Top 10 Catchiest Number 1 Songs From the '90s

#10: “Believe” (1998)

Cher

Back when the use of Auto-Tune in music was seen as innovation and not laziness, the Goddess of Pop delivered this masterpiece. “Believe” took the world by storm, ranking number one in several countries like Canada, Australia, and France. It sat atop the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the U.K. Singles charts as well. The song is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time and a high point in the history of dance music. Cher’s soaring vocals in the chorus, where she sings of surviving heartbreak, will convince anyone that they’re better than their exes. So, of course, fans latched on to it and sang along at the top of their lungs. Sometimes, that’s all you need to move on.

#9: “Say My Name” (1999)

Destiny's Child

Raise your hand if you immediately started singing this song the moment you saw it on your screen. Destiny’s Child must have put a spell on fans with this one because it’s impossible to get it out of our heads. The track was inspired by songwriter LaShawn Daniels’ paranoid ex. However, in the hands of the girl group, it became an anthem for intuitive women who knew their partners were up to no good. It went triple platinum in the United States, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and achieved major success internationally as well. From the smooth harmonies to the call-and-response style of the verses, this R&B gem will never get old.

#8: “Wonderwall” (1995)

Oasis

This is the one song every aspiring rocker plays on the guitar to impress the crowd with their newly acquired skills. The situation is so common that it’s basically a meme. However, the original “Wonderwall” was a true delight that captivated listeners worldwide. It was number one on the U.K. Indie chart and topped Billboard’s Alternative Airplay ranking between 1995 and 1996. “Wonderwall” enjoyed a resurgence again in the mid-2010s and started showing up in charts across the world, particularly in Portugal and the U.K., until 2024. That was when the band reunited for the last time, or so they said, but this classic isn’t going anywhere.

#7: “The Boy Is Mine” (1998)

Brandy & Monica

Fighting over a man might not be a good look in this economy, but as teens in the nineties, we were shamelessly obsessed with this song. In “The Boy Is Mine”, Brandy and Monica give us a duet to remember. Their gorgeous vocals go back and forth in a musical war of nerves, evoking the kind of smoldering sensuality only they can. The record hit number one on several Billboard charts in the U.S., including the Hot 100, and ruled airwaves in countries like the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Canada. Years later, Ariana Grande's remake of the song went viral, and when Brandy and Monica jumped on the remix, it even got a Grammy nod. Now, that’s what you call a joint slay.

#6: “No Scrubs” (1999)

TLC

This song was on a mission to raise our standards, and it succeeded. After all, when TLC tells you not to settle, you listen. The infectious chorus taught us that ‘no’ is a whole sentence, and the members repeated the point enough times for it to be drilled into our heads. The combination of R&B and hip-hop was a recipe for radio success, which the song achieved effortlessly, and soared to the top of the Hot 100 chart. With how ubiquitous it became, there was no escaping it, and honestly, we didn’t really want to either.

#5: “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” (1995)

Los del Río

TikTok dance challenges have got nothing on this OG viral hit. “Macarena”, particularly the Bayside Boys remix with the added English verse, came out of left field. It was equipped with an easy-peasy signature choreography that people were compelled to learn. This meant they were listening to the song again and again, thus keeping it at the number one spot on the Hot 100 chart for weeks on end. The repeated lyrics were simple enough for people to sing along to, even if they didn’t know Spanish, and the iconic callout was the best part. “Macarena” truly transcended barriers of language and culture, bringing people together for the love of a good banger, and that’s why it’s timeless.

#4: “I Want It That Way” (1999)

Backstreet Boys

BSB changed the course of pop culture forever when they came out with this song. The mood of the track oscillates between fiery passion and soft devotion, but the lyrics are vague enough for us to fill in the blanks with our own emotions. The members belt out angelic harmonies, making the song dynamic, but the chord progression is simple enough to feel familiar. Finally, the key change for the chorus and that legendary hook seal the deal. Although it did not top the Hot 100 list, the record was number one on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary and Pop Airplay charts. It also led rankings away from home, such as in Europe, Canada, and New Zealand. Safe to say, this song altered our brain chemistry.

#3: “Fantasy” (1995)

Mariah Carey

The Songbird Supreme had world domination on her mind when she made this song. By sampling Tom Tom Club’s funky hit “Genius of Love”, and adding in pop soul with a dash of hip-hop, Mariah made sure we never get over “Fantasy”. The euphoric melody makes us feel like we’re walking on clouds, and we just can’t get enough of it. The chorus is a classic earworm, but Carey’s effortless vocal runs and ad-libs keep it sounding fresh. So, you basically never get tired of listening to this gem on repeat. On the Billboard Hot 100 chart, “Fantasy” started at the top and stayed there for weeks. Notably, Mariah was the first female artist to achieve this feat.

#2: “Wannabe” (1996)

Spice Girls

This song has been living in our heads rent-free for as long as we can remember. Mel B’s resounding voice opens the track with a bold call and response that sets the tone for the most epic night out. The theme of sisters before misters is given an anthemic treatment, and any self-respecting girls’ girl will have the lyrics by heart. The tempo is fast, the energy is electric, and there are enough catchy melodic hooks to keep the song playing in an unopened tab in our brains. No wonder it topped music charts in 37 countries all over the world. What we really really want is to go back to the nineties and listen to this number for the first time again.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Genie in a Bottle” (1999), Christina Aguilera

This Bop Raised a Generation of Baddies

“U Can't Touch This” (1990), MC Hammer

We Could Sing Along to This in Our Sleep

“The Sign” (1993), Ace of Base

Nothing Beats the Feel-Good Factor of This Classic

“MMMBop” (1997), Hanson

This Song Had a Brilliant Hook with No Real Words, Just Vibes, and It Somehow Worked!

“Ironic” (1996), Alanis Morissette

A Mellow Track with a Burst of Energy in the Chorus That Makes It Stick

#1: “...Baby One More Time” (1998)

Britney Spears

This was the ultimate anthem of teen heartbreak that turned sad into sexy. From the moment the song starts with that iconic piano riff, we're already up on our feet and grooving. Then the breathy vocals take us to a punchy chorus that was destined for pop culture permanence. The fact that this was Britney’s debut song and became one of the highest-selling singles in music history only proves that she was born to be a star. It wasn’t just number one in America, but also in the U.K., Australia, France, Germany, and many more countries. To add to that, Spears enchanted audiences worldwide with her performances, solidifying her position as the Princess of Pop. The chokehold she has on us is unreal.

Which nineties song was the soundtrack to your youth? Tell us in the comments!