[Back to the ’90s!] Dance music in Western pop that was a hit in the 1990s
The 1990s were a period in which electronic music saw remarkable growth compared to any previous era.
Genres like Eurobeat and dance-pop attracted particular attention and went on to influence modern styles such as artcore and deep house.
In this piece, I’d like to introduce dance music from the 1990s.
Alongside global smash hits, I’ve also included more niche tracks with a Eurobeat flavor.
For those interested in the evolution of electronic music, there are many must-hear tracks here, so please take your time and enjoy.
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- Tearjerkers! A roundup of moving Western songs that were hits in the ’90s
- Club Hits: Dance music from Western artists that energized the dance floors in the 1980s
- 90s Rock Revolution! A Collection of Masterpieces by Western Bands That Colored the 90s
- A 90s rapper. An artist who was active during the golden age of US hip-hop.
- Debut songs by female Western artists from the 1990s
- For People in Their 90s: Dance Tracks and Exercise Songs That Make Moving Your Body Fun!
- Classic club music tracks recommended for people in their 40s
[Back to the ’90s!] Dance Music Hits from Western Artists in the 1990s (71–80)
Are You That Somebody?Aaliyah
This is a 1998 hit by Aaliyah, a singer and actress from Brooklyn, New York.
Captivating listeners with her clear, sweet vocals and catchy sound, it was also nominated for a Grammy.
The programmed drums that run throughout the R&B track and the sounds of a child crying create a mysterious charm that really sticks in your ears.
It’s emblematic of the 1990s, when various forms of dance music were in the spotlight.
Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ ThangDr. Dre and Snoop Dogg
A classic gangsta rap track.
It talks about a lifestyle filled with ease, money, and violence.
A now-legendary collaboration by rappers Dr.
Dre and Snoop Dogg, it was released in 1992.
It was inspired by Ronnie Hudson & The Street People’s 1982 track “West Coast Poplock.”
Born SlippyUnderworld
The song “Born Slippy” was used in the last scene of the 1996 film Trainspotting, becoming a hot topic in the mainstream music scene and a hit.
The track was by Underworld, a British electronic music group.
Please Don’t GoKWS
Here’s an introduction to a classic dance track that defined the 1990s.
This song by KWS achieved international success, including five consecutive weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart.
Originally a cover of a KC & The Sunshine Band track, it’s arranged in a Eurodance style.
The lyrics strikingly portray the heartache of lost love and an obsessive longing for a loved one, paired with an energetic, club-ready sound.
Released in 1992, it’s still celebrated as an iconic anthem of ’90s dance music.
A perfect pick if you want to light up the dance floor!
California Love2Pac feat Dr.Dre
It samples Joe Cocker’s 1972 track “Woman to Woman.” A collaboration between American rappers 2Pac and Dr.
Dre, it talks about the lifestyle of California’s hip hop scene.
The music video, directed by Hype Williams, features appearances by actors including Chris Tucker.
Groove Is In The HeartDeee-Lite
Deee-Lite is an American house music group.
They are said to be the first group to innovatively popularize house music—still a minor genre at the time—and gain widespread popularity.
Their 1990 debut single, Groove Is in the Heart, was a major hit.
FinallyCeCe Peniston
CeCe Peniston, an American singer who was hugely successful in the early 1990s.
She’s an artist known for house and dance-pop, but rather than orthodox house or dance-pop, she mixes in elements of Black music like R&B and soul.
One of her classic tracks is Finally.
It’s chic, smooth house, with a stylish vibe maintained throughout.