The ’90s: a decade of flannel, frosted tips, girl power, boy bands, and the occasional song about an actual worm. These 20 tracks, alphabetized for your convenience, double as a playlist and a time machine.
“1979” – The Smashing Pumpkins (1995)
Billy Corgan bottled suburban ennui into a shimmering alt-rock daydream. “1979” gave us car rides with the windows down, a Grammy nod, and an anthem for every teen wanting to be in the next great band.
“All I Wanna Do” – Sheryl Crow (1993)
Turns out, all Sheryl wanted was some fun in the sun with a margarita and a sardonic smile. This breezy hit won Record of the Year at the Grammys and proved radio was ready for cool-kid storytelling.
“Basket Case” – Green Day (1994)
Three chords, a caffeine rush, and Billie Joe asking if we have the time to listen to him whine. Answer: yes. Dookie sold 20 million copies, and pop-punk went from Gilman Street to the world.
“Bitter Sweet Symphony” – The Verve (1997)
Strings looped into infinity, Richard Ashcroft pacing a London street like it was his personal catwalk. The single hit #2 in the U.K., and suddenly everyone wanted to walk dramatically to work.
“Black Hole Sun” – Soundgarden (1994)
A psychedelic lullaby disguised as grunge thunder. MTV played the surreal video nonstop, and Chris Cornell’s voice stretched across a decade that loved its darkness weird and melodic.
“Doo Wop (That Thing)” – Lauryn Hill (1998)
Debuting at #1, Lauryn Hill gave us wisdom, harmonies, and the joy of shouting “That thing!” in the car. A feminist manifesto disguised as a summer jam, it snagged two Grammys and eternal rotation.
“Don’t Speak” – No Doubt (1995)
What began as a ska band from Anaheim turned into the breakup ballad heard ’round the world. Gwen Stefani poured her heart out, and Tragic Kingdom moved 16 million copies while we all cried in Doc Martens.
“Enter Sandman” – Metallica (1991)
A lullaby from hell, built on one of the most recognizable riffs in metal. It launched The Black Album to 30 million sales and guaranteed at least one baseball player still uses it as walkout music.
“Gangsta’s Paradise” – Coolio (1995)
Stevie Wonder sample, Michelle Pfeiffer in a classroom, and Coolio delivering rap sermons for the ages. It sold millions, won a Grammy, and remains one of the ’90s most quoted cultural artifacts.
“I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston (1992)
Whitney didn’t just sing this song—she levitated it into eternity. From The Bodyguard soundtrack, it spent 14 weeks at #1 and sold 20 million copies. A karaoke Everest ever since.
“Iris” – Goo Goo Dolls (1998)
Written for City of Angels, but it really belongs to everyone who ever fell in love at a school dance. Eighteen weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Airplay chart later, it’s still a slow-dance staple.
“Losing My Religion” – R.E.M. (1991)
Mandolin in hand, Michael Stipe turned doubt into art and gave alternative rock its mainstream coronation. Two Grammys, endless MTV play, and suddenly mandolins were cool again.
“My Heart Will Go On” – Celine Dion (1997)
Leonardo DiCaprio sinks, Celine soars. The Titanic theme topped charts in 25 countries, sold 18 million copies, and turned pan flutes into a global emotional trigger.
“No Scrubs” – TLC (1999)
T-Boz, Left Eye, and Chilli set the record straight on dating standards. The track hit #1, won two Grammys, and gave us the most important PSA of the decade: say no to scrubs.
“Say My Name” – Destiny’s Child (1999)
Part love song, part interrogation, part Beyoncé’s arrival notice. The harmonies are tight, the beat futuristic, and the Grammys (two of them) rolled in. Everyone started practicing their vocal runs.
“Semi-Charmed Life” – Third Eye Blind (1997)
Sunshine melody meets lyrics about… well, less sunny things. It peaked at #4 on Billboard, stayed on the radio forever, and proved the ’90s loved hiding darkness under “do-do-do’s.”
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana (1991)
One riff, one cheerleader video, and suddenly grunge had a passport to the mainstream. Nevermind knocked Michael Jackson off the charts, sold millions, and made flannel an international fabric.
“Torn” – Natalie Imbruglia (1997)
Originally by Ednaswap, Natalie’s version became the global heartbreak standard. It was one of the most played songs on ’90s radio, complete with iconic video: Natalie, empty room, emotional devastation.
“Wannabe” – Spice Girls (1996)
“Zig-a-zig-ah” became a global language. Topping charts in 37 countries, it remains the best-selling single by a girl group and the unofficial national anthem of sleepovers everywhere.
“You Get What You Give” – New Radicals (1998)
A one-hit wonder that refuses to fade. With its mix of pep and protest, it became a youth anthem praised by everyone from Joni Mitchell to Bill Clinton. A reminder that kindness rocks.