Top 10 Songs From the Space Jam Soundtrack

Bugs Bunny
The “Space Jam” soundtrack may seem like a fluffy companion piece to a goofy kids’ movie, but there is some serious talent behind it. For example, the Bugs Bunny tune “Buggin’” was written by Jay-Z and nine-time Oscar-nominated composer James Newton Howard. The beat is surprisingly fire, conjuring up comforting memories of mid-‘90s hip hop. The lyrics are also fun, complete with funny and innocent disses like “It’s like Jordan at the plate, you’re likely to miss.” It’s definitely a gimmick song, but it’s well made and entertaining, capping off the soundtrack in unique style.

Coolio
Despite being the second song on the soundtrack, Coolio’s “The Winner” does not appear in the movie itself. Like “Buggin,’” “The Winner” was composed by a solid list of artists, including Coolio himself and Grammy Hall of Fame inductee Curtis Mayfield. Mayfield’s influence is certainly present, with a beat evoking ‘70s funk and soul. Coolio rides the beat like a pro, and the song features a gloriously cheesy chorus with lyrics like “Moving on up/You’re a winner/You gotta keep pushing.” Also of note is the song’s wonderful music video, which is pure mid-‘90s. The nostalgia is strong with this one.

D’Angelo
This song entirely belongs to D’Angelo, who performed, wrote, and produced the track. Like “The Winner”, “I Found My Smile Again” evokes beats and sounds of ‘70s R&B, complete with a gloriously funky bassline and a sensual chorus composed of the lyrics “I found my smile again/You helped me find my smile again.” It’s songs like this that helped the “Space Jam” soundtrack stand out. It would be right at home in a “Best of ‘70s Funk” compilation, and its incredible grooviness transcends an otherwise goofy movie like “Space Jam.”

R. Kelly feat. Changing Faces & Jay-Z
Written by R. Kelly and Jay-Z and produced by Kelly, “All of My Days” is pure ‘90s R&B, complete with a pre-chorus and hook from Changing Faces. Despite being credited as an R. Kelly song, “All of My Days” mostly belongs to Jay-Z, who imbues the piece with two verses and his typical lyrical wizardry. It’s also just one of three songs on the soundtrack to not appear in the movie itself, following “Buggin’” and “The Winner.” In order to listen to such a great song, you needed to buy the entire soundtrack. Such was the case in the 1990s, alas.

Barry White & Chris Rock
“Basketball Jones featuring Tyrone Shoelaces” is a song both written and performed by Cheech and Chong, appearing on their 1973 comedy album “Los Cochinos.” It is a parody of a popular ‘70s song called “Love Jones” by Brighter Side of Darkness. Funnily enough, Cheech and Chong’s parody song performed better than the original, peaking at #15 on the Hot 100 (“Love Jones” had reached #16). It was subsequently covered by comedian Chris Rock and Barry White, whose signature bass-baritone voice can be heard readily throughout the song. It’s a very catchy tune, and it plays over one of the movie’s most memorable scenes - that being the basketball stars taking medical tests and undergoing therapy.

Monica
“For You I Will” peaked at #4 on the Hot 100. The tune eventually went platinum and gave Monica another top five single. It was written by the twelve-time Oscar-nominated and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Diane Warren, who has famously penned over thirty top ten Hot 100 hits. Serving as a pop R&B ballad, “For You I Will” is quite a soothing song, featuring a sensual beat, touching lyrics, and Monica’s typically beautiful vocals. ‘90s R&B doesn’t get much better than this.

Seal
“Fly Like an Eagle” was originally written and performed by Steve Miller, reaching #2 on the Hot 100 back in 1977. Twenty years later, Seal covered the song for “Space Jam” at the behest of the soundtrack’s producer, Dominique Trenier. While it didn’t prove as successful as Miller’s original (peaking at #10), the funky cover was positively received by Miller himself, who called it “the best cover of the song that he had heard” (according to Seal, who received a personal phone call from Miller). Few songs are as inherently connected to “Space Jam” as “Fly Like an Eagle.” Anyone who hears this song is sure to conjure up images of Michael Jordan flying through the air, basketball in hand.

B-Real, Coolio, Method Man, LL Cool J & Busta Rhymes
This song contains a certified who's who of ‘90s hip hop artists, and it makes for a glorious bit of nostalgia. While released as an official single, “Hit ‘Em High” was not as popular as the other songs, failing to breach the Billboard Hot 100. It’s not surprising, though, given the novelty concept of the song. As the title suggests, it serves as the Monstars’ anthem, and it comes equipped with a suitably powerful sound. The various verses are all personable and unique to their respective artists, and the chorus is composed of a catchy repetition of “hit ‘em high” and “hit ‘em low.” The Monstars needed a unique song, and “Hit ‘Em High” ticks all the boxes.

Quad City DJ’s
The theme song to “Space Jam” was performed by the Florida-based Quad City DJ’s. The little-known group only produced one studio album, featuring the single “C’Mon N’ Ride It (The Train).” And while that song was certainly popular, the group will forever be associated with the “Space Jam” theme song. It’s not a bad thing to be associated with, as the song is an absolute banger. The female-led hook and bridge are incredibly catchy, the drum track provides the song with relentless energy, and the constant repetition of “Come on and slam/and welcome to the jam” will never not be fun. It’s the perfect song to get kids up and dancing, and dance we certainly did.

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

“Upside Down (‘Round-N-’Round)”, Salt-N-Pepa
Iconic Hip Hop Group Salt-N-Pepa Make Soothing R&B

“Givin’ U All That I’ve Got,” Robin S.
Robin S. Scores Daffy Duck’s Fashion Show

“I Turn to You,” All-4-One
Beautiful Ballad Written by Diane Warren

“That’s the Way (I Like It),” Spin Doctors feat. Biz Markie
Spin Doctors Cover KC & the Sunshine Band to Great Success

R. Kelly
It’s a shame that R. Kelly proved to be such a problematic figure, as he really was a talented musician. Separating art from the artist, “I Believe I Can Fly” is a beautiful song with one of the most memorable choruses of the 1990s. The song is performed, written, and produced by Kelly and remained atop the Billboard R&B Singles Chart for six weeks, non-consecutively. It also received five Grammy nominations, including Song and Record of the Year. It’s a bonafide R&B classic, complete with some gorgeous lyrics, the aforementioned catchy chorus and soaring vocals. It’s enough to make a listener cry, which is way more than we expected from the “Space Jam” soundtrack of all things...