Music of 1990: March

United States

Through most of March 1990, America was rejoicing to the frothy dance pop of Janet Jackson's "Escapade." It was the third and biggest of Rhythm Nation's seven top 10 hits, spending 3 weeks at #1. The song's colorful Mardi-Gras-inspired video, filmed outside, was a departure from the black-and-white indoor videos for "Miss You Much" and "Rhythm Nation." There's also less emphasis on synchronized dancing, and Janet looks happy throughout the video. All in all, the song's lighter mood and festive sound was the perfect hit to transition from winter to spring. The song was inspired by Martha and the Vandellas' "Nowhere to Run"



Canadian Alannah Myles had the month's second-biggest hit with "Black Velvet," her soulful, sultry ode to Elvis Presley. I remember not caring for this song back in 1990, as I thought it sounded a bit country (and I didn't like country at all back then). It's grown on me significantly since then, and I'd probably include it on a list of my 10 favorite songs of the year. A shame she never had another major hit in the US.



After scoring two #1 hits in 1989, Swedish duo Roxette had a third top 2 hit in March 1990 with "Dangerous." After the ballad "Listen to Your Heart," it was the duo's most upbeat single yet. Also following up a successful 1989 single with another hit was the B-52s, who hit #3 with "Roam," the follow-up to their #3 hit "Love Shack." Although "Love Shack" has been remembered as their most iconic song, I've always rather liked "Roam," which had a cool video.



Madonna scored a fourth top 10 hit from Like a Prayer with "Keep It Together." Although known for her videos, this was one of several Madonna hits to not have one, along with "Angel," "Hanky Panky" and "Rescue Me." Also scoring a hit at this time was Madonna's ex-husband's big brother, Michael Penn. I've always really liked this song, as well as its video, which won him an MTV VMA for best new artist.

Finally, this was the time American got its introduction to Cathy Dennis, appearing with her group D-Mob in "C'mon and Get My Love," which hit #10. Dennis would go on to score three top 10 solo hits the following year, including #2 single "Touch Me (All Night Long)." As her recording career wound down, her writing and producing career took off, and she has gone on to helm a number of major hits, most notably Kylie Minogue's "Can't Get You Out of My Head" and Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl," as well as the theme song to the Idol franchise. Pity she hadn't yet found the outfit with the chest cutout when she made this video.



United Kingdom

Britain's biggest hit of March 1990 was "Dub Be Good to Me" by Beats International, which spent 4 weeks at #1. The song was written and produced by Norman Cook, better known these days as Fatboy Slim, and co-written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, best known at the time for their work with Janet Jackson. Dub is a sub-genre of reggae that relies heavily on samples. While Dub is generally instrumental, this song incorporates a vocal from the SOS Band's "Just Be Good to Me," re-recorded by Lindy Layton, as well as a sample of "Jam Hot" by Johnny Dynell. The song also samples the Clash's "Guns of Brixton" and the theme music from Once Upon a Time in the West by Ennio Morricone. Although a massive hit in Britain, the single was not big in the US, although it did hit #1 on the dance club chart.



Reaching the top of the chart the last week of March was "The Power" by German dance act Snap! Like "Dub Be Good to Me," it also features a number of samples which, since unauthorized, landed the group in a bit of trouble. In particular, Jocelyn Brown, who's refrain "I've got the power" from her "Love's Gonna Get You" is used extensively as the song's title, sought legal action against the song. Chill Rob G, whose "Let the Words Flow" is also used extensively, retaliated by recording his own version of "The Power," lifting additional elements from the Snap version not present on his "Let the Words Flow." "The Power" would go on to be a major hit in the US, hitting #2 in August and topping the dance chart one week before "Dub Be Good to Me" in June.



The Brit Awards formed the basis of #2 hit "The Brits 1990," a megamix dance medley of hits nominated that year put together by Jonathan King. I can't say I recognize any of them, but medley mixes were big at the time, particularly those by Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers, who hit #4 in March with "That Sounds Good to Me," the group's fourth single and first to not top the UK singles chart.



"Blue Savannah" became synth-pop duo Erasure's 8th top 10 hit in March, hitting #3. It was the third and most successful single from Wild!, the act's fourth album. Dance act Candy Flip had their only major hit, a #3 remake of The Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever" featuring the very famous Clyde Stubblefield drum rhythm from James Brown's "Funky Drummer."

Instrumental singles have always fared better in the UK than in the US, so it's no surprise that "Lily Was Here," one of the few instrumentals to chart fairly well in the American, did even better in Britain, hitting #6 in March. The composition, created by David A. Stewart and featuring newcomer Candy Dulfer on saxophone, is from the soundtrack to Dutch film De Kassiere. In 1991, the single hit #11 in the US. I've always really loved this, particularly the DNA remix that was included on the US single.