1990 Points Chart

[Panda]

Part 6 (15-11):

15(4) VANILLA ICE - Ice Ice Baby (330 points)
Top 40 run: 3-1-1-1-1-2-2



Not the first rap track to get to no.1 in the UK but the one many remember and it was also the first rap track to reach no.1 in the US. Vanilla Ice was rapper Robert Van Winkle, a former motocross rider who turned to music after getting injured. He earned respect among the rap community, with Public Enemy in particular seeing his potential. But after signing with SBK, he was persuaded to adopt a more mainstream look and sound. "Ice Ice Baby" was originally a b-side to Ice's cover of "Play That Funky Music" but ended up being released as a single in its own right after picking up significant airplay. The former became his second UK single, also reaching the top 10 but he never had another top 40 hit after 1991, other than a cameo on Jedward's cover of "Ice Ice Baby". This was a hit at the end of the year. If its points accumulated in 1991 were added to its score, it would be no.4 on this list.


14(16) BOMBALURINA - Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini (339 points)
Top 40 run: 25-11-3-1-1-1-3-7-20-33



Bombalurina was the musical alias of kids' TV star Timmy Mallett. For three weeks in a row, more people in the UK decided to buy this over any other single available at the time. Terrifying. Perhaps even more terrifying is that it was produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber. One of the backing vocalists Dawn Andrews later married Gary Barlow, having met him while performing as a dancer on one of Take That's tours.


13(13) PARTNERS IN KRYME - Turtle Power (342 points)
Top 40 run: 4-1-1-1-1-3-12-16-30



So this was the first true rap/hip hop no.1 in the UK (though you could make an argument for another track we'll see later, even though it was more a dance record). This track, taken from the soundtrack to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film was the duo's only UK hit.


12(14) ROXETTE - It Must Have Been Love (347 points)
Top 40 run: 38-21-6-4-3-3-5-6-7-10-18-28



Originally released as a Christmas single in their native Sweden in 1987, this track became a worldwide hit when it was re-recorded and used in the hit film Pretty Woman. It became the biggest UK hit for Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson and was the third of four US no.1s. The duo continued to release albums until 2016 but were forced to stop touring due to Fredriksson battling a brain tumour that was first diagnosed in 2002. She died in December last year at the age of 61.


11(19) ADVENTURES OF STEVIE V - Dirty Cash (358 points)
Top 40 run: 28-11-5-2-3-3-4-5-11-16-22-34



In a year of big dance hits, this was almost, but not quite, the biggest of the lot. First released in 1989, it reached the top 40 in April 1990 and soon shot up to no.2, kept off the top by a track we're yet to see. Follow-up "Body Language" would be the group's only other top 40 hit.

[Whitneyfan]

'Turtle power' and 'It must have been love' are probably as far apart in terms of quality that you can get!

[Smurfie]

Love Dirty Cash!

[Panda]

Part 7 (10-6):

10(9) ENGLANDNEWORDER - World In Motion (362 points)
Top 40 run: 2-1-1-2-4-6-8-10-18-28



After several awful official England team songs, this track set a new benchmark for football songs. Co-written with actor Keith Allen (who later reached no.2 with "Vindaloo" in 1998), this became New Order's first and only no.1 single. The clip of Kenneth Wolstenholme's "They think it's all over!" commentary was re-recorded especially for the track by the man himself. The other voice clips were taken from Goal, the official film of the 1966 World Cup (FIFA has produced one for every tournament since 1954) narrated by Nigel Patrick. John Barnes' rap was written with Liverpool team-mate Craig Johnston. The track shot into the chart at no.2, climbing to the top the following week, spending two weeks at the summit. Surprisingly, it was already dropping down the chart by the time England's semi-final arrived, with "Nessun Dorma" taking over the the nation's true World Cup anthem.


9(10) SNAP! - The Power (383 points)
Top 40 run: 12-1-1-2-3-4-7-10-13-17-30-37



A rare climb to no.1 from outside the top 10, this was the debut single by the German dance act. The vocals came from US singer Penny Ford and rapper Turbo B. The track was a global success, reaching no.2 in the US. Snap! were no flash in the plan either, going on to have a further eight top 10 hits in the UK over the following years, including a second no.1 in 1992 with "Rhythm Is A Dancer". The track remained in the public eye for years to come thanks to it being used as the walk-on music for 16-time world darts champion Phil "The Power" Taylor.


8(15) MC HAMMER - U Can't Touch This (384 points)
Top 40 run: 25-13-9-6-7-5-5-3-5-7-15-18-33



The highest placed song on the list that didn't reach no.1. One of the first big mainstream rap hits, it made a star of Stanley Kirk Burrell and his spectacular pantaloons, leading to, among other things, his own cartoon series. The track was based around a sample from Rick James' "Superfreak" and spent eight weeks in the UK top 10 and his album "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em" spawned five UK top 20 singles and was, at the time, the biggest selling rap album of all-time in the US. He returned to the top 10 in 1991 with "Addams Groove" from The Addams Family film but the hits soon dried up as edgier gangster rap acts grew in popularity and unable to sustain his now-lavish lifestyle, Hammer declared himself bankrupt in 1996. Despite the setbacks, he's remained active over the years with a number of business ventures, including fashion design, owning racehorses, managing MMA fighters and numerous dot-com businesses.


7(2) SINEAD O'CONNOR - Nothing Compares 2 U (417 points)
Top 40 run: 30-3-1-1-1-1-2-4-9-13-20-38



Before I compiled the list, I thought the top spot would be taken by either this track or the song that ultimately did finish at the top, so I was a bit surprised that this finished this low down. Another star-making hit, this Prince cover made the Irish singer a household name around the world. Controversy was never far away from her with incidents including her withdrawing from contention for the Grammys, having received four nominations and most notably, tearing up a photo of Pope John Paul II during a performance on Saturday Night Live in 1992 in protest at sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. The latter incident is often credited with killing her career in the US but in reality, the hits had already dried up in the States. She did manage two more top 20 hits in the UK after "Nothing Compares 2 U" and was part of the Band Aid 30 ensemble in 2014.


6(8) MADONNA - Vogue (419 points)
Top 40 run: 4-1-1-1-1-4-6-8-9-15-27-36



Another iconic Madonna hit, this was her 7th UK no.1 (8th in the US), spending four weeks at the top. It appeared on her Dick Tracy soundtrack album "I'm Breathless" despite not featuring in the film. The video was directed by David Fincher, who at the time was primarily known for his music video work but would go on to direct a number of critically-acclaimed films including Seven and Fight Club.

[Whitneyfan]

Sinead O'Connor has sporadically released some fantastic songs over the years. 'Take me to church', 'Mandinka' and 'The Emperor's New Clothes' are all nearly as amazing as 'Nothing Compares 2 U'

[Smurfie]

Oct 22, 2020 19:43:29 GMT 1 Whitneyfan said:

Sinead O'Connor has sporadically released some fantastic songs over the years. 'Take me to church', 'Mandinka' and 'The Emperor's New Clothes' are all nearly as amazing as 'Nothing Compares 2 U'

And Fire On Babylon - if slightly uncomfortable listening.  Mandinka is excellent.

[Panda]

"Mandinka" was great, though it was released a couple of years before "Nothing Compares 2 U".

[Panda]

Part 8 (5-1):

5(6) MARIA McKEE - Show Me Heaven (419 points)
Top 40 run: 26-4-1-1-1-1-2-4-8-14-24-33



Taken from the Tom Cruise film Days Of Thunder, this was the first solo UK chart hit for the Irish-based American singer-songwriter. She'd previously had limited chart success as part of Lone Justice but was perhaps best known for writing Feargal Sharkey's no.1 hit "A Good Heart" and for being the subject of Deacon Blue's "Real Gone Kid". Her only other top 40 hit in the UK was "I'm Gonna Soothe You" in 1993 though she did feature on the Pulp Fiction soundtrack the following year when her track "If Love Is A Red Dress, Hang Me In Rags" was chosen by director Quentin Tarantino. It was the only original song on the soundtrack.


4(7) BEATS INTERNATIONAL - Dub Be Good To Me (425 points)
Top 40 run: 15-3-2-1-1-1-1-5-10-20-24-32



With Paul Heaton and Dave Hemingway going on to form the Beautiful South after the break-up of the Housemartins, bass player Norman Cook went in a completely different direction, making music that combined electro beats and hip-hop. After reaching the top 40 with "Blame It On The Bassline", which featured MC Wildski, the pair would start recording as Beats International and this track, featuring Lindy Layton (who was wearing wet-look leggings 20 years before they were in fashion) on vocals, went to no.1. Unfortunately, the track caused Cook to go bankrupt following a court case over uncleared samples and borrowed lyrics. Future Beats International releases had minimal success and Cook moved onto new projects and aliases including Freak Power, Pizzaman and Mighty Dub Katz before enjoying massive success as Fatboy Slim in the late 90s.


3(1) RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS - Unchained Melody (455 points)
Top 40 run: 3-1-1-1-1-2-2-5-9-12-13



Another old song made popular through its use in a film, this time Ghost, starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. This is arguably the best-known version of one of the most-recorded songs of all-time but it was originally a 1965 b-side for the duo of Bobby Hatfield (who sings solo on the track) and Bill Medley. It was included as a b-side on their single "Hung On You" but proved more popular than the main track, much to the chagrin of producer Phil Spector. Medley has always claimed he produced "Unchained Melody" but after it became more popular than "Hung On You", Spector's name suddenly appeared as the credited producer on later pressings. Two versions of the track actually appeared in the top 20 of the Billboard chart at the same time after Hatfield and Medley re-recorded it, having been told there were licensing issues with the original (which was only available to buy on 7" and charted mainly through airplay). This was the second version of the song to top the UK chart after Jimmy Young's. It was later a no.1 for Robson & Jerome and Gareth Gates, making it the first song to top the UK chart in four different versions, since matched only by "Do They Know It's Christmas?"


2(3) ELTON JOHN - Sacrifice/Healing Hands (465 points)
Top 40 run: 26-5-1-1-1-1-1-2-4-9-11-24-38



With World Cup fever gripping the country (well, England), Elton spoilt the party knocking New Order off no.1 and keeping Pavarotti off the top with this double a-side. It was his first solo no.1, almost 20 years after his first hit. Both tracks had been released as singles in their own right in 1989, with the upbeat "Healing Hands" peaking at no.45 and the more sombre "Sacrifice" only reaching no.55. The track's popularity grew after it started receiving airplay on Radio 1 from Steve Wright and subsequently other DJs picked up on it, leading to its re-release.


1(5) ADAMSKI & SEAL - Killer (495 points)
Top 40 run: 39-20-7-4-1-1-1-1-2-4-11-16-20-18-26-36



No song sums up what was happening with British music in 1990 more than this one and I can't think of a more deserving track to top this list. Adamski was a prodigal talent who produced the "killer" backing track for the song, while Seal was an aspiring singer-songwriter who was part of the London rave scene and was put in touch with Adamski by a mutual friend when he was looking for someone who could put music to his lyrics. The result was "Killer". The track was initially only credited to Adamski but it was very much an equal effort (compared to today's hits where acts get credited for replying to an email). Seal would later re-record the track himself and have a top 10 hit in his own right but would become known for his other solo efforts like "Crazy" and "Kiss From A Rose". Adamski was too busy mashing his brain with drugs to go on to bigger and better things, with "The Space Jungle", a bizarre track which borrowed from Elvis' "All Shook Up", his only subsequent top 40 appearance.

[Smurfie]

Well that’s a better number one for the year. Killer is absolutely a classic and stood out a mile at the time. Unfortunately The Space Jungle was not.

Thank you for your good work on this Ham Ham Man.

[Panda]

Top 100:

1(5) Adamski & Seal - Killer
2(3) Elton John - Sacrifice/Healing Hands
3(1) Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody
4(7) Beats International - Dub Be Good To Me
5(6) Maria McKee - Show Me Heaven
6(8) Madonna - Vogue
7(2) Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U
8(15) MC Hammer - U Can't Touch This
9(10) Snap! - The Power
10(9) Englandneworder - World In Motion
11(19) Adventures Of Stevie V - Dirty Cash
12(14) Roxette - It Must Have Been Love
13(13) Partners In Kryme - Turtle Power
14(16) Bombalurina - Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
15(4) Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby
16(18) Alannah Myles - Black Velvet
17(12) Beautiful South - A Little Time
18(23) B-52s - Love Shack
19(25) Paula Abdul - Opposites Attract
20(31) Blue Pearl - Naked In The Rain
21(26) Deee-Lite - Groove Is In The Heart
22(20) Kim Appleby - Don't Worry
23(24) Steve Miller Band - The Joker
24(22) Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 - Mona
25(30) EMF - Unbelievable
26(35) UB40 - Kingston Town
27(29) Londonbeat - I've Been Thinking About You
28(32) DNA & Suzanne Vega - Tom's Diner
29(33) Snap! - Ooops Up
30(17) Technotronic & Ya Kid K - Get Up (Before The Night Is Over)
31(40) Soup Dragons - I'm Free
32(27) Bobby Vinton - Blue Velvet
33(51) Heart - All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You
34(11) Luciano Pavarotti - Nessun Dorma
35(39) New Kids On The Block - Tonight
36(49) Mantronix - Got To Have Your Love
37(48) KLF - What Time Is Love?
38(38) Kylie Minogue - Better The Devil You Know
39(42) Erasure - Blue Savannah
40(34) Kylie Minogue - Tears On My Pillow
41(28) Michael Bolton - How Am I Supposed To Live Without You?
42(41) David A Stewart & Candi Dulfer - Lily Was Here
43(61) 49ers - Touch Me
44(70) Family Stand - Ghetto Heaven
45(45) Wilson Phillips - Hold On
46(58) Betty Boo - Doin' The Do
47(36) Status Quo - The Anniversary Waltz (Part 1)
48(44) Deacon Blue - Four Bacharach And David Songs EP
49(68) En Vogue - Hold On
50(47) Black Box - Fantasy
51(52) Candy Flip - Strawberry Fields Forever
52(56) Betty Boo - Where Are You Baby?
53(46) Chad Jackson - Hear The Drummer (Get Wicked)
54(50) Happy Mondays - Step On
55(57) New Kids On The Block - Hangin' Tough
56(59) Bizz Nizz - Don't Miss The Partyline
57(55) Madonna - Hanky Panky
58(37) Berlin - Take My Breath Away
59(66) Twenty4Seven ft Captain Hollywood - I Can't Stand It
60(67) Guru Josh - Infinity
61(21) Cliff Richard - Saviour's Day
62(65) Lonnie Gordon - Happenin' All Over Again
63(73) Don Pablo's Animals - Venus
64(81) The Farm - Groovy Train
65(79) Mariah Carey - Vision Of Love
66(62) Maxi Priest - Close To You
67(53) Black Box - I Don't Know Anybody Else
68(78) They Might Be Giants - Birdhouse In Your Soul
69(63) Robert Palmer & UB40 - I'll Be Your Baby
70(83) Bass-o-matic - Fascinating Rhythm
71(75) Whitney Houston - I'm Your Baby Tonight
72(64) Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence
73(43) Madonna - Justify My Love
74(76) Technotronic - Megamix
75(87) MC Tunes vs 808 State - The Only Rhyme That Bites
76(84) Techontronic & Ya Kid K - Rockin' Over The Beat
77(74) Belinda Carlisle - We Want The Same Thing
78(90) Roxette - Listen To Your Heart
79(82) New Kids On The Block - Cover Girl
80(72) FAB & MC Parker - Thunderbirds Are Go
81(59) Various Artists - The Brits 1990
82(85) New Kids On The Block - I'll Be Loving You Forever
83(94) Halo James - Could Have Told You So
84(-) Phil Collins - I Wish It Would Rain Down
85(54) The Farm - All Together Now
86(97) Sybil - Walk On By
87(88) Charlatans - The Only One I Know
88(71) Gazza & Lindisfarne - Fog On The Tyne
89(91) Chimes - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
90(-) Chris Isaak - Wicked Game
91(-) Adamski - The Space Jungle
92(95) Jimmy Somerville - To Love Somebody
93(-) Patrick MacNee & Honor Blackman - Kinky Boots
94(89) JT & The Big Family - Moments In Soul
95(86) Kylie Minogue - Step Back In Time
96(-) Yell! - Instant Replay
97(-) Michael Bolton - How Can We Be Lovers?
98(-) MC Hammer - Pray
99(-) Rod Stewart & Tina Turner - It Takes Two
100(99) Snap! - Mary Had A Little Boy