RPM was a Canadian magazine that published the best-performing singles of Canada from 1964 to 2000. 1990 saw 21 songs reach the number-one spot in Canada. Phil Collins achieved the first number one of the year, "Another Day in Paradise", while Wilson Phillips stayed at number one into 1991 with "Impulsive". Nine different acts reached number one for the first time in 1990: The Wild Pair, Janet Jackson, Sinéad O'Connor, New Kids on the Block, Taylor Dayne, Mariah Carey, Wilson Phillips, Jon Bon Jovi without his band, and Alias—the only Canadian artist to reach number one during the year.
English singer Phil Collins was the most successful musician of 1990 in Canada, peaking at number one with four singles between January and October: "Another Day in Paradise", "I Wish It Would Rain Down", "Do You Remember?", and "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven"—all from his fourth album, ...But Seriously . "I Wish It Would Rain Down" remained at number one for six weeks in early spring, finishing 1990 as Canada's most successful single. Altogether, Collins spent 14 weeks at number one during the year, comprising more than a quarter of the calendar year.
Wilson Phillips was the only other act to reach number one with more than one song, rising to the top position with "Release Me" in September and "Impulsive" in December, totalling three weeks at number one. In May and June, Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor climbed to number one with "Nothing Compares 2 U" for five weeks while Mariah Carey and Alias stayed at number one for four weeks with "Vision of Love" and "More Than Words Can Say", respectively. Rod Stewart topped the chart for three weeks with "Downtown Train", as did Madonna with "Vogue".
† Indicates best-performing single of 1990 |
"Can't Let Go" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her second studio album, Emotions (1991). It was released as the album's second single on October 23, 1991, by Columbia Records in the United States and the first quarter of 1992 elsewhere. It was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff. The protagonist of this synthesizer-heavy ballad laments an ex-lover who has moved on, and though she tries she "can't let go."
"Emotions" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey for her second studio album of the same name (1991). It was written and produced by Carey, Robert Clivillés, and David Cole of C+C Music Factory and released as the album's lead single on August 13, 1991 by Columbia Records. The song's lyrics has its protagonist going through a variety of emotions from high to low, up to the point where she declares, "You got me feeling emotions." Musically, it is a gospel and R&B song heavily influenced by 1970s disco music and showcases Carey's upper range and extensive use of the whistle register. Jeff Preiss directed the song's music video.
"Someday" is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey from her self-titled debut studio album (1990). It is a dance-pop, new jack swing and R&B song. Prior to Carey signing a record contract, she and producer Ben Margulies had written and produced a four-track demo which included "Someday". After signing a contract with Columbia Records, Carey began work on her debut album and she reached out to Ric Wake to ask if he would produce the song, to which he agreed. The composition of the demo recording was changed during the recording process, most notably replacing the horns with a guitar, which Carey disapproved of.
"Love Takes Time" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey for her eponymous debut studio album (1990). Written by Carey and Ben Margulies, while produced by Walter Afanasieff, the song was released as the second single from the album on August 22, 1990, by Columbia Records. An adult contemporary-influenced ballad, the song follows its protagonist lamenting the loss of a lover and confesses that "love takes time" to heal and that her feelings for her ex-lover remain.
"Nothing Compares 2 U" is a song written and composed by Prince for his side project the Family; the song featured on their 1985 debut album, The Family. The song features lyrics exploring feelings of longing from the point of view of an abandoned lover.
"Release Me" is a song written and performed by American pop group Wilson Phillips, released as the second single from their debut album, Wilson Phillips (1990). The song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in September 1990 and spent two weeks at number one. It also topped the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary chart for one week and reached number one in Canada the same month.
"Impulsive" is a song by American pop group Wilson Phillips, released as the third single from their debut album, Wilson Phillips (1990). Written by Clif Magness and Steve Kipner, it was released in 1990 on SBK Records. The song reached number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. It was the first single to feature Wendy Wilson as the lead vocalist and includes a slide guitar solo from Joe Walsh. Billboard ranked the song number 99 on their list of the "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time".