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1996 Music Hits
The year 1996 was one of the most tumultuous in decades. There were political upheavals, and criminal activities that sent reverberations around the world.
Most notably the assassination of Tupac Shakur. Shakur was an outspoken Hip Hop/Rap artist whose songs ranged from simple playful banter to outright political hostility and personal attacks. He could carry a range from traditional hip hop to meaningful ballads and had already been shot and survived but this time his luck ran out. His death set a precedent within the community that absurdly believed that being shot was credibility. His murder would be investigated for years to come and it set a pall over the music industry as a whole. He then grew to mythological status which only time can tell if it's a benefit to mankind or not.
The rock group The Eagles also got in trouble as they dedicated a song “Peaceful Easy Feeling” to then Iraq's President Saddam Hussein. Needless to say that put the legendary band on the radar of the federal government. The Ramones played their last gig together in 1996. Madonna was under the sights of the Argentinian Government for her portrayal of Eva Peron.
The bright points was the release of The Beatles' second reunion song. Madonna has her first baby. The first free song download came from innovator and rock legend David Bowie.
The top songs of the year were explosive. Instead of the traditional songs from movie soundtracks, the biggest song of the year came from a group of snappy and poppy girls from the UK called the Spice Girls. Their song “Wannabe” topped the charts and the girls were on a ride to international stardom. Sort of a “Charlies Angels” of the music crowd. Number 2 in the spotlight was the Haitian R&B group the Fugees who revived the classic Roberta Flack song “Killing Me Softly” and added a Hip Hop flair to it. The Fugees caused a sensation as they exemplified the dream of immigrants coming to America and making it big. Next came a song so lighthearted that people around the world embraced it and the dance routine associated. Los Del Rio introduced their #3 hit, “Macarena”. It was performed by massive crowds attending outdoor events and even sports teams and their ground crews. The number 4 spot went to Oasis and their song “Wonderall”. Next came the #5 song, “Children” from Robert Miles.
Other popular songs of the year were “Big Me” from the Foo Fighters, “Change the World” by Eric Clapton, “E-Bow the Letter” by R.E.M., that features rock legend Patti Smith, “Hand In My Pocket” by Alanis Morissette, “It's Oh So Quiet” by Bjork, “Is It A Crime” by Sade, “You Must Love Me” by Madonna and more.
The big awards of the year, namely the Grammys which did follow the trend of motion picture soundtrack inspired hits. Most notably was a breakthrough in composition and the first song from a superhero or comic book based movie to win for both Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year from UK singer and producer Seal from his song “Kiss From A Rose” from the movie “Batman Forever”. Seal's melodies combined elements from other music genres which caught the music world unawares vaulting Seal into international superstar status. Add to that it was from a movie based on a comic book was a precursor to the power of the superhero genre that had gone on to dominate the 21st century.
Album of he year went to Glen Ballard and Alanis Morissette for “Jagged Little Pill” which sent Morissette also into international stardom. Then as to top the prize came Hootie & The Blowfish rounding out the newcomers with new sounds that shook up the music world of 1996.