Pick Your Favorite 90s Songs And We'll Match You To A Retro Boy Toy
- by W. Aloysius
- – on
- in Entertainment
Back in the 90s, many artists were able to come along and release their best work, and we got to see plenty of different styles and genres make their way into the mainstream. Record sales were huge during the decade, and this is because we were living in a time when downloading music and streaming was not a thing just yet. As such, if a person wanted music, they either got it at a record store or recorded songs off the radio with a tape and a whole lot of patience.
The artists that made their name in the 90s all did wonders for the music scene, and some of those artists have continued to thrive after all these years. Sure, there were plenty of artists that only mustered one hit, but looking back at the decade will show that they cemented a unique legacy alongside the all-time greats. Over the years, many of these songs have continued to be played on the radio, and younger music lovers will take a step back in time at some point to see what their parents were listening to back during a time when grunge became a thing.
"U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer
This track remains one of the most infamous rap songs of all time, and it helped make the artist a star in no time. It became a worldwide sensation that was instrumental in putting rap on top of the charts, and to this day, plenty of people still enjoy this funky tune. (Billboard)
"Mr. Jones" by Counting Crows
During the middle part of the 90s, a new sound in rock music came along and was able to find a ton of success. This sound featured plenty of acoustic guitars, and it was not nearly as hard as some of the other offerings on the radio. This song was a massive hit for that sect of rock. (Billboard)
"Enter Sandman" by Metallica
Metallica fans were ready for them to release their next record at the start of the 90s, and the band changed up their sound and became a worldwide phenomenon because of it. Thrash was the way they gained their initial following, but this sound is what made them stars. (Billboard)
"Circle of Life" by Elton John
By the time the 90s rolled around, Elton John had already been a star for years, and while some of his contemporaries had fallen off, he continued to thrive. “Circle of Life” was a song that was featured in The Lion King, and it was a gigantic hit for the singer. (Billboard)
"This Kiss" by Faith Hill
Country music took on a new life in the 90s, and artists like Faith Hill were able to slide on in and become household names in no time. She had a number of notable hits during the decade, and this upbeat pop tune wound up making her a ton of cash. (Billboard)
"Always Be My Baby" by Mariah Carey
Few artists in the 90s did as well for themselves as Mariah Carey did, and we had some true classics of hers to choose from for this entry. This track is one of her most memorable, and the music to the tune was just as catchy as the melody was. (Billboard)
"...Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears
The world was ready for a new face of pop music as the 90s was winding down, and this artist came along and took pop music into the next millennium. She was a juggernaut when she first broke out, and she remains one of the most famous performers in history. (Billboard)
"I'll Be" by Edwin McCain
Once this song became a hit, people everywhere were dedicating it to their significant other, and it was played at every single prom for years to come. It was a gigantic hit for the singer, and it is a song that can still be heard on plenty of radio stations. (Billboard)
"Hold My Hand" by Hootie & the Blowfish
Hootie & the Blowfish wound up dropping one of the biggest albums of all time with their debut record, and it featured a number of colossal hits that the band used to become stars in the 90s. They are an integral part of the music scene of the 90s, and this song is still great. (Billboard)
"Basket Case" by Green Day
The Bay Area is known for producing some fantastic artists, and Green Day was the band that put punk back on the map in the 90s. Once Dookie hit the shelves, people could not get enough, and this song was a huge hit from the album. The band has sold millions of records. (Billboard)
"Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden
As arguably the most talented band from the Seattle scene, Soundgarden took some time to hit it big with mainstream audiences. Once they finally did, people began to see how great they were, and this song was the one that got them noticed by the masses. The music video is a classic. (Billboard)
"Wannabe" by Spice Girls
Coming from across the pond, this group taught the world a thing or two about girl power and making a smash hit record. They burst onto the scene and became the biggest group in the world, eventually selling out arenas, getting a movie and even getting a video game. (Billboard)
"MMMbop" by Hanson
This band of brothers had the right look and sound to get noticed by millions of people around the world, and when this single was released, it turned them into stars. They were able to make a name for themselves with this release, and they would have some success in the subsequent years. (Billboard)
"Ironic" by Alanis Morissette
After trying her hand at standard pop music for the radio, this performer opted to stay true to herself, which gave way to her releasing a massively successful album. The album was what made her one of the biggest stars of the decade, and this song’s music video is a classic. (Billboard)
"Even Flow" by Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam came into the mainstream in 1991 with the release of their debut album, and the band wound up becoming the biggest-selling band of the 90s thanks to having a string of successful records. This track was a monster hit for the group, and it remains one of their best tunes. (Billboard)
"Creep" by Radiohead
While this band is one that is not known for being a primary player on the charts, they have had a huge following over the years because of how great they are. This song is perhaps the biggest that the band has ever released, and most everyone has heard it at least once. (Billboard)
"Sabotage" by Beastie Boys
After spending the bulk of the 80s cranking out rap hits that people everywhere enjoyed, this group needed to mix things up in the 90s to keep a fresh sound. This track wound up having a perfect blend of driving rock music to please fans of all types of music. (Billboard)
"Candy" by Mandy Moore
Pop music had a change in sound towards the end of the 90s, and this singer was able to slide in at the last moment and make herself known to people around the world. This track was her first true hit on the charts, and the singer wound up becoming a phenomenal actress. (Billboard)
"All Star" by Smash Mouth
This song has become a meme in recent years, and it has only served to keep the band relevant. It was a huge hit that did well on the charts, and once it was featured in the first Shrek film, it would be able to cement its place in history. (Billboard)
"Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice
Complete with a Queen sample and a catchy hook, this track became a juggernaut on the charts and turned its artist into one of the most infamous performers in history. Not only was the song a huge success, but the music video for the track was massive as well. (Billboard)
"C.R.E.A.M." by Wu-Tang Clan
While some rappers were looking to have some fun in the 90s, this group wanted to tell stories and combine their love of kung-fu films in the process. While this seemed like an odd combination from the jump, the group wound up becoming one of the most influential acts of all time. (Billboard)
"Scar Tissue" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
After becoming one of the biggest bands in the world in the early 90s, things would taper off a bit for this band. Once John Frusciante returned, they dropped this classic and reached the top once again. They are one of the biggest and most influential bands to ever walk the planet. (Billboard)
"Wonderwall" by Oasis
Once this group hopped across the pond and brought their take on rock music to the rest of the world, they quickly cemented themselves as one of the best bands in the world. They were instrumental in other bands from across the pond finding success in what was dubbed another “invasion”. (Billboard)
"Changes" by Tupac
This man is considered one of the best and most influential artists of all time, and he released a string of records in the 90s that helped make him a star. He was involved in one of the most infamous rivalries of all time, and his music continues to stand the test of time. (Billboard)
'Step by Step" by New Kids On The Block
After rising to the top in the 80s, this group started off the 90s with this gigantic hit, and there would be a few more to follow before they disbanded. At their peak, there was no other group in the world as big as them, and they had a fan hotline and a cartoon series. (Billboard)
"Nice & Slow" by Usher
This smooth crooner first came to the forefront in the 90s, and this song was the first of many hits for him during his time in the entertainment industry. While he would go on to release gigantic hits in the following decade, many people still love his work from the 90s. (Billboard)
"Poison" by Bell Biv Devoe
This song taught the world a thing or two about what to look out for, and many people took this sage advice to heart. The song had a catchy beat and used some fantastic harmonies to reel people in and keep them coming back for more. This would be the group’s biggest song. (Billboard)
"Friends in Low Places" by Garth Brooks
This man was everywhere back in the 90s, and this song is perhaps his most famous and known by mainstream audiences. He continues to play in the biggest venues around the world, and he has one of the most impactful legacies in the history of country music, which says a lot. (Billboard)
"End of the Road" by Boyz II Men
Coming straight from Philadelphia with some Motown swing, this group was able to become one of the biggest artists of the decade. During their peak, they could simply do no wrong, and they had tons of hits. They would also feature on hits by other artists, helping them sell more records. (Billboard)
"I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys
Boy bands took over towards the end of the 90s, and there has been no bigger boy band in history than these men here. They were releasing one gigantic hit after the next and though the genre has a certain stigma to it, there is no denying that this is one of the best songs of the decade. (Billboard)
"This Is How We Do It" by Montell Jordan
Few songs that came out in the 90s were as fun as this one was, and once the song got underway, people knew that it was going to be a banger at parties for years to come. Listening to it now will reveal a tune that was meant to be enjoyed by millions. (Billboard)
"I'm Just A Girl" by No Doubt
This song was recently used in the film Captain Marvel, and it had older fans pleased. This track was created by the band No Doubt, which featured a young Gwen Stefani on vocals. It was a huge hit, and the band’s album, Tragic Kingdom, would go on to become one of the decade’s best. (Billboard)
"My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion
Because the movie Titanic remains one of the biggest triumphs in the history of cinema, millions of people around the world have heard this song at least once in their lifetime. It was a hit that was as big as the film, and it helped Celine Dion become richer for it. (Billboard)
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana
Looking back on it, this is the song that is credited with putting an end to hair metal and giving way to a new sound in music. To call this song a classic would be a massive understatement, and most people go through a phase in which this song becomes their favorite. (Billboard)
"No Diggity" by Blackstreet
When this song was released back in the 90s, it was a massive hit that helped the group become stars. People continued to enjoy it well after it fell off the charts, and once it was featured in the film Pitch Perfect, it was able to get over with a new generation of fans. (Billboard)
