Any millennial will tell you that the 90s was THE BEST decade! Terms like “bucket hat,” “Macarena,” and “Furby” are sure to evoke a wave of nostalgia for the era of innovation and unadulterated fun. From revelling in double denim and logging on to the Internet for the first time, to rooting for your favourite celebrity couples like Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow, the 1990s were a never-ending buzz.
Before streaming, when VHS and CD players ruled our entertainment world, TV shows connected us with speculation and anticipation as we waited week by week for every new episode, and every television show worth its salt had a spin-off soundtrack CD! So, take a trip down memory lane with us as we go on a reminiscent countdown of awesome soundtracks from 90s TV shows.
1. Melrose Place [1995]
In 1992, Melrose Place hit the small screen like a mini-tornado. It was almost impossible not to get caught up in the dramatically entangled group of beautiful people living, loving, and lying in an apartment complex on a Los Angeles street named … you guessed it … Melrose Place.
The Melrose Place soundtrack is a curiously alternative collection of indie jams. From the heart aching wash of Dinosaur Jr., to the heavy-hitting Urge Overkill, it’s a rocking list that even includes some Aussie entries with The Divinyls’ “I’m Jealous” and Frente’s delightful "Ordinary Angels".
Frente! | “Ordinary Angels”
2. Friends [1995]
Much like Rachel’s (Jennifer Aniston) haircut that deserves a Guinness Book of Records entry for being THE most contagious fashion craze of all time, the Friends theme song, ‘I’ll Be There For You’ by The Rembrandts, is easily one of the most instantly recognisable markers of the decade. But it’s not the slice of gold you’ll find on the soundtrack. The fabulously era-appropriate lineup includes Hootie and The Blowfish, REM, Toad The Wet Sprocket, KD Lang, Bare Naked Ladies, Grant Lee Buffalo, Paul Westerberg and more; with a little Lou Reed and Joni Mitchell thrown in for some serious cred!
The Rembrandts | “I'll Be There For You [Official Video]
3. Sabrina The Teenage Witch [1998]
Who could forget Sabrina Spellman! The teenage witch with magical powers, living with her wacky aunts and Salem, the talking black cat, who always has a scheme up his paw – it was a non-stop adventure. What you might not remember is the show’s killer soundtrack.
For all the lovers of 90s pop out there, this one’s for you. Kicking off with The Spice Girls’ “Walk Of Life,” you’ll also find the Backstreet Boys, ‘NSync, Five, Britany Spears and Aqua. All in all, it’s 16 tracks of sugary retro pop, guaranteed to brighten your day.
Aqua | “Doctor Jones”
4. Party Of Five [1996]
Party of Five was the ultimate "teens dealing with hard-hitting themes" story, boasting an ensemble cast of bright future stars. When the Salinger siblings lost their parents in a car accident, they were all forced to grow up a little, which may explain why the show came with a more mature and introspective soundtrack than its teen drama counterparts. The track listing includes Chaka Khan’s “Love Me Still”, Joe Jackson’s “Stranger Than Fiction” and Donovan’s “Sunshine Superman” performed by Rickie Lee Jones. However, the highlight moment belongs to Stevie Nicks with her moving rendition of the Tom Petty classic, “Free Fallin’”.
Stevie Nicks | "Free Fallin'"
5. Felicity [1999]
Much like the excellent TV show itself, the Felicity soundtrack is a classy and collegiate affair, tailor-made for pining over a dorm room crush. On there you’ll find the likes of Air’s “All I Need”, Neil Finn’s delicate “She Will Have Her Way” and some easy-listening gems from Peter Gabriel and Sarah McLachlan that float together with Kate Bush’s beautiful “This Woman’s Work” at the helm.
Kate Bush | “This Woman’s Work”
6. Buffy The Vampire Slayer [1999]
If you’ve been searching for the perfect pump up soundtrack, Buffy’s got you covered. The post-grunge themed list takes in Garbage and K’s Choice, then dives a little deeper with The Sundays and Rasputina. It’s a celebration of alt-rocking gold sure to keep your eye on the prize because, when it comes to vampire slaying, focus is everything!
K’s Choice | Virgin State Of Mind
7. Mad About You [1997]
This sitcom/dramedy following the lives of married New Yorkers, Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) was a cult phenomenon of wit and wisdom set in an apartment to die for. The show’s soundtrack has something for everyone, from Etta James’ “At Last” to Elvis Costello’s “Sneaky Feelings,” Hootie and The Blowfish’s “She Crawls Away” and John Lennon’s stunning ode, “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy),” it’s a soundtrack to life with something to suit every mood.
Elvis Costello | “Sneaky Feelings”
8. Beverly Hills 90210 [1994]
When it comes to teen drama, Beverly Hills 90210 more or less wrote the rule book. Unless you were living under a rock for the entire decade, chances are you’ve seen at least one episode in the 10 seasons worth of glitzy drama depicting the not-always-so-fabulous lives of mostly fabulous teens living in the world’s most fabulous zip code.
As well as following the enviable lives of Brandon, Brenda and Co., 90210 promoted a stack of awesome musical acts. From Paula Abdu’s “Bend Time Back Around” and Color Me Badd’s “Got 2 Have U”, to Jeremy Jordan’s career-launching entry, “The Right Kind Of Love” and Shanice’s “Saving Forever For You” - there’s never a dull moment on the soundtrack to the emotional rollercoaster of the 90s best-loved teens.
Jeremy Jordan | "The Right Kind Of Love"
Treat yourself to a trip of 90s wonderment and nostalgia with a special coloured vinyl pressing of the Beverly Hills 90210 – The Soundtrack. Check it out here.
Listen to Beverly Hills 90210 – The Soundtrack on Spotify:
Listen to Beverly Hills 90210 – The Soundtrack on Apple Music:
