The year 1998 was filled with several popular tracks from artists spanning multiple genres. If you are planning on making a playlist full of nostalgic tunes but have trouble remembering all of the hits, don’t worry. We’re going to tell you the 35 best songs from 1998, so continue reading to find out what tracks made our list and relive the memories as we go through them.
1. How Do I Live – LeAnn Rimes
First on our list is LeAnn Rimes with How Do I Live, which was her breakout hit. This song broke a lot of records with it on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 69 weeks, which at the time was the longest a track had stayed on the chart. It peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 while it hit number one on the Adult Contemporary chart.
2. Nice & Slow – Usher
R&B artist Usher makes the list with the song Nice And Slow, which was released on his album My Way. This is a very sensual track talking about romance and how he would give it to his lady. Even though the song comes from his second album, it became his first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It made it to number one on the Rhythmic and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts as well.
3. All My Life – K-Ci & JoJo
A track you’ve probably heard at weddings is up next, which is K-Ci & JoJo with their hit track All My Life. This is a song talking about how the guy prayed for a woman like her and how thankful and lucky he was to have her in his life. This is a very romantic tune with soft R&B vocals, making it perfect for a love ballad, and it’s not surprising that it became their signature track. It landed on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and Rhythmic charts in the number one position and is still in heavy rotation today.
4. You’re Still The One – Shania Twain
Next is country superstar Shania Twain and her track You’re Still The One, which comes from her third album Come On Over. This song was a mega-hit for her, her first Top 10 in the US, and is one of her most successful tracks despite it never landing at number one. She won two Grammy Awards for it including Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song, and it’s considered one of the best tracks of the 90s.
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5. My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
We can’t have this list without talking about Celine Dion’s well-known hit from Titanic called My Heart Will Go On. This beautiful love song is considered to be her signature track, and it landed at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Latin Songs, Adult Contemporary, and Mainstream Top 40 charts.
6. Candle In The Wind (Princess Diana Version) – Elton John
Elton John originally wrote Candle In The Wind for Marilyn Monroe, but when Princess Diana died in 1997, he rewrote the lyrics as a tribute to his friend. The rewritten version was sung at her funeral, and this version remains a classic and iconic tune from the 90s.
7. Too Close – Next
A song on our list you may not know about is Too Close by Next, which was one of the hottest R&B tracks of the year. The song was played on every pop and R&B station and became their biggest hit. It’s a track about dancing with a woman and her feeling the guy’s excitement—if you catch our drift—which makes it the perfect song to dance to with that special someone.
8. I Don’t Want To Wait – Paula Cole
Calling all fans of Dawson’s Creek, the next track on our list was the theme song for this hit drama show until it ended in 2003. I Don’t Want To Wait by Paula Cole is thought to be one of the best tracks of the 90s, and it made it to number one on the Adult Top 40 charts. It also made it to three on the Adult Contemporary and Adult Alternative Songs charts, while only peaking at 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
9. Truly Madly Deeply – Savage Garden
One of the biggest hits of the year was Savage Garden with Truly Madly Deeply, which came from their debut album. The Australian band had international success with this track, and it peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, and Mainstream Top 40 charts. It remains one of their classic and most popular songs.
10. The Boy Is Mine – Brandy and Monica
If you like R&B, then you may remember The Boy Is Mine by Brandy and Monica. This was a great song that involves them both singing and fighting over the same man. It was one of their biggest hits and was their first number-one hit.
11. My All – Mariah Carey
Up next is Mariah Carey with My All, which comes from her sixth album Butterfly. This song is about a woman who is begging to have one more night with her previous lover so it’s very relatable. You can hear the Latin percussion in this track, which makes it unforgettable and part of the reason it landed at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
12. How’s It Going To Be – Third Eye Blind
Peaking at nine on the Billboard Hot 100 is the next tune, which is How’s It Going To Be by Third Eye Blind. This song is all about ending a relationship and then moving on just as acquaintances with that person. It might not be as well-known as their track Semi-Charmed Life, but this was still a massive hit for the band and loved by fans.
13. No, No, No Part 1 – Destiny’s Child
No, No, No Part 1 by Destiny’s Child was one of their big hits, and it’s one of those ballads that has a little bit of soul mixed in with some R&B. It landed at one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and made it to three on the Billboard Hot 100.
14. Together Again – Janet Jackson
A sad song that was a big hit in 1998 was Together Again by Janet Jackson, which was inspired by a boy who had written to her and told her about his father dying. She also had been inspired by the fact her friend died of AIDS. This track topped the Dance Club Songs chart and Billboard Hot 100 chart.
15. Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It – Will Smith
Coming from his debut album Big Willie Style, Will Smith scored a major hit with Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It, and this is one of his most well-known tracks to date. It landed at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Rap Songs charts while also making it to six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
16. This Kiss – Faith Hill
Calling all fans of the movie Practical Magic, you may remember this next song from the soundtrack. Yes, we’re talking about This Kiss by Faith Hill, which landed at seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was nominated for two Grammy Awards, although it didn’t win either one.
17. I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing – Aerosmith
Armageddon was one of the biggest movies of the year, so it’s no surprise we have to talk about I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing by Aerosmith, which is best known for being in this film. This song is still played today and is one of the best tracks for a slow dance. When it was released, it went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and Mainstream Top 40 chart.
18. My Way – Usher
Up next is the song My Way by Usher, which was a pretty big success for the R&B star. It landed at two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is thought to be one of his best tracks. If you watch the music video, it’s quite entertaining since it’s all about two groups who are having a dance competition.
19. Adia – Sarah McLachlan
Sarah McLachlan makes the list with Adia, which is a song where she goes into her thoughts and feelings being the one responsible for other people. This track placed third on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and it was the first time one of her songs made it into the top five. It is one of her most well-known tracks and is loved by fans.
20. Sex and Candy – Marcy Playground
Alternative music was big in 1998 and that’s why Marcy Playground had a smash hit with Sex And Candy, which came from their debut album. This song was inspired by a female that had told the lead singer of the band that the room smelled like sex and candy. There is a lot of sexual talk in this track, and it hit number one on the Modern Rock Songs chart while peaking at eight on the Billboard Hot 100.
21. What You Want – Mase Feat. Total
Up next is Mase with What You Want, which is an R&B song that comes from his debut album Harlem World. This track hit number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and the RIAA certified the track gold because it was that popular and sold over 900,000 copies.
22. Tubthumping – Chumbawamba
One of the best songs of the 90s and a track that you’ll sing when you are ready to fight back is Tubthumping by Chumbawamba. You probably know “I get knocked down, but I get up again.” A major hit for the group, it landed at number one on the Alternative Airplay, Adult Top 40, and Mainstream Top 40 charts.
23. Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) – Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys are next with Everybody (Backstreet’s Back), which comes from their debut album in the US. This song was a huge success and hit four on the Billboard Hot 100, 11 on the Mainstream Top 40, and 14 on the Rhythmic charts. This track is one of those songs you just want to get up and dance to when you hear it, and it’s one of their most well-known tracks.
24. A Song For Mama – Boyz II Men
If you’ve listened to the soundtrack to the movie Soul Food then you know the next track, which is A Song For Mama by Boyz II Men. This track hit number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and made it to seven on the Billboard Hot 100.
25. The First Night – Monica
Monica makes our list with The First Night, which comes from her album The Boy Is Mine. This song is all about a woman having sexual thoughts and feelings while on her first date. It’s a battle because she has conflicting feelings about it, which makes it relatable to many women and one reason why it landed at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
26. Frozen – Madonna
Madonna makes the list with Frozen, which has been described as a masterpiece by critics, and it was a big success. It landed at two on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached one in countries such as Greece and Italy, making it an international hit.
27. I Want You Back – *NSYNC
I Want You Back comes off *NSYNC’s first album, and it’s one of their most well-known songs to date. This dance and pop track hit seven on the Mainstream Top 40, 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, and 17 on the Dance Single Sales charts and remains a classic today.
28. Crush – Jennifer Paige
Next is Jennifer Paige with Crush from her self-titled debut album, and this track hit three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and Mainstream Top 40. It was one of the biggest teenage pop songs of the year and achieved international success.
29. Show Me Love – Robyn
Robyn had a hit with Show Me Love in 1998, which comes from her debut album and was only her second single in America. The song hit number three on the Mainstream Top 40, seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and 26 on the Adult Top 40 chart.
30. One Week – Barenaked Ladies
We all know the song One Week by Barenaked Ladies, and this track was a massive success. There are many pop culture references in the song, which is what is most notable about it. It hit one on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week, funny enough. This track is fun to try to sing since it is sung very fast to the point of almost being a rap song, and it’s one of their most popular tracks to date.
31. I Do – Lisa Loeb
Lisa Loeb scored a hit with I Do, which isn’t about a relationship like most people think, but is about how the record company didn’t hear a hit single on her album and asked her to write another track. It hit 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went to one in Canada. This would be her last big song in Canada and America.
32. Never Ever – All Saints
Girl group All Saints makes our list with Never Ever, which was a huge hit in 1998 and made it to four on the Billboard Hot 100, three on the Mainstream Top 40, and 25 on the Rhythmic charts. This would become their biggest single ever and is thought of as their signature song.
33. When The Lights Go Out – Five
Five is on our list with When The Lights Go Out, which was from their debut album. This song was the only track that made it into the Top 10 in the US, landing at 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In total, this song was on the Billboard Hot 100 for more than six months!
34. Let’s Ride – Montell Jordan
Montell Jordan makes the list with Let’s Ride, which went to two on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit one on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. While This is How We Do It is more popular, this became his second-biggest track to date.
35. Gone Till November – Wyclef Jean
Last on our list is Wyclef Jean with Gone Till November, which comes from his solo debut album. It hit seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and also went to number three on the UK Singles chart.
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From the time she was little, Florence loved listening to music and quickly learned how music can make you happy and feel fulfilled. One of her favorite memories is being in the garage with her dad working on classic cars with the local rock station blaring in the background. Ever since Florence was 3, she loved grunge music and spent hours listening to bands such as Alice in Chains, Mad Season, Soul Asylum, and Soundgarden.
She also enjoys classic rock, modern rock, nu metal, alternative rock, and old 90’s R&B. Her love of music grew as she got older, and used music to help her get through tough times in her life. More often than not, you’ll see Florence with earbuds in while she’s writing, cooking, cleaning, and doing other tasks. She also loves to debate music with her friends such as which lead singer is the best vocalist, the most iconic guitar solos in music, and what songs are really the best of the decade.