All masterpieces! Western pop ballads that were hits in the ’90s
The 1990s were a pivotal period in music history, with genres becoming more specialized and styles like alternative rock, R&B, and hip-hop steadily entering the charts.
At the same time, the decade produced many timeless ballads that continue to move people across generations, clearly showing just how musically rich the ’90s were.
In this article, we’ll carefully select and introduce some of the most iconic ballad hits from Western music that topped the charts in the ’90s!
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Nothing but classics! Western ballad songs that hit in the ’90s (1–10)
WonderwallOasis
Wonderwall is a song by the UK rock band OASIS, released in 1995.
In the ’90s, alternative rock—led by bands like OASIS—sparked a major movement.
This movement spread worldwide and had a profound influence on later music.
OASIS served as the catalyst and an iconic presence in that wave.
They have countless classic songs that continue to be loved by listeners across generations.
If you want to get to know ’90s rock bands, starting with OASIS is definitely the right choice.
IrisGoo Goo Dolls
A duo with a career spanning over 30 years, the Goo Goo Dolls continue to work energetically as the conscience of American rock.
Originally coming from a punk background, it took them some time to break through in a major way, and for a period they were even called “the most famous unknown band in America.” In 1998, they released the masterpiece ballad Iris, which was used as the theme song for the film City of Angels and became a massive hit.
With John Rzeznik’s husky, sultry vocals delivering a melancholy melody and an unshakable band ensemble that unfolds dramatically, it’s truly a textbook example of a rock ballad.
Killing Me Softly With His SongThe Fugees
This is the version covered by the hip-hop group the Fugees in 1996, but in Japan, many people might know it from an earlier time as the coffee commercial song sung by Madeline Bell.
Originally, Lori Lieberman first released it in 1972, and the following year Roberta Flack happened to hear the song, covered it, and made it a huge hit.
It’s a long-standing song that has been covered by many artists.
HeroMariah Carey
This is the song that Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff originally wrote for Gloria Estefan as the theme for the Dustin Hoffman film “Hero.” In the end, it wasn’t tied to the movie, and it was released in 1993 with Mariah performing it.
The lyrics were modified somewhat from the original so she could sing it herself and infuse her own originality.
It became one of her signature songs—so much so that this track is often what people think of when they think of Mariah.
I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston
Although the song is strongly associated with Whitney Houston, it was originally written by country singer Dolly Parton and released in 1973.
Whitney’s cover version toned down the country flavor and was arranged as a ballad.
It was used as the theme song for the film The Bodyguard, in which she co-starred with Kevin Costner, and it became a massive hit, spending 14 weeks at No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100.