Which songs are turning 25 in 2023?

In the ‘90s, Brandy and Monica were part of the new generation of R&B darlings. They teamed up with each other on the hit song “The Boy Is Mine,” which tells two different perspectives of women claiming a man that is playing them both. Not only did the song become the best-selling song of the year in the U.S., but it also earned Brandy and Monica their first Grammy Award. 

In the ‘90s, DJ and producer Fatboy Slim helped popularize the big beat subgenre across the electronic music scene It was evident on his single “The Rockafeller Skānk,” which seemed to be inescapable in the VH1 and MTV days. While the track did manage to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, it was a bigger hit on the U.K. charts. 

In the fall of 1997, R&B trio Next released their debut album Rated Next. However, it was in January 1998 that the group released their biggest hit song, “Too Close.” The track is a playful yet sexy R&B story about a man getting aroused while dancing with a woman at a club. “Too Close” became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts respectively. 

In 1998, country star Faith Hill released her third album Faith, led by the hit single “This Kiss.” On the track, Hill is adamant about not dealing with any more heartbreaks and rather being in love with the person who truly captured her heart. As she says on the hook, “It’s the way you love me / It’s a feeling like this / It’s centrifugal motion / It’s perpetual bliss.” Not only did “This Kiss” become a top hit on the Billboard country chart, but it also peaked in the top ten on the Hot 100. 

Although R&B singer Deborah Cox saw solid success with her 1995 debut album, it was her sophomore project One Wish, that really helped elevate her artistry. It was partially thanks to her 1998 single “Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here.” Co-written by Anthony “Shep” Crawford and Montell Jordan, the soulful ballad showcased Cox’s astronomical vocal range. “Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and it remained in the top spot for 14 weeks. 

In 1998, Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies released its fourth album Stunt, led by the hit single "One Week." The infectious blend of rock and pop helped push the single to a No. 1 hit and it was featured in '90s teen films like 10 Things I Hate About You and American Pie. 

In 1998, rock singer Lenny Kravitz released his critically-acclaimed album 5. The album garnered six singles, including the smash hit “Fly Away.” For listeners who believe they want to get away and be in another setting or location, then “Fly Away” is a perfect song. The single earned Kravitz a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Performance. 

Christina Aguilera was only 17 years old when she released her debut single, "Reflection," and it showcased her powerhouse vocal range that enticed listeners. The track was the theme song from the Disney animated film Mulan, and it hit the top 20 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. 

When rap trio The Fugees split in 1997, people wondered how each individual would succeed in their solo efforts. The following year, Lauryn Hill released her solo debut album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, to rave reviews. The praise was partially due to the lead single “Doo Wop (That Thing),” which featured Hill’s signature sound of blending hip-hop with a little bit of R&B. “Doo Wop (That Thing)” became the first song by a female MC to snag the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 1998, alternative rock band Goo Goo Dolls released “Iris,” the second single from the soundtrack of the film City of Angels. “Iris,” tells a piece of the film’s plot in which an angel is willing to give up his immortality to be with his newfound love. “Iris” became a top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and received multiple Grammy Award nominations, including Record of the Year. 

Just three years after her successful debut album, Faith Evans returned with her sophomore project, Keep the Faith. The album garnered four singles, including the smash hit “Love Like This.” Since Evans is the first lady of Bad Boy Records, it was evident that some of her music would feature classic samples. “Love Like This” was no different as it included a sample of Chic’s 1978 track “Chic Cheer.” On the track, Evans is enamored with finding a love she didn’t think was possible.  

Aerosmith’s 1998 track “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” became the official theme song for the film Armageddon. Penned by iconic songwriter Diane Warren, the track became Aerosmith’s first No. 1 single in the U.S. For fans who enjoy hearing the band sing rock ballads, then “I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing” is an essential track. The song details how one doesn’t want to fall asleep because they’d miss out on the moments of spending time with someone they love.

In the late ‘90s, Aaliyah was elevating her sound thanks to artists like Timbaland and Static Major. The two co-wrote her hit single “Are You That Somebody,” which was featured on the soundtrack for the film Dr. Dolittle. With Timbaland also on production, the song easily stands out in Aaliyah’s discography, thanks to the beatboxing and baby cooing on the track. 

In the mid to late ‘90s, the pop scene saw a few emerging faces coming up, one of which was Britney Spears. The singer’s debut single “...Baby One More Time” helped launched her career to pop star supremacy. On the track, Spears sings of being lonely after dealing with a breakup, and she’s hoping that the relationship can be rekindled.

In 1998, Jay Z released his critically-acclaimed third album, Vol 2… Hard Knock Life. The album garnered four singles, including the smash hit “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem).” While samples have always been a part of the hip-hop world, Jay took this track to another level as he sampled “Hard Knock Life” from the Broadway musical Annie, which was a great technique for enticing younger listeners. The track earned Jay a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance and became the rapper’s most commercially successful single at the time. 

When Cher released her 22nd studio album Believe, she decided to step into new sounds of dance, disco, and pop. It was evident on the eponymous lead single, which featured a bit of auto-tune on Cher’s vocals. "Believe" became one of the year’s best-selling singles, and it topped a number of Billboard charts, including the Hot 100 and Dance Club Songs. On the track, Cher is speaking from a perspective of dealing with a breakup. 

After the hip-hop trio The Fugees decided to go their separate ways, Pras launched his solo career. He teamed up with Mýa and ODB on his Wyclef Jean-produced single "Ghetto Supastar." The track became a global success and was a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

“Intergalactic” was the lead single from the Beastie Boys’ fifth album Hello Nasty. The production on the track weaves in hip-hop with space-age sounds, and it helped earn the group a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. 

In the ‘90s, the animated series Rugrats was one of the most popular shows on Nickelodeon. When The Rugrats Movie came to theaters in 1998, the studio called on super-producer Teddy Riley to create the film’s signature track, “Take Me There.” Riley teamed up with his group Blackstreet alongside Mýa, Mase, and Blink Blink to bring the single to life. Riley even sampled interpolations of the Rugrats television theme song to give the track a familiar essence. “Take Me There” became a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 1998, country trio The Chicks released their fourth album Wide Open Spaces, which featured the eponymous single. On the track, the group tells the story of a young woman looking to live a life of more independence. As they sing on the hook, “She needs wide open spaces / Room to make her big mistakes / She needs new faces / She knows the high stakes.” 

In the mid-90s, R&B vocalist Tamia was already making a name for herself in the industry as a protégé of Quincy Jones. In 1998, she released her self-titled debut album, which featured the hit single "So Into You." The track finds Tamia wearing her heart on her sleeve as she is smitten by a lover. 

In early 1998, pop icon Madonna released her seventh album Ray of Light, which featured the eponymous single. The track is infused with EDM and psychedelic pop elements that help Madonna highlight feelings of freedom, contentment, clarity, and comfort. “Ray of Light” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

In the ‘90s, pop and R&B divas Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston were both excelling in their careers. Both known as vocalists with two of the most distinctive voices in music, they teamed up on the single “When You Believe.” The duet was featured on the soundtrack to the animated film The Prince of Egypt, and it won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. “When You Believe” is an encouraging ballad that tells listeners that miracles can happen when one keeps their faith in God. 

In 1998, Irish girl group B·Witched released their breakout single "C'est la Vie." The joyful pop track also incorporated the group's Irish background with a special Riverdance element. "C'est la Vie" reached No. 1 across multiple charts and became a top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

The Neptunes producing N.O.R.E.’s hit single “SuperThug” helped put the duo on the radar for a number of artists. Let’s just say it was the start of their insane production run. While the song became a top 40 hit, it reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart.