Showing posts with label No Doubt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label No Doubt. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Radio & Records/Mediabase Top 100 Songs

Radio & Records/Mediabase:

Top 100+ Songs (1973-2025)

Radio & Records was an independent trade publication which published a weekly pop songs chart as a competitor to Billboard magazine. It ran from October 3, 1973 to August 4, 2006, when it was taken over by Mediabase, who has continued the chart to present day.

This list is based on song’s most weeks at #1 on that chart. Tie-breakers are broken based on which songs have the most points in Dave’s Music Database. The list includes all songs to top the charts for six weeks or more.

Check other lists based on charts, sales, and airplay here.

16 weeks:

1. Alex Warren “Ordinary” (2025)

12 weeks:

2. Donna Lewis “I Love You Always Forever” (1996)

11 weeks:

3. Mariah Carey “We Belong Together” (2005)
4. Natalie Imbruglia “Torn” (1997)

10 weeks:

5. Robin Thicke with T.I. & Pharrell Williams “Blurred Lines” (2013)
6. The Chainsmokers with Halsey “Closer” (2016)
7. Miley Cyrus “Flowers” (2023)
8. Leona Lewis “Bleeding Love” (2007)
9. Kid Laroi with Justin Bieber “Stay” (2021)
10. N Sync “Bye Bye Bye” (2000)

9 weeks:

11. Celine Dion “My Heart Will Go On” (1997)
12. Ed Sheeran “Shape of You” (2017)
13. No Doubt “Don’t Speak” (1995)
14. Ace of Base “The Sign” (1993)
15. Hanson “Mmmbop” (1997)
16. Christina Aguilera with Lil’ Kim, Mya, & Pink “Lady Marmalade” (2001)
17. Mariah Carey “Dreamlover” (1993)
18. Dionne Farris “I Know” (1995)

8 weeks:

19. The Police “Every Breath You Take” (1983)
20. Aerosmith “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (1998)

21. Nickelback “How You Remind Me” (2001)
22. Mariah Carey with Boyz II Men “One Sweet Day” (1995)
23. Seal “Kiss from a Rose” (1994)
24. Beyoncé “Irreplaceable” (2006)
25. Fergie “Big Girls Don’t Cry (Personal)” (2007)
26. Avril Lavigne “Complicated” (2002)
27. Hoobastank “The Reason” (2003)
28. 24K Goldn with Iann Dior “Mood” (2020)
29. Maroon 5 “One More Night” (2012)
30. The Rembrandts “I’ll Be There for You” (1995)

31. Taylor Swift “Cruel Summer” (2019)
32. Nelly with Tim McGraw “Over and Over” (2004)
33. Tate McRae “Greedy” (2023)

7 weeks:

34. Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” (1992)
35. OutKast “Hey Ya!” (2003)
36. The Weeknd “Blinding Lights” (2020)
37. Santana with Rob Thomas “Smooth” (1999)
38. Rihanna with Calvin Harris “We Found Love” (2011)
39. Ke$ha “Tik Tok” (2009)
40. Shakira with Wyclef Jean “Hips Don’t Lie” (2006)

41. One Republic with Timbaland “Apologize” (2007)
42. Celine Dion “Because You Loved Me” (1996)
43. Camila Cabello with Young Thug “Havana” (2017)
44. Katy Perry with Snoop Dogg “California Gurls” (2010)
45. Kelly Clarkson “Since U Been Gone” (2004)
46. Elton John with Kiki Dee “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” (1976)
47. Ricky Martn “Livin’ La Vida Loca” (1999)
48. Nelly Furtado with Timbaland “Promiscuous” (2006)
49. Destiny’s Child “Independent Women” (2000)
50. Post Malone “Circles” (2019)

51. Adele “Easy on Me” (2021)
52. Journey “Open Arms” (1981)
53. Billie Eilish “Birds of a Feather” (2024)
54. Harry Styles “Watermelon Sugar” (2019)
55. Doja Cat “Paint the Town Red”
56. Shaggy with Rayvon “Angel” (2000)
57. Ariana Grande “Positions” (2020)
58. Sugar Ray “Every Morning’ (1998)

6 weeks:

59. Bee Gees “Stayin’ Alive” (1977)
60. Bryan Adams “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (1991)

61. Eminem “Lose Yourself” (2002)
62. Mark Ronson with Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!” (2014)
63. Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feeling” (2009)
64. Flo Rida with T-Pain “Low” (2007)
65. Black Eyed Peas “Boom Boom Pow” (2009)
66. Debby Boone “You Light Up My Life” (1977)
67. Bee Gees “Night Fever” (1977)
68. Maroon 5 with Christina Aguilera “Moves Like Jagger” (2011)
69. Blondie “Call Me” (1980)
70. Boyz II Men “End of the Road” (1992)

71. Alicia Keys “No One” (2007)
72. Commodores “Three Times a Lady” (1978)
73. Harry Styles “As It Was” (2022)
74. Terry Jacks “Seasons in the Sun” (1974)
75. Olivia Newton-John “I Honestly Love You” (1974)
76. Captain & Tennille “Love Will Keep Us Together” (1975)
77. Linkin Park “In the End” (2000)
78. Sheryl Crow “All I Wanna Do” (1993)
79. Sia with Sean Paul “Cheap Thrills” (2015)
80. Janet Jackson “That’s the Way Love Goes” (1993)

81. Bruno Mars “Locked Out of Heaven” (2012)
82. Gwen Stefani “Hollaback Girl” (2005)
83. Rod Stewart “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” (1978)
84. Black Eyed Peas with Justin Timberlake “Where Is the Love?” (2003)
85. Foreigner “Waiting for a Girl Like You” (1981)
86. Mariah Carey “Fantasy” (1995)
87. Ariana Grande “7 Rings” (2019)
88. Olivia Rodrigo “Good 4 U” (2021)
89. Benson Boone “Beautiful Things” (2024)
90. Chumbawamba “Tubthumping” (1997)

91. Zedd with Maren Morris “The Middle” (2018)
92. Paul McCartney & Wings “Silly Love Songs” (1976)
93. Dua Lipa “Don’t Start Now” (2019)
94. Lizzo “About Damn Time” (2022)
95. Jonas Brothers “Sucker” (2019)
96. Elton John “Philadelphia Freedom” (1975)
97. Daryl Hall & John Oates “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)” (1981)
98. Panic! At the Disco “High Hopes” (2018)
99. Third Eye Blind “Semi-Charmed Life” (1997)
100. Taylor Swift with Kendrick Lamar “Bad Blood” (2014)

101. Sam Smith with Kim Petras “Unholy” (2022)
102. Barenaked Ladies “One Week” (1998)
103. Boyz II Men “On Bended Knee” (1994)
104. Timbaland with Doe & Keri Hilson “The Way I Are” (2007)
105. Alanis Morissette “You Learn” (1995)
106. Katy Perry with Kanye West “E.T.” (2010)
107. The Cardigans “Lovefool” (1996)
108. Taylor Swift “I Knew You Were Trouble” (2012)
109. Sugar Ray with Super Cat “Fly” (1997)
110. Rosé with Bruno Mars “Apt.” (2024)

111. Beyoncé with Slim Thug & Bun B “Check on It” (2005)
112. Sabrina Carpenter “Taste” (2024)
113. Mariah Carey “I’ll Be There (live)” (1992)
114. Zedd with Alessia Cara “Stay” (2017)
115. Ace of Base “Don’t Turn Around” (1994)
116. Miguel “Sure Thing” (2011)
117. N Sync “It’s Gonna Be Me” (2000)
118. JoJo “Leave (Get Out)” (2004)
119. Kelly Clarkson “Miss Independent” (2003)

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First posted 5/25/2016; last updated 2/4/2026.

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Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Billboard: Airplay, 1984-present

Billboard’s Biggest Airplay Hits:

1984-present

Billboard magazine started its airplay chart on October 20, 1984 to track the biggest hits as played on radio. This list focuses on the biggest hits on that chart based on weeks at #1. All songs which spent seven weeks or more at #1 are included in this list. Ties are broken by songs’ overall Dave’s Music Database points.

See other chart-based lists here and specific Billboard lists here.

    26 weeks:

  1. The Weeknd “Blinding Lights” (2019)
    18 weeks:

  2. Goo Goo Dolls “Iris (1998)
    16 weeks:

  3. Mariah Carey “We Belong Together” (2005)
  4. No Doubt “Don’t Speak” (1995)
  5. Maroon 5 with Cardi B “Girls Like You” (2017)
    14 weeks:

  6. Céline Dion “Because You Loved Me (1996)
  7. Alicia Keys “No One” (2007)
  8. Panic! At the Disco “High Hopes” (2018)
    13 weeks:

  9. Mariah Carey with Boyz II Men “One Sweet Day” (1995)
  10. Boyz II Men “End of the Road” (1992)
  11. Ace of Base “The Sign” (1993)
  12. TLC “No Scrubs’ (1999)
  13. Donna Lewis “I Love You Always Forever” (1996)
    12 weeks:

  14. Mark Ronson with Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!” (2014)
  15. Ed Sheeran “Shape of You” (2017)
  16. Usher with Lil’ Jon & Ludacris “Yeah!” (2004)
  17. Rihanna with Calvin Harris “We Found Love” (2011)
  18. Boyz II Men “I’ll Make Love to You” (1994)
  19. Nelly with Kelly Rowland “Dilemma” (2002)
    11 weeks:

  20. Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” (1992)
  21. Eminem “Lose Yourself” (2002)
  22. Robin Thicke with T.I. & Pharrell Williams “Blurred Lines” (2013)
  23. Adele “Hello” (2015)
  24. The Chainsmokers with Halsey “Closer” (2016)
  25. Beyoncé “Irreplaceable” (2006)
  26. Justin Bieber “Love Yourself” (2015)
  27. Natalie Imbruglia “Torn” (1997)
  28. Mariah Carey “Dreamlover” (1993)
  29. Post Malone “Circles” (2019)
  30. Mario “Let Me Love You” (2004)
  31. Boyz II Men “On Bended Knee” (1994)
  32. 24K Goldn with Iann Dior “Mood” (2020)
  33. Khalid “Talk” (2019)
    10 weeks:

  34. Céline Dion “My Heart Will Go On” (1997)
  35. Seal “Kiss from a Rose” (1995)
  36. Janet Jackson “That’s the Way Love Goes” (1993)
  37. Lil Wayne with Static Major “Lollipop” (2008)
  38. Mariah Carey “Hero” (1993)
  39. Ashanti with Ja Rule “Foolish” (2002)
  40. Mariah Carey “Someday” (1990)
  41. Usher “U Got It Bad” (2001)
  42. Bruno Mars & Anderson.Paak as Silk Sonic “Leave the Door Open” (2021)
    9 weeks:

  43. OutKast “Hey Ya!” (2003)
  44. 50 Cent “In Da Club” (2002)
  45. Ed Sheeran with Beyoncé “Perfect” (2017)
  46. Jay-Z with Alicia Keys “Empire State of Mind” (2009)
  47. All-4-One “I Swear” (1994)
  48. Destiny’s Child “Independent Women” (2000)
  49. Madonna “Take a Bow” (1994)
  50. Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like” (2016)

  51. Chumbawamba “Tubthumping” (1997)
  52. Jewel “You Were Meant for Me” (1995)
  53. Paula Abdul “Rush Rush” (1991)
  54. Mary J. Blige “Be Without You” (2005)
  55. Zedd with Maren Morris & Grey “The Middle” (2018)
  56. Beyoncé with Sean Paul “Baby Boy” (2003)
  57. Aaliyah “Try Again” (2000)
  58. Brandy “Have You Ever?” (1998)
    8 weeks:

  59. Bryan Adams “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (1991)
  60. Pharrell Williams “Happy” (2013)

  61. Beyoncé with Jay-Z “Crazy in Love” (2003)
  62. Eminem with Rihanna “Love the Way You Lie” (2010)
  63. Sia with Sean Paul “Cheap Thrills” (2016)
  64. Vanessa Williams “Save the Best for Last” (1992)
  65. T.I. with Rihanna “Live Your Life” (2008)
  66. Maroon 5 “One More Night” (2012)
  67. T.I. “Whatever You Like” (2008)
  68. The Rembrandts “I’ll Be There for You” (1995)
  69. Usher “Burn” (2004)
  70. Mariah Carey “I’ll Be There” (live, 1992)

  71. Maroon 5 “Don’t Wanna Know” (2016)
  72. T-Pain with Yung Joc “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’)” (2007)
  73. Chris Brown with Young Thug “Go Crazy” (2020)
    7 weeks:

  74. Nelly “Hot in Herre” (2002)
  75. Maroon 5 with Christina Aguilera “Moves Like Jagger” (2011)
  76. Ke$ha “Tik Tok” (2009)
  77. Bruno Mars “Just the Way You Are (Amazing)” (2010)
  78. John Legend “All of Me” (2013)
  79. The Weeknd “Can’t Feel My Face” (2015)
  80. Fergie “Big Girls Don’t Cry (Personal)” (2007)

  81. Mariah Carey “Fantasy” (1995)
  82. Bruno Mars “Locked Out of Heaven” (2012)
  83. 50 Cent with Olivia “Candy Shop” (2005)
  84. Usher with will.i.am “OMG” (2010)
  85. Justin Timberlake “Mirrors” (2013)
  86. Ciara with Petey Pablo “Goodies” (2004)
  87. Rihanna with Drake “What’s My Name?” (2010)
  88. Chris Brown with Juelz Santana “Run It!” (2005)
  89. Janet Jackson “Love Will Never Do without You” (1989)
  90. Sisqó “Thong Song” (2000)

  91. Dionne Farris “I Know” (1995)
  92. T.I. with Justin Timberlake “Dead and Gone” (2008)
  93. Destiny’s Child “Jumpin’ Jumpin’” (1999)
  94. Cassie “Me & U” (2006)
  95. Dua Lipa “Levitating” (2020)
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First posted 9/7/2021.

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Monday, December 7, 2020

U.S. Biggest #1 Pop Songs in Chart History

USA’s Biggest #1 Pop Songs

This page has been updated and moved here.

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Friday, April 24, 2020

Adult Album Alternative (AAA): Top 100, 1990-1996

First posted 4/24/2020.

Adult Album Alternative:

Top 100 Songs, 1990-1996

In 1996, Billboard magazine lanched the adult album alternative (AAA) chart. The radio format is a spinoff of the album-oriented radio stations focused on classic rock from the ‘60s and ‘70s. While artists like Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, and Bruce Springsteen are staples of classic rock, their current material was largely neglected by those stations. Alongside these heritage acts, AAA played mainstream-rock-oriented alternative acts like the Gin Blossoms, Goo Goo Dolls, Hootie & the Blowfish, Matchbox 20, Dave Matthews Band, and Alanis Morissette.

As is usually the case with a new chart, though, the format was already well established before Billboard started tracking. This list, therefore, is an effort to represent those songs preceded the chart. Eligibilty for this list was determined by acts who had later AAA chart hits, but songs from 1990 to 1996 which didn’t make that chart.

1. R.E.M. “Losing My Religion” (1991)
2. Oasis “Wonderwall” (1995)
3. U2 “One” (1992)
4. No Doubt “Don’t Speak” (1995)
5. Radiohead “Creep” (1993)
6. Seal “Kiss from a Rose” (1994)
7. Eric Clapton “Tears in Heaven” (1992)
8. Red Hot Chili Peppers “Under the Bridge” (1991)
9. Beck “Loser” (1993)
10. Sheryl Crow “All I Wanna Do” (1994)

11. Alanis Morissette “You Oughta Know” (1995)
12. Bruce Springsteen “Streets of Philadelphia” (1994)
13. Pearl Jam “Jeremy” (1991)
14. R.E.M. “Everybody Hurts’ (1992)
15. Alanis Morissette “Ironic” (1995)
16. Oasis “Live Forever” (1994)
17. Eric Clapton “Change the World” (1996)
18. Jewel “You Were Meant for Me” (1995)
19. Oasis “Don’t Look Back in Anger” (1995)
20. Smashing Pumpkins “1979” (1995)

21. Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories “Stay (I Missed You)” (1994)
22. Tracy Chapman “Give Me One Reason” (1995)
23. Shawn Colvin “Sunny Came Home” (1996)
24. Alanis Morissette “You Learn” (1995)
25. Oasis “Champagne Supernova” (1995)
26. Green Day “Basket Case” (1994)
27. The Rembrandts “I’ll Be There for You” (1995)
28. Joan Osborne “One of Us” (1995)
29. Jewel “Foolish Games” (1995)
30. Pearl Jam “Alive” (1991)

31. Soundgarden “Black Hole Sun” (1994)
32. Sting “Fields of Gold” (1993)
33. The Cranberries “Zombie” (1994)
34. Radiohead “Fake Plastic Trees” (1995)
35. Soul Asylum “Runaway Train” (1992)
36. Eric Clapton ““Layla” (Unplugged version, 1992)
37. Green Day “Longview” (1994)
38. Hootie & the Blowfish “Only Wanna Be with You” (1994)
39. Counting Crows “Mr. Jones” (1993)
40. Alanis Morissette “Head Over Feet” (1995)

41. Sting “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You” (1993)
42. Pearl Jam “Daughter” (1993)
43. U2 “Night and Day” (1990)
44. Weezer “Buddy Holly” (1994)
45. The Black Crowes “Hard to Handle” (1990)
46. Live “Lightning Crashes” (1994)
47. R.E.M. “Man on the Moon” (1992)
48. Bonnie Raitt “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (1991)
49. U2 “Mysterious Ways” (1991)
50. The Cranberries “Linger” (1993)

51. Green Day “When I Come Around” (1994)
52. Beck “Where It’s At” (1996)
53. Bonnie Raitt “Something to Talk About” (1991)
54. Collective Soul “Shine” (1993)
55. Smashing Pumpkins “Disarm” (1993)
56. Lenny Kravitz “Are You Gonna Go My Way?” (1993)
57. Stone Temple Pilots “Interstate Love Song” (1994)
58. Dave Matthews Band “Crash into Me” (1996)
59. Spin Doctors “Two Princes” (1991)
60. Collective Soul “December” (1995)

61. Smashing Pumpkins “Tonight Tonight” (1995)
62. Stone Temple Pilot “Plush” (1992)
63. R.E.M. “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” (1994)
64. Seal “Crazy” (1990)
65. Blues Traveler “Run Around” (1994)
66. Sting “All This Time” (1990)
67. Smashing Pumpkins “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” (1995)
68. Sheryl Crow “Everyday Is a Winding Road” (1996)
69. Crowded House “Weather with You” (1991)
70. Collective Soul “the World I Know” (1995)

71. Goo Goo Dolls “Name” (1995)
72. R.E.M. “Drive” (1992)
73. Bruce Springsteen “Human Touch” (1992)
74. Gin Blossoms “‘Til I Hear It from You” (1995)
75. U2 “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me” (1995)
76. INXS “Suicide Blonde” (1990)
77. U2 “Even Better Than the Real Thing” (1991)
78. R.E.M. “Shiny Happy People” (1991)
79. Alanis Morissette “Hand in My Pocket” (1995)
80. Radiohead “High and Dry” (1995)

81. Bonnie Raitt “Love Sneakin’ Up on You” (1994)
82. Hootie & the Blowfish “Let Her Cry” (1994)
83. Sheryl Crow “If It Makes You Happy” (1996)
84. Live “Selling the Drama” (1994)
85. Hootie & the Blowfish “Time” (1994)
86. Paula Cole “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?” (1996)
87. The Cranberries “Dreams” (1992)
88. Pearl Jam “Better Man” (1994)
89. Jewel “Who Will Save Your Soul?” (1995)
90. Paula Cole “I Don’t Want to Wait” (1996)

91. Silverchair “Tomorrow” (1994)
92. Pearl Jam “Black” (1991)
93. Smashing Pumpkins “Today” (1993)
94. Bruce Springsteen “Secret Garden” (1995)
95. Sheryl Crow “Strong Enough” (1993)
96. John Mellencamp & Me’Shell Ndegeocello “Wild Night” (1994)
97. Sarah McLachlan “I Will Remember You” (1995)
98. Hootie & the Blowfish “Hold My Hand” (1994)
99. Matchbox 20 “Push” (1996)
100. Melissa Etheridge “I’m the Only One” (1993)

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Monday, October 1, 2012

Music in the '90s: When Alternative Became Mainstream

Originally published in my "Aural Fixation" column on PopMatters.com on October 1, 2012. See original post here.

image from mylot.com

The genre once tied to college radio and indie record companies became mainstream in the '90s. Some of those icons of “alternative” are making comebacks – or never went away. Is this 2012 or 1996?

I’m a Billboard magazine junkie. Every week I peruse the charts, eager to track music’s latest hitmakers. Lately, however, I’ve experienced a heavy dose of déjà vu. Among the pop and rock entries are songs and albums by Green Day, Matchbox 20, the Dave Matthews Band, Alanis Morissette, No Doubt, the Offspring, and Soundgarden.

Others who’ve unleashed new product this year include Fiona Apple, the Counting Crows, the Cranberries, Eve 6, Everclear, Garbage, Smashing Pumpkins, and Soul Asylum. Look for new stuff from Alice in Chains and the Wallflowers by year’s end. That would be the year 2012, not 1996.

It’s enough to make one believe the ‘90s never ended. Oh sure, most of those acts peaked over a decade ago, but their refusal to go away hints at a still-present passion for the alternative scene which became the mainstream music of the ‘90s.

That decade, a mere dozen years in the rear view mirror, proved a particularly productive era for sending album sales into the stratosphere. Less than 200 albums have sold 15 million or more worldwide (Dave’s Music Database blog, “The World’s Top 100 All-Time Best-Selling Albums,” 20 February 2012), but an astounding eighty albums released in the ‘90s make the cut. They cross multiple genres including rap (MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice, Kid Rock), country (Garth Brooks, Shania Twain), R&B (Boyz II Men, TLC), pop (Michael Jackson, Madonna), bubblegum (Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys), adult contemporary (Celine Dion, Michael Bolton), and rock (Metallica, Guns N’ Roses).

However, the decade’s most dynamic trend was the rise of alternative rock. If there’s any doubt as to the genre’s impact, check out this list of the “Top 100 Albums of the 1990s” (Dave’s Music Database Facebook page, 16 February 2011) in which albums are ranked by aggregating multiple best-of lists alongside sales figures, chart data, awards, and ratings; 9 of the top 10 albums and more than half the overall list fall under the alternative rock banner.

In the ‘80s, the genre was as a niche market confined to airplay on college radio stations. However, at the dawn of the ‘90s, genre stalwarts like U2 and R.E.M. had surfaced as bands capable of selling out major arenas and racking up millions in album sales (both have albums from the ‘90s on the list).

In 1991 and 1992, Nirvana and Pearl Jam (also on the list with ‘90s albums) didn’t just become the flagbearers for grunge, but the entire alternative rock scene. When Nirvana’s Nevermind toppled Michael Jackson on the album chart in early 1992, it was clear the “alternative” tag was looking a little silly. A once niche market had become the market.

However, the moniker remained – and a multitude of other “alternative” albums comfortably found a home in the 15-million club. Here’s a glimpse at five of the acts who joined the club via 1990s releases and how they are still impacting the charts today.

GREEN DAY

Then:
In 1996, Green Day were just putting the chart run of Insomniac to bed. While the album generated a couple #3 alt-rock hits, it was a let down from 1994’s Dookie. Three #1 alternative hits (“Longview,” “Basket Case,” and “When I Come Around”) sent the album into the stratosphere, hitting 20 million in sales worldwide.

Now:
Two more albums followed before Green Day woke up and reasserted itself with a pair of rock operas (American Idiot, 21st Century Breakdown). The group now has the #1 rock song (“Oh Love”) as they prepare to launch a triple-album extravaganza.

MATCHBOX 20

Then:
Matchbox 20 released its debut album, Yourself or Someone Like You, in 1996. Over two years, they milked it for five songs (including “Push,” “3 A.M.,” and “”Real World”) which hit the top ten on one chart or another. The album peaked at #4 and sold 15 million worldwide.

Now:
After a couple more outings, Matchbox 20 went on hiatus for a decade. They trotted out an obligatory anthology and frontman Rob Thomas had a successful stint as a solo act. However, the 22 September 2012 issue of Billboard loudly trumpeted the band’s return – with the #1 debut of new album, North.

ALANIS MORISSETTE

Then:
Alanis began 1996 with “Ironic,” the fourth single from Jagged Little Pill. It became her third #1 on the alternative charts (after “You Oughta Know” and “Hand in My Pocket”) and was a #2 pop airplay hit. “You Learn” topped the airplay chart and “Head Over Feet” went to #3. Pill secured a dozen weeks atop the Billboard album chart on its way to 33 million sales worldwide.

Now:
A week before Matchbox 20 topped the Billboard album chart, Alanis made her own entrance into 2012 with the #5 debut of Havoc and Bright Lights. It is her fifth studio release since Pill. All have been top ten efforts.

NO DOUBT

Then:
Gwen Stefani and Co. closed out 1996 with the #1 album (Tragic Kingdom) in the country. Their blend of ska and pop landed three top-ten alternative hits, but it was the ballad, “Don’t Speak,” which exploded at pop radio and topped the pop airplay chart for 16 weeks.

Now:
The group followed with two more studio albums before going into hibernation. In the interim, the group followed the Matchbox 20 blueprint. Stefani released a couple solo albums while the group appeased fans with a hits collection. No Doubt is back on the charts now with “Settle Down,” the song preceding their Push and Shove album, another September 2012 release.

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS

Then:
In 1996, the Peppers were working singles from One Hot Minute, the follow-up to their breakthrough, Blood Sugar Sex Magik.  When that album launched – coincidentally on the same day as Nirvana’s Nevermind (24 September 1991) – the Peppers blend of funk, metal, and rap had built a small but loyal audience over the course of three albums in the 1980s. Thanks to “Give It Away” (#1 alternative), “Under the Bridge” (#2 pop), and other hits, Magik racked up 15 million in sales worldwide. 

Now:
Six studio albums have followed since Magik. All have been multi-platinum top-five efforts. 1999’s Californication was another entry into the 15-million-selling club. Proving they still have clout, their 2011 album, I’m With You, hit #2 and produced the group’s twelfth #1 modern rock hit (“The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie”) and two more top ten hits this year.

Whether it’s the Peppers or Alanis, the continued presence of ‘90s icons in today’s musical landscape makes the case that the decade was more than grunge. It was the decade when the music once on the fringes became the soundtrack for the masses. Sure, they aren’t selling 15 million albums anymore, but no one else is either these days. Well, except Adele. Tune back in 15 years or so for my reflection on how Adele helmed the neo-soul movement of the early 21st century.

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Saturday, May 7, 2005

Gwen Stefani “Hollaback Girl” hit #1

Hollaback Girl

Gwen Stefani

Writer(s): Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo (see lyrics here)

Released: March 22, 2005

First Charted: April 2, 2005

Peak: 14 BB, 19 DG, 16 RR, 18 A40, 8 RB, 8 UK, 1 CN, 11 AU, 14 DF (Click for codes to charts.)

Sales (in millions): 7.0 US, 0.60 UK, 7.99 world (includes US + UK)

Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 0.40 radio, 256.20 video, 804.69 streaming

Awards:

Click on award for more details.

About the Song:

Gwen Stefani was born in 1969 in California. She rose to fame as the lead singer with No Doubt, a ska-pop outfit that sold more than 15 million copies of their 1995 album Tragic Kingdom on the strength of hits like “Don’t Speak” and “the pop-feminist anthem” SG “Just a Girl.”

In 2000, No Doubt released the platinum-selling Return of Saturn. That same year, Stefani guested on Moby’s “South Side” (#14) and Eve’s “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” (#2) before No Doubt released Rock Steady in 2001. It gave the band top-ten hits with “the cartoonish bop ‘Hey Baby’” SG and “the slow-winding love-ballad ‘Underneath It All.’” SG One more top-ten hit came in 2003 with the band’s cover of Talk Talk’s “It’s My Life.”

Stefani embarked on a solo career in 2004 with the album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. “She had big ideas about centrist pop music, about bringing back the bright and dizzy ‘80s sounds that she’d loved in high school.” SG The album’s first single, “the hammering dance track ‘What You Waiting For?’,” SG was “about the anxiety of starting a solo career” SG and stalled at #47. The second single, “Rich Girl,” reunited Stefani with “Eve and Dr. Dre to flip a Fiddler on the Roof number into gleaming dancehall-pop,” SG reaching #7.

It was the album’s third single that was most responsible for propelling the album to sales of eight million worldwide. The #1 single "Hollaback Girl” was “a berserk cheerleader-chant earworm about wanting to fight Courtney Love.” SG Stefani recorded the song with the Neptunes, the production team of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo with whom she’d worked on No Doubt’s top-20 hit “Hella Good.”

According to Williams, supermodel Naomi Campbell inspired the song’s title. She referenced a song called “Holla Back” by Fabolous in telling someone she had a name and wasn’t a “hollaback girl.” SG For Stefani, however, it was retaliation for Hole’s Courtney Love characterizing Stefani as a high school cheerleader. SG For the song, Stefani adopted “the persona of a high-school kid confronting another high-school kid.” SG

“Hollaback Girl” “ultimately comes off as less of a song and more of a collection of catchphrases.” SG “Stefani does more shouting than singing, and she does that singing in an exaggerated valley-girl Betty Boop accent.” SG The song’s “beat imitates the sound of funky Southern HBCU marching bands, and that sound animated a lot of the best rap and R&B hits of the mid-‘00s.” SG

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First posted 1/23/2026.

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Friday, November 17, 2000

The Gavin Report: Top 100 Songs

The Gavin Report, 1958-2000:

Top 100 Songs

Bill Gavin was a radio host who launched a countdown based on local airplay. It evolved into a national chart which rank from May 20, 1958 to November 17, 2000.

Check other lists based on charts, sales, and airplay here.

12 weeks:

1. Natalie Imbruglia “Torn” (1998)
11 weeks:

2. Donna Lewis “I Love You Always Forever” (1996)
3. Mariah Carey with Boyz II Men “One Sweet Day” (1995)
10 weeks:

4. No Doubt “Don’t Speak” (1995)
5. N Sync “Bye Bye Bye” (2000)
9 weeks:

6. Santana with Rob Thomas “Smooth” (1999)
7. The Cardigans “Lovefool” (1997)
8. Mariah Carey “Fantasy” (1995)
9. Shawn Mullins “Lullaby” (1998)
10. Boyz II Men “I’ll Make Love to You” (1994)
11. Celine Dion “My Heart Will Go On” (1997)
8 weeks:

12. Dionne Farris “I Know” (1995)
13. Seal “Kiss from a Rose” (1994)
14. Chumbawamba “Tubthumping” (1997)
15. Boyz II Men “On Bended Knee” (1994)
16. Ricky Martn “Livin’ La Vida Loca” (1999)
17. The Police “Every Breath You Take” (1983)
7 weeks:

18. Savage Garden “I Knew I Loved You” (2000)
19. Sugar Ray with Super Cat “Fly” (1997)
20. Domenico Modugno “Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blue)” (#1, 1958)

21. Hanson “Mmmbop” (1997)
22. Debby Boone “You Light Up My Life” (1977)
23. Bee Gees “Night Fever” (1977)
24. Mariah Carey “Dreamlover” (1993)
25. Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” (1992)
26. Bryan Adams “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (1991)
27. Paul Mauriat & His Orchestra “Love Is Blue” (1968)

6 weeks:

28. Aerosmith “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (1998)
29. Sugar Ray “Every Morning” (1999)
30. Celine Dion “Because You Loved Me” (1996)

31. Barenaked Ladies “One Week” (1998)
32. Alanis Morissette “You Learn” (1996)
33. Madonna “Take a Bow” (1994)
34. The Rembrandts “I’ll Be There for You” (1995)
35. Brandy & Monica “The Boy Is Mine” (1998)
36. Mariah Carey “Hero” (1993)
37. Bee Gees “Stayin’ Alive” (1977)
38. Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson “Say, Say, Say” (1983)
39. Journey “Open Arms” (1981)
40. Starland Vocal Band “Afternoon Delight” (1976)

41. Rod Stewart “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” (1978)
42. Commodores “Three Times a Lady” (1978)
43. Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder “Ebony and Ivory” (1982)
44. Survivor “Eye of the Tiger” (1982)
45. Patty Smyth with Don Henley “Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough” (1992)
46. Lionel Richie “Say You Say Me” (1985)
47. Terry Jacks “Seasons in the Sun” (1974)
48. Elton John & Kiki Dee “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” (1976)
49. Neil Diamond & Barbra Streisand “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” (1978)
50. Three Dog Night “Joy to the World” (1971)

5 weeks:

51. Goo Goo Dolls “Slide” (1999)
52. Smash Mouth “All Star” (1999)
53. Christina Aguilera “Genie in a Bottle” (1999)
54. Lou Bega “Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of…)” (1999)
55. Savage Garden “I Want You” (1997)
56. Ace of Base “Don’t Turn Around” (1994)
57. 3 Doors Down “Kryptonite” (2000)
58. N Sync “It’s Gonna Be Me” (2000)
59. All-4-One “I Swear” (1994)
60. Foreigner “Waiting for a Girl Like You” (1981)

61. Rod Stewart “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” (1976)
62. Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, & Sting “All for Love” (1994)
63. Bonnie Tyler “Total Eclipse of the Heart” (1983)
64. John Cougar Mellencamp “Jack and Diane” (1982)
65. Phil Collins “Another Day in Paradise” (1989)
66. Richard Marx “Keep Coming Back” (1991)
67. Daryl Hall & John Oates “Maneater” (1982)
68. Chicago “If You Leave Me Now” (1976)
69. Blondie “Call Me” (1980)
70. Roberta Flack “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (1969)

71. Carl Douglas “Kung Fu Fighting” (1974)
72. The Emotions “Best of My Love” (1977)
73. George Michael “Faith” (1987)
74. Don McLean “American Pie” (1971)
75. Madonna “Like a Virgin” (1984)
76. Captain & Tennille “Love Will Keep Us Together” (1975)
77. The Heights “How Do You Talk to an Angel?” (1992)
78. Tony Orlando & Dawn “Knock Three Times” (1970)
79. Duran Duran “Ordinary World” (1993)
80. The Rolling Stones “Angie” (1973)

81. The Shirelles “Soldier Boy” (1962)
82. The Knack “My Sharona” (1979)
83. Olivia Newton-John “Have You Never Been Mellow?” (1975)
84. Elvis Presley “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” (1960)
85. The Young Rascals “Groovin’” (1967)

4 weeks:

86. The Tony Rich Project “Nobody Knows” (1996)
87. Destiny’s Child “Jumpin’ Jumpin’” (2000)
88. Robyn “Do You Know What It Takes” (1997)
89. Madonna “Secret” (1994)
90. Men at Work “Down Under” (1981)

91. Exile “Kiss You All Over” (1978)
92. Daryl Hall & John Oates “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)” (1982)
93. Stevie Nicks & Don Henley “Leather and Lace” (1981)
94. Van Halen “Jump” (1984)
95. Shellye Fabares “Johnny Angel” (1962)
96. Tommy Edwards “It’s All in the Game” (1951/1958)
97. Kim Carnes “Bette Davis Eyes” (1981)
98. Lionel Richie “All Night Long (All Night)” (1983)
99. Irene Cara “Flashdance...What a Feelin’” (1983)
100. Leo Sayer “When I Need You” (1977)

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First posted 11/17/2022.

 
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Saturday, December 7, 1996

No Doubt's "Don't Speak" toppped airplay chart for first of 16 weeks

Don’t Speak

No Doubt

Writer(s):Gwen Stefani/Eric Stefani (see lyrics here)

Released: April 15, 1996

First Charted: October 19, 1996

Peak: 116a US, 19 RR, 6 AC, 114 A40, 12 AA, 2 MR, 13 UK, 12 CN, 18 AU, 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.)

Sales (in millions): 3.0 US, 1.12 UK, 5.36 world (includes US + UK)

Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 0.9 radio, 1198.34 video, 820.92 streaming

Awards:

Click on award for more details.

About the Song:

“Don’t Speak” is one of the biggest #1 pop songs in history, but it never hit the Billboard Hot 100. During the ‘90s, record companies often held radio songs back from release to push album sales instead. While Billboard did track airplay, they didn’t permit songs without a physical single release to chart on the Hot 100. With 16 weeks on the airplay chart, the only song on one of Billboard’s pop charts to spend more weeks at #1 is 1947’s “Near You” by Francis Craig. The song did top the charts in more than a dozen countries including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It was also nominated for a Grammy for Song of the Year. WK

No Doubt had previously released two albums which had gone largely unnoticed before 1995’s Tragic Kingdom. Top-ten alternative rock hits “Just a Girl” and “Spiderwebs” finally put the spotlight on the band; “Don’t Speak” propelled the album to the top of the Billboard album chart for nine weeks.

According to Tom Dumont, the band’s guitarist, the original version of “Don’t Speak” was written primarily by Eric Stefani, a former band member, as a love song. WK Gwen Stefani, his sister and lead singer of the band, changed the lyrics almost completely after her breakup with bandmate Tony Kanal. WK As she said, “It used to be more upbeat, more of a seventies rock-type thing. [When] Tony and I broke up…it turned into a sad song.” WK

The video put a different twist on the song by turning it into a commentary on the media attention given to Gwen. During the video, the rest of the band appear upset and shoot dirty looks at her. Kanal said, “We didn’t want it to be about a normal breakup. So we thought, ‘What would be the saddst thing that could happen? The band splitting up?’ So that’s what the video’s about.” SF

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First posted 1/22/2020; last updated 1/14/2025.

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