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Rewind those cassette tapes, because the 90s called and it wants its bops back! Join us as we count down our picks for the most awesome pop songs from the 1990s that you might not have listened to in a while. Our list spans everything from smooth R&B to Britpop, trip-hop to Eurodance, featuring tracks you'll instantly recognize and others you'll be thrilled to rediscover!
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00:07Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 50 awesome pop songs
00:12from the 1990s that you might not have listened to in a while.
00:20For this list, we're using the term pop to mean popular, so the tunes we discuss may also fall
00:25into other categories outside of what's usually considered traditional pop music.
00:29Number 50. Night Swimming. R.E.M.
00:32Night Swimming deserves a quiet night.
00:39By the time the 90s had rolled around, R.E.M. had gone from college radio darlings to mainstream rock
00:45royalty.
00:46Although their sound had evolved with the times, they always knew how to keep things fresh and interesting to their
00:50fans.
00:51Not sure all these people understand.
00:57Night Swimming is one such example, a piece built around a beautiful piano performance
01:01that shows Michael Stipe in a reflective mood.
01:04You I thought I knew you, you I cannot judge.
01:11Unlike some of the bigger anthems that came out of this era, this track is all about building an intimate
01:16sound.
01:16To this day, it remains an underrated gem within their catalogue.
01:27Number 49. I'm Afraid of Americans. David Bowie.
01:39If ever there was an artist who excelled in reinvention, it was the great David Bowie.
01:44Right up until his final days, he was still looking for ways to push his sound to its limit.
01:49I'm Afraid of Americans. I'm Afraid of the world.
01:55In the late 1990s, Bowie was already hopping on board with the sounds of industrial music and techno.
02:01He enlisted the help of Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor and longtime collaborator Brian Eno to help him craft
02:06I'm Afraid of Americans.
02:07I'm Afraid I can't help it. I'm Afraid I can't. I'm Afraid of Americans.
02:15The resulting track sounds incredibly modern, which is bizarre coming from an artist who got his start in the 1960s.
02:22It's laced with paranoia and concerns over globalization and cultural dominance,
02:27never letting its energy dip from its opening bars to its conclusion.
02:38Number 48. Together Again. Janet Jackson.
02:49At the peak of her powers, there were very few artists in pop music who could craft a hit record
02:55quite like Janet Jackson.
02:57Together Again is still just as uplifting and immediate as it was when it came out in 1997.
03:09The pop formula is clear, but there are added elements of house music that really take it to another level,
03:15making it a favorite for DJs on the club circuit.
03:18Everywhere I go, every smile I see, I know you are there, smiling back at me.
03:25The fact that it topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts for two weeks came as no surprise,
03:29and it eventually went on to sell 6 million copies worldwide.
03:33I know you are free, cause I can see your star, shot it down on me.
03:40Number 47. Moondog. Prefab Sprout.
03:43The funeral cars crawl down, the heartbreak side of town.
03:49You could spend a long time listening to 1990s pop music
03:53without running into something that sounds quite like Prefab Sprout's Moondog.
03:56The girls would say it best.
04:00Moondog.
04:05This idiosyncratic slice of pop genius came out during an especially creative run of form for the band.
04:10While not as commercially dominant as some of its contemporaries,
04:13it developed a loyal following among listeners who appreciated its craftsmanship.
04:24To this day, Moondog still sounds unique and interesting,
04:28holding a very special place within the Prefab Sprout catalogue.
04:31Ask any music historian for examples of overlooked bands from the 1980s and 90s,
04:36and you are bound to hear these guys get a mention.
04:39Come back on the way.
04:55The sharp wit and skillful social commentary of Jarvis Cocker
04:59are front and center in Pulp's seminal track, Common People.
05:03The band was always known for their ability to create extremely catchy and sophisticated pop music.
05:14There might not be a better example of the band's prowess than this one.
05:18The song tells the tale of a wealthy young woman who calls on the song's narrator
05:22to help her experience the life of a working class person.
05:31Cocker takes a scathing approach to the subject,
05:34criticizing those who ascribe glamour to a life of poverty.
05:37It has since gone on to be regarded as one of the defining songs of the Britpop era,
05:42and it's easy to see why.
05:44And the stupid things that you do
05:46Because you think that the poor is true
05:59Despite the peaks of critical and commercial success they hit in the 1980s,
06:04Depeche Mode rose to an even greater height in the following decade.
06:07Albums like Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion
06:10produced some of the biggest hits of their entire career.
06:20For our money, one of the most underrated of those hits is Walking in My Shoes.
06:25As is usual with Depeche Mode,
06:27the song is incredibly catchy while being laced with timelessly impactful synths.
06:39Although by no means their highest selling single of the era,
06:43it still reached number 14 on the UK charts
06:45and topped the US alternative charts.
06:49Number 44.
06:50I Can't Dance.
06:51Genesis.
07:00Genesis spent large portions of their career pivoting wildly in their sound,
07:04especially during their early period with Peter Gabriel at the helm.
07:08By the time the 1990s rolled around,
07:10it would have been easy to dismiss them as past their prime commercially.
07:13Hot sun, making me sweat.
07:17Gators getting close, putting down the air.
07:21However, Phil Collins proved in 1991
07:23that they were still very much capable of delivering the goods.
07:27I Can't Dance was a pretty tongue-in-cheek moment for the group,
07:30almost as if they were acknowledging that they were no longer hip.
07:33Cause I can dance, I can talk.
07:38Only thing about me is the way I want.
07:41The song works though,
07:43bolstered by a powerful vocal hook from Collins.
07:45It would stand as their last new song to reach the top 10
07:49in both the UK and the US.
07:58Number 43.
07:59Just Another Day.
08:00John Ciccata.
08:08Blending pop with Latin influences,
08:11John Ciccata's Just Another Day exemplifies the smooth,
08:14radio-friendly sound of early 90s adult contemporary music.
08:24It is the vocal performance that truly sells it though,
08:28with both his strength and vulnerability
08:30shining through in equal measure.
08:32The chorus explodes with the full-on intensity of a vocal choir,
08:36elevating the already formidable Ciccata singing to another level.
08:47It peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts,
08:50making it his highest-selling single to date.
08:53He would use this success as a springboard
08:55to become one of the most successful Cuban singers of all time.
08:58Just another day without a minute.
09:04Number 42.
09:06Fade Into You.
09:07Mazzy Star.
09:09I wanna hold the hand inside you.
09:16Those of you who feel nostalgia for the 90s
09:18will no doubt know exactly how poignant Mazzy Star's Fade Into You
09:22remains to this day.
09:23The song's vibe and mood perfectly sum up
09:26the dreamy and nostalgic tones
09:27that were prominent in alternative music during this decade.
09:36Hope Sandoval's vocal performance
09:38is one of the most heart-wrenching in the genre.
09:40You could completely ignore the lyrics
09:42and still understand exactly what she's trying to say.
09:46Strange, you love me.
09:51The track was a huge hit for Mazzy Star
09:54and the song that they are remembered best for,
09:56earning them quite a lot of mainstream exposure.
09:59And your smiles cover your heart
10:05Number 41.
10:06Angel, Sarah McLachlan.
10:08You spend all your time waiting
10:13for that second chance
10:16Few singers of the 1990s
10:18could craft a beautiful and impactful ballad
10:20quite like Sarah McLachlan.
10:22For us,
10:23Angel might be the most touching
10:25and intimate of her entire repertoire.
10:27You're in the arms of the angel
10:32No overblown production is needed here,
10:35just McLachlan with a piano
10:36and her voice to carry the track.
10:38The stripped-down nature of this one
10:40allows it to retain a timeless quality.
10:42In other words,
10:43it's not dated by its production.
10:51It was McLachlan's second consecutive
10:53top-five hit on the Billboard charts
10:55while hitting the top spot
10:56on the adult contemporary charts.
11:05Number 40.
11:07Hedonism.
11:07Just Because You Feel Good.
11:09Skunk and Nancy.
11:11I hope you're feeling happy now.
11:17Genre lines are crossed freely
11:19in Skunk and Nancy's music,
11:20making their discography
11:21a pretty eclectic listen.
11:23Hedonism remains one of the songs
11:25that has stood the test of time,
11:26and it's merging alt-rock
11:28with some pretty soulful elements.
11:30Just because you feel good
11:35It doesn't make it right.
11:38Singer Skin's powerful delivery
11:40gives the track a pretty confrontational edge,
11:42while the dynamic arrangement builds
11:44from quiet introspection
11:45to cathartic release.
11:47You don't have the same friends now
11:49to smoke away your problems
11:51and your life.
11:52Oh, and the music video
11:53really deserves to be watched in full.
11:56It is a real trip.
11:57To this day,
11:58Hedonism remains one of their
11:59most popular songs
12:00and a fan favorite
12:01at their live shows.
12:03Oh, I know what you're doing now.
12:06I hope
12:08you're feeling happy now.
12:11Number 39.
12:12Crazy.
12:13Seal.
12:22The 90s were a real hotbed
12:24for the genre of pop soul,
12:26and few artists were as dominant
12:28in this era as Seal.
12:29Although he was a few years removed
12:31from the global smash hit
12:33Kiss from a Rose,
12:34Seal's debut album
12:35was a huge success.
12:36I threw a fractal
12:38on a breaking wall
12:39I see you, my friend
12:41And touch your face again
12:44Out of the hits that it spawned,
12:46its first release, Crazy,
12:48has a special place in fans' hearts.
12:50As always,
12:51the vocals of the British singer
12:52are what take this track
12:53to a different level.
12:55But we're never gonna survive
12:59unless
13:00we get a little crazy
13:02Seal's voice is distinctive
13:04but very listenable.
13:06And as far as debut singles
13:07are concerned,
13:08this is undeniably
13:09a strong one.
13:10It peaked at number 2
13:11on the UK charts
13:12and number 7
13:13in the US,
13:14making it his second
13:15most successful single.
13:24Number 38.
13:25Trouble.
13:26Shampoo.
13:34The irreverent attitude
13:35of Shampoo's 1994 hit
13:37Trouble sounds as fresh today
13:38as it did back during the days
13:40of its original release.
13:41Although the mood
13:42of the track is clear,
13:43it never tries
13:44to take itself too seriously.
13:46We've been out all night
13:47and we haven't been home.
13:49We're walking through the back streets
13:51all alone.
13:53You can hear the influence
13:54that a song like this
13:55had on some of the more
13:56defiant pop-tinged punk
13:57that would eventually follow.
13:59It stood out for its
14:00unapologetic fun,
14:01rejecting polish
14:02in favor of raw energy.
14:04I came along
14:05and they took us
14:06for a ride
14:07and when we get
14:08home
14:08we're gonna get
14:10gotta get
14:10gotta get
14:11ride!
14:12These days,
14:14the group is seen
14:14as something
14:15of a one-hit wonder
14:16but it almost
14:17sounds dismissive
14:18to call them that.
14:19Trouble remains
14:19a succinct piece
14:20of edgy pop music
14:21that holds up
14:22incredibly well.
14:42Longevity is a great thing
14:43for bands to aspire to
14:44but in the case
14:45of the New Radicals
14:46they came,
14:47saw,
14:48conquered
14:48and promptly decided
14:49to call it a day.
14:58A song like
14:59You Get What You Give
15:00is truly one of
15:01the finest pop songs
15:02of its era,
15:03melding the alt-rock
15:04of the 90s
15:05with some inescapably
15:06catchy vocal hooks.
15:15Considering the group
15:16only put out
15:17two singles
15:18before their singer
15:19and primary songwriter
15:20Greg Alexander
15:21stepped out of the limelight,
15:22it's one hell of a legacy
15:23to leave behind.
15:24The fact that this was
15:25such a successful hit
15:27for them should come
15:27as no surprise.
15:29It's a song that
15:29always causes ears
15:30to prick up
15:31within a few bars.
15:38Number 36.
15:40Save Tonight
15:40Eagle Eye Cherry.
15:49Few songs of this era
15:51carry the level
15:52of timelessness
15:53that Eagle Eye Cherry
15:54Save Tonight did.
15:55Its simple structure
15:56and extremely relatable
15:57lyrics made this
15:58the type of song
15:59that anyone could get behind.
16:08And when it came to sales,
16:11the people
16:11clearly did.
16:12It's equal parts
16:13acoustic folk pop
16:14and alt-rock
16:15and its anthemic quality
16:16has led to
16:17countless covers
16:17right up to the
16:18present day.
16:26It was by far
16:28Eagle Eye Cherry's
16:29most successful release
16:30and went on to become
16:31a top 10 hit
16:32in numerous countries.
16:34Overall,
16:34it's not hard to see why.
16:41Number 35.
16:43Dreams.
16:43The Coors.
16:44Irish folksters
16:45The Coors
16:46took on this
16:46Fleetwood Mac classic
16:47and gave it
16:48a real Celtic feel.
16:49Now here you go again
16:52you sing
16:52you want your freedom
16:55Built around the band's
16:57signature sound,
16:58they managed to infuse
16:59the song with some
16:59additional warmth
17:00and accessibility.
17:01It takes a far more
17:03clean-cut and polished
17:04approach to the original
17:05which ended up
17:06introducing it
17:06to a far wider audience.
17:08Thunder only happens
17:11when it's raining.
17:15This version became
17:16beloved for bridging
17:17classic songwriting
17:18with contemporary
17:19sensibilities
17:20proving that a good song
17:21will stand up
17:22in any genre.
17:23It ended up hitting
17:24the top 10
17:24in several countries
17:25around the world
17:26marking one of their
17:27biggest global successes.
17:29When the rain
17:30washes
17:31you clean
17:32you'll know
17:35Number 34.
17:37Glorybox.
17:38Portishead
17:45The trip-hop boom
17:47of the 1990s
17:48was spearheaded
17:48by a select few artists.
17:50Right at the core of it
17:51was Beth Gibbons
17:52and Portishead.
17:53Their legendary
17:54debut album single
17:55Glorybox is
17:56without question
17:57one of the best songs
17:58they have ever recorded.
18:06Built around
18:07an Isaac Hayes sample
18:08this song is lush
18:09smooth
18:10and incredibly
18:11psychedelic
18:12all at once.
18:13Gibbons' vocals
18:13truly send it
18:14to another level.
18:21Although the band
18:22seemed to know
18:23they had a hit
18:23on their hands
18:24they didn't initially
18:25want to put
18:26Glorybox out
18:26as a single
18:27deeming it to be
18:28too commercial sounding.
18:30All we can say
18:31is that we're glad
18:31they did.
18:39Number 33.
18:40Sunny Came Home
18:41Sean Colvin
18:51The breathy vocals
18:52and creative chord progression
18:54that make up the core
18:55of Sean Colvin's hit single
18:56Sunny Came Home
18:57are only half the story.
18:58It's the lyrics
18:59that really sell it.
19:09Colvin might not have
19:10had another hit record
19:11during her career
19:11but this one
19:12was strong enough
19:13to truly stand
19:14the test of time.
19:15It's a track
19:16that ticks many boxes.
19:17It's catchy
19:18lyrically dense
19:19and cryptic enough
19:20that it warrants
19:21repeated listens.
19:22Sunny Came Home
19:23with a list of names
19:30It peaked at number 7
19:32on the U.S. charts
19:33her only song
19:34to reach the Billboard Hot 100.
19:36Number 32.
19:38All My Life
19:38Casey and Jojo
19:45If there is a better
19:47slow jam
19:47to come out
19:48of the early 90s
19:49we have not heard it.
19:51Casey and Jojo's
19:52All My Life
19:52perfects all of the elements
19:54that would dominate
19:54the charts later
19:55in the decade
19:56standing as a truly
19:57prescient piece
19:58of pop mastery.
20:06Its gospel influence
20:07delivery gives the song
20:08a tone that
20:09resonated widely
20:10making it a favorite
20:11at weddings
20:11and romantic milestones.
20:13In an era
20:14that was saturated
20:15with R&B ballads
20:16All My Life
20:17stands out
20:17just for the simple fact
20:18that it was incredibly
20:19genuine and sincere.
20:27That's a quality
20:27that makes it retain
20:28its status
20:29as one of the most
20:30beloved songs
20:31in the genre.
20:38Number 31.
20:40Kiss Me
20:40Sixpence None the Richer
20:42When it comes to
20:4990s alt-pop nostalgia
20:50Sixpence None the Richer
20:51really nailed
20:52something special
20:53with their landmark
20:54hit Kiss Me.
20:54Although it was a hit
20:56upon its release
20:57it became a mainstay
20:58in rom-coms
20:59and teen dramas
21:00in the years
21:00that followed.
21:08It has a level
21:09of staying power
21:10that in many ways
21:11comes down to
21:12the vocal performance
21:13of singer Lee Nash.
21:14In a time when
21:15hip-hop and grunge
21:16were becoming dominant
21:17Kiss Me strips things back.
21:18It's a song that
21:19while simple
21:20on the surface
21:21is just about
21:22as emotionally
21:22resonant
21:23as they come.
21:24Kiss Me
21:31Number 30.
21:32Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover
21:34Sophie B. Hawkins
21:35Way back in the
21:36early 1990s
21:38this artist stood out
21:39with her raw look
21:39at love,
21:40attraction,
21:41and relationships.
21:42Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover
21:43was a top 10 hit
21:44on the Billboard Hot 100.
21:52Sophie B. Hawkins
21:53doesn't hold back here
21:54letting listeners know
21:55how she feels
21:56about her target.
21:57She's open about
21:58what she wants
21:58and how she wants
21:59to do right
22:00by someone else.
22:01With her exciting vocals
22:02Hawkins delivers
22:03some underrated lyrics
22:04about passion.
22:11It's a compelling listen
22:12that features
22:13some amazing energy.
22:14While alluding to
22:15darker themes
22:16behind this song
22:17the artist brings out
22:18the rock
22:18for this entertaining single.
22:20I Wish I Was Your Lover
22:22thinking on the street
22:24all my eyes
22:25waiting for my life
22:26to change
22:28Number 29.
22:29Roll to Me
22:30Delamitri
22:31It's a bright
22:32jangly song
22:33that doesn't quit.
22:34This Scottish band
22:35doesn't beat around the bush
22:36getting right to the point
22:37and never wavering.
22:39Roll to Me
22:39is likely the signature
22:41hit for the band
22:41and for good reason.
22:43The right time
22:44to roll to me
22:47Roll to me
22:50Delamitri knows
22:51how to use
22:51a great guitar track
22:52with a peppy melody
22:54to add to it.
22:55It's the kind of
22:55light and breezy track
22:56you need on a tough day.
22:58And I don't think
22:59I have ever seen
23:01a soul song
23:02in despair
23:03The pop rock tune
23:05includes some vocal surprises
23:06near the end
23:07bringing out the group's
23:08varied talents.
23:09From their fourth album
23:10Twisted
23:11the rockers
23:12make you want to sing along.
23:13Everything you hoped
23:15did it be
23:16The wrong guy
23:18The wrong situation
23:19Number 28.
23:21Hold On My Heart
23:22Genesis
23:22On Phil Collins'
23:24final album with Genesis
23:25he brought out
23:26some underrated performances
23:27and songwriting.
23:29Hold On My Heart
23:30finds the group
23:30in pure ballad territory.
23:32Somewhere deep inside
23:38It's a hole in my heart
23:40It's something that Collins
23:42was no stranger to
23:43in his solo career
23:44making this an easy pill
23:45to swallow for his fans.
23:47The hit is also
23:48a sentimental look
23:49at love
23:49and its potential
23:50with the singer's
23:51pristine delivery
23:52the emotional track
23:53includes some notable
23:54production elements.
24:03Don't sleep on the other
24:04bandmates and their
24:05meaningful contributions
24:06either.
24:07Through every instrument
24:08the song builds out
24:09as a stunning ode
24:10to working through
24:11your feelings.
24:11Hold On My Heart
24:15Just Hold On
24:17To That Feeling
24:19Number 27.
24:21Looking For Atlantis
24:22Prefab Sprout
24:24While they received
24:25critical acclaim
24:26Prefab Sprout
24:27didn't quite become
24:28a household name.
24:29The talented group
24:30entered the 1990s
24:31with the album
24:31Jordan The Comeback.
24:33It features multiple hits
24:34like Looking For Atlantis
24:35showing that the band
24:36had not lost the charm
24:38or spark
24:38from their 1980s output.
24:40Isn't one of them
24:42can find it
24:43Oh, oh, it's just
24:46This particular song
24:48includes all the signatures
24:49of a great
24:50Patti McAloon track.
24:51Elevating pop
24:52at every level
24:53the layered work
24:54also comes courtesy
24:55of producer
24:56Thomas Dolby.
24:58You should be loving someone
25:00And you know
25:02who it must be
25:03These artists
25:04come together
25:05to create an upbeat tune
25:06that's bound to leave you happier.
25:08Using clever lyrics
25:09and an awesome melody
25:10this one should be enjoyed
25:11by younger generations too.
25:21Number 26
25:22All That She Wants
25:23Ace of Bass
25:24When you think of
25:25Swedish pop
25:26you probably consider
25:27ABBA first.
25:28That doesn't make
25:29Ace of Bass
25:30any less awesome.
25:31The 90s quartet
25:32is known for
25:33The Sign
25:33and this other fun hit.
25:35All That She Wants
25:36has a story to follow
25:37with the lyrics hinting
25:38at more scandal
25:39underneath it all.
25:47You can call it toxic
25:48or just an excuse
25:49to have a good time.
25:50Either way
25:51this group has
25:52all the right ingredients
25:53for the Europop sound.
25:54There's even a dash
25:55of reggae
25:56to change things up
25:57even more.
26:06Listeners around the world
26:07came to appreciate the track
26:09but some audiences
26:10might need a refresher.
26:19Number 25
26:20When You're Gone
26:21The Cranberries
26:22This underrated work
26:23feels like an eclectic mix
26:25of grief,
26:26love and emotions.
26:27When You're Gone
26:28can be open to interpretation
26:29but it's always
26:30an effective experience.
26:40Dolores O'Riordan
26:41gives an underrated performance
26:42for the single.
26:44Her lilting voice
26:45is full of power
26:46and resonance
26:46guiding you along
26:47an almost spiritual journey.
26:49It deserves to be
26:50in the conversation
26:51alongside their other
26:52hits like Zombie
26:53and Linger.
27:01The chorus only
27:02hammers home
27:03O'Riordan's abilities
27:04with the singer's
27:05unique vocal qualities
27:06shining through.
27:07Some soothing lyrics
27:08help you work through
27:09your own feelings.
27:10During one of the band's
27:12peaks
27:12they crafted a ballad
27:13that might make you cry.
27:20Number 24
27:21Unbelievable
27:22EMF
27:23It's dance,
27:24rock
27:25and maybe
27:26a little pop as well.
27:27EMF's big hit
27:28seems to defy
27:29easy explanation
27:30in the best way.
27:31Unbelievable
27:32is hugely catchy
27:33from start to finish
27:34but it's also
27:35full of surprises.
27:43You might not have known
27:45that this track
27:45samples the comedian
27:46Andrew Dice Clay.
27:48Along with the vocal
27:49cameo
27:49the tune also has
27:50this punchy energy
27:51and some explosive sounds.
27:53There's a combination
27:54of guitar
27:55and electronic elements
27:56to keep you invested
27:57all the way.
28:04While the band
28:05might not have
28:06maintained
28:06their success
28:07they certainly
28:08made a splash
28:09with the single.
28:15Number 23
28:17Ready to Go
28:18Republica
28:18With the opening
28:20guitar riff
28:20you might be thinking
28:21this song is going
28:22one way.
28:23The drop
28:24only makes it
28:24more intense.
28:32Republica delivers
28:33a high octane
28:34thrill ride
28:35making you want
28:36to get up and dance.
28:37It feels like
28:38the perfect way
28:38to energize your day.
28:40With Saffron on vocals
28:41this track knows
28:42how to get your blood pumping.
28:44Ready to Go
28:44is aptly named
28:45and sounds exactly
28:46how you hope it will.
28:54By the time
28:55you hear the chorus
28:56you might be
28:56completely sold
28:57on this single.
28:59It also feels
29:00like a blast
29:00back to the best
29:01kind of 90s party.
29:10Number 22
29:11Set Adrift
29:12on Memory Bliss
29:13PM Dawn
29:14You might not
29:15remember this group
29:16but the song
29:17is full of
29:18musical nostalgia.
29:19It has a laid
29:20back hip hop sound
29:21that combines
29:21R&B elements
29:22with 80s pop.
29:23Underneath some
29:24smooth verses
29:25the tune
29:25samples songs
29:26like True
29:27by Spandau Ballet.
29:34Those familiar
29:36guitar licks
29:36fill out
29:37a beautiful production.
29:38It deserves
29:39to be heard
29:39by rap fans
29:40and detractors alike
29:42with the potential
29:43to bring together
29:43a diverse audience
29:44of music fans.
29:52PM Dawn
29:53knows how to
29:54ride the line
29:54between genres
29:55while pushing
29:56sonic boundaries.
29:57In one of their
29:58very best works
29:59the artists
29:59create an
30:00easygoing number.
30:09Number 21
30:10Another Night
30:11Real McCoy
30:12You might not
30:13remember Real McCoy
30:14but 90s fans
30:15will remember
30:16this Eurodance hit.
30:18The German artist
30:18has the sounds
30:19of the early decade
30:20down pat.
30:21Call it high energy
30:22or not
30:23but this song
30:23gets you moving
30:24as well as
30:25anything from that era.
30:32The mix of vocal styles
30:33keeps this dramatic
30:34production moving.
30:35You're probably not
30:36here for the lyrics
30:37but the chorus
30:38features a few
30:39poetic lines of its own.
30:47Another Night
30:48has a melancholic
30:49streak hidden
30:49underneath all
30:50of the pulsating
30:50rhythms.
30:51With its surprising
30:52depth and fun
30:53verses
30:53this single
30:54is exactly
30:55how you want
30:56to start off
30:56a great evening.
31:04Number 20
31:05Love Fool
31:06The Cardigans
31:11Swedish alternative
31:13rock outfit
31:13The Cardigans
31:14briefly made
31:15the crossover
31:15to international
31:16pop stardom
31:17with Love Fool
31:17the lead single
31:18from the band's
31:19third album.
31:24A bouncy
31:25disco pop tune
31:26about pleading
31:26for a partner's
31:27affection
31:27Love Fool
31:28is a song
31:29for lonely nights
31:30of crying
31:30and dancing
31:31your romantic
31:32anguish away.
31:33Lead singer
31:33Nina Persson
31:34nails the desperation
31:35of trying to keep
31:36a fading relationship
31:37alive.
31:41And the mix
31:42of clean
31:43and noisy
31:43production elements
31:44makes it feel like
31:45the pop and
31:46alternative scenes
31:47are coming together
31:47in the best way
31:48possible.
31:49We will always
31:50say that we love
31:51this song
31:51and we'd be
31:52fools not to.
32:00Number 19
32:02Walking on Broken
32:03Glass
32:03Annie Lennox
32:04After ruling
32:05the 80s
32:06as one half
32:07of Eurythmics
32:07Annie Lennox
32:08seamlessly made
32:09her way
32:09into the subsequent
32:10decade
32:10as a solo star.
32:18Walking on Broken
32:20Glass
32:20from Lennox's
32:21solo debut
32:22is a strikingly
32:23majestic piece
32:24of pop perfection.
32:28With its sweeping
32:30strings
32:30and playful
32:31Caribbean
32:31inspired piano
32:32it might take
32:33a second
32:33to register
32:34the heartbreak
32:35at its core
32:35but soon enough
32:36Lennox's
32:37powerful vocals
32:38both raw
32:38and pristine
32:39make the words
32:40hit you right
32:41where they need
32:42to.
32:49And she never
32:50lets up.
32:51Actually walking
32:52on Broken
32:52Glass
32:52painful
32:53listening to
32:54this song
32:55wonderful.
33:01Number 18
33:03Mouth
33:03Meryl Bainbridge
33:12The 90s
33:13were a great
33:13time for pop
33:14songs about
33:14kissing
33:15with classic
33:16odes to
33:16locking lips
33:17from the likes
33:17of Sixpence
33:18None the Richer
33:18and Faith Hill.
33:19However
33:20you might have
33:20forgotten about
33:21this one
33:21the debut
33:22single from
33:23Australian singer
33:24songwriter
33:24Meryl Bainbridge
33:32Featuring a
33:33unique composition
33:33of Bainbridge's
33:34voice, guitar
33:35and a beatbox
33:36loop for percussion
33:37Mouth feels
33:38both ahead of
33:38its time
33:39and timeless
33:40Though Bainbridge's
33:41lyrics don't go
33:41past kissing
33:42the passion
33:43with which she
33:43describes the act
33:44feels truly sensual
33:51Mouth is
33:52one 90s hit
33:52that should
33:53continue to
33:53stay on your lips
34:00Number 17
34:01I Want You
34:02Savage Garden
34:03Think synth pop
34:04wasn't a thing
34:05in the 90s?
34:06Think again
34:06While it's true
34:10the subgenre
34:11didn't dominate
34:11like it did
34:12the previous decade
34:13it still managed
34:13to produce
34:14some classics
34:14like this debut
34:15single from
34:16Aussie duo
34:17Savage Garden
34:22Powered by
34:23a driving
34:24groove
34:24and breathlessly
34:25delivered vocals
34:26I Want You
34:27is urgent
34:27and emotional
34:28You might not
34:29catch every word
34:30but the universal
34:31feeling of undying
34:32desire rings crystal
34:33clear
34:33and the chorus
34:34still makes a swoon
34:40Savage Garden
34:41only recorded
34:41two albums
34:42before splitting up
34:43in 2001
34:44but this song
34:45makes us wish
34:46current artists
34:46would take more
34:47cues from them
34:55This lush hit
34:56from musical icon
34:57Janet Jackson
34:58spent an astonishing
34:59eight straight weeks
35:00at number one
35:01a record for
35:02her famous family
35:07And if there's
35:08any song that
35:09deserves to stay
35:10at the top
35:10for that long
35:11it's this one
35:12kicking off an
35:12unanticipated pivot
35:14into more intimate
35:14territory
35:15that's the way
35:16Love Goes
35:16still has some
35:17of the new
35:17Jack Swing
35:18flair of
35:18Jackson's
35:19previous work
35:24And as with
35:25so many of her
35:26songs
35:26it's brought to
35:27new heights
35:27by her stunning
35:28delivery
35:29which makes you
35:30feel like she's
35:30singing right to
35:31you
35:39Hot and heavy
35:40yet also breezy
35:42and light
35:42That's the Way
35:43Love Goes
35:43is just one
35:44of many examples
35:45of why Jackson
35:45is held
35:46in such high
35:47regard
35:55Hit cover songs
35:57aren't that
35:58unusual
35:58but typically
35:59there's at least
36:00a decade of
36:00space between
36:01the original
36:02and the new
36:02rendition
36:03In November
36:091993
36:10country star
36:11John Michael
36:11Montgomery
36:12released the
36:12ballad
36:13I Swear
36:13Then
36:14four months
36:14later
36:15R&B group
36:16All for One
36:16dropped their
36:17cover
36:17and found
36:18themselves
36:18topping the
36:19charts for
36:19an incredible
36:2011 straight
36:21weeks
36:25With flawless
36:26harmonizing
36:27the quartet
36:28truly do
36:29become one
36:35And the
36:36production is
36:36cheesy goodness
36:37in the best
36:38way possible
36:39complete with
36:39sax solo
36:40Though
36:41Montgomery's
36:41version has
36:42its own
36:42twangy charm
36:43we swear by
36:44All for One's
36:45rendition now
36:46and forever
36:52Number 14
36:53Bitch
36:54Meredith Brooks
36:55Reclamation
36:55can be a
36:56powerful thing
37:04On this angsty
37:06anthem
37:06singer Meredith
37:07Brooks takes a
37:08nasty pejorative
37:08for a woman
37:09and turns it
37:10into something
37:10to proudly
37:11identify as
37:12Yesterday
37:13I cried
37:15Must have
37:16been relieved
37:17to see
37:17the softer
37:18side
37:19Of course
37:20as the chorus
37:20so famously
37:21states
37:21she's so much
37:22more than
37:23just that
37:23Unsurprisingly
37:24this piece
37:25of unapologetically
37:26feminine
37:27guitar driven
37:27alt rock
37:28drew comparisons
37:28to Alanis
37:29Morissette
37:34But Brooks
37:35manages to
37:36get her
37:36voice across
37:37while also
37:38sounding like
37:39she's singing
37:39for the
37:40countless women
37:40who felt
37:41unappreciated
37:42for so long
37:42You might have
37:43understandable
37:44gripes with
37:45the word in
37:45question
37:46However
37:46Brooks conviction
37:47makes this
37:48song about
37:48so much more
37:49than just
37:49a contentious
37:50word
37:55Number 13
37:56Are You That
37:57Somebody
37:57Aaliyah
37:58In her
37:59tragically
37:59short life
38:00Aaliyah
38:00made a name
38:01for herself
38:01through
38:01heart-stopping
38:02forward-thinking
38:03R&B
38:04unlike anything
38:05else on the
38:05charts at the
38:06time
38:06Are You That
38:12Somebody
38:12Originally
38:13recorded for
38:14the Dr.
38:14Doolittle
38:14soundtrack
38:15is one of
38:16many songs
38:16Aaliyah made
38:17in collaboration
38:17with Timbaland
38:18and his
38:19off-kilter
38:19yet addictive
38:20production
38:20is the
38:21perfect
38:21compliment
38:22to her
38:22cool
38:22yet expressive
38:23vocals
38:28caught up
38:29between her
38:29affection for
38:30a potential
38:30partner
38:31and her
38:31celebrity
38:32status
38:32Aaliyah
38:33shows just
38:33how complicated
38:34fame can be
38:35The song title
38:42might be a
38:43question of
38:44uncertainty
38:44but there's
38:45no doubt
38:46as to the
38:46brilliance of
38:47the late
38:47great Aaliyah
38:54A year after
38:56Paula Cole
38:56rhetorically asked
38:57where all the
38:58cowboys had
38:58gone
38:58Imani Coppola
38:59offered up
39:00The Legend
39:00of a Cowgirl
39:08Fantasizing about
39:09life as a
39:10western heroine
39:11as a metaphor
39:11for sexual
39:12liberation
39:12Coppola takes
39:13country tropes
39:14and fuses them
39:15with absolute
39:15rhythmic pop
39:16goodness
39:24alternating
39:25between singing
39:26and rapping
39:26she sounds
39:27absolutely
39:27confident with
39:28every single
39:29syllable
39:36and considering
39:38how catchy
39:38and creative
39:39the song is
39:40can you blame
39:40her
39:41speaking of
39:41creativity
39:42the music
39:43video with
39:43its numerous
39:44iconic looks
39:45is yet another
39:46reminder of
39:46why we miss
39:47the 90s so
39:48much
39:53number 11
39:54I love you
39:55always forever
39:56Donna Lewis
40:05while there's
40:06no clear answer
40:07as to what
40:0790s song has
40:08the biggest
40:09earworm chorus
40:10I love you
40:10always forever
40:11certainly belongs
40:12in the conversation
40:20Welsh singer
40:21Donna Lewis's
40:22debut single
40:23has the kind
40:24of hook that
40:24feels like it's
40:25been part of
40:25our existence
40:26forever
40:32but is there
40:33more to this
40:34song than a
40:35memorable refrain
40:36absolutely
40:37Lewis's tender
40:38voice is soothing
40:39without sounding
40:40anonymous
40:40and the dreamy
40:41production makes
40:42us feel as though
40:43we're escaping to
40:43a more peaceful
40:44and romantic realm
40:45while listening
40:46to put it simply
40:47we love this song
40:48always forever
40:57there's nothing better
40:58than a powerhouse
40:59duet
40:59towards the end
41:00of the millennium
41:01singers Brandy and
41:02Monica released this
41:03sassy bop and took
41:04the world by storm
41:05with a classic r&b vibe
41:07it is the perfect
41:08combination of petty
41:09and effortless cool
41:11the unique concept
41:17of having both singers
41:18in a rivalry
41:19against one another
41:20was entirely new
41:21and the masterful
41:22lyricism enhanced
41:23the narrative
41:24it certainly did help
41:26that there was a rumored
41:27real life beef
41:28between the two artists
41:29Brandy and Monica
41:30added their own details
41:31to the melody
41:32and rhythm of the hit
41:33showing off
41:33their distinctive styles
41:42despite their alleged
41:43animosity
41:44there's no doubt
41:45that their voices
41:45blend perfectly
41:46making us wish
41:47that they collaborated
41:48more often
41:49while the first part
41:53of the 90s
41:54was dominated
41:54by darker music
41:55the latter half
41:56saw a return
41:57of light-hearted
41:58yet meaningful pop
41:59one track
42:00that perfectly
42:01encapsulates
42:01this moment in time
42:02is Steal My Sunshine
42:11the bubbly instrumentation
42:13and surprisingly deep lines
42:14helped create
42:15the perfect blend
42:16of levity
42:16and hard-hitting emotion
42:17the song defines
42:19the sound
42:19of the entire decade
42:20and when listening to it
42:22it's hard not to be
42:23transported back
42:24to the past
42:24even the video
42:26strikes the perfect
42:26nostalgic sweet spot
42:28reminding everyone
42:29one of simpler moments
42:30in their lives
42:37while the band's
42:39subsequent singles
42:39didn't have the same
42:40impact on the charts
42:41there's no doubt
42:42that they bottled
42:43the essence of that era
42:44into one immaculate bop
42:48the 90s saw the rise
42:50of techno music
42:51leading to the creation
42:52of some of the most
42:53foundational numbers
42:54in the scene
42:55nothing fits that
42:56description more
42:57than Be My Lover
42:58a tune dripping
42:59in pure energy
43:07its flawless production
43:09was the perfect vehicle
43:10for the powerful vocals
43:11with both elements
43:12taking center stage
43:13without overpowering
43:15one another
43:15upon its release
43:17the song dominated
43:18the club scene
43:19and for good reason
43:20it's the perfect bop
43:21for a fun night out
43:22and has the ability
43:23to leave everyone
43:24in high spirits
43:32over time
43:33Be My Lover
43:34has solidified its place
43:35as a quintessential hit
43:37of both its genre
43:38and the era
43:39it was released in
43:40number 7
43:40groove is in the heart
43:42delight
43:42this not only helped
43:44usher in a brand new decade
43:45it also served
43:46as a loving homage
43:47to the one
43:48that had just ended
43:49everything about this song
43:50is unapologetically whimsical
43:52from the constant slide whistle
43:53to the Dr. Seuss references
44:01it managed to include
44:03different aspects
44:03of several genres
44:04without sounding too cluttered
44:06and the various samples
44:07used throughout
44:08served as easter eggs
44:09for fans of the original numbers
44:11it was a musical
44:12and technical feat
44:13and helped open
44:14the decade with a bang
44:15the campy presentation
44:17of its accompanying video
44:18only added to the fun
44:26even today
44:27the track still hits hard
44:29capable of getting people
44:30across generations
44:31grooving to its infectious beat
44:33number 6
44:34free your mind
44:35in vogue
44:35some of the greatest songs
44:37are those that aim
44:38to convey a broader message
44:39about the state of society
44:40free your mind
44:41manages to do so
44:42in the most iconic way possible
44:44it's empowering
44:45from the moment it begins
44:47and advocates
44:48for various causes
44:49like interracial marriage
44:50and ending harmful stereotypes
44:59it urged people
45:00to free themselves
45:01of the negative misconceptions
45:03they might hold
45:04about people different from them
45:05the group's jaw-dropping voices
45:07and powerful presences
45:08only made the presentation
45:09more invigorating
45:10the classic rock-inspired
45:12instrumentals
45:13add potency to the piece
45:14and help command attention
45:16to the points being made
45:17free your mind
45:19and the rest of the water
45:24it's quality activism
45:25and superb musicality
45:27all wrapped up
45:28into one four-minute package
45:29number 5
45:30do you know what it takes
45:31Robin
45:32music fans know
45:33that Sweden is spoiled
45:35for pop talent
45:36with Robin being
45:37one of the country's
45:38biggest icons
45:44the singer made a huge splash
45:46when she was just a teenager
45:47with the release of her single
45:48Do You Know What It Takes
45:49bringing R&B
45:51and dance pop vibes together
45:52Robin proved Sweden
45:54could groove
45:54just as well as anyone else
46:03as she sings to someone
46:05she's considering
46:06a relationship with
46:07she asserts her need
46:08to be treated right
46:09and her voice fits beautifully
46:11over the song's
46:12funky production
46:13with this work
46:14Robin showed
46:15she knows what it takes
46:16to create something great
46:24number 4
46:25Missing
46:26Todd Terry Remix
46:27Everything But The Girl
46:28maybe you've heard
46:29the original version
46:30of this song
46:37which was released
46:39by English indie duo
46:40Everything But The Girl
46:41in 1994
46:42but chances are
46:43you're more familiar
46:44with house DJ
46:45Todd Terry's remix
46:53Terry's booming beats
46:55are an unexpected
46:56but great accompaniment
46:57to Tracy Thorne
46:58and Ben Watts'
46:59heartbroken lyrics
47:00If there was ever
47:01a song that could
47:02make you dance
47:03and cry
47:04it's this one
47:12According to Thorne
47:13the track was always
47:14meant to be a dancey one
47:16With this remix
47:17Terry brought the party out
47:19without betraying
47:20the number's
47:20inherent emotion
47:21If you've missed this song
47:23like the deserts
47:24miss the rain
47:25now's the perfect time
47:26to revisit it
47:37If you treasured
47:38your glasses
47:39as style accessories
47:40in the 90s
47:41it was probably
47:42because of Lisa Loeb
47:49On her biggest hit
47:51the singer-songwriter
47:52addresses a partner
47:53she's on the outs with
47:54but she knows
47:55it won't be easy
47:56to leave for good
47:56Inspired by Loeb's
47:58own relationship difficulties
47:59this song was first
48:00meant for Daryl Hall
48:07However
48:08Loeb held onto it
48:09and with some help
48:10from actor Ethan Hawke
48:12the song ended up
48:13on the soundtrack
48:13for the iconic
48:14Gen X dramedy
48:15Reality Bites
48:16It even topped
48:18the Billboard Hot 100
48:19Oh and did we mention
48:21that she wasn't working
48:22with a label
48:23at this point?
48:23There's power
48:24in Independence
48:36Roughly 11 months
48:38before Lorde
48:39was even born
48:40New Zealand
48:40made a splash
48:41on the international
48:42music charts
48:51This was thanks
48:52to How Bizarre
48:53a hit from
48:54Auckland Trio
48:55OMC
48:56and true
48:56to its title
48:57the song stands out
48:58against many others
48:59of the time
49:00with its mix
49:01of relaxing guitar airs
49:02groovy beats
49:03trumpets
49:04and singing and rapping
49:05from vocalist
49:06Polly Fui Mana
49:07It feels like
49:08a never-ending
49:09array of ideas
49:10But somehow
49:18each element
49:18works together
49:19seamlessly
49:20and the result
49:21is a song
49:21bursting with both
49:22creativity and heart
49:24The way we can't
49:25get enough of this
49:26number is making us
49:26crazy
49:34If you love games
49:37be sure to check out
49:38WatchMojo's new game
49:39Terrible Influence
49:40just launched for purchase
49:41at TerribleInfluence.com
49:43Terrible Influence
49:44is a satirical board game
49:45about the dark side
49:46of fame
49:46from the writer
49:47of the most popular
49:48girls in school
49:49and Us
49:49WatchMojo
49:50Boom
49:50I can make an
49:52apology video
49:53Oh you so would
49:54Click on the link
49:55in the description
49:55to check out the game
49:56and be the first
49:57to play Terrible Influence
49:59Number 1
50:00Crush
50:01Jennifer Page
50:02Is there any topic
50:04better suited
50:04for a pop song
50:05than a crush?
50:13On this catchy hit
50:14singer Jennifer Page
50:16tapped into everything
50:17we think of
50:18when it comes to
50:18infatuation
50:19from a racing heart
50:20to overthinking
50:21to fantasizing
50:22about the future
50:23Crush addresses
50:24all the steps
50:25of falling for someone
50:26with true poise
50:27It's just a little crush
50:31Not like our feet
50:33Every time we touch
50:35Page's sultry vocals
50:37are so enchanting
50:38we developed a crush
50:39on our own
50:40It's been labeled
50:41as teen pop
50:42but the song
50:43is a lot more mature
50:44than you would expect
50:45It's safe to say
50:46that we'll always
50:47have a thing for crush
50:53What's your own
50:54personal favorite song
50:55from the 1990s?
50:56Let us know
50:57in the comments
50:57and we'll see you next time
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