Entertainment

Here's Your '90s Pop Jam Road Trip Play List

by Kristie Rohwedder

Do you smell that? That scent wafting in the spring breeze? The harsh stench of chlorine mixed with the sweet, coconutty fragrance of Banana Boat tanning oil? That, my friend, is summer lurking just around the corner, eagerly awaiting its own arrival. Before we know it, we will be sipping rum concoctions poolside, hanging out at friends’ backyard barbecues, and going on road trips.

Ah, the tradition of the summer road trip. Sure, people toss suitcases in the backs of cars and hit the open roads year-round (I see you, spring break), but summer is road trip season. School is out, the weather is great, so pack up the hatchback, because the world is your oyster!

When embarking on a road trip, it is crucial to bring along the following items: an obscene amount of snacks, your luggage (duh), and great music. Yeah, the radio is your best friend during your morning commute, but when you’re traveling through mountains and tunnels and forests, the radio will leave you high and dry. Prepare accordingly: bring CDs, acquire an auxiliary cable for your car, and cobble together an awesome iTunes playlist or seven. An awesome '90s pop jam playlist, for example.

Wait, what have we here? Could it be an awesome ‘90s pop jam playlist? Yes, yes it is. Here are 19 hits from the 1990s that'll take any road trip to the next level:

“Here We Go” — ’N Sync

I dare you to name a better song to kick off a road trip.

“C’mon ’n Ride It (The Train)” — Quad City DJs

Keep the momentum goooooiiiiiiiing!

"Never Give Up On The Good Times" — Spice Girls

Road trips = the good times. Never forget it, never give up on them.

“Escapade” — Janet Jackson

Let's go!

“All I Wanna Do” — Sheryl Crow

...is have some fun! On this cross-country adventure! I've got a feeling that I'm not the only one!

"Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" — Will Smith

The car party has only just begun.

"Livin' La Vida Loca" — Ricky Martin

If you wake up in a funky, cheap hotel in NYC, I hope your heart and money don't go missing.

“Barbie Girl” — Aqua

Bonus points if you sing the entire song in the "Ken" voice. Really knock the socks off your fellow passengers.

"I Saw The Sign" — Ace of Base

"What does this song have to do with summer road trips?" you ask. Well, until I was 10, I was certain it was called "I Saw The Sun". Even though I know the actual title now, I still think of it as a sunny summer song.

“Walkin’ On The Sun” — Smash Mouth

Speaking of sun!

“Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” — C+C Music Factory

I've got those summertime, summertime sweaty pits.

“Miami” — Will Smith

Obvi.

"Blue" — Eiffel 65

You know what's blue? The open skies. The ocean. The Gusher that's been smashed into the passenger seat upholstery.

“Summer Girls” — LFO

Pro tip: Play this song on repeat until the entire car knows every last lyric. (Those verses are trickier than you remember!)

“Fantasy” — Mariah Carey

A summer vaycay staple.

“Groove Is In The Heart” — Deee-Lite

When the car's energy begins to wane, flip on this unstoppable hit.

"Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" — TLC

Ain't 2 proud 2 beg the driver to pull over at the next rest stop when I have to pee!

“Ray Of Light” — Madonna

Don't forget your sunglasses!

“S Club Party” — S Club 7

Duh.