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- 60 songs every '90s kid will remember
60 songs every '90s kid will remember
Anjelica Oswald,Barnaby Lane
- The '90s were full of dance hits and powerful ballads.
- The decade is also considered the golden era of rap and hip-hop.
From the budding careers of artists like Mariah Carey and Britney Spears to the iconic voice of Whitney Houston, the '90s were full of dance hits and powerful ballads.
The decade is also considered the golden era of rap and hip-hop, having birthed the likes of Snoop Dogg, 2Pac, Outkast, and The Notorious B.I.G.
Here are 60 songs that every '90s kid will remember.
"Hold On" — Wilson Phillips
The hit single from Wilson Phillips' debut album won single of the year at the Billboard Music Awards and was featured at the end of 2011's "Bridesmaids" proving this song never goes out of style.
"Livin' La Vida Loca" — Ricky Martin
Martin's debut English album had a hit with "Livin' La Vida Loca." He won male artist of the year at the Billboard Music Awards, and the song was No. 1 for five weeks.
"Kiss Me" — Sixpence None the Richer
The song hit No. 2 on the charts and has since been used as the perfect romantic song in numerous TV shows and movies, including "Dawson's Creek" and "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days."
"(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" — Bryan Adams
This love song was not only featured on Adams' own album, but also on the soundtrack for 1991's "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves." It was named Billboard's single of the year and spent seven weeks at No. 1.
"What is Love?" — Haddaway
There is nothing better than belting this club song as loud as you can. "Saturday Night Live" helped make the song even more popular when it was used in the "Roxbury Guys" sketches and subsequent movie "A Night at the Roxbury."
"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney Houston (1992)
Whitney Houston's cover of the Dolly Parton song was recorded for the 1992 movie "The Bodyguard," which was also her film debut, but the song quickly became a huge hit. It spent 14 consecutive weeks at No. 1 and won two Grammys, including record of the year. And that iconic key change is hard to forget.
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" — Nirvana
This rock anthem was a revolutionary song for the young generation, and it was Nirvana's biggest hit, reaching No. 6 on the charts. The song is still iconic today.
"Baby Got Back" — Sir Mix-A-Lot
This hit was initially controversial for its explicitly sexual lyrics, but it has withstood the test of time and is one of the most recognizable songs from the '90s. It was No. 1 for five weeks and even won a Grammy.
"Jump" — Kris Kross
"Jump" was the first single from the 12- and 13-year-old duo Kris Kross and was an instant hit, sitting at No. 1 for eight weeks. Once the song came on, it really was hard not to get up and jump.
"End of the Road" — Boyz II Men
The Boyz II Men singers were a '90s staple and "End of the Road" was a smash success for the group. The song was recorded for the 1992 Eddie Murphy movie "Boomerang," and spent 13 weeks at No. 1.
"Losing My Religion" — R.E.M.
R.E.M. found a surprise hit with this single that featured a mandolin. It reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won two Grammys, one for its video and one for best pop performance.
"I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)" — Meat Loaf
This power ballad was Meat Loaf's first No. 1 hit, where it stayed for four weeks. The 12-minute song earned Meat Loaf a Grammy.
"Creep" — Radiohead
Radiohead released "Creep" as their first single, but the song was initially poorly received in the United Kingdom. But thanks to the success of the single in other countries, including the United States, the single was a victory.
The band stopped playing the song for a while, but they've started playing it again.
"I Swear" — All-4-One
This ballad was actually a cover of a successful country song by artist John Michael Montgomery. All-4-One's version was more successful though and stayed at No. 1 for 11 weeks.
"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" — The Proclaimers
When "I'm Gonna Be" comes on, it's hard not to sing along with the "da-da-da-da's" even if you can't remember all of the words. The song was a sweet success for the Scottish duo.
"The Power of Love" — Celine Dion
This love song was Celine Dion's first No. 1 single, where it sat for four weeks, but it was actually a cover of Jennifer Rush's 1984 song. It even garnered the singer a Grammy nomination.
"Whoomp! (There It Is)" — Tag Team
Tag Team became a one-hit wonder with this addictive dance jam. Rumors began to swirl in 2010 that President Barack Obama appeared in the music video, but it turned out to be false.
"Loser" — Beck
Beck was an independent artist when he released "Loser," and the success of the song led to a record deal. When the song was re-released under the label, the song hit No. 10 on the charts, helping jump-start Beck's career.
"Tootsee Roll" — 69 Boyz
The 69 Boyz emerged on the scene with the "Tootsee Roll" as their first single and reached No. 8 on the charts. Everything you needed to know about how to the dance was given to you directly in the lyrics. You just had to pay attention.
"MMMBop" — Hanson
Hanson, a band made up of three brothers, were aged 6 to 11 when they first released this bop. The single, which reached No. 1, is still the band's most successful single, even though the lyrics might not make any sense.
"Waterfalls" — TLC
TLC's signature hit spent seven weeks at the top of the charts. The ballad addressed social issues from the '90s including violence, illegal drugs, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which were also shown in the music video.
"Smooth" — Santana feat. Rob Thomas
Man, it's a hot one. "Smooth" went through a reemergence as an Internet meme in 2016, but the song originally came out in 1999 where it spent 12 consecutive weeks at the top of the charts, a then record-breaking spot in the top 30, and won three Grammys. Its legacy will forever endure.
"Good Vibrations" — Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
Before Mark Wahlberg was a movie star, he was known as Marky Mark. This dance hit was Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch's lead single from their debut album. The club beat is still easy to get down to. The song reached No. 1 on the charts.
"Kiss From a Rose" — Seal
Seal won three Grammys, including record of the year, for the single, which was also included on the soundtrack for "Batman Forever. It's a pop culture favorite showing up on everything from "Community" to "American Crime Story."
"You Oughta Know" — Alanis Morissette
This angry rock song was a departure from Morissette's earlier music, but the scathing lyrics were perfect to sing angrily, and the song took off.
"Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)" — Los Del Rïo
This iconic one-hit wonder resulted in a dance hit, with accompanying moves, that is still broken out at weddings and parties around the globe. The song lasted at No. 1 for 14 weeks.
"No Diggity" — Blackstreet feat. Dr. Dre and Queen Pen
Blackstreet's "No Diggity" finally took "Macarena" off its No. 1 perch and stayed at the top for four weeks. The song won a Grammy.
"Wonderwall" — Oasis
Brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher landed their biggest hit in the US with "Wonderwall," where it charted at No. 8, and the song earned the group a Grammy nomination. It is consistently ranked as one of the, if not the, best British songs.
"Why Don't You Get a Job?" — The Offspring
Though slightly more popular in foreign markets, this single from The Offspring had the perfect amount of anger with a fun beat, which some people say sounds a heck of a lot like The Beatles' "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da." Those people aren't wrong.
"Un-Break My Heart" — Toni Braxton
Braxton originally didn't want to record this ballad, but thankfully she did. After it was released, the song shot to No. 1 for 11 weeks and earned the singer a Grammy for best female pop vocal performance.
"Truly Madly Deeply" — Savage Garden
The Australian duo released this love song as part of their debut album, and it managed to hit No. 1 for two weeks. Dance group Cascada released a cover of the song in 2006, but nothing is as great as the original.
"It's All Coming Back to Me" – Celine Dion
Dion was a formidable force in the '90s and this power ballad was no exception. The song was actually a cover of Pandora's Box original version. The song's crescendos give the song a force that is impossible to ignore.
"Always Be My Baby" — Mariah Carey
This catchy ballad had an upbeat tempo to get people dancing and showed off Carey's ability to hit incredibly high notes. It hit No. 1 for two weeks, but though Carey was nominated for six Grammys for the album that this song appeared on, she was shut out.
"...Baby One More Time" — Britney Spears
Spears' debut single was a chart-topping success. The pop song has cemented itself as one of the best pop songs of all time, and the music video based in a Catholic school is equally as iconic. The song even landed Spears her first Grammy nomination.
"I'll Make Love To You" — Boyz II Men
This No. 1 hit love song stayed at the top for 14 weeks and earned the group a Grammy.
"Wannabe" — Spice Girls
The Spice Girls proved they had dance song prowess with the release of their first single, which was a huge hit and launched the girl group to fame. "Wannabe" is all about female empowerment, and even though some of the lyrics didn't make much sense, fans just can't help but sing along.
"Gangsta's Paradise" — Coolio feat. L.V.
Coolio's hit song was featured on the soundtrack for Michelle Pfeiffer's "Dangerous Minds" and was the No. 1 song for three weeks. The song earned a Grammy for best rap solo performance and was named the No. 1 single of the year by Billboard.
"Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" — Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys actually released two international albums before making their US debut, but once they did, the boy group became one of the most memorable bands from the late '90s and early 2000s. "Everybody" is great for singing with friends.
"Tubtumping (I Get Knocked Down)" — Chumbawamba
Few things are more fun than screaming, "I get knocked down, but I get up again, you ain't ever gonna keep me down," when you are angry or excited or just need something to pump you up. The political single became British band Chumbawamba's biggest hit.
"Barbie Girl" — Aqua
Slightly annoying but unforgettable, "Barbie Girl" was Aqua's biggest hit in the states. The dance song led to Mattel suing MCA Records, but the song was protected as a parody and the case was dismissed.
"Man! I Feel Like a Woman! — Shania Twain
Twain's empowering song is a going out anthem. The country-pop song is a danceable hit with easy-to-memorize lyrics, and the song earned Twain her second Grammy.
"Ice Ice Baby" — Vanilla Ice
With a bass line from "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie, "Ice Ice Baby" is recognizable whenever it starts. The song made it to No. 1.
"The Boy is Mine" — Brandy and Monica
Brandy and Monica's duet revolves around two women fighting over a boy. The song shot to No. 1 for 13 weeks and won a Grammy for R&B performance by a duo or group.
"No Scrubs" — TLC
Another signature song for TLC, "No Scrubs" was No. 1 for four weeks and earned the group their second Grammy nomination for record of the year. The song was an anthem against jerks. A fan asked the group on Twitter if they still had a policy against "scrubs," and the answer was a resounding yes.
"The River of Dreams" — Billy Joel
The title track from his 1993 album had a fun beat to bob around to and earned the musician a Grammy nomination for record of the year. It was also his top-charting song in the '90s.
"C'est La Vie" — B*Witched
The debut single from Irish group B*Witched is as fun as it gets. Though the song doesn't make much sense, the group later revealed that the song does feature quite a few sexual innuendos.
"Closing Time" — Semisonic
"Closing Time" is the perfect song to end an evening. The song has been used in a number of different movies and shows like "Friends With Benefits" and "The Office."
"Mambo No. 5" — Lou Bega
Lou Bega's hit dance song took some samples from Pérez Prado's mambo, which caused some controversy for the musician, but everything was later settled. The irresistible beat worked and the one-hit wonder topped charts around the world, making it to No. 3 in the US.
"Waiting for Tonight" — Jennifer Lopez
Lopez's hit song from her debut album was actually a cover of a song by girl group 3rd Party. The dance song helped launch her music career and even earned the artist a Grammy nomination for best dance recording. The song was necessary to help usher in the new year.
"All Star" — Smash Mouth
Ah, Smash Mouth. "All Star" featured incredibly hilarious lyrics and an addictive beat that helped this song become a smash. And in case you forgot, the music video features cameos by William H. Macy, Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, Paul Reubens, Kel Mitchell, Janeane Garofalo, Dane Cook, and more because the song was prominently featured in a superhero comedy called "Mystery Men."
"Regulate" – Warren G feat. Nate Dogg
The smoothest hip-hop song ever made, Nate Dogg and Warren G's deep, soulful voices ride the waves of "Regulate" like a Cadillac rides the coastal streets of California.
"Barbie Girl" – Aqua
Released in April 1997, "Barbie Girl" was a No. 1 hit all over the world and remains among the top 20 highest-selling singles ever in the United Kingdom.
"Blue (Da Ba Dee)" – Eiffel 65
Alongside songs by Moby, Enrique Iglesias, and Jennifer Lopez, Eiffel 65's "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" was nominated for best dance recording at the 2001 Grammys. They all missed out on the prize, however, to, believe it or not, Baha Men's "Who Let the Dogs Out?"
"Return of the Mack" – Mark Morrison
The only thing more iconic than Mark Morrison's 1996 smash hit "Return of the Mack" is the British singer's get-up in the music video. Morrison's leather duster, black turtle neck, and huge gold chain have been inspiring fashionistas across the globe ever since.
"Juicy" – The Notorious B.I.G.
Has there ever been a better debut song than The Notorious B.I.G.'s 1994 hit "Juicy?" A rags-to-riches tale, the song is widely regarded as the greatest hip-hop track of all time.
"Tha Crossroads" – Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
The fact that Bizzy Bone's opening verse on Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's 1996 Eazy-E tribute "Tha Crossroads" is near-indecipherable didn't stop it from becoming one of the decade's most memorable hip-hop tracks. Honestly, though, what is he saying?
"Every Morning" – Sugar Ray
The sort of song that you might not remember who sang, but will definitely recognize the second that flamenco-style guitar starts playing, "Every Morning" was Sugar Ray's highest-charting single ever on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 3.
"What Would You Do?" – City High
Originally included on the soundtrack to the 1999 movie "Life," starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence, City High released "What Would You Do?" as a single in 2001 to huge success. It proved to be the group's one-and-only hit before they disbanded in 2003.
"Save Tonight" – Eagle-Eye Cherry
Describing his 1997 hit "Save Tonight," Eagle-Eye Cherry said in 2019: "If you're at a party or in a club or at home having dinner with your girlfriend, you get that feeling of, 'This is so perfect, I don't want this to ever end. I wish I could fight the break of dawn.'"
"Don't Speak" – No Doubt
Before Gwen Stefani launched her successful solo career, she was, of course, the lead singer of the American rock band No Doubt. "Don't Speak," released in 1996, was the group's biggest-ever hit, selling over 4 million copies.
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