10 Hottest Summer Songs of the 90s that Will Get You Off of Social Media, and into the Sunshine

Growing up in the 90s, I didn't really appreciate the dopest decade's music. For years, I maintained that I was more of an oldies/classic rock kinda gal, because that was real music. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve started to care less and less about what others think about my taste in music. I’ve willingly let the siren song of nostalgia seduce me, and now I’m not too proud to admit that I enjoy listening to some of the pop hits from my high school days, especially during the summer (I’d also like to point out that those hella wicked songs are all classics now).

As we kick off this sweltering season of social media swimsuit snapshots of 20-somethings in barely-there bikinis, many children of the 90s might be longing for those simpler summer days when there was no pressure to broadcast snippets of our beach trips on Snapchat, or to use Instagram to document the struggle to get our bodies bikini-ready (yes, it’s obviously hard for a 90s kid like me to think of examples of all the crazy stuff younger folk do on social media). Luckily, there are plenty of 90s songs with a summer vibe that can transport us back to the last era before social media exploded. Perhaps we’ll be less tempted to spend all our time on Twitter if we revisit some of the decade’s best tunes, and as we reminisce about all the good times we had during the summertime by listening to the songs below, we might just feel the urge to put our phones down and make our own summer fun like we did back then.

“Smooth” by Rob Thomas featuring Santana

If you’d like to tweet less, and twist your hips more, this is the perfect song to turn on. The summer sun might make you sweat like you just worked out to one of your Tae Bo DVDs, but "Smooth" makes the sweltering heat seem sexy with Carlos Santana's wailing guitar, and the angst-filled voice of Matchbox Twenty lead singer Rob Thomas. This may be an odd musical partnership that no 90s music aficionado ever asked for, but when you hear their rhythm on the radio, you'll long to be dancing in the barrio.

“All I Wanna Do” by Sheryl Crow

This song just might tempt you to forgo another idle afternoon of scrolling through your phone in favor of doing a little people-watching at your local dive bar. Somehow, songstress Sheryl Crow spins a riveting story out of a rather uneventful lunch break spent guzzling beer, and watching nine-to-five suckers washing their cars. All the curly-haired cool chick wants to do is have a little fun before she dies, and the summer is a perfect time for that (having fun, I mean).

“Thong Song” by Sisqo

No wonder Sisqo was begging the ladies to let him see their booty floss. Back before Instagram was a thing, women had to go through an exhausting process to post their sexy pics online: they had to use an actual camera to take their snapshots, wait for the film to get developed, and scan the photos before uploading them on their AOL profiles.

With its dramatic violin music, Sisqo’s ode to the summer’s sexiest swimwear makes having a perpetual wedgie seem downright elegant, and the silver-haired singer was definitely a man ahead of his time; the thong has long since made the move from Miami Beach to mainstream millennial America. Once upon a time, celebrities like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera were only brave enough to show the side strings of their g-strings, but now stars like Kim Kardashian and Emily Ratajkowski proudly bare their entire bums on the beach. Perhaps Sisqo deserves some of the credit for the scandalous swimsuit’s current popularity, and maybe the fly guy's plea will convince you to head to the beach looking like the bomb in your finest barely-there swimwear.

“Steal my Sunshine” by Len

Len's adorable pop hit was a favorite of teens during the summer of 99. The brother-sister duo never had another hit, but their song still lives on during the summertime through those who remember the carefree days when it was getting regular radio play. If social media overload has your mind feeling “thugged, all laced and bugged,” just put on your finest wife beater, turn this tune on, hop on a scooter, and head to the beach. Oh, and don’t forget to bring a big fat slurpy to sip on.

“Walking on the Sun” by Smash Mouth

This song with multiple references to the summer of love is the perfect tune for those looking to get more politically involved ahead of the 2020 elections. According to the Los Angeles Times, it was inspired by the racially-charged 1992 riots in LA. It might just inspire you to get out on the street to fight for racial equality instead of posting another Facebook rant about the world getting bushwacked.

“Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden

Every summer day can’t be perfect and sunny, so let this melancholy, but strangely soothing grunge song wash away the rain. It’s the ideal tune to turn on when dark clouds threaten your plans for a backyard Barbie doll barbecue.

“Summertime” by Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff

Back when beloved actor Will Smith was the Fresh Prince (as opposed to Prince Ali’s Smurf-colored genie slave), he dropped this hot track about the hottest time of the year. It’s loaded with nostalgic references to the things young folk used to enjoy before social media took over their lives: attending summer barbecues, playing basketball, and heading to the mall to get a new pair of “sneaks” (unfortunately, Cher Horowitz's dream future of being able to stay home, and spend hours browsing Amazon’s overwhelming shoe selection was still years away).

“California Love” by 2pac and Dr. Dre

Even if you're not from Cali, you've got to love the bangin' beat of this infectious song about the Golden State. It's arguably one of the best hip-hop songs of all time, and it will have you embracing your inner 90s hoochie, while you get ready to go to a summer party. After giving it a listen, you'll definitely be in the mood to get on the dance floor, and shake it, baby.

"Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice

I couldn't resist also putting one of the most ridiculed rap songs of all time on this list. The haters can hate all they want; the only man dumb enough to steal from David Bowie and Queen will always be able to claim that he had one of the first big hits of the nineties. And admit it: When the summer sun gets really hot, you know you'll want some "ice ice baby."

“Summer Girls” by LFO

Yes, this song shares the cheese factor with the one above, but the nonsensical lyrics are what make this tune so entertaining. It definitely has the 90s nostalgia factor going for it, with references to everything from Footloose to Larry Byrd to Abercrombie and Fitch. If it were written today, it would likely be loaded with references to taking selfies at Starbucks and posting videos on TikTok, as opposed to stealing bikes and eating bad Chinese food.

There are songs for every kind of summer mood on this list. Whether you want to party hard, or relax and soak up some rays, they'll all have you reminiscing about those idyllic, screen-free summer days.