1996, along with 1995, was also an interesting year in music. The sort of earthy, hippie sound continued to dominate the rock/pop radio at the time. Here are some of my favourites of the year.

Smashing Pumpkins released their album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, which helped them propel into the mainstream.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aeETEoNfOg

Garbage, another band of a similar genre, also peaked that year with their self-titled album. Which included their hits Stupid Girl and I'm Only Happy When It Rains.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esEdC0c3YI4

Finally, on the pop side, one of my favourite pop songs of the decade peaked this year, from Welsh singer Donna Lewis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqdWTeXWvOg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-DpRcxK_N8

The Quad City DJ's- C'mon Ride The Train

The Quad City DJ's- C'mon Ride The Train
I remember them, they also did the theme to Space Jam, a childhood favourite of mine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9FImc2LOr8

My favorite song on the charts in 1996, was this one.

The Beatles ~ Real love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q2a24lmFTk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wM78Qs2-W0

Fugees- Killing Me Softly With His Song

I memorized every word to these songs that summer. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Maz6jFdvn2Q 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW6E_TNgCsY 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nrGWwHalCU 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMYAEHE2GrM

This was my pick for that year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl9WMIPzd6w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiBYM6g8Tck

Los Del Rio- Macarena

Another great year for music. I enjoyed plenty of songs from that year, including some of the ones already listed.

I was an avid listener of Casey Kasem's weekly countdown show that year. Here's one that was #1 for several weeks on that program, during the summer months:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xp9IaqAahc
Tracy Chapman, "Give Me One Reason" (the full album version)

Tracy had actually written this one about a decade earlier, and performed it on a 1989 episode of SNL, but she didn't record it until '95 for her album New Beginning, and the song was released as a single in the early part of '96, and began climbing the charts in April.

Another great year for music. I enjoyed plenty of songs from that year, including some of the ones already listed.

I was an avid listener of Casey Kasem's weekly countdown show that year. Here's one that was #1 for several weeks on that program, during the summer months:


Tracy Chapman, "Give Me One Reason" (the full album version)

Tracy had actually written this one about a decade earlier, and performed it on a 1989 episode of SNL, but she didn't record it until '95 for her album New Beginning, and the song was released as a single in the early part of '96, and began climbing the charts in April.


She also had "Fast Car".

She also had "Fast Car".

Yes, that was her very first hit, from 1988.

Here's a "slow" song that was popular in the early part of the year...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQYn4b71AHw
"Nobody Knows" by Tony Rich Project.

This guy was probably a one hit wonder with this song, as he didn't really have any big hits after this one.

Los Del Rio- Macarena
I heard this everywhere during my childhood.
Did you know the song is named after a neighbourhood in Seville, Spain, called Macarena, and is based off an old folklore about a woman who leaves her man while he fights in the war.

I heard this everywhere during my childhood.
Did you know the song is named after a neighbourhood in Seville, Spain, called Macarena, and is based off an old folklore about a woman who leaves her man while he fights in the war.


But what's the dance craze all about?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWbXQQG9B6c

Tupac- California Love

Tupac- California Love

Yes, that particular type of rap music began to dominate around that time. Needless to say, Tupac himself passed away in September of that year. :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwU32Fa_Mko

Coolio- 1 2 3 4 (Sumpin New)

In the world of alternative rock, Smashing Pumpkins had a big hit that year entitled "1979":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lc6XDnea4g

This song, along with many others from 1996, reminds me of my Junior year of High school.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQVeXiU5VvY

And this one(with lyrics!).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwQbXrwYZAg

In the summer of 1996, an alt-rock band called Primitive Radio Gods had a hit song entitled "Standing Outside A Broken Phonebooth With Money In My Hand", which is probably one of the longest song titles in the history of pop music. (Needless to say, that phrase isn't mentioned anywhere in the song.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XJxFAoiWSY

It also contains a snippet of BB King's song "How Blue Can You Get", namely the phrase "I've been downhearted, baby! Ever since the day we met." Lead singer Chris O'Connor even sings it himself at the end of the track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR3Vdo5etCQ

No Doubt-Don't Speak

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt-KMPvgKPo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt-KMPvgKPo


I danced to this song a lot back in 96.

No Doubt-Don't Speak

'Twas a big hit for them towards the end of the year, after "Just A Girl" and "Spiderwebs"; I remember lots of kids in school liked those songs as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiVpSSkwPU4

Busta Rhymes- Woohah! Got You All In Check

In the summer of 1996, an alt-rock band called Primitive Radio Gods had a hit song entitled "Standing Outside A Broken Phonebooth With Money In My Hand", which is probably one of the longest song titles in the history of pop music. (Needless to say, that phrase isn't mentioned anywhere in the song.)


It also contains a snippet of BB King's song "How Blue Can You Get", namely the phrase "I've been downhearted, baby! Ever since the day we met." Lead singer Chris O'Connor even sings it himself at the end of the track.
 

I remember that song very well and it was featured in the movie The Cable Guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB1D9wWxd2w

Mark Morrison- Return Of The Mack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihrswUP5M5w
Foxy Brown - Get Me Home
Billboard Hot 100 #42

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v09H0A9q1mA

Seal-Fly Like An Eagle

^ He did a pretty good job of covering that Steve Miller Band classic. In addition, it was part of the soundtrack to the movie Space Jam, starring Michael Jordan and Looney Tunes character Bugs Bunny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORva1mGyyJ0

Mint Condition-What Kind Of Man Would I Be?

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The Backstreet Boys: Get Down (You're The One For Me)

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Spice Girls: Wannabe

The Backstreet Boys: Get Down (You're The One For Me)


Spice Girls: Wannabe
The second didn't actually chart in the US until 1997.

The second didn't actually chart in the US until 1997.


True.  But the Album Spice was released in 1996.

The second didn't actually chart in the US until 1997.


What number did they chart?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x11NA63gLDM

Eric Clapton- Change The World

Eric Clapton- Change The World

One of my favorites from that year. Excellent tune. O0

What number did they chart?


U.K. Singles Chart #1 Canadian RPM Chart #9 Billboard Hot 100 Chart #1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9IXAJg4Vm0

Bone Thugs & Harmony- Crossroads

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TLK-i2X9zw

Alternative rock band Sublime lost its lead vocalist, Bradley Nowell, to a heroin OD that year. :\'( Still, the band released a self-titled album, which featured the singles "What I Got" and "Santeria", both of which received ample radio airplay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRxRYZcO0SA

Case- Touch Me Tease Me

Alternative rock band Sublime lost its lead vocalist, Bradley Nowell, to a heroin OD that year. :\'( Still, the band released a self-titled album, which featured the singles "What I Got" and "Santeria", both of which received ample radio airplay.
I know, it was awful. They're one of my favourite bands too.

Gin Blossoms had what may be considered their last big hit on the charts, "Follow You Down", which was on the charts for several months.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27S0DHkTp-g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eBZqmL8ehg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEjjdAl05KQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XJxFAoiWSY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0KCqI6yb70

WWF: "We're All Together Now" (Raw is War Theme Song)

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig4fUOBwsbU

R. Kelly - I Believe I Can Fly

Christian rock band Jars Of Clay had a hit on the charts that year with "Flood":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGx2Ikg1-xU

This one also takes me back..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g98E2nLF5xI

SWV - You're The One

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYBIRHi5-o8

A very obscure track from the middle of the summer of that year 8)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNc45FTenhg 

A very obscure track from the middle of the summer of that year 8)

I was just going to post that video.  :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eClxA5KO9jE

The Fugees - Killing Me Softly

SWV - You're The One

I remember that one, from around the middle of the year. It was a huge hit on the R&B charts, as I recall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM-YX-eFudM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxfcYVgvyzQ

^ Ah yes...by Kristine W. I remember that one.

This was the year when I started getting into music as much as movies.

This one was a hit in the early part of the year...

"Everything Falls Apart" by Dog's Eye View:
Maz6jFdvn2Q

They might've been a one hit wonder with this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNq9gmY_Oz4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5zEP4kvfnc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDkhl-CgETg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxrtSNDGoO0

Gin Blossoms - Follow You Down
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LuH0ywYVQc
Republica - Ready To Go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgffRW1fKDk
Sheryl Crow - If It Makes You Happy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyihQtBes1I
Sheryl Crow - Every Day Is A Winding Road
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khrx-zrG460

Catherine - Four Leaf Clover
From their second album, Hot Saki And Bedtime Stories.  It features D'arcy Wretzky of The Smashing Pumpkins, who was married to the band's drummer, Kerry Brown, at the time. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2-LboC19W8

Letters To Cleo - Dangerous Type
A remake of the Cars song, also from The Craft
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eisZ4IOH3o

Barely Breathing by Duncan Sheik. I'm not sure if someone has already posted this, but I don't want to read all of the pages right now to find out.

One of my favorite albums was Orbital, "In Sides," featuring "The Box I & II"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xErJ46rms2E

Muslimgauze was pumping out albums at an accelerating rate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YvBstnhs1U

For Aphex Twin it was the "Richard D. James" album

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcmiR6e41xs

And Nonesuch released Philip Glass, Music in 12 Parts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7fcHnR7UF0

Some of the great albums from 1995 had their biggest singles released in 1996.

Republica - Ready To Go



One that I actually did not know then, even though I listened to a lot of "current" music back then. However, I heard it for the first time a few years later (after it came out) and enjoyed it. 8)

Blackstreet, "No Diggity"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1W9dH52kc8

This was the group's biggest hit, but it featured collaborations from rappers Dr. Dre and Queen Pen.

One of my favorite songs from 1996

ROR85soWw1U

Bone Thugs & Harmony- Crossroads


Awesome.  Bone Thugs N Harmony - Crossroads is the first song I thought of for 1996 too.  Here's another one....

F9AE3K3_MAo

Listened to Metallica's Load album a lot in 1996, for sure

In the summer of 1996, an alt-rock band called Primitive Radio Gods had a hit song entitled "Standing Outside A Broken Phonebooth With Money In My Hand", which is probably one of the longest song titles in the history of pop music. (Needless to say, that phrase isn't mentioned anywhere in the song.)


One of? I think you literally mean the.

Melissa Etheridge's Your Little Secret album, which was released a year later, spawned the single "I Want To Come Over", which was a big hit in the early part of 1996... but later, in the summer, "Nowhere To Go" was released as a single but didn't do quite as well on the charts.

Here's the original album version (5+ minutes long): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psocWBiJHxs

Most radio stations, on the other hand, played a shorter, 4-minute version, which skips the second verse and the second instance of the chorus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFAQ7o-dk6E

Melissa Etheridge


Isn't Melissa Etheridge lesbian music?

Isn't Melissa Etheridge lesbian music?

She herself has admitted to being that way, but she has recorded lots of good songs.

"Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" is a Grammy Award-nominated song written by British songwriters Simon Tauber and Steve Rodway, and performed by Australian singer Gina G. Released as a single on 25 March 1996, it reached number one on the UK Singles Chart almost two months later.

KiLw45oAuD0

"Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" is a Grammy Award-nominated song written by British songwriters Simon Tauber and Steve Rodway, and performed by Australian singer Gina G. Released as a single on 25 March 1996, it reached number one on the UK Singles Chart almost two months later.

Oh yes, that type of dance music was quite popular around that time. I remember that song.

Here are two guys who were iconic in the 80s and still had some success into 1996 even beyond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZnD6HqCKZI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlMPYwGWLcI

Amber
"This Is Your Night"
This Is Your Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecnIW2KKe6w

Amber
"Colour Of Love"
This Is Your Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMENhzNpan8

Sublime - What I Got
0Uc3ZrmhDN4

Freak Nasty "Da Dip"

dZPQdZLyHYE

Here are two guys who were iconic in the 80s and still had some success into 1996 even beyond

Phil Collins - Dance Into the Light

John Mellencamp - Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)



They'd also had other hits earlier in the 90s as well... but I indeed remember these two. O0 Great songs, both of them. In fact, the first time I'd heard either of them was on Casey Kasem's American Hot 20 countdown that he was hosting at the time. I was an avid listener of it that year.

cOtEQXaM1_k

Champagne Supernova - Oasis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI-5uv4wryI

^ Just heard that one on the radio in the car as I was driving home from work today. In fact, it was the long version of it. I knew it was pretty long, but I didn't realize it was 7 minutes! :o

"When I Fall in Love" is a popular song, written by Victor Young (music) and Edward Heyman (lyrics). It was introduced in the film One Minute to Zero. The song has become a standard, with many artists recording it, though the first hit version was sung by Doris Day released in July 1952. A 1996 cover by Natalie Cole, a "duet" with her father Nat King Cole by way of vocals from his 1957 cover, won 1996 Grammys for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and Best Instrumental Arrangement with Accompanying Vocal(s).

PxS0Trxc59k

Ah yes, This is Your Night. I loved that song back when it first came out. I used to dance around singing "shamananana dih dah buh day!"

The "Mission Impossible" movie that came out in that year, had a theme that was a remake of the original tv theme (by Lalo Schifrin). Two members of U2 recorded this remake, which was a minor hit around the summer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KEPnpt1PD8

"Everyday Is a Winding Road" is the second single from American singer and songwriter Sheryl Crow's 1996 eponymous album. Neil Finn, lead singer of Crowded House, provides backing vocals. The song was well-received on the radio and peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and became Crow's fourth and final number-one single in Canada. Paul Hester, another member of Crowded House, was the inspiration for the song.

khrx-zrG460

"Everyday Is a Winding Road" is the second single from American singer and songwriter Sheryl Crow's 1996 eponymous album. Neil Finn, lead singer of Crowded House, provides backing vocals. The song was well-received on the radio and peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and became Crow's fourth and final number-one single in Canada. Paul Hester, another member of Crowded House, was the inspiration for the song.


Another track from said album, "If It Makes You Happy", entered the charts in the latter part of the year. This particular song enjoyed its chart run in early 1997 (although it might've gotten some radio airplay during the last week or two of '96).

From Summer 1996

x_T6qaGNXNU

One of my all-time favourite albums - Toni Braxton's "Secrets". Stuff like this is really timeless for me...

HgyKFEeTKTs

Todd Terry ft. Martha Wash & Jocelyn Brown - Keep on jumpin' (1996)

PnmUtTfQQvU

According to modern soundscan numbers, Alanis Morissette's album has sold 15 million copies, alone, in the US. Those are huge numbers!
There seemed to be an influx of female singers selling 9 million copies+ during this era, especially from 1996 to 1998: Alanis, Shania Twain, Celine, etc, etc. You can thank partly the delayed, and not so delayed effects, of Madonna in the 80's, and the female-empowerment thing, and stuff. Perhaps blame the feminist movement of the 1960's too! Things have a habit of having a snowball effect over years, decades, etc, etc, etc.

According to modern soundscan numbers, Alanis Morissette's album has sold 15 million copies, alone, in the US. Those are huge numbers!
There seemed to be an influx of female singers selling 9 million copies+ during this era, especially from 1996 to 1998: Alanis, Shania Twain, Celine, etc, etc. You can thank partly the delayed, and not so delayed effects, of Madonna in the 80's, and the female-empowerment thing, and stuff. Perhaps blame the feminist movement of the 1960's too! Things have a habit of having a snowball effect over years, decades, etc, etc, etc.


No doubt with those female singers. I'm not sure of sales and statistics, but the 80s weren't that bad for solo female artists... I'm thinking Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Tina Turner, Gloria Estefan, Cyndi Lauper. They were worldwide brand names.

No doubt with those female singers. I'm not sure of sales and statistics, but the 80s weren't that bad for solo female artists... I'm thinking Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Tina Turner, Gloria Estefan, Cyndi Lauper. They were worldwide brand names.


I have a love/hate relationship with Britney Spears. Because once she came into popularity by 1999, she ended the whole female-empowerment singing thing! Also, adult contemporary music was just washed to the trash bin of our consciousness pretty fast! I guess people got tired of the whole whole female-rock singer trend of the 80's and 90's, and wanted something different. I just wished the whole female empowerment thing lasted at least until 2002.