Entertainment

Annoying ‘90s Songs You Still Secretly Love

by Emily Lackey

Oct. 21, 2016

Rick Stewart/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images

There weren’t many things about the ‘90s that I don’t look back on today and remember with total fondness. Even the things that I found annoying back in the day — I think of them now and find them all totally endearing. Those slap bracelets that almost maimed us all? Those fanny packs that made everyone look hippy? So sweet! So nostalgic. Even some of the music that was unbearable back then is totally adorable now. In fact, there are a lot of annoying ‘90s songs I still love in spite of everything. No matter how ridiculous the videos were, or how likely they were to get stuck in your head for days, these songs are ones that we all still love. Admit it.

Especially now that there is some distance between you and these annoying ‘90s songs, you’re probably more likely to approach them with nostalgia, and not the utter disdain you felt back when they first came out. Because, even though these songs were the ones that haunted your adolescent dreams, they're literally your youth — you may not have appreciated them then, but you should now.

Don’t deny it. These annoying songs are too good to be remembered as anything other than awesome.

1. “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” The Backstreet Boys

Don’t press play unless you’re ready to get this song stuck in your head for the rest of the week.

2. “Every Morning,” Sugar Ray

When was the last time you woke up with a halo hanging from your bed? Try to recreate the joy this song brought you, even if it annoyed the hell out of you.

3. “All Star,” Smash Mouth

This was a song that made everybody feel a little bit better about themselves, even if they weren't always an all star.

4. “Lullaby,” Shawn Mullins

Ahh, the '90s... the decade of talk-singing. Not something I miss though, not gonna lie.

5. “Men In Black,” Will Smith

I don't know what I love more: Will Smith in his heyday or the dance sequence with aliens. It's a toss up.

6. “Thong Song,” Sisqo

You have to give the man credit for writing a song that started an entire underwear revolution.

7. “I Don’t Want To Wait,” Paula Cole

Pacey, Jen, Dawson, and Joey... this song undoubtedly brings you back to that classic '90s show too.

8. “Truly Madly Deeply,” Savage Garden

Props to this song for being so saccharine and awesome, but also to the lead singer for fully representing '90s style in that leather jacket and turtleneck sweater.

9. “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong,” Spin Doctors

How can anyone listen to this song and not immediately feel a little happier? I know I can't.

10. “Barbie Girl,” Aqua

So poppy it's painful.

11. “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing,” Aerosmith

Epic on all accounts. I still get the chills every time I listen to this song.

12. “Lump,” The Presidents Of The United States

I'm not going to lie: This is still the song I play every time I need to shake it off. Sorry, Taylor Swift. You have nothing on this '90s classic.

13. “Summer Girls,” LFO

Abercrombie and Fitch? New Kids on the Block? Chinese food that makes you sick? Sounds like the '90s to me.

14. “You Get What You Give,” New Radicals

You've got the music in you. And, chances are, the minute you hear this song, its lyrics will be in you(r head) too.

15. “Say My Name,” Destiny’s Child

I feel like this song, more than any others, pushes the boundaries of the definition of "annoying." I never found it annoying, though, and I am still just as in love with it as I was back then.

16. “When The Lights Go Out,” Five

Again. This song was never annoying in my book, but I get that it could have been to some. I guess I just had a deep affection for men in utility overalls and bowling shoes.