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The best pop songs of the 1990s
Sony Pictures

The best pop songs of the 1990s

What's that one song that played all the time in 1998? Chances are, you'll find it right here! If you have a deep appreciation for the bops of the 1990s and want to take a walk down memory lane, check out my list of the best pop songs of the decade.

 
1 of 30

"Iris," Goo Goo Dolls

"Iris," Goo Goo Dolls
Goo Goo Dolls

"Iris" is the song everyone instantly recognizes as the Goo Goo Dolls. It also happens to be one heavily associated with the 1990s. If you've ever been to one of their concerts, hearing this live is a transcendent experience.

 
2 of 30

"No Scrubs," TLC

"No Scrubs," TLC
TLC

"No Scrubs" is easily TLC's best. I don't think I know a single person who doesn't know this song, and I wouldn't want to. I mean, would we even know what a scrub is if not for them?

 
3 of 30

"Kiss from a Rose," Seal

"Kiss from a Rose," Seal
Seal

Any Batman Forever fans here? The song was initially released in 1994 with little success but was luckily revived as the second single on the film's soundtrack a year later. "Kiss from a Rose" left quite an impression on the decade.

 
4 of 30

"Don't Speak," No Doubt

"Don't Speak," No Doubt
No Doubt

"Don't Speak," the third single of their third album, Tragic Kingdom, is one of the first songs that comes to mind when I think of No Doubt. Though "Just a Girl," "Spiderwebs," and "Sunday Morning" are all notable singles on the album, this one remains supreme.

 
5 of 30

"Smooth," Santana & Rob Thomas

"Smooth," Santana & Rob Thomas
Santana

Rob Thomas made Santana's "Smooth" a chart-topping hit. It must have won all of the awards in 1999 and remains a crowd favorite in karaoke bars today.

 
6 of 30

"Torn," Natalie Imbruglia

"Torn," Natalie Imbruglia
Natalie Imbruglia

The best and most successful version of "Torn" that exists has to be Natalie Imbruglia's cover of the Ednaswap song. It became her debut single in 1997, earning her a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

 
7 of 30

"MMMBop," Hanson

"MMMBop," Hanson
Hanson

The lead single of their debut album, "MMMBop," is obviously Hanson's most popular song, bordering on one-hit wonder territory. Twenty-five years later, the brothers are still touring, so good for them!

 
8 of 30

"Believe," Cher

"Believe," Cher
Cher

The day Cher's "Believe" isn't on a "best of the '90s" list is the day we as a society have lost all good taste in music. Iconic is not even strong enough of a word to describe this gem.

 
9 of 30

"Kiss Me," Sixpence None the Richer

"Kiss Me," Sixpence None the Richer
Sixpence None the Richer

If you know this song, odds are you remember it from She's All That, a beloved rom-com of the 1990s. "Kiss Me" was the first single from the band's third album and is their most popular song to date.

 
10 of 30

"One Week," Barenaked Ladies

"One Week," Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies

"One Week" is just one of those songs that will always be good simply because of how hilarious the lyrics are. It will forever be memorable and, most importantly, in this day and age, meme-able.

 
11 of 30

"Semi-Charmed Life," Third Eye Blind

"Semi-Charmed Life," Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blind

"Semi-Charmed Life" was Third Eye Blind's debut single off of their debut album, and listening to it was incredibly addicting. It was practically everywhere back then and is on any good '90s playlist that exists these days.

 
12 of 30

"The Boy Is Mine," Brandy & Monica

"The Boy Is Mine," Brandy & Monica
Brandy & Monica

I was today years old when I realized that this song was inspired by a Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney song, but Brandy and Monica's "The Boy Is Mine" is so good and stands on its own. It was both artists' first hit and, according to Billboard, one of 1,001 songs you must hear before you die.

 
13 of 30

"Losing My Religion," R.E.M.

"Losing My Religion," R.E.M.
R.E.M.

"Losing My Religion" is a song you can't help singing along to every time you hear it. Though it's not the poppiest of pop songs, it is catchy enough to have made an ever-lasting impression, making it one of R.E.M.'s most popular to date.

 
14 of 30

"Doo Wop (That Thing)," Lauryn Hill

"Doo Wop (That Thing)," Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill

Listening to this song is like hearing it for the first time all over again for me. I get so excited every time. Lauryn Hill's "Doo Wop (That Thing)" is her most successful for good reason.

 
15 of 30

"Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," Backstreet Boys

"Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," Backstreet Boys
Backstreet Boys

"Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" is one of my personal favorites. Backstreet Boys can do no wrong. The music video is incredible, and it's impossible not to dance to and sing along to. I still want to learn the dance.

 
16 of 30

"This Is How We Do It," Montell Jordan

"This Is How We Do It," Montell Jordan
Montell Jordan

"This Is How We Do It" is the ultimate party song! You can't have a party playlist without it. This jam really makes you nostalgic for the nineties. 10/10.

 
17 of 30

"You Oughta Know," Alanis Morissette

"You Oughta Know," Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette

The first single on the Jagged Little Pill album changed everything for Alanis. Her new alt-rock sound made her a household name and not only gave us one of the best albums of the nineties but of all time.

 
18 of 30

"No Diggity," Blackstreet & Dr. Dre

"No Diggity," Blackstreet & Dr. Dre
Blackstreet

I'm not sure how many "best of" lists this song is featured on, but it's a lot. "No Diggity" is so nineties, it hurts, but in the best possible way. I dare you not to sing along next time it comes on the radio.

 
19 of 30

"Truly Madly Deeply," Savage Garden

"Truly Madly Deeply," Savage Garden
Savage Garden

The way "Truly Madly Deeply" pulls certain memories and emotions out of people should be studied. It's just such a beautiful song and a timeless classic.

 
20 of 30

"Nothing Compares 2 U," Sinead O'Connor

"Nothing Compares 2 U," Sinead O'Connor
Sinead O'Connor

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I had no idea this was a Prince song until now, which just adds an extra layer of genius to it. Sinead O'Connor certainly left her mark on music in the nineties with "Nothing Compares 2 U."

 
21 of 30

"Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)," C+C Music Factory & Freedom Williams

"Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)," C+C Music Factory & Freedom Williams
C+C Music Factory

If you don't move to this song, you have failed C+C Music Factory and Freedom Williams. And Martha Wash, for that matter. It's not ranked on Billboard's "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time" for nothing.

 
22 of 30

"Together Again," Janet Jackson

"Together Again," Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson

Janet's had so many hits over the years, but specific to the decade, "Together Again" has to be the best. The song's beautiful message, paired with its uptempo dance music, makes it all the more memorable.

 
23 of 30

"Wannabe," Spice Girls

"Wannabe," Spice Girls
Spice Girls

You can't have the nineties without the Spice Girls. The group's debut single, "Wannabe," is absolutely iconic and will always hold a very special place in our hearts.

 
24 of 30

"...Baby, One More Time," Britney Spears

"...Baby, One More Time," Britney Spears
Britney Spears

I don't think I have to tell you just how influential "...Baby, One More Time" has been on all things pop culture. As another amazing debut single off of an equally amazing album, the song is considered to be one of the greatest songs ever.

 
25 of 30

"Genie in a Bottle," Christina Aguilera

"Genie in a Bottle," Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera

As the first single off of Christina Aguilera's debut album, "Genie in a Bottle" (dare I say), made a big impression. Everyone I knew had this album and played it on repeat.

 
26 of 30

"Bills, Bills, Bills," Destiny's Child

"Bills, Bills, Bills," Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child

Not only is "Bills, Bills, Bills" one of Destiny's Child's best songs ever, but the song's music video is still top-tier. Also, shout out to "Say My Name" for contributing to the soundtrack of the nineties!

 
27 of 30

"Vogue," Madonna

"Vogue," Madonna
Madonna

I hope I'm not the only one learning new things about these beloved bangers because who was going to tell me that "Vogue" is from a soundtrack album? Given the number of times this song has been sampled and covered, we should be tired of it, but that's the power of Madonna.

 
28 of 30

"Always Be My Baby," Mariah Carey

"Always Be My Baby," Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey

It's kind of a tie between this song and "Fantasy," but ultimately, I went with "Always Be My Baby" due to the number of times I heard this one vs. the other growing up. Plus, the movie Always Be My Maybe was named after it, which holds some power.

 
29 of 30

"I Will Always Love You," Whitney Houston

"I Will Always Love You," Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston

Where there is Mariah Carey, there is obviously Whitney Houston. Whitney's version of "I Will Always Love You" from The Bodyguard soundtrack will continue to be everything. Mic drop.

 
30 of 30

"My Heart Will Go On," Celine Dion

"My Heart Will Go On," Celine Dion
Celine Dion

Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" is right up there with "I Will Always Love You." Man, those film soundtracks were killing it back then. The song won just about every award it was nominated for that year and is considered to be one of the "Songs of the Century."

Shelby Weimer, a Kansas City native, grew up watching way too many comedies and Saturday Night Live, inspiring her to build a career in comedy. When she isn’t writing sketches and pilot scripts, Shelby is always keeping up with the latest in entertainment, with reality TV and all things pop culture being her jam. Find Shelby on Twitter & Instagram @shelbwei3

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