50yearsoftop40

[50yearsoftop40]

My 400 favorite Billboard Top 40s of the 1990s (spotify link)

For people who prefer one big playlist to ten little ones.

Below are links to those ten little playlists, along with their track listings:

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1990, from Motley Crue’s “Kickstart My Heart” to INXS’ “Disappear”

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1991, from Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” to U2′s “Mysterious Ways”

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1992, from Digital Underground’s “Kiss You Back” to Prince & The New Power Generation’s “7″

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1993, from Duran Duran’s “Ordinary World” to Queen Latifah’s “U.N.I.T.Y.”

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1994, from Gin Blossoms’ “Found Out About You” to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You”

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1995, from Brownstone’s “If You Love Me” to Blues Traveler’s “Hook”

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1996, from Brandy’s “Sittin’ Up In My Room” to MC Lyte’s “Cold Rock A Party”

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1997, from Tony! Toni! Tone!’s “Let’s Get Down” to Savage Garden’s “Truly Madly Deeply”

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1998, from Busta Rhymes’ “Dangerous” to Monica’s “Angel Of Mine”

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1999, from New Radicals’ “You Get What You Give” to Guy’s “Dancin’”

[50yearsoftop40]

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40 singles of 1999

All these songs hit the Billboard Top 40 for the first time in 1999. Or rather, in an issue of Billboard with a 1999 street date. Close enough.

Spotify link here. YouTube links below:

New Radicals, “You Get What You Give” (1/16, #36) Cher, “Believe” (1/23, #1) Sugar Ray, “Every Morning” (1/30, #3) Lauryn Hill, “Ex-Factor” (2/13, #21) Sixpence None The Richer, “Kiss Me” (2/27, #2) TLC, “No Scrubs” (2/27, #1) Eminem, “My Name Is” (3/13, #36) Everlast, “What It’s Like” (3/13, #13) Busta Rhymes featuring Janet, “What’s It Gonna Be?” (3/27, #3) B*Witched, “C’est La Vie” (3/27, #9) Roots featuring Erykah Badu, “You Got Me” (4/3, #39) Lee Ann Womack, “I’ll Think of A Reason Later” (4/24, #38) Backstreet Boys, “I Want It That Way” (5/1, #6) Blaque, “808” (5/8, #8) Fatboy Slim, “Praise You” (5/15, #36) Dave Hollister, “My Favorite Girl” (5/29, #39) Smash Mouth, “All Star” (6/5, #4) Madonna, “Beautiful Stranger” (6/26, #19) Destiny’s Child, “Bills, Bills, Bills” (7/3, #1) Christina Aguilera, “Genie In A Bottle” (7/10, #1) Sugar Ray, “Someday” (7/17, #7) Enrique Iglesias, “Bailamos” (7/24, #1) LFO, “Summer Girls” (7/24, #3) Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Scar Tissue” (7/31, #9) Tracie Spencer, “It’s All About You (Not About Me)” (8/14, #18) Len, “Steal My Sunshine” (9/11, #9) Q-Tip, “Vivrant Thing” (9/18, #26) Whitney Houston, “My Love Is Your Love” (9/25, #4) Marc Anthony, “I Need To Know” (10/2, #3) Britney Spears, “(You Drive Me) Crazy” (10/2, #10) Backstreet Boys, “Larger Than Life” (10/9, #25) Destiny’s Child, “Bug A Boo” (10/16, #33)
 Eve, “Gotta Man” (10/16, #26) Donnell Jones, “U Know What’s Up” (10/23, #7) BG featuring Baby, Turk, Mannie Fresh, Juvenile & Lil Wayne, “Bling Bling” (10/30, #36) Missy Elliott featuring Nas, Eve & Q-Tip, “Hot Boyz (Remix)” (11/27, #5) Ol’ Dirty Bastard featuring Kelis, “Got Your Money” (12/11, #33) Brad Paisley, “He Didn’t Have To Be” (12/11, #30) Montell Jordan, “Get It On…Tonite” (12/18, #4) Guy, “Dancin’” (12/25, #19)

[50yearsoftop40]

My 40 favorite Top 40 singles of 1998 

All these songs hit the Billboard Top 40 for the first time in 1998. Or rather, in an issue of Billboard with a 1998 street date. Close enough.

Spotify link here. YouTube links below:

Busta Rhymes, “Dangerous” (1/17, #9) Alana Davis, “32 Flavors” (1/24, #37) INOJ, “Love You Down” (2/7, #25) Wyclef Jean, “Gone Till November” (2/7, #7) Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz, “Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)” (2/7, #9) Sarah McLachlan, “Sweet Surrender” (2/14, #28) Natalie Imbruglia, “Torn” (2/21, #1)* Next, “Too Close” (2/21, #1) Aerosmith, “Pink” (2/28, #27) Will Smith, “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” (2/28, #1) *NSYNC, “I Want You Back” (3/7, #13) Timbaland & Magoo, “Luv 2 Luv U (Remix)” (3/7, #37)* Madonna, “Frozen” (3/21, #2) The Verve, “Bitter Sweet Symphony” (3/28, #12) Fastball, “The Way” (4/4, #5)* Backstreet Boys, “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” (4/18, #4) Goo Goo Dolls, “Iris” (5/2, #1)* Tamia, “Imagination” (5/2, #37) Everclear, “I Will Buy You A New Life” (5/9, #33)* Semisonic, “Closing Time” (5/16, #11)* Beenie Man, “Who Am I ‘Simma Simma’” (5/23, #40) DMX featuring Sheek, “Get At Me Dog” (5/23, #39) Big Punisher featuring Joe, “Still Not A Player” (6/13, #24) Brandy & Monica, “The Boy Is Mine” (6/30, #1) Madonna, “Ray Of Light” (7/11, #5) Smash Mouth, “Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby” (7/18, #27)* Aaliyah, “Are You That Somebody?” (7/25, #4)* Dixie Chicks, “There’s Your Trouble” (8/1, #36) Beastie Boys, “Intergalactic” (8/8, #28) Harvey Danger, “Flagpole Sitta” (8/15, #38)* Aerosmith, “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” (9/5, #1) Divine, “Lately” (9/12, #1) Sheryl Crow, “My Favorite Mistake” (9/19, #9)* Noreaga, “SuperThug (What What)” (10/3, #36) Alanis Morissette, “Thank U” (10/10, #2)* Will Smith, “Just The Two Of Us” (10/10, #20) Total featuring Missy Elliott, “Trippin’” (11/7, #7) Jay-Z featuring Amil and Ja Rule, “Can I Get A…” (11/14, #19) Goo Goo Dolls, “Slide” (12/5, #8) Monica, “Angel Of Mine” (12/26, #1)

*airplay chart

[50yearsoftop40]

My 40 favorite Top 40 singles of 1997 (spotify link)

All these songs hit the Billboard Top 40 for the first time in 1997. Or rather, in an issue of Billboard with a 1997 street date. Close enough.

YouTube links below:

Tony! Toni! Tone!, “Let's Get Down” (Billboard debut week: 1/4, chart peak: #30)* Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Love Rollercoaster” (1/11, #40)* Aaliyah, “One In A Million” (1/25, #25)* Erykah Badu, “On & On” (1/25, #12) Spice Girls, “Wannabe” (1/25, #1) Live, “Lakini’s Juice” (2/1, #35)* The Roots, “What They Do” (2/8, #34) The Wallflowers, “One Headlight” (2/8, #2)* Prodigy, “Firestarter” (3/1, #30) Savage Garden, “I Want You” (3/1, #4) DJ Kool, “Let Me Clear My Throat” (3/8, #30) Mark Morrison, “Return Of The Mack” (3/8, #2) Dave Matthews Band, “Crash Into Me” (3/15, #19)* Foxy Brown featuring Jay-Z, “I’ll Be” (3/22, #7) Luscious Jackson, “Naked Eye” (3/22, #36) White Town, “Your Woman” (4/5, #23) Notorious B.I.G., “Hypnotize” (4/26, #1) Hanson, “MmmBop” (5/3, #1) OMC, “How Bizarre” (5/24, #4)* Spice Girls, “Say You’ll Be There” (5/24, #3) Sheryl Crow, “A Change Would Do You Good” (5/31, #19)* Depeche Mode, “It’s No Good” (5/31, #38) Robyn, “Do You Know (What It Takes)” (5/31, #7) Mighty Mighty Bosstones, “The Impression That I Get” (6/7, #23)* Backstreet Boys, “Quit Playing Games With My Heart” (6/28, #2) Third Eye Blind, “Semi-Charmed Life” (7/5, #4) Lil Kim featuring Da Brat, Left Eye, Missy Elliott and Angie Martinez, “Not Tonight” (7/12, #6) En Vogue, “Whatever” (7/19, #16) Hanson, “Where’s The Love” (8/2, #27)* Rampage featuring Billy Lawrence, “Take It To The Streets” (8/9, #34) Sugar Ray, “Fly” (8/9, #1) Usher, “You Make Me Wanna” (8/23, #2) Smash Mouth, “Walkin’ On The Sun” (9/6, #2) Janet Jackson featuring Q-Tip and Joni Mitchell, “Got Til It’s Gone” (9/13, #36)* Boyz II Men, “4 Seasons Of Loneliness” (9/27, #1) Fiona Apple, “Criminal” (10/4, #21) Busta Rhymes, “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See” (10/25, #37)* Missy Elliott featuring Da Brat, “Sock It 2 Me” (10/25, #12) Puff Daddy & The Family featuring The Notorious BIG, Lil Kim & The Lox, “It’s All About The Benjamins” (12/6, #2) Savage Garden, “Truly Madly Deeply” (12/6, #1)

[50yearsoftop40]

My 40 favorite Top 40 singles of 1996 (spotify link)

All these songs hit the Billboard Top 40 for the first time in 1996. Or rather, in an issue of Billboard with a 1996 street date. Close enough.

YouTube links below:

Brandy, “Sittin’ Up In My Room” (1/6, #2) Folk Implosion, “Natural One” (1/13, #29) Oasis, “Wonderwall” (1/27, #8) 2Pac featuring Dr Dre & Roger Troutman, “California Love” (1/27, #6)** Mary J Blige, “Not Gon’ Cry” (2/3, #2) The Fugees, “Fu-Gee-La” (2/10, #29) Gin Blossoms, “Follow You Down” (2/10, #9) Smashing Pumpkins, “1979” (2/10, #12) Green Day, “Brain Stew/Jaded” (2/17, #35)* Immature, “We Got It” (2/24, #37) George Michael, “Jesus To A Child” (2/24, #7) Everclear, “Santa Monica” (3/2, #29)* D’Angelo, “Lady” (3/9, #10) LL Cool J, “Doin’ It” (3/9, #9) Busta Rhymes, “Woo-Hahh!! Got You All In Check” (3/16, #8) The Presidents Of The United States Of America, “Peaches” (3/16, #29) The Fugees, “Killing Me Softly” (3/23, #2)* Stone Temple Pilots, “Big Bang Baby” (3/23, #28)* No Doubt, “Just A Girl” (4/13, #23) Spacehog, “In The Meantime” (4/13, #32) George Michael, “Fastlove” (5/11, #8) Jodeci, “Get On Up” (6/1, #22) Quad City DJs, “C’Mon N’ Ride It (The Train)” (6/1, #3) Soundgarden, “Pretty Noose” (6/1, #37)* Dave Matthews Band, “Too Much” (6/8, #39)* Butthole Surfers, “Pepper” (6/22, #26)* Delinquent Habits, “Tres Delinquentes” (6/22, #35) No Doubt, “Spiderwebs” (7/6, #18)* Outkast, “Elevators” (7/27, #12) Garbage, “Stupid Girl” (8/3, #24) Aaliyah, “If Your Girl Only Knew” (8/31, #11) John Mellencamp, “Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)” (9/7, #14) Ghost Town DJs, “My Boo” (9/21, #31) Maxwell, “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)” (9/28, #36) Ginuwine, “Pony” (10/5, #6) Blackstreet featuring Dr Dre, “No Diggity” (10/19, #1) Sublime, “What I Got” (10/19, #29)* Cardigans, “Lovefool” (12/14, #2)* Jewel, “You Were Meant For Me” (12/21, #2) MC Lyte, “Cold Rock A Party” (12/21, #11)

*airplay only **Top 40 chart peak, airplay debut week

[50yearsoftop40]

My 40 favorite Top 40 singles of 1995 (spotify link)

All these songs hit the Billboard Top 40 for the first time in 1995. Or rather, in an issue of Billboard with a 1995 street date. Close enough.

YouTube links below:

Brownstone, “If You Love Me” (1/7, #8) Sheryl Crow, “Strong Enough” (1/28, #5) Notorious B.I.G., “Big Poppa” (1/28, #6) Oasis, “Live Forever” (2/4, #39)* Changing Faces, “Foolin’ Around” (2/4, #38) Brandy, “Baby” (2/11, #4) Dionne Farris, “I Know” (2/11, #4) Adina Howard, “Freak Like Me” (2/25, #2) Montell Jordan, “This Is How We Do It” (3/11, #1) Nirvana, “The Man Who Sold The World” (3/11, #39)* 2Pac, “Dear Mama” (3/11, #9) Bush, “Everything Zen” (3/18, #40)* Craig Mack, “Get Down” (3/18, #38) The Cranberries, “Ode To My Family” (4/15, #39)* Annie Lennox, “No More ‘I Love You’s’” (4/15, #23) Method Man featuring Mary J Blige, “I’ll Be There For You/You’re All I Need To Get By” (5/13, #3) Monica, “Don’t Take It Personal (Just One Of Dem Days)” (5/13, #2) Blues Traveler, “Run-Around” (5/20, #8) Collective Soul, “December” (6/3, #20) Naughty By Nature, “Feel Me Flow” (6/24, #17) U2, “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me” (6/24, #16) Better Than Ezra, “Good” (7/1, #30) Alanis Morissette, “You Oughta Know” (7/1, #13)* Live, “All Over You” (7/8, #33)* Seal, “Kiss From A Rose” (7/8, #1) Green Day, “J.A.R.” (7/8, #22)* Skee-Lo, “I Wish” (7/29, #13) Gin Blossoms, “Til I Hear It From You” (8/5, #8)** Montell Jordan, “Somethin’ 4 Da Honeyz” (8/19, #21) Take That, “Back For Good” (9/2, #7) The Presidents Of The United States Of America, “Lump” (9/16, #21)* Groove Theory, “Tell Me” (9/23, #5) Mariah Carey, “Fantasy” (9/30, #1) Dave Matthews Band, “Ants Marching” (9/30, #21)* Bush, “Comedown” (10/14, #30) Edwyn Collins, “A Girl Like  You” (11/14, #32) Everything But The Girl, “Missing” (11/11, #2) Smashing Pumpkins, “Bullet With Butterfly Wings” (11/11, #22) Goodie Mob, “Cell Therapy” (11/18, #39) Blues Traveler, “Hook” (12/30, #23)

*airplay chart peak, not released as a physical single **airplay chart peak in ’95, reached #11 as a double a-side in ’96

[50yearsoftop40]

My 40 favorite Top 40 singles of 1994 (spotify link)

All these songs hit the Billboard Top 40 for the first time in 1994. Or rather, in an issue of Billboard with a 1994 street date. Close enough.

YouTube links below:

Gin Blossoms, “Found Out About You” (1/1, #25) Ace Of Base, “The Sign” (1/22, #1) All-4-One, “So Much In Love” (1/22, #5) Salt-N-Pepa, “Whatta Man” (1/29, #3) Zhane, “Groove Thang” (1/29, #17) Snoop Doggy Dogg, “Gin & Juice” (2/19, #8) Counting Crows, “Mr. Jones” (2/26, #5)* Beck, “Loser” (3/5, #10) Crash Test Dummies, “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm” (3/5, #4) Masta Ace Incorporated, “Born To Roll“ (4/2, #23) Outkast, “Player’s Ball” (4/9, #37) SWV feat Wu Tang Clan, “Anything (Old Skool Version)” (4/23, #18) Aaliyah, “Back & Forth” (5/7, #5) Warren G & Nate Dogg, “Regulate” (5/7, #2) Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories, “Stay (I Missed You)” (5/28, #1) Erasure, “Always” (6/4, #20) Gin Blossoms, “Until I Fall Away” (6/18, #21)* Green Day, “Long View” (6/18, #36)* John Mellencamp & Me’Shell Ndgeocello, “Wild Night” (6/18, #3) Coolio, “Fantastic Voyage” (6/25, #3) Babyface, “When Can I See You” (7/9, #4) Crystal Waters, “100% Pure Love” (7/9, #11) Public Enemy, “Give It Up” (7/30, #33) Offspring, “Come Out And Play” (8/6, #38)* Stone Temple Pilots, “Vasoline” (8/13, #38)* Sheryl Crow, “All I Wanna Do” (8/27, #2) Candlebox, “Far Behind” (9/3, #18) Green Day, “Basket Case” (9/3, #26)* Craig Mack, “Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)” (9/3, #9) Aaliyah, “At Your Best (You Are Love)” (9/10, #6) Notorious B.I.G., “Juicy” (9/17, #27) Melissa Etheridge, “I’m The Only One” (10/1, #8) R.E.M., “What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?” (10/1, #21) Stone Temple Pilots, “Interstate Love Song” (10/1, #18)* Ini Kamoze, “Here Comes The Hotstepper” (10/15, #1) Lucas, “Lucas With The Lid Off” (10/22, #29) Blackstreet, “Before I Let You Go” (11/19, #7) TLC, “Creep” (11/19, #1) Weezer, “Buddy Holly” (12/17, #18)* Mariah Carey, “All I Want For Christmas In You” (12/24, #12)*

*airplay only

[50yearsoftop40]

My 40 favorite Top 40 singles of 1993 (spotify link)

All these songs hit the Billboard Top 40 for the first time in 1993. Or rather, in an issue of Billboard with a 1993 street date. Close enough.

YouTube links below:

Duran Duran, “Ordinary World” (Billboard Top 40 debut week: 1/23, chart peak: #3) Sade, “No Ordinary Love” (1/23, #28) Digable Planets, “Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” (1/30, #15) Naughty By Nature, “Hip Hop Hooray” (2/6, #8) Positive K, “I Got A Man” (2/6, #14) Snow, “Informer” (2/6, #1) Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg, “Nuthin But A G Thang” (2/13, #2) Father MC, “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” (2/13, #37) Silk, “Freak Me” (2/27, #1) R.E.M., “Man On The Moon” (3/13, #30) Ice Cube, “It Was A Good Day” (3/20, #15) PM Dawn, “Looking Through Patient Eyes” (3/27, #6) Sunscreem, “Love U More” (4/10, #36) Aerosmith, “Livin On The Edge” (4/24, #18) Stereo MCs, “Connected” (4/24, #20) Robin S, “Show Me Love” (5/1, #5) New Order, “Regret” (6/5, #28) 95 South, “Whoot, There It Is” (6/19, #11) Onyx, “Slam” (6/26, #4) The Proclaimers, “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” (6/26, #3) Tony! Toni! Tone!, “If I Had No Loot” (6/26, #7) Tina Turner, “I Don’t Wanna Fight” (7/3, #9) Soul Asylum, “Runaway Train” (7/10, #5) Cypress Hill,” Insane In The Brain” (7/24, #19) Janet Jackson, “If” (7/31, #4) SWV, “Right Here/Human Nature” (7/31, #2) Mariah Carey, “Dreamlover” (8/7, #1) Radiohead, “Creep” (8/7, #34) Tears For Fears, “Break It Down Again” (8/21, #25) Aerosmith, “Cryin'” (8/28, #12) Gin Blossoms, “Hey Jealousy” (9/11, #25) Zhane, “Hey Mr. D.J.” (9/18, #6) Blind Melon, “No Rain” (10/9, #20) Janet Jackson, “Again” (10/23, #1) Salt-N-Pepa, “Shoop” (10/23, #4) 2Pac, “Keep Ya Head Up” (11/13, #12) The Cranberries, “Linger” (11/20, #8) Snoop Doggy Dogg, “What’s My Name” (12/4, #8) Pearl Jam, “Daughter” (12/18, #33)* Queen Latifah, “U.N.I.T.Y.” (12/18, #23)

*airplay only

[50yearsoftop40]

My 40 favorite Top 40 singles of 1992 (spotify link)

All these songs hit the Billboard Top 40 for the first time in 1992. Or rather, in an issue of Billboard with a 1992 street date. Close enough.

YouTube links below:

Digital Underground, “Kiss You Back” (Top 40 debut week: 1/11, chart peak: #40) Bonnie Raitt, “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (1/18, #18) Right Said Fred, “I’m Too Sexy” (1/18, #1) Michael Jackson, “Remember The Time” (2/1, #3) The KLF featuring Tammy Wynette, “Justified & Ancient” (2/15, #11) Richard Marx, “Hazard” (3/7, #9) Lidell Townell & M.T.F., “Nu Nu” (3/28, #26) U2, “One” (3/28, #10) En Vogue, “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” (4/4, #2) Kris Kross, “Jump” (4/11, #1) Nirvana, “Come As You Are” (4/18, #32) Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Under The Bridge” (4/18, #2) Arrested Development, “Tennessee” (4/25, #6) Sophie B. Hawkins, “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover” (4/25, #5) Sir Mix-A-Lot, “Baby Got Back” (5/2, #1) ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, “Smells Like Nirvana” (5/9, #35) Color Me Badd, “Slow Motion” (5/23, #18) Bonnie Raitt, “Not The Only One” (5/23, #34) Jon Secada, “Just Another Day” (5/23, #5) Mariah Carey, “I’ll Be There - Live” (5/30, #1) Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson, “The Best Things In Life Are Free” (5/30, #10) Das EFX, “They Want EFX” (6/6, #25) The Cure, “Friday I’m In Love” (6/20, #18) George Michael, “Too Funky” (6/20, #10) Technotronic featuring Ya Kid K, “Move This” (7/4, #6) Annie Lennox, “Why” (7/11, #34) House Of Pain, “Jump Around” (7/25, #3) Shakespear’s Sister, “Stay” (7/25, #4) Toad The Wet Sprocket, “All I Want” (7/25, #15) Mary J Blige, “You Remind Me” (8/1, #29) Shabba Ranks, “Mr. Loverman” (8/1, #40) KWS, “Please Don’t Go” (8/8, #6) Mary J Blige, “Real Love” (9/26, #7) Del Amitri, “Always The Last To Know” (9/26, #30) k.d. lang, “Constant Craving” (10/3, #38) Annie Lennox, “Walking On Broken Glass” (10/3, #14) Wreckx-N-Effect, “Rump Shaker” (10/24, #2) R.E.M., “Drive” (11/28, #28) Portrait, “Here We Go Again” (12/19, #11) Prince & The New Power Generation, “7” (12/19, #7)

[50yearsoftop40]

My 40 favorite Top 40 singles of 1991 (spotify link)

All these songs hit the Billboard Top 40 for the first time in 1991. Or rather, in an issue of Billboard with a 1991 street date. Close enough.

YouTube links below:

Chris Isaak, “Wicked Game” (1/19, #6) AC/DC, “Moneytalks” (1/26, #23) Another Bad Creation, “Iesha” (2/2, #9) Tevin Campbell, “Round And Round” (2/9, #12) Londonbeat, “I’ve Been Thinking About You” (2/16, #1) Amy Grant, “Baby Baby” (3/9, #1) Lisette Melendez, “Together Forever” (3/16, #35) The Rembrandts, “Just The Way It Is, Baby” (3/16, #14) C & C Music Factory Presents Freedom Williams & Zelma Davis, “Here We Go” (3/23, #3) Cathy Dennis, “Touch Me (All Night Long)” (3/23, #2) The Triplets, “You Don’t Have To Go Home Tonight” (4/6, #14) Queensryche, “Silent Lucidity” (4/13, #9) Monie Love, “It’s A Shame (My Sister)” (4/20, #26) R.E.M., “Losing My Religion” (4/20, #4) Paula Abdul, “Rush, Rush” (5/11, #1) EMF, “Unbelievable” (5/11, #1) LL Cool J, “Mama Said Knock You Out” (5/11, #17) Corina, “Temptation” (6/22, #6) Lenny Kravitz, “It Ain’t Over ’Til It’s Over” (6/22, #2) D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, “Summertime” (6/29, #4) Boyz II Men, “Motownphilly” (7/6, #3) Seal, “Crazy” (7/13, #7) The Black Crowes, “Hard To Handle” (7/20, #26) Stereo MC’s, “Elevate My Mind” (7/20, #39) Marky Mark And The Funky Bunch, “Good Vibrations” (8/10, #1) R.E.M, “Shiny Happy People” (8/10, #10) 3rd Bass, “Pop Goes The Weasel” (8/10, #29) Bonnie Raitt, “Something To Talk About” (8/17, #5) Mariah Carey, “Emotions” (8/31, #1) Siouxsie & The Banshees, “Kiss Them For Me” (9/21, #23) Naughty By Nature, “O.P.P.” (9/28, #6) Prince & The New Power Generation, “Gett Off” (9/28, #21) Prince & The New Power Generation, “Cream” (10/5, #1) PM Dawn, “Set Adrift On Memory Bliss” (10/26, #1) Big Audio Dynamite II, “Rush” (11/2, #32) The Geto Boys, “Mind Playing Tricks On Me” (11/2, #23) Color Me Badd, “All 4 Love” (11/9, #1) Ce Ce Peniston, “Finally” (11/9, #5) Nirvana, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (12/7, #6) U2, “Mysterious Ways” (12/14, #9)

[50yearsoftop40]

My 40 favorite Top 40 singles of 1990 (spotify link)

All these songs hit the Billboard Top 40 for the first time in 1990. Or rather, in an issue of Billboard with a 1990 street date. Close enough.

YouTube links below:

Motley Crue, “Kickstart My Heart” (1/6, #27) Roxette, “Dangerous” (1/6, #2) The B-52’s, “Roam” (1/20, #3) Janet Jackson, “Escapade” (1/20, #1) Michel’le, “No More Lies” (1/20, #7) Michael Penn, “No Myth” (2/3, #13) Depeche Mode, “Personal Jesus” (2/10, #28) Technotronic, “Get Up! (Before The Night Is Over)” (2/17, #7) Sinead O’Connor, “Nothing Compares 2 U” (3/24, #1) Aerosmith, “What It Takes” (3/31, #9) Adam Ant, “Room At The Top” (4/7, #17) Wilson Phillips, “Hold On” (4/7, #1) Bell Biv DeVoe, “Poison” (4/14, #3) Digital Underground, “The Humpty Dance” (4/14, #11) Janet Jackson, “Alright” (4/14, #4) Madonna, “Vogue” (4/14, #1) Roxette, “It Must Have Been Love” (4/21, #1) After 7, “Ready Or Not” (4/28, #7) MC Hammer, “U Can’t Touch This” (4/28, #8) En Vogue, “Hold On” (5/12, #2) The B-52’s, “Deadbeat Club” (5/19, #30) Taylor Dayne, “I’ll Be Your Shelter” (5/19, #4) Depeche Mode, “Enjoy The Silence” (5/26, #8) Johnny Gill, “Rub You The Right Way” (5/26, #3) New Kids On The Block, “Step By Step” (5/26, #1) Snap!, “The Power” (6/2, #2) Del Amitri, “Kiss This Thing Goodbye” (6/30, #35) Faith No More, “Epic” (7/14, #9) Aerosmith, “The Other Side” (7/21, #22) Kyper, “Tic-Tac-Toe” (8/4, #14) After 7, “Can’t Stop” (8/25, #6) Depeche Mode, “Policy Of Truth” (9/1, #15) INXS, “Suicide Blonde” (9/22, #9) Vanilla Ice, “Ice Ice Baby” (9/22, #1) Concrete Blonde, “Joey” (10/6, #19) Deee-Lite, “Groove Is In The Heart” (10/20, #4) Soho, “Hippychick” (10/20, #14) D.N.A. featuring Suzanne Vega, “Tom’s Diner” (11/3, #5) George Michael, “Freedom ’90” (11/3, #8) INXS, “Disappear” (12/22, #8)

[50yearsoftop40]

My 400 favorite Billboard Top 40s of the 1980s (spotify link)

For people who prefer one big playlist to ten little ones.

Below are links to those ten little playlists, along with their track listings:

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1980, from Steve Forbert’s “Romeo’s Tune” to REO Speedwagon’s “Keep On Loving You”

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1981, from Teena Marie’s “I Need Your Lovin’” to The Rolling Stones’ “Waiting On A Friend”

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1982, from Loverboy’s “Working For The Weekend” to Adam Ant’s “Goody Two Shoes”

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1983, from A Flock Of Seagulls’ “Space Age Love Song” to 38 Special’s “If I’d Been The One”

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1984, from Pretenders’ “Middle Of The Road” to Prince & The Revolution’s “I Would Die 4 U”

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1985, from Ashford & Simpson’s “Solid” to Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know”

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1986, from Baltimora’s “Tarzan Boy” to Chico DeBarge’s “Talk To Me”

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1987, from Beastie Boys’ “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)” to Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push It”

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1988, from The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven” to The Art Of Noise featuring Tom Jones’ “Kiss”

My 40 favorite Billboard Top 40s of 1989, from Erasure’s “A Little Respect” to Aerosmith’s “Janie’s Got A Gun”

[50yearsoftop40]

My 40 favorite Top 40 singles of 1989 (spotify link)

All these songs hit the Billboard Top 40 for the first time in 1989. Or rather, in an issue of Billboard with a 1989 street date. Close enough.

YouTube links below:

Erasure, “A Little Respect” (Billboard Top 40 debut week: 1/21, chart peak: #14) Guns N’ Roses, “Paradise City” (1/28, #5) Rod Stewart, “My Heart Can’t Tell You No” (1/28, #4) Kon Kan, “I Beg Your Pardon” (2/4, #15) Milli Vanilli, “Girl You Know It’s True” (2/4, #2) The Bangles, “Eternal Flame” (2/11, #1) Martika, “More Than You Know” (2/18, #18) Fine Young Cannibals, “She Drives Me Crazy” (2/25, #1) R.E.M., “Stand” (2/25, #6) Roxette, “The Look” (2/25, #1) Karyn White, “Superwoman” (2/25, #8) Bon Jovi, “I’ll Be There For You” (3/18, #1) Def Leppard, “Rocket” (3/18, #12) Madonna, “Like A Prayer” (3/18, #1) Paula Abdul, “Forever Your Girl” (4/1, #1) The Belle Stars, “Iko Iko” (4/1, #14) Bobby Brown, “Every Little Step” (4/15, #3) Neneh Cherry, “Buffalo Stance” (5/6, #3) Tom Petty, “I Won’t Back Down” (5/27, #12) Madonna, “Express Yourself” (6/10, #2) Warrant, “Down Boys” (6/10, #27) Great White, “Once Bitten Twice Shy” (6/17, #5) Love & Rockets, “So Alive” (6/17, #3) Paula Abdul, “Cold Hearted” (7/8, #1) LL Cool J, “I’m The Type Of Guy” (7/8, #15) De La Soul, “Me, Myself And I” (7/22, #34) Warrant, “Heaven” (8/5, #2) Beastie Boys, “Hey Ladies” (8/26, #36) Cure, “Love Song” (8/26, #2) Young M.C., “Bust A Move” (8/26, #7) Babyface, “It’s No Crime” (9/9, #7) Janet Jackson, “Miss You Much” (9/9, #1) Tears For Fears, “Sowing The Seeds Of Love” (9/9, #2) Aerosmith, “Love In An Elevator” (9/16, #5) B-52’s, “Love Shack” (9/30, #3) Soul II Soul, “Back To Life” (10/14, #4) Billy Joel, “We Didn’t Start The Fire” (10/21, #1) Janet Jackson, “Rhythm Nation” (11/18, #2) Tom Petty, “Free Fallin’” (12/2, #7) Aerosmith, “Janie’s Got A Gun” (12/16, #4)

[50yearsoftop40]

My 40 favorite Top 40 singles of 1988 (spotify link)

All these songs hit the Billboard Top 40 for the first time in 1988. Or rather, in an issue of Billboard with a 1988 street date. Close enough.

YouTube links below:

The Cure, “Just Like Heaven” (1/9, #40) David Lee Roth, "Just Like Paradise" (1/30, #6) Def Leppard, “Hysteria” (2/13, #10) Billy Ocean, “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car” (2/20, #1) Aerosmith, “Angel” (2/27, #3) Terence Trent D’Arby, “Wishing Well” (2/27, #1) Icehouse, “Electric Blue” (3/19, #7) Bruce Springsteen, “One Step Up” (3/19, #13) LL Cool J, “Going Back To Cali” (3/26, #31) The Deele, “Two Occasions” (4/2, #10) Pet Shop Boys, “Always On My Mind” (4/9, #4) George Michael, “One More Try” (4/16, #1) Rick Astley, “Together Forever” (4/30, #1) Al B. Sure!, “Nite And Day” (5/14, #7) Def Leppard, “Pour Some Sugar On Me” (5/21, #2) Midnight Oil, “Beds Are Burning” (5/21, #17) Poison, “Nothin’ But A Good Time” (5/21, #6) The Church, “Under The Milky Way” (5/28, #24) INXS, “New Sensation” (5/28, #3) Rod Stewart, “Lost In You” (6/4, #12) Sade, “Paradise” (6/11, #16) Jane Wiedlin, “Rush Hour” (6/11, #9) Johnny Kemp, “Just Got Paid” (6/25, #10) Aerosmith, “Rag Doll” (7/9, #17) Tracy Chapman, “Fast Car” (7/16, #6) George Michael, “Monkey” (7/16, #1) Guns N’ Roses, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (7/23, #1) Erasure, “Chains Of Love” (9/10, #12) The Escape Club, “Wild, Wild West” (9/17, #1) The Beach Boys, “Kokomo” (9/24, #1) Cinderella, “Don’t You What You’ve Got (Till It’s Gone)” (10/22, #12) Boy Meets Girl, “Waiting For A Star To Fall” (10/15, #5) Rob Base & D.J. E-Z Rock, “It Takes Two” (10/15, #36) When In Rome, “The Promise” (10/22, #11) Guns N’ Roses, “Welcome To The Jungle” (11/5, #7) Bobby Brown, “My Prerogative” (11/12, #1) Tracie Spencer, “Symptoms Of True Love” (11/19, #38) Michael Jackson, “Smooth Criminal” (11/26, #7) Paula Abdul, “Straight Up” (12/24, #1) The Art Of Noise featuring Tom Jones, “Kiss” (12/24, #31)

[50yearsoftop40]

My 40 favorite Top 40 singles of 1987 (spotify link)

All these songs hit the Billboard Top 40 for the first time in 1987. Or rather, in an issue of Billboard with a 1987 street date. Close enough.

YouTube links below:

Beastie Boys, “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)” (Billboard Top 40 debut: 1/24, chart peak: #7) Donna Allen, “Serious” (3/28, #21) U2, “With Or Without You” (4/4, #1) World Party, “Ship Of Fools (Save Me From Tomorrow)” (4/4, #27) Poison, “Talk Dirty To Me” (4/11, #9) Paul Simon, “You Can Call Me Al” (4/25, #23) Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, “Head To Toe” (5/2, #1) Company B, “Fascinated” (5/9, #21) Whitney Houston, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” (5/16, #1) Heart, “Alone” (5/23, #1) Expose, “Point Of No Return” (5/30, #5) T’Pau, “Heart And Soul” (6/6, #4) George Michael, “I Want Your Sex” (6/20, #2) U2, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (6/20, #1) Debbie Gibson, “Only In My Dreams” (6/27, #4) Suzanne Vega, “Luka” (7/4, #3) Grateful Dead, “Touch Of Grey” (8/15, #9) Natalie Cole, “Jump Start” (8/22, #13) Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, “Lost In Emotion” (8/22, #1) Prince, “U Got The Look” (8/29, #2) Alexander O’Neal, “Fake” (9/5, #25) Michael Jackson, “Bad” (9/19, #1) Pet Shop Boys, “It’s A Sin” (9/26, #9) Tiffany, “I Think We’re Alone Now” (9/26, #1) Bruce Springsteen, “Brilliant Disguise” (10/3, #5) U2, “Where The Streets Have No Name” (10/3, #13) Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes, “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life” (10/10, #1) Poison, “I Won’t Forget You” (10/17, #13) R.E.M., “The One I Love” (10/17, #9) George Michael, “Faith” (10/31, #1) George Harrison, “Got My Mind Set On You” (11/14, #1) John Cougar Mellencamp, “Cherry Bomb” (11/14, #8) Def Leppard, “Animal” (11/21, #19) INXS, “Need You Tonight” (11/21, #1) Michael Jackson, “The Way You Make Me Feel” (11/28, #1) New Order, “True Faith” (12/5, #32) Prince, “I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man” (12/5, #10) Fleetwood Mac, “Everywhere” (12/26, #14) Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield, “What Have I Done To Deserve This?” (12/26, #2) Salt-N-Pepa, “Push It” (12/26, #19)

[50yearsoftop40]

My 40 favorite Top 40 singles of 1986 (spotify link)

All these songs hit the Billboard Top 40 for the first time in 1986. Or rather, in an issue of Billboard with a 1986 street date. Close enough.

YouTube links below:

Baltimora, “Tarzan Boy” (Billboard Top 40 debut: 1/11, chart peak: #13) The Dream Academy, “Life In A Northern Town” (1/11, #7) Hooters, “Day By Day” (2/1, #18) INXS, “What You Need” (2/15, #5) Sly Fox, “Let’s Go All The Way” (2/15, #7) Force M.D.’s, “Tender Love” (3/1, #10) Prince, “Kiss” (3/8, #1) Pet Shop Boys, “West End Girls” (3/15, #1) Janet Jackson, “What Have You Done For Me Lately” (3/22, #4) The Outfield, “Your Love” (3/22, #6) Phil Collins, “Take Me Home” (3/29, #7) Miami Sound Machine, “Bad Boy” (3/29, #8) Madonna, “Live to Tell” (4/19, #1) Sade, “Never As Good As The First Time” (4/19, #20) ZZ Top, “Rough Boy” (4/19, #22) The Jets, “Crush On You” (5/3, #3) Boys Don’t Cry, “I Wanna Be A Cowboy” (5/17, #12) John Cougar Mellencamp, “Rain On The Scarecrow” (5/17, #21) The Fabulous Thunderbirds, “Tuff Enuff” (5/24, #10) Janet Jackson, “Nasty” (6/7, #3) The Blow Monkeys, “Digging Your Scene” (6/14, #14) Jermaine Stewart, “We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off” (6/28, #5) Miami Sound Machine, “Words Get In The Way” (7/26, #5) John Cougar Mellencamp, “Rumbleseat” (8/2, #28) Mike + The Mechanics, “Taken In” (8/2, #32) Run-DMC, “Walk This Way” (8/16, #4)
 Stacey Q, “Two Of Hearts” (8/16, #3) Janet Jackson, “When I Think Of You” (8/23, #1) Eurythmics, “Missionary Man” (8/30, #14) Billy Joel, “A Matter Of Trust” (9/6, #10) Cameo, “Word Up” (10/4, #6) Oran ‘Juice’ Jones, “The Rain” (10/11, #9) Bruce Hornsby & The Range, “The Way It Is” (10/18, #1) The Bangles, “Walk Like An Egyptian” (11/1, #1) The Pretenders, “Don’t Get Me Wrong” (11/1, #10) Gregory Abbott, “Shake You Down” (11/8, #1) Robbie Nevil, “C’est La Vie” (11/15, #2) Janet Jackson, “Control” (11/22, #5) Madonna, “Open Your Heart” (12/13, #1) Chico DeBarge, “Talk To Me” (12/27, #21)

[50yearsoftop40]

My 40 favorite Top 40 singles of 1985 (spotify link)

All these songs hit the Billboard Top 40 for the first time in 1985. Or rather, in an issue of Billboard with a 1985 street date. Close enough.

YouTube links below:

Ashford & Simpson, “Solid” (Billboard Top 40 debut: 1/5, chart peak: #12) The Time, “Jungle Love” (1/5, #20) Cyndi Lauper, “Money Changes Everything” (1/12, #27) Midnight Star, “Operator” (1/12, #18) Glenn Frey, “The Heat Is On” (1/19, #2) Frankie Goes To Hollywood, “Relax” (2/2, #10) Julian Lennon, “Too Late For Goodbyes” (2/2, #5) Teena Marie, “Lovergirl” (2/2, #4) Madonna, “Material Girl” (2/16, #2) Animotion, “Obsession” (3/2, #6) The Commodores, “Nightshift” (3/2, #3) Don Henley, “All She Wants To Do Is Dance” (3/16, #9) Madonna, “Crazy For You” (3/16, #1) Simple Minds, “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” (3/23, #1) Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, “Don’t Come Around Here No More” (4/6, #13) Wham!, “Everything She Wants” (4/6, #1) Tears For Fears, “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” (4/13, #1) Katrina & The Waves, “Walking On Sunshine” (4/20, #9) Limahl, “Never Ending Story” (5/4, #17) Alison Moyet, “Invisible” (5/4, #31) Phil Collins, “Sussudio” (5/11, #1) Madonna, “Angel” (5/11, #5) Prince & The Revolution, “Raspberry Beret” (5/18, #2) ’Til Tuesday, “Voices Carry” (5/18, #8) Dead Or Alive, “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” (6/29, #11) Tears For Fears, “Shout” (6/29, #1) Bryan Adams, “Summer Of ’69” (7/13, #5) John Parr, “St Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion)” (7/20, #1) Madonna, “Dress You Up” (8/17, #5) A-Ha, “Take On Me” (8/24, #1) Ready For The World, “Oh Sheila” (8/24, #1) Katrina & The Waves, “Do You Want Crying” (9/7, #37) Tears For Fears, “Head Over Heels” (9/21, #3) ABC, “Be Near Me” (9/28, #9) Simple Minds, “Alive & Kicking” (10/26, #3) Kate Bush, “Running Up That Hill” (11/9, #30) John Cougar Mellencamp, “Small Town” (11/16, #6) Stevie Nicks, “Talk To Me” (11/30, #4) Artists United Against Apartheid, “Sun City” (12/7, #38) Whitney Houston, “How Will I Know” (12/28, #1)