Following a trip to see 2 Become 1 at the King’s Head Theatre last night, it got Love London Love Culture thinking about what were the best songs to be released in the 90’s. Here’s a few personal favourites….
C’est La Vie, B*Witched: now who can’t love a song which features a bit of an Irish jig somewhat randomly in the middle of the song? It is infectious and one of those songs that you just happen to know all the words to – even if you don’t know how you know them!
Everything I do (I do it for you), Bryan Adams: this might be a very romantic number but it made a huge impact on the UK charts in the 90’s – spending 16 weeks at number one! It remains one of the singer’s most popular songs. The lyrics it has to be said are very heartfelt, while musically it might start quite and contemplative it soon builds into an almost operatic climax that is awe-inspiring.
Wannabe, the Spice Girls: when the Spice Girls burst onto the music scene with this song and their energy, you knew instantly that this was a group that was going to define the 90’s women with their ‘Girl Power’ attitude – a sign of the changing times and attitudes. ‘Wannabe’ was the song that suggested a no nonsense attitude mixed with a feistiness rarely seen in a girl group before them.
That Don’t Impress Me Much, Shania Twain: there was a time when you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing this song, so much so it did feel like a mantra on what women wanted at the time. Again with a sassy attitude, it is a song that showed a changing of attitudes and of course is still great fun to listen and dance to on a night out!
Love is All Around, Wet Wet Wet: another hugely popular song of the 90’s era was this song – used in the hit Richard Curtis film Four Weddings and a Funeral. Instantly recognisable from the very first note, it would be interesting to hear exactly how many real life weddings have used it as a first dance….
Back for Good, Take That: while by this point Take That had had several number one hits, this was the song that really stood out in their career as a band at that point – not least for the video.
Saturday Night, Whigfield: for every decade there is at least one song that had a dance routine that everyone kew the moves for and in the 90’s this was it. Even in clubs today it is still played and the moves are still remembered.
I Want it That Way, Backstreet Boys: when it came to the 90’s there were a lot of boy bands around – but many couldn’t even come close to to the popularity and the success of the Backstreet Boys. This was one of their biggest hits and deservedly so.
…Baby One More Time, Britney Spears: the song which helped propel Britney Spears to worldwide success is equally memorable for its video as much as its catchy lyrics and is still one of the best songs that she has ever released.
Don’t Look Back in Anger, Oasis: in the 90’s Oasis were as much known for the feuds between Liam and Noel as for their music. It is a shame that the feuds often overshadowed their music considering how many great songs they created and performed together – such as Don’t Look Back in Anger – can’t help but wonder if they should have taken their own advice on that one!