Top Songs of 1994: Relive the Biggest Hits of a Landmark Year in Music

1994 was a phenomenal year for music, delivering a diverse range of chart-toppers that have become iconic anthems. From unforgettable ballads to infectious dance tracks, the UK charts of 1994 were a battleground of genres and artists vying for the coveted number one spot. Let’s dive into the Top Songs Of 1994, exploring the tunes that dominated the airwaves and captured the hearts of millions.

The year is perhaps best remembered for Wet Wet Wet’s colossal hit, “Love Is All Around.” As featured on Channel 5’s Britain’s Biggest 90s Hits, this track became an absolute juggernaut, securing the Scottish band their third UK Number 1 and ultimately becoming the best-selling single of the year. Official Charts Company data confirms its staggering success, with 1.28 million copies sold, cementing its place as the top song of 1994. For fans wanting to explore more from the band, Wet Wet Wet’s Official Chart history offers a comprehensive look at their successful career.

Hot on their heels, and claiming the second spot in the year-end Top 40, was Whigfield’s infectious dance anthem, “Saturday Night.” This track, fronted by Danish singer Sannie Carlson, not only ended Wet Wet Wet’s reign at the top but also made history for Whigfield. She became the first artist ever to debut straight at Number 1 with their very first single. Fueled by its catchy melody and an iconic dance routine (famously not performed by Whigfield herself), “Saturday Night” spent four weeks at Number 1 and sold an impressive 729,000 copies by the close of 1994. Dive deeper into the story behind this hit with a look back at Whigfield’s record-breaking debut single, “Saturday Night”.

East 17’s poignant ballad “Stay Another Day” secured the third spot with 585,000 sales and the coveted Christmas Number 1 title for 1994. Birmingham reggae artist Pato Banton followed closely in fourth place with his feel-good cover of “Baby Come Back,” featuring Robin and Ali Campbell of UB40, selling 541,000 copies. Rounding out the Top 5 is the timeless R&B ballad “I Swear” by US group All-4-One, with 507,000 copies sold. These top five songs alone showcase the diverse musical landscape of 1994, from pop and dance to R&B and reggae.

Further down the best-selling songs of 1994 list, Mariah Carey made a significant impact with two entries. “Without You,” a powerful ballad, earned her first UK Number 1 and became the year’s seventh best-seller with 402,000 copies sold. Her festive classic, “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” landed at number 12. Although it missed the Christmas Number 1 spot in 1994, this perennial favorite eventually topped the charts in 2020, cementing its status as a true Christmas anthem and achieving an Official Chart record. Explore the journey of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” to the UK Number 1 spot.

1994 also marked the emergence of Irish boyband sensations Boyzone. Their debut single, “Love Me For A Reason,” reached Number 2 and claimed the 15th spot on the year-end chart, signaling the beginning of their successful career. Fellow boyband giants Take That also made their presence felt with two chart-topping hits: “Everything Changes” at number 19 and “Sure” at number 37. These entries highlight the continued popularity of boybands in the mid-90s music scene.

The Official Top 40 best-selling songs of 1994 list is a testament to the year’s vibrant and varied musical offerings. From one-hit wonders to established icons, 1994 delivered a soundtrack that continues to resonate with music lovers today.

Official Top 40 best-selling songs of 1994

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