Top 20 Best Dance Songs of the 90s
#20: “Believe” (1998) Cher
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Having been a media icon for decades, Cher famously delivered a career-changing song at the end of the ‘90s. Her 1998 single "Believe” embraces the electronic pop sounds of the period. It also features a famous usage of Auto-Tune, one of the first mainstream appearances of the technology. The singer brings a huge dose of positivity to the lyrics, built around her one-of-a-kind starpower. Listeners can dance along to the upbeat production even if they’re reeling from a breakup. Here, Cher climbed the charts with a number-one release that captured her vitality as an artist in her fifties.
#19: “Barbie Girl” (1997) Aqua
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This Danish / Norwegian trio burst onto the scene with the release of their debut album “Aquarium” in 1997, but everyone knows that it was the album’s third single that turned the group into a household name. “Barbie Girl” might just be the strangest song on our list, but if you grew up in the ‘90s, it’s nothing less than pure, unadulterated nostalgia. The lyrics are straight-up bonkers and the music video is…um…interesting. René Dif’s throaty vocals combined with Lene Nystrøm’s cutesy voice is so uniquely ‘90s that the moment they burst through the speakers, you are instantly transported back to a time when Beanie Babies and Game Boys ruled the world.
#18: “U Can’t Touch This” (1990) MC Hammer
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MC Hammer is synonymous with flashy pants and this hit single from 1990. Sometimes relegated to the pop-rap subgenre, this song encompasses all of the highs of early-90s dance culture. You don’t need Hammer’s wardrobe to shimmy along with this undisputed classic. The rapper’s swaggering performance keeps the energy up, while the beat functions as the ultimate springboard for dancing. This is in part because of the artist’s sampling of Rick James’s “Super Freak.” Winning two Grammys, “U Can’t Touch This” is still the performer’s most prominent release and an undeniably great listen.
#17: “Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!” (1998) Vengaboys
Vengaboys might not have been producing a complex symphony, but “Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!” is absolutely entertaining in every way. The Eurodance track contains a lively chorus that is gleefully simple, and is full of lyrics you can easily remember. It also allows for further emphasis on an enjoyable beat that pushes everything along at a thrilling pace. Partly inspired by an ABBA song, this release has all the DNA of a fun-loving piece of vintage pop with a ‘90s twist. The Dutch group managed to make the charts across Europe and other countries for its bouncy rhythms.
#16: “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It” (1998) Will Smith
This wasn’t Will Smith’s first rodeo with music, but “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It” was actually from his debut solo album. The same record features other worthy entries that come in a close second, including the always-groovy “Miami.” With an amazing presentation, this single represents perhaps Smith’s most crowd-pleasing work. A Sister Sledge sample gives the track an irresistible spirit, full of funkiness from start to finish. Smith’s smooth vocals are a welcome addition to the tightly-wound sound. It’s also a hip-hop song that promotes and explores the joys of dancing. Fun for all ages, the release welcomes everyone to “get jiggy” along with it.
#15: “Sandstorm” (1999) Darude
EDM jams were quickly becoming popular in the late-90s; there’s arguably no track in the genre more famous than “Sandstorm” by Darude. While it took on another life in the 2000s, the song originated in dance clubs during the late decade. It features a basic hook that is nothing short of hypnotic, an entrancing effort that works for any rave and encourages lots of excited jumping from dancers. Let’s not forget about the slow build and cataclysmic drop either. “Sandstorm” later became a viral sensation along with a platinum release. At its core, the production stands the test of time as a genuine banger.
#14: “What Is Love” (1993) Haddaway
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Haddaway really arrived in the mid-90s with his own particular take on the dance-pop genre. “What Is Love” might be his most recognizable single, but it checks every box to become a moody masterpiece. The artist belts his vocals while a surprisingly powerful beat supports him every step of the way. It’s also become a part of entertainment history with its inclusion on “Saturday Night Live.” The club-going characters in the sketch bob their heads in an iconic move that carries on to this day. Whether you’re a music lover or a “SNL” fan, this track brings down the house every time.
#13: “This Is How We Do It” (1995) Montell Jordan
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The moment you hear Montell Jordan proclaim that “This is how we do it,” it’s impossible not to feel as if a bolt of lightning just shot through your veins. The song is - in a word - iconic. It topped the charts when it was released in 1995, and two decades later, it’s still a track that makes even the most ardent of ‘90s music critics want to get up and dance. The music video is hilariously dated, but let’s be honest, we listen to this track for two things: the heart pumping beat and Jordan’s party-lovin’ lyrics. Now turn up your speakers and get the party started…especially if it’s Friday!
#12: “Ice Ice Baby” (1990) Vanilla Ice
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Many people like to poke fun at Vanilla Ice, but he was definitely in the right place at the right time. Infamously borrowing the bassline from “Under Pressure,” the performer entered pop culture history with this hip hop track. It was also the first of its genre to reach number one on the Hot 100 charts, ushering in a new era of hip hop dominance in the ‘90s. The extensive sampling of the Queen and David Bowie song gives the production a strong foundation. Priming the audience to dance, the entire beat draws something out of the listener that compels people to move.
#11: “Baby Got Back” (1992) Sir Mix-a-Lot
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There was a time when you couldn’t walk down the street without hearing this song emanating from a house party, car or club, but nowadays it’s the go-to track for ‘90s kids who just want to shake their booty and reminisce about an era when Sir Mix-a-Lot was still relevant. The beginning of “Baby Got Back” is the 1990s at its best; the beat is straight up hypnotic and the lyrics…well the lyrics haven’t really aged all that well. That being said, no ‘90s playlist is complete without it. It’s a thumping, funky track that wills you into busting a move.
#10: “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” (1995) Los del Río
A latin pop song that’s part-novelty and part-classic, “Macarena” by Los del Río received a remix from the Bayside Boys which became an international hit. It went to number one on the Hot 100, achieving unprecedented success. The flamenco-influenced track cut through language barriers to get people dancing. With its unique position in pop culture, the beat also inspired a dance craze all its own. The simple dance helped the entire production take on a life of its own as a beloved and universal piece of music. Some only see it as a one-hit wonder, but “Macarena” has taken on a life beyond its ‘90s release.
#9: “No Scrubs” (1999) TLC
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The ‘90s were the golden age of girl groups, and TLC was right up there with the best of them. And while we’d be remiss not to mention “Waterfalls” when discussing their greatest songs, it’s “No Scrubs” that continues to get people on the dance floor all these years later. This chart-topper from 1999 is as poppin’ today as it was back then; something that’s made all the more evident by the fact that “No Scrubs” has well over 340 million views on YouTube. Clearly people are still jamming to this awesome tune, and all it takes is one listen to understand why!
#8: “Livin’ la Vida Loca” (1999) Ricky Martin
When Ricky Martin transitioned to English recordings, the world of music was never the same. “Livin’ la Vida Loca” serves as a historic statement for the latin pop genre, but also works as a major dance hit for 1999. The acclaimed single garnered praise and award nominations for its high-quality instrumentations. Martin lays it all on the line in his most successful recording that resonated with audiences of all ages and cultures. No party was complete without this bright number livening up the room. For anyone that questioned its greatness, the ending of “Shrek 2” reminded us all of the song’s power.
#7: “Groove Is in the Heart” (1990) Deee-Lite
“Groove Is in the Heart” remains a certifiable dance landmark from the early part of the decade. The song mixes funky grooves, electronic elements, and a crisp production all into one. With the help of Bootsy Collins and Q-Tip, the group features music icons that bring nuance and authenticity to the track. Who could forget that bassline or the titular beat? Few tracks have a signature sound as identifiable or eminently danceable. It also features a notable use of the slide whistle. While it remains arguably the only identifiable work from Deee-Lite, this song was way ahead of its time upon its 1990 release.
#6: “Vogue” (1990) Madonna
This track kicked off the ‘90s in style. “Vogue,” so named for the unique, Harlem-based dance moves that inspired it, and which are featured prominently in the music video (one directed by David Fincher, we might add). All these years later, it remains one of Madonna’s most enduring hits. The track won her multiple awards and topped charts around the world, but nowadays it’s just another staple in the standard ‘90s throwback playlist… and for good reason. The song is dance-pop at its finest, a pulsing beat layered beneath lyrics advocating one thing, and that’s to get up and move your body. As you wish, Madonna!
#5: “Jump Around” (1992) House of Pain
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The moment the first note hits your ears, any chance you had of staying on the sidelines flies out the window. “Jump Around’s” funky, throbbing beat is infectious. It permeates your eardrums and seeps into your brain’s pleasure center, causing a no-holds-barred reaction that forces you to shake parts of your body you didn’t even know you had. “Jump Around” isn’t just a title, it’s an order; one that music lovers have had no problem following since the song was released in 1992. Tack on the fact that the lyrics are as solid today as they were more than two decades ago, and you have a song that will never lose its staying power.
#4: “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” (1990) C+C Music Factory
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Is there a better way to get a dance party started? C+C Music Factory catapulted to the top of the charts with this hip hop mashup, becoming hugely popular for its quotable title. The vocals from Martha Wash at the center of the song creates a powerful call to action. This doesn’t discount the rap verses from rapper Freedom Williams either, which also gives the music a strong dynamic. An impressive debut for the group, the track’s crossover appeal boosted its initial performance. It’s widely remembered throughout the world for its famous hook and the vintage production values.
#3: “...Baby One More Time” (1998) Britney Spears
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When Britney Spears dropped this track in 1998, it catapulted her to the top of the musical A-list. The song was a pop juggernaut, making it to number one in every European country it charted in, eventually becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time. But that’s not why we put it on our list. “…Baby One More Time” made it into the Top 3 because it’s the kind of song that is so iconic, it only comes around every couple of years. With this song, Spears would begin a long and enduring career as an absolute pop sensation.
#2: “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” (1997) Backstreet Boys
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It isn’t a ‘90s party without a little Backstreet Boys. The lead single off of their 1997 album “Backstreet’s Back,” this song is guaranteed to get people on the dance floor the moment you hit play. The song is a crucial part of a rare era of music that to this day can put listeners into a nostalgic trance; a trance that makes them want to dance and sing like it’s 1997! Honestly, it’s just good old-fashioned fun. Oh and don’t get us started on the music video, which is so impossibly 90’s… but in the best way possible!
#1: “Wannabe” (1996) Spice Girls
It literally doesn’t get more ‘90s than this song. As soon as the first note hits, the hair on your arms will stand up and a shiver will roll down your spine. That’s the sign of a song that has never and will never lose its ability to make people forget their troubles and simply enjoy what they’re hearing. It topped charts around the world upon release and turned the Spice Girls into a household name. Today it’s considered one of the quintessential tracks of 1990’s, a fun-loving pop song overflowing with youthful enthusiasm that future generations have continued to embrace.
