Five ’90s Love Songs That Remain Timeless One-Hit Wonders
hile Collins’ echoey vocals recount the thrill of a one-night stand.
Released in 1994 on his third solo album, “Gorgeous George,” “A Girl Like You” gave Collins his only charting song in the U.S., where it reached No. 32 on the Hot 100. The track wasn’t just a hit stateside, though — it hit No. 4 in the U.K. and even topped the charts in multiple countries across Europe. Despite its success, “A Girl Like You” presented a hurdle in video form: MTV banned it for its erotic content.
But if sexiness isn’t your tipple, “A Girl Like You” heads into outright silliness later on in the ’90s: in 1996, its instrumental hook was appropriated by the late hip hop producer Pete Rock for “Take You There” by Pete Rock & CL Smooth.
Torn – Natalie Imbruglia
While most of the songs on this list are driven by the musicians who perform them, the same can’t be said for Natalie Imbruglia’s smash hit “Torn.” The track, released in 1997 on her debut album “Left of the Middle,” was already a big hit for Danish singer Lis Sørensen in her home country back in 1993. But it was Imbruglia’s take on “Torn” that resonated with fans around the world, climbing to No. 1 on charts in the U.S., the U.K., and several other countries.
The ’90s saw many pop acts achieving their only hit with a cover, but Imbruglia took hers to the top of the charts. RCA, Imbruglia’s record label, picked” Torn” as her debut single — and wisely so. It was a heart-wrenching pop anthem, with Imbruglia singing of betrayal and heartache over crashing post-grunge guitars. “Torn” went gold, and then platinum, around the world. It received a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1999 and has become a karaoke favorite at bars and clubs everywhere.
Whether you swooned to the Proclaimers’ enthusiastic devotion, felt the wistful anguish of Mazzy Star, danced to The La’s catchy affection, cringed at Edwyn Collins’ lascivious longing, or sang your heart out to Natalie Imbruglia’s for your torn heart, these love songs from the ’90s remain timeless classics for romantics of every era. From car radio throwbacks to scenes in hit TV shows and movies, these tunes continue to captivate and connect fans with the powerful emotions of love and romance from a distinctive decade in music history.