1990s Wedding Classics: Pop, R&B, and the Country Boom

The 1990s were a vibrant decade of musical transition, witnessing the rise of boy bands, the “Latin explosion,” and the golden era of neotraditional country. For weddings, this decade offers an incredible variety of “hype” sing-alongs, smooth R&B grooves, and high-energy line dances. Whether you’re looking for the nostalgic power of a Britney Spears anthem or the heartfelt sincerity of a Garth Brooks classic, 1990s music provides a versatile and high-energy backdrop for any celebration.

Pop Party Starters & Cinematic Ballads

  • The “Hype” Sing-Along: “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” – Celine Dion. Reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1996, this 7-minute power ballad is a true “hype” song for guests who love to belt it out.
  • Boy Band Anthems: “I Want It That Way” – Backstreet Boys & “Wannabe” – Spice Girls. These international smashes from 1999 and 1996, respectively, are essential for a 90s party vibe. “Wannabe” topped charts in 37 countries, while “I Want It That Way” reached #1 in over 25 countries.
  • Cinematic Romance: “Kiss Me” – Sixpence None The Richer. This 1998 classic exploded in popularity after being featured in the film She’s All That and was even used during the BBC broadcast of Prince Edward’s Royal Wedding in 1999.
  • International Sensation: “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” – Los Del Rio. This 1995 remix spent a record-breaking 60 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. Its simple, iconic dance moves remain a worldwide phenomenon for wedding guests of all ages.

Smooth R&B and Soulful First Dances

  • The Party Staple: “This Is How We Do It” – Montell Jordan. A 1995 #1 hit for seven consecutive weeks, this track captures the perfect “Friday night” feeling and remains an essential R&B party staple.
  • A Hidden Gem First Dance: “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” – Ms. Lauryn Hill. Added as a hidden track on her 1998 album, this soulful cover became one of the first “hidden tracks” ever nominated for a Grammy.
  • Smooth Soul: “Motownphilly” – Boyz II Men. This 1991 track showcases the group’s smooth harmonies and Motown influences, reaching #1 and establishing them as the decade’s premier vocal group.
  • Girl Power Anthem: “No Scrubs” – TLC. Ranked as the #2 single of 1999, this anthem about high standards continues to be a favorite on modern trending hits lists.

Country Line Dances & Sing-Alongs

  • The Ultimate Sing-Along: “Friends In Low Places” – Garth Brooks. This 1990 #1 hit is a high-energy anthem that creates a powerful connection between guests through its famous sing-along chorus.
  • Line Dance Classics: “Achy Breaky Heart” – Billy Ray Cyrus & “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” – Brooks & Dunn. Both 1992 hits sparked national line-dancing crazes. “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” is credited with renewing interest in the genre with its accessible 32-count dance.
  • Female Empowerment: “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” – Shania Twain. This 1999 commercial success is a top choice for group line dances and remains one of the most recognizable anthems for the “ladies’ choice” on the dance floor.
  • Nostalgic Crossover: “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” – Dwight Yoakam. A 1999 country cover of the 1979 Queen hit, this track serves as a perfect crossover for fans of both rock and country.
1990s Wedding Songs

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Trending 1990s Wedding Songs

  1. “Friends In Low Places” by Garth Brooks
  2. “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” by Shania Twain
  3. “Wannabe” by Spice Girls
  4. “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” by Backstreet Boys
  5. “This Is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan
  6. “All The Small Things” by Blink-182
  7. “Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of..)” by Lou Bega
  8. “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot
  9. “Jump Around” by House Of Pain
  10. “I Want It That Way” by Backstreet Boys
  11. “Cotton Eye Joe” by Rednex
  12. “All Star” by Smash Mouth
  13. “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” by Brooks & Dunn
  14. “Macarena” by Los Del Rio
  15. “Suavemente” by Elvis Crespo
  16. “Any Man Of Mine” by Shania Twain
  17. “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice
  18. “No Scrubs” by TLC
  19. “Return Of The Mack” by Mark Morrison
  20. “Pony” by Ginuwine

Song Ideas by Vibe

Romantic & Slow Dance Songs

Here is a list of songs to play for all the couples in attendance to come out onto the dance floor and dance with their partner.

  • All My Life – K-Ci & JoJo
  • All My Life – Linda Ronstadt with Aaron Neville
  • Amazed – Lonestar
  • Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
  • Can You Feel The Love Tonight – Elton John
  • Everlasting Love – Gloria Estefan
  • (Everything I Do) I Do It For You – Bryan Adams
  • Hero – Mariah Carey
  • I Cross My Heart – George Strait
  • I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing – Aerosmith
  • I Have Nothing – Whitney Houston
  • I Knew I Loved You – Savage Garden
  • I Swear – All-4-One
  • I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
  • I’ll Be – Edwin McCain
  • Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
  • It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
  • More Than Words – Extreme
  • Nothing Else Matters – Metallica
  • On Bended Knee – Boyz II Men
  • The Power Of Love – Celine Dion
  • You – Jesse Powell & Gerald Albright

Party Starters & Upbeat Dance Tracks

A list of tried and true party hits from the 1990s. You can’t go wrong with any of these tracks!

  • All Star – Smash Mouth
  • Another Night – Real McCoy
  • Baby Got Back – Sir Mix-A-Lot
  • Believe – Cher
  • C’mon N’ Ride It (The Train) – Quad City DJ’s
  • California Love – 2pac feat. Roger Troutman & Dr. Dre
  • Cotton Eye Joe – Rednex
  • Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) – Backstreet Boys
  • Finally – CeCe Peniston
  • Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It – Will Smith
  • Good Vibrations – Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch
  • Groove Is In The Heart – Deee-Lite
  • Hypnotize – The Notorious B.I.G.
  • Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
  • Informer – Snow
  • Jump – Kris Kross
  • Jump Around – House Of Pain
  • Livin’ La Vida Loca – Ricky Martin
  • Macarena – Los Del Rio
  • Mambo No. 5 (a Little Bit of…) – Lou Bega
  • Mo Money Mo Problems – The Notorious B.I.G.
  • No Diggity – BLACKstreet
  • Return Of The Mack – Mark Morrison
  • Semi-Charmed Life – Third Eye Blind
  • Show Me Love – Robin S
  • Suavemente – Elvis Crespo
  • Tearin’ Up My Heart – N Sync
  • The Humpty Dance – Digital Underground
  • This Is How We Do It – Montell Jordan
  • Thunderstruck – AC/DC
  • Tootsee Roll – 69 Boyz
  • Tootsee Roll – 69 Boyz
  • U Can’t Touch This – M.C. Hammer
  • Vogue – Madonna
  • What Is Love – Haddaway
  • Whatta Man – Salt-N-Pepa
  • Whoomp! (There It Is) – Tag Team

Background/Reception & Cocktail Hour Songs

You cannot forget about the music to play to set the tone for the wedding reception. These songs are to play during cocktail hour and dinner.

  • All For Love – Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart & Sting
  • All I Wanna Do – Sheryl Crow
  • Everlasting Love – Gloria Estefan
  • Fly – Sugar Ray
  • How Bizarre – OMC
  • I Love You Always Forever – Donna Lewis
  • Killing Me Softly With His Song – The Fugees
  • Nothing Else Matters – Metallica
  • Only Wanna Be With You – Hootie & The Blowfish
  • Smooth – Santana with Rob Thomas
  • The Most Beautiful Girl In The World – Prince
  • Waterfalls – TLC
  • You’re Makin’ Me High – Toni Braxton

Throwback Hits & Sing-Along Classics

Yes, these songs could be included in the party hits but they are a bit different. They will get everyone singing the lyrics.

  • ..Baby One More Time – Britney Spears
  • Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus
  • All The Small Things – blink-182
  • Boot Scootin’ Boogie – Brooks & Dunn
  • December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night) (re-release) – Four Seasons
  • Dreamlover – Mariah Carey
  • Friends In Low Places – Garth Brooks
  • I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys
  • I’ll Be There For You – The Rembrandts
  • I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers
  • Let Me Clear My Throat – DJ Kool
  • Life Is A Highway – Tom Cochrane
  • Man! I Feel Like A Woman! – Shania Twain
  • MMMBop – Hanson
  • One Week – Barenaked Ladies
  • Only Wanna Be With You – Hootie & The Blowfish
  • Poison – Bell Biv Devoe
  • Touch Me (All Night Long) – Cathy Dennis
  • Two Princes – Spin Doctors
  • Wannabe – Spice Girls

Sentimental Ballads & Closing Songs

If you are looking for a song to bring your wedding day to an end, these songs will end your event with lots of memories.

  • Crash Into Me – Dave Matthews Band
  • From This Moment On – Shania Twain
  • Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) – Green Day
  • Here And Now – Luther Vandross
  • I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You – UB40
  • One – U2
  • One Sweet Day – Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men
  • Save The Best For Last – Vanessa Williams
  • You Were Meant For Me – Jewel

DJs! Plan 1990s Wedding Songs by BPM and Key

(Click on the Song, Artist, Key and BPM table columns for sorting)

SongArtistKeyBPM
I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston12B67
All My Life (with Aaron Neville) - 1999 RemasterLinda Ronstadt, Aaron Neville5B74
All For Love - From "The Three Musketeers" SoundtrackBryan Adams, Sting, Rod Stewart10B75
Here and NowLuther Vandross9B75
I SwearAll-4-One11A83
More Than WordsExtreme2B92
You're Makin' Me HighToni Braxton3A92
Killing Me Softly With His SongFugees, Ms. Lauryn Hill9A92
...Baby One More TimeBritney Spears5A93
HypnotizeThe Notorious B.I.G.11B94
Return of the MackMark Morrison10B95
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)Green Day9B95
Save The Best For LastVanessa Williams5B96
WaterfallsTLC12A97
InformerSnow11A98
I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys11A99
Fly - FlySugar Ray3B100
No DiggityBlackstreet, Dr. Dre, Queen Pen7B100
Crash into MeDave Matthews Band12B101
DreamloverMariah Carey7B101
JumpKris Kross10B102
MmmbopHanson12B102
Semi-Charmed LifeThird Eye Blind9B102
MacarenaLos Del Rio1A103
Only Wanna Be With YouHootie & The Blowfish2B103
Life Is A HighwayTom Cochrane7B103
Let Me Clear My Throat - Old School Reunion Remix '96DJ Kool9B103
I Love You Always ForeverDonna Lewis7B104
This Is How We Do ItMontell Jordan, Wino8B104
Two PrincesSpin Doctors9B104
Mo Money Mo Problems (feat. Puff Daddy & Mase) - 2014 RemasterThe Notorious B.I.G., Mase, Diddy11A105
Show Me LoveRobin S11A107
Jump AroundHouse Of Pain9A107
Gettin' Jiggy Wit ItWill Smith2B108
Everybody (Backstreet's Back) - Extended VersionBackstreet Boys3A108
WannabeSpice Girls1B110
Tearin' up My Heart - Radio Edit*NSYNC9B110
PoisonBell Biv DeVoe11A112
You Were Meant For MeJewel2B112
On Bended KneeBoyz II Men4A112
YouJesse Powell, Gerald Albright5A112
One WeekBarenaked Ladies11B113
Friends In Low Places - LiveGarth Brooks11B114
Ice Ice BabyVanilla Ice10B116
VogueMadonna2B116
IrisThe Goo Goo Dolls8A117
Touch Me (All Night Long)Cathy Dennis5A118
Smooth (feat. Rob Thomas)Santana, Rob Thomas1B119
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)The Proclaimers8A119
All I Wanna DoSheryl Crow11B120
HeroMariah Carey11B120
Because You Loved MeCéline Dion3B120
I Don't Want to Miss a Thing - From "Armageddon" SoundtrackAerosmith10B121
Achy Breaky HeartBilly Ray Cyrus11B122
Groove Is in the HeartDeee-Lite12A122
Good VibrationsMarky Mark And The Funky Bunch, Loleatta Holloway3B122
All My LifeK-Ci & JoJo3B123
Can You Feel The Love TonightElton John6B123
SuavementeElvis Crespo4B124
What Is Love - 7" MixHaddaway6A124
How BizarreOMC8B125
Another NightReal McCoy9B126
Baby Got BackSir Mix-A-Lot3B128
One Sweet DayMariah Carey, Boyz II Men3B128
All StarSmash Mouth9A128
The Humpty DanceDigital Underground10B129
Everlasting LoveGloria Estefan9B129
Boot Scootin' BoogieBrooks & Dunn10A130
California Love - Original Version2Pac, Roger, Dr. Dre7B130
(Everything I Do) I Do It For YouBryan Adams3B131
I Cross My HeartGeorge Strait5B131
Cotton Eye JoeRednex8A132
Whoomp! There It Is - Album Version (Edited)Tag Team9A132
U Can't Touch ThisMC Hammer10A133
BelieveCher2B133
Tootsee Roll69 Boyz8A133
ThunderstruckAC/DC12B134
C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)Quad City DJ's11A136
From This Moment OnShania Twain, Bryan White9B136
I'll BeEdwin McCain1B137
December, 1963 (Oh What a Night!)Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons9B139
AmazedLonestar3B140
The Power of LoveCéline Dion4B140
FinallyCeCe Peniston4A141
Livin' la Vida LocaRicky Martin8B142
Nothing Else Matters (Remastered)Metallica9A142
Nothing Else Matters (Remastered)Metallica9A142
It's Your LoveTim McGraw, Faith Hill9B144
All The Small Thingsblink-1828B149
I Have NothingWhitney Houston8B153
(I Can't Help) Falling In Love With YouUB4010B172
Whatta ManSalt-N-Pepa, En Vogue7B173
Man! I Feel Like A Woman!Shania Twain10B174
Mambo No. 5 (a Little Bit of...)Lou Bega4A174
OneU28B181
I Knew I Loved YouSavage Garden3A185
The Most Beautiful Girl In the WorldPrince2B186
I'll Be There for You - Theme From "Friends"The Rembrandts11B191

*BPM and key pulled from SongData.io

Spotify 1990s Playlist

Do you have a favorite 1990s song, not on my list?  Please share your song below so that I can add it!

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