1996 in British music
Encyclopedia
This is a summary of 1996 in music
in the United Kingdom, including the official charts from that year.
The first number 1 single of the year was "Jesus to a Child", George Michael
's first solo #1 for 10 years. This was followed by Babylon Zoo
's "Spaceman", which had been used in an advert for Levi's. The single was quite different from the version used in the advert, which had been sped up and re-arranged. It stayed at #1 for five weeks, sold over a million copies, and Jas Mann
, the man behind Babylon Zoo, became the first solo male to make their chart debut at number 1.
After five years, the boy band
Take That
announced that they were splitting up, resulting in such distress for their many fans that a telephone helpline had to be set up. Their final number 1 came in March, a cover of the Bee Gees
song "How Deep Is Your Love". Several of the members went on to start a solo career, with Gary Barlow
the first to hit #1 with "Forever Love" in July. However, it would be Robbie Williams
who would go on to score the most success as a solo artist.
After George Michael scored another number 1 with "Fastlove" in April, Gina G
reached the top spot with "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" in May. This song was the UK's entry to the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest
, and originally reached #6 when it was released at the beginning of April. It hovered around the top 5 for the next few weeks, before moving up to 1 in the week of the contest. Although it didn't win, it still became the first Eurovision song to hit #1 since Nicole's "A Little Peace", which won the contest in 1982.
The next number 1 was also influenced by media events: "Three Lions
", released by comedians David Baddiel
and Frank Skinner
and the band The Lightning Seeds
, was the official song of the 1996 European Football Championship (Euro '96), which was being held in England. A rewritten version of the song ("Three Lions '98") would reach number 1 two years later, coinciding with the Football World Cup 1998 (France '98).
The Fugees
had the biggest selling single of the year, with a cover of Roberta Flack
's "Killing Me Softly With His Song
". It sold over a million copies.
However, by far the most successful act of the year was the Spice Girls
, who kickstarted their career with three number 1 singles - the million-selling "Wannabe
" in July, which was one of the longest No 1 stints by any girl group (7 weeks); ( Shakespears Sister "Stay" is the longest girl group No 1, 8 weeks), and remains the biggest selling single by one to this day, "Say You'll Be There
" in October, and "2 Become 1
" in December, also a million seller, and the year's Christmas number one single.
Oasis
smashed the record for most weeks in the singles chart (previously held by Adam and the Ants
in 1981) with 134 weeks, thanks to mass waves of re-entries of songs from their back catalogue throughout the year.
1996 is also grimly notable for having the drummers of two popular bands, Mathew Fletcher of Heavenly
, on 14 June, and Chris Acland
of Lush
, on 17 October, commit suicide
. Lush had at the time been in the final stages of planning an American tour, which his devastated bandmates cancelled; they then disbanded.
Prolific classical composer Peter Maxwell Davies
produced the tenth of his Strathclyde Concertos
, an orchestral work which was first performed in Glasgow in October by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra
, under the composer's baton. In June, his new opera, The Doctor of Myddfai
, was premièred in Cardiff. Other British composers who produced new works were Michael Berkeley
(Viola Concerto) and John Tavener
(Innocence). Andrew Lloyd Webber
's new musical, Whistle Down the Wind
opened in Washington D.C. in December, to poor reviews, but its score would go on to provide Boyzone
with one of the best-selling singles of the decade in the form of "No Matter What
". This year saw the Backstreet Boys
debut in the U.K.
Issue Date
winners were:
- Different Class
.
1996 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
in the United Kingdom, including the official charts from that year.
Summary
This year saw the start of an increase in the number of number 1 singles. 24 hit the top spot this year, the highest since 1980, which had an equal number.The first number 1 single of the year was "Jesus to a Child", George Michael
George Michael
George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
's first solo #1 for 10 years. This was followed by Babylon Zoo
Babylon Zoo
Babylon Zoo were a British rock band of the mid-1990s from Wolverhampton, England, fronted by Jas Mann. They were best known for the song "Spaceman", which on its release on 21 January 1996, went straight to #1 on the UK Singles Chart, selling 418,000 copies in the first week of...
's "Spaceman", which had been used in an advert for Levi's. The single was quite different from the version used in the advert, which had been sped up and re-arranged. It stayed at #1 for five weeks, sold over a million copies, and Jas Mann
Jas Mann
Jasbinder Singh "Jas" Mann is a British song-writer, musician, singer and record producer.-Early life:...
, the man behind Babylon Zoo, became the first solo male to make their chart debut at number 1.
After five years, the boy band
Boy band
A boy band is loosely defined as a popular music act consisting of only male singers. The members are expected to dance as well as sing, usually giving highly choreographed performances. More often than not, boy band members do not play musical instruments, either in recording sessions or on...
Take That
Take That
Take That are a British five-piece vocal pop group comprising Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams. Barlow acts as the lead singer and primary songwriter...
announced that they were splitting up, resulting in such distress for their many fans that a telephone helpline had to be set up. Their final number 1 came in March, a cover of the Bee Gees
Bee Gees
The Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a...
song "How Deep Is Your Love". Several of the members went on to start a solo career, with Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow is an English singer-songwriter, pianist and record producer. He is frontman and lead vocalist of pop group Take That and is currently the head judge on the eighth series of The X Factor. Barlow is one of Britain's most successful songwriters...
the first to hit #1 with "Forever Love" in July. However, it would be Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams
Robert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
who would go on to score the most success as a solo artist.
After George Michael scored another number 1 with "Fastlove" in April, Gina G
Gina G
-Albums:*1997 Fresh! — #12 UK #40 Norway.*1998 Gina G Remix Album *2005 Get Up & Dance -Singles:...
reached the top spot with "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" in May. This song was the UK's entry to the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest 1996
The Eurovision Song Contest 1996 was the 41st Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 18 May 1996 in Oslo Spektrum in Oslo, Norway. The presenters were Ingvild Bryn and Morten Harket. Harket, lead singer of a-ha, opened the show with a performance of his single "Heaven's Not For Saints". Eimear...
, and originally reached #6 when it was released at the beginning of April. It hovered around the top 5 for the next few weeks, before moving up to 1 in the week of the contest. Although it didn't win, it still became the first Eurovision song to hit #1 since Nicole's "A Little Peace", which won the contest in 1982.
The next number 1 was also influenced by media events: "Three Lions
Three Lions
"Three Lions" is a song released in 1996, the official anthem of the England football team for that year's European Championships, held in England...
", released by comedians David Baddiel
David Baddiel
David Lionel Baddiel is an English comedian, novelist and television presenter.-Early life:Baddiel was born in New York, and moved to England when he was four months old. His father, Colin Brian Baddiel, was a Welsh research chemist with Unilever before being made redundant in the 1980s, after...
and Frank Skinner
Frank Skinner
Frank Skinner is a British writer, comedian and actor. He is best known for his television presenting, often alongside David Baddiel, with whom he also collaborated for the football song "Three Lions."He is a radio presenter on the Saturday morning slot on Absolute Radio.-Youth and early career...
and the band The Lightning Seeds
Lightning Seeds
The Lightning Seeds are an English alternative rock and pop band from Liverpool, England formed in 1989 by Ian Broudie , formerly of the Big in Japan band....
, was the official song of the 1996 European Football Championship (Euro '96), which was being held in England. A rewritten version of the song ("Three Lions '98") would reach number 1 two years later, coinciding with the Football World Cup 1998 (France '98).
The Fugees
The Fugees
Fugees were a Haitian American hip hop group who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. Their repertoire included elements of Hip hop, soul and Caribbean music, particularly reggae. The members of the group were rapper/singer/producer Wyclef Jean, rapper/singer/producer Lauryn Hill, and rapper Pras Michel...
had the biggest selling single of the year, with a cover of Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is notable for jazz, soul, R&B, and folk music...
's "Killing Me Softly With His Song
Killing Me Softly with His Song
"Killing Me Softly with His Song" is a 1971 song composed by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel. It has been covered by numerous artists, most notably by Roberta Flack whose version topped the U.S...
". It sold over a million copies.
However, by far the most successful act of the year was the Spice Girls
Spice Girls
The Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30...
, who kickstarted their career with three number 1 singles - the million-selling "Wannabe
Wannabe (song)
"Wannabe" is the debut song by British pop group Spice Girls. Written by the group members with Matt Rowe and Richard Stannard during the group's first professional songwriting session, it was produced by Rowe and Stannard for the group's debut album Spice, released in November 1996...
" in July, which was one of the longest No 1 stints by any girl group (7 weeks); ( Shakespears Sister "Stay" is the longest girl group No 1, 8 weeks), and remains the biggest selling single by one to this day, "Say You'll Be There
Say You'll Be There
"Say You'll Be There" is a song by British pop group Spice Girls. It was written by the Spice Girls and Eliot Kennedy, for their debut album Spice, released in November 1996. Production duo Absolute incorporated a mix of pop and R&B into the song, which includes an harmonica solo, played by Judd...
" in October, and "2 Become 1
2 Become 1
"2 Become 1" is a song by the British pop group Spice Girls. Written by the group members, Matt Rowe and Richard Stannard during the group's first professional songwriting session, it was produced by Rowe and Stannard for the group's debut album Spice, released in November 1996...
" in December, also a million seller, and the year's Christmas number one single.
Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
smashed the record for most weeks in the singles chart (previously held by Adam and the Ants
Adam and the Ants
Adam and the Ants were a British rock band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The original group, which existed from 1977 to 1980, became notable as a cult band marking the transition from the late-1970s punk rock era to the post-punk and New Wave era...
in 1981) with 134 weeks, thanks to mass waves of re-entries of songs from their back catalogue throughout the year.
1996 is also grimly notable for having the drummers of two popular bands, Mathew Fletcher of Heavenly
Heavenly (British band)
Heavenly were a 1990s twee pop band, originally forming in Oxford, England in 1989. Amelia Fletcher , Mathew Fletcher , Peter Momtchiloff and Robert Pursey had all been members of Talulah Gosh, a key member of the C86 scene.-History:Heavenly debuted with the 7" single "I Fell in Love Last...
, on 14 June, and Chris Acland
Chris Acland
Chris Acland was an English musician, best known for being the drummer of the London based shoegazing and britpop musical ensemble, Lush.-Biography:Christopher John Dyke Acland was born in Lancaster Infirmary...
of Lush
Lush (band)
Lush were an English alternative rock band, formed in 1987 and disbanded in 1998. They were one of the first bands to attract the "shoegazing" label...
, on 17 October, commit suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
. Lush had at the time been in the final stages of planning an American tour, which his devastated bandmates cancelled; they then disbanded.
Prolific classical composer Peter Maxwell Davies
Peter Maxwell Davies
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, CBE is an English composer and conductor and is currently Master of the Queen's Music.-Biography:...
produced the tenth of his Strathclyde Concertos
Strathclyde Concertos
The Strathclyde Concertos are a series of ten orchestral works by the English composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies.Commissioned by Strathclyde Regional Council, each work features an instrumental soloist and small orchestra. The first concerto, for oboe and orchestra, appeared in 1986, with the tenth...
, an orchestral work which was first performed in Glasgow in October by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is Scotland's national chamber orchestra, based in Edinburgh. One of Scotland’s five National Performing Arts Companies, the SCO performs throughout Scotland, including annual tours of the Scottish Highlands and Islands and South of Scotland. The SCO appears...
, under the composer's baton. In June, his new opera, The Doctor of Myddfai
The Doctor of Myddfai
The Doctor of Myddfai is an opera in two acts composed by Peter Maxwell Davies to a libretto by David Pountney. The work premiered at the New Theatre in Cardiff on 5 June 1996, performed by the Welsh National Opera and conducted by Richard Armstrong. The libretto was adapted from an ancient Welsh...
, was premièred in Cardiff. Other British composers who produced new works were Michael Berkeley
Michael Berkeley
Michael Berkeley is a British composer and broadcaster on music.-Early life:His father was the composer Sir Lennox Berkeley...
(Viola Concerto) and John Tavener
John Tavener
Sir John Tavener is a British composer, best known for such religious, minimal works as "The Whale", and "Funeral Ikos"...
(Innocence). Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber is an English composer of musical theatre.Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of...
's new musical, Whistle Down the Wind
Whistle Down the Wind (musical)
Whistle Down the Wind is a musical based on the 1961 film Whistle Down the Wind with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Jim Steinman, known for his work with Meat Loaf and Bonnie Tyler.-Stage Premiere:...
opened in Washington D.C. in December, to poor reviews, but its score would go on to provide Boyzone
Boyzone
Boyzone are an Irish boy band comprising Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating,Shane Lynch, and formerly Stephen Gately. Boyzone have 19 singles in the top 40 UK charts and 21 singles in the Ire charts. The group currently have 6 UK number one singles and 9 number one singles in Ireland with 12...
with one of the best-selling singles of the decade in the form of "No Matter What
No Matter What (Boyzone song)
"No Matter What" is a song from the 1996 musical Whistle Down the Wind, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman and popularized by the group Boyzone. The song reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart, and was the only Boyzone hit to become popular in the U.S. Jewels & Stone did a remix for the...
". This year saw the Backstreet Boys
Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1993. The band originally consisted of A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson. They rose to fame with their debut international album, Backstreet Boys...
debut in the U.K.
Number-one singles
| Song | Artist(s) | Sales | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 January | "Earth Song Earth Song "Earth Song" is the third single from Michael Jackson's album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. It is the fifth song on the second disc of the album. It is a ballad that incorporates elements of blues, gospel and opera. Jackson had a long-standing history of releasing socially conscious... " | Michael Jackson Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records... | 80,000 |
| 14 January | "Jesus to a Child Jesus to a Child "Jesus to a Child" is a song by British musician George Michael. The song peaked at number 1 in Britain and Australia, and at number 2 in the mainland European charts. The song has also become George Michael's highest direct entry in the American charts. The song is one of George Michael's... " | George Michael George Michael George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley... | 110,000 |
| 21 January | "Spaceman Spaceman (song) "Spaceman" is a song by British singer-songwriter Jas Mann, of Babylon Zoo. Known for its heavily distorted guitars and metallic, robotic-sounding vocals, it went straight to Number 1 on the UK singles chart on 21 January 1996, selling 418,000 copies in the first week of release... " | Babylon Zoo Babylon Zoo Babylon Zoo were a British rock band of the mid-1990s from Wolverhampton, England, fronted by Jas Mann. They were best known for the song "Spaceman", which on its release on 21 January 1996, went straight to #1 on the UK Singles Chart, selling 418,000 copies in the first week of... | 418,000 |
| 28 January | 204,000 | ||
| 4 February | 128,000 | ||
| 11 February | 80,000 | ||
| 18 February | 63,000 | ||
| 25 February | "Don't Look Back in Anger Don't Look Back in Anger "Don't Look Back in Anger" is a song by English rock band Oasis, released in 1996 as the fourth single from their hit second album Morning Glory?. The song was written by the band's guitarist and main songwriter, Noel Gallagher. The song became the band's second single to reach #1 in the UK... " | Oasis Oasis (band) Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher... | 250,000 |
| 3 March | "How Deep Is Your Love How Deep Is Your Love "How Deep Is Your Love" is a pop song recorded by the Bee Gees in 1977 and released as a single in September. Originally intended for Yvonne Elliman, it was ultimately used as part of the soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever. It was a number three hit in the United Kingdom and Australia... " | Take That Take That Take That are a British five-piece vocal pop group comprising Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams. Barlow acts as the lead singer and primary songwriter... | 257,000 |
| 10 March | 120,000 | ||
| 17 March | 90,000 | ||
| 24 March | "Firestarter Firestarter (song) "Firestarter" is a song by the English band The Prodigy, released on 18 March 1996. It was the first single from their third album The Fat of the Land, and their tenth single. It was also the group's first number-one single on the UK Singles Chart, staying on top for three weeks... " | The Prodigy The Prodigy The Prodigy are an English electronic dance music group formed by Liam Howlett in 1990 in Braintree, Essex. Along with Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, and other acts, The Prodigy have been credited as pioneers of the big beat genre, which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s and 2000s... | 119,000 |
| 31 March | 80,000 | ||
| 7 April | 75,000 | ||
| 14 April | "Return of the Mack Return of the Mack (song) "Return of the Mack" is a single released in 1996 by British R&B artist Mark Morrison. It was released in Morrison's native United Kingdom in March 1996 and reached the number one on the UK Singles Chart a month later. It reached number two on the U.S... " | Mark Morrison Mark Morrison Mark Morrison is a British R&B singer. He was the most successful UK R&B singer of the mid-90s and the first black male solo artist to reach number one in the 90s. His single "Return of the Mack" became a #1 or Top 10 hit in several European countries in 1996... | 90,000 |
| 21 April | 90,000 | ||
| 28 April | "Fastlove Fastlove "Fastlove" is a song by George Michael, released by Virgin Records in the United Kingdom and Dreamworks Records in the United States in 1996.-History:... " | George Michael | 111,000 |
| 5 May | 75,000 | ||
| 12 May | 55,000 | ||
| 19 May | "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" is a 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 in the United Kingdom on 19 May 1996.... " | Gina G Gina G -Albums:*1997 Fresh! — #12 UK #40 Norway.*1998 Gina G Remix Album *2005 Get Up & Dance -Singles:... | 75,000 |
| 26 May | "Three Lions Three Lions "Three Lions" is a song released in 1996, the official anthem of the England football team for that year's European Championships, held in England... " | Baddiel David Baddiel David Lionel Baddiel is an English comedian, novelist and television presenter.-Early life:Baddiel was born in New York, and moved to England when he was four months old. His father, Colin Brian Baddiel, was a Welsh research chemist with Unilever before being made redundant in the 1980s, after... & Skinner Frank Skinner Frank Skinner is a British writer, comedian and actor. He is best known for his television presenting, often alongside David Baddiel, with whom he also collaborated for the football song "Three Lions."He is a radio presenter on the Saturday morning slot on Absolute Radio.-Youth and early career... and The Lightning Seeds Lightning Seeds The Lightning Seeds are an English alternative rock and pop band from Liverpool, England formed in 1989 by Ian Broudie , formerly of the Big in Japan band.... | 110,000 |
| 2 June | "Killing Me Softly Killing Me Softly with His Song "Killing Me Softly with His Song" is a 1971 song composed by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel. It has been covered by numerous artists, most notably by Roberta Flack whose version topped the U.S... " | The Fugees The Fugees Fugees were a Haitian American hip hop group who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. Their repertoire included elements of Hip hop, soul and Caribbean music, particularly reggae. The members of the group were rapper/singer/producer Wyclef Jean, rapper/singer/producer Lauryn Hill, and rapper Pras Michel... | 157,000 |
| 9 June | 195,000 | ||
| 16 June | 173,000 | ||
| 23 June | 160,000 | ||
| 30 June | "Three Lions" | Baddiel & Skinner and The Lightning Seeds | 140,000 |
| 7 July | "Killing Me Softly" | The Fugees | 103,000 |
| 14 July | "Forever Love Forever Love (Gary Barlow song) "Forever Love" is the debut solo single released by British singer-songwriter Gary Barlow, taken from his debut album Open Road. The song was also used as the official theme for the film The Leading Man.-Chart performance:... " | Gary Barlow Gary Barlow Gary Barlow is an English singer-songwriter, pianist and record producer. He is frontman and lead vocalist of pop group Take That and is currently the head judge on the eighth series of The X Factor. Barlow is one of Britain's most successful songwriters... | 109,000 |
| 21 July | "Wannabe Wannabe (song) "Wannabe" is the debut song by British pop group Spice Girls. Written by the group members with Matt Rowe and Richard Stannard during the group's first professional songwriting session, it was produced by Rowe and Stannard for the group's debut album Spice, released in November 1996... " | Spice Girls Spice Girls The Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30... | 108,000 |
| 28 July | 154,000 | ||
| 4 August | 150,000 | ||
| 11 August | 145,000 | ||
| 18 August | 125,000 | ||
| 25 August | 110,000 | ||
| 1 September | 90,000 | ||
| 8 September | "Flava" | Peter Andre Peter André Peter James Andrea , better known by the stage name as Peter Andre, is an English-born Australian musician, singer-songwriter, television personality and businessman. As a recording artist, he has achieving four top 10 UK albums and ten top 10 singles.-Early life:Andre was born at Northwick Park... | 129,000 |
| 15 September | "Ready or Not Ready Or Not (Fugees song) "Ready or Not" is a song by The Fugees, from their second studio album The Score . The song contains a sample of "Boadicea" by Enya, and its chorus is based on "Ready or Not Here I Come " by The Delfonics. The song spent two weeks atop the UK Singles Chart in September 1996... " | The Fugees | 72,000 |
| 22 September | 75,000 | ||
| 29 September | "Breakfast At Tiffany's Breakfast at Tiffany's (song) "Breakfast at Tiffany's" is the title of a song recorded by American rock band Deep Blue Something. Originally appearing on the album 11th Song, it was later released in 1994 on their album Home... " | Deep Blue Something Deep Blue Something Deep Blue Something is an American rock band best known for its hit single "Breakfast at Tiffany's." The group was founded in 1992 in Denton, Texas by University of North Texas students Todd and Toby Pipes, Clay Bergus and John Kirtland... | 85,000 |
| 6 October | "Setting Sun Setting Sun "Setting Sun" is a song by The Chemical Brothers, released as a single in 1996 from their second album Dig Your Own Hole. With vocals by Noel Gallagher, it reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart and number 80 on the US Billboard Hot 100, their highest position there so far. The song sampled The... " | The Chemical Brothers The Chemical Brothers The Chemical Brothers are a British electronic music duo comprising Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons. Originating in Manchester in 1991, along with The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, The Crystal Method, and fellow acts, they were pioneers at bringing the big beat genre to the forefront of pop culture.- Background... | 99,000 |
| 13 October | "Words" | Boyzone Boyzone Boyzone are an Irish boy band comprising Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating,Shane Lynch, and formerly Stephen Gately. Boyzone have 19 singles in the top 40 UK charts and 21 singles in the Ire charts. The group currently have 6 UK number one singles and 9 number one singles in Ireland with 12... | 232,000 |
| 20 October | "Say You'll Be There Say You'll Be There "Say You'll Be There" is a song by British pop group Spice Girls. It was written by the Spice Girls and Eliot Kennedy, for their debut album Spice, released in November 1996. Production duo Absolute incorporated a mix of pop and R&B into the song, which includes an harmonica solo, played by Judd... " | Spice Girls | 349,000 |
| 27 October | 163,000 | ||
| 3 November | "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted What Becomes of the Brokenhearted "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" is a hit single recorded by Jimmy Ruffin and released on Motown Records' Soul label in the summer of 1966. It is a ballad, with lead singer Jimmy Ruffin recalling the pain that befalls the brokenhearted, and their struggle to overcome their sadness so that they... / Saturday Night At the Movies / You'll Never Walk Alone You'll Never Walk Alone (song) "You'll Never Walk Alone" is a show tune from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel.In the musical, in the second act, Nettie Fowler, the cousin of the female protagonist Julie Jordan, sings "You'll Never Walk Alone" to comfort and encourage Julie when her husband, Billy Bigelow, the... " | Robson & Jerome Robson & Jerome Robson & Jerome were an English pop duo in the 1990s, featuring TV actors Robson Green and Jerome Flynn, who were best known for their British TV series Soldier Soldier.... | 196,000 |
| 10 November | 113,000 | ||
| 17 November | "Breathe Breathe (The Prodigy song) "Breathe" is a song by The Prodigy, released as the group's eleventh single on November 11, 1996. It was the second single from the album The Fat of the Land. The song became the group's second consecutive #1 on both the Finnish and the Official UK Singles Chart... " | The Prodigy | 195,000 |
| 24 November | 95,000 | ||
| 1 December | "I Feel You" | Peter Andre | 87,000 |
| 8 December | "A Different Beat" | Boyzone | 90,000 | 15 December | "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" | Dunblane Dunblane massacre The Dunblane massacre was a multiple murder-suicide which occurred at Dunblane Primary School in the Scottish town of Dunblane on 13 March 1996. Sixteen children and one adult were killed by Thomas Hamilton before he committed suicide.-Timeline of events:... | 189,000 |
| 22 December | "2 Become 1 2 Become 1 "2 Become 1" is a song by the British pop group Spice Girls. Written by the group members, Matt Rowe and Richard Stannard during the group's first professional songwriting session, it was produced by Rowe and Stannard for the group's debut album Spice, released in November 1996... " | Spice Girls | 429,000 |
| 29 December | 300,000 |
Number-one albums
| Issue Date | Album Title | Artist |
| 7 January | (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (What's the Story) Morning Glory? Morning Glory? is the second studio album by the English rock band Oasis. It was released on 2 October 1995 through Creation Records. The album was Oasis' most enduring commercial success, charting at number one in the UK and number four in the U.S... |
Oasis Oasis (band) Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher... |
| 14 January | (What's the Story) Morning Glory? | Oasis |
| 21 January | (What's the Story) Morning Glory? | Oasis |
| 28 January | (What's the Story) Morning Glory? | Oasis |
| 4 February | (What's the Story) Morning Glory? | Oasis |
| 11 February | (What's the Story) Morning Glory? | Oasis |
| 18 February | Expecting to Fly | The Bluetones The Bluetones The Bluetones were an English indie rock band, formed in Hounslow, Greater London, in 1993. The band's members were Mark Morriss on vocals, Adam Devlin on guitar, Scott Morriss on bass guitar, and Eds Chesters on drums. A fifth member, Richard Payne, came on board between 1998 and 2002... |
| 25 February | (What's the Story) Morning Glory? | Oasis |
| 3 March | (What's the Story) Morning Glory? | Oasis |
| 10 March | (What's the Story) Morning Glory? | Oasis |
| 17 March | Falling into You Falling into You Falling into You is an album by Canadian singer Céline Dion, released on March 8, 1996. It is her fourth English-language album and twenty-first overall... |
Céline Dion Celine Dion Céline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record... |
| 24 March | Anthology 2 Anthology 2 Anthology 2 is a compilation album by The Beatles, released by Apple Records in March 1996. It is the second of the three-volume Anthology collection, all of which tie-in with the televised special The Beatles Anthology. The opening track is "Real Love", the second of the two recordings that... |
The Beatles The Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr... |
| 31 March | Greatest Hits | Take That |
| 7 April | Greatest Hits | Take That |
| 14 April | Greatest Hits' | Take That |
| 21 April | Greatest Hits | Take That |
| 28 April | Jagged Little Pill Jagged Little Pill Jagged Little Pill is the third studio album by Canadian recording artist and songwriter Alanis Morissette. It was Morissette's first internationally released album, and her first studio album after the three year hiatus following her break with MCA Records. The album marked a shift from her style... |
Alanis Morissette Alanis Morissette Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination... |
| 5 May | Jagged Little Pill | Alanis Morissette |
| 12 May | 1977 | Ash Ash (band) Ash are an alternative rock band that formed in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland in 1992. The band has sold 8 million albums worldwide.-Band beginning, Trailer and 1977 :... |
| 19 May | Older | George Michael |
| 26 May | Older | George Michael |
| 2 June | Older | George Michael |
| 9 June | Load Load (album) Load is the sixth studio album by the American heavy metal band Metallica. Released on June 4, 1996 through Elektra Records, it sold 680,000 units in its first week and debuted at #1 on Billboard 200. The album has sold over 5 million copies worldwide and is certified 5x platinum by the RIAA... |
Metallica Metallica Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ... |
| 16 June | 18 Til I Die 18 til I Die -Australia:-Personnel:* Bryan Adams – rhythm guitar, vocals, co-producer* Keith Scott – lead guitar* Paco de Lucia- featured flamenco guitarist on "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman"* Mickey Curry – drums* Dave Taylor – bass... |
Bryan Adams Bryan Adams Bryan Adams, is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter, guitarist, bassist, producer, actor and photographer. Adams has won dozens of awards and nominations, including 20 Juno Awards among 56 nominations. He has also received 15 Grammy Award nominations including a win for Best Song Written... |
| 23 June | Jagged Little Pill | Alanis Morissette |
| 30 June | Recurring Dream Recurring Dream Recurring Dream is a compilation album by rock group Crowded House, released in 1996. It includes most of their singles, as well as three new songs, "Not the Girl You Think You Are", "Instinct", and "Everything Is Good for You".-Background:... |
Crowded House Crowded House Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States... |
| 7 July | Recurring Dream | Crowded House |
| 14 July | Jagged Little Pill | Alanis Morissette |
| 21 July | Jagged Little Pill | Alanis Morissette |
| 28 July | Jagged Little Pill | Alanis Morissette |
| 4 August | Jagged Little Pill | Alanis Morissette |
| 11 August | Jagged Little Pill | Alanis Morissette |
| 18 August | Jagged Little Pill | Alanis Morissette |
| 25 August | Jagged Little Pill | Alanis Morissette |
| 1 September | Jagged Little Pill | Alanis Morissette |
| 8 September | Coming Up | Suede Suede (band) Suede are an English alternative rock band from London, formed in 1989. The group's most prominent early line-up featured singer Brett Anderson, guitarist Bernard Butler, bass player Mat Osman and drummer Simon Gilbert. By 1992, Suede were hailed as "The Best New Band in Britain", and attracted... |
| 15 September | New Adventures in Hi-Fi New Adventures in Hi-Fi New Adventures in Hi-Fi is the tenth studio album by the American alternative rock band R.E.M. It was their fifth major label release for Warner Bros. Records, released on September 9, 1996, in Europe and Australia and the following day in the United States... |
R.E.M. |
| 22 September | K | Kula Shaker Kula Shaker Kula Shaker are an English psychedelic rock band. Led by outspoken frontman Crispian Mills, the band came to prominence during the Post-Britpop era of the late 1990s. The band enjoyed great commercial success in the UK between 1996 and 1999, notching up a number of Top 10 hits on the UK Singles... |
| 29 September | K | Kula Shaker |
| 6 October | Natural Natural (Peter Andre album) Natural is the second album released by Australian singer-songwriter Peter Andre.-Background:Following the success of his first album, Andre was commissioned to record a second album with Melodian. However, Melodian believed that after the success received in Australia for his first album, that it... |
Peter Andre Peter André Peter James Andrea , better known by the stage name as Peter Andre, is an English-born Australian musician, singer-songwriter, television personality and businessman. As a recording artist, he has achieving four top 10 UK albums and ten top 10 singles.-Early life:Andre was born at Northwick Park... |
| 13 October | Greatest Hits Greatest Hits (Simply Red album) Greatest Hits is the first compilation album released by British pop group Simply Red, which contained material from their first five studio albums and included a newer track, a cover of Aretha Franklin's 1973 classic, "Angel".-Track listing:# "Holding Back The Years" - 4:12#... |
Simply Red Simply Red Simply Red were a British soul band that sold more than 50 million albums over a 25-year career. Their style drew influences from blue-eyed soul, new romantic, rock, reggae and jazz... |
| 20 October | Greatest Hits | Simply Red |
| 27 October | Blue Is the Colour Blue Is the Colour Blue Is the Colour, released October 1996, is The Beautiful South's fifth original album following the two singles "Pretenders to the Throne" and "Dream a Little Dream", which never featured on any album until the release of the second greatest hits Solid Bronze in 2001... |
The Beautiful South The Beautiful South The Beautiful South were an English alternative rock group formed at the end of the 1980s by two former members of Hull group The Housemartins, Paul Heaton and Dave Hemingway. The duo were initially joined by Sean Welch , Dave Stead and Dave Rotheray , all of whom stayed with the group throughout... |
| 3 November | A Different Beat A Different Beat (Boyzone album) A Different Beat is the second album released by Irish boy band Boyzone. Four singles were released from the album: "Words", "A Different Beat", "Isn't It a Wonder" and "Mystical Experience", which was only included on the US version of the album. The album also includes a cover of the Michael... |
Boyzone Boyzone Boyzone are an Irish boy band comprising Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating,Shane Lynch, and formerly Stephen Gately. Boyzone have 19 singles in the top 40 UK charts and 21 singles in the Ire charts. The group currently have 6 UK number one singles and 9 number one singles in Ireland with 12... |
| 10 November | Spice Spice (album) Spice is the debut album by British pop group Spice Girls. Released on November 4, 1996 by Virgin Records, the album was recorded at Olympic Studios in Barnes, London between 1995 and 1996, by producers Matt Rowe, Richard Stannard, Eliot Kennedy and the production duo Absolute... |
Spice Girls |
| 17 November | Take Two | Robson & Jerome Robson & Jerome Robson & Jerome were an English pop duo in the 1990s, featuring TV actors Robson Green and Jerome Flynn, who were best known for their British TV series Soldier Soldier.... |
| 24 November | Take Two | Robson & Jerome |
| 1 December | Spice | Spice Girls |
| 8 December | Spice | Spice Girls |
| 15 December | Spice | Spice Girls |
| 22 December | Spice | Spice Girls |
| 29 December | Spice | Spice Girls |
Top 40 Singles
| Position | Song Title | Artist | Sales | Highest Position |
| 1 | Killing Me Softly Killing Me Softly with His Song "Killing Me Softly with His Song" is a 1971 song composed by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel. It has been covered by numerous artists, most notably by Roberta Flack whose version topped the U.S... |
Fugees | 1,350,000 | 1 |
| 2 | Wannabe Wannabe (song) "Wannabe" is the debut song by British pop group Spice Girls. Written by the group members with Matt Rowe and Richard Stannard during the group's first professional songwriting session, it was produced by Rowe and Stannard for the group's debut album Spice, released in November 1996... |
Spice Girls Spice Girls The Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30... |
1,320,000 | 1 |
| 3 | Spaceman Spaceman (song) "Spaceman" is a song by British singer-songwriter Jas Mann, of Babylon Zoo. Known for its heavily distorted guitars and metallic, robotic-sounding vocals, it went straight to Number 1 on the UK singles chart on 21 January 1996, selling 418,000 copies in the first week of release... |
Babylon Zoo Babylon Zoo Babylon Zoo were a British rock band of the mid-1990s from Wolverhampton, England, fronted by Jas Mann. They were best known for the song "Spaceman", which on its release on 21 January 1996, went straight to #1 on the UK Singles Chart, selling 418,000 copies in the first week of... |
1,100,000 | 1 |
| 4 | Say You'll Be There Say You'll Be There "Say You'll Be There" is a song by British pop group Spice Girls. It was written by the Spice Girls and Eliot Kennedy, for their debut album Spice, released in November 1996. Production duo Absolute incorporated a mix of pop and R&B into the song, which includes an harmonica solo, played by Judd... |
Spice Girls Spice Girls The Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30... |
900,000 | 1 |
| 5 | Return Of The Mack | Mark Morrison Mark Morrison Mark Morrison is a British R&B singer. He was the most successful UK R&B singer of the mid-90s and the first black male solo artist to reach number one in the 90s. His single "Return of the Mack" became a #1 or Top 10 hit in several European countries in 1996... |
840,000 | 1 |
| 6 | Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" is a 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 in the United Kingdom on 19 May 1996.... |
Gina G Gina G -Albums:*1997 Fresh! — #12 UK #40 Norway.*1998 Gina G Remix Album *2005 Get Up & Dance -Singles:... |
790,000 | 1 |
| 7 | Three Lions Three Lions "Three Lions" is a song released in 1996, the official anthem of the England football team for that year's European Championships, held in England... (The Official Song Of The England Football Team) |
Baddiel David Baddiel David Lionel Baddiel is an English comedian, novelist and television presenter.-Early life:Baddiel was born in New York, and moved to England when he was four months old. His father, Colin Brian Baddiel, was a Welsh research chemist with Unilever before being made redundant in the 1980s, after... and Skinner Frank Skinner Frank Skinner is a British writer, comedian and actor. He is best known for his television presenting, often alongside David Baddiel, with whom he also collaborated for the football song "Three Lions."He is a radio presenter on the Saturday morning slot on Absolute Radio.-Youth and early career... and The Lightning Seeds |
780,000 | 1 |
| 8 | Children | Robert Miles Robert Miles Robert Miles is an Italian record producer, composer, musician and DJ in electronica and alternative music.-Biography:... |
770,000 | 2 |
| 9 | Mysterious Girl Mysterious Girl "Mysterious Girl" is the second overall single and third British single from singer-songwriter Peter Andre's second studio album, Natural. The song was written by Glen Goldsmith, Philip Jackson and Peter Andre, and produced by Ollie Jacobs. The song features guest vocals from Bubbler Ranx... (remix) |
Peter André Peter André Peter James Andrea , better known by the stage name as Peter Andre, is an English-born Australian musician, singer-songwriter, television personality and businessman. As a recording artist, he has achieving four top 10 UK albums and ten top 10 singles.-Early life:Andre was born at Northwick Park... featuring Bubbler Ranx |
750,000 | 2 |
| 10 | 2 Become 1 2 Become 1 "2 Become 1" is a song by the British pop group Spice Girls. Written by the group members, Matt Rowe and Richard Stannard during the group's first professional songwriting session, it was produced by Rowe and Stannard for the group's debut album Spice, released in November 1996... |
Spice Girls Spice Girls The Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30... |
730,000 | 1 |
| 11 | Don't Look Back In Anger Don't Look Back in Anger "Don't Look Back in Anger" is a song by English rock band Oasis, released in 1996 as the fourth single from their hit second album Morning Glory?. The song was written by the band's guitarist and main songwriter, Noel Gallagher. The song became the band's second single to reach #1 in the UK... |
Oasis Oasis (band) Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher... |
710,000 | 1 |
| 12 | How Deep Is Your Love How Deep Is Your Love "How Deep Is Your Love" is a pop song recorded by the Bee Gees in 1977 and released as a single in September. Originally intended for Yvonne Elliman, it was ultimately used as part of the soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever. It was a number three hit in the United Kingdom and Australia... |
Take That Take That Take That are a British five-piece vocal pop group comprising Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams. Barlow acts as the lead singer and primary songwriter... |
670,000 | 1 |
| 13 | Un-Break My Heart Un-Break My Heart "Un-Break My Heart" is a song by American recording artist Toni Braxton from her second studio album, Secrets . Written by Diane Warren and produced by David Foster, the ballad was released as the album's second single... |
Toni Braxton Toni Braxton Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide... |
610,000 | 2 |
| 14 | Breathe Breathe (The Prodigy song) "Breathe" is a song by The Prodigy, released as the group's eleventh single on November 11, 1996. It was the second single from the album The Fat of the Land. The song became the group's second consecutive #1 on both the Finnish and the Official UK Singles Chart... |
The Prodigy The Prodigy The Prodigy are an English electronic dance music group formed by Liam Howlett in 1990 in Braintree, Essex. Along with Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, and other acts, The Prodigy have been credited as pioneers of the big beat genre, which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s and 2000s... |
600,000 | 1 |
| 15 | Firestarter Firestarter Firestarter is a novel by Stephen King first published in 1980. It was nominated for a British Fantasy Award in 1981.The book is dedicated to the author Shirley Jackson: "In Memory of Shirley Jackson, who never needed to raise her voice."... |
The Prodigy The Prodigy The Prodigy are an English electronic dance music group formed by Liam Howlett in 1990 in Braintree, Essex. Along with Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, and other acts, The Prodigy have been credited as pioneers of the big beat genre, which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s and 2000s... |
540,000 | 1 |
| 16 | Words | Boyzone Boyzone Boyzone are an Irish boy band comprising Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating,Shane Lynch, and formerly Stephen Gately. Boyzone have 19 singles in the top 40 UK charts and 21 singles in the Ire charts. The group currently have 6 UK number one singles and 9 number one singles in Ireland with 12... |
520,000 | 1 |
| 17 | Breakfast At Tiffany's Breakfast at Tiffany's (song) "Breakfast at Tiffany's" is the title of a song recorded by American rock band Deep Blue Something. Originally appearing on the album 11th Song, it was later released in 1994 on their album Home... |
Deep Blue Something Deep Blue Something Deep Blue Something is an American rock band best known for its hit single "Breakfast at Tiffany's." The group was founded in 1992 in Denton, Texas by University of North Texas students Todd and Toby Pipes, Clay Bergus and John Kirtland... |
510,000 | 1 |
| 18 | If You Ever | East 17 East 17 East 17 are a pop boy band comprising Tony Mortimer, John Hendy and Terry Coldwell. Tony Mortimer is the group's frontman and primary songwriter. Formed in Walthamstow, London in 1991, the group have achieved eighteen Top 20 singles and four Top 10 albums, and were one of the UK's most popular boy... featuring Gabrielle Gabrielle (singer) Louisa Gabrielle Bobb is a multi-platinum selling, BRIT Award winning English singer, who records under the name Gabrielle. Gabrielle began her career temping during the day and singing for free in London clubs at night... |
510,000 | 2 |
| 19 | What Becomes of the Broken Hearted / Saturday Night at the Movies Saturday Night at the Movies Saturday Night at the Movies is a weekly television series on TVOntario, the public educational television network in Ontario, Canada. The series presents classic movies, followed by interview and feature segments with directors, actors and other people involved in making the films presented... / You'll Never Walk Alone |
Robson and Jerome | 510,000 | 1 |
| 20 | Anything Anything (3T song) "Anything" is the name of a song composed and recorded by 3T, co-written by Mintman aka Carsten Mortensen . The song "Anything" was indirectly presented to 3T's thru Quincy Jones, after Quincy Jones met Mintman aka Carsten Mortensen briefly at the "Bowery Bar " New York 1994, where Mintman gave... |
3T 3T 3T is an American R&B / Pop music group featuring the three sons of Tito Jackson and Delores "Dee Dee" Jackson. The band members include, from eldest, Tariano Adaryll Jackson II , Taryll Adren Jackson and Tito Joseph Jackson .-Career:3T released their debut album Brotherhood in 1995... |
480,000 | 2 |
| 21 | Fastlove Fastlove "Fastlove" is a song by George Michael, released by Virgin Records in the United Kingdom and Dreamworks Records in the United States in 1996.-History:... |
George Michael George Michael George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley... |
470,000 | 1 |
| 22 | Macarena Macarena (song) "Macarena" is a Spanish dance song by Los del Río about a woman of the same name. Appearing on the 1994 album A mí me gusta, it was an international hit between 1995 and 1996, and continues to have a cult following. It was ranked the "#1 Greatest One-Hit Wonder of all Time" by VH1 in 2002.The song... |
Los Del Rio Los del Río Los Del Rio, also known as "The Del Rios," was a Spanish Latin dance group formed in 1992 and broke up in mid-2007. They were best known by their smash-hit and hot dance single Macarena originally released in early 1994. The song peaked at the Hot Dance Singles and Billboard 200 by mid-1994. The... |
460,000 | 2 |
| 23 | Born Slippy Born Slippy "Born Slippy" is a single by Underworld originally released in 1995, which has never appeared on an album by the group. The track is instrumental and features no lyrics. It is often confused with the more popular vocal track, "Born Slippy .NUXX", because of the similar name. However, they are... |
Underworld Underworld (band) Underworld are a British electronic group, and principal name under which duo Karl Hyde and Rick Smith have recorded together since 1980.- Early years: 1979–1986 :... |
460,000 | 2 |
| 24 | Ready Or Not Ready Or Not (Fugees song) "Ready or Not" is a song by The Fugees, from their second studio album The Score . The song contains a sample of "Boadicea" by Enya, and its chorus is based on "Ready or Not Here I Come " by The Delfonics. The song spent two weeks atop the UK Singles Chart in September 1996... |
The Fugees The Fugees Fugees were a Haitian American hip hop group who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. Their repertoire included elements of Hip hop, soul and Caribbean music, particularly reggae. The members of the group were rapper/singer/producer Wyclef Jean, rapper/singer/producer Lauryn Hill, and rapper Pras Michel... |
450,000 | 1 |
| 25 | The X Files | Mark Snow Mark Snow Mark Snow is an American composer for film and television.Born in New York, he grew up in Brooklyn, graduating from the High School of Music and Art and, afterwards, the Juilliard School of Music... |
440,000 | 2 |
| 26 | One & One | Robert Miles Robert Miles Robert Miles is an Italian record producer, composer, musician and DJ in electronica and alternative music.-Biography:... featuring Maria Nayler |
440,000 | 3 |
| 27 | Because You Loved Me Because You Loved Me "Because You Loved Me" is a song from Céline Dion's album Falling into You, released as the first single on February 19, 1996 in North America and Japan. In other parts of the world it was released in May 1996 as the second single, after "Falling into You".... |
Céline Dion Celine Dion Céline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record... |
420,000 | 5 |
| 28 | Give Me a Little More Time Give Me a Little More Time "Give Me a Little More Time" is the first single from Gabrielle's second album Gabrielle. Written by Gabrielle, and Ben Barson with The Boilerhouse Boys, after two disappointing single performances, "Give Me a Little More Time" returned Gabrielle to the UK top ten, peaking at #5, spending ten weeks... |
Gabrielle Gabrielle (singer) Louisa Gabrielle Bobb is a multi-platinum selling, BRIT Award winning English singer, who records under the name Gabrielle. Gabrielle began her career temping during the day and singing for free in London clubs at night... |
420,000 | 5 |
| 29 | Nobody Knows Nobody Knows (Tony Rich song) "Nobody Knows" is a song by rhythm and blues artist Tony Rich from his 1996 debut album Words. Released as his debut single, the song peaked at #2 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts... |
Tony Rich Project Tony Rich Project Tony Rich is a contemporary R&B singer-songwriter.-Early career:... |
410,000 | 4 |
| 30 | You're Gorgeous You're Gorgeous You're Gorgeous is a song by the British band Babybird released as a commercial single in 1996.- Reception :The song remains Babybird's biggest hit and the track that the band are best known for... |
Baby Bird | 410,000 | 3 |
| 31 | Knockin' On Heaven's Door Knockin' on Heaven's Door "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan for the soundtrack of the 1973 film Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. It reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.-Story line and song structure:... / Throw These Guns Away |
Dunblane Dunblane Dunblane is a small cathedral city and former burgh north of Stirling in the Stirling council area of Scotland. The town is situated off the A9 road, on the way north to Perth. Its main landmark is Dunblane Cathedral and the Allan Water runs through the town centre, with the Cathedral and the High... |
410,000 | 1 |
| 32 | Cecilia | Suggs Suggs (singer) Graham McPherson , better known as Suggs, is an English singer, actor, former radio DJ, TV personality, and most famous as the frontman of the band Madness.-Early life:... featuring Louchie Lou & Michie One Louchie Lou & Michie One Louchie Lou & Michie One were a female reggae/rap duo from London, who met in 1991 at a Rebel MC gig. They found the backing of the independent record label, Fashion Records, for their debut single, "Rich Girl". Switching to London Records in 1993, they made their musical debut in the UK Singles... |
380,000 | 4 |
| 33 | Flava | Peter André Peter André Peter James Andrea , better known by the stage name as Peter Andre, is an English-born Australian musician, singer-songwriter, television personality and businessman. As a recording artist, he has achieving four top 10 UK albums and ten top 10 singles.-Early life:Andre was born at Northwick Park... |
370,000 | 1 |
| 34 | Don't Stop Movin' | Livin' Joy Livin' Joy Livin' Joy was a house music group from Italy who released two successful dance hits in the 1990s, "Dreamer" and "Don't Stop Movin'". The group consisted of Italian brothers Paolo and Gianni Visnadi and singer Tameka Starr.... |
350,000 | 5 |
| 35 | It's All Coming Back To Me Now It's All Coming Back to Me Now "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" is a power ballad, written by Jim Steinman. According to Steinman the song was inspired by Wuthering Heights, and was an attempt to write "the most passionate, romantic song" he could ever create. The Sunday Times posits that "Steinman protects his songs as if they... |
Céline Dion Celine Dion Céline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record... |
350,000 | 3 |
| 36 | I Love You Always Forever I Love You Always Forever "I Love You Always Forever" is a single released in 1996 by Welsh singer Donna Lewis, from her debut album, Now in a Minute. Inspired by the H. E. Bates novel Love for Lydia, it was successful, reaching number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and staying there for nine weeks during the summer of... |
Donna Lewis Donna Lewis Donna Lewis is a Welsh singer-songwriter and record producer, best known for the 1996 pop hit single "I Love You Always Forever", and the adult contemporary chart-topper "At the Beginning" with Richard Marx. After releasing her second LP Blue Planet, Lewis left Atlantic Records and independently... |
340,000 | 5 |
| 37 | How Bizarre | OMC OMC (band) OMC, or Otara Millionaires Club, was a music group from Auckland, New Zealand best known for their 1996 hit "How Bizarre", named one of the greatest New Zealand songs of all time by the Australasian Performing Right Association... |
340,000 | 5 |
| 38 | Jesus To A Child Jesus to a Child "Jesus to a Child" is a song by British musician George Michael. The song peaked at number 1 in Britain and Australia, and at number 2 in the mainland European charts. The song has also become George Michael's highest direct entry in the American charts. The song is one of George Michael's... |
George Michael George Michael George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley... |
330,000 | 1 |
| 39 | Virtual Insanity Virtual Insanity "Virtual Insanity" is the lead single from British Acid Jazz band Jamiroquai's third studio album, Travelling Without Moving. The song reached #3 on the UK Singles Chart. The song also charted at #38 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart upon the single's release in America in 1997... |
Jamiroquai Jamiroquai Jamiroquai is a British jazz funk and acid jazz band formed in 1992. Jamiroquai were initially the most prominent component in the early-1990s London-based acid jazz movement, alongside groups such as Incognito, the James Taylor Quartet, and the Brand New Heavies. Other Acid Jazz artists such as... |
310,000 | 3 |
| 40 | Forever Love Forever Love (Gary Barlow song) "Forever Love" is the debut solo single released by British singer-songwriter Gary Barlow, taken from his debut album Open Road. The song was also used as the official theme for the film The Leading Man.-Chart performance:... |
Gary Barlow Gary Barlow Gary Barlow is an English singer-songwriter, pianist and record producer. He is frontman and lead vocalist of pop group Take That and is currently the head judge on the eighth series of The X Factor. Barlow is one of Britain's most successful songwriters... |
300,000 | 1 |
Top 10 Albums
| Position | Song Title | Artist | Sales | Highest Position |
| 1 | Jagged Little Pill Jagged Little Pill Jagged Little Pill is the third studio album by Canadian recording artist and songwriter Alanis Morissette. It was Morissette's first internationally released album, and her first studio album after the three year hiatus following her break with MCA Records. The album marked a shift from her style... |
Alanis Morissette Alanis Morissette Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination... |
2,080,000 | 1 |
| 2 | What's The Story Morning Glory | Oasis Oasis (band) Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher... |
1,960,000 | 1 |
| 3 | Spice Spice (album) Spice is the debut album by British pop group Spice Girls. Released on November 4, 1996 by Virgin Records, the album was recorded at Olympic Studios in Barnes, London between 1995 and 1996, by producers Matt Rowe, Richard Stannard, Eliot Kennedy and the production duo Absolute... |
Spice Girls Spice Girls The Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30... |
1,883,000 | 1 |
| 4 | Older | George Michael George Michael George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley... |
1,500,000 | 1 |
| 5 | Falling Into You Falling into You Falling into You is an album by Canadian singer Céline Dion, released on March 8, 1996. It is her fourth English-language album and twenty-first overall... |
Celine Dion Celine Dion Céline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record... |
1,450,000 | 1 |
| 6 | Take Two Take Two (Robson & Jerome album) Take Two is the second album by British singing duo Robson & Jerome. It was released in 1996 by RCA Records was peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart... |
Robson & Jerome Robson & Jerome Robson & Jerome were an English pop duo in the 1990s, featuring TV actors Robson Green and Jerome Flynn, who were best known for their British TV series Soldier Soldier.... |
1,330,000 | 1 |
| 7 | The Score The Score (album) The Score is the second and final studio album by the hip hop trio Fugees, released worldwide February 13, 1996 on Columbia Records. The album features a wide range of samples and instrumentation, with many aspects of alternative hip hop that would come to dominate the hip hop music scene in the... |
The Fugees The Fugees Fugees were a Haitian American hip hop group who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. Their repertoire included elements of Hip hop, soul and Caribbean music, particularly reggae. The members of the group were rapper/singer/producer Wyclef Jean, rapper/singer/producer Lauryn Hill, and rapper Pras Michel... |
1,300,000 | 2 |
| 8 | Greatest Hits Greatest Hits (Take That album) Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits compilation album released by British boyband Take That and has sold 5 million copies to date worldwide.-Background:... |
Take That Take That Take That are a British five-piece vocal pop group comprising Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams. Barlow acts as the lead singer and primary songwriter... |
1,100,000 | 1 |
| 9 | Greatest Hits (Simply Red album) Greatest Hits (Simply Red album) Greatest Hits is the first compilation album released by British pop group Simply Red, which contained material from their first five studio albums and included a newer track, a cover of Aretha Franklin's 1973 classic, "Angel".-Track listing:# "Holding Back The Years" - 4:12#... |
Simply Red Simply Red Simply Red were a British soul band that sold more than 50 million albums over a 25-year career. Their style drew influences from blue-eyed soul, new romantic, rock, reggae and jazz... |
1,080,000 | 1 |
| 10 | Moseley Shoals Moseley Shoals Moseley Shoals is a 1996 album by the British rock group Ocean Colour Scene, that was released during the Britpop era. The album reached #2 in the UK charts, selling over 600,000 copies.... |
Ocean Colour Scene Ocean Colour Scene Ocean Colour Scene are an English Britpop band formed in Moseley, Birmingham in 1989. They have had five Top 10 albums and six Top 10 singles to date.-Early days :... |
1,030,000 | 2 |
BRIT Awards
The 1996 BRIT AwardsBrit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
winners were:
- Artist of a generationGenerationGeneration , also known as procreation in biological sciences, is the act of producing offspring....
: Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records... - Best British producer: Brian EnoBrian EnoBrian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno , commonly known as Brian Eno or simply as Eno , is an English musician, composer, record producer, singer and visual artist, known as one of the principal innovators of ambient music.Eno studied at Colchester Institute art school in Essex,...
- Best soundtrack: "Batman ForeverBatman ForeverBatman Forever is a 1995 American superhero film directed by Joel Schumacher and produced by Tim Burton. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, the film is a sequel to Batman Returns , with Val Kilmer replacing Michael Keaton as Batman...
" - British album: OasisOasis (band)Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
- "(What's the Story) Morning Glory" - British breakthrough act: SupergrassSupergrassSupergrass was an English alternative rock band from Oxford. The band consisted of brothers Gaz and Rob Coombes , Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey ....
- British dance act: Massive AttackMassive AttackMassive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
- British female solo artist: Annie LennoxAnnie LennoxAnnie Lennox, OBE , born Ann Lennox, is a Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and philanthropist. After achieving minor success in the late 1970s with The Tourists, with fellow musician David A...
- British group: OasisOasis (band)Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
- British male solo artist: Paul Weller
- British single: Take ThatTake ThatTake That are a British five-piece vocal pop group comprising Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams. Barlow acts as the lead singer and primary songwriter...
– "Back for GoodBack for Good"Back for Good" is a song by the British pop group Take That. It was released in 1995 as the second single from the band's third studio album, Nobody Else and achieved great success in many countries, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Spain and the UK where it topped...
" - British video: OasisOasis (band)Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
– "WonderwallWonderwall (song)"Wonderwall" is a song by English rock band Oasis, written by the band's guitarist and main songwriter Noel Gallagher. The song was produced by Owen Morris and Gallagher for their second album, Morning Glory?...
" - Freddie MercuryFreddie MercuryFreddie Mercury was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range...
award: The Help AlbumThe Help AlbumThe Help Album is a 1995 charity album devoted to the War Child charity's aid efforts in war-stricken areas, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina...
for the Charity WarchildWar Child (charity)War Child is a non-governmental organisation founded in the UK 1993, which focuses on providing assistance to children in areas of conflict and post-conflict. They use their film and entertainment background to raise money for aid agencies operating in former Yugoslavia... - International breakthrough act: Alanis MorissetteAlanis MorissetteAlanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination...
- International female: BjörkBjörkBjörk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
- International group: Bon JoviBon JoviBon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
- International male: PrincePrince (musician)Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
- Outstanding contribution: David BowieDavid BowieDavid Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
Mercury Music Prize
The 1996 Mercury Music Prize was awarded to PulpPulp (band)
Pulp are an English alternative rock band formed in Sheffield in 1978. Their lineup consists of Jarvis Cocker , Russell Senior , Candida Doyle , Mark Webber , Steve Mackey and Nick Banks ....
- Different Class
Different Class
Different Class is an album by English Britpop band Pulp. It was released in 1995 at the height of Britpop, and led to the band being regarded as part of that movement. Two of the singles on the album – "Common People" and "Disco 2000" – were especially notable, and helped propel Pulp to...
.