1990s
Released in 1991, this song doesn’t talk about a loss of faith, but rather a feeling of frustration and desperation related to unrequited love.
What is "Losing My Religion" - R.E.M.?
Fun fact: toward the end of this song, the artist holds out a high E, which was recorded as the longest of any top 40 hit in the U.S.
This 2009 dance track contains lyrics that reference quotes from the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland in the chorus.
What is "Heads Will Roll" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs?
This song became the artist’s very first big hit, telling a story about a lonely person seeking refuge someplace down on a “lonely street.”
What is "Heartbreak Hotel" - Elvis Presley?
This song was written by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols. The older brother of the famous duo who performed the song thought that the younger sister had the perfect voice for it.
What is "Rainy Days and Mondays" - The Carpenters?
Released in 1993, this song was featured in the 1995 film, “Boys on the Side.”
What is "Dreams" - The Cranberries?
Even though the men’ magazine, Maximum, called this the “Most Annoying Song Ever,” it still peaked in several charts in the U.S. and Australia.
What is "Hollaback Girl" - Gwen Stefani?
In this 2011 dance track, the artist refers to his "boys" as a group of young boys who never grew up and were sent to Neverland.
What is "Bangarang" - Skrillex?
The original version of this song was written in 1966 by a famous duo, and was covered in 1987 by an 80s rock band.
What is "Hazy Shade of Winter?"
Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, this song was composed for the 1969 western film, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” The song even won Best Original Score at the Oscars.
What is "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" - Dionne Warwick?
Released in 1995, believe it or not, this song addresses illegal drug trade, promiscuity, and HIV.
What is "Waterfalls" - TLC?
According to The New York Times, this song is a transnational dance-floor lullaby and one of the artist’s most breeziest and most accessible songs out there. Sadly, I think mom would very much disagree.
What is "One Dance" - Drake?
This song features a sample in the refrain which originates from a 1962 gospel hit sung by Etta James.
What is "Good Feeling" - Flo Rida?
The artist wrote this song in 1992 as a tribute to his late-wife, who he married in 1978.
What is "Harvest Moon" - Neil Young?
Fun fact: The frontman of the band was writing this song while vacationing in Eliat, Israel (known for its hot rainless weather). While there, it was raining the whole time he was there until he left a week later.
What is "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" - Travis?
Released in 1993, this song is simply about being a struggling musician, but it wouldn’t be long until the band created success with the song.
What is "Mr. Jones" - Counting Crows
Roughly translates to “Pretty Heaven” and is typically played by mariachi bands.
What is "Cielito Lindo?"
DJ’s have played this song at almost every school dance, but this song features many samples from various hip hop hits, including “Push the Feeling On” by Nightcrawlers and “Rappers Delight” by Sugarhill Gang.
What is "Hotel Room Service" - Pitbull?
This song was written using a rhyme scheme called “rhyming juxtaposition” where the artist shares that they are one thing, but they are also another.
What is "Hand In My Pocket" - Alanis Morissette?
The artist was inspired by the concept of tears and “burning the pain” of a relationship after it ended to write this song in 2011.
What is "Set Fire to the Rain" - Adele?
Released in 1996, the band’s frontman was inspired to write the song when his pregnant girlfriend was going through an abortion.
What is "The Freshmen" - The Verve Pipe?
This song was considered the artist’s comeback single in 2023.
What is "Single Soon" - Selena Gomez
Released in 2005, this song became the artist’s most widely regarded song out there, and the music video shows the artist rapping in all four seasons.
What is "Temperature" - Sean Paul?
This song, written in 1999, was featured in a variety of TV shows and movies, including the 2003 romantic comedy, “Love Actually.”
What is "Here With Me" by Dido?
This song was the second time these two Latin artists collaborated on a song together, and it was referred to as a “superstar Latin Caribbean duet.”
What is "Rain Over Me" - Pitbull & Marc Anthony?