Hear 10 Secs from Every Hit Song of the '90s

1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999

I watched part of The Crow last night (yeah, just part...we had to turn it off it was so bad) and was struck by how much of a solidified, historical aesthetic the '90s already has, just as much as the '80s or the '70s are a static time capsule of cultural silliness.  Yes, it was when I saw the faux-wet goth haircut of that "Craven" guy (real subtle name there, excellent foreshadowing) that I experienced the Proustian recollection and realized that I'm no longer "becoming a man", I'm just "a man".  The time of Jnco jeans and Darias is over.  And it was a simpler time, was it not?  No 9/11, no three simultaneous wars, no economic disaster and no Snooki.  Listen to these mp3s and pine for these more pastoral days of yore.  Read along with the clips here.

Find the rest of my "Ten Secs of _0s" column here, and listen to my radio show here.  Next up is the exciting conclusion...Every Top 100 song ever!  Plus I'll release the software I used to produce these chartsweeps along with a contest to showcase your supercut on my upcoming FMU marathon premium!

Comments

[lara]

First off, I love this, especially being able to follow along with the song titles on the Billboard chart you link to. This is a great project, and I hope you also do the 2000's.

But the 1995 version of the chart that you link to (and the almost identical wikipedia entry here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_Year-End_Hot_100_singles_of_1995) doesn't match your selections, and I'm wondering what data you used for 1995 and if you'd be willing to post it since it's pretty different from the longboredsurfer.com or the wikipedia one.

For example, neither of those list the terrible Rembrandts Theme from Friends song nor the Green Day song, and have "Waterfalls" and "Gangsta's paradise" much earlier in the year (you appear to be doing them chronologically, yes?) Same thing with 1996- the year end hot 100 charts don't match what you have, so there's no way to know what the songs are. Is it possible you could post what songs are included in your sweep since these charts aren't helping?

[TheTinaGrant]

I love this article. Really takes me back.

An interesting tidbit about "the Crow". The character, Draven, was played by Bruce Lee's only child, Brandon Lee. In the last few weeks of filming, Lee was killed in a freak accident while shooting a scene. They had to use a double to complete the film. If you can get through the first part of the film, you'll find it's actually a pretty good film; give it a try! If Rotten Tomatoes can rate it higher than 80%, you know it can't be all that bad. ;-)

[Tanya]

Thank you so much for making these lists.I graduated high school in 1991, and seem to link most high school (and after) memories to music. Sitting at my desk at work, listening to these brings me back to a much simpler time in my life and brings a smile to my face!!! You are awesome!!!!
PS-Just wanted to let you know that I only found this because ALYSSA MILANO tweeted it on Twitter. I thought that was pretty cool!!!

[non person]

Looks like 1992 was the end of Phil Collins reign of top 40 terror. The strangle hold he had on the 80s implies secret satanic handshakes and record contracts signed in blood. The Crow is ok. The kids back in the day who were WAY INTO IT always made me laugh though.

[Rufus J Squirrel]

Just found out Rick Astley charted in 1991.

Also really enjoyed this series.

[Leber]

I was losing my patience with these collages but then I realized this is relevant because I was growing up with all of these earlier songs. Songs I'd forgotten I'd really liked at the time came back floating to my mind. Thanks for the memories.

[sbspence]

The 90s D'OH!

[Matt B]

I noticed in the 94' Aerosmith's Jaded plays, and this song was not released until 2000 I believe.

[Alan]

Good list, nostalgia is always bound to wound the hearts of minds of some past events, a person, an object will be obsessed, broken-hearted people.