Wannabe – Spice Girls
If you were anywhere near a radio in 1996, “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls probably got stuck in your head for days. The chorus—“If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends”—was everywhere, from dance floors to TV commercials. In fact, the song shot straight to number one in 37 countries and became the best-selling single by a female group in history, with over 7 million copies sold worldwide. The Spice Girls’ infectious energy and “girl power” message helped define the late ‘90s pop scene. According to a 2019 YouGov poll in the UK, “Wannabe” was named the catchiest pop song of all time, with participants recognizing it faster than any other song. The song’s call-and-response chorus is simple, direct, and totally unforgettable. Even today, it’s hard not to shout along if it comes on.
…Baby One More Time – Britney Spears
Britney Spears burst onto the scene in 1998 with a chorus that almost everyone could hum by heart: “Hit me baby one more time!” The song’s chorus, with its haunting melody and punchy delivery, feels almost engineered to stick in your brain. According to Billboard, the single sold over 10 million copies worldwide and became one of the best-selling singles of all time. Rolling Stone ranked it among the greatest debut singles ever, and even today, it’s a staple at parties and karaoke bars. The chorus’s blend of longing and attitude made it both relatable and endlessly singable. Research into earworms from Durham University in 2016 found that repetitive hooks, like those in this song, are a top reason certain tunes get stuck in our heads. Britney’s debut created a pop culture moment that still echoes today.
I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys
Ask anyone who grew up in the ‘90s to name a Backstreet Boys song, and odds are good they’ll belt out “Tell me why…” from “I Want It That Way.” Released in 1999, the song’s chorus became a global phenomenon, topping the charts in more than 25 countries. Its universal appeal is backed by Nielsen Music’s 2018 data, which placed the Backstreet Boys as one of the top-selling boy bands of all time, with over 100 million records sold. Music psychologists point to the song’s use of unresolved tension in the chorus as a reason it lingers in listeners’ minds. The track’s emotional ambiguity (“I want it that way…”) gave it a singalong quality that still packs arenas, as seen during the band’s sold-out 2019 world tour. The chorus is nostalgic, dramatic, and impossible to forget.
Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana
“Here we are now, entertain us”—just those six words were enough to launch Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” into rock history. Released in 1991, the song quickly became an anthem for a generation. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Nirvana’s “Nevermind” album has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, with “Smells Like Teen Spirit” leading the charge. The chorus’s raw, shouted vocals and distorted guitars created a sound that was both aggressive and catchy, a combination rarely matched since. In a 2015 BBC poll, the song was named the number-one “Greatest Song of the Nineties.” The phrase itself became shorthand for ‘90s angst, and the chorus continues to inspire covers and parodies decades later. It’s the sound of rebellion, bottled into a hook you can’t escape.
Believe – Cher
Cher’s “Believe” brought Auto-Tune into the mainstream, but it’s the chorus—“Do you believe in life after love?”—that truly sticks. Released in 1998, the song became one of the best-selling singles of all time, with over 11 million copies sold globally according to Official Charts Company data. The chorus’s uplifting message, combined with its futuristic sound, resonated across generations. The track hit number one in more than 23 countries. Researchers at Goldsmiths, University of London, found that positive, repetitive choruses like Cher’s are more likely to become earworms. “Believe” also marked a comeback for Cher, making her the oldest female artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 at age 52. Its chorus is still a crowd-pleaser at clubs, weddings, and Pride events.
No Scrubs – TLC
With its bold message and instantly memorable chorus—“No, I don’t want no scrubs, a scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me”—TLC’s “No Scrubs” dominated 1999. The track spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became an anthem for female empowerment. According to Nielsen SoundScan, “No Scrubs” has sold over 6 million copies worldwide. The song’s chorus, with its playful melody and conversational lyrics, makes it easy to sing along and hard to forget. Its cultural impact is still seen in memes and references today, and the phrase “no scrubs” became a part of everyday language. Music analysts point to its rhythmic phrasing and directness as key reasons for its catchiness. It’s a chorus that’s as fun as it is unforgettable.
MMMBop – Hanson
When three brothers from Oklahoma released “MMMBop” in 1997, nobody expected the chorus to become one of the decade’s most persistent earworms. The song reached number one in 27 countries and sold over 8 million copies worldwide, according to Billboard. Its nonsensical chorus—“MMMBop, ba duba dop”—is cited by psychologists as a perfect example of a “hook” that bypasses language and goes straight to memory. In a 2021 study by the American Psychological Association, repetitive, upbeat syllables were shown to be highly effective in creating musical earworms. The song’s cheerful energy and playful vocal harmonies made it a favorite for both kids and adults. “MMMBop” has since been covered and parodied countless times, proving the staying power of a truly catchy chorus.
My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
Few choruses are as instantly recognizable as Celine Dion’s soaring “My Heart Will Go On.” Released in 1997 for the “Titanic” soundtrack, the song sold over 18 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles ever, according to the IFPI. The chorus’s sweeping melody and heartfelt lyrics helped it win both the Academy Award and the Grammy for Best Song. In a 2020 survey by The Independent, “My Heart Will Go On” was named one of the most memorable movie themes ever. The emotional power of the chorus, combined with Dion’s powerhouse vocals, ensures it lingers long after the last note fades. The song’s chorus is often cited as a prime example of how a simple, emotional hook can become a cultural phenomenon.
Livin’ La Vida Loca – Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca” burst onto the scene in 1999 with a chorus that’s impossible not to sing: “Upside, inside out, she’s livin’ la vida loca!” The song topped charts in over 20 countries and sold more than 8 million copies globally, according to the Official Charts Company. The chorus’s energetic, Latin-infused rhythm made it a dance floor staple and helped spark the so-called “Latin pop explosion” of the late ‘90s. In a 2019 Rolling Stone retrospective, the song was credited with changing the sound of mainstream pop music at the time. The catchy chorus, with its playful phrasing and irresistible beat, is still a go-to for parties and nostalgia nights. It’s a perfect example of how a great chorus can cross language and cultural barriers.
Wonderwall – Oasis
“Because maybe, you’re gonna be the one that saves me…”—if you’ve ever picked up a guitar, you’ve probably tried playing “Wonderwall.” Released in 1995, the song became Oasis’s biggest hit, peaking at number two in the UK and number eight in the US. According to Spotify’s 2024 streaming data, “Wonderwall” remains one of the most-streamed songs of the ‘90s, with over 1 billion streams. The chorus’s singalong quality and sense of yearning make it a favorite at festivals and campfires. Researchers at the University of London found that songs with easily repeatable choruses—like “Wonderwall”—are more likely to be remembered and sung socially. The track’s chorus has taken on a life of its own, often being belted out by crowds even decades after its release.
End of the Road – Boyz II Men
When Boyz II Men released “End of the Road” in 1992, its aching chorus—“Although we’ve come to the end of the road, still I can’t let go…”—captured hearts worldwide. The song spent a then-record 13 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and it remains one of the best-selling singles of the decade, with over 2.6 million copies sold in the US alone according to RIAA. The chorus’s emotional intensity and smooth harmonies set a new standard for ‘90s R&B. In 2020, Billboard ranked it among the greatest boy band songs of all time. The power and vulnerability of the chorus continue to resonate, making it a favorite for everything from weddings to karaoke. Its unforgettable hook is a testament to the staying power of a perfect chorus.
