Strike a pose. Madonna didn’t just release a song; she released a cultural movement. Inspired by ballroom culture, "Vogue" turned dance floors into runways and gave us one of the most iconic music videos ever.
Thanks to Pretty Woman , this Swedish ballad became the go-to slow dance song for every prom in America. That opening orchestral hit still gives people chills. 1990 top 100 songs
The arrival of a legend. When Mariah hit those whistle tones at the end of this song, the music industry stopped. Every singer since has been trying to replicate this debut. Strike a pose
"That's a rough, rugged and raw..." This song single-handedly invented "new jack swing" for the masses. If you weren't trying to do the running man to this bassline, were you even alive in 1990? Thanks to Pretty Woman , this Swedish ballad
Stop! Hammer time. You couldn't go to a wedding, a roller rink, or a school dance without hearing this sample-laden (Rick James, anyone?) hip-hop smash. The pants were ridiculous, but the beat was undeniable.
1990 didn't know what the rest of the decade would bring (Nirvana was just around the corner). It was simply having a really, really good time dancing in parachute pants.