1991 Billboard Number One Hits: Every Hot 100 Chart-Topper

The 1991 Billboard Number One Hits list captured a fascinating transition year: dance-pop, adult-contemporary ballads, new jack swing, R&B, pop-rock, movie soundtrack power, and early-1990s hip-hop all shared time at the top. Madonna opened the year, Mariah Carey scored three No. 1 hits, Bryan Adams ruled the summer with a blockbuster movie ballad, and Michael Jackson closed the year with Black or White.

This page follows the Billboard Hot 100 issue dates for 1991, shown here as reader-friendly weekly date ranges. Because Billboard chart weeks can cross calendar years, this list begins with Madonna’s early-January chart-topper and continues into January 1992 with Michael Jackson’s Black or White.

The Billboard Hot 100 ranks the most popular songs in the United States using radio airplay and sales. These are official Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 songs, not pop-only, rock-only, airplay-only, R&B-only, dance-only, or “that song was definitely on every cassette single rack” rankings.

1991 Billboard Number One Hits by Week

January 1 – January 12, 1991: Justify My Love – Madonna
January 13 – January 19, 1991: Love Will Never Do (Without You) – Janet Jackson
January 20 – February 2, 1991: The First Time – Surface
February 3 – February 16, 1991: Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) – C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams
February 17 – March 2, 1991: All the Man That I Need – Whitney Houston
March 3 – March 16, 1991: Someday – Mariah Carey
March 17 – March 23, 1991: One More Try – Timmy T.
March 24 – April 6, 1991: Coming Out of the Dark – Gloria Estefan
April 7 – April 13, 1991: I’ve Been Thinking About You – Londonbeat
April 14 – April 20, 1991: You’re in Love – Wilson Phillips
April 21 – May 4, 1991: Baby Baby – Amy Grant
May 5 – May 11, 1991: Joyride – Roxette
May 12 – May 18, 1991: I Like the Way (The Kissing Game) – Hi-Five
May 19 – June 1, 1991: I Don’t Wanna Cry – Mariah Carey
June 2 – June 8, 1991: More Than Words – Extreme
June 9 – July 13, 1991: Rush Rush – Paula Abdul
July 14 – July 20, 1991: Unbelievable – EMF
July 21 – September 7, 1991: (Everything I Do) I Do It for You – Bryan Adams
September 8 – September 14, 1991: The Promise of a New Day – Paula Abdul
September 15 – September 28, 1991: I Adore Mi Amor – Color Me Badd
September 29 – October 5, 1991: Good Vibrations – Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch featuring Loleatta Holloway
October 6 – October 26, 1991: Emotions – Mariah Carey
October 27 – November 2, 1991: Romantic – Karyn White
November 3 – November 16, 1991: Cream – Prince and the New Power Generation
November 17 – November 23, 1991: When a Man Loves a Woman – Michael Bolton
November 24 – November 30, 1991: Set Adrift on Memory Bliss – P.M. Dawn
December 1, 1991 – January 18, 1992: Black or White – Michael Jackson

Song-by-Song Notes on the 1991 Billboard No. 1 Hits

Justify My Love – Madonna

Madonna opened the 1991 Billboard Hot 100 year with Justify My Love, a spoken-sung, trip-hop-adjacent pop single co-written by Lenny Kravitz and Ingrid Chavez. The song’s minimalist groove and controversial video made it one of the most discussed Madonna releases of the early 1990s.

Its two-week run set a provocative tone for the year. Subtlety was not driving the limo.

Love Will Never Do (Without You) – Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson reached No. 1 with Love Will Never Do (Without You), another major single from Rhythm Nation 1814. The song’s bright pop-R&B sound and iconic Herb Ritts-directed video helped extend one of the most successful album campaigns of the era.

Its one-week run added another No. 1 to Janet’s late-1980s and early-1990s chart dominance.

The First Time – Surface

Surface earned a Hot 100 No. 1 with The First Time, a smooth adult-R&B ballad. The song’s gentle vocal arrangement and romantic tone made it a strong fit for early-1990s pop and adult-contemporary radio.

Its two-week run gave the group its biggest crossover hit and a soft landing between Madonna and the coming dance-floor explosion.

Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) – C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams

C+C Music Factory hit No. 1 with Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now), one of the defining dance-pop records of the early 1990s. Freedom Williams’ rap delivery and the huge “Everybody Dance Now” vocal hook made it instantly recognizable.

The song became a sports-arena, commercial, and party staple. It is one of those records that seems legally required to appear whenever a montage needs movement.

All the Man That I Need – Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston reached No. 1 with All the Man That I Need, a powerhouse ballad from her album I’m Your Baby Tonight. The song gave Houston another showcase for her vocal control, dramatic build, and full-throttle chorus.

Its two-week run kept Whitney firmly in the Hot 100’s upper tier as the 1990s began.

Someday – Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey scored her third Hot 100 No. 1 with Someday, a dance-pop/R&B single from her debut album. The song continued Carey’s rapid early-career rise after Vision of Love and Love Takes Time.

Its two-week run was the first of three Mariah No. 1 hits in 1991. She was not easing into the decade; she was sprinting in heels.

One More Try – Timmy T.

Timmy T. reached No. 1 with One More Try, a freestyle-influenced ballad that became one of the year’s softer one-week chart-toppers. Its emotional vocal and simple arrangement helped it connect during a pop year filled with big voices and dance tracks.

The title asked for one more try, and Billboard gave it exactly one week.

Coming Out of the Dark – Gloria Estefan

Gloria Estefan reached No. 1 with Coming Out of the Dark, a deeply personal comeback ballad released after her serious 1990 tour-bus accident. The song’s message of recovery gave it emotional weight beyond normal chart performance.

Its two-week run made it one of the year’s most meaningful No. 1 songs, both musically and personally.

I’ve Been Thinking About You – Londonbeat

Londonbeat topped the Hot 100 with I’ve Been Thinking About You, a dance-pop and soul-flavored single with a bright, instantly memorable chorus. The British-American group crossed over strongly in the U.S. with this one-week No. 1.

It was cheerful, smooth, and very good at sounding like a sunny day on a compact disc.

You’re in Love – Wilson Phillips

Wilson Phillips reached No. 1 with You’re in Love, continuing their strong run after the success of Hold On and Release Me. The group’s polished harmonies and adult-pop sound were a perfect match for early-1990s radio.

Its one-week run added another chart-topper to one of the era’s biggest vocal-group album cycles.

Baby Baby – Amy Grant

Amy Grant earned her first Hot 100 No. 1 with Baby Baby, a bright pop single from Heart in Motion. The song marked a major mainstream crossover moment for Grant, who had already been hugely successful in contemporary Christian music.

Its two-week run helped bring her to a broader pop audience. The chorus was simple, sweet, and aggressively sunny.

Joyride – Roxette

Roxette returned to No. 1 with Joyride, a playful pop-rock single from the Swedish duo. The song’s whistle hook and upbeat chorus made it one of their final major U.S. chart-toppers.

Its one-week run added another hit to Roxette’s impressive late-1980s and early-1990s American chart story.

I Like the Way (The Kissing Game) – Hi-Five

Hi-Five reached No. 1 with I Like the Way (The Kissing Game), a new jack swing and R&B hit built around youthful romance and a catchy groove. The song became the group’s biggest pop crossover moment.

It spent one week at No. 1 and finished in Billboard’s 1991 year-end Top 10. That is a lot of mileage for one kissing game.

I Don’t Wanna Cry – Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey returned to No. 1 with I Don’t Wanna Cry, a dramatic ballad from her debut album. The song became her fourth consecutive Hot 100 No. 1 single, continuing one of the strongest career launches in pop history.

Its two-week run showed that Carey could move between dance-pop and full emotional balladry without losing chart momentum.

More Than Words – Extreme

Extreme reached No. 1 with More Than Words, an acoustic ballad that sounded very different from the band’s funk-metal reputation. Its close harmonies and stripped-down arrangement helped it stand out on radio.

The song’s one-week run proved that sometimes unplugging the amps is the loudest career move.

Rush Rush – Paula Abdul

Paula Abdul spent five weeks at No. 1 with Rush Rush, a soft pop ballad from Spellbound. The music video featured Keanu Reeves and drew from the imagery of Rebel Without a Cause, giving the single extra pop-culture visibility.

Its long run made it one of the biggest chart-toppers of 1991 and helped launch Abdul’s second major album era.

Unbelievable – EMF

EMF reached No. 1 with Unbelievable, a British alternative-dance hit with a huge chorus and a very recognizable sample from comedian Andrew Dice Clay. The song’s mix of rock, dance, and club energy fit the early-1990s alternative crossover moment.

Its one-week run was brief, but its title made sure nobody forgot the hook.

(Everything I Do) I Do It for You – Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams spent seven weeks at No. 1 with (Everything I Do) I Do It for You, from the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. The power ballad became Billboard’s year-end Hot 100 song of 1991 and one of the most successful movie ballads of the decade.

Its summer dominance gave 1991 a clear centerpiece. If you were anywhere near a radio, a wedding, or a slow dance, this song probably found you.

The Promise of a New Day – Paula Abdul

Paula Abdul returned to No. 1 with The Promise of a New Day, her second chart-topper from Spellbound. The song’s glossy dance-pop production and upbeat tone gave Abdul another major Hot 100 moment in 1991.

Its one-week run followed Bryan Adams’ long summer stay and briefly put Abdul back at the top before Color Me Badd took over.

I Adore Mi Amor – Color Me Badd

Color Me Badd reached No. 1 with I Adore Mi Amor, a smooth R&B/pop ballad. The group had already made a major impact in 1991 with I Wanna Sex You Up, which was Billboard’s No. 2 year-end Hot 100 single but did not top the weekly Hot 100.

I Adore Mi Amor spent two weeks at No. 1 and gave the group its official weekly Hot 100 chart-topper for the year.

Good Vibrations – Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch featuring Loleatta Holloway

Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch hit No. 1 with Good Vibrations, featuring a powerful vocal hook from Loleatta Holloway. The song mixed hip-hop, dance-pop, and club energy into one of the year’s most recognizable crossover hits.

Its one-week run became Mark Wahlberg’s biggest music-chart moment before his later film career made the “Marky Mark” era feel like pop-culture trivia with abs.

Emotions – Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey scored her fifth consecutive Hot 100 No. 1 with Emotions, the title track from her second album. The song showed off her upper vocal range and moved into a more upbeat, danceable pop/R&B sound.

Its three-week run made Carey the only artist with three No. 1 hits during 1991. She was still early in her career, but the record books were already paying attention.

Romantic – Karyn White

Karyn White reached No. 1 with Romantic, a new jack swing-flavored R&B single. The song’s confident groove and polished production made it her biggest Hot 100 success.

Its one-week run gave White her signature chart moment after several strong R&B and pop hits in the late 1980s.

Cream – Prince and the New Power Generation

Prince reached No. 1 with Cream, credited with the New Power Generation. The song’s slinky groove and playful confidence made it one of his final Hot 100 chart-toppers.

Its two-week run showed that Prince could still land at the top during a changing pop era. Naturally, he did it with style, mystery, and just enough eyebrow.

When a Man Loves a Woman – Michael Bolton

Michael Bolton topped the Hot 100 with his cover of Percy Sledge’s soul classic When a Man Loves a Woman. Bolton’s version brought the song into the early-1990s adult-contemporary power-ballad world.

Its one-week run gave Bolton one of his biggest pop moments and introduced the song to another generation of radio listeners.

Set Adrift on Memory Bliss – P.M. Dawn

P.M. Dawn reached No. 1 with Set Adrift on Memory Bliss, a dreamy hip-hop/R&B crossover built around a sample from Spandau Ballet’s True. The song’s gentle mood and unusual style made it stand apart from most rap-linked hits of the time.

Its one-week run also made it the first Hot 100 No. 1 by a rap act after Billboard introduced Nielsen SoundScan and BDS data to the chart in late 1991.

Black or White – Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson closed the 1991 Billboard Hot 100 year with Black or White, which continued into January 1992. The song launched the Dangerous era with pop-rock guitar, a global-unity message, and a massive music-video premiere.

It spent four Billboard issue weeks at No. 1 in 1991 and seven total weeks across 1991–1992. The video’s morphing sequence was cutting-edge at the time, and the song made Jackson’s new decade start loudly.

Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Stories of 1991

(Everything I Do) I Do It for You Was Billboard’s Year-End No. 1

Bryan Adams’ (Everything I Do) I Do It for You spent seven weeks at No. 1 and finished as Billboard’s top Hot 100 song of 1991. Its connection to Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves helped make it one of the decade’s biggest movie ballads.

Mariah Carey Had the Most No. 1 Songs

Mariah Carey reached No. 1 three times in 1991 with Someday, I Don’t Wanna Cry, and Emotions. She had more Hot 100 No. 1 songs than any other artist that year.

Paula Abdul Scored Two No. 1 Songs

Paula Abdul topped the Hot 100 with Rush Rush and The Promise of a New Day. Those songs launched her Spellbound era and kept her late-1980s pop momentum going into the new decade.

Dance-Pop and New Jack Swing Were Everywhere

Gonna Make You Sweat, Good Vibrations, Romantic, I Like the Way, and Emotions all showed how dance-pop, club music, and new jack swing were shaping early-1990s pop.

Movie Ballads Still Had Huge Power

(Everything I Do) I Do It for You became the year’s biggest Hot 100 song through its connection to Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. The 1990s would continue producing massive movie-linked ballads, and 1991 gave the trend one of its clearest examples.

1991 Billboard Number One Hits Trivia

(Everything I Do) I Do It for You by Bryan Adams was Billboard’s year-end Hot 100 song of 1991.
(Everything I Do) I Do It for You and Black or White each spent seven total weeks at No. 1, though only four of Michael Jackson’s weeks fell inside the 1991 calendar year.
Mariah Carey had three No. 1 hits in 1991: Someday, I Don’t Wanna Cry, and Emotions.
Emotions made Mariah Carey the first artist to send her first five Hot 100 singles to No. 1.
Rush Rush spent five weeks at No. 1 and featured Keanu Reeves in its music video.
I Wanna Sex You Up by Color Me Badd was Billboard’s No. 2 year-end Hot 100 song of 1991, but it peaked at No. 2 on the weekly chart.
Set Adrift on Memory Bliss sampled Spandau Ballet’s True.
Black or White closed 1991 and carried into the 1992 Billboard chart year.
Because I Love You (The Postman Song) was a late-1990 No. 1 but was not No. 1 on the 1991 Billboard issue calendar.

Why the 1991 Billboard Number One Hits Matter

The 1991 Billboard Number One Hits list showed the Hot 100 in transition. Adult-contemporary ballads, dance-pop, R&B, new jack swing, pop-rock, and early hip-hop crossover all reached No. 1 during the same year.

The year also marked the arrival of more data-driven chart measurement. Billboard began using Nielsen SoundScan sales data and Broadcast Data Systems airplay monitoring in late 1991, which changed the Hot 100’s accuracy and helped reshape which songs could reach No. 1 in the years that followed.

For chart fans, 1991 was part old system, part new era. It had classic power ballads, glossy pop stars, club records, new R&B voices, and Michael Jackson closing the year with a video event big enough to feel like television stopped for a few minutes.