- 11 months ago
Get ready to rewind your cassette tapes and break out those platform shoes! Join us as we count down the most underrated pop gems from the decade that gave us grunge, boy bands, and the Macarena. From one-hit wonders to forgotten classics, these tracks deserve another listen and a spot on your playlist!
Category
🎵
MusicTranscript
00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best 90s songs that you might not remember well, and or deserve another listen.
00:24Number 30. Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover, Sophie B. Hawkins.
00:28Way back in the early 1990s, this artist stood out with her raw look at love, attraction, and relationships.
00:35Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover was a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
00:45Sophie B. Hawkins doesn't hold back here, letting listeners know how she feels about her target.
00:50She's open about what she wants and how she wants to do right by someone else.
00:53With her exciting vocals, Hawkins delivers some underrated lyrics about passion.
00:58It's a compelling listen that features some amazing energy.
01:07While alluding to darker themes behind this song, the artist brings out the rock for this entertaining single.
01:13It's a bright, jangly song that doesn't quit.
01:27This Scottish band doesn't beat around the bush, getting right to the point and never wavering.
01:32Roll to Me is likely the signature hit for the band, and for good reason.
01:35The right time to roll to me, roll to me.
01:43Delamitri knows how to use a great guitar track, with a peppy melody to add to it.
01:48It's the kind of light and breezy track you need on a tough day.
01:51And I don't think I have ever seen a soul-sour in despair.
01:56The pop-rock tune includes some vocal surprises near the end, bringing out the group's varied talents.
02:03From their fourth album, Twisted, the rockers make you want to sing along.
02:06But everything you hoped it'd be, the wrong guy, the wrong situation.
02:13Number 28.
02:14Hold On My Heart, Genesis.
02:16On Phil Collins' final album with Genesis, he brought out some underrated performances and songwriting.
02:22Hold On My Heart finds the group in pure ballad territory.
02:25It's something that Collins was no stranger to in his solo career, making this an easy pill to swallow for his fans.
02:40The hit is also a sentimental look at love and its potential.
02:43With the singer's pristine delivery, the emotional track includes some notable production elements.
02:55Don't sleep on the other bandmates and their meaningful contributions, either.
02:59Through every instrument, the song builds out as a stunning ode to working through your feelings.
03:13Number 27.
03:15Looking for Atlantis, Prefab Sprout.
03:17While they received critical acclaim, Prefab Sprout didn't quite become a household name.
03:22The talented group entered the 1990s with the album Jordan, The Comeback.
03:26It features multiple hits like Looking for Atlantis, showing that the band had not lost the charm or spark from their 1980s output.
03:40This particular song includes all the signatures of a great Patti McAloon track.
03:45Elevating pop at every level, the layered work also comes courtesy of producer Thomas Dolby.
03:50These artists come together to create an upbeat tune that's bound to leave you happier.
04:01Using clever lyrics and an awesome melody, this one should be enjoyed by younger generations too.
04:14Number 26.
04:16All That She Wants, Ace of Bass.
04:17When you think of Swedish pop, you probably consider ABBA first.
04:21That doesn't make Ace of Bass any less awesome.
04:24The 90s quartet is known for The Sign and this other fun hit.
04:28All That She Wants has a story to follow, with the lyrics hinting at more scandal underneath it all.
04:33You can call it toxic or just an excuse to have a good time.
04:43Either way, this group has all the right ingredients for the Europop sound.
04:47There's even a dash of reggae to change things up even more.
04:50Listeners around the world came to appreciate the track, but some audiences might need a refresher.
05:04All That She Wants is love, baby, yeah, baby, yeah.
05:12Number 25.
05:13When You're Gone, The Cranberries.
05:16This underrated work feels like an eclectic mix of grief, love, and emotions.
05:20When You're Gone can be open to interpretation, but it's always an effective experience.
05:24And from above, everything's stinking.
05:33Dolores O'Riordan gives an underrated performance for the single.
05:37Her lilting voice is full of power and resonance, guiding you along an almost spiritual journey.
05:42It deserves to be in the conversation alongside their other hits like Zombie and Linger.
05:46I live, baby, baby.
05:54The chorus only hammers home O'Riordan's abilities, with the singer's unique vocal qualities shining through.
06:00Some soothing lyrics help you work through your own feelings.
06:04During one of the band's peaks, they crafted a ballad that might make you cry.
06:13Number 24.
06:15Unbelievable.
06:16EMF.
06:17It's dance, rock, and maybe a little pop as well.
06:20EMF's big hit seems to defy easy explanation in the best way.
06:25Unbelievable is hugely catchy from start to finish, but it's also full of surprises.
06:36You might not have known that this track samples the comedian Andrew Dice Clay.
06:40Along with the vocal cameo, the tune also has this punchy energy and some explosive sounds.
06:46There's a combination of guitar and electronic elements to keep you invested all the way.
06:58While the band might not have maintained their success, they certainly made a splash with this single.
07:03Number 23.
07:10Ready to go.
07:11Republica.
07:12With the opening guitar riff, you might be thinking the song is going one way.
07:16The drop only makes it more intense.
07:25Republica delivers a high-octane thrill ride, making you want to get up and dance.
07:30It feels like the perfect way to energize your day.
07:33With Saffron on vocals, this track knows how to get your blood pumping.
07:37Ready to go is aptly named and sounds exactly how you hope it will.
07:47By the time you hear the chorus, you might be completely sold on the single.
07:52It also feels like a blast back to the best kind of 90s party.
08:00You might not remember this group, but the song is full of musical nostalgia.
08:12It has a laid-back hip-hop sound that combines R&B elements with 80s pop.
08:16Underneath some smooth verses, the tune samples songs like True by Spandau Ballet.
08:21I think it's one of those deja vu things.
08:24Boy, a train is trying to tell me something.
08:26But we'll have to stop thinking about it.
08:28Those familiar guitar licks fill out a beautiful production.
08:31It deserves to be heard by rap fans and detractors alike,
08:35with the potential to bring together a diverse audience of music fans.
08:38I said I dropped off the floor with your face in the air.
08:42P.M. Don knows how to ride the line between genres while pushing sonic boundaries.
08:50In one of their very best works, the artists create an easy-going number.
09:0221. Another Night. Real McCoy.
09:05You might not remember Real McCoy, but 90s fans will remember this Eurodance hit.
09:10The German artist has the sounds of the early decade down pat.
09:14Call it high energy or not, but this song gets you moving as well as anything from that era.
09:25The mix of vocal styles keeps this dramatic production moving.
09:29You're probably not here for the lyrics, but the chorus features a few poetic lines of its own.
09:33Another Night has a melancholic streak hidden underneath all of the pulsating rhythms.
09:44With its surprising depth and fun verses,
09:47this single is exactly how you want to start off a great evening.
09:50I feel joy, I feel pain, cause it's still the same
09:54When the night is gone, I'll be alone.
09:58Number 20. Love Fool. The Cardigans.
10:00Swedish alternative rock outfit The Cardigans briefly made the crossover to
10:08international pop stardom with Love Fool, the lead single from the band's third album.
10:13Mama tells me I shouldn't bother.
10:18A bouncy disco pop tune about pleading for a partner's affection,
10:21Love Fool is a song for lonely nights of crying and dancing your romantic anguish away.
10:25Lead singer Nina Persson nails the desperation of trying to keep a fading relationship alive.
10:35And the mix of clean and noisy production elements makes it feel like the pop and alternative scenes
10:40are coming together in the best way possible.
10:42We will always say that we love this song, and we'd be fools not to.
10:46I can't care about anything but you
10:52Number 19. Walking on Broken Glass. Annie Lennox.
10:57After ruling the 80s as one half of Eurythmics,
11:01Annie Lennox seamlessly made her way into the subsequent decade as a solo star.
11:04You were the sweetest thing
11:07That I ever knew
11:11Walking on Broken Glass, from Lennox's solo debut, is a strikingly majestic piece of pop perfection.
11:22With its sweeping strings and playful Caribbean-inspired piano,
11:26it might take a second to register the heartbreak at its core.
11:29But soon enough, Lennox's powerful vocals, both raw and pristine,
11:33make the words hit you right where they need to.
11:35Everyone else is made to weep
11:38We've been hurting for another
11:42And she never lets up.
11:44Actually walking on broken glass? Painful.
11:46Listening to this song? Wonderful.
11:48Walking on, walking on broken glass
11:52Number 18. Mouth. Meryl Bainbridge.
11:58I feel like I've been blown apart
12:01There are pieces here, I don't know where they go
12:05The 90s were a great time for pop songs about kissing,
12:08with classic odes to locking lips from the likes of Sixpence None the Richer and Faith Hill.
12:12However, you might have forgotten about this one,
12:15the debut single from Australian singer-songwriter Meryl Bainbridge.
12:18Kiss me on my salty lips
12:21I bet you feel a little crazy
12:23But for me
12:25Featuring a unique composition of Bainbridge's voice,
12:28guitar, and a beatbox loop for percussion,
12:30Mouth feels both ahead of its time and timeless.
12:33Though Bainbridge's lyrics don't go past kissing,
12:35the passion with which she describes the act feels truly sensual.
12:44Mouth is one 90s hit that should continue to stay on your lips.
12:53Number 17. I Want You. Savage Garden.
12:56Think synth-pop wasn't a thing in the 90s?
12:59Think again.
13:00Anytime I need to see a piece of this close my eyes
13:02While it's true the subgenre didn't dominate like it did the previous decade,
13:06it still managed to produce some classics,
13:08like this debut single from Aussie duo Savage Garden.
13:11I'm the kind of person who enduces a deep commitment
13:13Getting coffee, getting breakfast is what I live for,
13:16Powered by a driving groove and breathlessly delivered vocals,
13:19I Want You is urgent and emotional.
13:21You might not catch every word,
13:23but the universal feeling of undying desire rings crystal clear,
13:27and the chorus still makes a swoon.
13:33Savage Garden only recorded two albums before splitting up in 2001,
13:37but this song makes us wish current artists would take more cues from them.
13:45Number 16. That's the way love goes.
13:48Janet Jackson.
13:48This lush hit from musical icon Janet Jackson
13:51spent an astonishing eight straight weeks at number one,
13:54a record for her famous family.
14:01And if there's any song that deserves to stay at the top for that long,
14:04it's this one.
14:05Kicking off an unanticipated pivot into more intimate territory,
14:08that's the way love goes.
14:09Still has some of the new Jack swing flair of Jackson's previous work.
14:17And as with so many of her songs,
14:19it's brought to new heights by her stunning delivery,
14:22which makes you feel like she's singing right to you.
14:33Hot and heavy, yet also breezy and light,
14:35that's the way love goes is just one of many examples
14:38of why Jackson is held in such high regard.
14:40Hit cover songs aren't that unusual,
14:52but typically, there's at least a decade of space
14:54between the original and the new rendition.
14:56In November 1993,
15:03country star John Michael Montgomery released the ballad I Swear.
15:07Then, four months later,
15:08R&B group All for One dropped their cover
15:10and found themselves topping the charts
15:12for an incredible 11 straight weeks.
15:19With flawless harmonizing,
15:20the quartet truly do become one.
15:22And the production is cheesy goodness
15:30in the best way possible,
15:32complete with sax solo.
15:34Though Montgomery's version has its own twangy charm,
15:36we swear by All for One's rendition now and forever.
15:39I love you with every single beat of my heart
15:45Reclamation can be a powerful thing.
15:52You're so good to me, I know, but I can't change
15:58On this angsty anthem,
15:59singer Meredith Brooks takes a nasty pejorative for a woman
16:02and turns it into something to proudly identify as.
16:05Yesterday I cried
16:07You must have been relieved to see the softest side
16:12Of course, as the chorus so famously states,
16:15she's so much more than just that.
16:17Unsurprisingly,
16:18this piece of unapologetically feminine,
16:20guitar-driven alt-rock
16:21drew comparisons to Alanis Morissette.
16:23I'm a bitch, I'm a lover,
16:25I'm a child, I'm a mother.
16:28But Brooks manages to get her voice across,
16:30while also sounding like she's singing
16:32for the countless women who felt unappreciated for so long.
16:36You might have understandable gripes
16:38with the word in question.
16:39However, Brooks' conviction makes this song
16:41about so much more than just a contentious word.
16:44No, I wouldn't want it any other way.
16:48Number 13, Are You That Somebody, Aaliyah.
16:51In her tragically short life,
16:53Aaliyah made a name for herself
16:54through heart-stopping, forward-thinking R&B
16:57unlike anything else on the charts at the time.
16:59Boy, I've been watching you
17:02like the hole in the sky.
17:04Are You That Somebody,
17:06originally recorded for the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack,
17:08is one of many songs Aaliyah made
17:10in collaboration with Timbaland,
17:11and his off-kilter yet addictive production
17:14is the perfect complement to her cool yet expressive vocals.
17:21Caught up between her affection for a potential partner
17:24and her celebrity status,
17:25Aaliyah shows just how complicated fame can be.
17:34The song title might be a question of uncertainty,
17:37but there's no doubt as to the brilliance
17:40of the late, great Aaliyah.
17:44Number 12, Legend of a Cowgirl, Imani Coppola.
17:48A year after Paula Cole rhetorically asked
17:50where all the cowboys had gone,
17:52Imani Coppola offered up the Legend of a Cowgirl.
18:02Fantasizing about life as a Western heroine
18:04as a metaphor for sexual liberation,
18:06Coppola takes country tropes
18:07and fuses them with absolute rhythmic pop goodness.
18:17Alternating between singing and rapping,
18:20she sounds absolutely confident
18:21with every single syllable.
18:30And considering how catchy and creative the song is,
18:33can you blame her?
18:34Speaking of creativity,
18:35the music video with its numerous iconic looks
18:38is yet another reminder
18:39of why we miss the 90s so much.
18:46Number 11, I Love You Always Forever, Donna Lewis.
18:50While there's no clear answer
19:00as to what 90s song has the biggest earworm chorus,
19:03I Love You Always Forever
19:04certainly belongs in the conversation.
19:14Welsh singer Donna Lewis' debut single
19:16has the kind of hook that feels like
19:18it's been part of our existence forever.
19:20But is there more to this song
19:28than a memorable refrain?
19:29Absolutely.
19:30Lewis' tender voice is soothing
19:32without sounding anonymous.
19:34And the dreamy production makes us feel
19:35as though we're escaping to a more peaceful
19:37and romantic realm while listening.
19:39To put it simply,
19:40we love this song,
19:42always forever.
19:42There's nothing better than a powerhouse duet.
19:53Towards the end of the millennium,
19:54singers Brandy and Monica released this sassy bop
19:57and took the world by storm.
19:59With a classic R&B vibe,
20:00it is the perfect combination of petty and effortless cool.
20:04The unique concept of having both singers in a rivalry
20:11and a rivalry against one another was entirely new,
20:15and the masterful lyricism enhanced the narrative.
20:17It certainly did help that there was a rumored real-life beef
20:21between the two artists.
20:22Brandy and Monica added their own details to the melody and rhythm of the hit,
20:26showing off their distinctive styles.
20:28Despite their alleged animosity,
20:37there's no doubt that their voices blend perfectly,
20:40making us wish that they collaborated more often.
20:45While the first part of the 90s was dominated by darker music,
20:49the latter half saw a return of light-hearted yet meaningful pop.
20:53One track that perfectly encapsulates this moment in time
20:55is Steal My Sunshine.
20:58The bubbly instrumentation and surprisingly deep lines
21:07helped create the perfect blend of levity and hard-hitting emotion.
21:11The song defines the sound of the entire decade,
21:14and when listening to it,
21:15it's hard not to be transported back to the past.
21:18Even the video strikes the perfect nostalgic sweet spot,
21:21reminding everyone of simpler moments in their lives.
21:24It's up for me
21:26While the band's subsequent singles didn't have the same impact on the charts,
21:35there's no doubt that they bottled the essence of that era into one immaculate bop.
21:40Number 8.
21:40Be My Lover
21:41La Bouche
21:42The 90s saw the rise of techno music,
21:45leading to the creation of some of the most foundational numbers in the scene.
21:48Nothing fits that description more than Be My Lover,
21:51a tune dripping in pure energy.
22:00Its flawless production was the perfect vehicle for the powerful vocals,
22:05with both elements taking center stage without overpowering one another.
22:09Upon its release, the song dominated the club scene,
22:12and for good reason.
22:13It's the perfect bop for a fun night out,
22:15and has the ability to leave everyone in high spirits.
22:25Over time,
22:27Be My Lover has solidified its place as a quintessential hit of both its genre and the era it was released in.
22:33Number 7.
22:34Groove is in the Heart
22:35Delight
22:35This not only helped usher in a brand new decade,
22:38it also served as a loving homage to the one that had just ended.
22:42Everything about this song is unapologetically whimsical,
22:45from the constant slide whistle to the Dr. Seuss references.
22:48We're going through two,
22:49what is a who?
22:52I couldn't ask for another
22:55It managed to include different aspects of several genres without sounding too cluttered,
22:59and the various samples used throughout served as Easter eggs for fans of the original numbers.
23:04It was a musical and technical feat,
23:07and helped open the decade with a bang.
23:09The campy presentation of its accompanying video only added to the fun.
23:20Even today, the track still hits hard,
23:22capable of getting people across generations grooving to its infectious beat.
23:26Number 6.
23:27Free Your Mind
23:28In Vogue
23:28Some of the greatest songs are those that aim to convey a broader message about the state of society.
23:33Free Your Mind manages to do so in the most iconic way possible.
23:38It's empowering from the moment it begins,
23:40and advocates for various causes like interracial marriage and ending harmful stereotypes.
23:45It urged people to free themselves of the negative misconceptions they might hold about people different from them.
23:59The group's jaw-dropping voices and powerful presences only made the presentation more invigorating.
24:04The classic rock-inspired instrumentals add potency to the piece,
24:07and help command attention to the points being made.
24:10It's quality activism and superb musicality all wrapped up into one four-minute package.
24:23Number 5.
24:23Do You Know What It Takes
24:24Robyn
24:25Music fans know that Sweden is spoiled for pop talent,
24:29with Robyn being one of the country's biggest icons.
24:32The singer made a huge splash when she was just a teenager with the release of her single Do You Know What It Takes.
24:43Bringing R&B and dance pop vibes together,
24:46Robyn proved Sweden could groove just as well as anyone else.
24:50As she sings to someone she's considering a relationship with,
25:00she asserts her need to be treated right,
25:03and her voice fits beautifully over the song's funky production.
25:06With this work, Robyn showed she knows what it takes to create something great.
25:11Do You Know What It Takes
25:13Maybe you've heard the original version of this song,
25:24which was released by English indie duo Everything But The Girl in 1994.
25:36But chances are you're more familiar with house DJ Todd Terry's remix.
25:39Terry's booming beats are an unexpected but great accompaniment
25:50to Tracy Thorne and Ben Watts' heartbroken lyrics.
25:53If there was ever a song that could make you dance and cry, it's this one.
26:05According to Thorne, the track was always meant to be a dancey one.
26:09With this remix, Terry brought the party out without betraying the number's inherent emotion.
26:15If you've missed this song like the deserts miss the rain,
26:18now's the perfect time to revisit it.
26:27If you treasured your glasses as style accessories in the 90s,
26:34it was probably because of Lisa Loeb.
26:39On her biggest hit, the singer-songwriter addresses a partner she's on the outs with.
26:47But she knows it won't be easy to leave for good.
26:50Inspired by Loeb's own relationship difficulties,
26:53this song was first meant for Daryl Hall.
26:55You said that I was naive and I thought that I was stronger.
27:01However, Loeb held onto it.
27:03And with some help from actor Ethan Hawke,
27:05the song ended up on the soundtrack for the iconic Gen X dramedy Reality Bites.
27:10It even topped the Billboard Hot 100.
27:13Oh, and did we mention that she wasn't working with a label at this point?
27:17There's power in independence.
27:18No. 2. How Bizarre, OMC
27:29Roughly 11 months before Lorde was even born,
27:33New Zealand made a splash on the international music charts.
27:36This was thanks to How Bizarre, a hit from Auckland Trio OMC.
27:49And true to its title, the song stands out against many others of the time.
27:53With its mix of relaxing guitar airs, groovy beats, trumpets,
27:57and singing and rapping from vocalist Polly Fue Mana,
28:00it feels like a never-ending array of ideas.
28:10But somehow, each element works together seamlessly,
28:13and the result is a song bursting with both creativity and heart.
28:17The way we can't get enough of this number is making us crazy.
28:20It's making me crazy.
28:22It's making me crazy.
28:25Every time I look around.
28:27Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel
28:30and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos.
28:34You have the option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them.
28:37If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications.
28:43Number 1. Crush, Jennifer Page
28:46Is there any topic better suited for a pop song than a crush?
28:50On this catchy hit, singer Jennifer Page tapped into everything we think of
29:01when it comes to infatuation.
29:03From a racing heart, to overthinking, to fantasizing about the future,
29:07Crush addresses all the steps of falling for someone with true poise.
29:11It's just a little crush
29:15Not like our fate every time we touch
29:19Paige's sultry vocals are so enchanting,
29:22we developed a crush on our own.
29:24It's been labeled as teen pop,
29:26but the song is a lot more mature than you would expect.
29:30It's safe to say that we'll always have a thing for crush.
29:32Not like everything I do
29:35Depends on you
29:37Did we forget another 90s song that needs more recognition?
29:40Keep on rocking in the comments below.
29:42And it's time to carry on
29:47And it's time to carry on
29:49And something else
29:50Before this, it's time to carry on
29:52To watch this in the comments below
29:53And continue to carry on
29:55And continue to carry on
29:56And continue to carry on
29:58And continue to carry on
29:58And continue to procre today
29:59And continue to carry on
29:59And continue to carry on
30:01Moonれて
Comments