I'd say that 1996-1997 was culturally the nadir of the '90s...despite some very good stuff like Beck, it was a much duller year than 1995-1996.

1997 was not a dull year...it was musically the best year of the 90s!

1996-1997 were just bridge years between the still old school early 90's and the beginnings of the modern, plugged in techno world we live in today. In terms of technological advancements those were huge years...but in terms of pop culture, music, sports, they were very dull years. We also had a very boring, forgettable presidential election.

That's not to say they were bad years, the economy was good...but they weren't thrilling.

This may sound dumb, but I'm not sure what a "Nadir" is... ???

1996

This may sound dumb, but I'm not sure what a "Nadir" is... ???


It's a fancy word for 'peak' or 'height'.

It's a fancy word for 'peak' or 'height'.


No, it means bottom. "Apex" means top.

I think it was 1996 going into early 1997. Or maybe late 1996. 1997-1998 was a very good year, but in 1996 we just had the Macarena. An overwhelming number of what was around into the middle of '96 was released in '95, which was a very good year.

No, it means bottom. "Apex" means top.

I think it was 1996 going into early 1997. Or maybe late 1996. 1997-1998 was a very good year, but in 1996 we just had the Macarena. An overwhelming number of what was around into the middle of '96 was released in '95, which was a very good year.


Oh yeah, peak...opposite of 'zenith' or 'apex'

It's hard to determine the peak of '90s culture, because it was so varied. 1994-1995 or so definitely came close, and really the whole period from summer '93 to summer '95 was quite '90s.

No, it means bottom. "Apex" means top.

I think it was 1996 going into early 1997. Or maybe late 1996. 1997-1998 was a very good year, but in 1996 we just had the Macarena. An overwhelming number of what was around into the middle of '96 was released in '95, which was a very good year.



I agree. Late 1996-Early 1997 was probably the absolute worst of the 90's. Actually i'm surprised no one said 1990.

I agree. Late 1996-Early 1997 was probably the absolute worst of the 90's. Actually i'm surprised no one said 1990.


Early 1996's culture was essentially carried over 1995 stuff (1995-1996 was a great year), but the rest of the year was very boring, particularly the fall, that being the reason why the Macarena became so popular. "Unbreak My Heart" was another big hit that year, one of the major '90s monster hits. The rest of what there was to '96-'97 was "Wannabe" (Spice Girls), "No Diggity" (Blackstreet), "Tha Crossroads", Madonna's "Evita" stuff, Beck, the Foo Fighters, and Marilyn Manson. Then the '90s started improving again around the middle of 1997, I think.

And 1990 was very bad. Of course, I think 2006-2007 will probably be the nadir of the '00s.

I agree. Late 1996-Early 1997 was probably the absolute worst of the 90's. Actually i'm surprised no one said 1990.


You all have got to be kidding me??  ???

Late 96 / Early 97 was a Great Time (Especially for Music Overall)

The worst of the '90s by far is Late 98 / Early 99

You all have got to be kidding me??  ???

Late 96 / Early 97 was a Great Time (Especially for Music Overall)

The worst of the '90s by far is Late 98 / Early 99



I dont't nessesarly think that late '96-early '97 is that bad I just think that it's the worst peroid of music in the '90s other than 1990. Although I will admit that 1998-1999 wasn't exactly a great time for music either.

You all have got to be kidding me??  ???

Late 96 / Early 97 was a Great Time (Especially for Music Overall)

The worst of the '90s by far is Late 98 / Early 99


Explain to me what made it so great. '98/'99 was pretty bad too, but I think it was better than '96/'97 or '90/'91.

Explain to me what made it so great. '98/'99 was pretty bad too, but I think it was better than '96/'97 or '90/'91.


Obviously then it's Personal Preference.  You prefer 98/99 because that was the Peak of your Childhood in the '90s, while 96/97 was mine

Everything was great for me "personally" in Late 96/Early 97.  I was in 4th Grade and it was great at the time.  The Music wasn't Bad at all like you claim.  I actually remember it well and listened to the Radio alot at that time

I would like you to tell me what's so bad about it?  How could you even remember it anyway?

Obviously then it's Personal Preference.  You prefer 98/99 because that was the Peak of your Childhood in the '90s, while 96/97 was mine

Everything was great for me "personally" in Late 96/Early 97.  I was in 4th Grade and it was great at the time.  The Music wasn't Bad at all like you claim.  I actually remember it well and listened to the Radio alot at that time

I would like you to tell me what's so bad about it?  How could you even remember it anyway?


He'd know it to some extent. Maybe not the pop culture (I didn't follow music until 1999), but he'd know the general atmospher (I'd know, I'm just a few months older than him). 1990ers are children of the '90s too :)

He'd know it to some extent. Maybe not the pop culture (I didn't follow music until 1999), but he'd know the general atmospher (I'd know, I'm just a few months older than him). 1990ers are children of the '90s too :)


Jeeze Louise.  Sure he might know it, but he sure as Hell doesn't know it more than me.  Duh!  That's the Point!

Do people even think before they type anymore??

Jeeze Louise.  Sure he might know it, but he sure as Hell doesn't know it more than me.  Duh!  That's the Point!

Do people even think before they type anymore??


To be fair, if he can't know 1996, you can't know 1990, 1991, or 1992.

To be fair, if he can't know 1996, you can't know 1990, 1991, or 1992.


That seems fair to me, because it's pretty much true.  I sure as Hell wasn't listening to popular music in 90, 91, or 92 and I didn't have a feel at all for the atmosphere of everything or the pop-culture

I'm sure it would piss you all off too if someone Born in 1994 were acting as if they knew 1999 just as much as you did in terms of Pop-Culture and Music and what-not from supposed personal experience

Another think i'd like to add

You have to look at it from my view.  Obviously you were not listening to Popular Music in Late 96 / Early 97.  So you go by just looking at the charts and seeing these songs and coming to a conclusion that it sucks.  You have to realize that at the time, these songs were actually pretty good.  They were Fresh and New.  They might be old and played out today, but at the time, they were great and so was the entire feel of life

And just like you guys feel about the Late '90s when you were around 9 and 10 is the same way I felt around the Mid '90s.  Everything was great

Another think i'd like to add

You have to look at it from my view.  Obviously you were not listening to Popular Music in Late 96 / Early 97.  So you go by just looking at the charts and seeing these songs and coming to a conclusion that it sucks.  You have to realize that at the time, these songs were actually pretty good.  They were Fresh and New.  They might be old and played out today, but at the time, they were great and so was the entire feel of life

And just like you guys feel about the Late '90s when you were around 9 and 10 is the same way I felt around the Mid '90s.  Everything was great


Fair enough :)

You'd say I was genuinely "there" in the late '90s, right?

Fair enough :)

You'd say I was genuinely "there" in the late '90s, right?


I'm not sure what you mean

To be fair, if he can't know 1996, you can't know 1990, 1991, or 1992.


And I can't know 1987 and 1988, which is very not true. ;)

Like I've said, I think once someone reaches age 6 or 7, they have an almost perfect memory of things. Even back to 3 in a reduced extent.

Looks like everybody is still arguing about the same old crap, lol.

And I can't know 1987 and 1988, which is very not true. ;)

Like I've said, I think once someone reaches age 6 or 7, they have an almost perfect memory of things. Even back to 3 in a reduced extent.


Yeah you can remember things as early as 3 or so.

And I can't know 1987 and 1988, which is very not true. ;)

Like I've said, I think once someone reaches age 6 or 7, they have an almost perfect memory of things. Even back to 3 in a reduced extent.


I doubt that.  Plus, someone 10 Years Old would have a better memory and understanding of the time than a 6 year old would. Plus, we were talking mainly about the Music, and no 6 year olds are listening to Popular Music on a daily basis.

I doubt that.  Plus, someone 10 Years Old would have a better memory and understanding of the time than a 6 year old would. Plus, we were talking mainly about the Music, and no 6 year olds are listening to Popular Music on a daily basis.


Just because you weren't there as a teen, doesn't mean you weren't there at all.

I doubt that.  Plus, someone 10 Years Old would have a better memory and understanding of the time than a 6 year old would. Plus, we were talking mainly about the Music, and no 6 year olds are listening to Popular Music on a daily basis.


Most aren't but I bet there are some that do. Nobody's saying you don't have a better memory than the 1990ers, and someone born in 1982 would have a better memory than us probably, but the '90ers can remember some things from the late '90s as well.

Just because you weren't there as a teen, doesn't mean you weren't there at all.


Yea that's true, it all depends on individual experience.

I doubt that.  Plus, someone 10 Years Old would have a better memory and understanding of the time than a 6 year old would. Plus, we were talking mainly about the Music, and no 6 year olds are listening to Popular Music on a daily basis.


No offense dude, but you're wrong on that one too. I'm actually an '81er (although, schoolwise an '82er ;) ) and I was introduced to many many songs as a kid in 1986, 1988, etc. because my parents commonly listented to music at home and in the car, etc. Same with other "adults" I knew.

By the age of 6, I liked alot of stuff, so don't lump everyone into one boat. Was I out getting l*id at a Bon Jovi concert in 1987 or driving my dad's car? Of course not, but that doesn't mean I can't remember it.

Same with a 1990er in 1996. Take it easy. :)

Bottom Line, No 6 Year Old listens to Popular Music on a daily basis, and if by some slim chance they did, they didn't appreciate it as much as someone a little older to understand it

Where is Trimac when you need him... ::)

Bottom Line, No 6 Year Old listens to Popular Music on a daily basis, and if by some slim chance they did, they didn't appreciate it as much as someone a little older to understand it

Where is Trimac when you need him... ::)


I admit I don't know 1996 as well as 2001 or 2005, but I was around then. I wasn't around in the early '90s, but I had a minimal mid '90s presence.

Bottom Line, No 6 Year Old listens to Popular Music on a daily basis, and if by some slim chance they did, they didn't appreciate it as much as someone a little older to understand it

Where is Trimac when you need him... ::)


You mean you didn't. There's a difference between you (and, for that matter, people you knew) than everyone. How many 6 year olds exist in the world? Millions and millions. And just like any adult or teen, they are all different too. Just because they're children doesn't mean they're dormant and stupid and have no tastes, etc.

You mean you didn't. There's a difference between you (and, for that matter, people you knew) than everyone. How many 6 year olds exist in the world? Millions and millions. And just like any adult or teen, they are all different too. Just because they're children doesn't mean they're dormant and stupid and have no tastes, etc.


I agree Marty, you can't make assumptions about every 6 year old based on your experience.

I'll give him one thing. I have more "personal world" experience of, say 1994+ than I do even with 1989 or 1991. By the time I was 12, I started to go places on my own at least in a reduced extent (i.e. if my mom went to the mall, I'd go to the music store of the arcade on my own 'till she was done). I watched more TV and hung out with people from school more too, but that doesn't mean I abandoned stuff I'd liked several years earlier in 1987.

Hell, I even have fragmented memories of the "Hall and Oates esque" early '80s.

I'll give him one thing. I have more "personal world" experience of, say 1994+ than I do even with 1989 or 1991. By the time I was 12, I started to go places on my own at least in a reduced extent (i.e. if my mom went to the mall, I'd go to the music store of the arcade on my own 'till she was done). I watched more TV and hung out with people from school more too, but that doesn't mean I abandoned stuff I'd liked several years earlier in 1987.

Hell, I even have fragmented memories of the "Hall and Oates esque" early '80s.


Well of course, I know say 2000 + way more than I do 1996, but that doesn't mean you can't like/remember anything from your younger years.

^Absolutely. ;) In fact, that's almost more special just because it's the first stuff you ever liked, so in a way, you'll be comparing everything else to that. But what someone liked at age 5, 7, etc is 100% "fresh".

Also, to prove my point that 98/99 was the Worst Time for Music, I took a Computer Screenshot of my XM/Napster Program (Which has the full Billboard Charts dating back to the 60s)

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6112/989910du.jpg (Click on the link to see the picture)

And please stop it with the smiley faces with the "Haha, Yeah we told him!" attitude.  Trying to make it seem as if i'm the bad guy here or something.

Also, to prove my point that 98/99 was the Worst Time for Music, I took a Computer Screenshot of my XM/Napster Program (Which has the full Billboard Charts dating back to the 60s)

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6112/989910du.jpg (Click on the link to see the picture)

And please stop it with the smiley faces with the "Haha, Yeah we told him!" attitude.  Trying to make it seem as if i'm the bad guy here or something.


Yeah I have Napster too. I actually liked a lot of late '90s pop so I didn't mind the music then, though the music wasn't as good as the mid '90s.

I was just looking through the entire Billboard Hot 100 of the '90s on the Napster thing, and the "Best" period for Music that I found was the Spring of 1992

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/7389/19926cz.jpg (Click the link to see the pic)

Songs like "To Be With You", "Jump", "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Remember The Time", "Baby Got Back", "Tears In Heaven", "My Lovin'", "Under The Bridge", "Make It Happen", "In The Closet", "I Can't Dance" and ....."I'm Too Sexy" ( ;D)

All of which are songs that I like.  Pretty Impressive Lineup  :o

You seem to have an inferiority complex, 5*19*86. You know, you keep repeating "I'm 20! I was 10 and not 6 in 1996!" And yet you refuse to tell me what was so great about 1996-1997. You act like every child is some blind mole-rat. Like, if you're such a big 20 year old, why do you feel the need to assert your superiority over a 16-year old on a freaking message board? If you're 20, than act like you're 20, and not some 13 year old complaining 10 year olds like stuff that he likes and act like they know more about it.

Ever heard of a CAR RADIO, by the way? I would say the first year I actively knew some songs ("Unbreak My Heart", "Macarena", "Tha Diggity") was 1996-1997, but I knew what sort of stuff and what I liked on the radio before then.

And you just keep saying "Oh, well you were 6", instead of realizing I did research...I mean, if we were dealing with a real '90s teen we would both look like little Gen Y brats. Like, you're not that much older than me. Get over it. I know you need something to inflate your ego...but don't do it around me.

And, if you want to stop being called a bad guy, than stop acting like an ass, seriously. It's not appealing. And I've been waiting to tell you off for awhile.

You seem to have an inferiority complex, 5*19*86. You know, you keep repeating "I'm 20! I was 10 and not 6 in 1996!" And yet you refuse to tell me what was so great about 1996-1997. You act like every child is some blind mole-rat. Like, if you're such a big 20 year old, why do you feel the need to assert your superiority over a 16-year old on a freaking message board? If you're 20, than act like you're 20, and not some 13 year old complaining 10 year olds like stuff that he likes and act like they know more about it.

Ever heard of a CAR RADIO, by the way? I would say the first year I actively knew some songs ("Unbreak My Heart", "Macarena", "Tha Diggity") was 1996-1997, but I knew what sort of stuff and what I liked on the radio before then.

And you just keep saying "Oh, well you were 6", instead of realizing I did research...I mean, if we were dealing with a real '90s teen we would both look like little Gen Y brats. Like, you're not that much older than me. Get over it. I know you need something to inflate your ego...but don't do it around me.

And, if you want to stop being called a bad guy, than stop acting like an ass, seriously. It's not appealing. And I've been waiting to tell you off for awhile.


Actually, you're one of those typical Arrogant Gen Y'ers.  You want to convince yourself that you know the '90s as much as possible, but you don't and it bugs you.  You can probably only remember 1998 and 1999 the most, but you continue to be a snobby brat by claiming to know things perfectly since you were like 3 or 4, which is complete crap.  It's just a way for you to convince yourself and everyone else that you remember a larger portion of the '90s than you actually should

I don't buy into your crap.  And i've been waiting to tell you off for a while also

Actually, you're one of those typical Arrogant Gen Y'ers.  You want to convince yourself that you know the '90s as much as possible, but you don't and it bugs you.  You can probably only remember 1998 and 1999 the most, but you continue to be a snobby brat by claiming to know things perfectly since you were like 3 or 4, which is complete crap.  It's just a way for you to convince yourself and everyone else that you remember a larger portion of the '90s than you actually should

I don't buy into your crap.  And i've been waiting to tell you off for a while also


Well, I don't claim to remember all of the '90s. I claim to have researched that. I claim to remember the late '90s. I remember the "feel" of the mid-'90s, i.e. what the world was like. And stop saying what I should and shouldn't remember.

Stop putting words in my mouth, you sad moron. It's like you need to be elevated above somebody. You were 7.

And why do you even care so much? I only care so much because you've made me do so.

You act like you expect people to put up with you being a massive jerk. You're constantly attacking people to elevate your ego. Don't you have ANY social skills to know people won't put up with that, however much you think you're right? Apparently not, you 20-year old 13-year old who needs to feel like he knows something, at least. You really like getting in fights, don't you? You're a pathetic person, and leave me alone.

Keep waiting because I'm fairly certain neither velvetoneo, myself nor anyone else who reads this thread wants to read about how you can't stand yet ANOTHER member of this site.


Why does every damn thread you post in have to turn into a fight?  Can't you ever disagree with someone without turning it into a war of personal attacks.  Everyone needs to just grow up.


I agree it's time to stop arguing about this stupid meaningless crap.

Actually, you're one of those typical Arrogant Gen Y'ers.  You want to convince yourself that you know the '90s as much as possible, but you don't and it bugs you.  You can probably only remember 1998 and 1999 the most, but you continue to be a snobby brat by claiming to know things perfectly since you were like 3 or 4, which is complete crap.  It's just a way for you to convince yourself and everyone else that you remember a larger portion of the '90s than you actually should

I don't buy into your crap.  And i've been waiting to tell you off for a while also


You shouldn't assume things about people. We're all different. I'm not saying there aren't certain common factors in certain groups sometimes, but don't assume every 6 year old is one way, or every 15 year old or every 30 year old thinks/feels/the same way. This isn't the Stepford Wives. ;)

If you were to say, "I didn't listen to popular music when I was 6", I could respect that. But to use your own logic that one has to "be there" - you haven't "been there" to see Velvetoneo's (or mine, or anyone else's) life play out, so how would you know what he liked at the age of 6, etc?


P.S. I know alot from the '70s and earlier '80s even if I wasn't born yet or barely was. I heard alot of, say 1979 songs on the radio in 1985, or watched '80s videos on VH1 in 1992, etc. ;) I watched alot of TV shows/documentaries on the '80s, etc. as well, so I was very very familar with the "feel".