17 Pop Stars Who Defined the 90s— And Their Biggest Hits

The ’90s were a pulsating time for pop music, filled with catchy tunes and unforgettable stars. It’s a decade that introduced us to many talented artists whose timeless hits continue to influence and inspire the music we love today.

Take a trip down memory lane and revisit the biggest hits of beloved pop stars from the ’90s.

1. Michael Jackson – “Remember the Time”

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This song is about looking back at a past love. It has a catchy beat and smooth vocals, typical of Michael Jackson’s style.

The music video features a beautiful ancient Egyptian setting and dancers, starring famous actors Eddie Murphy and Magic Johnson, making it a star-studded production.

2. Celine Dion – “My Heart Will Go On”

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The main theme for the movie Titanic, it talks about love that lasts forever, even after someone is gone. Celine’s powerful voice makes the song very emotional.

“My Heart Will Go On” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1998 and became one of Celine’s biggest hits.

3. The Cranberries – “Zombie”

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As it talks about the sadness and anger of war, the band uses strong lyrics and a haunting melody to express their feelings about violence.

The song was actually inspired by a real event—the bombing in Warrington, England, in 1993, which killed two children.

4. Britney Spears – “…Baby One More Time”

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It’s about a girl who regrets breaking up with her boyfriend and wants him back. It has a fun pop sound and catchy chorus that made it very popular.

The music video features Britney in a schoolgirl outfit, which became an iconic look and helped launch her career as a pop superstar.

5. Alanis Morissette – “Ironic”

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Alanis sings about the different situations in life that are unexpected or opposite from what you might think. Alanis uses clever lyrics and a unique style to share her thoughts.

“Ironic” became one of her signature songs, and the album it came from, Jagged Little Pill, sold over 33 million copies worldwide.

6. Christina Aguilera – “Genie in a Bottle”

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Christina’s debut single is a song about a girl who feels trapped in love and wants to be freed. It has a catchy pop beat and showcases Christina’s powerful voice.

The single topped the charts in many countries, launching her successful career in pop music.

7. *NSYNC – “(God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time on You”

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This romantic song is about appreciating someone special in your life. The harmonies of the group make it very sweet and heartfelt.

The song was later included in a special edition of their album No Strings Attached and was also performed at various award shows, showcasing their vocal talents.

8. Backstreet Boys – “I Want It That Way”

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This song is considered one of the Backstreet Boys’ biggest hits and is often regarded as one of the best pop songs of the ’90s. It’s about wanting love but having some misunderstandings.

It has a catchy melody and the group’s signature harmonies. 

9. Spice Girls – “Wannabe”

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A fun and upbeat song is about friendship and girl power, the Spice Girls sing about the importance of friends in a relationship.

“Wannabe” was the Spice Girls’ debut single, and its catchy chorus and playful lyrics made it an anthem for young girls everywhere.

10. Hanson – “MMMBop”

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Hanson croons about the passing of time and the importance of relationships. It features catchy melodies and fun harmonies from the three brothers, where each plays musical instruments in the music video.

“MMMBop” became a huge hit and earned Hanson three Grammy nominations. The song’s title is now part of pop culture and is often referenced in various media. 

11. Mandy Moore – “Candy”

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This upbeat pop song was Mandy Moore’s debut single, and it helped her gain popularity as a teen pop star in the late ’90s.

It’s about the excitement of young love. Mandy sings about how sweet and fun love can be, comparing it to candy.

12. Jennifer Lopez – “If You Had My Love”

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This was Jennifer Lopez’s first single. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks, marking her successful start in music.

It’s a song about a girl who wants to know if someone really loves her. Jennifer sings about trust and wanting to be loved for who she is.

13. Destiny’s Child – “Say My Name”

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This R&B song is about a girl who suspects her boyfriend is being unfaithful. The lyrics ask him to prove his love by saying her name.

It won two Grammy Awards, and its powerful message about trust and respect in relationships made it one of Destiny’s Child’s most famous songs.

14. TLC – “No Scrubs”

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It became an anthem for female empowerment and earned TLC a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group. This song is about women standing up for themselves and not accepting less than they deserve in relationships.

It talks about not wanting to date guys who don’t treat them well.

15. Robbie Williams – “Angels”

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This heartfelt ballad is about longing and finding comfort in love. Robbie sings about feeling lost but finding hope through someone special. “Angels” became one of Robbie’s signature songs and is often considered one of the best British pop songs of all time, helping him gain fame in both the UK and internationally.

16. Jessica Simpson – “I Wanna Love You Forever”

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This song is about deep love and wanting to be with someone forever. Jessica sings about her strong feelings and hopes for a lasting relationship.

This song was Jessica Simpson’s debut single, and it became a big hit, which helped launch her music career.

17. Ricky Martin – “Livin’ La Vida Loca”

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This is an energetic song about a wild and adventurous love. Ricky sings about a woman who brings excitement and fun to life.

“Livin’ La Vida Loca” is credited with bringing Latin pop music into mainstream pop culture and helping Ricky Martin become a global superstar.

18. No Doubt – “Don’t Speak”

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This emotional song is about the pain of a breakup. Gwen Stefani sings about the difficulty of accepting that a relationship is ending and how it affects her.

It became one of No Doubt’s biggest hits and topped charts around the world. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award and won several MTV Video Music Awards.

19. Beck – “Loser”

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Combining different musical styles, Beck sings about feeling like a “loser” but does it in a fun way that resonates with many people. It became Beck’s breakout hit and helped define the alternative rock sound of the ’90s.

The song’s unusual style and lyrics earned him widespread recognition and praise.

20. Lauryn Hill – “Doo Wop (That Thing)”

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This song mixes hip-hop and R&B while promoting self-respect and empowerment. Lauryn sings about staying true to yourself and avoiding toxic relationships.

“Doo Wop (That Thing)” won two Grammy Awards and became a huge hit. Lauryn’s powerful message and distinctive style made her a role model for many young women.

Even though many years have passed, the influence of ’90s pop music is still strong. Whether it was a catchy tune or an emotional ballad, their music connected with millions of fans around the world.

Nancy Maffia » nancy
Nancy Maffia
Author & Editor | + posts

Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.