1996 Radio & Records All-Time Charts

Updated June 26, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

1996 Radio & Records All-Time Charts

Radio & Records magazine compiles year-end charts based on radio play. The country charts, however, are based on number of plays and market size. The following titles got the most play in 1996.

Adult Contemporary (AC)

  1. “Because You Loved Me” Celine Dion (550 Music)
  2. “Nobody Knows” Tony Rich Project (LaFace/Arista)
  3. “Change the World” Eric Clapton (Reprise)
  4. “One Sweet Day” Mariah Carey (Columbia)
  5. “So Far Away” Rod Stewart (Lava/Atlantic)
  6. “Insensitive ” Jann Arden (A&M)
  7. “Don't Cry” Seal (ZTT/WB)
  8. “Always Be My Baby” Mariah Carey (Columbia)
  9. “Reach” Gloria Estefan (Epic)
  10. “Forever” Mariah Carey (Columbia)
  11. “Blessed” Elton John (Rocket/Island)
  12. “Give Me One Reason” Tracy Chapman (Elektra/EEG)
  13. “It's All Coming Back to Me Now” Celine Dion (550 Music)
  14. “Count On Me” Whitney Houston and Cece Winans (Arista)
  15. “Where Do We Go From Here” Vanessa Williams (Mercury)
  16. “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” Whitney Houston (Arista)
  17. “You'll See” Madonna (Maverick/WB)
  18. “Missing” Everything but the Girl (Atlantic)
    Everything but the Girl
    Marcelo Krasilcic/Atlantic
  19. “I Love You Always Forever” Donna Lewis (Atlantic)
  20. “Back for Good” Take That (Arista)

Hot AC

  1. “Give Me One Reason” Tracy Chapman (Elektra/EEG)
  2. “Because You Loved Me” Celine Dion (550 Music)
  3. “Change the World” Eric Clapton (Reprise)
  4. “Insensitive” Jann Arden (A&M)
  5. “Wonder” Natalie Merchant (Elektra/EEG)
  6. “I Love You Always Forever” Donna Lewis (Atlantic)
  7. “Name” Goo Goo Dolls (Metal Blade/WB)
  8. “Follow You Down” Gin Blossoms (A&M)
  9. “Nobody Knows” Tony Rich Project (LaFace/Arista)
  10. “Missing” Everything but the Girl (Atlantic)
  11. “You Learn” Alanis Morissette (Maverick/Reprise)
  12. “Always Be My Baby” Mariah Carey (Columbia)
  13. “It's All Coming Back to Me Now” Celine Dion (550 Music)
  14. “Don't Cry” Seal (ZTT/WB)
  15. “Time” Hootie & the Blowfish (Atlantic)
  16. “Jealousy” Natalie Merchant (Elektra/EEG)
  17. “One Sweet Day” Mariah Carey (Columbia)
  18. “Ironic” Alanis Morissette (Maverick/Reprise)
  19. “Roll to Me” Del Amitri (A&M)
  20. “I Want to Come Over” Melissa Etheridge (Island)

Urban AC

  1. “All the Things (Your Man Won't Do)” Joe (Island)
  2. “You're Makin' Me High” Toni Braxton (LaFace/Arista)
  3. “Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)” Maxwell (Columbia)
  4. “I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)” R. Kelly (Jive)
  5. “Count On Me” Whitney Houston and Cece Winans (Arista)
  6. “Your Secret Love” Luther Vandross (LV/Epic)
  7. “Lady” D'Angelo (EMI)
  8. “Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)” R. Kelly (Jive)
  9. “I'll Do Anything for You” Ann Nesby (Perspective/A&M)
  10. “Missing You” Brandy, Tamia, Knight, Kahn (EastWest/EEG)
  11. “Always Be My Baby” Mariah Carey (Columbia)
  12. “Let's Lay Together” Isley Brothers (T-Neck/Island)
  13. “Never Too Busy” Kenny Lattimore (Columbia)
  14. “What Kind of Man Would I Be” Mint Condition (Perspective/A&M)
  15. “Let's Get the Mood Right” Johnny Gill (Motown)
  16. “Not Gon' Cry” Mary J. Blige (Arista)
  17. “I Will Survive” Chantay Savage (RCA)
  18. “One Sweet Day” Mariah Carey (Columbia)
  19. “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” Whitney Houston (Columbia)
  20. “Let It Flow” Toni Braxton (Arista)

Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR)/Pop

  1. “Missing” Everything but the Girl (Atlantic)
  2. “Nobody Knows” Tony Rich Project (LaFace/ Arista)
  3. “I Love You Always Forever” Donna Lewis (Atlantic)
  4. “Ironic” Alanis Morissette (Maverick/Reprise)
  5. “Give Me One Reason” Tracy Chapman (Elektra/EEG)
  6. “Because You Loved Me” Celine Dion (550 Music)
  7. “You Learn” Alanis Morissette (Maverick/Reprise)
  8. “Always Be My Baby” Mariah Carey (Columbia)
  9. “Name” Goo Goo Dolls (Metal Blade/WB)
  10. “Killing Me Softly” Fugees (Ruffhouse/Columbia)
  11. “Who Will Save Your Soul” Jewel (Atlantic)
  12. “Be My Lover” La Bouche (RCA)
  13. “Insensitive” Jann Arden (A&M)
  14. “Change the World” Eric Clapton (Reprise)
  15. “The World I Know” Collective Soul (Atlantic)
  16. “Wonder” Natalie Merchant (Elektra/EEG)
  17. “Follow You Down” Gin Blossoms (A&M)
  18. “Sweet Dreams” La Bouche (RCA)
  19. “One Sweet Day” Mariah Carey (Columbia)
  20. “Counting Blue Cars” Dishwalla (A&M)

CHR/Rhythmic

  1. “Always Be My Baby” Mariah Carey (Columbia)
  2. “Twisted” Keith Sweat (Elektra/EEG)
  3. “Killing Me Softly” Fugees (Ruffhouse/Columbia)
  4. “Sittin' Up in My Room” Brandy (Arista)
  5. “You're Makin' Me High” Toni Braxton (LaFace/Arista)
  6. “Tha Crossroads” Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (Ruthless/Relativity)
  7. “My Boo” Ghost Town DJ's (So So Def/Columbia)
  8. “Nobody Knows” Tony Rich Project (LaFace/Arista)
  9. “C'mon 'N Ride It (The Train)” Quad City DJ's (Quadra Sound/Big Beat/Atlantic)
  10. “I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)” R. Kelly (Jive)
  11. “Not Gon' Cry” Mary J. Blige (Arista)
  12. “Because You Loved Me” Celine Dion (550 Music)
  13. “You're the One” SWV (RCA)
  14. “I Love You Always Forever” Donna Lewis (Atlantic)
  15. “One Sweet Day” Mariah Carey (Columbia)
  16. “Loungin” LL Cool J (Def Jam/RAL/Mercury)
  17. “California Love” 2Pac/Dr.Dre (Death Row/Interscope)
  18. “Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)” R. Kelly (Jive)
  19. “Hey Lover” LL Cool J (Def Jam/Mercury)
  20. “Tell Me” Groove Theory (Epic)

Rock

  1. “Counting Blue Cars” Dishwalla (A&M)
  2. “In the Meantime” Spacehog (HiFi/Sire/EEG)
  3. “Santa Monica (Watch the World Die)” Everclear (Capitol)
  4. “The World I Know” Collective Soul (Atlantic)
  5. “Cumbersome” Seven Mary Three (Mammoth/Atlantic)
  6. “Until It Sleeps” Metallica (Elektra/EEG)
  7. “Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart” Stone Temple Pilots (Atlantic)
  8. “6th Avenue Heartache” Wallflowers (Interscope)
  9. “Open Up Your Eyes” Tonic (Polydor/A&M)
  10. “1979” Smashing Pumpkins (Virgin)
  11. “Burden in My Hand” Soundgarden (A&M)
  12. “Where the River Flows” Collective Soul (Atlantic)
  13. “Humans Being” Van Halen (Warner Sunset/WB)
  14. “Good Friday” Black Crowes (American/Reprise)
  15. “Walls” Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Warner Bros.)
  16. “Heaven Beside You” Alice in Chains (Columbia)
  17. “Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)” John Mellencamp (Mercury)
  18. “Too Much” Dave Matthews Band (RCA)
  19. “Machinehead” Bush (Trauma/Interscope)
  20. “Drown” Son Volt (Warner Bros.)

Active Rock

  1. “Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart” Stone Temple Pilots (Atlantic)
  2. “Santa Monica (Watch the World Die)” Everclear (Capitol)
  3. “Counting Blue Cars” Dishwalla (A&M)
  4. “In the Meantime” Spacehog (HiFi/Sire/EEG)
  5. “Machinehead” Bush (Trauma/Interscope)
  6. “Burden in My Hand” Soundgarden (A&M)
  7. “Open Up Your Eyes” Tonic (Polydor/A&M)
  8. “Until It Sleeps” Metallica (Elektra/EEG)
  9. “Sister” Nixons (MCA)
  10. “Heaven Beside You” Alice in Chains (Columbia)
  11. “1979” Smashing Pumpkins (Virgin)
  12. “What Do I Have to Do?” Stabbing Westward (Columbia)
  13. “Pretty Noose” Soundgarden (A&M)
  14. “Cumbersome” Seven Mary Three (Mammoth/Atlantic)
  15. “Brain Stew” Green Day (Reprise)
  16. “Where the River Flows” Collective Soul (Atlantic)
  17. “I Got Id” Pearl Jam (Epic)
  18. “Vanishing Cream” Hunger (Universal)
  19. “Water's Edge” Seven Mary Three (Mammoth/Atlantic)
  20. “Shame” Stabbing Westward (Columbia)

Alternative

  1. “Counting Blue Cars” Dishwalla (A&M)
  2. “Pepper” Butthole Surfers (Capitol)
  3. “Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart” Stone Temple Pilots (Atlantic)
  4. “Spiderwebs” No Doubt (Trauma/Interscope)
  5. “Machinehead” Bush (Trauma/Interscope)
  6. “Down” 311 (Capricorn/Mercury)
  7. “In the Meantime” Spacehog (HiFi/Sire/EEG)
  8. “Stupid Girl” Garbage (Almo Sounds/Geffen)
  9. “Santa Monica (Watch the World Die)” Everclear (Capitol)
  10. “Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money in My Hand” Primitive Radio Gods (Ergo/Columbia)
  11. “Mother Mother” Tracy Bonham (Island)
  12. “Burden in My Hand” Soundgarden (A&M)
  13. “Tonight, Tonight” Smashing Pumpkins (Virgin)
  14. “Big Me” Foo Fighters (Roswell/Capitol)
  15. “Champagne Supernova” Oasis (Epic)
  16. “What I Got” Sublime (Gasoline Alley/MCA)
  17. “Novocaine for the Soul” Eels (DreamWorks/Geffen)
  18. “1979” Smashing Pumpkins (Virgin)
  19. “Where It's At” Beck (DGC/Geffen)
  20. “Ironic” Alanis Morissette (Maverick/Reprise)

Adult Alternative Albums

  1. Crash Dave Matthews Band (RCA)
  2. Jagged Little Pill Alanis Morissette (Maverick/Reprise)
  3. Mercury Falling Sting (A&M)
  4. New Beginning Tracy Chapman (Elektra/EEG)
  5. Fairweather Johnson Hootie & the Blowfish (Atlantic)
  6. Bringing Down the Horse Wallflowers (Interscope)
  7. Your Little Secret Melissa Etheridge (Island)
  8. Congratulations, I'm Sorry Gin Blossoms (A&M)
  9. Relish Joan Osborne (Blue Gorilla/Mercury)
  10. Tigerlily Natalie Merchant (Elektra/EEG)
  11. Mr. Happy Go Lucky John Mellencamp (Mercury)
  12. (What's the Story) Morning Glory? Oasis (Epic)
  13. Happy Nowhere Dog's Eye View (Columbia)
  14. Lay It Down Cowboy Junkies (Geffen)
  15. Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness Smashing Pumpkins (Virgin)
  16. Why Store Why Store (Way Cool Music/MCA)
  17. Sheryl Crow Sheryl Crow (A&M)
  18. New Adventures in Hi-Fi R.E.M. (Warner Bros.)
  19. To the Faithful Departed The Cranberries (Island)
  20. Jars of Clay Jars of Clay (Silvertone)

Adult Alternative Tracks

  1. “6th Avenue Heartache” Wallflowers (Interscope)
  2. “Barely Breathing” Duncan Sheik (Atlantic)
  3. “Give Me One Reason” Tracy Chapman (Elektra/EEG)
  4. “So Much to Say” Dave Matthews Band (RCA)
  5. “Everything Falls Apart” Dog's Eye View (Columbia)
  6. “Flood” Jars of Clay (Silvertone)
  7. “Follow You Down” Gin Blossoms (A&M)
  8. “Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)” John Mellencamp (Mercury)
  9. “Old Man & Me” Hootie & the Blowfish (Atlantic)
  10. “A Common Disaster” Cowboy Junkies (Geffen)
  11. “Too Much” Dave Matthews Band (RCA)
  12. “Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money in My Hand” Primitive Radio Gods (Ergo/Columbia)
  13. “Jealousy” Natalie Merchant (Elektra/EEG)
  14. “If It Makes You Happy” Sheryl Crow (A&M)
  15. “Lack of Water” Why Store (Way Cool Music/MCA)
  16. “You Still Touch Me” Sting (A&M)
  17. “Counting Blue Cars” Dishwalla (A&M)
  18. “Free to Decide” The Cranberries (Island)
  19. “Who Will Save Your Soul” Jewel (Atlantic)
  20. “The World I Know” Collective Soul (Atlantic)

New AC Tracks

  1. “Thieves in the Temple” Herbie Hancock (Verve)
  2. “Joy and Pain” Count Basic (Instinct)
  3. “Better Days Ahead” Norman Brown (MoJazz/Motown)
  4. “Caravan of Dreams” Peter White (Columbia)
  5. “Sunday Mornin'” Doc Powell (Discovery)
  6. “Hippies on a Corner” Joe Sample (Warner Bros.)
  7. “Let Me Count the Ways” Dave Koz (Capitol)
  8. “Laid Back” Doc Powell (Discovery)
  9. “Hideaway” The Rippingtons (GRP)
  10. “Gray Day” Ed Hamilton (Telarc)
  11. “Cat Food” Bryan Savage (Elation)
  12. “Can't Get Enough” Vibraphonic (Hollywood)
  13. “'Till We Meet Again” Paul Taylor (Countdown/Unity)
  14. “Les Fleur” Ramsey Lewis (GRP)
  15. “The Sunday After” Bill Evans (Escapade)
  16. “Seduction” Special EFX (JVC)
  17. “Lights Down Low” Boney James (Warner Bros.)
  18. “Bird Island” Paul Hardcastle (JVC)
  19. “The Music Inside” Chuck Loeb (Shanachie)
  20. “Just My Imagination” George Jinda (Shanachie)

New AC Albums

  1. Seduction Boney James (Warner Bros.)
  2. Laid Back Doc Powell (Discovery)
  3. Movin' in the Right Direction Count Basic (Instinct)
  4. Brave New World Rippingtons (GRP)
  5. State of Grace Jeff Lorber (Verve)
  6. Naked City Avenue Blue (Mesa/Bluemoon)
  7. City Speak Richard Elliot (Blue Note)
  8. Caravan of Dreams Peter White (Columbia)
  9. Keys to Your Heart Joe McBride (Heads Up)
  10. Second Wind Herb Alpert (Almo Sounds/Geffen)
  11. On the Horn Paul Taylor (Countdown/Unity)
  12. Better Days Ahead Norman Brown (MoJazz/Motown)
  13. Body Language Special EFX (JVC)
  14. Sudden Burst of Energy Earl Klugh (Warner Bros.)
  15. Day Into Night Bob Mamet (Atlantic)
  16. Waiting to Exhale Soundtrack (Arista)
  17. Off the Beaten Path Dave Koz (Capitol)
  18. Naked and True Randy Crawford (Bluemoon/Atlantic)
  19. That's Right George Benson (GRP)
  20. After Hours Brian Culbertson (Mesa/Bluemoon)

Urban

  1. “Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)” R. Kelly (Jive)
  2. “All the Things (Your Man Won't Do)” Joe (Island)
  3. “Sittin' Up in My Room” Brandy (Arista)
  4. “Lady” D'Angelo (EMI)
  5. “Why I Love You So Much” Monica (Rowdy/Arista)
  6. “I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)” R. Kelly (Jive)
  7. “Touch Me Tease Me” Case F/Foxy Brown (Def Jam/RAL/Mercury)
  8. “You're Makin' Me High” Toni Braxton (LaFace/Arista)
  9. “Twisted” Keith Sweat (Elektra/EEG)
  10. “Only You” 112 (Bad Boy/Arista)
  11. “I Will Survive” Chantay Savage (RCA)
  12. “Kissin' You” Total (Bad Boy/Arista)
  13. “Not Gon' Cry” Mary J. Blige (Arista)
  14. “Always Be My Baby” Mariah Carey (Columbia)
  15. “You're the One” SWV (RCA)
  16. “Tell Me” Dru Hill (Island)
  17. “Killing Me Softly” Fugees (Ruffhouse/Columbia)
  18. “Last Night” Az Yet (LaFace/Arista)
  19. “Before You Walk Out of My Life” Monica (Rowdy/Arista)
  20. “Get On Up” Jodeci (Uptown/MCA)

Country

  1. “My Maria” Brooks & Dunn (Arista)
  2. “Blue Clear Sky” George Strait (MCA)
  3. “Treat Her Right” Sawyer Brown (Curb)
  4. “Does That Blue Moon Ever Shine on You” Toby Keith (A&M)
  5. “Time Marches On” Tracy Lawrence (Atlantic)
  6. “It's What I Do” Billy Dean (Capitol)
  7. “I Don't Think I Will” James Bonamy (Epic)
  8. “Hypnotize the Moon” Clay Walker (Giant)
  9. “I Think About You” Collin Raye (Epic)
  10. “Carried Away” George Strait (MCA)
  11. “I'm Not Supposed to Love You Anymore” Bryan White (Asylum/EEG)
  12. “Daddy's Money” Ricochet (Columbia)
  13. “No News” Lonestar (BNA)
  14. “Walkin' Away” Diamond Rio (Arista)
  15. “She Never Lets It Go to Her Heart” Tim McGraw (Curb)
  16. “Home” Alan Jackson (Arista)
  17. “Living in a Moment” Ty Herndon (Epic)
  18. “Every Time I Get Around You” David Lee Murphy (MCA)
  19. “Don't Get Me Started” Rhett Akins (Decca)
  20. “You Can Feel Bad” Patty Loveless (Epic)

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