'90s nostalgia playlist to take you to any year but 2020

(Puria Berenji/Unsplash)

By Hanna Park

In a year that forced us to quarantine at home, many retreated from the chaotic present into a more wistful, escapist space. Enter: Spotify. Amid the uncertainty of the pandemic, music served as relics to flee from the here and now, albeit momentarily.

Here’s a wrap of the most recognizable '90s tracks to dance, cry, reminiscence and kiss goodbye to the whirlwind that is 2020. Included below are honorable mentions of the most relevant lyrics in light of well, 2020. (P.S., please don’t be mad if your jam is not on the list.)

1. “Wannabe” – Spice Girls (1996)

• Most relevant lyrics: "Get your act together. We could be just fine."

2. “…Baby One More Time” – Britney Spears (1998)

• Most relevant lyrics: "How was I supposed to know that something wasn't right here."

3. “Genie in a Bottle” – Christina Aguilera (1999)

• Most relevant lyrics: "I feel like I've been locked up tight / For a century of lonely nights."

4. “I Want it That Way” – Backstreet Boys (1999)

• Most relevant lyrics: "But we are two worlds apart / Can't reach to your heart."

5. “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” – Aerosmith (1998)

• Most relevant lyrics: "Don't want to close my eyes / I don't want to fall asleep."

6. “Iris” – Goo Goo Dolls (1998)

• Most relevant lyrics: "You can't fight the tears that ain't coming."

7. “Creep” – Radiohead (1993)

• Most relevant lyrics: "What the hell am I doing here?"

8. “Sometimes” – Britney Spears (1999)

• Most relevant lyrics: "Every time that I'm alone, I wonder why."

9. “Don’t Look Back in Anger” – Oasis (1995)

• Most relevant lyrics. Ever. "My soul slides away / But don't look back in anger."

10. “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” – UB40 (1993)

• Honorable mention: "But I can't help."

11. “Candy” – Mandy Moore (1999)

• Most relevant lyrics: "No doubt about it, got me feeling crazy."

12. “Last Time Lover” – Spice Girls (1996)

• Most relevant lyrics: "Second helping's always better."

13. “End of the Road" – Boyz II Men (1992)

• Most relevant lyrics: "Although we've come / To the end of the road."

14. “No Scrubs” – TLC (1999)

• Most relevant lyrics: "I don't want no scrub."

15. “Graduation (Friends Forever)" – Vitamin C (1999)

• Most relevant lyrics: "I keep thinking times will never change / Keep on thinking things will always be the same (Same). But when we leave this year, we won't be coming back."

16. “I Knew I Loved You” – Savage Garden (1999)

• Most relevant lyrics: "I know that it might sound more than a little crazy."

17. “One Last Cry” – Brian McKnight (1993)

• Most relevant lyrics: "My shattered dreams and broken heart are mending on the shelf."

18. “What a Girl Wants” – Christina Aguilera (1999)

• Most relevant lyrics: "Like a rock, you waited so patiently."

19. “Torn” – Natalie Imbruglia (1997)

• Most relevant lyrics: "Nothing's fine, I'm torn. I'm all out of faith. This is how I feel."

20. “Say My Name” – Destiny’s Child (1999)

• Most relevant lyrics: "Why the sudden change."

21. “Lovefool” – The Cardigans (1996)

• Honorable mention: "So I cry, and I pray and I beg."

22. “Good Riddance” (Time of Your Life) – Green Day (1997)

• Most relevant lyrics: "Time grabs you by the wrist."

23. “My Heart Will Go On" – Celine Dion (1997)

• Most relevant lyrics: "Far across the distance / And spaces between us."

24. “Big Big World” – Emilia (1998)

• Most relevant lyrics: "I'm a big, big girl."

25. “You Are Not Alone” – Michael Jackson (1995)

• Most relevant lyrics: "Every day I sit and ask myself."

So long, 2020.

#nbholidaycheer

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