37 Summer Songs From The '90s That Millennials Never Shut Up About

Not trying to be corny, but these songs quite literally "take me back."

1. "Steal My Sunshine" by Len

youtube.com

Instantly brings me back to the summer of 1999. Also makes me think of scooters, tank tops, and Canadians.

2. "Waterfalls" by TLC

TLCVEVO/ youtube.com

I think we all spent the summer of '95 learning Left Eye's verse.

3. "Genie in a Bottle" by Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera/ youtube.com

An intensely horny song with lyrics like "hormones racing at the speed of light/but that don't mean it's gotta be tonight." Summer in the '90s were just *that much more* horny.

4. "Say You'll Be There" by the Spice Girls

SpiceGirlsVEVO / youtube.com

This is the best Spice Girls song. That's not an opinion, it's just a fact.

5. "Always Be My Baby" by Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey/ youtube.com

Whenever I see a rope swing, which is not often (LOL), I think of this song. Also, this is Mariah's greatest song ever. That's not an opinion, it's just a fact.

6. "Men in Black" by Will Smith

youtube.com

This song was played 287 million times in the summer of '97.

7. "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)" by Pras feat. Ol' Dirty Bastard & Mýa

Pachi/ youtube.com

Big thanks to Pras for giving late-'90s/early-'00s national treasure, Mýa, her big break.

8. "Kiss from a Rose" by Seal

MusicGuideYT/ youtube.com

Makes me think of Batman Forever and Seal standing shirtless in a silk pajama set.

9. "Freak Like Me" by Adina Howard

DJ Rome/ youtube.com

One of the filthiest songs of all time. Before Khia, there was Adina.

10. "You're Makin' Me High" by Toni Braxton

ToniBraxtonVEVO/ youtube.com

Because who didn't want an elevator bringing a never-ending cast of men you could rate with giant-sized playing cards? Toni Braxton was living the dream.

11. "Summer Girls" by LFO

snowontheweb / youtube.com

Not only a lyrical masterpiece of our time, but also the only song on this list that smells like an Abercrombie & Fitch store.

12. "Where My Girls At?" by 702

702VEVO/ youtube.com

A summer feminist anthem. Festive!

13. "Touch It" by Monifah

THEMONIFAHCHANNEL/ youtube.com

A proud ho anthem all millennials can get behind.

14. "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy & Faith Evans Feat. 112

Bad Boy Entertainment/ youtube.com

My goldfish Casper (like after the friendly ghost) died in 1997. And, NGL, this song hit me hard, but got me through it.

15. "Mo Money Mo Problems" by the Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase

The Notorious B.I.G./ youtube.com

My $3 weekly allowance I got for weeding couldn't relate.

16. "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" by the Backstreet Boys

Backstreet Boys/ youtube.com

This song takes me back to summer sleepaway camp and not wanting to be there.

17. "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" by Elton John

Elton John/ youtube.com

In the summer of '94, this was the song both you and your mom could agree to listen to in the car.

18. "I Love You Always Forever" by Donna Lewis

RHINO/ youtube.com

Donna Lewis, where are you now? Whatever happened to you?

19. "Where Do You Go" by No Mercy

Alejandro Ulloa Osorio/ youtube.com

This song was so catchy and it made for the perfect song to have playing during your family's backyard BBQ. Also, No Mercy, where are you now?...I wanna know!

20. "Crush" by Jennifer Paige

earMusic/ youtube.com

The '90s were truly the decade of one-hit wonders.

21. "Sometimes" by Britney Spears

youtube.com

After "...Baby One More Time" we got "Sometimes," and the song literally sounds like it was written about summer camp romances.

22. "That's the Way Love Goes" by Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson Official / youtube.com

Sounds as good today as it did in the summer of 1993.

23. "Missing" by Everything but the Girl

Everything But The Girl/ youtube.com

Although, you probably debated whether you liked the original version or the remix better.

24. "Sittin' Up In My Room (From Waiting To Exhale)" by Brandy

90's Aesthetic (Attack!) / youtube.com

Reminds me of a summer day sitting in the AC waiting for The Price Is Right to come on.

25. "My Boo" by Ghost Town DJs

GhostownDJsVEVO/ youtube.com

A very 10:30 p.m., hazy, hot, and humid summer night song.

26. "Don't Take It Personal (Just One Of Dem Days)" by Monica

monicaofficial/ youtube.com

You FELT these lyrics — even if you never had a boyfriend or girlfriend in your entire life (which was likely the case for probably everyone reading this).

27. "I Know" by Dionne Farris

DionneFarrisVEVO/ youtube.com

A forgotten gem.

28. "You Learn" by Alanis Morissette

Alanis Morissette/ youtube.com

"You live you learn, you love you learn/You cry you learn, you lose you learn" —12-year-old me screaming along like I was some sort of jaded adult.

29. "Boombastic" by Shaggy

ShaggyVEVO/ youtube.com

Shaggy just has that perfect summer voice.

30. "Dreamlover" by Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey/ youtube.com

Like all of her No. 1s, "Dream Lover" is timeless. Light, airy, and summer-like. Makes me wish I was in a cornfield or something.

31. "100% Pure Love" by Crystal Waters

youtube.com

The greatest '90s dance song of the '90s dance genre.

32. "Don't Turn Around" by Ace of Base

Ace of Base/youtube.com

Most people know "The Sign," but real AoB fans like "Don't Turn Around" more.

33. "Barely Breathing" by Duncan Sheik

Duncan Sheik/youtube.com

The perfect song to listen to while dramatically staring out of your mom's minivan during a summer storm.

34. "Do You Know (What It Takes)" by Robyn

Robyn/youtube.com

A reminder that Robyn has been delivering summer bops since the '90s.

35. "Beautiful Stranger" by Madonna

Madonna/ youtube.com

An underrated classic and one of Madonna's best videos. Also, a reminder that Madonna used to have a sense of humor.

36. "Bailamos" by Enrique Iglesias

Enrique Iglesias/youtube.com

Just like summer, the music video for this was sweaty and sticky.

37. "Summertime" by D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

DJJazzyJeffVEVO/ youtube.com

Because this song literally invented summer songs for the '90s.

And here's a playlist:

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