Tony! Toni! Tone! – “Let’s Get Down”
The groups run throughout the ’90s was nothing short of amazing. With their fourth studio album House of Music they launched the set with the feel-good single “Let’s Get Down” featuring DJ Quik. The records funky groove and acoustic guitar were a beautiful match and can make anyone get up on their feet. The single peaked at No. 4 on the R&B Airplay chart, and No. 30 on the Hot 100.
Janet Jackson – “Go Deep”
If you’re a teenager and your parents go out of town, and Janet Jackson just so happens to show up at your door with this record, you have no choice but to have a party! Jackson continued to bless the airwaves and our speakers with the fourth single released from her sixth studio album The Velvet Rope. Although the record was initially an international single, it found great success on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, peaking at No. 1, while it would reach No. 11 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, and No. 28 on the Hot 100.
Donell Jones – “U Know What’s Up”
Although Donell released this record in the fall of 1999, everything about it has a summery feel to it, from its soothing beat to its memorable and flirtatious lyrics. The first single from his second studio album, Where I Wanna Be, featured Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes (of TLC) and was produced by Edward “Eddie F” Ferrell and Darren Lightly. The single spent eight consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, and peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Lauryn Hill – “Doo-Wop (That Thing)”
How could we not have this record on a ’90s list! Released in the summer of 1998, the record was the first single from the incomparable Lauryn Hill’s debut solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Written and produced by Lauryn herself, the single debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the 10th song in the chart’s history to ever do so. It earned Lauryn two Grammy Awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song in ‘99. Besides the memorable chorus, the song’s lyrical content is noteworthy for it’s direct nature, and an anthem for women everywhere.
This list was a ton of fun, but not easy at all! There are soo many incredible records from the ’90s, but we tried to focus on the most essential upbeat songs that you need at any summer party! Let us know some of your other favorites that didn’t make the list in the comments section below.
Contributions by: Jamie Wexler, Ni’Kesia Pannell & Laurie Ramirez
Spotify Playlist:
This playlist is excellent every song on here brings back so many good memories. God i miss the 90’s i wish i had a time machine.