The UK Singles Chart is one of many music charts compiled by the Official Charts Company that calculates the best-selling singles of the week in the United Kingdom. Before 2004, the chart was only based on the sales of physical singles. This list shows singles that peaked in the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart during 1990, as well as singles which peaked in 1989 and 1991 but were in the top 10 in 1990. The entry date is when the single appeared in the top 10 for the first time (week ending, as published by the Official Charts Company, which is six days after the chart is announced).
One-hundred and forty-two singles were in the top ten in 1990. Eight singles from 1989 remained in the top 10 for several weeks at the beginning of the year, while "Pray by MC Hammer, "Sadeness (Part I)" by Enigma and "The Grease Megamix" by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John" were all released in 1990 but did not reach their peak until 1991. Thirty artists scored multiple entries in the top 10 in 1990. Adamski, Happy Mondays, MC Hammer, Mariah Carey and Snap! were among the many artists who achieved their first UK charting top 10 single in 1990.
The 1989 Christmas number-one, "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid II, remained at number-one for the first week of 1990. The first new number-one single of the year was "Hangin' Tough" by New Kids on the Block. Overall, eighteen different singles peaked at number-one in 1990, with Cliff Richard and Kylie Minogue (2, including the Band Aid II charity single) having the joint most singles hit that position.
Background Multiple entries One-hundred and forty-two singles charted in the top 10 in 1990, with one-hundred and thirty-one singles reaching their peak this year.
Thirty artists scored multiple entries in the top 10 in 1990. American boyband New Kids on the Block secured the record for most top ten singles in 1990 with eight hit singles. "Hangin' Tough" reached number-one, where it remained for two weeks, and a further three weeks in the top ten. Other entries included "Step by Step" (number 2), "Tonight" (3) and "Cover Girl" (4). Former Neighbours actress Kylie Minogue had three top ten singles in 1990. "Tears on My Pillow" spent one week at number-one in January; "Better the Devil You Know" (2) and "Step Back in Time" (4) also reached the top ten. Madonna continued her success from the 1980s with four more top ten hits in 1990. "Vogue" was the highest entry, peaking at number-one for 1 week in April; "Dear Jessie", "Hanky Panky" and "Justify My Love" were the other singles to reach the top 10.
Rapper and DJ MC Hammer had three top-ten entries, including his biggest hit and signature song, "U Can't Touch This", which peaked at number 3 in August. Cliff Richard, Jimmy Somerville and Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers were the other artists to reach the top 10 with three singles in 1990.
Beats International were one of a number of artists with two top-ten entries, including the number-one single "Dub Be Good to Me". Adamski, Black Box, Happy Mondays, Michael Bolton and The Stone Roses were among the other artists who had multiple top 10 entries in 1990.
Chart debuts Seventy artists achieved their first top 10 single in 1990, either as a lead or featured artist. Of these, eight went on to record another hit single that year: Adamski, Beats International, The Farm, Happy Mondays, Mantronix, Michael Bolton, Paul "Gazza" Gascoigne and Ya Kid K. MC Hammer had two more top 10 singles in 1990. Snap! had three other entries in their breakthrough year.
The following table (collapsed on desktop site) does not include acts who had previously charted as part of a group and secured their first top 10 solo single.
Artist Number of top 10s First entry Chart position Other De La Soul1"The Magic Number"/"Buddy"7—49ers1"Touch Me"3—Rob'n'Raz1"Got to Get"8—Leila KMantronix2"Got to Have Your Love"4"Take Your Time" (10)Wondress1–Nuff Juice1"Put Your Hands Together"7—FPI Project1"Going Back to My Roots"/"Rich in Paradise"9—Sinéad O'Connor1"Nothing Compares 2 U"1—Halo James1"Could Have Told You So"6—Ya Kid K2"Get Up! (Before the Night Is Over)"2"Rockin' Over the Beat" (9)Lonnie Gordon1"Happenin' All Over Again"4—Sybil1"Walk On By"6—Yell!1"Instant Replay"10—Beats International2"Dub Be Good to Me"1"Won't Talk About It" (9)Lindy Layton1—Michael Bolton2"How Am I Supposed to Live Without You"3"How Can We Be Lovers?" (10)Guru Josh1"Infinity"5—JT and the Big Family1"Moments in Soul"7—1"Love Shack"2—Candy Dulfer1"Lily Was Here"6—Candy Flip1"Strawberry Fields Forever"3—Snap!4"The Power"1"Ooops Up" (5), "Cult of Snap" (8), "Mary Had a Little Boy" (8)They Might Be Giants1"Birdhouse in Your Soul"6—Bizz Nizz1"Don't Miss the Party Line"7—Alannah Myles1"Black Velvet"2—Happy Mondays2"Step On"5"Kinky Afro" (5)Adamski2"Killer"1"The Space Jungle" (7)—1"Ghetto Heaven"10—1"Dirty Cash (Money Talks)"2—En Vogue1"Hold On"5—1"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"6—Wondress1"Take Your Time"10—Englandneworder1"World in Motion"1—Paul "Gazza" Gascoigne2"Fog on the Tyne (Revisited)" (2)Don Pablo's Animals1"Venus"4—Chad Jackson1"Hear the Drummer (Get Wicked)"3—1"The Only One I Know"9—Wilson Phillips1"Hold On"6—Luciano Pavarotti1"Nessun Dorma"2—Craig McLachlan1"Mona (I Need You Baby)"2—Check 1–2MC Hammer3"U Can't Touch This"3"Have You Seen Her" (8), "Pray" (8) MC Tunes1"The Only Rhyme That Bites"10—F.A.B.1"Thunderbirds Are Go"5—MC ParkerPartners in Kryme1"Turtle Power!"1—Blue Pearl1"Naked in the Rain"4—1"I'm Free"5—Junior ReidDNA1"Tom's Diner"2—Suzanne VegaBombalurina1"Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini"1—Deee-Lite1"Groove Is in the Heart"/"What Is Love"1—1"What Time Is Love?"5—Mariah Carey1"Vision of Love"9—Maria McKee1"Show Me Heaven"1—2"Groovy Train"6"All Together Now" (4)Londonbeat1"I've Been Thinking About You"2—Bassomatic1"Fascinating Rhythm"9—Bobby Vinton1"Blue Velvet"2—Twenty 4 Seven1"I Can't Stand It!"7—Captain HollywoodVanilla Ice1"Ice Ice Baby"1—EMF1"Unbelievable"3—Julee Cruise1"Falling"7—Patrick Macnee1"Kinky Boots"5—Honor BlackmanChris Isaak1"Wicked Game"10—Enigma1"Sadeness (Part I)" 1—
Notes Jimmy Somerville had a successful career as a member of Communards and Bronski Beat prior to 1990, and had also participated on the Band Aid II charity single. His cover of "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" became his first solo top 10 single. David A. Stewart had his first top 10 credit in 1990 without music partner Annie Lennox and the band Eurythmics, whose songs included "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)". "Lily Was Here" reached number 6 in March.
Englandneworder was a collaboration between New Order and members of the England squad selected for the 1990 FIFA World Cup, including John Barnes contributing the main rap and Paul "Gazza" Gascoigne on vocals. The KLF first appeared in the chart under the pseudonym The Timelords, but their first official single under their new name came this year.
Along with her late sister Mel, Kim Appleby had entered the top 10 on several occasions as the duo Mel and Kim, including 1987's number-one single "Respectable". "Don't Worry" was her first hit on her own.
Songs from films Original songs from various films entered the top 10 throughout the year. These included "Tears On My Pillow" (from The Delinquents), "It Must Have Been Love" (Pretty Woman), "Turtle Power!" (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), "Show Me Heaven" (Days Of Thunder) and "Unchained Melody" (Ghost).
Additionally, "Hanky Panky" was used to promote the film Dick Tracy and appeared on the soundtrack album although the song itself did not appear in the actual film.
Best-selling singles The Righteous Brothers had the best-selling single of the year with a reissue of their 1965 hit "Unchained Melody". The single spent nine weeks in the top 10 (including four weeks at number one), sold over 840,000 copies and was certified platinum by the BPI. "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinéad O'Connor came in second place, selling more than 600,000 copies and losing out by around 240,000 sales. Elton John's "Sacrifice"/"Healing Hands", "Ice Ice Baby" from Vanilla Ice and "Killer" by Adamski made up the top five. Singles by Maria McKee, Beats International featuring Lindy Layton, Madonna, Englandneworder and Snap! were also in the top ten best-selling singles of the year.
Top-ten singles Key SymbolMeaning‡Single peaked in 1989 but still in chart in 1990.♦Single released in 1990 but peaked in 1991.(#)Year-end top-ten single position and rankEnteredThe date that the single first appeared in the chart.PeakHighest position that the single reached in the UK Singles Chart.