The 1990s brought us some of the most memorable hit country songs in the history of the genre. Enduring tunes like “Chattahoochee,” “Fancy,” “Dust on the Bottle,” “Friends in Low Places,” and many more topped the charts throughout the decade. However, for every song that has stood the test of time, a handful have fallen through the cracks and been forgotten by most country fans.
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The songs below were all No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in the 1990s. However, they don’t get talked about as much as some of the more memorable cuts from the decade. Some of the artists have been seemingly lost to time as well.
[RELATED: 5 Iconic Singers That Defined Country Music in the 1990s]
1. “You Really Had Me Going” by Holly Dunn (1990)
Holly Dunn had a string of hits in the 1980s. She released songs like “Love Someone Like Me,” “Daddy’s Hands,” and “Maybe I Mean You.” However, Dunn only reached the top of the country charts twice. Her first No. 1 came in 1989 with “Are You Ever Gonna Love Me.” Then, the next year, she scored her second and final chart topper with “You Really Had Me Going.”
Written by Dunn, Chris Waters, and Tom Shapiro, she released “You Really Had Me Going” as the lead single from her album Heart Full of Love. It topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for one week in November 1990.
2. “Leap of Faith” by Lionel Cartwright (1991)
Lionel Cartwright had a short-lived career in country music. He released his debut single, “You’re Gonna Make Her Mine,” in 1988. His second single, “Like Father Like Son,” started a string of top 40 country hits that would last almost until the end of his career in the genre. However, he wouldn’t score his first and only No. 1 until 1991.
Cartwright wrote “Leap of Faith” and released it as the lead single from his album, Chasin’ the Sun. The song saw a departure from the bluegrass and Cajun influences of his earlier work, leaning toward pop country. The new formula worked, though. The song went to the top of the Hot Country Songs chart dated September 21, 1991.
3. “Old Enough to Know Better” by Wade Hayes (1995)
Wade Hayes had several hit country songs in the 1990s. Songs like “I’m Still Dancin’ with You,” “What I Meant to Say,” and “On a Good Night” helped fuel his string of early hits. However, none matched the success of his debut single, “Old Enough to Know Better.”
Hayes wrote “Old Enough to Know Better” with Chick Rains and released it in November 1994 as the lead single and title track from his debut album. The song went to No. 1 on February 18, 1995, and stayed there for two weeks.
4. “From Here to Eternity” by Michael Peterson (December 13, 1997)
Michael Peterson had a handful of hit country songs in the 1990s, including “Drink, Swear, Steal & Lie,” “When the Bartender Cries,” and “Too Good to Be True.” However, he was only able to top the country charts once. “From Here to Eternity” from his self-titled debut album topped the chart in 1997.
Peterson co-penned “From Here to Eternity” with Robert Ellis Orral and released it as the second single from his debut country album in September 1997. It topped the chart in December of that year.
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