Music of the ’90s: Pop Hits That Stand the Test of Time
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Looking for a trip down memory lane? Check out our list of the top pop hits of the ’90s! These songs are sure to take you back to a simpler time.
Introduction
The 90s was a watershed decade for pop music. The rise of grunge and alternative rock led to the popularity of indie rock, which in turn had a major impact on pop music. At the same time, hip hop and R&B were becoming more mainstream, with artists like Tupac, Lauryn Hill, and Destiny’s Child becoming household names.
There were also a number of one-hit wonders in the ’90s, including Los del Rio’s “Macarena,” WHAM!’s “Last Christmas,” and Chumbawamba’s “Tubthumping.” But there were also a number of pop hits that stood the test of time, becoming classics that are still loved today. Here are 10 of the best.
The ’90s Pop Scene
In the 1990s, popular music underwent a revolution. With the advent of grunge and alternative rock, the decade saw a marked shift in the sound and style of the mainstream. But amidst this change, there were still a number of artists who found success with a more traditional pop sound. These hits have stood the test of time, and are still beloved by fans today.
The Birth of Boy Bands
The birth of boy bands can be traced back to the early ‘90s with the formation of New Kids on the Block. The five-piece group from Boston, comprised of brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood, was put together by Maurice Starr and released their self-titled debut album in 1986. The album was met with moderate success in the US, but it wasn’t until their 1988 follow-up album Hangin’ Tough that the group found worldwide stardom. The album spawned four US top-ten singles, including “Please Don’t Go Girl” and the No. 1 hit “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)”.
With the massive success of Hangin’ Tough, New Kids on the Block paved the way for other boy bands such as Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC to find similar levels of fame in the late ‘90s. These groups followed a similar formula of clean-cut good looks and catchy pop tunes that appealed to a wide audience, particularly teenage girls. As a result, they became household names and generated a loyal following of so-called “fan girls”.
The boy band phenomenon wasn’t just limited to North America – British groups such as Take That and East 17 also found success in the ‘90s with their own brand of pop music. Take That was particularly successful in Europe, where they notched up nine UK No. 1 singles between 1994 and 1996 before disbanding in 1996 (they would later reunite in 2005). East 17 also had several UK hits throughout the decade, including “Deep”, “It’s Alright”, and “House of Love”.
The Girl Power Movement
The Girl Power movement was a big part of the ’90s pop scene. It was all about female empowerment, and many of the biggest pop stars of the decade were involved in it. The Spice Girls were perhaps the most famous proponents of Girl Power, with their catchy songs and fun image. But there were also other huge stars like Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston who were making empowering anthems for women everywhere.
The Rise of Hip Hop
While grunge and alternative rock were dominating the early ’90s, a new form of music was beginning to emerge from the urban underground: hip hop. With its innovative blend of sampled beats and rhyming lyrics, hip hop quickly became a fresh and exciting voice in popular music. At the forefront of this movement were groups like Public Enemy and A Tribe Called Quest, who helped to define the sound of hip hop in the 1990s.
The Legacy of ’90s Pop
When you think of the ’90s, what comes to mind? For many, the 1990s were a decade of peace, prosperity, and great music. The top pop hits of the ’90s are some of the most iconic songs of all time. From Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” to Ricky Martin’s “Living La Vida Loca,” the ’90s were a decade of great music. But what made ’90s pop so special?
The Impact of ’90s Pop on Today’s Music
The early ’90s were a time of great change in pop music. The dominant sound of the late ’80s, synthpop, was giving way to more guitar-oriented styles such as grunge and alternative rock. At the same time, hip-hop was coming into its own as a commercial force, with artists like Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur achieving mainstream success.
Despite all of these changes, one thing remained constant: the popularity of pop music. Throughout the decade, there were plenty of pop hits that appealed to a wide range of listeners. In many ways, the ’90s were a golden age for pop music, with artists like Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, andé Michael Jackson topping the charts.
Today, ’90s pop is enjoying something of a resurgence in popularity. Many of the biggest hits of the decade have aged surprisingly well, and they continue to be enjoyed by music fans of all ages. In many ways, ’90s pop laid the foundation for the current sound of popular music.
The Enduring Popularity of ’90s Pop Hits
From Nirvana’s sullen anthems of teenage angst to the Spice Girls’ feel-good girl power anthems, the 1990s were a decade of great change and incredible music. Though it’s been more than 20 years since the ’90s ended, many of the pop hits from that era have continued to endure in popularity. In fact, many of them have become what we now consider to be “classic” pop songs.
Here are just a few examples of ’90s pop hits that are still as popular today as they were when they were first released:
Natalie Imbruglia – Torn
Released in 1997, Natalie Imbruglia’s debut single Torn instantly became a global smash hit. The song spent four weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and was nominated for two Grammy Awards. two decades later, Torn remains one of Imbruglia’s most popular songs and is frequently played on radio stations around the world.
The Verve – Bitter Sweet Symphony
The Verve’s career-defining hit Bitter Sweet Symphony was released in 1997 and quickly became one of the most popular songs of the year. The song won multiple awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Performance, and has been used in a variety of films and television shows over the years. 20 years after its release, Bitter Sweet Symphony remains one of The Verve’s most popular songs.
REM – Losing My Religion
Released in 1991, REM’s Losing My Religion was an instant classic. The song spent six weeks at the top of the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and won multiple awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Performance. Losing My Religion remains one of REM’s most popular songs and is still played on radio stations around the world today.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the music of the ’90s was marked by a number of important changes. The decade saw the rise of pop music, as well as the continued popularity of alternative rock and hip-hop. While some genres came and went, others remained popular throughout the decade. The ’90s was a time of change and experimentation in the music industry, and its legacy can still be heard today.
