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9 Obscure 90s Pop Songs Worth Revisiting

obscure pop songs from the 90s

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9 Obscure 90s Pop Songs Worth Revisiting

The best obscure 90s pop songs in this list include Save Tonight, Crush, Lullaby, In the Meantime, and Steal My Sunshine. Users also point to lesser-known favorites such as Insensitive, Spin, Spin Sugar, and Novocaine For The Soul. The list mixes catchy radio songs, one-hit wonders, strange cult favorites, and tracks that deserved more attention.

Save Tonight by Eagle-Eye Cherry and Crush by Jennifer Paige are frequently remembered as obscure yet memorable 90s pop songs. Lullaby by Shawn Mullins also stands out because many users remember it as a one-hit wonder. These songs fit well if you want familiar sounds that have faded from common 90s music lists.

In the Meantime by Spacehog is remembered for its memorable bass line and regular airplay during the mid-90s. Len's Steal My Sunshine brings a strong sense of 90s nostalgia, while Jann Arden's Insensitive remains a favorite for users who felt the song never received enough recognition. Spin, Spin Sugar by Sneaker Pimps gives listeners a lesser-known choice from the same album as 6 Underground.

The more unusual picks lean toward cult classics. King Missile's Detachable Penis is remembered for its quirky lyrics and distinctive sound. Crash Test Dummies' Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm has a strange, haunting vocal and a dramatic feel. Primitive Radio Gods' Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand also brings back memories for users who recall hearing it on movie soundtracks.

Novocaine For The Soul by Eels rounds out the list as a song from a band users felt should have been bigger. Together, these tracks cover upbeat nostalgia, overlooked favorites, unusual lyrics, and dramatic alternative pop. Start with Save Tonight or Steal My Sunshine for the most immediate 90s feeling, then try Spin, Spin Sugar or Detachable Penis for something less familiar.

Forgotten picks

  1. Save Tonight by Eagle-Eye Cherry A memorable 90s pop song that users often cite as obscure.
  2. Crush by Jennifer Paige A frequently remembered pop track from the 90s.
  3. Lullaby by Shawn Mullins A song many users recall as a 90s one-hit wonder.
  4. In the Meantime by Spacehog Known for its memorable bass line and mid-90s airplay.
  5. Steal My Sunshine by Len A track that brings back strong 90s nostalgia.
  6. Insensitive by Jann Arden A favorite that users felt never received enough recognition.
  7. Spin, Spin Sugar by Sneaker Pimps A lesser-known song from the same album as 6 Underground.
  8. Novocaine For The Soul by Eels A song users mention when saying Eels should have been bigger.
  9. Detachable Penis by King Missile A quirky cult classic with unusual lyrics and a distinctive sound.
9 Obscure 90s Pop Songs Worth Revisiting — infographic

Forgotten Pop Hits

**"Lullaby" by Shawn Mullins** is a song that many Users recall being a one-hit wonder from the 90s. "I'm surprised it wasn't on this list, when I remember a lot of people calling it a one hit wonder a couple of years after it's release."
**"In the Meantime" by Spacehog** is recognized for its memorable bass line and frequent airplay during the mid-90s, though it's often forgotten in broader discussions. "Glaring omission is Spacehog - In the Meantime."
**"Steal My Sunshine" by Len** is a song that instantly brings back 90s nostalgia for many. "Len, wow…. you just nostalgia’d my nostalgia"

Unsung Gems

**"Insensitive" by Jann Arden** is considered a favorite by many Users that didn't receive the recognition it deserved. "Still one of my favorite songs ever. Never got the recognition it deserved."
**"Spin, Spin Sugar" by Sneaker Pimps** is a lesser-known track from the same album as their more popular "6 Underground." "Most people know "6 Underground" by Sneaker Pimps, and all its remixes (Hello, Jennifer Love Hewitt), but their other song off the same album, "Spin, Spin Sugar" is less known."
**"Novocaine For The Soul" by Eels** is mentioned as a song from a band that should have been more popular. "Eels should have been bigger"

Cult Classics

"Detachable Penis" by King Missile is noted for its quirky lyrics and unique sound that could only have been popular in the 90s. "Detachable Penis"
**"Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" by Crash Test Dummies** is highlighted for its strange, haunting vocal and dramatic feel. "It is strange, the vocal and story is haunting, the music is very dramatic feeling."
**"Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand" by Primitive Radio Gods** is a song many Users remember, often recalling its presence on movie soundtracks. "Oh my gosh, I completely forgot about this song, if memory serves, it was on the Cable Guy soundtrack"

Do these selections align with the type of obscure 90s pop songs you were hoping to find?

Bottom line

"Save Tonight" by Eagle-Eye Cherry and "Crush" by Jennifer Paige are frequently cited by Users as obscure yet memorable 90s pop songs.

Related media

9 Obscure 90s Pop Songs Worth Revisiting — image shared in the discussion

Community answers 33

What others in the community said:

98% upvoted

My partner and I were driving and heard “She Don’t Use Jelly” on the radio. We were remarking how baffling it is that that song was popular enough that we both know the words. It’s evidence, to me, of the intrinsic weirdness of the 90s, as “alternative” (broadly defined) broke through. I don’t think there is anything remotely parallel to that now.

What other popular songs from that era strike you now as just plain weird? Or reveal to you how strange the 90s truly were?

Peaches by The Presidents of the USA

98% upvoted
Here's a list of 20 often forgotten 90's songs that never really made it out of the decade. Hope they bring back some great memories!
9 Obscure 90s Pop Songs Worth Revisiting — image shared in an answer

Mmm mmm mmm mmm by the Crash Test Dummies (93)

Fade into you is a hauntingly good song that still holds up.

Three Little Pigs - Green Jelly

Mazzy Star was certainly not a one hit wonder

Highly disagree with the Mazzy Star selection.

But I will nominate, "Lullaby" by Sean Mullins. I'm surprised it wasn't on this list, when I remember a lot of people calling it a one hit wonder a couple of years after it's release.

Most people know "6 Underground" by Sneaker Pimps, and all its remixes (Hello, Jennifer Love Hewitt), but their other song off the same album, "Spin, Spin Sugar" is less known. I remember I got my first blowjob while this song was playing in my girlfriend's bedroom when we cut class one day. Afterward I took her to Cici's for their all you can eat buffet.

96% upvoted

Trying to see which songs I'm forgetting about from the 90s that might be forgotten due to not remembering the artist or song name

UPDATE: Thank you for all the songs! I am going to go through and like the ones I already have on my list and then listen and like the other comments once I've finished that step.

I may not add every song but I already see some good suggestions of songs I completely forgot about!

"Insensitive" by Jann Arden

King Missile, Detachable Penis

88% upvoted

In terms of what pop songs have lingered, there seems to be a cultural "time skip" from the mid 80s to the TRL era. But even then these years specifically feel like a void. Examples:

-Paula Abdul and Janet had massive eras within that time range, the latter having the best selling album of 1990 and #1 hits from it across three years, but outside of "Straight Up" and maybe "Black Cat" you wouldn't encounter them unless you're an active fan of pop music (like this sub)

-Seduction had three top 20 hits, including a top 2 hit in "Two to Make It Right" but they're basically Drag Race bar trivia now

-Same with Cathy Dennis, four top 10 hits, but if you recognize the name it's for her songwriting work

-Did you know Wilson Phillips had 7 hit songs? Can you name one that isn't "Hold On"?

But don't take my word for it: Here's the Billboard year-end 100 for the mid 80s, the "void years", and the late 90s

1983

1985

1989

1991

1999

2001

And check streaming numbers too. Like the least-streamed #1 hit of the 90s, "She Ain't Worth It" by Glenn Medeiros, is right in the middle of this range. It hasn't even cracked 2 million streams.

The only artist who seems to have escaped this is Madonna; people generally remember the Like A Prayer tracks and "Vogue" (7pm edit: I forgot New Edition; "Can You Stand The Rain" and "If It Isn't Love" are from 1988)

What gives? Is it the "industrial new jack swing" sound that turns people off? Too much adult contemporary? Was the era too experimental, and you wouldn't expect people to listen to a sound collage of the 1989 Batman movie in 2026? Where all these hits just fraudulent and SoundScan wiped away all the fake pop songs? It's a shame, because I think hip hop, house, techno, industrial, and indie rock hitting the mainstream and melding together created a lot of interesting music

EDIT: I'd expand what I said about Madonna to say that if you were famous before this dead zone, your music within it is mostly well-remembered. If you debuted during it, not so much.

9 Obscure 90s Pop Songs Worth Revisiting — image shared in an answer
88% upvoted

Hi 90's Community!

Feel free to post your favorite songs of the 90's
I'm updating my Ipod, also looking for hidden gems!

Wish I discovered this community earlier

Novocaine For The Soul - Eels

Glaring omission is Spacehog - In the Meantime. Everything else is great. Mazzy Star song is timeless.

Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money in My Hand by Primitive Radio Gods Eta

Also, The Female of the Species by Space

Take a picture - filter
In the meantime - space hog

100% upvoted

We all have those pop songs we grew up with watching sa MTV pero baka nabaon na sa limot. Suggest naman kayo ng iba pa. One example is this song from B*Witched.

Wag na yung mga super played pa rin lately like Breathless, Don't Say You Love Me ng M2M, etc.

❤️❤️

9 Obscure 90s Pop Songs Worth Revisiting — image shared in an answer
90% upvoted

I couldn't keep it to 10.

  1. Common People-Pulp

  2. Are You That Somebody?- Aaliyah

  3. Groove is in the Heart-Deee-Lite

  4. Creep-TLC

  5. Dreams- The Cranberries

  6. Shoop- Salt-N-Pepa

  7. Feels Good- Tony! Toni! Toné!

  8. Good-Better than Ezra

  9. Freedom! '90-George Michael

  10. Cannonball-The Breeders

  11. Always Be My Baby-Mariah Carey

  12. Girlfriend- Matthew Sweet

  13. My Lovin (You're Never Gonna Get It)-En Vogue

  14. Nothing Compares 2 U-Sinéad O'Connor

  15. Til I Hear it From You- Gin Blossoms

  16. Vogue- Madonna

  17. Jump Around- House of Pain

  18. Go Deep- Janet Jackson

  19. Gypsy Woman- Crystal Waters

  20. California Love- 2Pac ft. Dr. Dre.

  21. Bidi Bidi Bom Bom- Selena

  22. Natural One- Folk Implosion

  23. Kiss Them For Me- Siouxsie and the Banshees

  24. Alright- Supergrass

  25. If it Makes You Happy- Sheryl Crow

  26. Got Your Money- Ol' Dirty Bastard ft. Kelis

  27. Superman- Goldfinger

  28. Gone Till November- Wyclef Jean

  29. No Diggity- Blackstreet ft. Dr. Dre and Queen Pen

  30. My Favourite Game- The Cardigans

90% upvoted

(fuck it really any songs. Pop or not)

My list:

  1. Baby One More Time - Britney Spears
  2. You Get What You Give - New Radicals
  3. Believe - Cher
  4. Waterfalls - TLC
  5. Roygbiv - Boards of Canada
  6. Hyperballad - Björk
  7. Ray of Light - Madonna
  8. The Boy Is Mine - Brandi & Monica
  9. Steal My Sunshine - Len
  10. Wannabe - Spice Girls

honorable mention:

nirvana - smells like teen spirit (obviously pop but I couldn’t not add it)

Fantasy - Mariah Carey (sorry it was tough)

pony - ginuwine

Oh my gosh, I completely forgot about this song, if memory serves, it was on the Cable Guy soundtrack

Eels should have been bigger

Len, wow…. you just nostalgia’d my nostalgia

by Jennifer Paige are frequently cited by Users as obscure yet memorable 90s pop songs.

### Forgotten Pop Hits
- **
by Shawn Mullins** is a song that many Users recall being a one-hit wonder from the 90s.
by Spacehog** is recognized for its memorable bass line and frequent airplay during the mid-90s, though it's often forgotten in broader discussions.
by Len** is a song that instantly brings back 90s nostalgia for many.
by Jann Arden** is considered a favorite by many Users that didn't receive the recognition it deserved.
by Sneaker Pimps** is a lesser-known track from the same album as their more popular
by Eels** is mentioned as a song from a band that should have been more popular.
by King Missile is noted for its quirky lyrics and unique sound that could only have been popular in the 90s.
by Crash Test Dummies** is highlighted for its strange, haunting vocal and dramatic feel.

Related questions

What are some obscure 90s pop songs I should listen to?
Try Save Tonight by Eagle-Eye Cherry, Crush by Jennifer Paige, Lullaby by Shawn Mullins, In the Meantime by Spacehog, and Steal My Sunshine by Len.
Which forgotten 90s pop songs were one-hit wonders?
Users often remember Lullaby by Shawn Mullins as a 90s one-hit wonder. The source also describes several other songs as forgotten or overlooked pop hits.
What are some strange or unusual 90s pop songs?
Detachable Penis by King Missile, Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm by Crash Test Dummies, and Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand by Primitive Radio Gods fit that group.

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