ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Forget The Last Decade, The Songs From 20 Years Ago Were Huge

Forget The Last Decade, The Songs From 20 Years Ago Were Huge

These will make you feel ancient.

Mark McGowan

Mark McGowan

Ah, '90s kids. The last hurrah of people to remember what life was like without the internet, smart phones and apps.

There's a huge feeling of solidarity among those born between 1990 and 2000, with people being quick to remind kids of the fact that that their childhood was infinitely better.

We had Pokémon cards before they were ruined by Pokémon Go. There were GameBoys instead of iPads. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were our heroes. And, of course, Hot Wheels were the dog's bollocks.

While we were playing with all of these glorious, nostalgia-inducing toys, there was also an incredible soundtrack to our lives. If you so dare, think back 20 years to 1997, when we witnessed what will forever go down as one of the greatest ever years for pop music.

Just after 1996, a year that witnessed the Battle of Britpop and current England manager Gareth Southgate leaving the people in a state of despair after missing his crucial penalty in the European Championship semi-final vs Germany, everything suddenly became fine.

Puff Daddy and Faith Evans released one of the biggest tunes of the year, sampling The Police's 'Every Breath You Take', to pay tribute to Notorious B.I.G. Robbie Williams released 'Angels', which went on to be voted the best song of the past 25 years at the 2005 Brit Awards.

Backstreet Boys were also in fine form that year, hitting the charts with 'As Long As You Love Me', 'Everybody (Backstreet's Back)' and 'Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)'. Their female equivalent, Spice Girls, also had a massive year with songs from their second album, Spiceworld, like 'Who Do You Think You Are?', '2 Become 1' and 'Spice Up Your Life' lighting up disco dance floors.

The top 100 songs of the year list is still quite something to behold.

We were given 'I Believe I Can Fly', 'Mmm Bop' and 'Don't Speak' in the same year. What did we do to deserve such greatness? Absolutely fuck all, that's what. We are not worthy.

This chunk of the chart is a bit of a mixed bag, featuring a few forgotten tunes that haven't been played for a long time, and for good reason, and the Teletubbies.

The Verve managed to get in twice with 'The Drugs Don't Work' and 'Bitter Sweet Symphony'. The latter is worthy of being played anywhere at any time.

The Rembrandts also entered the chart with 'I'll Be There For You', the instantly recognisable theme song from Friends. '97 was three years after the show aired but, given the popularity of the original recording, it was re-recorded and made into a pop song. It was first released in 1995, but obviously got another push in 1997.

Meredith Brooks also hit us up with 'Bitch', which, whatever way you spin it, is a brilliant tune. Gary Barlow also tried his hand at a solo career, which was just as shit as his current show on BBC1, Let It Shine.

This section of the chart is pretty uninspired, with not too many memorable songs. For example, who the hell knew Hanson had a song other than 'Mmm Bop'?

But the Prodigy's huge jaw swinger, 'Breathe', is in there as their second consecutive number one, and it still sounds like it was recorded yesterday.

Peter Andre managed to worm his way into the top 100 with 'All About Us'. Above him, though, was Robbie Williams with 'Angels', which, as mentioned before, is a banger.

There are some big songs that miss out on the top 100. For example, 'Song 2' by Blur is absent but went on to become a FIFA theme, which is the utmost compliment. 'Everlong' and 'Monkey Wrench' by Foo Fighters were among the big songs to come from the alternative/indie scene that year, but it's still pop and R 'n' B which stole the limelight.

Blackstreet teamed up with Dr Dre to bring us 'No Digity' (eh oh, eh oh, ehhhh ohhhh), Faithless brought out 'Insomnia' and Usher released 'You Make Me Wanna...'.

The crowning jewel on all of this, though, was Shania Twain's 'Man! I Feel Like A Woman'. An anthem.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Music