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21 Songs From the 1990s That Feel Like They Came Out Yesterday

Who could forget these classics from TLC, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, and more?

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the members of american hip hop and rb group tlc pose backstage during an appearance on an episode of the oprah winfrey show, chicago, illinois, november 17, 1992. pictured are, lisa 'left eye' lopes (1971 2002) (in blue and orange), tionne 't boz' williams (blond hair), and rozanda 'chilli' thomas. (photo by paul natkin/getty images)
Paul Natkin

Who could forget the most iconic 1990s songs? It was a decade packed with musical genius, cultural shifts, and groundbreaking innovations.

Hip-hop was rising as a dominant force in mainstream music. Grunge exploded, and alternative music represented Gen X’s moody vibe. Pioneers and top talents like Notorious BIG, Tupac, Aaliyah, Nate Dogg, and TLC’s Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes were all still alive and cranking out hits. Colorful costumes, endless radio play, and big-money music videos supported the top tunes throughout the '90s.

In short, it was a time of musical triumph — and some of the decade’s biggest hits still sound as fresh as ever. Click through for a journey across genres — and be prepared to get a few favorites stuck in your head in the best way.

1

"Stay (I Missed You)" by Lisa Loeb (1994)

1990s songs lisa loeb stay
Vinnie Zuffante//Getty Images

As the lead single from the soundtrack of the iconic Gen X movie Reality Bites, this song helped define an entire generation.

2

"No Scrubs" by TLC (1999)

1990s songs tlc no scrubs
Jeff Kravitz//Getty Images

This song fits into the category of ladies telling the guys how to act — and we're still so here for it.

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3

"That's the Way Love Goes" by Janet Jackson (1993)

1990s songs janet jackson that's the way love goes
Ron Galella, Ltd.//Getty Images

Janet Jackson was one of the reigning queens of the '90s — and this song has such a sultry vibe that still sets a whole mood.

4

"Vogue" by Madonna (1990)

1990s songs madonna vogue
L. Busacca//Getty Images

Just sneaking into the beginning of the decade, this song still makes us want to strike a pose any time we hear the beat.

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5

"End of the Road" by Boyz II Men (1992)

1990s songs boyz ii men end of the road
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Now more than 30 years old, this song remains a classic soundtrack for breakups, graduations, and any type of poignant life transition.

6

"Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears (1998)

1990s songs britney spears baby one more time
Paul Natkin//Getty Images

This was Britney's decade, and this classic earworm will live rent-free forever in our brains.

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7

"My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion (1997)

1990s songs celine dion my heart will go on
Ron Davis//Getty Images

The runaway hit from Titanic — one of the decade's biggest movies — this song remains the most successful single in Celine Dion's towering career.

8

"Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia (1997)

1990s songs natalie imbruglia torn
Vinnie Zuffante//Getty Images

Natalie Imbruglia's moody heartbreak ballad stays fresh and singalong-worthy all these years later.

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9

"Regulate" by Warren G and Nate Dogg (1994)

1990s songs warren g regulate
Al Pereira//Getty Images

This smooth, storytelling song from Warren G and Nate Dogg epitomizes the 1990s G-funk sound that emerged from West Coast artists — especially from Los Angeles and Long Beach.

10

"Zombie" by The Cranberries (1992)

1990s songs the cranberries zombie
Bob Berg//Getty Images

This haunting alternative-rock anthem evokes the traumas of violence and conflict, particularly the Troubles in Northern Ireland, where the band is from.

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11

"Two Princes" by Spin Doctors (1992)

1990s songs the spin doctors two princes
Vinnie Zuffante//Getty Images

We're pretty sure we've had this catchy song knocking around our heads for the last 30-some years. Sing it with us: "If you want to call me baby, just go ahead now..."

12

"That Don't Impress Me Much" by Shania Twain (1997)

1990s songs shania twain that don't impress me much
Beth Gwinn//Getty Images

One of Shania Twain's early songs from her third studio album, this tune remains one of her biggest hits of all time.

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13

"This Is How We Do It" by Montell Jordan (1995)

1990s songs montell jordan this is how we do it
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The deeply catchy — and totally iconic — hook of this 1995 song still shows up everywhere from social media posts to commercials.

14

"No Diggity" by Blackstreet (1996)

1990s songs blackstreet no diggity
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It's Blackstreet's biggest song — and one of the catchiest hits of the '90s. Do we still know all the words? No diggity... no doubt.

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15

"Brown Sugar" by D'angelo (1995)

1990s songs d'angelo brown sugar
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From D'Angelo's debut studio album, this sultry track mixes soul, funk, and R&B — creating a whole new genre category for neo-soul — and it makes for a totally distinctive sound that holds up great to this day.

16

"Fantasy" by Mariah Carey (1995)

1990s songs mariah carey fantasy
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Mariah Carey, still as relevant as ever, became the first female artist to debut atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart with this hit.

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17

"Doo Wop (That Thing)" by Lauryn Hill (1996)

1990s songs lauryn hill dowop
Peter Pakvis//Getty Images

The Fugees made some of the decade's most powerful and groundbreaking music; this 1996 hit comes from Lauryn Hill's debut as a solo artist.

18

"This Kiss" by Faith Hill (1998)

1990s songs faith hill this kiss
Aaron Rapoport//Getty Images

Faith Hill's joyful, upbeat song about giddy love still gives us butterflies — even if "centrifugal motion" doesn't mean what those famous lyrics intend them to. (Hey, let's not let science ruin a great love song!)

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19

"Juicy" by Notorious BIG (1994)

1990s songs notorious big juicy
Chris Walter//Getty Images

Name a more enduring and widely referenced first line to any hip-hop song than, "It was all a dream..." (We'll wait.)

20

"California Love" by Tupac and Dr. Dre (1995)

1990s songs tupac and dr dre california love
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This rap anthem from two of the genre's historic heavyweights is still one of the greatest musical tributes of all time dedicated to the state of California.

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Alesandra Dubin
Contributing Writer

Alesandra is a digital travel and lifestyle journalist based in Los Angeles whose work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Prevention, Insider, Glamour, Shondaland, AFAR, Parents, TODAY and countless other online and print outlets. Alesandra has a masters degree in journalism with an emphasis on cultural reporting and criticism from NYU, and a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley. An avid traveler, she trots the globe with her husband and their twins.

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the members of american hip hop and rb group tlc pose backstage during an appearance on an episode of the oprah winfrey show, chicago, illinois, november 17, 1992. pictured are, lisa 'left eye' lopes (1971 2002) (in blue and orange), tionne 't boz' williams (blond hair), and rozanda 'chilli' thomas. (photo by paul natkin/getty images)
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