The List

Modern-Day Nostalgia Bait Songs That Shamelessly Take Me Back to the 90s

Who doesnโ€™t love a little nostalgia bait, especially from the 90s? Some songs do a solid job of transporting listeners back to a different (and simpler) time. These five songs will definitely send you on a trip down memory lane, especially if youโ€™re a 90s kid yourself!

1. โ€œWaterfallsโ€ by TLC

This legendary girl group dominated the 1990s, and their most well-known song (debatably) is โ€œWaterfallsโ€ from 1995. This iconic hit sat at the top of the charts for weeks, and we definitely understand why. Not only is the song itself a bop, but it also addresses a lot of culturally and socially relevant topics at the time, from violence to the AIDS epidemic to drugs.

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2. โ€œWonderwallโ€ by Oasis

Nostalgia bait 90s songs donโ€™t get more recognizable (and singable) than โ€œWonderwallโ€ by Oasis. Even if you arenโ€™t a diehard Britpop fan, you probably know at least six specific words from this hit song. โ€œWonderwallโ€ was definitely a big deal for the band, considering it charted at no. 8 and earned them a Grammy nom.

3. โ€œIโ€™m Gonna Be (500 Miles)โ€ by The Proclaimers

This song came out in 1988, but it definitely survived the 1990s well and became certified 90s nostalgia bait. It still is today, honestly. Few songs are as catchy as “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”, and even younger listeners can get down to it. Itโ€™s a shame that The Proclaimers are considered one-hit wonders.

4. โ€œLivinโ€™ La Vida Locaโ€ by Ricky Martin

The year 1999 was a wild one for pop music. Britney Spears was at the top of her game, y2k aesthetics in music were gearing up, and Ricky Martin delivered this energetic dance bop. โ€œLivinโ€™ La Vida Locaโ€ came from Martinโ€™s first English language album and sat at no. 1 on the charts for several weeks.

5. โ€œKiss Meโ€ by Sixpence None The Richer

Is this nostalgia bait 90s song the pinnacle 1990s anthem? Weโ€™ll let you decide. Either way, one canโ€™t deny that โ€œKiss Meโ€ by Sixpence None The Richer was absolutely everywhere after it was released in 1997. It hit no. 2 on the US charts the following year, and itโ€™s been used for tons of 1990s media from How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days to Dawsonโ€™s Creek.

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