10 June | 9 | "Sacrifice" / "Healing Hands" (#3) | Elton John | 1 | 17 June | 5 |
| 10 June | 8 | "It Must Have Been Love" | Roxette | 3 | 24 June | 2 |
| 10 June | 4 | "Hold On" | Wilson Phillips | 6 | 24 June | 1 |
| 17 June | 5 | "Nessun Dorma" | Luciano Pavarotti | 2 | 24 June | 3[2] |
| 17 June | 5 | "Ooops Up" | Snap! | 5 | 24 June | 2 |
| 24 June | 6 | "Mona" | Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 | 2 | 15 July | 1 |
| 24 June | 3 | "Close to You" | Maxi Priest | 7 | 1 July | 1 |
| 1 July | 8 | "U Can't Touch This" | MC Hammer | 3 | 5 August | 1 |
| 1 July | 1 | "The Only Rhyme That Bites" | MC Tunes vs 808 State | 10 | 1 July | 1 |
| 8 July | 2 | "One Love" | Stone Roses, TheThe Stone Roses | 4 | 8 July | 1 |
| 8 July | 3 | "Thunderbirds Are Go" | FAB featuring MC Parker | 5 | 15 July | 1 |
| 15 July | 6 | "Turtle Power" | Partners in Kryme | 1 | 22 July | 4 |
| 22 July | 4 | "Hanky Panky" | Madonna | 2 | 29 July | 1 |
| 22 July | 7 | "Naked in the Rain" | Blue Pearl | 4 | 5 August | 2 |
| 22 July | 3 | "Rockin' Over the Beat" | Technotronic featuring Ya Kid K | 9 | 22 July | 2 |
| 22 July | 5 | "I'm Free" | Soup Dragons featuring Junior Reid | 5 | 5 August | 1 |
| 29 July | 5 | "Tom's Diner" | DNA featuring Suzanne Vega | 2 | 5 August | 3 |
| 5 August | 2 | "Thieves in the Temple" | Prince | 7 | 5 August | 1 |
| 5 August | 6 | "Tonight" | New Kids on the Block | 3 | 26 August | 1 |
| 12 August | 6 | "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny" | Bombalurina | 1 | 19 August | 3 |
| 12 August | 3 | "Listen to Your Heart" / "Dangerous" | Roxette | 6 | 19 August | 1 |
| 19 August | 3 | "Praying for Time" | George Michael | 6 | 26 August | 1 |
| 19 August | 4 | "Where Are You Baby?" | Betty Boo | 3 | 2 September | 1 |
| 26 August | 4 | "Four Bacharach & David Songs (EP)" | Deacon Blue | 2 | 26 August | 2 |
| 26 August | 1 | "Can Can You Party" | Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers | 8 | 26 August | 1 |
| 26 August | 1 | "Silhouettes" | Cliff Richard | 10 | 26 August | 1 |
| 2 September | 5 | "Groove Is In The Heart" / "What Is Love" | Deee-Lite | 2 | 9 September | 2 |
| 2 September | 5 | "The Joker" | Steve Miller Band, TheThe Steve Miller Band | 1 | 9 September | 2 |
| 2 September | 4 | "What Time Is Love?" | KLF featuring The Children of the Revolution | 5 | 9 September | 1 |
| 2 September | 2 | "Rhythm of the Rain" | Jason Donovan | 9 | 2 September | 1 |
| 9 September | 3 | "The Space Jungle" | Adamski | 7 | 9 September | 1 |
| 9 September | 2 | "Vision of Love" | Mariah Carey | 9 | 9 September | 1 |
| 16 September | 2 | "Holy Smoke" | Iron Maiden | 3 | 16 September | 1 |
| 16 September | 8 | "Show Me Heaven" (#6) | Maria McKee | 1 | 23 September | 4 |
| 16 September | 3 | "Groovy Train" | Farm, TheThe Farm | 6 | 23 September | 1 |
| 23 September | 5 | "I've Been Thinking About You" | Londonbeat | 2 | 30 September | 1 |
| 23 September | 1 | "Cult of Snap" | Snap! | 8 | 23 September | 1 |
| 23 September | 3 | "Fascinating Rhythm" | Bassomatic | 9 | 23 September | 2 |
| 30 September | 5 | "Blue Velvet" | Bobby Vinton | 2 | 7 October | 1 |
| 30 September | 3 | "So Hard" | Pet Shop Boys | 4 | 30 September | 1 |
| 30 September | 5 | "The Anniversary Waltz: Part One" | Status Quo | 2 | 14 October | 1 |
| 30 September | 3 | "I Can't Stand It!" | Twenty 4 Seven featuring Captain Hollywood | 7 | 30 September | 3 |
| 7 October | 3 | "Megamix" | Technotronic | 6 | 7 October | 2 |
| 7 October | 2 | "Have You Seen Her" | MC Hammer | 8 | 7 October | 1 |
| 7 October | 7 | "A Little Time" | Beautiful South, TheThe Beautiful South | 1 | 21 October | 1 |
| 14 October | 1 | "Let's Try It Again" / "(Didn't I) Blow Your Mind This Time" | New Kids on the Block | 8 | 14 October | 1 |
| 21 October | 9 | "Unchained Melody" (#1) | Righteous Brothers, TheThe Righteous Brothers | 1 | 28 October | 4 |
| 21 October | 2 | "Kinky Afro" | Happy Mondays | 5 | 21 October | 1 |
| 21 October | 4 | "I'm Your Baby Tonight" | Whitney Houston | 5 | 28 October | 1 |
| 21 October | 4 | "Take My Breath Away" [B] | Berlin | 3 | 28 October | 2 |
| 28 October | 3 | "(We Want) The Same Thing" | Belinda Carlisle | 6 | 28 October | 2 |
| 28 October | 3 | "Step Back in Time" | Kylie Minogue | 4 | 4 November | 1 |
| 4 November | 6 | "Don't Worry" | Kim Appleby | 2 | 18 November | 1 |
| 4 November | 5 | "Fantasy" | Black Box | 5 | 11 November | 1 |
| 4 November | 4 | "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" | Robert Palmer and UB40 | 6 | 11 November | 1 |
| 11 November | 2 | "Fog on the Tyne (Revisited)" | Gazza and Lindisfarne | 2 | 11 November | 1 |
| 18 November | 9 | "Ice Ice Baby" (#4) | Vanilla Ice | 1 | 25 November | 4 |
| 18 November | 5 | "Unbelievable" | EMF | 3 | 25 November | 2 |
| 18 November | 2 | "To Love Somebody" | Jimmy Somerville | 8 | 18 November | 1 |
| 18 November | 1 | "Cubik" / "Olympic" | 808 State | 10 | 18 November | 1 |
| 25 November | 2 | "It Takes Two" | Rod Stewart and Tina Turner | 5 | 25 November | 1 |
| 25 November | 2 | "Falling" | Julee Cruise | 7 | 25 November | 1 |
| 25 November | 1 | "King of the Road" | Proclaimers, TheThe Proclaimers | 9 | 25 November | 1 |
| 2 December | 2 | "Kinky Boots" [C] | Patrick MacNee and Honor Blackman | 5 | 2 December | 1 |
| 2 December | 5 | "Saviour's Day" | Cliff Richard | 1 | 23 December | 1 |
| 2 December | 5 | "Justify My Love" | Madonna | 2 | 9 December | 1 |
| 9 December | 6 | "All Together Now" | Farm, TheThe Farm | 4 | 9 December | 1 |
| 9 December | 1 | "This One's for the Children" | New Kids on the Block | 9 | 9 December | 1 |
| 9 December | 1 | "Wicked Game" | Chris Isaak | 10 | 9 December | 1 |
| 16 December | 4 | "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" [D] | Righteous Brothers, TheThe Righteous Brothers | 3 | 23 December | 1 |
| 16 December | 7 | "Sadeness (Part I)" ♦ | Enigma | 1 | 13 January 1991 | 1 |
| 16 December | 4 | "Mary Had a Little Boy" | Snap! | 8 | 16 December | 2 |
| 16 December | 4 | "Pray" ♦ | MC Hammer | 8 | 6 January 1991 | 1 |
| 23 December | 5 | "The Grease Megamix" ♦ | John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John | 3 | 6 January 1991 | 1 |
| 30 December | 3 | "Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter" | Iron Maiden | 1 | 30 December | 2 |
Entries by artist
The following table shows artists who achieved multiple 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.
Cliff Richard had three top-ten singles in 1990.
| Artist | Number of Top 10 singles |
|---|---|
| New Kids on the Block | 7 |
| Kylie Minogue | 4 [E] |
| Madonna | 4 |
| Snap! | 4 |
| Technotronic | 4 [E] |
| Cliff Richard | 3 [E] |
| Jason Donovan | 3 [E] |
| Jimmy Somerville | 3 [E] |
| MC Hammer | 3 |
Notes
- a The dates are for when the song charted, which is six days before the officially published "Week ending" date.
- b "Take My Breath Away" first reached number-one in November 1986 after the release of Top Gun. It was re-released in 1990 when the film premiered on British television and the song was also used in a commercial for the Peugeot 405.
- c "Kinky Boots" first released in 1964 but failed to chart.
- d "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" previously charted at number-one in 1965, number 11 in 1969, number 4 in 1977 and number 7 in 1988.
- e Figure includes appearance on Band Aid II song "Do They Know It's Christmas?".
See also
- 1990 in British music
- List of number-one singles from the 1990s (UK)
References
- ↑ "The Official UK Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
- ↑ "Pavarotti back in singles chart". BBC News (British Broadcasting Corporation). 9 September 2007. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
External links
- 1990 singles chart archive at the Official Charts Company (click on relevant week)
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