Biggest Songs of the 1990s (CSPC)

If you lived in the 90s, you probably remember the music that flooded the radios at the time. A variety of styles were in the spotlight: alternative rock rather early in the decade (Nirvana, Oasis…), teen pop in the second half (Britney Spears, Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys…), divas (Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston…), soundtracks (Titanic, Bodyguard…) and so on. Do you know which songs are the most memorable of this decade? Place your bets!

The songs ranked here have been released from January 1, 1990 up to December 31, 1999. All figures are given in EAS (equivalent album sales). They include audio and video streams, downloads, ringtones but also a weighted share of the album they helped to sell.

Please keep in mind that some artists who released big hits this decade have not been studied so far, e.g. Santana, Pearl JamLauryn HillAce Of Base or 2Pac. All figures reflect the value as collected at the time of the artist’s respective articles (CSPC article or Streaming Masters). You can check the list of artists that have been tracked at this link.

A lot of lists like this one are available inside the Data Collector, so feel free to read them to gauge how your favorite artist charts on them.

Biggest Songs of the 1990s (CSPC)

1. 1997 – Céline DionMy Heart Will Go On [Titanic / Let’s Talk About Love]62,750,000
2. 1992 – Whitney HoustonI Will Always Love You [The Bodyguard]33,620,000
3. 1991 – Bryan Adams(Everything I Do) I Do It for You [Waking Up the Neighbours / Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves]20,820,000
4. 1996 – Spice GirlsWannabe [Spice]20,670,000
5. 1991 – Michael JacksonBlack or White [Dangerous]18,860,000
6. 1999 – Backstreet BoysI Want It That Way [Millennium]18,360,000
7. 1990 – Garth BrooksFriends In Low Places [No Fences]18,260,000
8. 1998 – Britney Spears…Baby One More Time […Baby One More Time]17,940,000
9. 1991 – NirvanaSmells Like Teen Spirit [Nevermind]17,650,000
10. 1996 – Céline DionBecause You Loved Me [Falling Into You]16,310,000
11. 1991 – Red Hot Chili PeppersUnder the Bridge [Blood Sugar Sex Magik]16,160,000
12. 1995 – Alanis MorissetteIronic [Jagged Little Pill]16,060,000
13. 1990 – AC/DCThunderstruck [The Razors Edge]15,460,000
14. 1994 – The CranberriesZombie [No Need to Argue]15,370,000
15. 1995 – OasisWonderwall [(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?]14,920,000
16. 1998 – CherBelieve [Believe]14,850,000
17. 1997 – Backstreet BoysEverybody (Backstreet’s Back) [Backstreet’s Back]14,760,000
18. 1991 – U2One [Achtung Baby]14,750,000
19. 1991 – MetallicaNothing Else Matters [Metallica]14,620,000
20. 1991 – MetallicaEnter Sandman [Metallica]14,510,000
21. 1994 – Mariah CareyAll I Want for Christmas Is You [Merry Christmas]14,190,000
22. 1993 – Mariah CareyHero [Music Box]14,130,000
23. 1991 – NirvanaCome As You Are [Nevermind]14,070,000
24. 1991 – Guns N’ RosesNovember Rain [Use Your Illusion I]13,580,000
25. 1997 – Shania TwainMan! I Feel Like a Woman! [Come On Over]13,320,000
26. 1993 – Meat Loaf ft. Lorraine CrosbyI’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) [Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell]13,140,000
27. 1993 – Céline DionThe Power of Love [The Colour Of My Love]13,080,000
28. 1994 – Green DayBasket Case [Dookie]12,960,000
29. 1996 – Céline DionIt’s All Coming Back to Me Now [Falling Into You]12,280,000
30. 1995 – Mariah CareyAlways Be My Baby [Daydream]12,220,000
31. 1990 – MadonnaVogue [I’m Breathless]11,790,000
32. 1992 – Whitney HoustonI Have Nothing [The Bodyguard]11,570,000
33. 1993 – Mariah CareyWithout You [Music Box]11,440,000
34. 1991 – Guns N’ RosesKnockin’ on Heaven’s Door [Use Your Illusion II]10,740,000
35. 1991 – EnyaCaribbean Blue [Shepherd Moons]10,590,000
36. 1993 – Janet JacksonThat’s the Way Love Goes [Janet]10,360,000
37. 1997 – Shania TwainYou’re Still the One [Come On Over]10,320,000
38. 1995 – Mariah CareyFantasy [Daydream]10,280,000
39. 1999 – Destiny’s ChildSay My Name [The Writing’s on the Wall]10,200,000
40. 1995 – Michael JacksonThey Don’t Care About Us [HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I]9,940,000
41. 1993 – AerosmithCrazy [Get a Grip]9,940,000
42. 1990 – Garth BrooksThe Thunder Rolls [No Fences]9,840,000
43. 1997 – Shania TwainThat Don’t Impress Me Much [Come On Over]9,710,000
44. 1997 – Backstreet BoysAs Long as You Love Me [Backstreet’s Back]9,370,000
45. 1991 – QueenThe Show Must Go On [Innuendo]9,230,000
46. 1999 – Red Hot Chili PeppersCalifornication [Californication]9,160,000
47. 1997 – Elton John for The Diana FoundationCandle in the Wind [Orphan]8,920,000
48. 1997 – Barbra Streisand & Céline DionTell Him [Higher Ground / Let’s Talk About Love]8,580,000
49. 1999 – DidoThank You [No Angel]8,550,000
50. 1992 – Bon JoviBed of Roses [Keep the Faith]8,530,000
51. 1996 – Backstreet BoysQuit Playin’ Games (with My Heart) [Backstreet Boys]8,480,000
52. 1991 – Mariah CareyEmotions [Emotions]8,380,000
53. 1993 – AerosmithCryin’ [Get a Grip]8,360,000
54. 1998 – MadonnaFrozen [Ray Of Light]8,340,000
55. 1990 – Mariah CareyVision of Love [Mariah Carey]8,180,000
56. 1995 – Shania TwainAny Man of Mine [The Woman In Me]8,090,000
57. 1999 – Christina AguileraGenie in a Bottle [Christina Aguilera]7,990,000
58. 1995 – Alanis MorissetteYou Oughta Know [Jagged Little Pill]7,910,000
59. 1993 – Billy JoelThe River of Dreams [River Of Dreams]7,840,000
60. 1991 – Michael JacksonRemember the Time [Dangerous]7,730,000
61. 1995 – Michael JacksonYou Are Not Alone [HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I]7,310,000
62. 1991 – Guns N’ RosesDon’t Cry [Use Your Illusion I]7,190,000
63. 1997 – NSYNCTearin’ Up My Heart [NSYNC]7,180,000
64. 1995 – Michael JacksonEarth Song [HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I]7,100,000
65. 1991 – Garth BrooksRodeo [Ropin’ the Wind]6,950,000
66. 1992 – Céline Dion & Peabo BrysonBeauty and the Beast [Celine Dion]6,750,000
67. 1997 – Green DayGood Riddance (Time of Your Life) [Nimrod]6,690,000
68. 1996 – Céline DionAll by Myself [Falling Into You]6,570,000
69. 1991 – Michael JacksonHeal the World [Dangerous]6,550,000
70. 1995 – Mariah Carey & Boyz II MenOne Sweet Day [Daydream]6,490,000
71. 1993 – The CranberriesLinger [Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?]6,280,000
72. 1993 – Céline DionThink Twice [The Colour Of My Love]6,260,000
73. 1997 – UsherYou Make Me Wanna… [My Way]6,080,000
74. 1993 – NirvanaHeart-Shaped Box [In Utero]6,010,000
75. 1999 – Red Hot Chili PeppersOtherside [Californication]5,940,000
76. 1991 – NirvanaLithium [Nevermind]5,930,000
77. 1995 – Céline DionPour que tu m’aimes encore [D’Eux]5,910,000
78. 1990 – George MichaelFreedom! ’90 [Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1]5,880,000
79. 1998 – MadonnaRay Of Light [Ray Of Light]5,720,000
80. 1991 – MetallicaThe Unforgiven [Metallica]5,600,000
81. 1994 – MadonnaTake A Bow [Bedtime Stories]5,420,000
82. 1997 – Spice GirlsSpice Up Your Life [Spiceworld]5,410,000
83. 1993 – Garth BrooksStanding Outside The Fire [In Pieces]5,350,000
84. 1998 – Whitney Houston & Mariah CareyWhen You Believe [My Love Is Your Love / #1’s / The Prince of Egypt]5,320,000
85. 1998 – Alanis MorissetteThank U [Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie]5,300,000
86. 1993 – Mariah CareyDreamlover [Music Box]5,270,000
87. 1995 – OasisDon’t Look Back In Anger [(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?]5,180,000
88. 1995 – Alanis MorissetteHand in My Pocket [Jagged Little Pill]5,140,000
89. 1997 – Foo FightersEverlong [The Colour and the Shape]5,140,000
90. 1999 – Enrique IglesiasBailamos [Enrique]5,110,000
91. 1990 – Jon Bon JoviBlaze Of Glory [Blaze of Glory]5,060,000
92. 1998 – Whitney HoustonMy Love Is Your Love [My Love Is Your Love]4,940,000
93. 1999 – EminemMy Name Is [The Slim Shady LP]4,940,000
94. 1994 – Green DayWhen I Come Around [Dookie]4,930,000
95. 1990 – Whitney HoustonAll the Man That I Need [I’m Your Baby Tonight]4,930,000
96. 1999 – Red Hot Chili PeppersScar Tissue [Californication]4,850,000
97. 1991 – CherThe Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss) [Love Hurts]4,730,000
98. 1992 – Elton JohnThe One [The One]4,700,000
99. 1999 – Britney Spears(You Drive Me) Crazy […Baby One More Time]4,630,000
100. 1997 – Mariah CareyMy All [ButterFly]4,610,000

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