History's Best Selling Music of 1990

Hats off to 1990! Few music commanded as much fanfare and nationwide excitement as Violator. Alongside sensationally popular hits like Blaze of Glory and Ritual de lo Habitual, consumers eagerly embraced the radical 90s attitude and millennium anticipation. Pioneering outfits from industry leaders like Depeche Mode and Jon Bon Jovi set the standard for quality, producing celebrated items that flew off store shelves and cemented lifelong fandoms. Browse our definitive retrospective below to rediscover the genuine articles of the era.

1. Violator

   Released in 1990 by Depeche Mode, Mute Records, Sire Records

   On March 19, 1990, the landscape of electronic and alternative music was irrevocably altered with the release of Depeche Mode's seventh studio album, "Violator." This date marked the culmination of the band's evolution from synth-pop pioneers to global rock superstars. Released at the dawn of a new decade, the album perfectly captured a sophisticated, darker, and more atmospheric sound that would define much of the 1990s. It was not just another album release; it was a statement piece that bridged the gap between electronic music and mainstream stadium rock, cementing Depeche Mode's status as one of the most important bands in the world and delivering some of their most iconic and enduring anthems.

2. Blaze of Glory

   Released in 1990 by Jon Bon Jovi, Mercury Records

   Released on August 7, 1990, "Blaze of Glory" arrived as Jon Bon Jovi's first official solo album, a project born from his involvement with the film "Young Guns II." At the height of his band's global fame, this album was a significant creative departure, showcasing a different facet of his songwriting. Subtitled "Inspired by the film Young Guns II," it wasn't a typical soundtrack but rather a thematic companion piece, with songs exploring the characters and myths of the Old West. The album's release was a major event, eagerly anticipated by millions of fans who were curious to hear the rock superstar venture out on his own for the first time.

3. Ritual de lo Habitual

   Released in 1990 by Perry Farrell, Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, Stephen Perkins, Warner Bros. Records

   On August 21, 1990, the landscape of rock music was seismically altered with the release of Jane's Addiction's second studio album, "Ritual de lo Habitual." Arriving at the tail end of hair metal's reign and just before the grunge explosion, the album served as a crucial and wildly inventive bridge between eras. It was a statement piece that defied easy categorization, blending heavy metal, funk, psychedelia, and art-rock into a chaotic yet beautiful tapestry. Its release on this day marked the moment a fiercely independent and artistically ambitious band broke into the mainstream, bringing a new, dangerous, and poetic energy to the forefront of popular music and setting the stage for the alternative rock revolution of the 1990s.