With the 80’s coming to an end, the 90’s were a pivotal point in music history and Dubai Night has hand-picked ten of the best tracks that would have surely sound tracked your year…
DEPECHE MODE – ENJOY THE SILENCE
Perhaps one of Depeche Mode’s most recognisable songs, “Enjoy The Silence” was a melancholy, yet sweet marrying of rock and electronica – a sound that the band would become very well known for.
DEEE-LITE – GROOVE IS IN THE HEART
Deee-Lite definitely put the funk in to 1990 with this timeless piece of disco-pop, the music video was just as funky as the track.
MC HAMMER – U CANT TOUCH THIS
The 90’s was also a big learning curve when it came to sampling and none such more prominent than MC Hammer’s stone wall classic. The track samples Rick James’ “Super Freak” so heavily that he shares writing credits with Hammer.
C+C MUSIC FACTORY – GONNA MAKE YOU SWEAT
This instantly recognisable party track always gets a rise out of the dancefloor and still pricks up ears to this day. A meeting of rap and dance music is where C+C Music Factory hit their sweet spot in the 90’s.
A TRIBE CALLED QUEST – CAN I KICK IT
Tribe were true hip hop pioneers and relied heavily upon musicianship, witty raps and often political subject matters rather than talking about cars, money or women and this jam proved this point perfectly.
BEATS INTERNATIONAL – DUB BE GOOD TO ME
This chart topper from one of Fatboy Slim’s previous alias’s was again a great example of sampling done correctly as it featured there-working of The SOS Band's number 1 hit "Just Be Good to Me", based on a sample of the bassline from The Clash's "Guns of Brixton".
LONDONBEAT – I’VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT YOU
Having success on both sides of the Atlantic was almost unheard of in the early part of the 90’s but this feel-good track hit the top in the States, across Europe and secured number 2 in the UK.
THE CHARLATANS – THE ONLY ONE I KNOW
One of the earliest instigators of the second wave of Brit Pop, Along with The Stone Roses and The Happy Mondays, they really put the UK back on the map especially with this track.
VANILLA ICE – ICE ICE BABY
If you were growing up in the 90’s or even if you weren’t, there is no escaping Vanilla Ice and his blonde high top fade. His smash hit “Ice Ice Baby” famously sampled Queen’s “Under Pressure” and was not fully credited until after the song blew up.
INXS – SUICIDE BLONDE
Rumoured to have been influenced by Michael Hutchins then girlfriend Kylie Minogue, INXS were at the top of their powers when “Suicide Blonde” was released in 1990 from the album X.