The hits that played while history was being rewritten
Ahmed Kajee
When the calendar flipped to 1991, the world felt like it was standing at the crossroads between two eras — the polished pop and power ballads of the ’80s were giving way to the soulful groove and global consciousness of the ’90s. From Bryan Adams’ record-breaking “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” to Prince’s sultry “Cream”, music was changing — and so was the world.
It’s the featured year on this week’s HOT Classic Countdown with Steve Bishop, taking place every Sunday from 12 to 3pm on HOT 102.7FM.
Across the globe, 1991 was a year of powerful shifts. The Soviet Union was crumbling, the internet took its first public steps, and in South Africa, the winds of change were blowing strong as Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk received the Nobel Peace Prize nominations that would set the stage for a new democracy. Meanwhile, songs like Scorpions’ “Wind of Change” became the unofficial soundtrack to that global transformation — whistled from Berlin to Benoni.
Pop still reigned supreme, but it came with new textures. Mariah Carey burst onto the scene with “Someday”, while Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” brought a unifying message through one of the most memorable videos of the decade. Over in South Africa, Mango Groove’s “Hometalk” blended marabi, pop and optimism — a proudly local sound during a time when the nation was finding its new voice.
The early ’90s also saw collaborations and crossover success like never before. Elton John and George Michael’s stunning duet “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” topped charts worldwide, proving that timeless songs could shine even brighter when shared. And Lenny Kravitz’s “It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over” wrapped ’70s soul in a velvet ’90s groove, while DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince captured carefree youth with “Summertime” — a track that still feels like sunshine in sound form.
Did You Know?
Bryan Adams’ “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” spent a staggering 16 consecutive weeks at number one in the UK — a record that stood for over three decades! The song was originally written for the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, but became so iconic that people often forget its cinematic origin.
Closer to home, Wendy Oldfield’s “Acid Rain” brought environmental awareness into South African pop long before “going green” was cool. It’s one of those songs that still feels ahead of its time — much like 1991 itself.
From the silky R&B of Boyz II Men’s “Motownphilly” to Simply Red’s sophisticated “Stars”, 1991 gave us an extraordinary blend of hope, style, and substance — a musical bridge between decades that defined the sound of a new generation.
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