What's that one song that played all the time in 1998? Chances are, you'll find it right here! If you have a deep appreciation for the bops of the 1990s and want to take a walk down memory lane, check out my list of the best pop songs of the decade.
"Iris" is the song everyone instantly recognizes as the Goo Goo Dolls. It also happens to be one heavily associated with the 1990s. If you've ever been to one of their concerts, hearing this live is a transcendent experience.
"No Scrubs" is easily TLC's best. I don't think I know a single person who doesn't know this song, and I wouldn't want to. I mean, would we even know what a scrub is if not for them?
Any Batman Forever fans here? The song was initially released in 1994 with little success but was luckily revived as the second single on the film's soundtrack a year later. "Kiss from a Rose" left quite an impression on the decade.
"Don't Speak," the third single of their third album, Tragic Kingdom, is one of the first songs that comes to mind when I think of No Doubt. Though "Just a Girl," "Spiderwebs," and "Sunday Morning" are all notable singles on the album, this one remains supreme.
Rob Thomas made Santana's "Smooth" a chart-topping hit. It must have won all of the awards in 1999 and remains a crowd favorite in karaoke bars today.
The best and most successful version of "Torn" that exists has to be Natalie Imbruglia's cover of the Ednaswap song. It became her debut single in 1997, earning her a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
The lead single of their debut album, "MMMBop," is obviously Hanson's most popular song, bordering on one-hit wonder territory. Twenty-five years later, the brothers are still touring, so good for them!
The day Cher's "Believe" isn't on a "best of the '90s" list is the day we as a society have lost all good taste in music. Iconic is not even strong enough of a word to describe this gem.
If you know this song, odds are you remember it from She's All That, a beloved rom-com of the 1990s. "Kiss Me" was the first single from the band's third album and is their most popular song to date.
"One Week" is just one of those songs that will always be good simply because of how hilarious the lyrics are. It will forever be memorable and, most importantly, in this day and age, meme-able.
"Semi-Charmed Life" was Third Eye Blind's debut single off of their debut album, and listening to it was incredibly addicting. It was practically everywhere back then and is on any good '90s playlist that exists these days.
I was today years old when I realized that this song was inspired by a Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney song, but Brandy and Monica's "The Boy Is Mine" is so good and stands on its own. It was both artists' first hit and, according to Billboard, one of 1,001 songs you must hear before you die.
"Losing My Religion" is a song you can't help singing along to every time you hear it. Though it's not the poppiest of pop songs, it is catchy enough to have made an ever-lasting impression, making it one of R.E.M.'s most popular to date.
Listening to this song is like hearing it for the first time all over again for me. I get so excited every time. Lauryn Hill's "Doo Wop (That Thing)" is her most successful for good reason.
"Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" is one of my personal favorites. Backstreet Boys can do no wrong. The music video is incredible, and it's impossible not to dance to and sing along to. I still want to learn the dance.
"This Is How We Do It" is the ultimate party song! You can't have a party playlist without it. This jam really makes you nostalgic for the nineties. 10/10.
The first single on the Jagged Little Pill album changed everything for Alanis. Her new alt-rock sound made her a household name and not only gave us one of the best albums of the nineties but of all time.
I'm not sure how many "best of" lists this song is featured on, but it's a lot. "No Diggity" is so nineties, it hurts, but in the best possible way. I dare you not to sing along next time it comes on the radio.
The way "Truly Madly Deeply" pulls certain memories and emotions out of people should be studied. It's just such a beautiful song and a timeless classic.
I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I had no idea this was a Prince song until now, which just adds an extra layer of genius to it. Sinead O'Connor certainly left her mark on music in the nineties with "Nothing Compares 2 U."
If you don't move to this song, you have failed C+C Music Factory and Freedom Williams. And Martha Wash, for that matter. It's not ranked on Billboard's "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time" for nothing.
Janet's had so many hits over the years, but specific to the decade, "Together Again" has to be the best. The song's beautiful message, paired with its uptempo dance music, makes it all the more memorable.
You can't have the nineties without the Spice Girls. The group's debut single, "Wannabe," is absolutely iconic and will always hold a very special place in our hearts.
I don't think I have to tell you just how influential "...Baby, One More Time" has been on all things pop culture. As another amazing debut single off of an equally amazing album, the song is considered to be one of the greatest songs ever.
As the first single off of Christina Aguilera's debut album, "Genie in a Bottle" (dare I say), made a big impression. Everyone I knew had this album and played it on repeat.
Not only is "Bills, Bills, Bills" one of Destiny's Child's best songs ever, but the song's music video is still top-tier. Also, shout out to "Say My Name" for contributing to the soundtrack of the nineties!
I hope I'm not the only one learning new things about these beloved bangers because who was going to tell me that "Vogue" is from a soundtrack album? Given the number of times this song has been sampled and covered, we should be tired of it, but that's the power of Madonna.
It's kind of a tie between this song and "Fantasy," but ultimately, I went with "Always Be My Baby" due to the number of times I heard this one vs. the other growing up. Plus, the movie Always Be My Maybe was named after it, which holds some power.
Where there is Mariah Carey, there is obviously Whitney Houston. Whitney's version of "I Will Always Love You" from The Bodyguard soundtrack will continue to be everything. Mic drop.
Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" is right up there with "I Will Always Love You." Man, those film soundtracks were killing it back then. The song won just about every award it was nominated for that year and is considered to be one of the "Songs of the Century."
Shelby Weimer, a Kansas City native, grew up watching way too many comedies and Saturday Night Live, inspiring her to build a career in comedy. When she isn’t writing sketches and pilot scripts, Shelby is always keeping up with the latest in entertainment, with reality TV and all things pop culture being her jam. Find Shelby on Twitter & Instagram @shelbwei3.
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