90s Kids Will Remember: 10 Chart-Topping Singles We Still Love & 10 That Have Been Forgotten
90s Kids Will Remember: 10 Chart-Topping Singles We Still Love & 10 That Have Been Forgotten
Video Killed The Radio Star
In this decade of peace, prosperity, and community nestled between the Cold War and 9/11, '90s kids really had it all. After running around and getting a few grass stains on your knees, you could go inside and listen to your favorite album - and there were so many to choose from! Do you remember every song on this list?
1. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
Arguably the most '90s song to ever exist, First released in 1991, Smells Like Teen Spirit is the end-all, be-all of teenage rebellion. Nirvana is often seen on t-shirts from Spencer's or Hot Topic, and the band as a whole experienced a resurgence with the early 2010 grunge era.
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2. Creep - Radiohead
There are thousands of covers of this song, so even if you haven’t heard the original piece, you’ve definitely heard the lyrics. There’s something about that song that’s just so good, and it will be just as popular in 2092 as it was when it first came out in 1992.
3. Wonderwall - Oasis
Anyway, here’s Wonderwall. While Oasis recently toured again, their claim to fame was this catchy 1995 hit. The simple strum pattern and almost repetitive lyrics make this song easy to remember and hard to forget.
4. No Scrubs - TLC
Who can deny the hold this song has on the world? It’s an anthem against mediocre men, and a staple in clubs, sorority houses, and power playlists since it came out in 1999. Bonus points if you still listen to it on a Walkman.
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5. Baby One More Time - Brittany Spears
Brittney was definitely more of a 2000s pop icon, but Baby One More Time actually came out in 1998. The then 16-year-old shot her way into stardom, and we haven’t stopped listening since. This song is forever.
6. I Want It That Way - Backstreet Boys
We just want to hear you say you know this song. I Want It That Way has also been covered, copied, and parodied countless times since it came out in 1999. The boy band was a staple for any teenage girl of the late 90s and early 2000s, and how can we blame them?
7. Hey Ya - Outkast
You can’t go to any 90s/2000s night, school dance, or karaoke bar without hearing this song at least once, and can you honestly be mad? It’s just such a great way to let loose and have a good time. We simply have to shake it like a Polaroid picture.
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8. Say My Name - Destiny’s Child
While Beyoncé has skyrocketed to worldwide fame, Destiny’s Child was her humble beginnings. We say humble loosely, as Say My Name has over 1 billion streams on Spotify alone. A well-deserved achievement, we think.
Pete Sekesan from New York, USA on Wikimedia
9. Loser - Beck
This 1994 hit has made its way into many playlists, movies, and TV shows. It is always a highlight on any 90s alt-rock playlists, and the song has gotten its flowers for seamlessly blending grunge, folk, and hip-hop.
10. Semi-Charmed Life - Third Eye Blind
This 1997 song is about doing a lot of drugs, but its catchy guitar riff makes it so much fun to listen to, even if you don’t do a lot of drugs. Today, it’s often used in commercials and movies, but it can still make an appearance on any alternative radio station or playlist.
1. Unsung - Helmet
This 1992 staple was popular in alternative metal scenes. The song received a lot of airplay on MTV and also made appearances in Guitar Hero and Grand Theft Auto. The album, Meantime, was a commercial success, solidifying this song as a nu-metal anthem.
2. Lovefool - Cardigans
This popular song was released in 1996, but gained popularity after the theatrical release of Romeo and Juliet in 1997. It was ineligible for the Billboard Hot 100 at the time, but reached number 2 on the UK singles chart after the popularity spike.
3. Yeah, Whatever - Splendor
This 1999 record was less successful than the rock band's follow-up single, I Think God Can Explain, and never made it onto any Billboard rankings. While the album, Halfway Down The Sky, did receive some commercial success, Yeah, Whatever wasn’t a big enough presence to make it into the early 2000s.
4. Angry Johnny - Poe
This mid-'90s hit peaked at number 7 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart and was also featured heavily on MTV. Unfortunately, both Angry Johnny and Poe haven’t maintained popularity due to a 10-year legal battle with Atlantic Records.
5. Laid - James
This song was quite popular in the late 90s and early 2000s, most notably appearing in the American Pie films (Funnily enough, the band James is from England). The song was first released in 1993, but really didn’t receive mainstream recognition until a few years later.
6. No Rain - Blind Melon
This early '90s song was released in 1993, and topped the Modern Rock and Album Rock charts on the Billboard Hot 100. That said, arguably the most popular or well-recognized part of this song is the accompanying music video, which features “Bee Girl.”
7. Crush - Jennifer Paige
Dropping in 1998, this song was in the top 3 spots across the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. It was even the most-requested song of the summer for the Los Angeles radio station KIIS-FM. Paige didn’t achieve the commercial success many believe she deserved due to a combination of personal and professional losses.
8. Roll to Me - Del Amitri
This 1995 song was the band’s biggest hit in the United States, securing the top 10 spot of the Billboard Hot 100 in the same year. We sadly didn’t hear much from Del Amitri after the 90s; however, the band went on an 11-year hiatus in 2002.
9. Superman’s Dead - Our Lady Peace
This song came out in 1997 and reached great heights, finding its way into the top 20 on Billboard and RPM rock charts. Our Lady Peace is Canadian, so it's no surprise to find out that it was the 15th most played song on Canadian rock radio stations between 1995 and 2016.
10. Free Your Mind - En Vogue
This 1992 hit peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and received 3 MTV Video Music Awards. Unfortunately, En Vogue struggled with a bad contract deal, causing the group to splinter in 1997.
