31 Best Songs From 1999

“Angel” By Sarah McLachlan

Song Year: 1999

There was a time before the ASPCA commercials when “Angel” was a radio hit. Today, we recognize the Sarah McLachlan track as a fundraiser tool to raise awareness and fight animal abuse. But in the scorching hot music year of 1999, “Angel” received just as much radio play as other smash hits.

“Steal My Sunshine” By Len

Song Year: 1999

One thing about music in 1999 was that it was a literal buffet of styles. That’s how we fell in love with “Steal My Sunshine.” The Canadian alternative rock band earned the song airplay time by getting it on the Go soundtrack.

It’s not easy to define the song. Is it alternative rock? Is it pop? Is it indie? Or dance? One thing’s for sure. It’s 1999.

“Got Your Money” By Ol’ Dirty Bastard Featuring Kelis

Song Year: 1999

This year was so saturated with musical variety even a founding member of the underground hip-hop group Wu-Tang Klan was making the rounds on the radio. Ol’ Dirty Bastard, affectionately referred to as ODB, was in jail at the time of the release, but that didn’t stop this collaboration with R&B star Kelis from reaching the top of the charts.

“Slide” By The Goo Goo Dolls

Song Year: 1999

Another 1990s alternative rock band that hit it big in the time of free music for all thank you, Napster is the Johnny Rzeznik fronted Goo Goo Dolls. The band earned radio play in the mid-90s for the hit alt-rock song “Name.”

The band earned even more recognition when their single from the City of Angels soundtrack, “Iris,” sat at the number one Billboard spot for a record 18 consecutive weeks. The follow-up single “Slide” from the album Dizzy Up The Girl was their second number-one hit and an early 1999 mega-hit.

“Goodbye Earl” By The Dixie Chicks

Song Year: 1999

An anthem still to this day, “Goodbye Earl” is a country song that makes you sing along even if you’re not a country music fan. The song was first recorded by the country band Sons of the Desert, but it wasn’t until the Dixie Chicks got ahold of it that the single took off.

Dennis Franz, famous for showing his butt on NYPD Blue, plays the doomed Earl in the song. And the band wisely changed its name to The Chicks in later years.

“Tell Me It’s Real” By K-Ci & JoJo

Song Year: 1999

K-Ci & Jojo earned music credibility in the early nineties as members of the R&B group Jodeci. In the summer of 1999, the duo’s sophomore album It’s Real peaked at number two on the Billboard Top 100. And it was largely due to this summer R&B hit.

“Save Tonight” By Eagle Eye Cherry

Song Year: 1999

Eagle Eye Cherry was destined for success. His father is an American jazz musician. And his mother is a Swedish artist. Even his half-sister is Neneh Cherry. “Save Tonight” was a Top 10 US hit and was voted Song of the Year in New Zealand. Now, that’s what I call music.

“Summer Girls” By LFO

Song Year: 1999

If Abercrombie & Fitch wasn’t famous before this LFO single, it was after “Summer Girls.” And the Lyte Funky Ones followed this house party jam with the Jennifer Love-Hewitt pop song “Girl on TV.” It’s more than okay to sing along with LFO. Just keep an eye on your girl when the trio is around., especially if you have ever had your bike stolen.

“All-Star” By Smash Mouth

Song Year: 1999

Like “Angel” before it, “All-Star” became famous later for another reason. That reason is because of a famous movie released in 2001 called Shrek. In fact, at this point, the song should open with Mike Myers shouting, “What are you doing in my swamp?!?”

“Mambo No. 5” By Lou Bega

Song Year: 1999

Ladies and gentlemen, another smash hit from a one-hit-wonder. Only 1999 could turn “Mambo No.5” into a chart-topping number-one hit around the world. The song would become a staple at every wedding reception. It was so popular even Bob the Builder covered it for his 2001 debut album. True story.