The ’90s gave us everything from bubblegum pop to girl power anthems that still fill dance floors today. From Haddaway’s “What Is Love” and Ce Ce Peniston’s “Finally,” these catchy melodies and rhythms have inspired an entire generation of music enthusiasts.
Turn up the volume and take a spin on these dynamic dance floor machines!
1. “Here Comes the Hotstepper” by The Spice Girls
If you think of 1990s dance music, chances are this tune comes immediately to mind. The girl power anthem remains an irreverent culture staple that continues to fill dance floors today.
This song’s catchy beat and lyrics make it an essential staple on any 90s dance music playlist. A timeless classic that mixes old-school R&B and pop with newer beats makes this track an instantaneous success!
This song’s captivating melodic qualities quickly made it a favorite on both dance floors and radio, quickly becoming an indisputable staple of 90s bubblegum music. A timeless classic that remains iconic today.
2. “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot
“90s dance songs span an array of genres and styles. However, what unites them all is catchy beats and rhythms that demand you move your body.
“Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot is an hilarious yet popular song about butts that touches upon multiple cultural points. Packed with humorous one-liners, its popularity ensures its subtext remains both provocative and offensive despite some controversy surrounding its lyrics.
Freak Nasty and Black Box’s “Da’ Dip” remains an irresistibly catchy dance track that still resonates today – perfect for gay dance floors! Learn the steps of “Da’ Dip”, an upbeat track designed to teach you its namesake dance move! A must have song!
3. “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
This throwback track from the 1990s is sure to get anyone up and dancing, thanks to its infectious beat and catchy lyrics – perfect for any party setting or gathering – plus it contains an iconic Bill Withers sample, making this song an instant classic in dance music circles.
Ace of Base’s 90s dance-pop classic, “This Is What Love Feels Like,” quickly became an instant classic due to its catchy chorus and infectious beat. With its reggae-influenced bassline and soulful vocals creating its unique sound – making this track an essential addition to any dance playlist.
4. “Wannabe” by The Spice Girls
Released in 1992, this Eurodance classic remains a beloved dance floor favorite and can still get everyone moving today. With an upbeat tempo and catchy chorus line, this timeless song remains an irresistibly danceable classic.
This was the Spice Girls’ debut single and it made an immediate impactful statement about them as pre-teen girls everywhere went wild for them. It topped charts in seven countries and created massive pre-teen hysteria.
This group amassed millions in proceeds with its “Wannabe” single, setting the pace for future girl bands and coining the term “Girl Power,” a movement since adopted by them and many other acts.
5. “It’s My Party” by S.O.A.P.
Like so many classic dance songs from the ’90s, this track is an inspiring feel-good classic and shows how adding some Spanish guitar can turn a song from good to iconic status.
Basic Channel was one of many artists creating new forms of techno in the ’90s by blending clean machine rhythms with buoyant pulses and aquatic haze, producing unique sounds such as this track featuring UK session singer Andy Caine’s vocal contribution that made the song even bigger and better.
From neon-lit clubs to high school dances and late-night parties, these 90s hits captured all of their vibrant glory. In an era characterized by bubblegum, boy bands, and blonde divas – it also gave us irresistibly danceable anthems that still get people moving today! These songs captured this decade perfectly.
6. “Strong Enough” by Cher
Eurodance fans cannot overlook this memorable song as an iconic anthem! Featuring its catchy chorus and pulsing beats, as well as seductive vocals which add seduction – plus, who could forget Cher dancing in her plastic box while wearing a feather hat?! It will forever remain part of music history!
This fun and upbeat song from one of the iconic ’90s bands is an example of superb dance music from that era. With its upbeat tempo and electronic beats, its catchy lyrics tell an emotive love/breakup tale while its upbeat tempo ensures optimal dancing conditions on dance floors everywhere. Plus it makes an excellent addition to your 90s playlist!
7. “Rhythm Is a Dancer” by Snap!
The ’90s saw some of the greatest hit songs that inspired people to dance their hearts out – from “Macarena” by Colombian artist Selena, Madonna’s classic “Vogue”, these tracks express our collective joy at moving our bodies!
This song boasts an infectious beat and memorable chorus that will be sure to put a smile on your face, making it a must-have for dance music enthusiasts everywhere!
This lively and upbeat tune by Amber features her seductive vocals over an infectious beat – it’s sure to get your feet moving! A prime example of 90s dance music at its finest.
8. “Baby I Love You” by Real McCoy
The 1990s was a decade full of bubblegum pop music, boy bands and blonde divas; yet it produced some stand-out dance music which has stood the test of time.
This classic house funky break track has all of the elements necessary for success – you can either dance to it or slowly grind against your partner to it!
As house music made its way across Europe, it began taking on unfamiliar forms with broken rhythm patterns and unconventional textures. A striking example is this song from German techno duo Real McCoy; their collective of Basic Channel, Maurizio, and Cyrus created multiple strains of techno (minimal, ambient dub) which fused clean machine rhythms with buoyant pulses and aquatic haze for an irresistibly captivating experience that combined Eurodance with experimental electronica. They should not be missed!
9. “Li Da Di” by The Chihuahuas
From girl-power anthems to seductive rap bangers, the 90’s brought us an abundance of dance songs. Be it at home, clubs or high school dances these throwback hits are guaranteed to get your body moving!
Basic Channel, consisting of German producer duo Moritz von Oswald and Mark Ernestus, revolutionized new forms of techno from ambient to dub throughout the 90s by mixing clean machine rhythms with buoyant pulses and aquatic haze to form unique and innovative electronic music genres. This song showcases their spatial sensibilities.
Every time this song plays I cannot help but smile – it gives me that nostalgic teen drama movie school dance vibe! Cher’s iconic hat adds another great layer to its charm – making this track must-listen material.
10. “It’s My Party” by S.O.A.P.
From club music venues and high school dances to large concerts, this decade saw a range of genres become widely popular – from bubblegum bands to girl power anthems and even occasional rap hits – which will leave you singing along to this throwback dance tracks from that decade.
From songs about Skidz pants and Zack Morris’ brick cell phone, to infectious tunes by chihuahuas, this list showcases songs that helped define a generation of dancers. Vote up any 90s dance music that still gets you moving and share your selection with fellow music enthusiasts – your vote could help create the ideal throwback dance party playlist! Originally published December 2018. Updated.