27 Best Songs From 1990

11. “Can I Kick It?” by A Tribe Called Quest

A Tribe Called Quest was one of the biggest rap groups of the 1990s, and the band made its first splash in 1990 after a few years of working underground. “Can I Kick It?” is one of the group’s signature songs.

“Can I Kick It?” is a more straightforward song than some of the jazz-inspired music the group dabbled in later. It samples from many sources, most notably “Walk on the Wild Side” by Lou Reed.

12. “Mama Said Knock You Out” by LL Cool J

“Mama Said Knock You Out” is an early example of a diss track, as LL Cool J ran down Kool Moe Dee throughout the song. Divorced from the diss track context, this song remains one of the defining rap songs of the early 1990s.

LL Cool J was already established by the time he released this song, but some felt he had fallen off. “Mama Said Knock You Out” was an anthem about his life, and it helped reinvigorate his career.

13. “Wind of Change” by Scorpions

1990 was a time of great political change throughout the world. Scorpions channeled that feeling with its song “Wind of Change.”

The band visited the Soviet Union before recording the song and noticed the different vibes as compared to earlier years. The members wrote this song about the upheaval and cultural shift occurring in front of their eyes. The song is one of the best-selling songs ever recorded.

14. “Gonna Make You Sweat” by C&C Music Factory

Few songs are as instantly recognizable as “Gonna Make You Sweat.” The song has been featured in countless commercials and movies, and it was easily the most popular song C&C Music Factory ever produced.

The song brought several elements together, including rap, disco, and contemporary dance music. Anyone who attended a house party in the years that followed is sure to have this song burned into their brain.

15. “Freedom! ‘90” by George Michael

George Michael made a name for himself as a member of the wildly popular duo Wham!. The duo went their separate ways and Michael attempted to find his way in a new musical landscape with a new sound.

“Freedom! ‘90” is a song about looking back on your past successes and trying to push through to a new era. Michael has become more cynical about music and wants to be his own man, even though he will always be associated with his earlier successes. The song is about George Michael at his most vulnerable.

16. “Unbelievable” by EMF

Alternative rock went through a renaissance in the coming decade, but EMF ushered in the new age in 1990 with its song “Unbelievable.” The song takes inspiration from the R&B and hip-hop music of the time despite being alternative rock. Many future bands would take inspiration from this song and its genre-bending.

“Unbelievable” was a smash hit in the United Kingdom and Europe initially before taking the United States by storm. The song remains the best-charting song for EMF over its extensive career.

17. “Save Me” by Fleetwood Mac

Nobody in their right mind would tell you Fleetwood Mac was in its heyday during the 1990s. Despite the group’s waning popularity, it produced a hit in 1990 with “Save Me.” Christine McVie wrote and sang the song, and it was the last top-40 hit for the legendary band in America.

The song details a person who is in trouble and needs help. “Save Me” blends elements of pop, country, and rock music. Fleetwood Mac created a song that feels both modern and retro, and it would soon break up after the release of “Save Me.”

18. “The King of Wishful Thinking” by Go West

Go West was a British pop duo who never achieved the same mainstream success as some other bands on our list. However, “The King of Wishful Thinking” remains a well-remembered song in Go West’s discography that gained recognition for its inclusion in the film Pretty Woman.

The song describes a down-on-their-luck protagonist who desires something more. They do not believe they can achieve what they want and believe all they have in life is wishful thinking. The song’s production is upbeat and contrasts with its somber lyrics.

19. “Poison” by Bell Biv Devoe

“Poison” was one of Bell Biv DeVoe’s biggest hits, and it combined elements from numerous genres. The group used the style of new jack swing when making this song, taking inspiration from swing, R&B, and rap of the era. This melding of genres creates a Frankenstein monster of a song that is interesting and listenable.

Band member Dr. Freeze wrote the song himself and did not originally intend it for a Bell Biv DeVoe album. He said his bandmates heard a demo and were impressed by the track’s eclectic quality, so they decided to include it on the upcoming album.

20. “Cemetery Gates” by Jane’s Addiction

Do not confuse this with a similarly titled Smiths song, “Cemetery Gates” by Jane’s Addiction attempted to be a tour de force for the band. The song is closer to a power ballad than other songs in the band’s discography. “Cemetery Gates” is the longest song in the Pantera library; the band wanted it to showcase Phil Anselmo’s vocals.

The song describes a distraught protagonist missing their lover who has died. They contemplate dying so they are reunited. Anselmo said he was inspired by several tragedies in his personal life.