Case made for ‘90s music
By Karlie Baker
IV Leader Staff, Oct. 19, 2006
In popular culture, two sorts of music reign supreme: what
is “classic,” and what is now.
Because Bon Jovi and other bands featured in the House of
Hair have finally attained classic status, and “now” constitutes any song
post-2000, it seems the best of both worlds are represented.
But aren’t we forgetting something? That set of 10 years
between 1989 and 2000 is going unnoticed. Music of the ‘90s persuasion is
wrongly fading from our minds; it is time for somebody to stand up and say, “U
Can‘t Touch This!”
If there is one thing to be said about ‘90s music, it is that
they knew how to produce hit pop songs. Boy bands rocketed to fame during the
decade, beginning with New Kids On the Block and went with full speed through
the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC.
Then there was the Spice Girls phenomenon, and let’s face it,
what girl didn’t imitate her favorite Spice Girl? While the music may never be
considered historically notable, it was good enough to drive thousands of teen
fans to record stores.
Some of ‘90s music’s biggest successes were not even from
established groups—they were from one-hit wonders. Wheatus’ “Teenage Dirtbag” is
still good for the occasional, appreciated listen. No school dance is really
rockin’ until Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” plays.
Never before did such dazzling one-hit wonders exist. The
artists, like Brandy, Len, and Fastball, earned their fan bases. ‘90s pop
remains, to this day, unsurpassed.
One of the decade’s largest accomplishments comes in the form
of two CD sets by the names of Jock Jams and Ultimate Dance Party. The CD’s
feature such utterly dated hits as the “Space Jam” theme song and Ace of Base’s
“Beautiful Life.”
Some would mock Jock Jams or U.D.P., calling it the pinnacle
of ‘90s cheesiness. However, these CDs resonate what much of the decade was
about: energy.
They were made for basketball games, getting ready for school
dances and riding through town in search of something to do. These are the sort
of adrenaline-inducing tunes that could make a game of Euchre seem as exciting
as the MLB World Series.
Nothing gets a party jumping like “Whoomp! There It Is,”
pounding through the stereo speakers.
Does ‘90s music have historic or contemporary appeal? Not
yet—but that doesn’t mean it’s going to descend quietly into the woodwork until
a radio can station can dub its “classic” status.
Sure, Puff Daddy was involved, but there were still goodies
like Duran Duran’s “Come Undone” and Go West’s “King of Wishful Thinking.” The
power of Londonbeat’s “I’ve Been Thinking About You” is intoxicating.
I still think Hanson is worth listening to. ‘90s music was
about making its listeners happy and excited, and it certainly accomplished that
time and again.
Perhaps music of the ‘90s will never quite compare to that of
its ancestors or successors, but it cannot be forgotten... and if you have found
a way to get “Cotton Eyed Joe” out of your head, please let me know.