1996 in music

This is a list of notable events in music that occurred in 1996.

Specific locations

Specific genres

Events

January

February

March

April

May

  • May 8
    • The Galway Early Music Festival is launched in Ireland.
    • A judge rules against Tommy Lee and wife, actress Pamela Anderson Lee, in their attempt to keep Penthouse from publishing still photos taken from an X-rated home movie that was stolen from their home in Los Angeles.
  • May 11 – A 17-year-old fan is crushed in the festival seating section at a concert by The Smashing Pumpkins in Dublin, Ireland, despite the presence of 110 security guards and repeated admonishments from the band telling the crowd to stop surging towards the stage. The fan dies of her injuries the next day, and the band cancels that night's show in Belfast as a result.[24]
  • May 18 – The 1996 Eurovision Song Contest, held in Oslo Spektrum in Oslo, Norway, is won by Irish singer Eimear Quinn, with the song "The Voice". It is Ireland's record seventh, and most recent, win at Eurovision.
  • May 25 – Sublime lead singer Bradley Nowell dies of a heroin overdose at age 28.
  • May 30 – Depeche Mode leader Dave Gahan is arrested upon his release from hospital, having overdosed on a heroin and cocaine 'speedball' in a Los Angeles hotel room and been pronounced clinically dead for two minutes in an ambulance. Gahan is ordered by the court to complete a nine-month rehabilitation.

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Also in 1996

Bands formed

Bands disbanded

Bands on hiatus

Bands reunited

Albums released

January–March

Date Album Artist Notes
J
A
N
U
A
R
Y
1 Cut in Half and Also DoubleEmily Haines-
InquilaabJunoon-
SplayShiner-
2 GromBehemoth-
9 VictorAlex Lifeson-
Early Mornin' Stoned PimpKid Rock-
Right in the Middle of ItChely Wright-
Star MapsPossum Dixon-
Young, Rich & DangerousKris Kross-
12 Expecting to FlyThe Bluetones-
Music of My LifeJo Stafford-
15 Loops of FuryThe Chemical BrothersEP
PredatorAccept-
Total DeathDarkthrone-
16 El ProductoWalt Mink-
Viva! La WomanCibo Matto-
WordsTony Rich-
19 Painting on GlassThe 3rd and the Mortal-
22 The Cult of RayFrank Black-
23 Boys for PeleTori Amos-
Wither Blister Burn & PeelStabbing Westward-
10 SpeedMystery Machine-
Helter SkelterThe D.O.C.-
The Trouble with the TruthPatty Loveless-
25 Hey ManMr. BigJapan
StormblåstDimmu Borgir-
26 Horsedrawn WishesRollerskate Skinny-
Maniacal LaughterThe Bouncing Souls-
29 AdvanceLFO[41]
30 Millions Now Living Will Never DieTortoise-
Beautiful GirlsVarious ArtistsSoundtrack
DiatribesNapalm Death-
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the HoodVarious ArtistsSoundtrack
Filth PigMinistry-
How I Quit SmokingLambchop-
Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin ComptonEazy-E-
TotalTotal-
31 FilosofemBurzum-
Heavy Petting ZooNOFX-
? The Secrets of the Black ArtsDark FuneralDebut
F
E
B
R
U
A
R
Y
5 PurpendicularDeep Purple-
Don't StopStatus Quo-
Free SpiritBonnie Tyler-
6 Kids on the StreetCherry Poppin' Daddies-
Sackcloth 'n' Ashes16 Horsepower-
Tennessee MoonNeil Diamond-
7 Beat Out! Glay -
13 All Eyez on Me2Pac2x CD
Congratulations I'm SorryGin Blossoms-
Here in AfterImmolation-
Looking EastJackson Browne-
The ScoreFugees-
What the Hell Happened to Me?Adam Sandler-
19 SkunkworksBruce Dickinson-
20 AfflictionEconoline Crush-
BloomAudio Adrenaline-
Come Find YourselfFun Lovin' CriminalsDebut
FirewaterSilkworm-
The Jester RaceIn Flames-
Murder BalladsNick Cave and the Bad Seeds-
Pies DescalzosShakira-
RootsSepultura-
Set the Twilight ReelingLou Reed-
Take Me to Your LeaderNewsboys-
What I Live to DoJames Bonamy-
23 Our Band Could Be Your Life: A Tribute to D Boon and the MinutemenVarious ArtistsTribute to Minutemen
26 The MissionCaptain Jack-
27 Dead ManNeil YoungSoundtrack
Fizzy Fuzzy Big & BuzzyThe Refreshments-
GoldfingerGoldfingerDebut
The Gray RaceBad Religion-
Heartbreak TownSteve Azar-
High on the HogThe Band-
Lay It DownCowboy Junkies-
Peach FuzzEnuff Z'NuffUS
Pogue MahoneThe Pogues-
The ProcessSkinny Puppy-
The Speed of CattleArchers of LoafCompilation
Static AgeMisfits-
M
A
R
C
H
4 Mercury FallingSting-
HitsMike + The MechanicsCompilation
After Murder ParkThe Auteurs-
Myra LeeCat Power-
5 Gravity KillsGravity Kills-
House of GVSBGirls Against Boys-
I Feel AlrightSteve Earle-
LovelifeLush-
Naughty Little DoggieIggy Pop-
Offbeat: A Red Hot SoundtripVarious ArtistsRed Hot AIDS benefit
The Time of the OathHelloweenUS
11 ArenaAsia-
Beat the BastardsThe Exploited-
Refresh the DemonAnnihilator-
Regular Urban SurvivorsTerrorvision-
TarantulaRide-
Thomas Wade & WaywardThomas Wade & Wayward-
12 All Scratched Up!Down by Law-
Bad Hair Day"Weird Al" Yankovic-
Black LoveThe Afghan Whigs-
Falling into YouCeline DionUS
Gato Negro7 Year Bitch-
Gilded Stars and Zealous HeartsVelocity Girl-
Kiss UnpluggedKissLive
Start PackingRun On-
Surrender to the AirSurrender to the Air-
18 Emperor Tomato KetchupStereolab-
Another Way to ShineSpiritual Beggars-
The Beatles Anthology, Volume 2The BeatlesCompilation +1 new track
KarateKarate-
19 Born on a Pirate ShipBarenaked Ladies-
The Burdens of Being UprightTracy BonhamDebut
Colossal HeadLos Lobos-
FifaAngélique Kidjo-
GentlyLiza Minnelli-
Girl 6PrinceSoundtrack
KollageBahamadia-
No. 2 Live DinnerRobert Earl KeenLive
Off ParoleRappin' 4-Tay-
The ResurrectionGeto Boys-
Second Toughest in the InfantsUnderworld-
Songs in the Key of X: Music from and Inspired by the X-FilesVarious ArtistsSoundtrack to The X-Files TV series
23 Holy LandAngra–
25 Greatest HitsTake ThatCompilation
Golden HeartMark Knopfler-
Made AgainMarillion2x CD; Live
Call the DoctorSleater-Kinney-
Now That's What I Call Music! 33 (UK series)Various ArtistsCompilation
26 40 More Reasons to Hate UsAnal Cunt-
The ComingBusta RhymesSolo Debut
Deathshead ExterminationCrisis-
Hissing Prigs in Static CoutureBrainiac-
Jo Dee MessinaJo Dee Messina-
On Avery IslandNeutral Milk Hotel-
Regretfully YoursSuperdrag-
Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift ShopStone Temple Pilots-
Under the Bushes Under the StarsGuided by Voices-
VillainsThe Verve Pipe-
? KveldssangerUlver-
Welcome to the Infant FreebaseThe Soundtrack of Our LivesDebut

April–June

Date Album Artist Notes
A
P
R
I
L
1 Wildest DreamsTina TurnerEurope
A Maximum HighShed SevenUK
DemocracyKilling JokeUK
2 Count the DaysCitizen KingEP
The In Sound from Way Out!Beastie Boys-
CrimsonEdge of Sanity-
DopesickEyehategod-
The Golden AgeCracker-
Maxwell's Urban Hang SuiteMaxwellDebut
Oz FactorUnwritten Law-
10 Song DemoRosanne Cash-
5 Reject All AmericanBikini Kill-
Sorrow Throughout the Nine WorldsAmon AmarthEP
8 Moseley ShoalsOcean Colour Scene-
9 RepetitionUnwound-
Death ThreatzMC Eiht-
The Great DivideSemisonic-
Here to Save You AllChino XL-
RevivalGillian WelchDebut
Schoolhouse Rock! RocksVarious ArtistsTribute
The Villain in BlackMC Ren-
15 Number Two ExpressChristian McBride-
ReverenceFaithless-
Today's SpecialsThe SpecialsCovers album
Milk & KissesCocteau TwinsUK
16 Evil EmpireRage Against the Machine-
The Forgotten TalesBlind GuardianCompilation
As Good as DeadLocal H-
Blow It Out Your Ass It's Veruca SaltVeruca SaltEP
Blue MoonToby Keith-
BorderlineBrooks & Dunn-
FarewellOingo Boingo-
Ice Cream ManMaster P-
Make Your Mama ProudFastball-
Sell, Sell, SellDavid Gray-
ShotThe Jesus Lizard-
This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think AboutModest MouseDebut
You? Me? Us?Richard Thompson-
18 Destroy All Monsters/Live in JapanRavenLive
22 EpisodeStratovarius-
Return of the MackMark Morrison-
StyleLuna Sea-
23 Blue Clear SkyGeorge Strait-
Fairweather JohnsonHootie & the Blowfish-
Guitar SlingerThe Brian Setzer Orchestra-
Just FredFred Schneider-
Less Talk, More RockPropagandhi-
New BeginningSWV-
Sacred CowGeggy Tah-
Through Silver in BloodNeurosis-
TelephonoSpoon-
29 To the Faithful DepartedThe Cranberries-
Arise ThereforePalace Music-
CasanovaThe Divine Comedy-
GoosefairChina DrumDebut
In SidesOrbital-
Louder Than HellManowar-
Love Your Self AbuseBaby Chaos-
Nearly GodTricky-
Klassics with a "K"Kostars-
30 After the Satellite Sings[42]Bill Nelson-
Az YetAz YetDebut
Bob MouldBob Mould
CrashDave Matthews Band-
The Day of the RobotBuckethead-
Do You Know Who You Are?Texas Is the Reason-
I Shot Andy WarholVarious ArtistsSoundtrack
Ten Thousand AngelsMindy McCready-
EventuallyPaul Westerberg-
? The Known UniverseAss Ponys-
They Spent Their Wild Youthful Days in the Glittering World of the SalonsSwirlies-
Tin Cans with Strings to YouFar-
Wake Up Jeff!The Wiggles-
M
A
Y
1 7Apoptygma Berzerk-
Ass CobraTurbonegro-
6 Wild Mood SwingsThe Cure-
1977Ash-
Backstreet BoysBackstreet BoysDebut; Europe only
ElectriclarrylandButthole Surfers-
The It GirlSleeper-
Walking WoundedEverything but the Girl-
7 Dr. OctagonecologystDr. OctagonAlias used by Kool Keith
The Great Southern TrendkillPantera-
Imperial DragImperial Drag-
Infotainment?Pitchshifter-
Now in a MinuteDonna LewisDebut
SeasickImperial TeenDebut
Teri YakimotoGuttermouth-
Trouble at the HenhouseThe Tragically Hip-
Twister: Music from the Motion Picture SoundtrackVarious ArtistsSoundtrack
13 OlderGeorge Michael-
SlangDef Leppard-
Too Much Too Young: The Gold CollectionThe SpecialsCompilation
14 All SetBuzzcocks-
All This Useless BeautyElvis Costello & The Attractions-
ElegyAmorphis-
Amazing DisgraceThe Posies-
Long LinePeter Wolf-
Looking in the ShadowsThe Raincoats-
Now & ForeverColor Me Badd-
Milk and ScissorsThe Handsome Family-
Rude AwakeningProng-
You've Got to Believe in SomethingSpin Doctors-
15 CurbNickelbackDebut
The Cleanest WarMorning AgainDebut EP
20 The Beautiful GameVarious artists-
Duncan SheikDuncan Sheik-
Ear CandyKing's X-
Everything Must GoManic Street Preachers-
Fuzzy LogicSuper Furry AnimalsDebut
Joy (Within)!William Hooker and Billy BangLive
Love in SpaceHawkwindLive
ProzaicHoneycrackDebut
21 Bringing Down the HorseThe Wallflowers-
Chim Chim's Badass RevengeFishbone-
Destruction by DefinitionThe Suicide MachinesDebut
DilateAni DiFranco-
Down on the UpsideSoundgarden-
Gettin' ItToo Short-
Let It RockGreat White-
Near-Life ExperienceCome-
PerspectiveJason Becker-
Pure InstinctScorpions-
Rubbing Doesn't HelpMagnapop-
Steel on a MissionLil' ½ Dead-
VileCannibal Corpse-
22 Live at the BudokanBlurJapan
25 RetropolisThe Flower Kings-
Roomic CubeTakako Minekawa-
27 Blood on IceBathory-
The Future Is MediumCompulsion-
GabrielleGabrielle-
28 Good God's UrgePorno for Pyros-
High Lonesome SoundVince Gill-
InflictionScheer-
MiraclePuff Johnson-
Take It From The Man!The Brian Jonestown Massacre-
Undisputed AttitudeSlayer-
J
U
N
E
1 Oh Lord! When? How?The HivesDebut EP
Supershitty to the Max!The HellacoptersDebut
3 Love BraceTomomi Kahara-
Feed Me Weird ThingsSquarepusherDebut
Romeo's HeartJohn Farnham-
SpiritchaserDead Can Dance-
4 18 til I DieBryan Adams-
Banana WindJimmy Buffett-
CopperopolisGrant Lee Buffalo-
Delinquent HabitsDelinquent HabitsDebut
DestinyGloria EstefanUS
Dimestore HoodsDimestore HoodsUS
Future RhythmDigital Underground-
HotSquirrel Nut Zippers-
Ice-T VI: Return of the RealIce-T-
Legal Drug MoneyLost BoyzDebut
LoadMetallica-
Me and YouKenny Chesney-
My HeartDonell Jones-
RevivalCoreUS
Somebody NewRhett Akins-
SpiritWillie Nelson-
Subliminal SandwichMeat Beat Manifesto
5 Horror WrestlingDrain STHDebut
6 TigermilkBelle & SebastianDebut
7 DreamlandRobert MilesDebut
10 The Light User SyndromeThe Fall-
Peace at LastThe Blue Nile-
SwansongCarcass-
11 L. RonBarkmarket-
Physical FunkDomino-
T.A.P.O.A.F.O.M.George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars-
12 One Chord to AnotherSloanCanada
17 Don Solaris808 State-
Free Peace SweetDodgy-
Macarena Non StopLos del RíoCompilation
PlaceboPlaceboDebut
Upgrade & AfterlifeGastr del Sol-
18 A Ass Pocket of WhiskeyR. L. Burnside and The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion-
Book of ShadowsZakk Wylde-
Gone AgainPatti Smith-
High/LowNada SurfDebut
Just Like YouKeb' Mo'-
Live from Neon ParkLittle FeatLive
NocturnalHeltah SkeltahDebut
OdelayBeck-
The Patti Smith MastersPatti SmithBox set
The Road to EnsenadaLyle Lovett-
RocketPrimitive Radio Gods-
SecretsToni Braxton-
Somewhere InsideChris Cummings-
TeknowhoreBile-
Their Satanic Majesties' Second RequestThe Brian Jonestown Massacre-
Third DayThird Day-
Very Proud of YaAFI-
24 MorningriseOpethEurope
25 America Is Dying SlowlyVarious ArtistsRed Hot AIDS benefit
Back To The WorldTevin Campbell-
Braver Newer WorldJimmie Dale Gilmore-
DustScreaming Trees-
Get On Up and DanceQuad City DJ's-
H2OH2ODebut
Peace Beyond PassionMe'shell Ndegeocello-
Psychoanalysis: What Is It?Prince PaulDebut
Ranetoe Serdce (Broken Heart)Lyapis Trubetskoy-
Reasonable DoubtJay-ZDebut
XtortKMFDM-
You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!!KissLive
26 Vibe∞Penicillin-
27 The Power of SexE-Rotic-
? Bis vs. the D.I.Y. CorpsBis-

July–September

Date Album Artist Notes
J
U
L
Y
2 Broken ArrowNeil Young and Crazy Horse-
The Final TicCrucial Conflict-
It Was WrittenNas-
It's Martini TimeThe Reverend Horton Heat-
JawboxJawbox-
Live from the FallBlues TravelerLive
Stakes Is HighDe La Soul-
Wax EcstaticSponge-
3 None So VileCryptopsy-
8 Today Is Another DayZard-
9 BlueLeAnn Rimes-
Building the BridgeREO Speedwagon-
Chaos and DisorderPrince-
Irresistible BlissSoul Coughing-
Scenery and FishI Mother Earth-
15 ShapeFrente!-
It Ain't 4 PlayFunk Mobb-
The QuickeningThe Vandals-
Wild CowboysSadat XDebut
16 StagMelvins-
12 Golden Country GreatsWeen-
Lemon ParadeTonic-
No LunchD Generation-
OutpostThe Samples-
20 Sweet 19 BluesNamie AmuroDebut solo album
22 TechnicolourDisco Inferno-
23 Demo Evergreen Terrace 1996Evergreen TerraceEP
The Dark SagaIced Earth-
Miracle of ScienceMarshall Crenshaw-
Return of the Frog QueenJeremy Enigk-
Songs for a Blue GuitarRed House Painters-
Static PrevailsJimmy Eat World-
Three Snakes and One CharmThe Black Crowes-
TidalFiona Apple-
TragicOrange 9mm-
29 The Crow: City of AngelsVarious ArtistsSoundtrack
Drum 'n' Bass for PapaPlug-
IrreligiousMoonspell-
A New Stereophonic Sound SpectacularHooverphonicBelgium
30 Beats, Rhymes and LifeA Tribe Called Quest-
MistaMista-
RepublicaRepublica-
SongsRich MullinsCompilation
SublimeSublime-
UnpluggedAlice in ChainsLive
? Not So Tough NowFrenzal Rhomb-
Rockin' down the Highway: The Wildlife ConcertThe Doobie BrothersLive
This WorldThis World-
A
U
G
U
S
T
1 Brave Murder DayKatatonia-
Ravendusk in My HeartDiabolical Masquerade-
6 Anne MurrayAnne Murray-
Interstate 8Modest MouseEP
Music from the Unrealized Film Script: Dusk at Cubist CastleThe Olivia Tremor Control-
No End of LoveJohn Hartford-
Oedipus SchmoedipusBarry Adamson-
ParanormalizedSix Finger Satellite-
Shake a Lil' Somethin'2 Live Crew-
Songs and Music from "She's the One"Tom Petty and the HeartbreakersSoundtrack
Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the SituationVarious ArtistsVic Chesnutt benefit album
9 TheliTherion-
12 Now That's What I Call Music! 34 (UK series)Various ArtistsCompilation
13 Beautiful FreakEelsDebut
Presents Author UnknownJason FalknerDebut
The Curtain Hits the CastLow-
Fantastic PlanetFailure-
Friction, BabyBetter Than Ezra-
Full CircleRandy Travis-
LimboThrowing Muses-
Put it in Your MouthAkinyeleEP
Turn the Radio OffReel Big Fish-
Unreleased and RevampedCypress HillEP
Supersexy Swingin' SoundsWhite ZombieRemix
18 Acrobatic TenementAt the Drive-InDebut
Velvet Darkness They FearTheatre of Tragedy-
19 Becoming XSneaker Pimps-
Nothing for JuiceThe Mountain Goats-
20 Cowboy SongsRiders in the Sky-
Die for the GovernmentAnti-Flag-
HarmacySebadoh-
Into the UnknownMercyful Fate-
Nada Es IgualLuis Miguel-
October RustType O Negative-
Omnipop (It's Only a Flesh Wound Lambchop)Sam Phillips-
Paradise in MeK's ChoiceUS
Receiving the Gift of FlavorThe Urge-
Songs of Love and HateGodflesh-
Weird Food and DevastationThe Connells-
26 AwakenThe Blood Divine-
The Half TailWolfstone-
Snap! Attack: The Best of Snap!Snap!Compilation
VoyagerMike Oldfield-
27 112112-
ATLiensOutKast-
Bad As I Wanna BMC Lyte-
Don't Back DownThe Queers-
Joe NicholsJoe Nichols-
The Latch-Key ChildA+-
No CodePearl Jam-
One in a MillionAaliyah-
Rent: Original Broadway Cast RecordingBroadway cast of Rent-
The Restless KindTravis Tritt-
A Small Circle of Friends: GermsVarious ArtistsGerms tribute
VeiledLeah Andreone-
28 Dusk and Her EmbraceCradle of Filth-
Still LifeThe Paradise Motel-
Written in the SandMichael Schenker Group-
S
E
P
T
E
M
B
E
R
2 BilingualPet Shop Boys-
Coming UpSuede-
Double AllergicPowderfinger-
A Happy PocketTrash Can Sinatras-
ManNeneh Cherry-
Psyence hide -
3 Did I Shave My Legs for This?Deana CarterUS
Jennifer Love HewittJennifer Love Hewitt-
6 First Band on the MoonThe CardigansSweden
9 Another LevelBlackstreet-
C'mon KidsThe Boo Radleys-
Excerpts from a Love CircusLisa Germano-
Face to FaceFace to Face-
Forever Alone, ImmortalLux Occulta-
Like Cats and DogsCatherine WheelCompilation
Travelling Without MovingJamiroquaiUK
Wild OperaNo-Man-
10 30° EverywhereThe Promise Ring-
The Doctor Came at DawnSmog-
High School High soundtrackVarious ArtistsSoundtrack
Home AgainNew Edition-
Live ArtBela Fleck & the Flecktones-
Mr. Happy Go LuckyJohn Mellencamp-
Neurotic OutsidersNeurotic Outsiders-
New Adventures in Hi-FiR.E.M.US
Nine Objects of DesireSuzanne Vega-
Not in My AirforceRobert Pollard-
Popular FavoritesOblivians-
Test for EchoRush-
What Would the Community ThinkCat Power-
William BlokeBilly Bragg-
13 DynamiteStina Nordenstam-
SuperbuickMushroomhead-
16 Better Living Through ChemistryFatboy SlimDebut
Endtroducing.....DJ ShadowUK
KKula ShakerUK
In a Bar, Under the SeadEUS-
Live WiredFront Line AssemblyLive Album
SpidersSpace-
17 Appalachia WaltzYo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer & Mark O'Connor-
Black EyeFluffy-
Fashion NuggetCake-
Fire GardenSteve Vai-
RhythmeenZZ Top-
SixWhodini-
White Light, White Heat, White TrashSocial Distortion-
20 Freedom in the GrooveJoshua Redman-
23 Animal RightsMoby-
Best of the BeastIron MaidenCompilation
Louder Than HellManowarEurope
LondiniumArchive-
Dance Hall at Louse PointPJ Harvey and John Parish-
24 Acid BubblegumGraham Parker-
All the Nations AirportsArchers of Loaf-
Everything SucksDescendents-
FYULABASNFU-
The GardenMerril BainbridgeUS
The Genius of KomedaKomeda-
Illadelph HalflifeThe Roots-
PinkertonWeezer-
Sheryl CrowSheryl Crow-
Susanna HoffsSusanna Hoffs-
That Thing You Do! Original Motion Picture SoundtrackVarious ArtistsSoundtrack
Walking on LocustsJohn Cale-
Who Can You Trust?Morcheeba-
27 How BizarreOMC-
Northern ExposureSasha and DigweedDJ mix
30 SignifyPorcupine Tree-
First Grand Constitution and BylawsSecret Chiefs 3-

October–December

Date Album Artist Notes
O
C
T
O
B
E
R
1 ÆnimaTool-
From the Muddy Banks of the WishkahNirvanaLive Compilation
At the Speed of LifeXzibit-
Belly to BellyWarrant-
Black DotsBad Brains-
Comic Book WhoreJane JensenDebut
A Few Small RepairsShawn Colvin-
Fountains of WayneFountains of WayneDebut
The GraveyardKing Diamond-
Greatest HitsThompson TwinsCompilation
The MomentKenny G-
The Natural BridgeSilver Jews-
Soul on IceRas Kass-
This Is the TimeMichael BoltonChristmas
Yourself or Someone Like YouMatchbox 20Debut
A Worm's LifeCrash Test Dummies-
2 Black EarthArch Enemy-
4 Angry MachinesDioJapan
7 Broken ChinaRichard Wright-
8 Antichrist SuperstarMarilyn Manson-
All Because of YouDaryle Singletary-
Baja SessionsChris Isaak-
BrownP.O.D.-
Cheer UpPlexiDebut
Christmas IslandJimmy BuffettChristmas
Club Chipmunk: The Dance MixesThe Chipmunks-
East Side MilitiaChemlab-
Factory ShowroomThey Might Be Giants-
Ginuwine... the BachelorGinuwine-
Karen CarpenterKaren Carpenter-
No Doubt702-
No Talking, Just HeadThe HeadsMembers of Talking Heads
Satan Is Real Again, or Feeling Good About Bad ThoughtsCountry Teasers-
SunburntMartin Phillipps and The Chills-
Tell Me Something: The Songs of Mose AllisonVan Morrison, Georgie Fame, Mose Allison and Ben Sidran-
The Third RailRailroad Jerk-
Under These Rocks and StonesChantal KreviazukCAN
11 The Starres Are Marching Sadly Home (Theinmostlightthirdandfinal)Current 93EP
14 Like Gods of the SunMy Dying Bride-
InterpreterJulian Cope-
Ivy and the Big ApplesSpiderbait-
SutrasDonovan-
15 Billy BreathesPhish-
BreatheMidnight Oil-
Car Button ClothThe Lemonheads-
Corey HartCorey Hart-
Genius of AmericaThe Tubes-
JustusThe Monkees-
Kind Hearted WomanMichelle Shocked-
Life Is PeachyKorn-
No DoyMoe-
Now I Got WorryThe Jon Spencer Blues Explosion-
Overnight SensationMotörhead-
The Past Didn't Go AnywhereAni DiFranco and Utah Philips-
Recovering the SatellitesCounting Crows-
Red Hot + RioVarious ArtistsRed Hot Organization AIDS benefit
Shack-manMedeski, Martin & Wood-
Stories Told & UntoldBad Company-
This FirePaula Cole-
WisebloodCorrosion of Conformity-
Wrath of the MathJeru the Damaja-
19 Trailer ParkBeth Orton-
21 Dance into the LightPhil Collins-
Young in LoveAaron Pritchett-
22 12 Soulful Nights of ChristmasJermaine DupriChristmas
Autobiography of MistachuckChuck D-
Bow DownWestside Connection-
Business Is BusinessPMD-
Firing SquadM.O.P.-
Get Off the Cross, We Need the Wood for the FireFirewaterDebut
Motel CaliforniaUgly Kid Joe-
Public Cowboy #1: The Music of Gene AutryRiders in the Sky-
RememberRusted Root-
Soundtracks for the BlindSwans-
Time Will RevealAbove the Law-
Trial by FireJourney-
Truth Crushed to Earth Shall Rise AgainHouse of Pain-
23 Actual FantasyAyreon-
24 GoatlordDarkthroneDemo
25 Long SeasonFishmans-
Thank God for Mental IllnessThe Brian Jonestown Massacre-
28 The Beatles Anthology, Volume 3The BeatlesCompilation; UK
EvitaMadonnaSoundtrack
Keys to AscensionYesStudio + Live
A Different BeatBoyzone-
Hubert KahHubert Kah-
29 Space Jam: Music from and Inspired by the Motion PictureVarious ArtistsSoundtrack
Romeo + JulietVarious ArtistsSoundtrack
American HardcoreL.A. Guns-
Among My SwanMazzy Star-
ArchaeologyThe Rutles-
Being ThereWilcoDouble album
Danzig 5: BlackacidevilDanzig-
Da StormO.G.C.-
Everything I LoveAlan Jackson-
Fever In Fever OutLuscious Jackson-
From I Extreme II AnotherII D Extreme-
IronmanGhostface Killah-
Mic City SonsHeatmiser-
SkilletSkillet-
31 Back in the Shootin' MatchAce Troubleshooter-
Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.Slipknot-
? The Acoustic AlbumToyah-
Hacked Up for BarbecueMortician-
N
O
V
E
M
B
E
R
4 Around the World Hit Singles: The Journey So FarEast 17Compilation
DahliaX Japan-
Richard D. James AlbumAphex Twin[43]
SpiceSpice GirlsDebut
5 IIThe Presidents of the United States of America-
Beavis and Butt-head Do America: Original Motion Picture SoundtrackVarious ArtistsSoundtrack
The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day TheoryMakaveli-
Early RecordingsJoan Osborne-
Just the SameTerri Clark-
The Politics of EcstasyNevermore-
Ride the FaderChavez-
Star BrightVanessa WilliamsChristmas
Take You Therek-os-
Tierna La NocheFey-
UnchainedJohnny Cash-
Unknown CountryThe Clean-
8 SahraKhaled–
11 Voice of LoveDiana RossCompilation +3 new tracks
Dizzy HeightsThe Lightning Seeds–
SpiceSpice GirlsUS
Pre-Millennium TensionTricky-
12 About to ChokeVic Chesnutt-
BeatBowery Electric-
Tha DoggfatherSnoop Doggy Dogg-
Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan, Vol. 1Chaka KhanCompilation
Hard CoreLil' KimDebut
InfiniteEminemDebut
Losing StreakLess Than Jake-
NicoBlind MelonCompilation
Paegan Terrorism TacticsAcid Bath-
18 BelovedGlay-
If You're Feeling SinisterBelle & Sebastian-
Now That's What I Call Music! 35 (UK series)Various ArtistsCompilation
19 Daylight: Music from the Motion PictureRalph Edelman and Various ArtistsSoundtrack
Dru HillDru Hill-
Dusk and Her EmbraceCradle of Filth-
EmancipationPrince3xCD
Hell on EarthMobb Deep-
House of MusicTony! Toni! Toné!-
Ill Na NaFoxy Brown-
Life in GeneralMxPx-
Razorblade SuitcaseBushUS
Rock SpectacleBarenaked LadiesLive album
Summer of '78Barry Manilow-
Sunfish Holy BreakfastGuided by Voices-
21 Plugged in PermanentAnvil-
22 Cacy Cacy FleischmaschineŚwietliki-
Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi!Enigma-
Wiggly, Wiggly ChristmasThe WigglesChristmas
25 Enter Suicidal AngelsDark Tranquillity-
Friends IIB'zEP
PresentSun Electric-
Someday MaybeThe Clarks-
TelegramBjörkUK; Remix
The Week Never Starts Round HereArab StrapDebut
26 The Aeroplane Flies HighThe Smashing PumpkinsBox Set
Death Row Greatest HitsDeath Row RecordsCompilation
Dr. Dre Presents: The AftermathVarious ArtistsCompilation
EnigmaKeith Murray-
Poison's Greatest Hits: 1986–1996PoisonCompilation
The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack AlbumWhitney HoustonSoundtrack
29 SwitchstanceQuarashiEP
TormentedStaindDebut
Upbeats and BeatdownsFive Iron FrenzyDebut
? Atom-Powered Action!BisEP
Envy of AngelsThe Mutton Birds-
Further AlongThe Dubliners-
Live Around the WorldMeat LoafLive
D
E
C
E
M
B
E
R
1 Hi ScoresBoards of CanadaEP
2 Telling EverybodyHuman Nature-
3 Christmas on Death RowVarious ArtistsChristmas
Nerf HerderNerf Herder-
One Fierce Beer CoasterBloodhound Gang-
Punk-O-Rama Vol. 2Various ArtistsCompilation
10 Five Smokin' Tracks from LitLitEP
Lama Rabi RabiGhost-
Muddy WatersRedman-
This Is Teen-C Power!BisEP
12 True L'Arc-en-Ciel -
16 Machines Against the RageTISMLive
17 666.667 ClubNoir Désir-
18 Imaginator Nelson Japanese release date

Release date unknown

Biggest hit singles

The following songs achieved the highest chart positions in the charts of 1996.

# Artist Title Year Country Chart entries
1Spice Girls"Wannabe"1996UKUK 1 – Jul 1996, US BB 1 of 1997, Netherlands 1 – Aug 1996, Sweden 1 – Aug 1996, Switzerland 1 – Aug 1996, Norway 1 – Aug 1996, Germany 1 – Aug 1996, Republic of Ireland 1 – Aug 1996, New Zealand 1 for 1 week Nov 1996, Australia 1 for 11 weeks Jan 1997, US BB 3 of 1997, POP 3 of 1997, Austria 4 – Aug 1996, Australia 5 of 1996, Poland 22 – Aug 1996, Italy 31 of 1996, Global 33 (5 M sold) – 1996, Scrobulate 59 of pop, RYM 94 of 1996, Germany 170 of the 1990s, OzNet 963, Acclaimed 1504
2Los Del Rio"Macarena"1995SpainUS BB 1 of 1996, Netherlands 1 – Aug 1993, Austria 1 – Feb 1996, Switzerland 1 – Mar 1996, Germany 1 – Apr 1996, Australia 1 for 9 weeks Nov 1996, UK 2 – Jul 1996, US BB 2 of 1996, Norway 2 – Jun 1996, Australia 2 of 1996, POP 2 of 1996, Global 7 (10 M sold) – 1993, Sweden 8 – Jun 1996, Germany 26 of the 1990s, Party 102 of 2007
3Fugees"Killing Me Softly with His Song"1996USUK 1 - Jun 1996 (20 weeks), Holland 1 - Jun 1996 (15 weeks), Finland 1 for 7 weeks - Jul 1996, Austria 1 - Jul 1996 (5 months), Switzerland 1 - Jun 1996 (27 weeks), Norway 1 - Jun 1996 (18 weeks), Belgium 1 - Jul 1996 (17 weeks), Italy 1 for 6 weeks - Jul 1996, Germany 1 - Jun 1996 (5 months), New Zealand 1 for 3 weeks - May 1996, Australia 1 for 7 weeks - Jun 1996, Europe 1 for 8 weeks - Jul 1996, Sweden 5 - Aug 1996 (4 weeks), Switzerland 6 of 1996, Italy 6 of 1996, Brazil 11 of 1996, Japan (Tokyo) 12 - Apr 1996 (22 weeks), US Radio 15 of 1996 (peak 1 16 weeks), POP 21 of 1996
4Celine Dion"Because You Loved Me"1996CanadaUS Billboard 1 – Mar 1996 (33 weeks), Japan (Tokyo) 1 – Mar 1996 (19 weeks), Australia 1 of 1996, Australia 1 for 3 weeks – Aug 1996, ASCAP song of 1996, Oscar in 1996 (film 'Up Close & Personal') (Nominated), Grammy in 1996 (Nominated), Golden Globe in 1996 (film 'Up Close & Personal') (Nominated), US Platinum (certified by RIAA in Apr 1996), US BB 3 of 1996, Switzerland 3 – Jun 1996 (32 weeks), ARC 4 of 1996 (peak 1 22 weeks), Holland 4 – May 1996 (15 weeks), Poland 4 – May 1996 (20 weeks), Germany Gold (certified by BMieV in 1996), POP 4 of 1996, UK 5 – Jun 1996 (16 weeks), Belgium 5 – Jun 1996 (16 weeks), US Radio 9 of 1996 (peak 1 21 weeks), Japan (Osaku) 11 of 1996 (peak 2 22 weeks), Sweden 12 – Aug 1996 (4 weeks), Germany 13 – Oct 1996 (3 months), Brazil 19 of 1996, Switzerland 20 of 1996, Austria 23 – Jun 1996 (3 weeks), UK Silver (certified by BPI in Jun 1996), Party 134 of 1999
5Toni Braxton"Un-Break My Heart"1996USUS Billboard 1 - Oct 1996 (42 weeks), Sweden 1 - Nov 1996 (12 weeks), Brazil 1 of 1997, Switzerland 1 - Dec 1996 (29 weeks), Poland 1 - Nov 1996 (26 weeks), Europe 1 for 2 weeks - Jan 1997, UK 2 - Nov 1996 (19 weeks), Holland 2 - Oct 1996 (19 weeks), Norway 2 - Dec 1996 (23 weeks), Belgium 2 - Jan 1997 (22 weeks), Germany 2 - Jan 1997 (6 months), ODK Germany 2 - Nov 1996 (31 weeks) (14 weeks in top 10), US Platinum (certified by RIAA in Dec 1996), UK Platinum (certified by BPI in Jan 1997), US BB 4 of 1997, Austria 4 - Jan 1997 (5 months), France Gold (certified by SNEP in Jun 1997), Switzerland 7 of 1997, ARC 8 of 1996 (peak 1 19 weeks), Japan (Tokyo) 9 - Nov 1996 (26 weeks)

Top 40 Chart hit singles

Song title Artist(s) Release date(s) US UK Highest chart position Other Chart Performance(s)
"1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)"CoolioFebruary 19965132 (Iceland, New Zealand)See chart performance entry
"1979"The Smashing PumpkinsJanuary 199612162 (Canada, Iceland)See chart performance entry
*"All By Myself"Céline DionDecember 1996461 (Canada)See chart performance entry
"Always Be My Baby"Mariah CareyMay 1996131 (Canada, United States)See chart performance entry
"Bailando"ParadisioSeptember 1996n/an/a1 (5 countries)See chart performance entry
"Cosmic Girl"JamiroquaiNovember 1996n/a62 (Belgium)See chart performance entry
"Firestarter"The ProdigyMarch 19963011 (5 countries)See chart performance entry

Other Chart hit singles

Notable singles

Song title Artist(s) Release date(s) Other Chart Performance(s)
"1979"The Smashing PumpkinsJanuary 1996See chart performance entry

Other Notable singles

Classical music

Opera

Jazz

Musical theater

Musical films

Births

Deaths

Awards

Charts

See also

References

  1. ↑ anonymous (January 12, 1996). "Madonna Faces Stalker In Court". MTV Networks. Archived from the original on April 11, 2008. Retrieved April 15, 2008.
  2. ↑ P-I Staff and News Services (January 18, 1996). "ATTORNEY WANTS TO OPEN TEEN'S MURDER TRIAL WITH ROCK SONG". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved April 15, 2008.
  3. ↑ anonymous (n.d.). "Incidents -> Jamaica Mistaica". BuffettWorld. Archived from the original on April 8, 2008. Retrieved April 15, 2008.
  4. ↑ anonymous (January 18, 1996). "She's out of his life". Cable News Network, Inc. (CNN). Retrieved April 16, 2008.
  5. ↑ Condon, Dan (September 30, 2019). "The definitive guide to every Big Day Out line-up ever". ABC. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  6. ↑ Valente, Marcela (February 16, 1996). "(Artes y Espectaculos) ARGENTINA: Evita y Madonna, iguales y distintas | IPS Agencia de Noticias". www.ipsnoticias.net (in Spanish). Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  7. ↑ Ignacio, Juan (January 21, 1996). "Madonna empieza a pasar los primeros apuros en Buenos Aires" (in Spanish). Mundinteractivos, S.A. (El Mundo). Retrieved April 16, 2008.
  8. ↑ Creative Team – Jonathan Larson Archived June 5, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ anonymous (n.d.). ""Friends" The One After the Superbowl: Part 1 (1996)". IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved April 16, 2008.
  10. ↑ anonymous (March 30, 2001). "Two jailed for Venice opera arson". BBC. Archived from the original on May 9, 2009. Retrieved April 16, 2008.
  11. ↑ Pareles, John (January 31, 1996). "CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK; Music Awards for a Mythical Middle America". The New York Times. Retrieved April 16, 2008.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  12. ↑ Compiled from wire reports (n.d.). "People, places & things in the news". South Coast Media Group. Retrieved April 20, 2008.
  13. ↑ Sexton, Paul (2023-03-02). "'All Eyez On Me': 2Pac's Poignant And Seminal 1996 Milestone". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  14. ↑ "Prince's Ex-Wife Details Their Life in Memoir — But It's No 'Tell-All'". Billboard. 2017-04-10. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  15. ↑ Lee, Ann (February 15, 2011). "Brit Awards 2011: Top five moments Through the years". Metro. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  16. ↑ "MCA Takes Half of Interscope". New York Daily News. Associated Press. February 22, 1996. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
  17. ↑ Online, KISS. "KISS Online :: KISS Chronology | The Complete History Of KISS". KISS Online. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  18. ↑ "The Beatles". The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. 2007. Archived from the original on January 4, 2010. Retrieved February 5, 2009.
  19. ↑ "Entertainment Highlights in History". The Washington Post. Associated Press. March 3, 2004. Retrieved February 5, 2009.
  20. ↑ Catlin, Roger (December 24, 1998). "Old Songs In New Packages Are Hot Gifts The Greatest Season". Hartford Courant. p. 63. Retrieved 2025-04-26 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Sex Pistols". The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. 2007. Archived from the original on February 8, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2009.
  22. ↑ "Genesis reuniting after decade apart". CBC News. October 19, 2006. Archived from the original on January 20, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2009.
  23. ↑ Martha Duffy, "So Happy Together", Time magazine, April 29, 1996 Archived June 2, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  24. ↑ "Fan Crushed At Smashing Pumpkins Show". Mtv.com. May 17, 1996. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  25. ↑ "Tracy Bonham Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2021-11-17. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  26. ↑ "Chage & Aska Talkasia Transcript". CNN. 2005-12-14. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
  27. ↑ "Why June 27 should be a Houston holiday for hip-hop fans". Houston Chronicle. 2019-06-27.
  28. ↑ Rosenberg, Sari. "February 22, 1997: "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls Hit No. 1, Ushering in the Girl Power Era". Lifetime. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  29. ↑ "Phil Anselmo's Overdose: The Night Heavy Metal Held its Breath". Heavy Chronicle.
  30. ↑ The Haunted – No false pride, no fashion, no fake set of values Archived February 21, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  31. ↑ Boehlert, Eric (October 3, 1996). "Pop Journal". Rolling Stone. No. 744. Straight Arrow Publishers, Inc. p. 26.
  32. ↑ "Phish Magnaball: A 3-Day Festival August 21st-23rd". phish.com. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  33. ↑ Levine, Robert (February–March 1997), "Cyberspace Oddity", The Web Magazine, 1 (3): 30–33
  34. ↑ Simmons, Sylvie (2006-06-02). "'Nowadays the fans keep their clothes on'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  35. ↑ Levinson, Alana (2016-09-24). "Weezer's Pinkerton and the invention of the manic pixie dream boys". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-01-22.
  36. ↑ "Korn's Sophomore Album 'Life is Peachy' Turns 20". Billboard. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  37. ↑ Hendrickson, Matt (December 12, 1996). "Slash Leaves Guns N' Roses". Rolling Stone. No. 749. Straight Arrow Publishers, Inc. p. 24.
  38. ↑ John Ezard, "Piper Pays for His Tune", The Guardian (1 November 1996):2.
  39. ↑ Kennelty, Greg (July 20, 2022). "MAX CAVALERA Says It Was His Fault He Left SEPULTURA, Not His Wife's Fault". Metal Injection.
  40. ↑ "Tori Amos: 'We all carry around our damage'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  41. ↑ "LFO:Advance". Warp Records. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  42. ↑ "Upcoming Releases: April 30" (PDF). CMJ New Music Report. Vol. 46, no. 3 (Issue 470). Great Neck, New York: College Media, Inc. 15 April 1996. p. 47. ISSN 0890-0795. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  43. ↑ "Aphex Twin Richard D. James Album". Warp. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  44. ↑ Eckhard Roelcke, "Mördermusik", Die Zeit 1996, no. 5 (26 January).
  45. ↑ Eleanore Buening, "Die Soap mit den Aliens", Die Zeit 1996, no. 51 (13 December).
  46. ↑ Heinz Josef Herbort, "Erlösung trotz alledem: Freitag, Karlheinz Stockhausens fünfte LICHT-Oper, in Leipzig uraufgeführt", Die Zeit 1996, no. 39 (20 September).