The 1990s had it all when it comes to music. Grunge, rap, rock, pop, boy bands, alternative, electronic. It was a feast and sometimes there were too many options to choose from. Just walking into a Tower Records was enough to make your head spin. But that also gives us a lot to think about when reflecting on the era today.
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Here below, we wanted to do just that. Dive into the 1990s and to do so by using the lens of singing. What were the best songs to sing along to in the decade? While there are—yes—a ton to choose from, we think we narrowed it down pretty well. Indeed, these are three of the best songs from the 1990s to sing along to.
[RELATED: 3 Female-Fronted Rock Bands from the 1990s Whose Music Has Stood the Test of Time]
“The Sign” by Ace of Base from The Sign (1993)
This song took the pop music landscape by storm when it was released in 1993 on the Swedish rock band’s LP of the same name. Everyone sang along and they all had their eyes opened by some significant moment or another. The vocals were performed by singer Jenny Berggren and she just had one of those voices that stuck to your ribs. Of course, “The Sign” wasn’t the band’s only sing-along hit; others included “All that She Wants” and “Happy Nation.” But on this one, fans belted out along with Berggren,
I got a new life, you would hardly recognize me
I’m so glad, how can a person like me care for you?
(Ah) why do I bother, when you’re not the one for me?
Ooh-ooh-ooh, is enough enough?
I saw the sign
And it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign
Life is demanding without understanding
I saw the sign
And it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign
No one’s gonna drag you up to get into the light where you belong
But where do you belong?
“Wonderwall” by Oasis from (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)
Oasis fans are in for a treat as the band has famously announced a reunion and upcoming tour. Well, you can be sure attendees will be busting out their best lip-sync or vocal performances during this acoustic-driven song from the British-born band. It’s a stream-of-consciousness dreamscape of lyrics that somehow reads as totally discernible by the human pop music-loving ear. Indeed on the track, written by brother Noel, Liam Gallagher sings,
Today is gonna be the day
That they’re gonna throw it back to you
By now you should’ve somehow
Realized what you gotta do
I don’t believe that anybody
Feels the way I do about you now
Backbeat, the word is on the street
That the fire in your heart is out
I’m sure you’ve heard it all before
But you never really had a doubt
I don’t believe that anybody feels
The way I do about you now
“No Diggity” by Blackstreet from Another Level (1996)
While it’s not always easy to sing/rap along to a hip-hop track, this one, which features icon Dr. Dre, has become a fan favorite to do so ever since its release in 1996. It’s one of those songs that whenever it appears in a movie or television show, the audience—especially if they’re of a certain age—goes nuts. There is just something so appealing about the track, which is why it’s also one that people just love to mouth the words or sing along to. Indeed, the popular chorus goes,
I like the way you work it
No diggity, I got to bag it up (Bag it up)
I like the way you work it
No diggity, I got to bag it up (Oh, yeah)
I like the way you work it
No diggity, I got to bag it up (Bag it up, babe)
I like the way you work it
No diggity, I got to bag it up (Get up)
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