Below is a list from Billboard magazine’s Top ear-End Hot 100 songs for 1996. Chart © by Billboard, a part of MRC Media and Info, a division of MRC. All Rights Reserved. Learn more about Billboard here.

Top 100 Songs of 1996

1Always Be My Baby – Mariah Carey

2One Sweet Day – Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men

3Nobody Knows – Tony Rich Project

4Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion

5Macarena (Bayside Boys Remix) – Los Del Rio

6Tha Crossroads – Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

7Give Me One Reason – Tracy Chapman

8I Love You Always Forever – Donna Lewis

9You’re Makin’ Me High/Let It Flow – Toni Braxton

10Twisted – Keith Sweat

11C’mon N’ Ride It (The Train) – Quad City Dj’s

12Missing – Everything But The Girl

13Ironic – Alanis Morissette

14Exhale (Shoop Shoop) – Whitney Houston

15Follow You Down/Til I Hear It from You – Gin Blossoms

16Sittin’ Up In My Room – Brandy

17How Do U Want It/California Love – 2Pac

18It’s All Coming Back to Me Now – Celine Dion

19Change the World – Eric Clapton

20Hey Lover – LL Cool J

21Loungin’ – LL Cool J

22Insensitive – Jann Arden

23Be My Lover – La Bouche

24Name – The Goo Goo Dolls

25Who Will Save Your Soul – Jewel

26Where Do You Go – No Mercy

27I Can’t Sleep Baby (If I) – R. Kelly

28You Learn/You Oughta Know – Alanis Morissette

29One of Us – Joan Osborne

30Not Gon’ Cry – Mary J. Blige

31Gangsta’s Paradise – Coolio

32Down Low (Nobody Has to Know) – R. Kelly

33Before You Walk Out of My Life / Like This and Like That – Monica

34Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Deep Blue Something

351-2-3-4 (Sumpin’ New) – Coolio

36No Diggity – BLACKstreet (featuring Dr. Dre)

37Why I Love You So Much/Ain’t Nobody – Monica

38Count On Me – Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans

39Fantasy – Mariah Carey

40Time – Hootie and The Blowfish

More 60 Top Songs of 1996

41. 41. Counting Blue Cars – Dishwalla
    42. Wonder – Natalie Merchant
    43. Only You – 112 featuring The Notorious B.I.G.
    44. You’re the One – SWV
    45. Sweet Dreams – La Bouche
    46. The World I Know – Collective Soul
    47. Anything – 3T
    48. 1979 – The Smashing Pumpkins
    49. Diggin’ On You – TLC
    50. Kissin’ You – Total
    51.  You’ll See – Madonna
    52.  Last Night – Az Yet
    53.  Mouth – Merril Bainbridge
    54.  The Earth, The Sun, The Rain – Color Me Badd
    55.  All the Things (Your Man Won’t Do) – Joe
    56.  Wonderwall – Oasis
    57.  Woo Hah!! Got You All In Check/Everything Remains Raw – Busta Rhymes
    58.  Tell Me – Groove Theory
    59.  Elevators (Me & You) – Outkast
    60.  Hook – Blues Traveler
    61.  Doin It – LL Cool J
    62.  Fastlove – George Michael
    63.  Touch Me Tease Me – Case featuring Foxxy Brown
    64.  Tonite’S Tha Night – Kris Kross
    65.  Children – Robert Mile
    66. Theme From Mission: Impossible – Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen
    67.  Closer to Free – Bodeans
    68.  Just a Girl – No Doubt
    69. If Your Girl Only Knew – Aaliyah
    70.  Lady – D’angelo
    71.  Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First) – John Mellencamp
    72.  Pony – Ginuwine
    73.  Nobody – Keith Sweat
    74.  Old Man & Me – Fairweather Johnson – Hootie and The Blowfish
    75.  If It Makes You Happy – Sheryl Crow
    76.  As I Lay Me Down – Sophie B. Hawkins
    77.  Keep On, Keepin’ On – MC Lyte
    78.  Jealousy – Natalie Merchant
    79.  I Want to Come Over – Melissa Etheridge
    80.  Who Do U Love – Deborah Cox
    81.  Un-Break My Heart – Toni Braxton
    82.  This Is Your Night – Amber
    83.  You Remind Me of Something – R. Kelly
    84.  Runaway – Janet Jackson
    85.  Set U Free – Planet Soul
    86.  Hit Me Off – New Edition
    87.  No One Else – Total
    88.  My Boo – Ghost Town Dj’s
    89.  Get Money – Junior M.A.F.I.A.
    90.  That Girl – Maxi Priest featuring Shaggy
    91.  Po Pimp – Do Or Die
    92.  Until It Sleeps – Metallica
    93.  Hay – Crucial Conflict
    94.  Beautiful Life – Ace Of Base
    95.  Back for Good – Take That
    96.  I Got Id / The Long Road – Pearl Jam
    97.  Soon As I Get Home – Faith Evans
    98.  Macarena – Los Del Rio
    99.  Only Wanna Be With You – Hootie and The Blowfish
    100.  Don’t Cry – Seal

Need more great song suggestions for your Playlists?

No problem at all; check out the Best Songs About Clouds, the Best Songs about Friday, the Best Songs About Friendship, the Best Songs About Change, the Best Songs About Heroes, as well as the Best Songs About Magic for more quality song selections.

Top 100 Songs of 1996 – Final Thoughts

The top 100 songs of 1996 were an eclectic mix of genres, reflecting the diverse tastes of music listeners at the time. The list included pop ballads, R&B hits, alternative rock anthems, and hip-hop tracks that defined the sound of the era. Artists such as Mariah Carey, 2Pac, Celine Dion, Alanis Morissette, and No Doubt dominated the charts, with memorable songs that continue to be popular today.

The music of 1996 also reflected important cultural and social issues, with songs addressing themes such as love, heartbreak, social justice, and identity. Overall, the top 100 songs of 1996 showcased the dynamic and vibrant musical landscape of the time.