[Back to the ’90s!] Dance music in Western pop that was a hit in the 1990s
The 1990s were a period in which electronic music saw remarkable growth compared to any previous era.
Genres like Eurobeat and dance-pop attracted particular attention and went on to influence modern styles such as artcore and deep house.
In this piece, I’d like to introduce dance music from the 1990s.
Alongside global smash hits, I’ve also included more niche tracks with a Eurobeat flavor.
For those interested in the evolution of electronic music, there are many must-hear tracks here, so please take your time and enjoy.
- [Western Music] A Collection of Cool Dance Music (Western Songs)
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- [Nostalgic Hits] Popular Japanese dance music songs that were hits in the 1990s
- [Western Music] Classic disco tracks that were hits in the ’90s
- Western songs from the 90s featured in commercials. A roundup of CM songs.
- Tearjerkers! A roundup of moving Western songs that were hits in the ’90s
- Club Hits: Dance music from Western artists that energized the dance floors in the 1980s
- 90s Rock Revolution! A Collection of Masterpieces by Western Bands That Colored the 90s
- Dance music in Japanese (J-pop) that people in their 50s used to listen to. Nostalgic classic hits.
- A 90s rapper. An artist who was active during the golden age of US hip-hop.
- Easy-to-dance songs [Perfect for dance beginners]
[Back to the ’90s!] Western dance music that was a hit in the 1990s (81–90)
Push the Feeling On (Mk Dub Revisited Edit)Nightcrawlers
A 90s organ sound reminiscent of Robin S’s “Show Me Love.” In fact, this track was released about a year earlier.
It carries a melancholic vibe, and I think it skillfully depicts scenes of the night and the club.
There’s a source of inspiration: it was reportedly inspired by Creative Source’s 1975 release “Pass the Feelin’ On.” Nightcrawlers is a house music project formed by producer and DJ John Reid from Easterhouse in Glasgow, Scotland.
MotownphillyBoyz II Men
Boyz II Men is a vocal group renowned for their world-class harmonies.
They’re indispensable when discussing R&B from the 1980s through the 1990s, so anyone who has delved even a little into the genre is likely familiar with them.
Among their works, a dance track I especially recommend is Motownphilly.
It features a track that mixes R&B and hip-hop, and the entire song is infused with a hot, energetic vibe.
I’ll BeFoxy Brown, JAY-Z
A song by Foxy Brown, who was highly popular for her hard-hitting rap.
Featuring American rapper Jay-Z, the track reached No.
7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over 500,000 copies.
She also spent time in prison for various offenses, living a life closely entwined with her talent, but her powerful statements and catchy flow were part of the appeal, and it’s true that she helped energize the rap scene of the time.
The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)Missy Elliott
A hip-hop track by female rapper Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott.
The lyrics from a woman’s perspective are sexy and cool.
The song is about feeling gloomy because of the rain.
The woman is fed up with the pouring rain.
She’s had a breakup after a fight with her lover, and nothing’s going right.
She ignores the rain and heads to the beach.
There’s nothing worse than rain on a day when you’re already irritated.
How BizarreOMC
A quintessential dance music classic of the 1990s.
Created by New Zealand’s OMC, it’s a track known for its catchy rhythm and memorable lyrics.
Released in December 1995 as the lead single from the album “How Bizarre,” it became a worldwide hit.
The lyrics, written by OMC’s Pauly Fuemana, who grew up in South Auckland, vividly depict strange situations drawn from his own experiences.
Its unique sound, close to the pop-rap genre, really stands out.
This song captures the extraordinary within the everyday, expressing the surprise of unexpected events.
It’s perfect for listening to while driving, and an ideal pick for anyone seeking a sense of discovery or adventure.
Whatta ManSalt ‘N’ Pepa feat. En Vogue
A collaboration between the American hip-hop trio Salt-N-Pepa and the R&B vocal group En Vogue.
It was released in 1993.
It samples Linda Lyndell’s track “What a Man.” The music video, directed by Matthew Rolston, won an MTV Video Music Award.
[Back to the ’90s!] Western dance music hits from the 1990s (91–100)
Mind Playing Tricks on MeGeto Boys
Featured on the 1991 album “We Can’t Be Stopped,” this track became the Geto Boys’ highest-charting single.
The reason this rap—depicting various mental states—gained popularity in the ’90s may be that the anger, aggression, confrontation, self-assertion, and strong beats characteristic of hardcore hip-hop resonated with young people.
It’s easy to see why a song that boldly makes its statement over such an infectious sound still has support today.