The '90s was a strange and beautiful decade. AOL screen names were the norm (once you finally got a modem, that is) and, if you wanted to buy music, you had to physically get it at an actual store. Crazy, right? Some of that music you bought, though, may have been some of the weirdest '90s songs ever, because hey, you didn't know better back then. The decade gave us infectious pop beats that accompanied songs about thongs and peaches, lyrics about not liking Chinese food, and just being too sexy for your shirt.
The '90s also provided so many unforgettable pop stars: Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys, and N Sync, just to name a few. But then there are some of the, ahem, weirder ones. Some artists were one hit wonders, with bizarre hits like OMC's 'How Bizarre' or 'Summer Girls' By LFO. A few of the songs didn't only sound weird, but had equally strange music videos to accompany the single, like Aqua's 'Barbie Girl.' And then there are songs that live in infamy, but I still have no idea what the lyrics mean, like Chumbawamba's 'Tubthumping' and Hanson's 'MMMBop.'
So let's go back in time and relive the weird, yet wonderful music of the '90s, one strange song at a time.
1. 'Barbie Girl' By Aqua
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- Thanks to the increased use of free music streaming services, illegal peer-to-peer (P2P) music file sharing 'declined significantly' last year, according to a new report from The NPD Group.
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No, this isn't a Mattel tie-in, but some of the strangest Europop to enter the U.S. pop charts ever.
2. 'Blue (Da Ba Dee)' By Eiffel 65
I was obsessed with this song in junior high, but what is this song about really? The color blue? Commercialism? Little blue men? A chorus of early EDM riffs and 'Da Ba Dee'-ing? Who knows.
3. 'How Bizarre' By OMC
This casual jam from New Zealand became a hit and the lyrics are pretty much about a weird day in which the singer and his friends go to the circus. I think. It's really, well, bizarre.
4. 'Steal My Sunshine' By Len
Here's another song about a lazy, crazy '90s day, during which I'm not exactly sure what's going on. But one of the singers loves Karen, so there's that.
5. 'MMMBop' By Hanson
The infamous unintelligible hit by the Hanson brothers, who were so young and long-haired in the '90s.
6. 'Summer Girls' By LFO
I always liked to think of this song as written with 'Summer Song Mad Libs.' I mean, that would explain the crazy lyrics like 'Chinese food makes me sick,' 'Billy Shakespeare wrote a whole bunch of sonnets,' and 'Michael J. Fox was Alex P. Keaton.'
7. 'Thong Song' By Sisquo
The truly odd ode to the thong. That's right, Sisquo's big hit was about underwear.
8. 'Macarena' By Los del Rio
Gather around and let me tell you about a time during which if you didn't know how to do the 'Macarena,' you were the biggest loser in school. That time was the mid-'90s and this song is to blame.
This song is also about a woman who cheats on her not-so-great boyfriend with his two friends, which is totally not cool and I'm not sure how the dance fits in.
9. 'Ice Ice Baby' By Vanilla Ice
The Vanilla Ice era was truly weird, making this rapper a phenomenon. To me, he looks and sounds like a cross between Saved By The Bell's Zack Morris and Beverly Hills 90210's David Silver, but hey, it was the '90s.
10. 'Mambo No. 5' By Lou Bega
This odd song counts off like list of women the singer wants to get down with, so I guess the 'mambo' he's singing about isn't the dance.
11. 'Baby Got Back' By Sir-Mix-Alot
The ultimate ode to booty, which would later inspire Nicki Minaj's other ode to butts and other parts, 'Anaconda.'
12. 'Rape Me' By Nirvana
This chilling song is controversial because, well, look at that title, which repeats over and over in the chorus. Lead singer Kurt Cobain wanted to sing the song at the 1992 MTV VMAs, but the network said no, according to Uproxx. I'm not even sure a song with this name could even be released today.
13. 'Peaches' By The Presidents Of The United States
I used to think the band was using 'peaches' as a metaphor (like how people use the peach emoji now), but no, I think this is strictly about the fruit.
14. 'I'm Too Sexy' By Right Said Fred
I bet today this guy sings this song while taking selfies.
15. 'Tubthumping' By Chumbawamba
I think this is a song about a drunken night out, but mostly it's about getting knocked down and getting back up again.
16. 'Gettin' Jiggy Wit It' By Will Smith
This song came out at the height of Smith's fame, when he was a cultural phenomenon. During this period, I have a feeling he could've release a song with him rapping the phone book and it would have still been so popular. Instead, he invented some slang and it worked.
17. 'The Bad Touch' By The Bloodhound Gang
If you've ever wondered, 'How many sexual puns can fit in one song?' This is your answer.
18. 'Everybody (Backstreet's Back)' By The Backstreet Boys
This song confused me so much as a teen and declares that 'Backstreet's back / All right!' but I often wondered where they came back from. Were they popular in the '80s and faded away? Did they disappear from the music scene for awhile? This was their first single, and this question still mystifies me.
19. 'C'est La Vie' By B*Witched
That go-to song when you want to hit on a hot guy sitting in his treehouse.
20. 'Breakfast At Tiffany's' By Deep Blue Something
So this song is about a couple who bonded over the 1961 movie Breakfast at Tiffany's and somehow, it's the one thing that saves their broken relationship. What? Is this a metaphor or a subliminal message to go rent the movie at Blockbuster Video?
21. 'Return Of The Mack' By Mark Morrison
The happiest and most upbeat song about a cheating lover ever.
22. 'I Wanna Sex You Up' By Color Me Badd
Who needs subtly when you have Color Me Badd? (Cue the 'ooohs.')
22. 'Sex And Candy' By Marcy Playground
How embarrassing was it when this came on the car radio? And your parents were in the front seat, asking aloud, 'What does sex and candy mean?'
23. 'Too Close' By Next
Your '90s ode to surprise erections on the dance floor.
24. 'C'mon And Ride It (The Train)' By the Quad-City DJs
The song that'll have you declaring, 'It's the choo choo!' The locomotive-themed tune even quotes the ever-quotable Little Engine That Could: 'I think I can, I think I can.'
25. 'Two Princes' By The Spin Doctors
I had no idea what this song was called until right now. I always thought it was called '90s Theme Song For All Movie Trailers.'
26. 'S Club Party' By S Club 7
I don't understand anything that's happening here.
27. 'Cotton Eyed Joe' By Rednex
This 1994 song about an American Southern gentleman is actually by a Swedish band. And now you will hear it forever at every Major League Baseball game you attend for all of eternity.
28. 'Coco Jamboo' By Mr. President
Don't get me wrong, this was my jam in junior high. But what on Earth is this song about?
29. 'Christmas Coco Jambo' By Mr. President
Yep, there's a Christmas version, too. Why? Who knows.
30. 'Possum Kingdom' By The Toadies
I think this song might be a kidnapping. Whatever you do, don't go behind the boathouse.
31. 'Semi-Charmed Life' By Third Eye Blind
The most upbeat song about drug addiction ever.
32. 'Mr. Vain' By Culture Beat
Even the '90s had diss tracks.
33. 'Space Jam' By Quad-City DJs
I can only hope that Space Jam2 with LeBron James has an equally as random theme song as this one.
34. 'Faith' By Limp Bizkit
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For some reason, this metal band thought it was be a great idea to cover George Michael's icon tune 'Faith.' The results are insane.
35. 'Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)' By Baz Luhrman
Before Mouln Rouge, the director had a hit song (yes, song) of this spoken-word hypothetical graduation speech.
The '90s were weird and fun, but most of all, the decade was truly memorable for these crazy songs.
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A Quick Word About Torrents & DRM-free Music
I received a note from a reader that got me a bit hot under the collar for a moment. It was in regards to a comment I made in yesterday’s Internet radio article (see, Music Radio For Your Phone (or Blackberry)(or PC)) .. specifically, “no, I do not purchase tunes“.
The writer presumed that indicated that I am like everyone else in the free world (apparently) and used a “file sharing” program (commonly called “Torrents”) and they inquired as to which one I liked best and recommend… uTorrent? eDonkey? LimeWire?
My first thought was, clearly they are new to the site. My second was a realization that I have not mentioned this in some time now. Perhaps the time is right to say it again.
- I cannot tell you the exact number of times, but I can tell you the percentage is quite high, that when I am called in to remove a “virus”, I will find a “file sharing program” installed on that machine. Cyber criminals like to plant trojans in files, and then “seed” the torrent sites with them. And they lose no sleep.. as you are trying to get something for nothing yourself.
- “File sharing” is (in my mind, anyway) synonymous with “stealing”. I don’t steal.
So there you have it: it’s risky and “quasi-legal” (at best). I don’t do it. And anyone who asks me about torrents will get a copy of this article. (Can you guess? I do not recommend it?)
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So where do I get my songs? (aka “today’s free download:”) Well, I “digitized” my records and tapes using a “Y” cable (to my stereo)($3) and the editing program Audacity (free).
“Audacity is an open source audio editor that is available for several platforms (including Windows, Mac, and Linux/Unix). It is one of the most popular free audio editors in use today mainly due to its excellent set of tools. As well being compatible with MP3, WAV, AIFF, and OGG file formats you can use Audacity to record live audio, and convert analog audio such as tapes.”
But if I had it to do over again, I would get a USB turntable.
Alternatively, I would use a legal music service. And, I would buy the DRM-free versions of the songs. Instead of reinventing the wheel, I will point you to an article, titled: Buy Music Unfettered by Digital Rights Management
“Competition is now wide open for these interoperable music files. Besides iTunes, millions of DRM-free files are available from Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster, Zune, eMusic, and others. But each store has its own benefits and limitations: price, file quality, selection, and other quirks. Here’s how they all stack up in the DRM-free download world.” Read more..
I know. 99% of you are LMAO-ing. What?! Buy music???!!!
Yes.
Pay for it if you want it. The fact that “everyone is doing it” (torrents/file “sharing”) does not make it right.
Related:How To Digitize Your Old (Analog) Movies, Music, and Photos
Today’s quote: “Character is doing the right thing when nobody’s looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that’s right is to get by, and the only thing that’s wrong is to get caught. ~ J.C. Watts”
Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
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