Which romantic '90s songs take you back to school dances and young romances? The decade was loaded with love songs, from boy band ballads to alt-rock anthems. So pull your hair back with a scrunchie, snuggle up in your favorite flannel shirt, and get ready to take a trip down memory lane. Here's a look at the romantic '90s songs that will take you back to the era when you had to carefully choose which tunes to burn on a CD:
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When it comes to romantic '90s songs, it's hard to top this one. You probably wanted John Rzeznik to spy on you from his cool steampunk observatory after hearing lyrics like this: "And I'd give up forever to touch you/ 'Cause I know that you feel me somehow." How many times did that Goo Goo Dolls line make you melt into a pile of goo? "Iris" was written for the "City of Angels" movie soundtrack, and some might consider that film one of the most romantic movies of the decade. However, I highly recommend that you check out the original movie that it was based on, "Wings of Desire."
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
The title of this song is fitting because singer Dolores O'Riordan has such a dreamlike voice. This song manages to be upbeat but also soothing, so it suits a variety of romance-induced moods. It also captures that feeling of elation you experience when you're in love. Here's an example of the lovely lyrics: "And now I tell you openly/ You have my heart so don't hurt me/ You're what I couldn't find." Admit it—you loved trying to sing along during Dolores's crazy yodeling section of the song.
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
Why was adorable lead singer, Leigh Nash, begging a guy to kiss her? And what the heck is a "spinning step"? Who cares? This sweet song perfectly describes the perfect place to share a special smooch. Nash's fairytale world includes a sparkly silver moon, dancing fireflies, and a tree house with a tire swing. Now you're probably hoping that your guy will find a place like this to take you to (and a ring better come with that kiss).
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
This is the perfect song to play when you're daydreaming about that guy who looked really fly in those Zubaz. Here are some of the lyrics: "Oh when you walk by every night/ Talking sweet and looking fine/ I get kind of hectic inside." Mariah's voice is amazing, and this is another fun, upbeat song about being in love. Or is Mariah just in lust? Whatever the case may be, I'm in love with the music sample from the Tom Tom Club's "Genius of Love."
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
This song from the "Batman Forever" soundtrack was probably the best thing to come from that movie. No wonder Heidi Klum wanted to seal the deal with Seal. "Kiss from a Rose" has an amazing sound that might make you think of a renaissance fair at first. However, it soon breaks into a powerful, passionate ballad. Here's an example of the lyrics: "There is so much a man can tell you, so much he can say/ You remain, my power, my pleasure, my pain."
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
You might find it hard to take this song seriously while watching the music video that accompanies it. It's a parody of the campy horror classic "The Evil Dead," and Dave Grohl's lover is played by drummer Taylor Hawkins dressed in drag. However, the tune's powerful lyrics were definitely written by a man in love. Here's an example of Grohl's post-grunge poetry: "And I wonder/ When I sing along with you/ If everything could ever be this real forever/ If anything could ever be this good again." It's a song about being deeply connected to someone, and it's the perfect song to sing along to with your lover.
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
These guys really knew how to play the ladies, didn't they? This song is all about a guy begging to get a girl back, and a lot of gals love it when their recently-ditched guys beg for a second chance—it makes them really feel wanted. It was also smart to include the words "on bended knee" since that's where women really want their men. They need to be groveling with a ring in their hand. All joking aside, this really is a beautiful song featuring some of the most amazing voices of the '90s.
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
There aren't a whole lot of popular romantic songs written about same-sex love (and no, Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" doesn't count). However, Melissa made the world fall in love with this romantic song that proved that her romantic feelings are no different than anyone else's. I always thought that it also had a "Romeo and Juliet" feel since it tells a lover to come sneaking in through the window by the light of the moon. And you've got to love these defiant lyrics: "I don't care what they think/ I don't care what they say/ What do they know about this love anyway?" It's kind of sad that so many same-sex couples are still having to say things like this to those who refuse to recognize their relationships.
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
Surely you didn't think that you'd escape this list without a song by one of the biggest boy bands of the '90s. Before One Direction and Justin Bieber (who actually sings a song with the same title), we had baby-faced Nick, bad boy A.J., and boy-next-door Brian. Kevin and Howie were also in the group, but I can't quite remember which boy band stereotypes they were. This song is all about loving a girl no matter who she is, where she's from, or what she's done. What gal doesn't want to hear this? Serial arsonists who've escaped from prison need lovin' just like anyone else.
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
This sweet song is about loving someone so much that you can't stand the thought of missing a moment with them by falling asleep. But would you really want a sleepy Steven Tyler watching you sleep? He might accidentally swallow you when he yawns. Luckily for some gals, they don't think of Steven's massive mouth when they listen to this tune—instead they fantasize about Ben Affleck as an astronaut. The song was featured in the movie "Armageddon," which is what you get when you try to add a chick flick twist to a sci-fi movie.
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
I'm not entirely sure what "love's suicide" is, but Edwin McCain's song about a romantic rainy day does contain one line that women want to hear. Here it is: "I'll be better when I'm older." Guys who spend all day playing video games in their underwear definitely need to dedicate this song to the ladies in their lives. Here are some more lyrics: "I'll be captivated/ I'll hang from your lips/ Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above." Who knew that a noose could sound so romantic?
So whether you're spending a rainy night in with your lover or daydreaming about a special someone, there's a song on this list to suit your mood. Isn't it amazing that anyone found love during a time period when overalls and No Fear shirts were popular? So what are some of your favorite romantic '90s songs?