March 1991 was a dynamic month in music and pop culture, with major album releases, chart-topping hits, and unforgettable moments shaping the entertainment world. From the continued rise of grunge to the dominance of pop and R&B on the charts, let’s take a trip back to what was making waves this month in 1991.
Billboard Hot 100 Highlights
The charts in March 1991 were ruled by a mix of pop, R&B, and rock hits. Whitney Houston continued her streak of smash hits with “All the Man That I Need,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 at the start of the month. She was followed by Mariah Carey, whose third No. 1 single“Someday” also reigned at No. 1 in early March, further proving she was no one-hit wonder.
However, by mid-March, Timmy T’s “One More Try” surprisingly took the top spot. The synth-driven ballad made him a one-hit wonder, but for a few weeks in 1991, he was king of the charts.
Meanwhile, rock fans were hooked on R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion,” which debuted on the Hot 100 and began its slow climb. The song, featuring its haunting mandolin riff, would soon become one of the band’s biggest hits.
Major Album Releases
March 1991 saw several major albums hitting the shelves:
• Mariah Carey – “Emotions” (First Single Premieres in March)
Mariah was riding high on success, and while her debut album was still charting, her team was already preparing for her second album. In March, she began working on “Emotions,”which would later spawn another No. 1 hit.
• R.E.M. – “Out of Time” (March 12, 1991)
With “Losing My Religion” leading the way, R.E.M. released “Out of Time,” their seventh studio album. The album was a critical and commercial success, bringing alternative rock closer to the mainstream.
• Gloria Estefan – “Into the Light” (March 26, 1991)
A triumphant comeback, this album featured “Coming Out of the Dark,” inspired by Estefan’s recovery from a near-fatal bus accident. The single had already become a No. 1 hit in February, and the album’s release solidified her return.
MTV & Music Video Moments
MTV was still the king of music video culture in 1991, and several iconic videos debuted this month:
• Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” continued its dominance.
The groundbreaking video, which debuted in late 1990, was still getting heavy rotation, featuring its famous morphing faces sequence.
• Madonna’s “Rescue Me” became a radio hit.
The Queen of Pop released “Rescue Me,” a house-influenced dance track that became the highest-charting debut for a female artist at the time, landing at No. 15 upon its release.
• Nirvana began recording “Nevermind.”
Though the grunge explosion hadn’t fully taken over yet, Nirvana entered the studio this month to begin recording “Nevermind,” an album that would redefine rock later that year.
Pop Culture & Movies in March 1991
• “New Jack City” debuted in theaters on March 8.
The film, starring Wesley Snipes, Ice-T, and Chris Rock, became a surprise box office hit and solidified itself as a cult classic. The soundtrack, featuring Color Me Badd’s “I Wanna Sex You Up,” would become a huge R&B hit later in the year.
• “The Silence of the Lambs” dominated the box office.
The psychological thriller, released in February, continued its reign throughout March. Jodie Foster’s performance as Clarice Starling and Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter had audiences on edge.
• Beverly Hills, 90210 was the TV show everyone was talking about.
The show, which had debuted in late 1990, was quickly becoming a teen sensation. In March, the series was gaining momentum, setting the stage for the summer episodes that would make it a cultural phenomenon.
Final Thoughts
March 1991 was an exciting time for music and pop culture. With Mariah Carey proving she was here to stay, R.E.M. ushering alternative rock into the mainstream, and Nirvana quietly preparing for a revolution, the industry was at a turning point. Meanwhile, New Jack City was making waves, Silence of the Lambs was terrifying audiences, and 90210 was cementing itself as must-watch TV.
It was a month of transition—pop was still strong, but change was on the horizon. Little did we know that by the end of the year, grunge, hip-hop, and alternative rock would completely reshape the landscape.