Teen Pop: “A successful form of commercial music written for and consumed mostly by adolescents and pre-adolescents. Music and lyrics represent a system of meanings that consumers may use to define their self-concept and personal and social identities.”
Here’s our list of the 10 most catchy teen pop songs of the 90’s! There were many to choose from but these ten are regarded as being highly influential to the substantial increase of Teen Pop expansion during the mid to late 90’s. Let’s see if YOU recognize some of these killer hits!
1) S Club 7 – ‘S Club Party’
S Club 7 were an interesting bunch with a more euro-pop sound but it worked well for them. The English vocal group even had their own TV show to go along with their image. Don’t forget to add this to your 90’s teen pop music list!
2) The A-Teens – ‘Upside Down’
The A-Teens first became popular for their first album consisting of covers from ABBA. In fact, the “A” in Teens initially stood for ABBA Teens but the group didn’t want to be seen as a tribute band so switched names instead. ‘Upside Down’ is considered their signature hit and their highest charting in the U.S. – among other numerous countries as well.
3) Spice Girls – ‘Wanna Be’
Girl Power. That’s all that has to be said. This song defined 90’s teen pop.
4) B*Witched – ‘C’est La Vie’
Considered ‘rip offs’ of the Spice Girls by the 90’s media B*Witched didn’t make it quite as big but ‘C’est La Vie’ continues to be a massive jam even today. It’s quite cheeky as well!
5) Backstreet Boys – ‘I Want It That Way’
The biggest boy band of the 90’s had numerous hits but ‘I Want It That Way’ stands out as their karaoke staple hit. Essentially, it gave the group a song that people still jam to in the car when hit with 90’s nostalgia.
6) Robyn – ‘Show Me Love’
Before the Swedish sensation delved into the electronica stage of her career, Robyn mainly did R&B and Teen Pop. ‘Show Me Love’ is one of her best selling hits with a peak of number 7 on the U.S. Hot 100 chart.
7) Britney Spears- ‘(You Drive Me) Crazy’
You’re probably thinking, well what about ‘Baby One More Time..’? Well yes, that one too but ‘(You Drive Me) Crazy’ is also a sweet and savvy song that really defines Spears’ early discography during her teen pop days.
8) Christina Aguilera – ‘Genie In A Bottle’
Before Aguilera delved into more serious matters (‘Beautiful’), songs like ‘Genie In A Bottle’ led her to a Grammy win for Best New Artist. ‘You’ve gotta rub me the right way‘ x
9) Mandy Moore – ‘Candy’
Sounding fairly reminiscent to Robyn’s hit ‘Do You Know (What It Takes)’, Moore’s ‘Candy’ is regarded by music critics even today as one of the many added stepping stones in the expansion and success of the Teen Pop genre during the late 90’s.
10) Hanson – ‘MMMbop’
Described as having a “sweet sugary pop sound” by music critics, ‘MMMbop’ is Hanson’s signature song filled with a teen pop rock sound – eerily similar to the teen pop rock sound of the mid 2000’s.