We all remember the ’90s for its unforgettable pop music. However, what stands out even more is the amount of one-hit wonders that spewed from recording studios during this time.
We love to hate many of these songs, but I’ll admit some were actually integral parts of my childhood. They’re the kind of songs that send a happy tingle through your body, and you can bet they’ll help you relive countless memories.
For your convenience, I have made a YouTube playlist where you can listen to and watch the music videos for these songs in all their (cheesy) glory.
“She’s So High” by Tal Bachman: Radio stations blared this alt-pop tune in late 1999. Bachman, whose father played in classic rock bands The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, had little success after this hit. He has one other album, titled “Staring Down the Sun,” which came out in 2004.
“Tubthumping” by Chumbawamba: What the hell did this song title have to do with the lyrics? Regardless, its timeless chorus ("I get knocked down, but I get up again") still rings in our ears after it topped the Billboard charts in 1998. Formed in 1982, Chumbawamba still performs today.
“Closing Time” by Semisonic: This gem is by far one of my favorite ’90s jams. Released in 1998, it compares moving forward in life to a bar closing up at night. After “Closing Time” reached major success, Semisonic released one more album before going on hiatus in 2006.
“Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve: I first heard this song on a Nike commercial, which apparently used the single without the band’s permission. This was for sure one of the best songs of 1998 (and BBC Radio 1 listeners agree with me). The English band performed on and off before officially splitting in 2009.
“What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes: Featuring music producer Linda Perry, 4 Non Blondes broke up in 1996, but this classic anthem brought them some short-lived success. It later became part of a viral video featuring He-Man, which is actually pretty hilarious.
“Mambo No. 5” by Lou Bega: We all sang along to this swing-revival tune, which hit No. 1 in over 15 countries (but not the U.S.). Born David Lubega, this singer has released three albums since his 1999 hit.
“Jump Around” by House of Pain: L.A.-based hip-hop group House of Pain had some success after this party single was released in 1992, but they broke up in 1996 when lead rapper Everlast left to pursue a solo career (DJ Lethal ended up joining Limp Bizkit). The group reunited in 2010.
“Bitch” by Meredith Brooks: One of the angsty female pop-rockers of the decade, Meredith Brooks came out with her only Billboard Hot 100 single in 1997. This song was also known by its censored title, “Nothing In Between.”
“I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers: Although originally released in 1988, this song appeared on the soundtrack to the 1993 movie “Benny & Joon” starring Johnny Depp. As a result, the song became a hit again. These Scottish brothers are still together, and their album “Like Comedy” is due to be released in May.
“I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred: Twin brothers Richard and Fred Fairbrass were too sexy for … well, pretty much everything. This corny yet catchy tune reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts in 1992, and the group still performs today, in “Milan, New York and Japan.”
“Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot: The definitive 90s party song that celebrated the beauty of big booties. Sir Mix-A-Lot (real name Anthony Ray) is atill actively involved in music and can be seen commentating on many VH1 miniseries.
“Macarena” by Los Del Rio: You didn’t think I could make a one-hit wonder list and not include this classic, did you? The original rumba-style song came out in 1993, but when the Bayside Boys remixed it in 1995, its dance craze spread all over the country. Los Del Rio, which is actually made up of two old guys, broke up in 2007.
These one-time hits won’t be going away anytime soon. Whenever you need to reminisce, they’ll always be on your shiny CDs, ready to be played.
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