: While "hair metal" was starting to fade, acts like Jon Bon Jovi and Aerosmith ("Janie's Got a Gun") successfully adapted to a grittier, more cinematic sound.

: Songs like "If Wishes Came True" by Sweet Sensation and "I Don't Have the Heart" by James Ingram showcased a year deeply in love with emotional, high-production ballads.

From the film Pretty Woman. A Christmas song rewritten as a breakup ballad. The orchestral swells and Marie Fredriksson’s husky voice made it the wedding standard (and divorce anthem) of the year.

The saddest song ever written by Prince. The video—Sinéad’s face, tears streaming, shaved head—is pure art. It went #1 globally and proved that vulnerability could be punk rock.

(Resurrected by radio. The synth-prog epic that wouldn’t die.) 72. "Cherry Pie" – Warrant (The dumbest, most misogynistic, catchiest rock anthem of 1990. Jani Lane hated it. We loved it.) 73. "Down Boys" – Warrant (The better song before “Cherry Pie” ruined them.) 74. "Monkey Business" – Skid Row (Sebastian Bach’s scream. Hair metal’s last stand before Nirvana.) 75. "I Remember You" – Skid Row (The power ballad to end all power ballads.) 76. "No More Mr. Nice Guy" – Megadeth (A cover of the Alice Cooper song. Thrash goes commercial.) 77. "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due" – Megadeth (The thrash metal masterpiece that critics adored.) 78. "One" – Metallica (Though released as a single in 1989, the video and radio play peaked in early 1990. The first metal video on MTV’s heavy rotation.) 79. "Black Cat" – Janet Jackson (Janet goes hard rock. She plays the guitar riff herself. Underrated.) 80. "Bad Medicine" – Bon Jovi (Live versions dominated 1990 tours.) 81. "When I See You Smile" – Bad English (John Waite’s supergroup. The power ballad for people who hated power ballads.) 82. "House of Broken Love" – Great White (Bluesy, sad, brilliant.) 83. "The Deeper the Love" – Whitesnake (David Coverdale trying to be relevant. Failed, but good.) 84. "Jukebox Hero" – Foreigner (A 1981 song reissued in 1990 because of a live album.) 85. "Love of a Lifetime" – Firehouse (The ballad that defined “wedding band rock.”) 86. "Don't Close Your Eyes" – Kix (A hidden gem hair metal ballad.) 87. "More Than Words" – Extreme (Acoustic rock’s high watermark. Released late 1990, peaked in 1991.) 88. "Get a Grip" – The Stranglers? No. "Stone Cold Crazy" – Queen (Re-released after Freddie Mercury’s death rumors began.) 89. "Way Cool Jr." – Ratt (The last gasps of the Sunset Strip.) 90. "Drag the Waters" – Pantera (Cowboys from Hell was released in 1990, but radio ignored it. This song predicted the next five years.)

The first hip-hop #1 on the Hot 100. Yes, the bass line is stolen from Queen/David Bowie’s “Under Pressure.” Yes, the movie was terrible. But for better or worse, this opened the door for white suburban rap.

(Actually released in 1992 – but its precursor, “Don’t Tell My Heart,” was written in 1990. I’ll substitute: "Friends in Low Places" – Garth Brooks (The 1990 country anthem that crossed over to pop radio via line dancing.) 92. "Love Without Anger" – Depeche Mode (B-side, but essential for fans.) 93. "Blue Savannah" – Erasure (The synth-pop duo’s happiest tragedy. A song about running away.) 94. "Policy of Truth" (Remix) – Depeche Mode (The single that ruled alternative clubs.) 95. "The Grease Megamix" – John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (Yes, a 1990 remix of 1978 songs went Top 10. The nostalgia industry was born.) 96. "I'm Your Baby Tonight" – Whitney Houston (Her shift from adult contemporary to new jack swing. Underrated banger.) 97. "Higher Ground" – Stevie Wonder (Re-released as a double A-side with “Too High” after a car commercial.) 98. "All That She Wants" – Ace of Base (No – that’s 1992. "Unfinished Sympathy" – Massive Attack (The birth of trip-hop. 1990 in the UK. Changed production forever.) 99. "Personal Jesus" – Depeche Mode (Technically released late 1989, but it owned 1990 radio. The blues riff on a synth.) 100. "Sadeness (Part I)" – Enigma (Gregorian chants + erotic French whispers + dance beat. The weirdest #1 of the year. It closed out 1990 and opened the door for “new age” electronic music.)

The cultural peak of parachute pants. Sampling Rick James’ “Super Freak,” this track wasn’t just a song; it was a dance craze, a fashion statement, and the first mainstream hip-hop pop crossover that didn’t apologize for being flashy.

The ultimate female harmony power ballad. Chynna Phillips (daughter of The Mamas & the Papas) and Carnie & Wendy Wilson (daughters of Brian Wilson) created a song about perseverance that still makes Gen X cry.