The Top 200 Songs of the 1990s (according to Issun, no repeats)

[Issun]

The early 90s were a great era for Prog Metal, and Dream Theater was one of the biggest bands in the genre. It's no surprise that #182 "Pull Me Under" was their biggest hit because it rocks pretty damn hard.

 

[Issun]

I've never been a huge country fan, outside of the classics like Cash and Cline, but the 1990s had some fun artists, before people like Toby Keith saw 9/11 as a license to be as racist and jingoistic as possible and never look back. One of the most enjoyable 90s country singers was Garth Brooks, who, with #181 "Friends in Low Places" also made one of the greatest karaoke anthems of all time.

 

[Torzelbaum]

Yes, U Can't Touch This was MC Hammer's most iconic track, but I think #183 "2 Legit 2 Quit" is more fun.

Don't be ridiculous, everyone knows what is truly his most iconic track from the 90s:

 

[Issun]

I was pretty sure what that was going to be before I even clicked it, and I was not disappointed.

 

[Torzelbaum]

One of the most enjoyable 90s country singers was Garth Brooks, who, with #181 "Friends in Low Places"

That's a nice song but I prefer "Rodeo" and "The Thunder Rolls"

 

[Issun]

Mazzy Star set the standard for wispy indie rock ballads back in 1993 with #180 "Fade Into You" and everyone from Jewel to Sufjan Stevens has followed their lead.

 

[Issun]

Yes, there is a Creed song on this list. I find their first album to actually be somewhat decent, and #179 "My Own Prison" is the best song on the album.

 

[Issun]

It's easy to forget what a bombshell Eminem and his first single #178 "My Name Is" were in 1998. As important as he has been to rap music in the ensuing 25 years, it wasn't until his second album that he really took off, and some of his lyrics have not aged well at all (shocking, I know!) So yeah, CW for homophobia here.

 

[Issun]

Speaking of fun country stars from the 1990s: Shania Twain and #177 "That Don't Impress Me Much"

 

[Torzelbaum]

Things that impress Shania Twain:
Owning a blanket
Paying your heating bill
Having firewood and a fireplace
Owning a working space heater
Having a well insulated house

(But I guess that does make sense since she's from Canada.)

 

[Issun]

Man, 1997 was really a year for earworms, huh? While My Heart WIll Go On, was a schmaltzy ballad, #176 "Mmm Bop" was a silly, catchy, fun, Jackson 5-esque pop-rock song, and was only slightly less ubiquitous. Sure, it's not particularly well written, but I liked it then and I like it now.

 

[Issun]

And another late-decade earworm. While The Old Apartment i probably my favorite Barenaked Ladies song, #175 "One Week" is easily their most iconic, plus it's fun to try and sing along to.

 

[Issun]

James is one of the lesser known 90s bands, but #174 "Laid" is their most well known song. It was also banned from American radio because American radio has always been extremely prudish.

 

[Issun]

#173 "Here's Where the Story Ends " by The Sundays came out in January of 1990, so right away we had a song that laid out the blueprint for so much of the alt-rock that would feature heavily in the ensuing decade.

 

[Falselogic]

That's a nice song but I prefer "Rodeo" and "The Thunder Rolls"

Every Garth Brooks song is a certified banger.

 

[Issun]

#172
Pack it up pack it in
Let me begin
I came to win
Battle me? That's a sin!

I came to get down
I came to get down
So get out your seat and Jump Around!

 

[Issun]

#171 "Superman" by Goldfinger sure does bring back afternoons grinding and eating shit in Tony Hawk, huh?

 

[Issun]

#170 "Tearin' Up My Heart" by NSync. The late 90s boy band boom produced some certified bangers.

 

[Issun]

#169 "Steal My Sunshine" by Len is a fun pop song with dark undertones. I would have posted the music video, but that excises the spoken word parts, which are a big part of the song. Sharon! I love you!

 

[Issun]

Here are your Spin Doctors, as promised. #168 "Two Princes" is not only their most recognizable song, but probably one of the most recognizable of the decade.

 

[Kirin]

This is me realizing I literally never paid attention to any of the lyrics in that song.

 

[Ixo]

Man, 1997 was really a year for earworms, huh? While My Heart WIll Go On, was a schmaltzy ballad, #176 "Mmm Bop" was a silly, catchy, fun, Jackson 5-esque pop-rock song, and was only slightly less ubiquitous. Sure, it's not particularly well written, but I liked it then and I like it now.

I have for many years now longed for a "There I Ruined It" style mashup of this and the Carmen Sandiego theme.

Also, seeing every single embed here as Video Unavailable makes me grumpy at YouTube.

 

[Issun]

#167 "Barbie Girl" by Aqua. Admit it, you started hearing this one in your head as soon as you read the title.

 

[Issun]

Republica was another late 90s one hit wonder band, but what a hit. #166 "Ready to Go" sums up the nature of this song.

 

[Issun]

Most of Dr. Dre's biggest hits were collaborations, so among the songs he did by himself, I feel hat #165 "Keep Their Heads Ringin'".

 

[Issun]

Even if you weren't cognizant in the late 90s you know this song if you've played Rock Band 2 for more than 5 minute. It's #164 "My Own Wort Enemy" by Lit.

 

[Issun]

Yes, Smash Mouth is mostly known for their mega-hit All Star, which was i n every movie and preview from 1999-2004. It was okay, but their much better song was also their first single: #163 "Walkin' On the Sun".

 

[Issun]

You may not have heard the name Donna Lewis, but you've probably heard #162 "I Love You Always Forever". It's been a soft rock radio/grocery store staple since it came out in 1996. The whole album is pretty relaxing, with its chill melodies and Lewis's soothing voice. I chose to highlight its most well known song, however.

 

[Kirin]

Always Forever might be a little twee but it’s still kind of a bop, and I’ve always loved the bridge where the big piano chords kick in.

And Walkin’ on the Sun is a good time for sure.

 

[Issun]

#161 "You Get What You Give" is a fun little ditty by The New Radicals, who were part of that whole second wave of alt rock in the back half of the decade. I will say that their already cringe callouts of other popular musicians of the day as fakes (although being a "fake" is far from the worst thing about Marilyn Manson, a.k.a. Sir Not Appearing On This List) comes off even worse 25 years later when this is still the band's only hit. Still, it's a good song.