[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.
- [Western Music] A Collection of Cool Dance Music (Western Songs)
- Get in the Groove with Classic Albums: The World's Eurobeat – Recommended Popular Tracks
- Great Western pop masterpieces and hit songs of the 90s
- A roundup of 90s Western hip-hop: classics from the golden era
- [Western Music] Classic disco tracks that were hits in the ’90s
- Western songs from the 90s featured in commercials. A roundup of CM songs.
- 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!] Western dance music hits from the 1990s (21–30)
Now That We Found LoveHeavy D & The Boyz
In the late 1980s through the 1990s, the hip-hop scene was dominated by gangsta rap, but Heavy D & The Boyz became hugely popular by sticking to party rap—the roots of hip-hop—without using profanity.
Scatman (Ski Ba Bop Ba Dop Bop)Scatman John
“Scatman (Ski Ba Bop Ba Dop Bop)” (Japanese title: “Scatman”) is Scatman John’s debut single, released in 1994.
The song’s signature scat vocals are a transformation of his stutter, reflecting his wish to encourage children with stuttering not to be defeated by adversity.
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)C+C Music Factory
It was this song of theirs that truly brought the New Jack Swing wave into Japan’s dance scene.
It became a huge hit in Japan as the theme song for the Nippon TV show segment “Dance Koshien” on “Genki ga Deru TV.” It remains so popular that cover versions are still made for TV commercials and more—truly an undying classic.
It also became a hit on dance floors in clubs around the world.
All That She WantsAce of Base
A reggae-pop track released as a single in 1992 by the Swedish group Ace of Base.
It became their first hit track and reached No.
1 on charts around the world.
It has been certified Platinum in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
The SignAce of Base
Ace of Base, whose lineup in the ’90s featured two female vocalists and two male members and who were often compared to ABBA, captivated audiences worldwide with their beautiful vocals and edgy singing.
Their poppy, upbeat sound—mixing reggae and house—made waves in the dance music scene.
This song was also a massive hit, even earning a Grammy nomination.
And The Beat Goes OnThe Whispers
The Whispers, who created a classic that has long been cherished as a defining soul-disco sound of the ’80s.
Hailing from California, their October 1979 release is a masterpiece that sets a positive, forward-looking message about a breakup—one of life’s turning points—to an upbeat groove.
Its effective use of synthesizers made it a pivotal track symbolizing the transition from disco to post-disco.
In 2002, it was featured on the soundtrack of the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, winning over a new generation of listeners.
With rhythms and melodies that feel right at home on the dance floor, it’s the perfect song for anyone ready to move forward.
A gem of a disco tune, dedicated to those who, while carrying a hint of heartache, want to take a bold new step.
Here Comes the HotstepperIni Kamoze
Here’s a classic by Jamaican top artist Ini Kamoze, “Here Comes the Hotstepper.” It’s such a famous track that many of you have probably heard it before.
Although it was released in 1994, it has nearly 40 million views on YouTube.
That’s impressive for a song from the ’90s.
As it was made for international audiences, the melody is extremely easy to listen to.
Be sure to check it out!