So... It's been 17 years since the 90's. As a generation, we are particularly proud of being "90's kids" even though we are now in college and not so childlike anymore. It was the only decade we knew for the first part of our lives, but how much does everyone really remember before they reached 10 years old? Hopefully, you haven't been bluffing about your knowledge of what many believe to be one of the best decades of the 20th century. If you're really a 90's kid, you should remember and be proud to be raised by most of these songs.
1. "Livin' La Vida Loca"- Ricky Martin
This hit was Ricky Martin's claim to fame before William Hung made "She Bangs" infamous on American Idol. It's a great, upbeat, Latin jam if you're in the mood to dance! (This was my favorite song when I was five, so I'm a little biased.)
Lyrics to listen for:
"She'll make you take your clothes off and go dancing in the rain.
She'll make you live her crazy life
but she'll take away your pain like a bullet to your brain. Come On!"
2. "Smooth (feat. Rob Thomas)"- Santana
Santana collaborated with Rob Thomas (known for his work as the singer of Matchbox 20) to make this smashing single. It is sultry between the vocals and guitar riffs and solos. It makes for a great song no matter what mood you're in at the time.
Lyrics to listen for:
"And it's just like the ocean under the moon
Well it's the same as the emotion that I get from you
You got the kind of lovin' that can be so smooth, yeah
Gimme your heart, make it real
Or else forget about it"
3. "No Scrubs"- TLC
This song is great when jamming out on a car ride with your friends. These sassy ladies knew how to be independent and throw shade all while keeping their harmonies together. It's guaranteed to make you feel like you're shutting down that lousy ex-boyfriend who treated you like garbage.
Lyrics to listen for:
"I don't want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me
Hanging out the passenger side
Of his best friend's ride
Trying to holler at me"
4. "The Way"- Fastball
This song might be slightly less popular than the previous songs, but it's just as great. It tells the tale of two people who leave most of their life behind for the road without much care. The lyrics have a slightly sad undertone, but the beat is something you won't be able to stop tapping your foot to.
Lyrics to listen for:
"You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere
They won't make it home
But they really don't care
They wanted the highway
They're happier there today, today"
5. "Flagpole Sitta"- Harvey Danger
This might be another less promoted song, but Harvey Danger's single is a rocker. It's full of angst as it speaks about the world in an extremely sarcastic and cynical tone. You'll be sure to head bang along.
Lyrics to listen for:
"I'm not sick, but I'm not well
And I'm so hot 'cause I'm in hell"
6. "Mmmbop"- Hanson
This cute boy band made of three young brothers stole the hearts of countless people with this song. It's a classic feel-good tune that you can't help but hum and sing along to. I'm sure you know the chorus, but maybe not so many of the other words because the youngest brother's vocals aren't super clear.
Lyrics to listen for:
"Mmmbop, ba duba dop
Ba du bop, ba duba dop
Ba du bop, ba duba dop"
7. "Zoot Suit Riot"- Cherry Poppin' Daddies
Even though it was released in the 90's, the Cherry Poppin' Daddies make this song sound like it was released from the 40's or 50's when swing dancing was all the rage. It's great when you want to dance around the house and not care about what you might look like.
Lyrics to listen for:
"Zoot suit riot
throw back a bottle of beer
Zoot suit riot
Pull a comb through your coal black hair"
8. "Barbie Girl"- Aqua
It seemed innocent when we were kids (probably just because Barbie dolls were one of a girl's best friends), but it turns out that it's not so innocent after all. This song was a huge hit that got Aqua into some legal trouble. But nonetheless, it's widely considered a classic of the 90's.
Lyrics to listen for:
"I'm a Barbie girl, in a Barbie world
Life in plastic, it's fantastic
You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere
Imagination, life is your creation"
9. "Fly Away"- Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz is known for being pretty laid back, and his music widely reflects that. This might possibly be his most famous song and it definitely resonates with anyone who might feel like they aren't exactly where they want to be (or should be) in life.
Lyrics to listen for:
"I wish that I could fly
Into the sky
So very high
Just like a dragonfly"
10. "What I Got"- Sublime
I'm not going to lie: It was really hard to only include one Sublime song on this list, but I think "What I Got" deserves the title. It radiates the love and positive vibes that the band is most known for. Also, check out "Santeria."
Lyrics to listen for:
"It all comes back to you, you'll finally get what you deserve
Try and test that you're bound to get served
Love's what I got
Don't start a riot
You'll feel it when the dance gets hot"
11. "What's My Age Again?"- Blink-182
Now that we're actually around the age that Blink-182 references in the song, many of us probably relate to this one better now than we did as kids. This punk band provided a lot of great singles, but this one is still played almost as much as it was all of those years ago.
Lyrics to listen for:
"And that's about the time that bitch hung up on me
Nobody likes you when you're 23
And are still more amused by prank phone calls
What the Hell is call ID?
My friends say I should act my age
What's my age again?"
12. "The Rockafeller Skank"- Fatboy Slim
So this song may repeat the same lyrics, the entire time, but it's got a great rhythm that seduces you into dancing. It always reminds me of pretending to surf for some reason... Maybe because of it's funky beat?
Lyrics to listen for:
"Right about now
The funk soul brother
Check it out now
The funk soul brother"
13. Blue (Da Ba Dee)- Eiffel 65
Blue is a great color, but this song isn't just about the color. This song may be about feeling sad, but it sounds really happy. It's great to bob your head along to, and I highly recommend checking out the weird music video.
Lyrics to listen for:
"'I'm blue da ba dee da ba die"
14. "Baby Got Back"- Sir Mix A Lot
I really hope all of you reading this have heard this song before. I feel like it speaks for itself. But really, who doesn't rap the entire song when it comes on the radio...or at least the first verse if you don't know all of the words.
Lyrics to listen for:
"I like big butts and I can not lie
You other brothers can't deny
That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist
And a round thing in your face
You get sprung"
15. "Jump"- Kriss Kross
This song is sure to get you pumped up. Kriss Kross' clever lyrics add to the feeling of intensity. I recommend listening to this one while working out at the gym. More appropriately, you should probably listen to it while jumping rope.
Lyrics to listen for:
"Jump jump
The Mac Dad will make you jump jump
Daddy Mac will make you jump jump
Kris Kross will make you jump jump"
16. "My Own Worst Enemy"- Lit
Lit really knew how to encompass the aftermath of a drunken night. This is quite literally a hangover anthem. This is another song I feel like we relate to more as college kids than we did as children, but it's still a favorite.
Lyrics to listen for:
"Please tell me why
The car is in the front yard and I'm
Sleeping with my clothes on
Came in through the window last night
And you're gone"
17. "Zombie"- The Cranberries
The singer of The Cranberries has a very different voice than most of the people on this list. Behind the vocals are incredibly intense emotion about the horrors of the world and war. It's kind of depressing, but it's definitely worth a listen, especially if you feel like the world is stuck in a rut.
Lyrics to listen for:
"With their tanks and their bombs
And their bombs and their guns
In your head in your head they are crying"
18. "Gangsta's Paradise"- Coolio
This rap ballad may not be everyone's favorite, but it's pretty solid in my opinion. Weird "Al" Yankovic must think so, too. If you don't know what I'm referencing, check out "Amish Paradise."
Lyrics to listen for:
"Death ain't nothing but a heartbeat away,
I'm living life, do or die, what can I say
I'm 23 now, but will I live to see 24
The way things are going I don't know"
19. "Kiss Me"- Sixpence None the Richer
This song is one of the more famous ones by Sixpence None the Richer. The band is known for the high pitched singing of the lead vocalist. This song captures sweet, romantic moments. It's a great pick-me-up song... If you like sappy love songs that is.
Lyrics to listen for:
"Oh, kiss me beneath the milky twilight
Lead me out on the moonlit floor
Lift your open hand
Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance
Silver moon's sparkling
So kiss me"
20. "Mr. Jones"- The Counting Crows
The Counting Crows really nailed the feeling of happiness of summertime with this single. I don't know what else to say about it except that it's bound to put a smile on your face.
Lyrics to listen for:
"Mr. Jones and me
Tell each other fairy tales
And we stare at the beautiful women
She's looking at you
Ah, no, no, she's looking at me"
