Not A Single Scrub

1995 was one of those years where the music gods just said, “Let’s go all out”. It was a year where nearly every genre got its moment in the sun, and some of the biggest hits from that time are still echoing through our playlists today. Whether you were dancing in your bedroom, sobbing into your diary, or cruising with the windows down, chances are at least one of these tracks was your personal soundtrack.

“Gangsta’s Paradise” Coolio

If you’ve ever felt like you were living in a gangsta’s paradise, you're not alone. Coolio’s brooding, cinematic anthem dominated the charts and pop culture alike. Sampling Stevie Wonder’s “Pastime Paradise,” this track gave rap some serious mainstream gravitas—while also landing in the Dangerous Minds soundtrack. It ended the year as the number one song of 1995.

Coolio - Gangsta's Paradise (feat. L.V.) [Official Music Video], Tommy Boy

“Waterfalls” TLC

Don’t go chasing them—but how could we not? TLC’s socially conscious hit Waterfalls was a bold move, tackling heavy topics like HIV, substance use, and street danger with haunting vocals and smooth harmonies. The track proved that pop could have substance and soul.

TLC - Waterfalls (Official HD Video), TLC

“Kiss From A Rose” Seal

Cue the dramatic wind and thunder. Seal’s gothic power ballad skyrocketed into iconic status thanks to its inclusion in Batman Forever, but let’s be honest: it didn’t need the Caped Crusader to leave an impression. With its cryptic lyrics and operatic vocals, “Kiss From A Rose” was the slow-dance soundtrack of 1995.

Seal - Kiss From A Rose [Seal Version] (Official Video) [HD], Seal

“On Bended Knee” Boyz II Men

If heartbreak had a sound, this would be it. Boyz II Men dropped this emotional plea right after their 1994 smash “I’ll Make Love to You,” and they weren’t done breaking hearts. “On Bended Knee” opens with harmonies that feel like a gospel choir holding your soul and builds into a chorus so earnest, even the most stoic listener might shed a tear.

Boyz II Men - On Bended Knee, Boyz II Men

“Another Night” Real McCoy

No one could escape this Eurodance juggernaut. With its pulsating beat and repetitive (but irresistible) chorus, “Another Night” was the definition of mid-90s club energy. It’s what you danced to under strobe lights—or blasted in your car on the way to Taco Bell. Real McCoy proved that dance tracks didn’t need deep lyrics, just deep bass and a catchy hook.

Real McCoy - Another Night (Videoclip), Real McCoy

“Fantasy” Mariah Carey

Sampling Tom Tom Club’s “Genius of Love,” “Fantasy” was the lead single from Mariah Carey’s Daydream album and her first single to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was fun, flirty, and a blueprint for the pop-R&B fusion that dominated the late ‘90s. And let’s not forget the O.D.B. remix—an iconic collaboration ahead of its time.

Mariah Carey - Fantasy (Official 4K Video), Mariah Carey

“Take A Bow” Madonna

This wasn’t the Madonna of cone bras and provocations—this was the sad girl era Madonna. “Take A Bow” showed a more subdued, emotional side of the Queen of Pop. Produced with Babyface, it’s a silky, understated breakup ballad that gently tears your heart into a million glamorous little pieces.

Madonna - Take A Bow (Official Video) [4K], Madonna

“Don’t Take It Personal (Just One Of Dem Days)” Monica

At just 14 years old, Monica dropped this smooth R&B jam that became a massive hit. With sultry vocals and a chilled-out groove, it was the ultimate “I need space” anthem. Every teen in the mid-’90s suddenly had the perfect excuse for their moods—and Monica gave it to them in style.

Monica - Don't Take It Personal (Just One Of Dem Days) (Official Video), monicaofficial

“This Is How We Do It” Montell Jordan

It’s Friday night, and the party’s here on the West side. Montell Jordan blessed us with the ultimate ‘hood party anthem, complete with Nate Dogg vibes, infectious storytelling, and a hook that’s still a cookout staple. It was both a celebration and a declaration: this is how you do it.

Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It (Official Music Video), Montell Jordan

“I Know” Dionne Farris

Formerly of Arrested Development, Dionne Farris stepped out solo with “I Know”—a genre-blending track that brought alternative edge to the R&B scene. With a funky acoustic guitar riff and poetic lyrics, it became an unlikely hit and a quiet triumph for indie-leaning listeners who liked their love songs a little bit messy.

Dionne Farris - I Know, DionneFarrisVEVO

“Freak Like Me” Adina Howard

Adina Howard didn’t whisper—she roared. “Freak Like Me” was bold, sexy, and unapologetically forward. She carved out a lane that pushed boundaries for female artists in R&B and helped lay the groundwork for the sexually empowered tracks we see today. Blush-worthy? Yes. But a bop? Absolutely.

Adina Howard - Freak Like Me (Official Video) [Director's Uncut Version], UPROXX

“Run-Around” Blues Traveler

With that harmonica hook and John Popper’s mile-a-minute vocal delivery, “Run-Around” was the song you didn’t know you needed—until it was everywhere. This bluesy alt-rock hit gave jam bands their moment in the sun and proved you could have radio success without sacrificing musicianship.

Blues Traveler - Run-Around (Official Music Video), Blues Traveler

“I Can Love You Like That” All-4-One

Before boy band ballads were cool, All-4-One was making wedding-worthy promises in lush harmonies. This swoon-worthy cover of a John Michael Montgomery country hit had people slow dancing across every high school gym and wedding reception in 1995.

All-4-One - I Can Love You Like That (Official Music Video), RHINO

“Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?” Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams went full flamenco for this one, complete with Spanish guitar and philosophical pondering about the depths of female understanding. Featured in Don Juan DeMarco, the song has an air of romantic drama—and just the right amount of cheese to make it classic Adams.

Bryan Adams - Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman? (Classic Version), Bryan Adams

“Always” Bon Jovi

Hair metal may have been on its last breath by 1995, but Bon Jovi wasn’t letting go without one last epic ballad. “Always” was intense, poetic, and filled with longing—the kind of song you scream-sing after a breakup, possibly while wearing leather pants. No judgment.

Bon Jovi - Always (Official Music Video), Bon Jovi

“Boombastic” Shaggy

Shaggy slid in with Boombastic and made the word “fantastic” rhyme with...a lot of things. The result? A funky, reggae-infused hit that was equal parts flirtation and fun. Bonus: it became the soundtrack to a Levi’s jeans ad. Because nothing says romance like denim.

Shaggy - Boombastic (Official Music Video), shaggymedia

“Total Eclipse Of The Heart” Nicki French

Yes, Bonnie Tyler did it first—but Nicki French brought the iconic power ballad into the Eurodance realm. Her 1995 cover added synths, a faster beat, and a club-ready energy to the original’s melodrama. The result? A surprisingly effective mash-up of heartbreak and house music.

Nicki French - Total Eclipse of the Heart (First Performance) - TOTP - 12 01 1995, adam wheeldon

“You Gotta Be” Des’ree

“You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold…” Des’ree’s empowering anthem was everywhere in 1995. With its mellow beat and spoken-word-meets-pop vibe, it felt like both a mantra and a motivational poster. It wasn’t just a song—it was a pep talk for the soul.

Des'ree - You Gotta Be ('99 Mix) [Video], Des'ree

“You Are Not Alone” Michael Jackson

Written by R. Kelly and delivered with Michael Jackson’s signature sensitivity, “You Are Not Alone” was haunting, ethereal, and deeply emotional. It became the first song in Billboard history to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100. The video, co-starring then-wife Lisa Marie Presley, only added to the spectacle.

Michael Jackson - You Are Not Alone (Official Video), Michael Jackson

“Hold My Hand” Hootie & The Blowfish

Hootie (aka Darius Rucker) and his Blowfish gave us jangly guitar, raspy vocals, and a chorus that sounded like a warm hug. “Hold My Hand” was the ultimate feel-good rock anthem for a generation not yet caught up in angst. It was clean, catchy, and somehow made you nostalgic for something you hadn’t even lived yet.

Hootie & The Blowfish - Hold My Hand (Official Music Video) [HD], Hootie & the Blowfish

“Candy Rain” Soul For Real

With harmonies that could melt ice cream and a beat smoother than velvet, “Candy Rain” was a dreamy slice of R&B heaven. Soul For Real may have been young, but their vocals dripped with sweetness and confidence. The track lives on today as a staple of ‘90s playlists and sweet-tooth soul.

Soul For Real - Candy Rain (Official Music Video), Soul4RealVEVO

“Runaway” Janet Jackson

Coming off the success of her janet era, Miss Jackson served wanderlust and rhythm with “Runaway”. It was breezy, global, and full of joy—complete with sitars and handclaps. The song marked her return to the charts with a smile, inviting us all to escape with her for a little while.

Janet Jackson - Runaway (Official Music Video), Janet Jackson

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