PLAYLIST: 30 Throwback jams of the ’90s
In honor of The Signal’s upcoming Signal Social: ’90s Bowl-back, the staff has compiled a list of their favorite songs from 1990 to 1999. Check out the list below and also the Spotify playlist for even more throwback jams.
“Pony” by Ginuwine (1996)
While the ‘Magic Mike’ movies helped this song make a return to playlists, it’s always been on mine. The second you hear the introduction to the song, you know it’s about to go down. P.S. This was my ringtone for a long time.
– Liz Davis, editor-in-chief
“Smooth” by Santana ft. Rob Thomas (1999)
Not only is this song ‘smooth’ but its one that gets stuck in your head. As soon as the chorus hits you can easily find yourself singing along.
– Brandon Peña, managing editor
“Interstate Love Song” by Stone Temple Pilots (1994)
I think the second this song starts, one can see why it’s one of the greatest songs of the 90’s. That opening riff just evokes the feel of nineties alt rock and this song just provides true nineties nostalgia for those who were filled with love, angst, and little rock n’ roll.
– Troylon Griffin II, assistant editor
“Just The Two Of Us” by Will Smith (1997)
This song is really sweet and captures a moment not often sung about in music – a person becoming a parent. I also like the specifics in the song like ‘CD-ROM’, ‘101 Dalmations’ and other things that indicate this song is from the ’90s.
– Alyssa Shotwell, online editor
“No Diggity” by Blackstreet ft. Dr. Dre and Queen Pen (1996)
Despite the many contemporary versions, there’s nothing like Blackstreet’s original version of ‘No diggity.’ I’m not sure if it’s the lyrics, chorus, or the beat, but it is impossible not to sing to this song… It’s so catchy!
– Katherine Rodriguez, audience engagement editor
“Novocaine For The Soul” by Eels (1996)
One of the first songs I ever fell in love with as a kid. It’s got this indie, downtempo grunge vibe that’s been coming back lately, and I’m super into it. I still pull this song out to show friends today. Although The Eels had a few other hits, there’s just something about the drop and jam and soundscape of this track that makes it timeless for me. Whimsical melancholy. Released in 1996 from the album Beautiful Freak.
– Trey Blakely, reporter
“I Want It That Way” by Backstreet Boys (1999)
It’s an iconic bop
– Justin Murphy, reporter
Because I want it that way
– Dakota Dickey, reporter
You can’t talk about the 90s without mentioning one of the biggest boy band of all time. Though most of the members are washed out by now, they had a fan based following of huge proportions. That song is still on the radio today. Weird Al has a hilarious parody of ‘I want it that way’ called ‘ebay’; give it a listen
– Maria Nosrat, reporter
“Bust A Move” by Young MC (1989)
Although released in 1989, I feel it is a classic ’90s song that is still used today. It’s been featured in movies like ‘Dude, where’s my car,’ ‘The Blind Side,’ ’17 Again’ and ‘Up in the Air.’
– Sara Tuffly, reporter
“…Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears (1998)
I feel like this song is the most iconic song of the decade.
– Emily Wolfe, reporter
“6 Underground” by Sneaker Pimps (1996)
Pretty much any Sneaker Pimps song is fantastic, but this one made the list because it was the most mainstream. The song was featured in one of my favorite movies, ‘Cruel Intentions,’
which is one of my favorite soundtracks.
– Liz Davis, editor-in-chief
“Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” by Selena (1994)
Find me a ’90s kid from Texas who hasn’t heard and sang along to this Selena classic. This song brings back so many memories of me putting on concerts in front of the fireplace. Bidi Bidi Bom Bom!
– Brandon Peña, managing editor
“I Don’t Wanna Cry” by Mariah Carey (1990)
This song to me shows the kind of great love songs the nineties were capable of producing, and who better to show this then the Songbird Supreme Mariah Carey? This was off her debut album and this was one of the songs that put her on the map and showed the world who this young powerhouse vocalist was. Her vocals are chilling, powerful, and just amazing.
– Troylon Griffin II, assistant editor
“All 4 Love” by Color Me Badd (1991)
From the people that wanted to ‘Sex You Up’, ‘All for Love’ provides a PG13 listening experience. This is one of those songs that you don’t even know you know until you hear it and are like – ‘Ohhhh!’
– Alyssa Shotwell, online editor
“Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child (1999)
Do I really need an explanation? No matter where you are, or what you’re doing, if you were born in the ’90s you’ll jam out to this song…
– Katherine Rodriguez, audience engagement editor
“Thunder Kiss ’65” by White Zombie (1992)
Another great call back to the often underrated genre of groove metal, this track introduced me to the technicolor horror show that is Rob Zombie. White Zombie always has a spot in my music library. It’s perfect cruisin music, and the song just rolls. Great song to start a long drive in the morning, it’s an ode to b-roll gore movies and cars. Released in 1992 from the album La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume One.
– Trey Blakely, reporter
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana (1991)
It’s literally the song of the ’90s
– Justin Murphy, reporter
“Everybody” by Backstreet Boys (1997)
This song goes hard, it embodies the carefree pre-social media age that was the ’90s where you can act a fool and not worry about someone posting about it on Facebook.
– Dakota Dickey, reporter
“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince (1992)
This is important not only because it launched Will Smith’s acting career, but it was one of the only sitcoms featuring an all black family. That was pretty progressive for the ’90s considering the majority of TV shows today still have a mostly white cast. The song is also catchy as hell.
– Maria Nosrat, reporter
“Believe” by Cher (1998)
It ushered in the use of autotune. Also Cher is the icon to end all icons and this is one of her more popular songs.
– Emily Wolfe, reporter
“Truly Madly Deeply” by Savage Garden (1997)
This song was literally always on every station in the ’90s.
– Liz Davis, editor-in-chief
“Mo Money Mo Problems” by The Notorious B.I.G. ft. Mase and Puff Daddy (1997)
This is a song that still gets plenty of airplay. It’s not only catchy, but incorporates Diana Ross’ song ‘I’m Coming Out,’ which I personally love. ‘I don’t know what they want from me. It’s like the more money we come across the problems we see!’
– Brandon Peña, managing editor
“Closer” by Nine Inch Nails (1994)
This song is a true example of where the nineties were leaning at time. After the death of Kurt Cobain in 1994, many bands came to blow up the charts, and one of the most innovative was Trent Reznor’s Nine Inch Nails. With this song, the world was introduced -to a greater degree- to Nine Inch Nails and one of the greatest and most important albums of the ninties: The Downward Spiral.
– Troylon Griffin II, assistant editor
“This Is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan (1995)
If someone doesn’t like this song they are lying.
– Alyssa Shotwell, online editor
“I’ll Never Break Your Heart” by Backstreet Boys
I couldn’t pick my top 90’s songs without mentioning the BBOYS. Even though most of my favorite songs are part of their ‘Black and Blue’ album, this song got me into their music. Though I couldn’t really understand the lyrics back then (because I didn’t speak english), I loved them and their music!
– Katherine Rodriguez, audience engagement editor
“Get Your Gunn” by Marilyn Manson (1994)
This song really takes me back. This was my first introduction to Marilyn Manson, and man what an intro that was. Produced by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, this song was not a huge single or showed up on the radio. For me, it showed up on a mixtape one of my sister’s friends made me. One of those little pieces of personal nostalgia when your tiny world is blown wide open. This song got me into music. Released in 1994 from the album Portrait of an American Family.
– Trey Blakely, reporter
“Check Yes Or No” by George Strait (1996)
It is the best ’90s country song from the King of Country Music.
– Justin Murphy, reporter
“All Star” by Smash Mouth (1999)
Nothing says underdog story like someone who has been told the world is going to roll them and has been called not the sharpest tool in the shed.
– Dakota Dickey, reporter
“Wonderwall” by Oasis (1995)
This song is a classic, needs no explanation. I mean really, he manages to sing the entire song in one monotonous note. It’s great.
– Maria Nosrat, reporter
“Hey Jealousy” by Gin Blossom (1989)
The song feels like it epitomizes the alternative scene that was extremely popular in the ’90s.
– Emily Wolfe, reporter
This is one of my all-time favorite songs. Whenever there is a jukebox at a bar, this my go-to song. You might know it from the ‘Empire Records’ soundtrack, which is also another great ’90s movie soundtrack.
– Liz Davis, editor-in-chief
“My Name Is Jonas” by Weezer (1994)
Weezer’s ‘Blue Album’ had a huge impact on my life. When I was in elementary school, my sister gave me the album to listen to on a field trip. I still have it in my CD case in my car, and I listen to it on the regular.
– Liz Davis, editor-in-chief
Also published on Medium.