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This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1989.
 | The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (December 2010) |
- January 14 – Paul McCartney releases Снова в СССР (Back in the USSR) exclusively in the USSR. Bootleg copies sell for as much as US$1,000 in the United States.
- January 23 – James Brown is sentenced in Georgia, US, to six years in jail in connection with a police chase through two different states.
- January 27 – Michael Jackson ends the Bad World Tour in Los Angeles, US.
- February 12
- Roy Orbison joins Elvis Presley as the only singers to ever simultaneously have two top 5 albums on the Billboard charts.
- Tiny Tim launches an unsuccessful campaign to be elected mayor of New York City, US.
- February 17 – Whitesnake's David Coverdale marries Tawny Kitaen.
- February 22 – The 31st Annual Grammy Awards are presented in Los Angeles, hosted by Billy Crystal. George Michael's Faith wins Album of the Year, while Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy" wins both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Tracy Chapman wins Best New Artist.
- March 21 – Madonna's "Like a Prayer" music video, taped in late December 1988, attracts criticism for its use of Catholic Church iconography and for the use of cross burning imagery, but also garners praise for its interpretation of discrimination, rape, and faith. Pepsi drops Madonna as a spokesperson out of fear the video will cause religious groups to boycott the company.
- April 9 – The Rolling Stones' Bill Wyman announces that he will marry 19-year-old Mandy Smith, his girlfriend for six years.
- April 12 – Michael Jackson is named "King of Pop" after receiving the Soul Train Heritage Awards.
- April 28 – Jon Bon Jovi marries his high school sweetheart Dorothea Hurley at the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada, US.
- May 1 – California, US jewelry store employees called the police reporting a suspicious person hanging around their store. The person turns out to be Michael Jackson shopping in disguise.
- May 6 — The 34th annual Eurovision Song Contest, held at Palais de Beaulieu in Lausanne, is won by Yugoslavian band Riva, with the song "Rock Me". This is the first year a Balkan country has won the contest, and is also the only win for Yugoslavia as a unified state.
- July 9 – All four original members of The Monkees reunite in Los Angeles, US, for a concert performance at the Universal Amphitheatre. The following day the quartet attend an induction ceremony at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where they receive a star.
- July 23 – Former Beatle Ringo Starr forms his own band named Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band.
- July 29 – The Bee Gees perform in the U.S. for the first time in 10 years as part of their One for All world tour.
- August 3 – Sergio Franchi collapses before scheduled concert; dies 9 months later of brain cancer.
- August 11-12 – The Moscow Music Peace Festival is held in the Soviet Union. The event is put together by Doc McGhee and the Make-A-Wish Foundation and headline acts include Bon Jovi, Ozzy Osbourne, Mötley Crüe, Skid Row, Cinderella, and the Scorpions.
- August 31 – The Rolling Stones open their Steel Wheels North American tour in Philadelphia, US.
- September 9
- The Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, designed by I. M. Pei, opens in Dallas, Texas, US.[1]
- Madonna gives a risqué performance at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards. Clad in baggy black sweatpants and a black bustier, she shocks the audience by simulating masturbation. The version of the song used in the show would later serve as the opening number of 1990's "Blond Ambition World Tour".
- October 15 – Media Rings Corporation, the Japanese music, video game, and software publishing company, is founded in Akasaka.
- December 23 – Ice Cube leaves N.W.A after financial problems and several conflicts with their manager Jerry Heller and the group's founder Eazy-E. By this time, Cube has been recording his solo debut album, which will be released next year.
Also in 1989
- Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith leaves the band and is replaced by ex-Gillan guitarist Janick Gers who had most recently worked with Bruce Dickinson on his solo project.
- Ars Musica, an annual contemporary music international festival, founded
- The swing revival is generally agreed upon to have begun in 1989.
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All releases are an LP record unless otherwise stated.
Multiple entries for the same day are arranged alphabetically by the album's name.
Release dates may vary in different countries.
January–March
April–June
July–September
October–December
Release date unknown
- A Word from the Wise – Pennywise (EP)
- Al Denson – Al Denson
- All Aboard the Mind Train – The Modern Art
- All or Nothing – Milli Vanilli
- All That Jazz – Ella Fitzgerald
- Animal Logic - Animal Logic
- At Peace – Jade Warrior
- Beyond Hell's Gate – Final Axe
- Big Talk – Edin-Ådahl
- Blow – Red Lorry Yellow Lorry
- Bringing It Back Home – The Clark Sisters
- Brotherly Love – Daniel Winans
- Cantemos Juntos – Lynda Thomas (EP)
- Christmas Is... – Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge
- Complete Discography – Minor Threat
- Century Flower – Shelleyan Orphan
- The Complete Sham 69 Live – Sham 69
- Cyborgs Revisited – Simply Saucer
- Don't Dance with Danger - Scarlet Red
- Door Into Summer - Jacob's Trouble
- Down on the River - John Hartford
- Drowning in Limbo – Lydia Lunch
- Early Music – Santana
- Enter the Realm – Iced Earth (demo EP)
- Face of Despair – Mortal Sin
- Fight the Power... Live! – Public Enemy – (live, released on VHS)
- First Watch – Guardian (band)
- Freedom – White Heart
- Funk-O-Metal Carpet Ride – Electric Boys
- Get Yer Jujus Out – Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey & His Inter-Reformers Band
- Godhead – Lowlife
- Hard Volume – Rollins Band
- Heroes – New Jersey Mass Choir
- Helter Stupid – Negativland
- Human Soul - Graham Parker
- I Can See You – Black Flag
- Immigrant's Daughter – Margaret Becker
- In Your Face – Shout
- Innocent Blood – REZ
- Imagine That - Dennis Seaton
- It's a Jungle Out There! - Mastedon
- Knights of Heaven – Leviticus
- Les Rythmes Automatiques (fr) – Telex
- Liaison – Liaison
- Live ED – Étienne Daho
- Liberation – Bunny Wailer
- Long Way From Paradise – Allies
- Master's Command – Sacred Warrior
- Michigan Rain – Gregg Alexander (debut)
- Modern – Hijokaidan
- Mother Nature's Kitchen – Kevin McDermott
- Night of Rage – Kraut
- No More Blues – Susannah McCorkle
- No Room in the Middle – Greg X. Volz
- Once We Were Scum, Now We Are God – No
- Out of the Darkness – Bloodgood
- Outdoor Elvis – The Swirling Eddies
- The Pledge – DeGarmo and Key
- Powertrip – Ludichrist (final album)
- Prime 5 – Ween
- Rasta Souvenir – Manu Dibango
- Rage of Angels – Rage of Angels
- Sittin' Pretty – The Pastels
- Samiam – Samiam
- Searchlight – Runrig
- Silence is Madness – Bride
- The Singular Adventures of The Style Council: Greatest Hits Vol.1 – The Style Council – (Compilation)
- Smash – One Bad Pig
- Some Disenchanted Evening – The Verlaines
- State of Control – Barren Cross
- Strange Cargo – David Van Tieghem
- Start Today - Gorilla Biscuits
- Strong Medicine – Bryan Duncan
- Tragedy Again – D.I.
- Veuillez rendre l'âme (à qui elle appartient) – Noir Désir
- The Way Home – Russ Taff
- Western Shadows – Carole Laure
- Workbook (album) - Bob Mould
- Wrong – Nomeansno
- You Can Fly – Steven Prince Band
The following songs achieved the highest chart positions in the charts of 1989.
| # | Artist | Title | Year | Country | Chart Entries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madonna | Like a Prayer | 1989 |  | UK 1 – Mar 1989, US BB 1 – Mar 1989, US CashBox 1 of 1989, Sweden 1 – Mar 1989, Switzerland 1 – Mar 1989, Norway 1 – Mar 1989, Poland 1 – Apr 1989, Republic of Ireland 1 – Mar 1989, New Zealand 1 for 2 weeks Apr 1989, Australia 1 for 1 weeks Sep 1989, Netherlands 2 – Mar 1989, Austria 2 – Apr 1989, Australia 2 of 1989, Germany 2 – Mar 1989, France 4 – Mar 1989, Italy 5 of 1989, POP 5 of 1989, RYM 13 of 1989, US BB 14 of 1989, Scrobulate 33 of pop, Europe 49 of the 1980s, Germany 96 of the 1980s, OzNet 161, Rolling Stone 300, Acclaimed 629 |
| 2 | The Bangles | Eternal Flame | 1989 | | UK 1 – Feb 1989, US BB 1 – Feb 1989, Netherlands 1 – Mar 1989, Sweden 1 – Apr 1989, Norway 1 – May 1989, Australia 1 of 1989, Republic of Ireland 1 – Apr 1989, Australia 1 for 1 weeks Oct 1989, Switzerland 2 – May 1989, Austria 3 – May 1989, Germany 5 – May 1989, US CashBox 7 of 1989, France 10 – Feb 1989, US BB 11 of 1989, POP 25 of 1989, Europe 27 of the 1980s, Scrobulate 70 of 80s, RYM 73 of 1989, OzNet 141, Germany 196 of the 1980s |
| 3 | Phil Collins | Another Day in Paradise | 1989 |  | US BB 1 – Nov 1989, Sweden 1 – Nov 1989, Switzerland 1 – Nov 1989, Norway 1 – Nov 1989, Poland 1 – Nov 1989, Germany 1 – Jan 1990, Grammy in 1990, UK 2 – Nov 1989, Netherlands 2 – Oct 1989, Austria 2 – Dec 1989, Italy 3 of 1990, France 9 – Nov 1989, POP 21 of 1989, Europe 60 of the 1980s, Scrobulate 67 of ballad, RYM 133 of 1989, Germany 195 of the 1990s, OzNet 214 |
| 4 | Roxette | The Look | 1989 |  | US BB 1 – Feb 1989, Sweden 1 – Jan 1989, Switzerland 1 – Apr 1989, Norway 1 – Mar 1989, Germany 1 – Apr 1989, Australia 1 for 6 weeks Nov 1989, Netherlands 2 – Mar 1989, Austria 2 – May 1989, Australia 3 of 1989, France 4 – Apr 1989, US CashBox 6 of 1989, UK 7 – Apr 1989, Poland 8 – Apr 1989, Italy 9 of 1989, US BB 21 of 1989, Germany 30 of the 1980s, POP 39 of 1989, RYM 94 of 1989, OzNet 567 |
| 5 | The B-52s | Love Shack | 1989 | | US BB 1 of 1989, Republic of Ireland 1 – Mar 1990, New Zealand 1 for 4 weeks Jan 1990, Australia 1 for 8 weeks Mar 1990, POP 1 of 1989, UK 2 – Mar 1990, KROQ 2 of 1989, US BB 3 – Sep 1989, Party 3 of 2007, France 4 – Oct 1989, Australia 16 of 1990, Netherlands 18 – Dec 1989, Sweden 20 – Mar 1990, RYM 37 of 1989, Scrobulate 61 of 80s, TheQ 238, Rolling Stone 243, RIAA 243, OzNet 311, WXPN 498, Acclaimed 662 |
| Song title | Artist(s) | Release date(s) | US | UK | Highest chart position | Other Chart Performance(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me" | Paula Abdul | September 1989 | 3 | 74 | 3 (US Billboard Hot 100) | See chart performance entry |
| "18 and Life" | Skid Row | June 1989 | 4 | 12 | 4 (US) | See chart performance entry |
| "À la même heure dans deux ans" | Elsa Lunghini | April 1989 | n/a | n/a | 7 (France) | 5 (France Airplay Chart) – 26 (Québec) – 29 (Europe) – 46 (European Airplay Top 50) |
| "After All" | Cher & Peter Cetera | February 1989 | 6 | 84 | 1 (US Adult Contemporary – Billboard) | See chart performance entry |
| "Ain't Nobody Better" | Inner City | April 1989 | n/a | 10 | 1 (US Hot Dance Club Play – Billboard) | See chart performance entry |
| "Ain't Nobody" (Remix) | Chaka Khan & Rufus | June 1989 | n/a | 6 | 6 (UK) | 9 (West Germany) |
| "All Around the World" | Lisa Stansfield | October 1989 | 3 | 1 | 1 (9 Countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "All I Want Is You" | U2 | June 1989 | 83 | 4 | 1 (Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "All She Wants Is" | Duran Duran | December 1988 | 22 | 9 | 2 (Italy) | 1 (European Dance charts) – 1 (Billboard Hot Dance Club Play) – 1 (European Dance charts) – 24 (Billboard Modern Rock Tracks) – 74 (Australia) |
| "Americanos" | Holly Johnson | March 1989 | n/a | 4 | 1 (Austria) | See chart performance entry |
| "Angelia" | Richard Marx | September 1989 | 4 | 45 | 1 (Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "Another Day in Paradise" | Phil Collins | October 1989 | 1 | 2 | 1 (10 Countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "The Arms of Orion" | Prince & Sheena Easton | October 1989 | 36 | 27 | 13 (Netherlands) | See chart performance entry |
| "Around My Heart" | Sandra | March 1989 | n/a | n/a | 11 (Germany) | 19 (Switzerland) – 23 (Austria) – 28 (France) – 44 (Europe) |
| "Atomic City" | Holly Johnson | June 1989 | n/a | 18 | 9 (Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Baby Don't Forget My Number" | Milli Vanilli | January 1989 | 1 | 16 | 1 (United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Baby I Don't Care" | Transvision Vamp | March 1989 | n/a | 6 | 3 (Scotland) | 3 (Australia) - 14 (Ireland) - 24 (Europe) |
| "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)" | Soul II Soul | May 1989 | 4 | 1 | 1 (Europe, Holland, Netherlands) | See chart performance entry |
| "Batdance" | Prince | June 1989 | 1 | 2 | 1 (6 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "Bakerman” | Laid Back | 1989 | n/a | 44 | 1 (Austria) | 9 (West Germany) – 10 (Switzerland) – 13 (Sweden) – 20 (Holland) – 27 (Belgium) |
| "The Beat(en) Generation" | The The | April 1989 | n/a | 18 | 4 (New Zealand) | 8 (Ireland) - 13 (US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks) - 50 (Australia) - 82 (Germany) |
| "Bedroom Eyes" | Kate Ceberano | April 1989 | n/a | n/a | 2 (Australia) | 38 (New Zealand) |
| "Belfast Child" | Simple Minds | February 1989 | n/a | 1 | 1 (5 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "The Best" | Tina Turner | August 1989 | 15 | 5 | 2 (Austria, Belgium, Canada, Portugal) | See chart performance entry |
| "The Best of Me" | Cliff Richard | May 1989 | n/a | 2 | 2 (Ireland, United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "Black Velvet" | Alannah Myles | October 1989 | 1 | 2 | 4 (4 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "Blame It on the Boogie" | Big Fun | July 1989 | n/a | 4 | 4 (UK Singles Chart) | See chart performance entry |
| "Blame It on the Rain" | Milli Vanilli | July 1989 | 1 | 52 | 1 (United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Blow the House Down" | Living in a Box | June 1989 | n/a | 10 | 10 (United Kingdom, Holland) | 12 (Belgium, Ireland) – 15 (Sweden) – 26 (Switzerland) – 28 (Germany) – 166 (Australia) |
| "Blues from a Gun" | The Jesus and Mary Chain | September 1989 | n/a | 32 | 1 (US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks) | |
| "Breakthru" | Queen | June 1989 | n/a | 7 | 4 (Netherlands) | See chart performance entry |
| "Bring Me Edelweiss" | Edelweiss | April 1989 | n/a | 5 | 1 (6 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "Buffalo Stance" | Neneh Cherry | January 1989 | 3 | 3 | 2 (Greece, Switzerland, West Germany) | See chart performance entry |
| "Bust a Move" | Young MC | May 1989 | 7 | 73 | 1 (Australia) | See chart performance entry |
| "Can't Shake the Feeling" | Big Fun | November 1989 | n/a | 8 | 7 (Irish Single Charts) | See chart performance entry |
| "Chained to the Wheel" | The Black Sorrows | January 1989 | n/a | n/a | 9 (Australia) | 42 (New Zealand) |
| "Cherish" | Madonna | August 1989 | 2 | 3 | 1 (Canada, US Adult Contemporary) | See chart performance entry |
| "Crying in the Chapel" | Peter Blakeley | November 1989 | n/a | n/a | 3 (Australia) | 7 (New Zealand) - 57 (West Germany) |
| "Cold Hearted" | Paula Abdul | June 1989 | 1 | 46 | 1 (US Billboard Hot 100) | See chart performance entry |
| "Cover Girl" | New Kids on the Block | August 1989 | 2 | 4 | 2 (United States) | 4 (Canada Top Singles) – 6 (Irish Singles Chart) – 11 (Europe) – 17 (New Zealand) – 22 (Australia) |
| "Dançando Lambada" | Kaoma | 1989 | 93 | 62 | 2 (Finland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind)" | New Kids on the Block | November 1989 | 8 | 8 | 8 (US Billboard 100) | 6 (Irish Singles Chart) - 17 (Canada Top Singles) |
| "Dirty Cash (Money Talks)" | The Adventures of Stevie V | December 1989 | 25 | 2 | 1 (Canada, Netherlands) | See chart performance entry |
| "Dear Jessie" | Madonna | December 1989 | n/a | 5 | 3 (Irish Singles Chart) | See chart performance entry |
| "Do They Know It's Christmas?" | Band Aid II | December 1989 | n/a | 1 | 1 (UK, Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Do You Believe in Shame?" | Duran Duran | April 1989 | 72 | 30 | 14 (Italy) | 22 (Finland) - 41 (Dutch Single Top 100) - 88 (Canada) |
| "The Doctor" | The Doobie Brothers | May 1989 | 9 | 73 | 9 (United States) | 1 (US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks) - 14 (Canada) - 31 (US Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 32 (Australia) - 37 (Netherlands) |
| "Don't Ask Me Why" | Eurythmics | October 1989 | 40 | 25 | 2 (Netherlands) | See chart performance entry |
| "Don't Close Your Eyes" | Kix | May 1989 | 11 | n/a | 16 (US Mainstream Rock [Billboard] | n/a |
| "Don't Know Much" | Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville | September 1989 | 2 | 2 | 1 (Ireland) | See Chart Performance entry |
| "Don't Wanna Lose You" | Gloria Estefan | June 1989 | 1 | 6 | 1 (US Billboard Hot 100, Canada Adult Contemporary,US Hot Latin Songs [Billboard]) | See chart performance entry |
| "Dr. Feelgood" | Mötley Crüe | September 1989 | 6 | 50 | 11 (New Zealand) | See chart performance entry |
| "Drama!" | Erasure | September 1989 | n/a | 4 | 3 (Denmark) | See chart performance entry |
| "Dressed for Success" | Roxette | July 1989 | 14 | 18 | 2 (Sweden) | See chart performance entry |
| "Easy" | Ice MC | 1989 | n/a | n/a | 2 (Spain) | 3 (West Germany) - 4 (Switzerland) - 7 (Austria) - 17 (France) - 18 (Europe) |
| "Electric Youth" | Debbie Gibson | April 1989 | 11 | 14 | 5 (Netherlands) | See chart performance entry |
| "The End of the Innocence" | Don Henley | June 1989 | 8 | 48 | 3 (Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "Especially for You" | Jason Donovan & Kylie Minogue | January 1989 | n/a | 1 | 1 (UK, Ireland, Europe) | See chart performance entry |
| "Eternal Flame" | The Bangles | January 1989 | 1 | 1 | 9 countries | See chart performance entry |
| "Everlasting Love" | Howard Jones | January 1989 | 12 | 62 | 12 (United States) | 1 (US Adult Contemporary) - 19 (US Modern Rock Tracks) - 91 (Australia) |
| "Every Day (I Love You More)" | Jason Donovan | August 1989 | n/a | 2 | 1 (Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Every Little Step" | Bobby Brown | February 1989 | 3 | 6 | 3 (United States | See chart performance entry |
| "Express Yourself" | Madonna | May 1989 | 2 | 5 | 4 (countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "Ferry Cross the Mersey" | Charity record for The Hillsborough Disaster Fund | May 1989 | n/a | 1 | 1 (United Kingdom, Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Fight the Power" | Public Enemy | July 1989 | n/a | 29 | 29 (United States) | 1 (US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard)) - 3 (US Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)) - 20 (US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)) - 30 (Netherlands) |
| "First Time" | Robin Beck | July 1989 | n/a | 1 | 1 (10 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "Fisherman's Blues" | The Waterboys | January 1989 | n/a | 32 | 13 (Ireland) | 3 (US Alternative Airplay [Billboard] - 20 (New Zealand) |
| "Fools Gold" | The Stone Roses | November 1989 | n/a | 9 | 8 (Netherlands) | See chart performance entry |
| "Forever" | Kiss | January 1989 | 8 | 65 | 8 (United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Forever Your Girl" | Paula Abdul | 1989 | 1 | 24 | 1 (Canada, United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Free Fallin'" | Tom Petty | February 1989 | 7 | 59 | 4 (New Zealand) | See chart performance entry |
| "French Kiss" | Lil Louis | July 1989 | 50 | 2 | 1 (Netherlands) | See chart performance entry |
| "Friends" | Jody Watley | April 1989 | 9 | 21 | 8 | See chart performance entry |
| "Funky Cold Medina" | Tone Lōc | March 1989 | 3 | 13 | 3 (New Zealand, United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Get On Your Feet" | Gloria Estefan | September 1989 | 11 | 23 | 5 (Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Girl I'm Gonna Miss You" | Milli Vanilli | July 1989 | 1 | 1 | 1 (6 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "Good Life" | Inner City | January 1989 | 73 | 4 | 1 (Finland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Going Back to My Roots" | FPI Project | November 1989 | n/a | 9 | 5 (Austria, West Germany) | See chart performance entry |
| "Got to Get" | Rob'n'Raz & Leila K | November 1989 | 48 | 8 | 1 (Iceland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Got to Have Your Love" | Mantronix & Wondress | December 1989 | 82 | 4 | 4 (UK) | See chart performance entry |
| "Gringo" | Sabrina | July 1989 | n/a | 95 | 9 (Finland) | 10 (Italy) - 10 (Spain) |
| "Hand on Your Heart" | Kylie Minogue | April 1989 | n/a | 1 | 1 (UK, Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Hangin' Tough" | New Kids on the Block | July 1989 | 1 | 1 | 1 (UK, US, Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Harlem Desire" | London Boys | September 1989 | n/a | 17 | 6 (Ireland) | n/a |
| "Have I Told You Lately" | Van Morrison | June 1989 | n/a | 74 | 12 (Ireland) | 12 (US Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 93 (Australia) |
| "Heaven" | Warrant | July 1989 | 2 | 93 | 2 (US) | See chart performance entry |
| "Heaven Help Me" | Deon Estus | April 1989 | 5 | 41 | 4 (Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "Hélène" | Roch Voisine | November 1989 | n/a | n/a | 1 (France, Québec) | 3 (Belgium, Norway) - 5 (Europe) - 9 (Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Chart) - 57 (Canadian RPM Top 100 Chart) |
| "Help!" | Bananarama & Lananeeneenoonoo | February 1989 | n/a | 3 | 2 (Finland, Ireland, Sweden) | See chart performance entry |
| "Hold Me In Your Arms" | Rick Astley | January 1989 | n/a | 10 | 7 (Ireland, Finland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Homely Girl" | UB40 | November 1989 | n/a | 6 | 2 (Netherlands) | See chart performance entry |
| "I Beg Your Pardon" | Kon Kan | February 1989 | 15 | 5 | 3 (Netherlands) | See chart performance entry |
| "I Don't Wanna Get Hurt" | Donna Summer | May 1989 | n/a | 7 | 3 (Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "I Don't Wanna Lose You" | Tina Turner | November 1989 | n/a | 8 | 8 (United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "I Don't Want a Lover" | Texas | January 1989 | 77 | 8 | 3 (Switzerland) | See chart performance entry |
| "I Drove All Night" | Cyndi Lauper | April 1989 | 6 | 7 | 6 | See chart performance entry |
| "I Feel the Earth Move" | Martika | August 1989 | 25 | 7 | 2 (Australia) | See chart performance entry |
| "I Just Don't Have the Heart" | Cliff Richard | August 1989 | n/a | 3 | 3 (United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "I Like It" | Dino | 1989 | 7 | n/a | 7 (United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "I Only Wanna Be With You" | Samantha Fox | January 1989 | 31 | 16 | 1 (Belgium) | See chart performance entry |
| "I Remember You" | Skid Row | November 1989 | 6 | 36 | 2 (New Zealand) | See chart performance entry |
| "I Want It All" | Queen | May 1989 | 50 | 3 | 2 (Netherlands) | See chart performance entry |
| "I Want That Man" | Deborah Harry | September 1989 | n/a | 13 | 2 (Australia) | See chart performance entry |
| "I'd Rather Jack" | The Reynolds Girls | April 1989 | n/a | 8 | 6 (Finland, Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" | New Kids on the Block | April 1989 | 1 | 5 | 1 (United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "I'll Be There for You" | Bon Jovi | April 1989 | 1 | 18 | 1 (United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "If I Could Turn Back Time" | Cher | July 1989 | 3 | 6 | 1 (Australia) | See chart performance entry |
| "If Only I Could" | Sydney Youngblood | 1989 | n/a | 3 | 1 (Belgium) | See chart performance entry |
| "If Tomorrow Never Comes" | Garth Brooks | August 1989 | n/a | 1 | 6 countries | See chart performance entry |
| "If You Don't Know Me by Now" | Simply Red | March 1989 | 1 | 2 | 1 (Australia, New Zealand, United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "I'm Every Woman" (Remix) | Chaka Khan | 1989 | n/a | 8 | 8 (United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "In Private" | Dusty Springfield | November 1989 | n/a | 14 | 2 (Belgium) | See chart performance entry |
| "The Invisible Man" | Queen | August 1989 | n/a | 12 | 4 (Netherlands) | See chart performance entry |
| "It's Alright" | Pet Shop Boys | June 1989 | n/a | 5 | 3 (West Germany) | See chart performance entry |
| "It's Only Love" | Simply Red | January 1989 | 28 | 12 | 7 (Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Jamais nous" | Elsa Lunghini | September 1989 | n/a | n/a | 10 (France) | 15 (Québec) = 41 (Europe) |
| "Janie's Got a Gun" | Aerosmith | November 1989 | 4 | 76 | 1 (Australia) | See chart performance entry |
| "Jardins d'enfants" | Début de Soirée | June 1989 | n/a | n/a | 5 (France) | 14 (Finland) - 16 (France) - 24 (Europe) |
| "Je te survivrai" | Jean-Pierre François | June 1989 | n/a | n/a | 2 (France) | 12 (Europe) - 39 (Québec) |
| "Johnny, Johnny Come Home" | Avalanche | 1989 | n/a | n/a | 1 (France) | 2 (Europe) - 3 (France, Norway) |
| "Just A Friend" | Biz Markie | 1989 | 9 | 55 | 0 (United States) | 9 (U.S. Hot Rap Singles - Billboard) - 37 (U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks - Billboard) - 66 (Canada) |
| "Keep On Movin'" | Soul II Soul | March 1989 | 11 | 5 | 5 (United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "Kickstart My Heart" | Mötley Crüe | November 1989 | 27 | n/a | 27 (United Kingdom) | 18 (U.S. Mainstream Rock - Billboard) - 31 (New Zealand) - 34 (Australia) |
| "Kisses on the Wind" | Neneh Cherry | August 1989 | 8 | 20 | 4 (Finland) | See chart performance entry |
| "The Look" | Roxette | January 1989 | 1 | 7 | 1 (10 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "Looking for Freedom" | David Hasselhoff | January 1989 | n/a | n/a | 1 (Austria, West Germany, Switzerland) | 4 (Europe) - 12 (France) - 18 (Belgium) - 22 (Netherlands - Dutch Top 40) - 31 (Netherlands) |
| "La Vie la nuit" | Début de Soirée | January 1989 | n/a | n/a | 2 (France) | 3 (Belgium - Wallonia) - 3 (Québec) - 9 (Europe) - 32 (Belgium - Flanders) |
| "Lambada" | Kaoma | July 1989 | 46 | 4 | 1 (14 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "Lay Your Hands on Me" | Bon Jovi | August 1989 | 7 | 18 | 7 (United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Lean on You" | Cliff Richard | October 1989 | n/a | 17 | 10 (Ireland) | 60 (Germany) - 66 (Netherlands) |
| "Leave a Light On" | Belinda Carlisle | September 1989 | 11 | 4 | 4 (Austria, Ireland, United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "Leave Me Alone" | Michael Jackson | February 1989 | n/a | 2 | 1 (Greece, Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Let's Party" | Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers | December 1989 | n/a | 1 | 1 (United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "Liberian Girl" | Michael Jackson | July 1989 | n/a | 13 | 1 (Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Licence to Kill" | Gladys Knight | May 1989 | n/a | 6 | 1 (Sweden) | See chart performance entry |
| "Like a Prayer" | Madonna | March 1989 | 1 | 1 | (20 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "Like a Yo-Yo" | Sabrina | February 1989 | n/a | 72 | 1 (Finland) | 2 (Denmark) - 10 (Spain) - 13 (Italy) - 32 (Europe) |
| "Lily Was Here" | Dave Stewart & Candy Dulfer | 1989 | 11 | 6 | 1 (Netherlands) | See chart performance entry |
| "Listen to Your Heart" | Roxette | October 1989 | 8 | 13 | 2 (Czech Republic) | See chart performance entry |
| "Living in Sin" | Bon Jovi | October 1989 | 9 | 35 | 9 (United States) | 9 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 20 (Switzerland) - 37 (U.S.Billboard Album Rock Tracks) - 64 (Australia) |
| "The Living Years" | Mike + The Mechanics | January 1989 | 1 | 2 | 1 (5 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "London Nights" | London Boys | June 1989 | n/a | 2 | 1 (Finland) | 4 (Ireland) - 6 (Europe) - 9 (Switzerland) - 24 (West Germany) |
| "Losing My Mind" | Liza Minnelli | August 1989 | n/a | 6 | 2 (Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Lost in Your Eyes" | Debbie Gibson | January 1989 | 1 | 34 | 1 (Canada, United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Love in an Elevator" | Aerosmith | August 1989 | 5 | 13 | 5 (United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Love in the Natural Way" | Kim Wilde | February 1989 | n/a | 32 | 26 (Ireland) | 63 (Netherlands [Single Top 100]) |
| "Love is a Shield" | Camouflage | April 1989 | n/a | n/a | 9 (West Germany) | 11 (Austria) - 29 (Switzerland) - 23 (US Alternative Airplay - Billboard) - 35 (US Dance Club Songs - Billboard) |
| "Love Shack" | The B-52's | June 1989 | 3 | 2 | 1 (Australia, Ireland, New Zealand) | See chart performance entry |
| "Love Song" | Tesla | August 1989 | 10 | n/a | 10 (US) | n/a |
| "Love Train" | Holly Johnson | November 1989 | 65 | 4 | 4 (UK, West Germany) | See chart performance entry |
| "Lullaby" | The Cure | August 1989 | 74 | 18 | 2 (US) | See chart performance entry |
| "Magic Symphony" | Blue System | September 1989 | n/a | n/a | 21 (Switzerland) | 10 (Media Control Charts) - 23 (Austria) |
| "Manchild" | Neneh Cherry | May 1989 | n/a | 5 | 2 (West Germany) | See chart performance entry |
| "Marina" (Remix '89) | Rocco Granata & The Carnations | 1989 | n/a | n/a | 1 (Belgium, Italy, Germany) | n/a |
| "Me, Myself and I" | De La Soul | April 1989 | 34 | 22 | 1 (Netherlands) | See chart performance entry |
| "Me So Horny" | 2 Live Crew | January 1989 | 26 | n/a | 1 (Netherlands) | See chart performance entry |
| "The Miracle" | Queen | November 1989 | n/a | 21 | 16 (Netherlands - Single Top 100) - 20 (Netherlands - Dutch Top 40) | 23 (Ireland) - 28 (Belgium) - 78 (West Germany) |
| "Mirador" | Johnny Hallyday | June 1989 | n/a | n/a | 3 (France) | 1 (France - Airplay Chart [Am Stations]) - 16 (Europe - Eurochart Hot 100) - 22 (Europe - European Airplay Top 50) |
| "Miss You Like Crazy" | Natalie Cole | March 1989 | 7 | 2 | 2 (United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "Miss You Much" | Janet Jackson | August 1989 | 1 | 22 | 1 (United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Mixed Emotions" | The Rolling Stones | August 1989 | 5 | 26 | 1 (Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "My Brave Face" | Paul McCartney | May 1989 | 25 | 18 | 1 (Japan) | See chart performance entry |
| "Name and Number" | Curiosity Killed the Cat | September 1989 | n/a | 14 | 13 (Italy) | See chart performance entry |
| "No More Bolero's" | Gerard Joling | 1989 | n/a | n/a | 1 | n/a |
| "No More Lies" | Michel'le | October 1989 | 7 | 78 | 7 (United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Oh Father" | Madonna | October 1989 | 20 | n/a | 6 (Italy) | See chart performance entry |
| "On Our Own" | Bobby Brown | April 1989 | 2 | 4 | 1 (New Zealand) | See chart performance entry |
| "Once Bitten Twice Shy" | Great White | 1989 | 5 | 83 | 5 | 6 (U.S. Mainstream Rock - Billboard) - 11 (Canada) |
| "One" | Bee Gees | June 1989 | 7 | 71 | 7 (Argentina, United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "One" | Metallica | January 1989 | 35 | 13 | 1 (Finland) | See chart performance entry |
| "One Summer" | Daryl Braithwaite | January 1989 | n/a | n/a | 4 (Sweden) | 5 (Norway) – 8 (Australia) |
| "Open Letter (To a Landlord)" | Living Colour | February 1989 | 82 | n/a | 11 (New Zealand) | 11 (U.S. Mainstream Rock - Billboard) |
| "Orange Crush" | R.E.M. | January 1989 | n/a | 28 | 5 (New Zealand) | 1 (U.S. Modern Rock Tracks - Billboard; U.S. Mainstream Rock - Billboard) - 15 (Australia) - 21 (Ireland) |
| "The Other Side" | Aerosmith | June 1989 | 22 | 46 | 22 (United States) | 1 (U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks - Billboard) - 73 (Australia) |
| "Pacific State" | 808 State | November 1989 | n/a | 10 | 10 (United Kingdom) | 82 (Australia) |
| "Paradise City" | Guns N' Roses | January 1989 | 5 | 6 | 4 (New Zealand) | 4 (UK UK Independent Singles) - 21 (Scotland) - 35 (Australia) - 40 (Sweden) - 90 (Europe) |
| "Partyman" | Prince | August 1989 | 18 | 14 | 9 (Finland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Patience" | Guns N' Roses | April 1989 | 4 | 10 | 2 (Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Personal Jesus" | Depeche Mode | September 1989 | 28 | 13 | 3 (Italy, Spain) | See chart performance entry |
| "Poison" | Alice Cooper | July 1989 | 7 | 2 | 2 (New Zealand, United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "Pop Singer" | John Mellencamp | April 1989 | 15 | 93 | 1 (Canada, New Zealand) | See chart performance entry |
| "Pour toi Arménie" | Charles Aznavour | February 1989 | n/a | n/a | 1 (France) | 3 (Belgium) - 4 (Europe) |
| "Pump ab das Bier" | Werner Wichtig | October 1989 | n/a | n/a | 1 (West Germany) | 3 (Austria) - 3 (Switzerland) |
| "Pump Up the Jam" | Technotronic | August 1989 | 2 | 2 | (7 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "Real Love" | Jody Watley | March 1989 | 2 | 31 | 2 (United States, Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "Revival" | Eurythmics | August 1989 | n/a | 26 | 7 (Sweden) | See chart performance entry |
| "Rhythm Nation" | Janet Jackson | October 1989 | 2 | 23 | 2 (Canada, United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Ride On Time" | Black Box | July 1989 | n/a | 1 | 1 (Iceland, Ireland, United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "Right Back Where We Started From" | Sinitta | May 1989 | 84 | 4 | 2 (New Zealand) | See chart performance entry |
| "Right Here Waiting" | Richard Marx | July 1989 | 1 | 2 | 1 (5 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "Ring My Bell" | Collette | February 1989 | n/a | 93 | 4 (New Zealand) | 5 (Australia) |
| "The Road to Hell" | Chris Rea | October 1989 | n/a | 10 | 6 (Austria) | See chart performance entry |
| "Roam" | The B-52's | December 1989 | 3 | 17 | 2 (New Zealand) | See chart performance entry |
| "Rocket" | Def Leppard | February 1989 | 12 | 15 | 5 (Ireland, New Zealand) | 14 (Canada) - 15 (Australia, United Kingdom) |
| "Rock On" | Michael Damian | March 1989 | 1 | n/a | 1 (Canada, United States) | 1 (U.S. Cash Top 100) - 45 (Germany) - 52 (Australia) |
| "Rock Wit'cha" | Bobby Brown | August 1989 | 7 | 33 | 7 (United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Roni" | Bobby Brown | 1989 | 3 | 21 | 1 (United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Room in Your Heart" | Living in a Box | September 1989 | n/a | 5 | 5 (United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "Room to Move" | Animotion | February 1989 | 9 | 87 | 9 (United States) | 21 (Canada) |
| "Round & Round" | New Order | February 1989 | 64 | 21 | 10 (Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Runnin' Down a Dream" | Tom Petty | July 1989 | 23 | 55 | 23 (United States, Canada) | 1 (US Billboard Album Rock Tracks) - 68 (Australia) |
| "Satisfied" | Richard Marx | April 1989 | 1 | 52 | 1 (United States | 2 (Canada) - 5 (US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks) - 20 (Australia) - 25 (Netherlands (Single Top 100)) - 42 (West Germany) |
| "Say Goodbye" | Indecent Obsession | May 1989 | n/a | n/a | 6 (Australia) | n/a |
| "Scandal" | Queen | October 1989 | n/a | 25 | 12 (Netherlands) | 14 (Irish) - 16 (Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)) - 29 (Belgium) |
| "Sealed With a Kiss" | Jason Donovan | May 1989 | n/a | 1 | 1 (Ireland, United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "Second Chance" | 38 Special | February 1989 | 6 | n/a | 2 (Canadian) | See chart performance entry |
| "She Drives Me Crazy" | Fine Young Cannibals | January 1989 | 1 | 5 | (6 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "She Has to Be Loved" | Jenny Morris | August 1989 | n/a | n/a | 3 (New Zealand) | 5 (Australia) |
| "Shower Me with Your Love" | Surface | June 1989 | 5 | n/a | n/a | 1 (US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)) - 3 (US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)) - 5 (US Cash Box) |
| "Sit and Wait" | Sydney Youngblood | September 1989 | n/a | 16 | 2 (Austria, Sweden, West Germany) | See chart performance entry |
| "So Alive" | Love and Rockets | May 1989 | 3 | 79 | 1 (Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart" | Marc Almond & Gene Pitney | January 1989 | n/a | 1 | 1 (5 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "Sowing the Seeds of Love" | Tears for Fears | August 1989 | 1 | 1 | 1 (5 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "Stand" | R.E.M. | January 1989 | 6 | 48 | 8 (Canada) | 1 (US Alternative Airplay (Billboard), US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)) - 17 (Ireland) - 56 (Australia) |
| "Stop!" | Sam Brown | May 1989 | 65 | 4 | 1 (Belgium, Iceland, Netherlands [Dutch Top 40], Norway) | See chart performance entry |
| "Straight Up" | Paula Abdul | January 1989 | 1 | 3 | 1 (United States, Norway, Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "Street Tuff" | Rebel MC & Double Trouble | October 1989 | n/a | 3 | 3 (Greece, Netherlands, United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "Stuck On You" | Paul Norton | March 1989 | n/a | n/a | 3 (Australia) | 33 (New Zealand) |
| "Sweet Surrender" | Wet Wet Wet | September 1989 | n/a | 6 | 1 (Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Swing the Mood" | Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers | June 1989 | 11 | 1 | 1 (15 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "Talk It Over" | Grayson Hugh | June 1989 | 19 | n/a | 3 (New Zealand) | 4 (Australia) - 9 (US Adult Contemporary [Billboard]) |
| "Telephone Booth" | Ian Moss | June 1989 | n/a | n/a | 7 (Australia) | 29 (New Zealand) |
| "Tell It Like It Is" | Don Johnson | January 1989 | n/a | 84 | 2 (Germany) | 6 (France, Netherlands, Switzerland) - 13 (Austria) |
| "Tell Me Why" | Exposé | December 1989 | 9 | 97 | 15 (Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "That's What I Like" | Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers | October 1989 | 69 | 1 | 1 (Ireland, Spain, United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "This Is Your Land" | Simple Minds | April 1989 | n/a | 13 | 6 (Ireland, Netherlands) | See chart performance entry |
| "This One's for the Children" | New Kids on the Block | October 1989 | 7 | 9 | 7 (Ireland, United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "This Time I Know It's for Real" | Donna Summer | February 1989 | 7 | 3 | 2 (Belgium) | See chart performance entry |
| "This Woman's Work" | Kate Bush | November 1989 | n/a | 25 | 20 (Ireland) | 89 (Australia) See chart performance entry |
| "Too Many Broken Hearts" | Jason Donovan | February 1989 | n/a | 1 | 1 (Ireland, United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "Too Much" | Bros | July 1989 | n/a | 2 | 1 (Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Tucker's Daughter" | Ian Moss | November 1989 | n/a | n/a | 2 (Australia) | 6 (New Zealand) |
| "Veronica" | Elvis Costello | February 1989 | 19 | 31 | 19 (United States) | 1 (US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)) - 10 (US Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart) - 22 (Ireland) - 27 (Australian) - 54 (Dutch Single Top 100) - 64 (Canada) |
| "Way of the World" | Max Q | September 1989 | n/a | 87 | 5 (New Zealand) | 6 (US Alternative Airplay – Billboard) – 8 (Australia) – 44 (US Dance Charts) |
| "The Way to Your Heart" | Soulsister | February 1989 | 41 | n/a | 3 (Belgium) | 4 (Germany) - 6 (Austria) - 8 (Switzerland, Netherlands) |
| "We Didn't Start the Fire" | Billy Joel | September 1989 | 1 | 7 | 1 (United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "What I Am" | Edie Brickell & New Bohemians | November 1988 | 7 | 31 | 1 (Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "What You Don't Know" | Exposé | May 1989 | 8 | 99 | 8 (United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "When I Looked at Him" | Exposé | 1989 | 10 | n/a | 5 (Netherlands - Single Top 100) | See chart performance entry |
| "When I See You Smile" | Bad English | August 1989 | 1 | 61 | 1 (Canada, United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "When Love Comes to Town" | U2 & B.B. King | April 1989 | 68 | 6 | 1 (Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "When the Night Comes" | Joe Cocker | November 1989 | 11 | 65 | 7 (Switzerland) | 12 (US Adult Contemporary) - 6 (US Mainstream Rock) - 23 (Canada) - 50 (Australia) - 25 (Austria) - 7 (Switzerland) - 29 (Netherlands) |
| "When You Come Back to Me" | Jason Donovan | November 1989 | n/a | 2 | 1 (Finland, Ireland) | See chart performance entry |
| "Whenever God Shines His Light" | Van Morrison & Cliff Richard | November 1989 | n/a | 20 | 3 (Ireland) | n/a |
| "Wild Thing" | Tone Loc | October 1989 | 2 | 21 | 1 (New Zealand) | See chart performance entry |
| "Wind Beneath My Wings" | Bette Midler | February 1989 | 1 | 5 | 1 (Australia, United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "With Every Beat of My Heart" | Taylor Dayne | October 1989 | 5 | 53 | 5 (Canada, United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Woman in Chains" | Tears For Fears | November 1989 | 36 | 26 | 11 (Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "Wouldn't Change a Thing" | Kylie Minogue | July 1989 | n/a | 2 | 2 (UK) | See chart performance entry |
| "Y'a pas que les grands qui rêvent" | Melody | August 1989 | n/a | n/a | 2 (France) | 12 (Europe) |
| "You Got It" | Roy Orbison | January 1989 | 33 | n/a | 3 (Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" | New Kids on the Block | November 1989 | 3 | 1 | 1 (Australia, Spain, United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "You'll Never Stop Me Loving You" | Sonia | June 1989 | n/a | 1 | 1 (Europe, Ireland, United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "Young Years" | Dragon | April 1989 | n/a | n/a | 13 (New Zealand) | 18 (Australia) |
| "Your Mama Don't Dance" | Poison | February 1989 | 4 | n/a | 4 (US Billboard Hot 100) | See chart performance entry |
Other Chart hit singles
- "And the Night Stood Still" – Dion (# 75 US)
- "Belye Rozy" – Laskoviy Mai
- "Blush" - The Hummingbirds (# 19 Australia)
- "Carma (Omen 2)" – Mysterious Art
- "Casser la voix" - Patrick Bruel
- "C Day" - Confetti's
- "Cœur de loup" - Philippe Lafontaine
- "The Crack-Up" – The Black Sorrows (# 40 Australia)
- "Come Anytime" - Hoodoo Gurus (# 27 Australia) - (# 1 US Modern Rock Tracks - Billboard)
- "Communication" – John Farnham and Danni'Elle (# 13 Australia)
- "Compulsory Hero" – 1927 (# 14 Australia)
- "Cry in Shame" – Johnny Diesel and the Injectors (# 10 Australia)
- "Das Omen (Teil 1)" – Mysterious Art
- "Dumb Things" - Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls (# 36 Australia - # 17 US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks)
- "Eve of the War" (Ben Liebrand Remix)" - Jeff Wayne
- French Kiss" - Honesty 69
- "House of Cards" - James Reyne (# 17 Australia)
- "If I Ever Fall in Love Again" – Anne Murray (# 6 Canada Adult Contemporary - # 9 Canada Country Tracks - # 28 US Hot Country Songs Billboard)
- "I Get the Job Done" – Big Daddy Kane
- "Iko Iko" - The Belle Stars
- "It's Alright" - Gyan (# 49 Australia)
- "It's Only Love" - Simply Red
- "Killin' Time" – Clint Black (# 1 Canada Country Tracks - # 1 US Hot Country Songs Billboard)
- "Let Me Be" - Daryl Braithwaite (# 26 Australia)
- "London Kid" – Jean Michel Jarre & Hank Marvin
- "Lookin' for Love" – Johnny Diesel and the Injectors (# 28 Australia)
- "Nothing Has Been Proved" – Dusty Springfield (# 16 UK)
- "Onion Skin" – Boom Crash Opera (# 11 Australia)
- "Rich in Paradise" - FPI Project
- "Say Goodbye" - Indecent Obsession (# 6 Australia)
- "Simple Man" - Noiseworks (# 47 Australia)
- "Soldier of Love" – Donny Osmond (# 57 US - # 66 Canada)
- "Soul Revival" – Johnny Diesel and the Injectors (# 9 Australia)
- "The World Seems Difficult" – Mental As Anything (# 19 Australia)
- "Wait" - Gyan (# 14 Australia)
- "What the World Is Waiting For" - The Stone Roses
- "Where are you now" - Jimmy Harnen w/ Synch (# 10 United States, # 3 US Adult Contemporary [Billboard])
- "Winning It All" - The Outfield (# 94 Canada - # 104 US Cash Box Top 100)
- "You'll Never Know" – 1927 (# 15 Australia)
- "You're History" - Shakespears Sister
| Song title | Artist(s) | Release date(s) | Other Chart Performance(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| "A Girl Like You" | The Smithereens | October 1989 | 2 (US Mainstream Rock [Billboard]) - 3 (US Alternative Airplay [Billboard]) - 38 (US Billboard Hot 100) - 62 (Canada Top Singles) |
| "The Beat(en) Generation" | The The | April 1989 | 4 (New Zealand) - 8 (Ireland) - 13 (US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks) - 18 (UK Singles Chart) - 50 (Australia) - 82 (Germany) |
| "Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos" | Public Enemy | 1989 | 11 (U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Singles) - 86 (U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks) |
| "Blow at High Dough" | The Tragically Hip | April 1989 | 1 (Canada Content) - 48 (Canada) |
| "Blues from a Gun" | The Jesus and Mary Chain | September 1989 | 1 (US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks) - 32 (UK Singles Chart) |
| "Can't Be Sure" | The Sundays | May 1989 | 45 (UK Singles Chart) - 74 (Australia) |
| "Closer to Fine" | Indigo Girls | July 1989 |
23 (US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks) - 48 (US Billboard Mainstream Rock) - 52 (US Billboard Hot 100) - 53 (Canada) - 57 (Australia) |
| "Come Anytime" | Hoodoo Gurus | January 1989 | 1 (US Billboard Modern Tracks) - 45 (Australia) - 1 (US Modern Rock Tracks [Billboard]) |
| "Dirty Blvd." | Lou Reed | January 1989 | 1 (US Modern Rock Tracks [Billboard]) - 18 (US Billboard Mainstream Rock) - 45 (Australia) |
| "Dizzy" | Throwing Muses | February 1989 | 8 (US Billboard Modern Tracks) - 85 (United Kingdom) |
| "Fight the Power" | Public Enemy | July 1989 | See chart entry performance |
| "God Is a Bullet" | Concrete Blonde | July 1989 | 15 (US Modern Rock Tracks [Billboard]) - 49 (US Mainstream Rock [Billboard]) - 146 (Australia) - 76 (Triple J Hottest 100, 1990 [Australia]) |
| "Happy Birthday" | Concrete Blonde | May 1989 | 81 (Australia) - 82 (Canada) |
| "Head On" | The Jesus and Mary Chain | November 1989 | 2 (US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks) - 57 (UK Singles Chart) - 102 (Australia) |
| "Here Comes Your Man" | Pixies | June 1989 | 3 (US Alternative Airplay - Billboard) - 54 (UK Singles Charts) - 11 (New Zealand) - 11 (US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks) - 32 (Europe) |
| "I'll Be You" | The Replacements | April 1989 | 1 (US Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart) - 1 (US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks) - 51 (US Billboard Hot 100) - 92 (Canada) |
| "Info Freako" | Jesus Jones | February 1989 | 42 (UK Singles Chart) - 45 (Triple J Hottest 100, 1990 [Australia]) |
| "Interesting Drug" | Morrissey | April 1989 | 4 (Ireland) - 9 (UK Singles Chart) |
| "The Last of the Famous International Playboys" | Morrissey | January 1989 | 3 (US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks) - 6 (UK Singles Chart) |
| "Made of Stone" | The Stone Roses | March 1989 | 90 (UK Singles Chart) |
| "Mayor of Simpleton" | XTC | January 1989 | 1 (US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks) - 15 (US Billboard Mainstream Rock) - 42 (Canada) - 46 (UK Singles Chart) - 89 (Australia) |
| "Monkey Gone to Heaven" | Pixies | March 1989 | 5 (US Alternative Airplay - Billboard) - 60 (UK Singles Charts) |
| "Nightmares" | Violent Femmes | 1989 | 4 (US Modern Rock Tracks - Billboard) - 146 (Australia) |
| "Ouija Board, Ouija Board" | Morrissey | November 1989 | 2 (US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks) - 4 (Ireland) - 18 (UK Singles Chart) - 28 (New Zealand) - 58 (Europe) |
| "Pop Song 89" | R.E.M. | May 1989 | 14 (US Mainstream Rock [Billboard]) - 16 (US Alternative Airplay [Billboard]) - 86 (US Billboard Hot 100) - 94 (Canada Top Singles) |
| "Pure" | The Lightning Seeds | June 1989 | 8 (U.S. Billboard Alternative Airplya) - 16 (UK Singles Chart) - 31 (U.S. Billboard Hot 100) - 92 (Australia) |
| "Regina" | The Sugarcubes | September 1989 | 1 (UK Indie Singles) – 2 (US Modern Rock [Billboard]) – 27 (Irish Singles Chart) – 55 (UK Singles Chart) – 141 (Australia) |
| "She Bangs the Drums" | The Stone Roses | July 1989 | 9 (US Alternative Songs - Billboard) - 34 (UK Singles Charts) - 37 (New Zealand) - 128 (Australia) |
| "Sit Down" | James | June 1989 | 77 (UK Singles Charts) - 88 (Australia) |
| "Sometimes" | Max Q | October 1989 | 31 (Australia) - 37 (New Zealand) - 52 (UK Singles Chart) |
Other Notable singles
- "Another World" - Hoodoo Gurus
- "Blush" - The Hummingbirds
- "Falling Over You" – The Triffids
- "Goodbye Little Boy" – The Triffids
- "Purple Toupee" - They Might Be Giants
- "Sweet Guy" - Paul Kelly and The Messengers
- "They'll Need a Crane" - They Might Be Giants
- "V for Vendetta" - Bughouse
- "Word Gets Around" - The Hummingbirds
- "You Happy Puppet" - 10,000 Maniacs
- "Kiss the Girl" m. Alan Menken, w. Howard Ashman, from The Little Mermaid
- "Part of Your World" m. Alan Menken, w. Howard Ashman, from The Little Mermaid
- "Under the Sea" m. Alan Menken, w. Howard Ashman, from The Little Mermaid
- "We Didn't Start the Fire" w.m. Billy Joel
- "You Got It" w.m. Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne & Tom Petty
- Elliott Carter
- Three Occasions for Orchestra (1986–89)
- Violin Concerto
- Peter Maxwell Davies – Symphony No. 4
- Kaija Saariaho - Du cristal...
- Anders Eliasson – Symphony No. 3, for alto saxophone and orchestra
- Einar Englund – Wind Quintet
- Karel Goeyvaerts
- Aquarius, stage cantata, for eight sopranos and 15 instrumentalists
- ...want de tijd is nabij (Because the Time Is Near), for male chorus and strings
- Ingram Marshall – Sinfonia Dolce far Niente
- Toshirô Mayuzumi
- Mukyūdō, for orchestra
- Rokudan, for harp
- John McCabe – String Quartet No. 5
- Einojuhani Rautavaara – Piano Concerto No. 2
- Robert Simpson
- String Quartet No. 13
- Vortex for Brass Band
- John Tavener – The Protecting Veil
- I Nyoman Windha – Puspanjali
- Conrad Cummings – Photo-Op
- Anthony Davis – Under the Double Moon
- Lorenzo Ferrero
- Charlotte Corday
- Le Bleu-blanc-rouge et le noir
- Alexander Vustin – The Devil in Love (opera) (not performed)
- Aspects of Love (Andrew Lloyd Webber) – London production
- City of Angels – Broadway production opened at the Virginia Theatre and ran for 897 performances
- Grand Hotel – Broadway production opened at the Martin Beck Theatre and ran for 1017 performances
- Gypsy (Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim) – Broadway revival
- Meet Me in St. Louis – Broadway production based on the 1944 film, ran for 252 performances
- Miss Saigon (Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil) – London production
- Pacific Overtures (Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman) – London production
- Starmites (Stuart Ross and Barry Keating) - Broadway production opened at Criterion Center Stage Right and ran for 60 performances
- 101-Depeche Mode
- Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives!
- The Fabulous Baker Boys
- ChaalBaaz
- Juke-Bar (animation)
- The Little Mermaid — animated feature film
- Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland
- Polly (TV film)
- Sons of Steel
- January 3 – Julia Nunes, American singer-songwriter
- January 4 – Labrinth, English singer-songwriter, musician, rapper and record producer
- January 6 – James Durbin, American singer
- January 7 – Wrabel, American singer-songwriter
- January 9 – Kyle Craft, American southern blues glam rock singer-songwriter and musician
- January 13 – Triinu Kivilaan, Estonian singer and model
- January 14 – Frankie Sandford, British singer-songwriter (S Club Juniors, The Saturdays)
- January 16 – Kiesza, Canadian singer-songwriter and multi instrumentalist
- January 20 – Joel Pott, English musician (Shura)
- January 24
- Calvin Goldspink, British singer (S Club Juniors)
- Trace Cyrus, American musician (The Cyrus Family (Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Noah Cyrus)) (Metro Station)
- January 25 – Yasmien Kurdi, Filipina singer and actress
- January 28 – Carly Paoli, British mezzo-soprano
- February 2 – Southside, American record producer, songwriter and rapper
- February 3 – Ryne Sanborn, American actor, singer and dancer
- February 7 – Jihae, South Korean singer and actress
- February 8 – Matias Tellez, Norwegian singer-songwriter, composer and record producer
- February 10 – Olga Korsak, Latvian singer-songwriter, actress, and former competitive figure skater
- February 16
- Danielle Haim, American multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter (Haim)
- Bry, Irish singer-songwriter
- February 17
- Stacey McClean, British singer (S Club Juniors)
- Chord Overstreet, American actor, Glee cast member, singer, musician and composer
- February 22 – Anna Sundstrand, Swedish singer and model
- February 24 – Lauren Brant, South African-Australian television personality, singer-dancer and actress
- February 27
- Stefano Langone, American singer
- Sam Sweeney, English folk musician
- Shota Shimizu, Japanese singer
- March 1
- Sonya Kitchell, American jazz singer-songwriter
- Karl-Erik Taukar, Estonian singer, bass guitarist and television host
- March 9 – TaeYeon, member of South Korean pop girl group Girls' Generation
- March 11
- Shin Soohyun, member of South Korean pop boy group U-KISS
- Rainey Qualley, American actress and singer who works under the name Rainsford
- March 13 – Yemi Alade, Nigerian singer, songwriter, actress and activist
- March 14 – Yutaka Yamada, Japanese composer, arranger and orchestrator
- March 19 – Ben Briley, American singer
- March 20 – Sam de Jong, record producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Auckland, New Zealand based in Los Angeles, California. (Ella Henderson, Amy Shark)
- March 21 – Rochelle Wiseman, British singer (S Club Juniors & The Saturdays)
- March 23 – Mike Will Made It, American record producer, rapper, singer and songwriter (Miley Cyrus, Kendrick Lamar)
- March 25 – Alyson Michalka, American singer-songwriter and actress
- March 26 – Josiah Leming, American singer-songwriter
- March 29 – Michelle Zauner, Korean-American singer, musician, director, and author.
- March 30 – Eden xo, American singer-songwriter and actress
- April 8
- Alexander DeLeon, American singer-songwriter (The Cab)
- Matty Healy, British singer-songwriter, musician, producer, performance artist of The 1975 with George Daniel, (worked with: halsey, Taylor Swift, The Japanese House, Beabadoobee, Holly Humberstone, FKA twigs)
- Hitomi Takahashi, Japanese rock singer
- April 11 – Zola Jesus, American singer/songwriter
- April 18 – Jessica, member of Girls' Generation
- April 19 – Simu Liu, Canadian actor and singer
- April 20
- Han Hee-jun, South Korean singer
- Carlos Valdes (actor), Colombian-American singer-songwriter and actor
- April 24 – Thomas Sanders, American singer, songwriter, YouTuber, playwright, scriptwriter and internet personality (Dodie, Joan, Ben J Pierce)
- May 1 – Tim Urban, American singer-songwriter and guitarist
- May 3 – Mary Lambert, American country singer/songwriter and poet
- May 5 – Chris Brown, American singer and rapper
- May 9 – Katy B, English singer and songwriter
- May 15 – Sunny, member of Girls' Generation
- May 24 – G-Eazy, American rapper, producer, singer (Worked with: Britney Spears, Bebe Rexha, Halsey)
- May 28 – Asuca Hayashi, J-pop singer
- May 30 – Kevin Covais, American Idol finalist
- June 3 – Jillette Johnson, American singer/songwriter, musician
- June 8 – Miya Folick, American musician
- June 9 – Chloë Agnew, Irish multi lingual singer and songwriter (Celtic Women)
- June 13 – Lisa Tucker, American singer
- June 14 – Lucy Hale, American actress and singer
- June 17 – Simone Battle, American actress, singer and dancer (G.R.L) (died 2014)
- June 18 – Renee Olstead, American actress and jazz singer
- June 20
- Benyamin Nuss, German pianist
- Christopher Mintz-Plasse, American actor, comedian and musician
- June 25 – Sam Ryder, British singer-songwriter
- June 27 – Kelley Jakle, American actress and singer-songwriter
- July 2 – Dev, American singer-songwriter, rapper, model, musician and radio host
- July 3
- July 5 – Joseph King, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (Canvas and Deadbeat Darling)
- July 6 – Laith Ashley, American model, actor, activist, singer-songwriter and entertainer of Dominican descent. (Taylor Swift,
- July 10 – Jennifer Åkerman, Swedish, blogger, model and singer-songwriter
- July 11 – Hana Pestle, American singer, songwriter and record producer (HANA) (Collaborator with Grimes and band member)
- TĀLĀ – musician, singer-songwriter, record producer
- July 13 – Sayumi Michishige, Japanese musician and longest running member of Morning Musume
- July 14 – Isaiah Sharkey, American guitarist and singer
- July 20 – Brooke Candy, American rapper, singer-songwriter, director, activist, and dancer
- July 21 – Jasmine Cephas Jones, American stage and screen actress-singer
- July 26 – Travis Garland, American singer and dancer
- July 31 – Alexis Knapp, American actress and singer
- August 1 – Tiffany, member of Girls' Generation
- August 2
- Priscilla Betti, French singer
- Jonas Blue, English DJ, record producer, songwriter and remixer
- Relja Popović, Serbian rapper and actor
- August 4 – Jessica Mauboy, Australian singer, songwriter and actress (Young Divas)
- August 9 – Tainy, Puerto Rico record producer
- August 15
- Belinda Peregrin, Spanish Mexican singer, songwriter and actress
- Joe Jonas, American vocalist, singer/songwriter, musician (DNCE, Jonas Brothers) {dated: AJ Michalka, Taylor Swift, and married Sophie Turner, brother of Nick Jonas}
- August 17 – Mitchell Tenpenny, American country pop singer and songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee.
- August 18 – Anna Akana, American actress, musician, filmmaker, author, YouTuber and comedian.
- August 19
- Lil' Romeo, American entertainer
- Runtown, Nigerian singer
- August 21 – Hayden Panettiere, American actress, model, singer and activist
- August 23 – Lianne La Havas, British singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
- August 27 – Jessica Lea Mayfield, American singer-songwriter and musician from OHIO
- August 30 – Bebe Rexha, American singer/songwriter, record producer
- September 1
- Mohammed Assaf, Palestinian singer
- Bill and Tom Kaulitz of Tokio Hotel
- September 2 – Zedd, Russian-German record producer, DJ, musician, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter (Foxes, Hayley Williams, Selena Gomez, Kesha)
- September 3 – Gusttavo Lima, Brazilian singer
- September 4 – Ryota Kohama, Japanese musician (One Ok Rock)
- September 5 – Kat Graham, American actress, singer, dancer and model
- September 7 – Loren Allred, American musician
- September 8 – Avicii, Swedish musician, DJ, remixer and record producer (d. 2018)
- September 10 – Sanjaya Malakar, American Idol finalist
- September 14 – Logan Henderson, Actor, singer (Big Time Rush)
- September 21
- Jason Derulo, American singer/songwriter/dancer
- Emma Watkins, Australian singer, actress, and dancer
- September 22
- HyoYeon, member of Girls' Generation
- Cœur de pirate, Canadian bilingual singer-songwriter and musician
- September 24 – Kreayshawn, American rapper, creative director of OK 1984 and music video director
- September 25
- Vick Hope, British TV and radio presenter, journalist and published author.
- Danny L Harle, British music producer
- October 4
- Rich Homie Quan, American singer, songwriter and rapper
- Tei Shi, Colombian-Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer
- October 14 – Arca, Venezuelan musician and record producer
- October 15 – Fedez, Italian rapper and musician (Zara Larsson)
- October 20 – Jess Glynne, English soul-pop singer/songwriter
- October 22 – JPEGMafia, American rapper, songwriter, and producer
- October 28 - Jack Colwell, Australian singer songwriter (d. 2024)
- October 30 – Jay Asforis, British singer (S Club Juniors)
- November 2 – Katelyn Tarver, American singer-songwriter and actress
- November 3 – Paula DeAnda, American singer-songwriter
- November 11 – Reina Tanaka, Japanese pop singer (Morning Musume)
- November 17 – Ali Tamposi, American songwriter
- November 22 – Candice Glover, American R&B singer and actress
- November 30 – Daisy Evans, British singer (S Club Juniors)
- December 5 – Yuri, member of Girls' Generation
- December 12
- Janelle Arthur, American singer
- Marcel "Shin" Gothow of Cinema Bizarre, German drummer
- December 13 – Taylor Swift, American singer-songwriter, musician, multi instrumentalist, director, and businesswoman (sometimes actress)
- December 17 – Taylor York, American musician, songwriter and guitarist (Member of band:Paramore, collaborator with Hayley Williams)
- December 18 – Ashley Benson, American model, singer and actress
- December 22 – Jordin Sparks, American Idol Season 6 winner
- December 27 – Calyssa Davidson, American violinist
- December 29 – Pardison Fontaine, American rapper and songwriter (Cardi B, Megan thee Stallion)
- December 31 – Andrew Taggart, producer and vocal (The Chainsmokers)
- Unknown – Jai Paul, English songwriter, record producer and recording artist
- January 12 – Satyam, Indian film music director, 65
- January 20 – Beatrice Lillie, Canadian actress and singer, 94
- January 21 – Billy Tipton, American jazz musician, 74
- February 5 – Joe Raposo, composer and lyricist, "Bein' Green", 51 (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma)
- February 6 – King Tubby Jamaican DJ and composer, father of dub reggae, 48 (gunshot wounds)
- February 14 – Vincent Crane (The Crazy World of Arthur Brown), 45 (drug overdose)
- February 23 – Florencio Morales Ramos, singer and composer, 72
- March 19 – Alan Civil, horn player, 59
- March 20 – Archie Bleyer, US arranger and bandleader, 79
- April 8 – A. M. Rajah, Indian playback singer and composer, 59 (rail accident)
- April 26 – Lucille Ball, US actress and singer, 77
- May 9 – Keith Whitley, American singer, guitarist, and producer, 34
- May 10 – Woody Shaw, jazz musician, 44 (kidney failure)
- May 15 – Johnny Green, composer, conductor and arranger, 80
- May 30 – Zinka Milanov, operatic soprano, 83
- June 2 – Guido Agosti, Italian pianist and piano teacher, 87
- June 14 – Pete de Freitas, drummer with Echo & the Bunnymen, 27 (motorcycle accident)
- June 22 – Henri Sauguet, composer, 88
- June 24 – Hibari Misora, Japanese enka singer, 52 (hepatitis)
- July 5 – Ernesto Halffter, Spanish composer and conductor, 84
- July 16 – Herbert von Karajan, conductor, 81
- July 21 – Mushtaq Ali Khan, Indian sitar, surbahar and pakhawaj player, 78
- August 1 – John Ogdon, pianist, 52 (diabetes-related)
- August 2 – Luiz Gonzaga, Brazilian musician, 76
- August 21 – Raul Seixas, singer and songwriter, 44 (diabetes-related)
- August 25 – Gunnar Berg, Danish composer
- September 7 – Mikhail Goldstein, violinist and composer, 71
- September 14 – Perez Prado, Cuban bandleader and composer, 72
- September 15 – Jan DeGaetani, mezzo-soprano, 56 (leukemia)
- September 22 – Irving Berlin, composer, lyricist, 101
- September 24 – Jean Perrin, pianist and composer, 79
- September 30 – Virgil Thomson, composer, 92
- October 17 – Morteza Hannaneh, composer, 66
- October 19 – Alan Murphy, guitarist, member of Level 42 and Go West, 35 (AIDS-related)
- October 22 – Ewan MacColl, folk singer, 74
- October 31 – Conrad Beck, Swiss composer, 88
- November 5 – Vladimir Horowitz, pianist, 86
- November 15 – Alejo Durán, composer of vallenatos, 80
- November 29 – Yam Kim-fai, cantonese opera singer, 76
- December 6
- Billy Lyall, keyboardist of Pilot and Bay City Rollers, 46 (AIDS-related)
- Sammy Fain, US composer, 87
- December 21 – Ján Cikker, Slovak composer, 78
- December 26 – Sir Lennox Berkeley, composer, 86
- The following artists are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Dion, Otis Redding, The Rolling Stones, The Temptations and Stevie Wonder
- Grammy Awards of 1989
- 1989 Country Music Association Awards
- Eurovision Song Contest 1989
- 31st Japan Record Awards
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