Today I started thinking about the music I used to listen to in the 90s. At first it was hard to remember but as I thought of one, another one came to mind, and then another and another and another.
So I decided to make a list of songs that I grew up with in the 90s and almost forgot about. Now the 90s was an era of lots of great music. Mariah Carey, Backstreet Boys, Everlast, Limp Bizkit… all sorts of great music.
These ones though are the ones I remember being played the most.
1) You get what you give – The New Radicals
I used to watch this music video all the time. I loved how vibrant it was… set in a shopping mall.
2. Miss you like crazy – The Moffats
There was Hanson and then there was the Moffats. I loved the Moffats for no other song other than this. They were huge when I was growing up in Penang. I remember they came to a mall in Penang called Bukit Jambul Complex and performed there.
There I was… standing many floors up above looking down at them and singing along. I knew every word by heart.
3. Mmmbop – Hanson
Yes how can I mention The Moffats without mentioning Hanson. I loved a number of songs from Hanson (“I will come to you” being one of my favourites) but MMMbop was the one that started it all.
I don’t hear much about them in the mainstream anymore but I hear they still have a huge following and still perform.
4. Viva Forever – Spice Girls
You can’t grow up in the 90s without having heard of the Spice Girls. I remember how they used to come out with hit after hit after hit. My favourite though was this song.
5.Breatheless – The Corrs
The Corrs was the first realization to me that life wasn’t fair. Here was a family who all looked good looking, could their various musical instruments and could sing too.
6) The Boy is Mine – Brandy & Monica
This was one of the songs that was constantly on MTV over and over and over again. It ended up winning the Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
7) Paint my love – Michael Learns to Rock
MLTR had lots of great songs but I don’t think any other song has been on repeat as this song. Ever. The one thing I remember about this song was that while the music video was played on national TV, the censorship board would mosaic out the girl’s butt crack in the last bit of the video. Anyone remember that?
8) The Earth, The Sun, The Rain – Color Me Badd
I can’t believe I nearly forgot about this song.
9) All my life – K-CI & Jojo
Loved this song too. I had fond memories singing it in school with my guy friends… all the while trying to impress the girls.
10) You’re not alone – Michael Jackson
Of all the songs in 90s, this one has got to be my favourite. I used to sleep at night with my CD on repeat. It’ll be the last thing I listen to every night and the first thing I hear in the morning.
I love Michael Jackson and when I think of him I can’t help but feel a little sad of how the media had portrayed him… and how misunderstood he was.
I hope you’re getting the love you deserve in Heaven now Michael.
Timothy Tiah – Co-Founder of Colony, Kuala Lumpur Co-Working Space