Mixtape Madness #13 - 90's Revue Part III

According to the novel High Fidelity the making of a good mix tape, like breaking up, is hard to do. Furthermore, a good mix is never finished. You never know when you will come across a song that changes the dynamic of the mix you just completed. There is a litany of intricacies to crafting the ideal mix no matter what the mix’s intended purpose should be. This feature is merely a guide on the cosmic highway of mix making, and while experienced, the writer does not claim to be an expert.

90's Revue Part III - Pop

We have been riding the wave of 1980's nostalgia for awhile now. Don't get me wrong, it's been fun, but I think it is time we moved on to the 1990's. Some of the best music of the past thirty years was created in the decade between the Exxon Valdez and Y2K. Because of that, we here at the What will take a three-part look at the music of the 1990's.
PART I - Rock
PART II - Hip-Hop

1. "This Is How We Do It" by Montell Jordan (1995) - Honestly, is there any better song to start a mix with? I doubt it. Especially when doing a 90's mix.

2. "Get Ready For This" by 2 Unlimited (1991) - As will be the case with many songs on this list, this one was a staple at middle school dances when I was younger. 

3. "Lovefool" by the Cardigans (1996) - What would a 90's pop mix be without some Swedish action? Incomplete. It would be incomplete.

4. "Groove Is In the Heart" by Deee-Lite (1990) - This songs is what happens when you sample Herbie Hancock and get Bootsy Collins and Q-Tip to guest on the track. Pure 90's gold.

5. "Praise You" by Fatboy Slim (1999) - This song was pretty catchy on its own, but it was Spike Jonze's video with the whacky dance group that made it a 90's icon.


6.  "Your Woman" by Whitetown (1997) - For those of you who are still unsure, it is, in fact, a man singing this song. 

7. "No Diggity" by Blackstreet (1996) - This Grammy-winning track is bolstered by a verse and "bomb beat" from Dr. Dre and is the epitome of smooth. 

Dude, where's my shades?

8. "Hooch" by Everything (1997) - I have often stated that my plan for the future is to relax in a hammock on a beach playing this song on guitar while hanging out with a Ray-Bans wearing bulldog.


9. "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba (1997) - Sometimes an anarchist punk band from the UK deviates from their normal sound and records a pop song about getting piss drunk. Then that song becomes their only hit.

10. "Barbie Girl" by Aqua (1997) - A song so great that Mattel sued Aqua over it. I highly recommend finding more stuff from Aqua (there's a great nine-minute megamix floating around out there) and blaring it while playing Mario Kart on Nintendo 64.  

11. "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls (1996) - As promised, a little girl power from Baby, Scary, Posh, Sporty, and Ginger. Nothing says girl power like sleeping with someone's friend as a prerequisite for then sleeping with them.

Remember getting grounded for the high phone bill?

12. "How Bizarre" by OMC (1995) - I like this song so much I still remember its number on the Box (445). Does anyone else remember the Box?

13. "Don't Let Go (Love)" by En Vogue (1996) - The 90's were the decade of the girl group, and few did it better than En Vogue. 


14. "Fat Boy" by Maxamillion (1995) - Another middle school dance staple, which I now realize was probably the cruelest song to play for a bunch of middle-schoolers. 


15. "Boombastic" by Shaggy (1995) - Be it the original or the "Let's Get It On" sampling remix, this song is awesome.


16. "Waterfalls" by TLC (1995) - For me, the highlight of this track is Left Eye's verse, but did you know that Cee-Lo Green is one of the backup singers?


17. "Move It Like This" by K7 (1993) - Yet another from the middle-school dance era, though almost any K7 song could fit in this slot.

Too true, too true.

18. "Da Da Da" by Trio (1997*) - Released in the US in 1997, this song was originally released in Germany in 1982. However, due to its popularity stateside in the late 90's, it makes the mix. 


19. "What's Up?" by 4 Non Blondes (1993) - While 4 Non Blondes may have been a one hit wonder, lead vocalist Linda Perry went on to co-write hits for Pink, Christina Aguilera, and Gwen Stefani.


20. "Come and Get Your Love" by Real McCoy (1995) - This cover of Native American rock band Redbone's hit is one of several songs from Real McCoy that would fit well on any 90's pop compilation.


21. "Pony" by Ginuwine (1996) - A staple of baby-making mixes everywhere, how better to end our 90's Revue than with "Pony?"


Clearly there are a number of songs that could have been featured on this list. I have received emails, texts, comments, and messages with songs that people feel should be included. Keep them coming, and maybe you will see a bonus fourth part to the 90's Revue in coming months.