Best of 1990 - The Singles List

The year 1990 has been one of the most exciting years ever, maybe due to the fact that it was between the two decades when music styles shifted and the songs were influenced by the past decade but also looking into the future with new technologies. For some artists it was a clear career peaks when they released their best selling albums and/or singles. This year belonged to Depeche Mode, Madonna, Sinead O'Connor, but at the same time Euro dance and Brit pop exploded.

Over the next month we will feature the best singles from the 1990 that comes as a result of the Singles poll that was up this summer. Stay tuned!

01. Depeche Mode  - Enjoy The Silence

02. Madonna - Vogue

03. Sinéad O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2U

04. Pet Shop Boys - Being Boring

05. George Michael - Freedom

06. The Cure - Pictures of You

07. Julee Cruise - Falling

08. Depeche Mode - Policy of Truth

09. Cocteau Twins - Heaven or Las Vegas

10. Madonna - Justify My Love

11. The Charlatans - The Only One I Know

12. The House of Love- Shine On

13. St Etienne - Only Love Can Break Your Heart

14. Deee-Lite - Groove Is In The Heart

15. The KLF - Last Train to Trancentral

16. George Michael - Praying For Time

17. The Beautiful South - A Little Time

18. The Sundays - Here's Where The Story Ends

19. Technotronic - Get Up

20. INXS - Suicide Blonde

Instant Hit: The Heart Throbs - Dreamtime

Thirty years ago The Heart Throbs released their debut album Cleopatra in 1990 and one of the outstanding songs from this album was "Dreamtime". There is this interesting fact that the two members of The Heart Throbs, the sisters DeFreitas were actually sisters of the late Pete DeFreitas of Echo & the Bunnymen fame who died in the motorcycle accident in 1989 at the age of 26. Pretty much underrated "Dreamtime" holds in it the best from the two decades and still sounds very contemporary. 

Retrovision: The Times - Manchester

The Times kicked off the 90's decade with the release of "Manchester"|. It was pretty much summing up so many things related to the Manchester music scene and England, and at a perfect timing on the crossroads between two decades. 

Best of 1990 - The Album List - Top 50

The world is currently facing its biggest crisis since the World War II where the Coronavirus has spread worldwide to almost every country, causing a mass pandemic in the world. Authorities from most of the countries have introduced the national lock-downs in order to prevent the virus from spreading further and are urging the people to stay at home

During the past decade, this time of the year always meant a flashback to a certain year in the 80s decade and paying a 30 years anniversary tribute to some of the biggest albums and songs that were released back then, and also to see how they have stood the test of time. 

This year it does not mean only returning to one specific year but also celebrating the shift of decades as we are entering the 90s terrain.

In the history, 1990 is mostly remembered for the start of reunification of Germany and demise of the Soviet Union and collapsing of the socialist governments in Easter European countries. While the Wind of changes was flowing throughout Europe, George Michael released his biggest hit "Freedom" and for Madonna it was her most scandalous year ever. As some of her live shows were condemned and the music video for "Justify My Love" banned from daily airplay on MTV. Apart from this despite the previous success of SAW production in the previous years, it saw a sharp decline in popularity where new dance forms were emerging, including Euro dance, house and acid jazz as well as Baggy / Madchester and the rise of Brit pop. Among the winning artist at the Brit awards were Phil Collins, Neneh Cherry, Annie Lennox and Fine Young Cannibals.

Based on the poll results in April, the following Top50 Album list was established.

Retrovision: The Adventures of Stevie V - Dirty Cash (Money Talks)

Thirty years ago, in early May 1990, the producer Steve Vincent and his team had their biggest hit with "Dirty Cash (Money Talks)". Martha Washington provided a very soulful vocal against the euro dance style house track to a great result. The song reached No.2 in the UK and No.1 on the US Dance floor charts.

Retrovision: Inspiral Carpets - This is how it Feels

Thirty years ago Inspiral Carpets released one of their biggest hits and signature songs "This is how it feels" that was also their first Top 40 hit in their native UK. The song was featured on band's second album 'Life' released during the same year.

Retrovision: Kim Wilde - Can't Get Enough (of your Love)

"Can't Get Enough (Of Your Love)" was a song form Kim Wilde's album 'Love Moves' which was released thirty years ago, in 1990. The single was only released in France and Germany and did not see the light of day in her native UK although it remains as one of Wilde's best and underrated songs  in the crossover between two decades.

Retrovision: Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U

It is thirty years since Sinead O' Connor had her biggest hit "Nothing Compares 2 U" as this song entered the UK Charts at number 3. The song was written by Prince and it was featured on her second album 'I Don't Want What I Haven't Got'. 

This brings us also closer to the 1990 for which we mark the 30 years anniversary this year.

Retrovision: Moby- Go

"Go" was the second single release for Moby released 25 years ago. The song was featured on his self titled debut album and released on Instinct label. "Go" samples "Laura Palmer's Theme" from the television series Twin Peaks and the titular vocal from Tones on Tail's song "Go!". The "yeah" vocal which features prominently in the track is actually a sample from soul singer Jocelyn Brown, taken from her 1985 single "Love's Gonna Get You"; this sample remains uncredited. The video was directed by Ondrej Rudavsky.

Retrovision: The Beautiful South- A Little Time

"A Little Time" was the biggest hit for The Beuatiful South that was released 25 years ago. It was the firt single from the album 'Choke' recorded asa duet featuring vocalists Dave Hemingway and Briana Corrigan. The song reached number one #1 and went Gold in the UK while the video for the song received a Brit Award in 1991.

 

Retrovision: Inspiral Carpets- This is How it Feels

Twenty five years ago Inspiral Carpets released their seventh single "This is How it Feels" and the first one to reach the top 20 in the UK charts. The US music video for "This Is How It Feels" was inspired by the imagery of the British art duo Gilbert and George, making use of their signature "stained glass" and grid style and their standard iconography. The song was written by Clint Boon.

Instant Hit: Furniture- One Step Behind You

"One Step Behind You" was the last single release for Furniture and the last record the band released. The song was released in 1990, both as 7" and 12" inch single on Arista. Three years, in 1993, later the song was covered by Marian Gold of Alphaville.