Top 10 Greatest Songs From 1995

WatchMojo

Jump into a musical time machine as we revisit the unforgettable hits that defined an incredible year in music! From hip-hop anthems and power ballads to alternative rock classics and R&amp;B gems, we're celebrating the songs that captured our hearts and topped the charts during this amazing time in music history.

Transcript

00:00Y'all, that's a good song!

00:02Oh, thanks!

00:08Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most memorable, high-quality, and or culturally relevant tracks of 1995.

00:24Number 10, Gangsta's Paradise, Coolio featuring LV.

00:30With so much great hip-hop during the 1990s, you need to at least mention the work of Coolio.

00:40Gangsta's Paradise is the rapper's signature track, and the best showcase of his talents.

00:44From biblical references to haunting backing tracks, the hit builds up to an iconic chorus.

00:49LV's hook is another incredible detail in this enjoyable experience.

00:53Using his particular flow, the artist gets his point across in a poetic achievement.

01:00His song was featured on the album of the same name and the Michelle Pfeiffer movie, Dangerous Minds.

01:08It's also heavily inspired by a Stevie Wonder song, giving it another musical spark to remember it by.

01:14Number 9, Kiss from a Rose, Seal

01:24There used to be a graying tower alone on the sea

01:30Originally released in 1994, the power of this song and a superhero film demanded a re-release.

01:37See You later ended up on the Batman Forever soundtrack the following year.

01:41With that additional endorsement, Kiss from a Rose continued to rise in pop culture.

01:45The singer gives one of his finest performances with a soaring vocal.

01:57Winning several Grammys, this famous ballad speaks for itself.

02:01It may or may not be one of the more beautiful lyrics of its kind.

02:05Even if it's a little sentimental, the tune still carries a wonderful melody and music that makes you believe in love.

02:12Now that your roses are blue, a light hits the gloom of the day

02:19Number 8, Runaway, Janet Jackson

02:22I've seen the world go into mad and places

02:26For her Design of a Decade 1986 to 1996 album, Janet Jackson brought out this single to go along with some of her greatest hits.

02:36Runaway proved that the singer was more than ready to keep going and expand her sound.

02:41It's pure pop from start to finish, with a bright message about wanting to spend time with someone special.

02:57The track makes you want to explore the world with the person you love.

03:00Jackson's pitch-perfect vocals don't disappoint either, sending you right back to 1995.

03:06The bouncy production has a breezy, fun quality that makes you want to play it on a loop.

03:10And I just know we'll have a good time

03:14Yeah!

03:16Number 7, Give Me One Reason, Tracy Chapman

03:19Give me one reason to stay here

03:22And I'll turn right back around

03:25With the guitar hook, Give Me One Reason is yet another reason Tracy Chapman deserves praise.

03:32The song comes from her New Beginning album.

03:34Writing pointed lyrics, Chapman outlines her demands in a compelling work.

03:38The single has all the bluesy elements of a vintage hit with the updated sounds of the 1990s.

03:44As a singer and songwriter, she once again shows off her ability to do a lot with a little.

03:49There's a lot of complexity layered underneath a great hook.

03:59Years after her impressive debut, this artist showed that she was only getting started.

04:04She reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and even won a Grammy for her effort.

04:09Said I told you that I loved you

04:12And there ain't no more to say

04:19Number 6, Tonight Tonight, The Smashing Pumpkins

04:22Taking an orchestral detour, this Smashing Pumpkins song is completely different from their heavier guitar music.

04:36Tonight Tonight works as a moving ballad with a beautiful string arrangement.

04:40It's much more than an alternative rock song, combining other genre elements into an epic piece.

04:45Billy Corgan and the band perform one of their finest works, with an expanded sound palette.

04:56There's also the amazing drum parts of one Jimmy Chamberlain, filling out the enormity of this cinematic number.

05:02It's one of the major highlights of Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness, along with the nostalgic 1979.

05:08Number 5, Fantasy, Mariah Carey

05:29By the year 1995, Mariah Carey had already shown everybody her vocal powers.

05:34Fantasy could be considered both a victory lap and another step up.

05:39It's an endlessly upbeat track, filled with happiness in each verse.

05:43Carey is operating at her usual best over a fantastic production.

05:56Sampling Genius of Love, the music builds out from a catchy foundation.

06:00The mix of 1980s and 1990s sounds blends especially well here.

06:04With the vocalist's endless energy, the single turns the feelings of the lyrics into a song.

06:09She also brought the same pristine work to hits like One Sweet Day with Boyz II Men.

06:14She also brought the same song.

06:24Number 4, Waterfalls, TLC

06:36As a single off of their Crazy Sexy Cool album, Waterfalls finds TLC in top form.

06:41The catchy R&B track features a hook that's lived on for decades.

06:45In one of their biggest hits, the trio combines for an engaging song about real issues.

06:50The lyrics tackle everything from drugs to relationships in fascinating stories.

06:55As one of the great R&B acts of their era, these women stop at nothing to deliver important words with spectacular music.

07:11You also get to hear an awesome rap verse from Lisa Left Eye Lopez.

07:15To this day, many listeners might think of this track first when they consider the band.

07:25Number 3, You Oughta Know, Alanis Morissette

07:28With her third album, Jagged Little Pill, Alanis Morissette exploded into the mainstream with a classic.

07:44She tore up 1995 with her hit record and big singles like You Oughta Know.

07:48It's a rock tune that's full of anger, filled with a raw takedown of a failed relationship.

08:03Morissette was a young artist when this dropped, but she gives the vocals worthy of a veteran rock star.

08:08Her songwriting collaboration with Glenn Ballard is in full force here.

08:12It even won the Grammy for Best Rock Song, wowing both Academy voting members and audiences around the world.

08:27Number 2, California Love, Tupac featuring Dr. Dre.

08:31In the mid-1990s, Tupac Shakur was on top of the world with everything from diss tracks to rap ballads like Dear Mama.

08:44He teamed up with Dr. Dre to unleash one of the better 90s hip-hop anthems.

08:54In an ode to the Golden State, the rappers bring out a song fit for a party.

08:58It's an all-around good time with some memorable verses from Shakur.

09:01He reminds you of why he is one of the best to ever do it.

09:16With Dre's production, the exciting horns and vocals from Roger Troutman add to the overall experience.

09:21It hit the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming a highlight of some amazing careers.

09:28Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honorable mentions.

09:32Hyper Ballad, Björk.

09:33A heartfelt track with difficult and emotional vocals from the Icelandic singer.

09:37I go through all this before you wait for that.

09:44Brown Sugar, D'Angelo.

09:46His neo-soul single gives listeners a glimpse into the future of an underrated star.

09:50Brown Sugar, babe.

09:52I guess high up your love.

09:54I don't know how to be.

09:55I don't know how to be.

09:56I don't know how to be.

09:57I don't know how to be.

09:58Drop.

09:59The far side.

10:00The alternative hip-hop crew assemble for a trippy mix of jazz and rap.

10:12All right.

10:13Supergrass.

10:14The terrible piano part powers a Britpop staple with positive lyrics.

10:24Shy Guy, Diana King.

10:26This 1995 hit blends reggae fusion and an average white boy sample.

10:30But I don't want stuff I do.

10:33Loving everybody.

10:35You the shy guy.

10:37You the kind of guy.

10:38Who only be mine.

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10:56Number 1.

10:57Wonderwall Oasis.

10:59Today is gonna be the day that they're gonna throw it back to you.

11:04Is this song the ultimate Britpop single?

11:07Whether or not it is, it remains one of the most famous rock tunes of its era.

11:12Oasis goes acoustic in this laid back arrangement with a string accompaniment.

11:16Liam Gallagher sings one of his best vocals, bringing his brother Noel's lyrics to life.

11:21Wonderwall almost sounds like a hardened man finally opening up to someone he cares about.

11:35With some basic guitar work, the songwriting reminds audiences that you don't need to be complex to get your point across.

11:41The track also feels like one of the greatest sing-alongs of the 1990s.

11:46Did we forget another defining song of 1995? Let us know in the comments below.

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