101. “Space Jam” by Quad City DJ’s
A controversial start to this list. But, as the gays say, it gets better. And regardless of your opinion, this song is still iconic!!!
100. “This Is How We Party” by S.O.A.P.
A song by two rando Danish teens, it’s basically 1998 in the form of a song.
99. “Strong Enough” by Cher
Always overshadowed by “Believe,” “Strong Enough” was also a great ’90s dance song! In the music video, Cher is stuck in an old TV and a knockoff iMac. Cool!
98. “Girls and Boys” by Blur
The song is equal parts Britpop and dance pop. And a great reminder of just how brilliant Blur was throughout the ’90s.
97. “Cotton Eye Joe” by Rednex
This is a song by a Swedish group called Rednex. That is all.
96. “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” by Will Smith
Will Smith isn’t exactly what you think of when you think “‘90s dance,” BUUUT you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone between the ages of 26 and 30 who hasn’t had a moment with this song at a middle school dance. Plus, he never had to curse in his songs to sell records!
95. “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” by Eiffel 65
Two things that are probably true about this song: 1) The only words everyone knows/remembers are “I’m blue da-be-dee-da-ba die…” 2) This was likely everyone’s first Napster download.
93. “Love U More” by Sunscreem
I still don’t know what the hell they meant by the lyric “You can make the sea turn turtle”?!
92. “Come and Get Your Love” by Real McCoy
Real McCoy was THAT ’90s dance “group.” This was their least successful song which was still…not bad!
91. “Just a Touch of Love” by C+C Music Factory
Honestly, this song is on this list because of the amazing montage of the nuns cleaning up the neighborhood and bringing the people back to the church in Sister Act 2.
90. “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred
Yes, this song is cheesy as hell, but it doesn’t ever try to be anything other than what it is: a fun, catchy, campy dance song.
89. “You’re Not Alone” by Olive
A sensual and ethereal chill-out track that wouldn’t have sounded out of place in a scene in Trainspotting.
88. “Fastlove, Pt. 1” by George Michael
An underrated mid-’90s dance gem from the late, great George Michael.
87. “Born Slippy (Nuxx)” by Underworld
The standout track from the Trainspotting soundtrack — which, FTR, is a solid, near perfect soundtrack. Also, like, we’ve already talked about Trainspotting twice on this list so far.
86. “Things That Make You Go Hmmmm….” by C+C Music Factory
This song is so early ’90s like Skidz pants and Zack Morris’s brick cell phone.
85. “Sexual (Li Da Di)” by Amber
In the music video, there is a Chihuahua that sings “li da di” over and over and over again.
84. “Unfinished Sympathy” by Massive Attack
Another song you wouldn’t exactly think of when you think “‘90s dance.” The song is a dazzling mix of genres, from ’70s soul to house, that all works to produce a chill number that makes you want to get up and dance.
83. “Deeper and Deeper” by Madonna
The song is a perfect example of Madonna’s genius at being able to take club music (in this case house music) and make it mainstream.
82. “Connected” by Stereo MCs
An early-’90s alt-rock radio staple that crossed into dance.
81. “More and More” by Captain Hollywood Project
I know what you’re thinking, and no, this wasn’t sung by Real McCoy.
80. “Big Time Sensuality” by Björk
Björk can do anything, including house-inspired dance music.
79. “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” by Baz Luhrmann
“Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” was that song that was on VH1 a lot, like, a lot a lot.
78. “Praise You” by Fatboy Slim
The only thing better than this song is the music video for it, which is both kinda batshit crazy (in a good way) and brilliant.
77. “Touch It” by Monifah
*Repeats over and over* “Jack Knight and Dakoda House all we wanna do is make you bounce.”
76. “Barbie Girl” by Aqua
A weird moment in time. An even weirder song. It literally could’ve only come from the ’90s.
75. “Rump Shaker” by Wreckx-N-Effect
A classic ode to the simple joys of shaking your ass.
74. “Dreamer” by Livin’ Joy
Female vocals set to a house beat = everything you could want from an early-’90s dance song.
73. “Do Me!” by Bell Biv DeVoe
An unapologetic anthem about gettin’ your freak on, 24/7.
72. “Music Sounds Better With You” by Stardust
No, this wasn’t a Daft Punk song! It was actually the band Stardust, which featured Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter — which is why it sounded so much like a track off Discovery.
71. “Boom Boom Boom” by the Outhere Brothers
All you need to know are “boom boom boom” and “way-ooh (way-ooh)” and you basically know the lyrics to the entire song.
70. “Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)” by Us3
This acid jazz track is the type of song that makes you want to slowly grind up against your S.O. on the dance floor.
69. “Setting Sun” by the Chemical Brothers
The song was written and produced as tribute to the classic Beatles track “Tomorrow Never Knows.” It also features Oasis’s Noel Gallagher on vocals (ICYDK).
68. “If” by Janet Jackson
Love, love, love Janet, but other than “If I was your girl,” I have no idea what she is singing.
67. “Da’ Dip” by Freak Nasty
This song might have the most budget music video of the ’90s. There are lots of really fast zoom-ins.
66. “Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!” by the Vengaboys
The only Vengaboys song that matters. DON’T EVEN START WITH THAT “WE LIKE TO PARTY” BS.
65. “No Limit” by 2 Unlimited
This is possibly the most aggressive beat from the ’90s. It’s like they’re strumming a GIANT rubber band.
64. “Poison” by Bell Biv DeVoe
This song is not only a ‘90s classic, but it’s also arguably better than anything New Edition ever put out.
63. “Moving on Up” by M People
“Moving on up, moving on up, time to break free, no one can stop me.” The “Unwritten” of the ’90s.
62. “I Like It (Like That)” by The Blackout Allstars
A Jock Jams staple.
61. “Come Baby Come” by K7 and The Swing Kids
Another Jock Jams staple.
60. “Too Funky” by George Michael
A wonderfully up-tempo track that had an accompanying music video full of supermodels, basically about as classic George Michael as you can get!
59. “Now That We Found Love” by Heavy D & The Boyz
The song is new jack swing at its finest.
58. “Tootsee Roll” by the 69 Boyz
69 Boyz. Great name for an even better band!
57. “Strike It Up” by Black Box
There was a big debate whether this was better than “Everybody Everybody.” In the end, “Everybody Everybody” is the winner.
56. “Run Away” by Real McCoy
This song is actually really fucking intense. Get out of there, girl!
55. “Whoomp! (There It Is)” by Tag Team
“President Obama” is in the music video.
54. “Short Dick Man” by 20 Fingers featuring Gillette
Basically a mid-’90s “No Scrubs,” but instead of not wanting no scrubs, Gillette wasn’t here for tiny-dicked dudes.
52. “Please Don’t Go” by KWS
LBH, this is actually better than the original version by KC and the Sunshine Band.
51. “Beautiful Life” by Ace of Base
Ah yes, the first entry from Ace of Base. Their worst song. Don’t @ me.
50. “Waiting for Tonight” by Jennifer Lopez
Didn’t expect this song on this list, did you? Well, it’s worthy! This is Jennifer Lopez’s best song. It literally turned me gay.
49. “Macarena” by Los Del Rio
Yes, it’s the biggest dance song of all time. Yes, that’s impact. Buuuut, let’s be real, do you EVER listen to this on your own with like headphones? The only time you hear it is when your “funky” aunt tries to force you to dance to it at your cousin’s wedding. FML.
48. “Return of the Mack” by Mark Morrison
I don’t know what the hell this song is about! All I know is Mark Morrison probably says “return of the Mack” 130 times in less than four minutes.
47. “Everybody’s Free” by Rozalla
This song makes me want to drop out of life, join a nudist colony, and scream, “EVERYBOODY’S FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE TO FEEL GOOD.”
46. “Here Comes the Hotstepper” by Ini Kamoze
Haters will say this isn’t a dance song. Real fans know otherwise.
45. “Hey Mr. D.J.” by Zhané
Great harmonies, chill vibe, rap bridge; all the things you needed to make a perfect early-‘90s R&B; dance song.
44. “The Bomb (These Sounds Fall Into Mind)” by The Bucketheads
This song is JNCOs personified in musical form (and that’s not a bad thing).
43. “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
Back when Mark Wahlberg was Marky Mark, he put out bops — well, when he wasn’t busy dropping trough and showing off his Calvins.
42. “Supermodel (You Better Work)” by RuPaul
The song that brought RuPaul mainstream success. It was also one of Kurt Cobain’s favorite songs of 1993.
40. “Do You Miss Me” by Jocelyn Enriquez
A really sad song made not so sad by a ’90s dance beat.
39. “I’m Every Woman” by Whitney Houston
Simply a classic.
38. “The Power” by Snap!
I’VE GOT THE POWER.
37. “Ready to Go” by Republica
Unfortunately this song has been co-opted by car commercials, but regardless, it still gives me ’90s teen-drama-movie school-dance vibes.
36. “Tonight Is the Night” by Le Click
Basically a La Bouche song and that’s not a bad thing.
35. “Move This (Shake that Body)” by Technotronic
Features the second-most-fun lyric to sing (the first comes later) from a ’90s dance song —> “People don’t you know, don’t you know, it’s about time.”
34. “Don’t Call Me Baby” by Madison Avenue
Right on the cusp of 2000, this still bops.
33. “It Feels Good” by Sonique
OK, this SONG. This song is so underrated. Justice for this moody dance smash!
32. “This Is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan
If this isn’t on any of your modern-day party playlists then who are you even?
31. “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here (Hex Hector Mix)” by Deborah Cox
Every time this song is played a baby gay gets its wings.
30. “Rhythm Is a Dancer” by Snap!
Still not entirely sure what the title of this song means.
29. “Around the World” by Daft Punk
Honestly, Daft Punk could release this song today and everyone would say it’s a genius bop — like how many other bands have songs that sound as good today as they did 20 years ago?! And yes, this came out two decades ago!!!
28. “The Sign” by Ace of Base
Ace of Base invented the awkward middle school dance with this song, which you can’t really slow dance to but can’t grind to either.
27. “Virtual Insanity” by Jamiroquai
Music video is still cool. Song still holds up. That hat is still iconic.
26. “Total Eclipse of the Heart (Dance Mix)” by Nicki French
*Screams* “OOOOOOH AH OHHHHHH AH OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.”
25. “Ooh Aah (Just a Little Bit)” by Gina G
Gina G is the perfect name for a ’90s dance one-hit wonder.
24. “Better Off Alone” by Alice Deejay
The beat drop in this one still, TO THIS DAY, gives me *chills*. The video also features early Zumba.
23. “C’mon N’ Ride It (The Train)” by Quad City DJ’s
To be honest the dance for this song required a bit of too much coordination and work. In case you forgot, you had to slightly squat while dancing along in a conga line, moving your arm up and down (like you were pulling a train whistle), all while making a choo-choo train sound.
22. “Vogue” by Madonna
This was hard and it was debatable whether or not to include “Vogue” on this list, so deal with it. “Vogue” is Madonna’s most iconic dance song EVER.
21. “Pump Up the Jam” by Technotronic
This song makes me want to do aerobics and lose 3 pounds.
20. “I’m Gonna Get You” by Bizarre Inc
This song is actually kinda pretty creepy if you think about it.
19. “Touch Me (All Night Long)” by Cathy Dennis
Before Cathy wrote “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” for Kylie, “I Kissed a Girl” for Katy, and “Toxic” for Britney, she wrote the grind anthem of 1990.
18. “All That She Wants” by Ace of Base
The best Ace of Base song. End of story. No contest.
17. “Mr. Vain” by Culture Beat
Remember from 1993 through 1996 when every dance song came from a Euro duo that consisted of a big-voiced lead female singer and a guy with a low voice who did a spoken-word bridge? This is one of those bands, and this is their best-known hit.
16. “Show Me Love” by Robin S.
No this isn’t that Robyn’s “Show Me Love,” this is the other Robin’s “Show Me Love.”
15. “Believe” by Cher
Cher’s biggest moment in the ’90s. In the music video, she’s in the middle of a club/rave (?) in a plastic box wearing a feather hat. Iconic!
14. “Everybody Everybody” by Black Box
Black Box is arguably one of the most underrated ’90s dance troupes (if that’s what you call them). Martha Wash was actually the voice of Black Box but they used a different person for the music videos. That was pretty fucked up!
13. “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)” by Crystal Waters
Problematic title. Great song. A classic.
12. “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” by C+C Music Factory
This song should be *higher* but there’s too much competition this high on the list! I will say this: “jump to the rhythm jump jump to the rhythm jump!” is one of the most fun lyrics of any ’90s dance song to sing.
11. “What Is Love” by Haddaway
Just missed the top 10. Don’t be mad. Don’t hurt me no more.
10. “Missing (Todd Terry Remix)” by Everything but the Girl
Have you ever sat and really thought about if the desert actually misses the rain? Like any good song, it makes you think.
9. “100% Pure Love” by Crystal Waters
Crystal Waters is a ’90s dance legend and it wouldn’t be fair to her or her legacy to not be in the top 10.
8. “Where Do You Go” by No Mercy
Spanish guitar + aggressive ’90s dance-music beat = perfection.
7. “This Is Your Night” by Amber
This song was on every ’90s compilation-CD As Seen on TV commercial ever. Hearing the song makes me think of a woman in a pool wearing a jeweled cap thing, surrounded by flowers, posing with “prayer hands.”
6. “Be My Lover” by La Bouche
Controversially high, but when you think of a ’90s dance artist or group, La Bouche is on that list. A legend. RIP. (Also I know they were a duo and the lead singer was not named La Bouche.)
5. “It’s Not Right but It’s Okay (Thunderpuss Mix)” by Whitney Houston
Aside from being a essential gay dance floor classic, this track proves how a good remix can elevate a song from good to ICONIC.
4. “Another Night” by Real McCoy
This song is everything great about ’90s dance songs combined into one song. So good.
3. “Groove Is in the Heart” by Deee-Lite
The song is a perfect little slice of the early ’90s New York club scene. Listening to it almost makes you wish to you could time-travel to that era and dance the night away at Limelight.
2. “The Rhythm of the Night” by Corona
“The Rhythm of the Night” is not only a song, it’s a lifestyle. It’s a triumph. A feeling. Pure joy. This song will take you places!!
1. “Finally” by CeCe Peniston
When it comes to ‘90s dance songs you’d be hard-pressed to find another song that so perfectly incorporates other music genres that made the decade so great — i.e., R&B, house, and pop — which is what makes “Finally” the quintessential ‘90s dance song. And honestly, it’s a feel-good hit! Just try being in a bad mood after listening to it!
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