These songs promised to "stand outside your window" or "give you space." They featured a lot of wind, turtlenecks, and Eric Clapton unplugged. Think I Will Always Love You (Whitney)—romantic, unless you realize she’s singing to a ghost.
The tear. The single tear rolling down her cheek in the video. This song stripped away all the production. No boy band harmonies. No sax solo. Just a shaved head, a black turtleneck, and the raw realization that Prince wrote the perfect breakup song. 90s love songs top 100
Mariah invented the "doormat with self-respect." The lyrics say, "You'll always be a part of me." The melody says, "But I’m still the queen and you’re a fool for leaving." The whistle tone is the final boss of breakups. These songs promised to "stand outside your window"
The breakup anthem for when you know it’s over, but you refuse to admit it. It’s the song you played on repeat while laying on your bedroom floor carpet. It holds the record for longest #1 hit (13 weeks) because the 90s were collectively heartbroken. The single tear rolling down her cheek in the video