What Was Every Number One Song In The 1990s?
Pressing Play
Two hundred and six number one singles in the 1990s. Two hundred and six. That’s what happened. That’s the number. You can say it again if you want. Two hundred and six. It doesn’t get better the third time. It gets worse. That’s the point.
Every one of them bought. Every one of them carried to the top by the public like a bloated mascot in a village parade. Some brilliant. Some serviceable. Some so foul they still stink up the air like a fox corpse behind a radiator.
The charts were sales only. No downloads, no streaming, no fiddling with the figures. Just money changing hands. And that money crowned Doop. That money crowned Mr Blobby. That money crowned Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh! A song that sounded less like music and more like the sound your brain makes when it gives up.
And you can’t pretend otherwise. You can’t wriggle out of it. This is Britain’s taste, documented in black and white. This is the ledger. This is the list. Two hundred and six.
1990
16 January 1990 - "Hangin' Tough" by New Kids on the Block (2 weeks)
27 January 1990 - "Tears on My Pillow" by Kylie Minogue (1 week)
3 February 1990 - "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinéad O'Connor (4 weeks)
3 March 1990 - "Dub Be Good to Me" by Beats International featuring Lindy Layton (4 weeks)
31 March 1990 - "The Power" by Snap (2 weeks)
14 April 1990 - "Vogue" by Madonna (4 weeks)
12 May 1990 - "Killer" by Adamski (4 weeks)
9 June 1990 - "World in Motion" by EnglandNewOrder (2 weeks)
23 June 1990 - "Sacrifice/Healing Hands" by Elton John (5 weeks)
28 July 1990 - "Turtle Power" by Partners in Kryme (4 weeks)
25 August 1990 - "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" by Bombalurina ft. Timmy Mallett (3 weeks)
15 September 1990 - "The Joker" by Steve Miller Band (2 weeks)
29 September 1990 - "Show Me Heaven" by Maria McKee (4 weeks)
27 October 1990 - "A Little Time" by Beautiful South (1 week)
3 November 1990 - "Unchained Melody" by Righteous Brothers (4 weeks)
1 December 1990 - "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice (4 weeks)
29 December 1990 - "Saviour's Day" by Cliff Richard (1 week)
1991
5 January 1991 - "Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter" by Iron Maiden (2 weeks)
19 January 1991 - "Sadness Part 1" by Enigma (1 week)
26 January 1991 - "Innuendo" by Queen (1 week)
2 February 1991 - "3 AM Eternal" by KLF ft. The Children of the Revolution (2 weeks)
16 February 1991 - "Do the Bartman" by Simpsons (3 weeks)
9 March 1991 - "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by Clash (2 weeks)
23 March 1991 - "The Stonk" by Hale & Pace & The Stonkers (1 week)
30 March 1991 - "The One and Only" by Chesney Hawkes (5 weeks)
4 May 1991 - "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" by Cher (5 weeks)
8 June 1991 - "I Wanna Sex You Up" by Color Me Badd (3 weeks)
29 June 1991 - "Any Dream Will Do" by Jason Donovan (2 weeks)
13 July 1991 - "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" by Bryan Adams (16 weeks)
2 November 1991 - "The Fly" by U2 (1 week)
9 November 1991 - "Dizzy" by Vic Reeves & The Wonder Stuff (2 weeks)
23 November 1991 - "Black or White" by Michael Jackson (2 weeks)
7 December 1991 - "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" by George Michael & Elton John (2 weeks)
21 December 1991 - "Bohemian Rhapsody/These Are the Days of Our Lives" by Queen (5 weeks)
1992
25 January 1992 - "Goodnight Girl" by Wet Wet Wet (4 weeks)
22 February 1992 - "Stay" by Shakespear's Sister (8 weeks)
18 April 1992 - "Deeply Dippy" by Right Said Fred (3 weeks)
9 May 1992 - "Please Don't Go/Game Boy" by KWS (5 weeks)
13 June 1992 - "ABBA-esque EP" by Erasure (5 weeks)
18 July 1992 - "Ain't No Doubt" by Jimmy Nail (3 weeks)
8 August 1992 - "Rhythm is a Dancer" by Snap (6 weeks)
19 September 1992 - "Ebeneezer Goode" by Shamen (4 weeks)
17 October 1992 - "Sleeping Satellite" by Tasmin Archer (2 weeks)
31 October 1992 - "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men (3 weeks)
21 November 1992 - "Would I Lie to You" by Charles & Eddie (2 weeks)
5 December 1992 - "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston (10 weeks)
1993
13 February 1993 - "No Limit" by 2 Unlimited (5 weeks)
20 March 1993 - "Oh Carolina" by Shaggy (2 weeks)
3 April 1993 - "Young at Heart" by Bluebells (4 weeks)
1 May 1993 - "Five Live EP" by George Michael & Queen with Lisa Stansfield (3 weeks)
22 May 1993 - "All That She Wants" by Ace of Base (3 weeks)
12 June 1993 - "(I Can't Help) Falling in Love with You" by UB40 (2 weeks)
26 June 1993 - "Dreams" by Gabrielle (3 weeks)
17 July 1993 - "Pray" by Take That (4 weeks)
14 August 1993 - "Living on My Own" by Freddie Mercury (2 weeks)
28 August 1993 - "Mr Vain" by Culture Beat (4 weeks)
25 September 1993 - "Boom! Shake the Room" by Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (2 weeks)
9 October 1993 - "Relight My Fire" by Take That ft. Lulu (2 weeks)
23 October 1993 - "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" by Meat Loaf (7 weeks)
11 December 1993 - "Mr Blobby" by Mr Blobby (1 week)
18 December 1993 - "Babe" by Take That (1 week)
25 December 1993 - "Mr Blobby" by Mr Blobby (2 weeks)
1994
8 January 1994 - "Twist & Shout" by Chaka Demus & Pliers ft. Jack Radics & Taxi Gang (2 weeks)
22 January 1994 - "Things Can Only Get Better" by D:Ream (4 weeks)
19 February 1994 - "Without You" by Mariah Carey (4 weeks)
19 March 1994 - "Doop" by Doop (3 weeks)
9 April 1994 - "Everything Changes" by Take That (2 weeks)
23 April 1994 - "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" by Prince (2 weeks)
7 May 1994 - "The Real Thing" by Tony Di Bart (1 week)
14 May 1994 - "Inside" by Stiltskin (1 week)
21 May 1994 - "Come On You Reds" by Manchester United Football Club (1 week)
4 June 1994 - "Love Is All Around" by Wet Wet Wet (15 weeks)
17 September 1994 - "Saturday Night" by Whigfield (4 weeks)
15 October 1994 - "Sure" by Take That (2 weeks)
29 October 1994 - "Baby Come Back" by Pato Banton (4 weeks)
26 November 1994 - "Let Me Be Your Fantasy" by Baby D (2 weeks)
10 December 1994 - "Stay Another Day" by East 17 (5 weeks)
1995
14 January 1995 - "Cotton Eye Joe" by Rednex (3 weeks)
4 February 1995 - "Think Twice" by Celine Dion (7 weeks)
25 March 1995 - "Love Can Build a Bridge" by Cher, Chrissie Hynde, Neneh Cherry with Eric Clapton (1 week)
1 April 1995 - "Don't Stop (Wiggle Wiggle)" by Outhere Brothers (1 week)
8 April 1995 - "Back for Good" by Take That (4 weeks)
6 May 1995 - "Some Might Say" by Oasis (1 week)
13 May 1995 - "Dreamer" by Livin' Joy (1 week)
20 May 1995 - "Unchained Melody/(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) White Cliffs of Dover" by Robson Green & Jerome Flynn (7 weeks)
8 July 1995 - "Boom Boom Boom" by Outhere Brothers (4 weeks)
5 August 1995 - "Never Forget" by Take That (3 weeks)
26 August 1995 - "Country House" by Blur (2 weeks)
9 September 1995 - "You Are Not Alone" by Michael Jackson (2 weeks)
23 September 1995 - "Boombastic" by Shaggy (1 week)
30 September 1995 - "Fairground" by Simply Red (4 weeks)
28 October 1995 - "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio ft. LV (2 weeks)
11 November 1995 - "I Believe/Up on the Roof" by Robson Green & Jerome Flynn (4 weeks)
9 December 1995 - "Earth Song" by Michael Jackson (6 weeks)
1996
20 January 1996 - "Jesus to a Child" by George Michael (1 week)
27 January 1996 - "Spaceman" by Babylon Zoo (5 weeks)
2 March 1996 - "Don't Look Back in Anger" by Oasis (1 week)
9 March 1996 - "How Deep Is Your Love" by Take That (3 weeks)
30 March 1996 - "Firestarter" by Prodigy (3 weeks)
20 April 1996 - "Return of the Mack" by Mark Morrison (2 weeks)
4 May 1996 - "Fastlove" by George Michael (3 weeks)
25 May 1996 - "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" by Gina G (1 week)
1 June 1996 - "Three Lions (Official Song of the England Football Team)" by Baddiel & Skinner & Lightning Seeds (1 week)
8 June 1996 - "Killing Me Softly" by Fugees (4 weeks)
6 July 1996 - "Three Lions (Official Song of the England Football Team)" by Baddiel & Skinner & Lightning Seeds (1 week)
13 July 1996 - "Killing Me Softly" by Fugees (1 week)
20 July 1996 - "Forever Love" by Gary Barlow (1 week)
27 July 1996 - "Wannabe" by Spice Girls (7 weeks)
14 September 1996 - "Flava" by Peter Andre (1 week)
21 September 1996 - "Ready or Not" by Fugees (2 weeks)
5 October 1996 - "Breakfast at Tiffany's" by Deep Blue Something (1 week)
12 October 1996 - "Setting Sun" by Chemical Brothers (1 week)
19 October 1996 - "Words" by Boyzone (1 week)
26 October 1996 - "Say You'll Be There" by Spice Girls (2 weeks)
9 November 1996 - "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted/Saturday Night at the Movies/You'll Never Walk Alone" by Robson Green & Jerome Flynn (2 weeks)
23 November 1996 - "Breathe" by Prodigy (2 weeks)
7 December 1996 - "I Feel You" by Peter Andre (1 week)
14 December 1996 - "A Different Beat" by Boyzone (1 week)
21 December 1996 - "Knockin' on Heaven's Door/Throw These Guns Away" by Dunblane (1 week)
28 December 1996 - "2 Become 1" by Spice Girls (3 weeks)
1997
18 January 1997 - "Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)" by Tori Amos (1 week)
25 January 1997 - "Your Woman" by White Town (1 week)
1 February 1997 - "Beetlebum" by Blur (1 week)
8 February 1997 - "Ain't Nobody" by LL Cool J (1 week)
15 February 1997 - "Discotheque" by U2 (1 week)
22 February 1997 - "Don't Speak" by No Doubt (3 weeks)
15 March 1997 - "Mama/Who Do You Think You Are" by Spice Girls (3 weeks)
5 April 1997 - "Block Rockin' Beats" by Chemical Brothers (1 week)
12 April 1997 - "I Believe I Can Fly" by R Kelly (3 weeks)
3 May 1997 - "Blood on the Dance Floor" by Michael Jackson (1 week)
10 May 1997 - "Love Won't Wait" by Gary Barlow (1 week)
17 May 1997 - "You're Not Alone" by Olive (2 weeks)
31 May 1997 - "I Wanna Be the One" by Eternal ft. Bebe Winans (1 week)
7 June 1997 - "MMMBop" by Hanson (3 weeks)
28 June 1997 - "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy & Faith Evans ft. 112 (3 weeks)
19 July 1997 - "D'You Know What I Mean?" by Oasis (1 week)
26 July 1997 - "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy & Faith Evans ft. 112 (3 weeks)
16 August 1997 - "Men in Black" by Will Smith (4 weeks)
13 September 1997 - "The Drugs Don't Work" by Verve (1 week)
20 September 1997 - "Something About the Way You Look Tonight/Candle in the Wind 97" by Elton John (5 weeks)
25 October 1997 - "Spice Up Your Life" by Spice Girls (1 week)
1 November 1997 - "Barbie Girl" by Aqua (4 weeks)
29 November 1997 - "Perfect Day" by Various Artists (2 weeks)
13 December 1997 - "Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh!" by Teletubbies (2 weeks)
27 December 1997 - "Too Much" by Spice Girls (2 weeks)
1998
10 January 1998 - "Perfect Day" by Various Artists (1 week)
17 January 1998 - "Never Ever" by All Saints (1 week)
24 January 1998 - "All Around the World" by Oasis (1 week)
31 January 1998 - "You Make Me Wanna..." by Usher (1 week)
7 February 1998 - "Doctor Jones" by Aqua (2 weeks)
21 February 1998 - "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion (1 week)
28 February 1998 - "Brimful of Asha" by Cornershop (1 week)
7 March 1998 - "Frozen" by Madonna (1 week)
14 March 1998 - "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion (1 week)
21 March 1998 - "It's Like That" by Run DMC versus Jason Nevins (6 weeks)
2 May 1998 - "All That I Need" by Boyzone (1 week)
9 May 1998 - "Under the Bridge/Lady Marmalade" by All Saints (1 week)
16 May 1998 - "Turn Back Time" by Aqua (1 week)
23 May 1998 - "Under the Bridge/Lady Marmalade" by All Saints (1 week)
30 May 1998 - "Feel It" by Tamperer ft. Maya (1 week)
6 June 1998 - "C'est La Vie" by B*Witched (2 weeks)
20 June 1998 - "Three Lions '98" by Baddiel & Skinner & Lightning Seeds (3 weeks)
11 July 1998 - "Because We Want To" by Billie (1 week)
18 July 1998 - "Freak Me" by Another Level (1 week)
25 July 1998 - "Deeper Underground" by Jamiroquai (1 week)
1 August 1998 - "Viva Forever" by Spice Girls (2 weeks)
15 August 1998 - "No Matter What" by Boyzone (3 weeks)
5 September 1998 - "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next" by Manic Street Preachers (1 week)
12 September 1998 - "Bootie Call" by All Saints (1 week)
19 September 1998 - "Millennium" by Robbie Williams (1 week)
26 September 1998 - "I Want You Back" by Melanie B ft. Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott (1 week)
3 October 1998 - "Rollercoaster" by B*Witched (2 weeks)
17 October 1998 - "Girlfriend" by Billie (1 week)
24 October 1998 - "Gym and Tonic" by Spacedust (1 week)
31 October 1998 - "Believe" by Cher (7 weeks)
19 December 1998 - "To You I Belong" by B*Witched (1 week)
26 December 1998 - "Goodbye" by Spice Girls (1 week)
1999
2 January 1999 - "Chocolate Salty Balls (P.S. I Love You)" by Chef (1 week)
9 January 1999 - "Heartbeat/Tragedy" by Steps (1 week)
16 January 1999 - "Praise You" by Fatboy Slim (1 week)
23 January 1999 - "A Little Bit More" by 911 (1 week)
30 January 1999 - "Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" by Offspring (1 week)
6 February 1999 - "You Don't Know Me" by Armand van Helden ft. Duane Harden (1 week)
13 February 1999 - "Maria" by Blondie (1 week)
20 February 1999 - "Fly Away" by Lenny Kravitz (1 week)
27 February 1999 - "...Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears (2 weeks)
13 March 1999 - "When the Going Gets Tough" by Boyzone (2 weeks)
27 March 1999 - "Blame It on the Weatherman" by B*Witched (1 week)
3 April 1999 - "Flat Beat" by Mr Oizo (2 weeks)
17 April 1999 - "Perfect Moment" by Martine McCutcheon (2 weeks)
1 May 1999 - "Swear It Again" by Westlife (2 weeks)
15 May 1999 - "I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys (1 week)
22 May 1999 - "You Needed Me" by Boyzone (1 week)
29 May 1999 - "Sweet Like Chocolate" by Shanks & Bigfoot (2 weeks)
12 June 1999 - "Everybody's Free (to Wear Sunscreen)" by Baz Luhrmann (1 week)
19 June 1999 - "Bring It All Back" by S Club 7 (1 week)
26 June 1999 - "Boom Boom Boom Boom!!" by Vengaboys (1 week)
3 July 1999 - "9PM (Till I Come)" by ATB (2 weeks)
17 July 1999 - "Livin' la Vida Loca" by Ricky Martin (3 weeks)
7 August 1999 - "When You Say Nothing at All" by Ronan Keating (2 weeks)
21 August 1999 - "If I Let You Go" by Westlife (1 week)
28 August 1999 - "Mi Chico Latino" by Geri Halliwell (1 week)
4 September 1999 - "Mambo No 5 (A Little Bit of...)" by Lou Bega (2 weeks)
18 September 1999 - "We're Going to Ibiza!" by Vengaboys (1 week)
25 September 1999 - "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" by Eiffel 65 (3 weeks)
16 October 1999 - "Genie in a Bottle" by Christina Aguilera (2 weeks)
30 October 1999 - "Flying Without Wings" by Westlife (1 week)
6 November 1999 - "Keep on Movin'" by Five (1 week)
13 November 1999 - "Lift Me Up" by Geri Halliwell (1 week)
20 November 1999 - "She's the One/It's Only Us" by Robbie Williams (1 week)
27 November 1999 - "King of My Castle" by Wamdue Project (1 week)
4 December 1999 - "Millennium Prayer" by Cliff Richard (3 weeks)
25 December 1999 - "I Have a Dream/Seasons in the Sun" by Westlife (4 weeks)
