When you think of 1998 and some of the 1997 left overs do you still consider it classic?
Watching this vid from april of 1998 and its still classic sort of.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dthjojjVhDo

Even some stuff of the early 2000's is already classic, so why shouldn't '98 be? Maybe not classic 1994-NINETIES, but overall it's classic.

Even some stuff of the early 2000's is already classic, so why shouldn't '98 be? Maybe not classic 1994-NINETIES, but overall it's classic.


yeah 1997-1999 is its own kind of classic

I think all years of the 90's are equally classic. They are all part of the same decade.

I think all years of the 90's are equally classic. They are all part of the same decade.


That is just what I was going to say lol.

I'm not sure since it's 14 years ago, I would wait another 5 years.

I'm not sure since it's 14 years ago, I would wait another 5 years.


Titanic is already considered 'classic', so I would say that the time is enough.

1998 still has Zordon and Rita Repulsa in Power Rangers: in Space, so that makes it qualify. Seinfeld was still on the air until May, and Friends and Frasier were only about halfway through their runs. Its a bit more technologically advanced than 1994 with the Internet becoming quite popular, though not yet an everyday thing like it has beginning around 2000. Furbies are also seen as "classic 90s" already, and this was their peak year of popularity. Regular cellphones also were becoming popular, but reception was still iffy and we were only one year past the peak of payphones (1997 had more payphones than at any point in history, and has been in a steady decline since.)

1999 seems much more "21st century looking" than 1998 does, in fact but it was really just the start of the REAL transition in the '00s along with 2000 and pre 9/11 2001. To me, the peak '00s didn't really form until around 2004 when HDTV and Myspace became popular along with the rise of emo and snap rap to the mainstream, and 2004 seemed to be the last year to have any decent VHS tape selection.

That said, 1998 is solid '90s, even the first wave of Pokemon since the theme song for the first season is typical '90s that actually wouldn't have sounded out of place in 1990 even. Whitney Houston even had her final effective album, My Love is Your Love that year, and by the time the '00s were really underway, she was seen as a tabloid talk.

It was a mix of classic 90's and early 2000ish.

Ah, 1998... From what I can remember, that was a good year. I consider that year to also be classic. Love the music that was popular back then:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM_kfMvceUE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va1Y6uAgNJY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXvMT_mVbqw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvuL5jyCHOw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1kzG9Ld1kI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6QKqFPRZSA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbXiECmCZ94

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqFLXayD6e8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dls_cBmUt7Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rT9ouWEUQg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gAsPT-vgeM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCrNRzSEvnY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVAhsfvEH4A&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lyu1KKwC74

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6XE1XRiLeY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDcCSiakaU4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL7-CKirWZE


Sooo nostalgic for 1998 right now...

Ah, 1998... From what I can remember, that was a good year. I consider that year to also be classic. Love the music that was popular back then:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM_kfMvceUE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va1Y6uAgNJY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXvMT_mVbqw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvuL5jyCHOw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1kzG9Ld1kI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6QKqFPRZSA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbXiECmCZ94

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqFLXayD6e8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dls_cBmUt7Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rT9ouWEUQg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gAsPT-vgeM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCrNRzSEvnY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVAhsfvEH4A&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lyu1KKwC74

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6XE1XRiLeY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDcCSiakaU4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL7-CKirWZE


Sooo nostalgic for 1998 right now...


1998 had some great hits.

Both 1997 and 1998 are classic, 1999 is not.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIduOvEoVeQ

Will Smith had this dance hit.^

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIduOvEoVeQ

Will Smith had this dance hit.^


Who can forget that one? That used to be played all the time on the radio! "Gettin jiggy with it" was also the catchphrase of the late 90's.

Who can forget that one? That used to be played all the time on the radio! "Gettin jiggy with it" was also the catchphrase of the late 90's.



Doesn't it mean "to have sex"? ???

Doesn't it mean "to have sex"? ???


I don't think so. I think it means to dance well. o.o

I could be wrong though.

Not classic 90s anymore. But belonging to the 90s/00s transition era (halfway 97-september 01), an era with it's own identity. Spiritual and calm, more than the classic 90s; Madonna's Ray of light album sums up the feel of that era pretty well. :)

The classic 90s were somewhat rougher, in many ways.

I'm probably in the minority here, but I actually think the late 90s was if you will, the 'most 90s' part of the decade. The entire first half of the 90s still had a strong tie to the late eighties. 1999 is 90s full stop, it had a different atmosphere than 2001 onwards yet also had none of the twentieth century old fashionedness that stuck around as late as 1997. I don't think the late 90s is as tied to the 2000s as people think either. I feel like pop culture began to slow in its evolution around 2001, but was still changing considerably throughout the whole 90s.

To me, late 1994 to early 2001 is what I see as being the classic 90s that we'd recognize. Black clothes, irony and gangsta galore. Late 1991 to mid 1994 is more 90s than 80s, but it's still not very different from 1988 and 1989 in a lot of ways. Just like late 2001 to mid 2005 was different from 1998-1999, but not hugely so.

I'm probably in the minority here, but I actually think the late 90s was if you will, the 'most 90s' part of the decade.


Hmm, I don't think so. I remember all of the 90's. The "most 90's" part was rather 1993-97, peaking in 1995. Pop Music that I consider very 90's is for example Ace of Base, Culture Beat (Mr. Vain), Dr. Alban (Sing Hallelujah). I know that's European, but that's the typical 90's sound I would associate with the decade. It's neither 80's or 00's, but pure 90's. I always have a problem to see the late 90's as pure 90's because they had so much in common with the (early) 2000's.


To me, late 1994 to early 2001 is what I see as being the classic 90s that we'd recognize.


1999, 2000, 2001 = classic 90's? Oh please - you know that can't be right ;)

Hmm, I don't think so. I remember all of the 90's. The "most 90's" part was rather 1993-97, peaking in 1995. Pop Music that I consider very 90's is for example Ace of Base, Culture Beat (Mr. Vain), Dr. Alban (Sing Hallelujah). I know that's European, but that's the typical 90's sound I would associate with the decade. It's neither 80's or 00's, but pure 90's. I always have a problem to see the late 90's as pure 90's because they had so much in common with the (early) 2000's.

1999, 2000, 2001 = classic 90's? Oh please - you know that can't be right ;)


I used to think that too, but the more I see movies and commercials from 1999, the less and less different from 1995, 1996, 1997 etc it seems. I lived  in Great Falls, Montana from March 1998 to June 2001 so that time span blends together for me. A lot of things I used to think were from the 90s I learned were actually from the year 2000 or even 2001.

2000 and early 2001, yeah calling them 'classic' 90s might be a bit of a stretch. But I'd say 1999 fit the bill, I mean sure Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera got popular then sure, but they had to change their style once they made new albums c. 2002 because the late 90's style of pop they were a huge part of in 1999 was already going out of style by then. At the same time though, 1998 and 1999 did have the 'crudeness' of the early 2000s, television and music definitely had a lot more violence and profanity compared to the first 8 years of the 90s and I think that does tie it into the 2000s a bit. South Park for example is more 00s than 90s to me in character, it's quite a bit different from The Simpsons and Beavis and Butt-head.

I used to think that too, but the more I see movies and commercials from 1999, the less and less different from 1995, 1996, 1997 etc it seems.


As for movies, that could be true, but commercials...
I have not seen too many American commercials, but is it not the case, that there are WAY more internet commercials or cell phone commercials in the very late 90's commercials than for example in 1995 or 1996? I think this makes the biggest difference - all that information technology and the web-addresses attached to the ads.

As for movies, that could be true, but commercials...
I have not seen too many American commercials, but is it not the case, that there are WAY more internet commercials or cell phone commercials in the very late 90's commercials than for example in 1995 or 1996? I think this makes the biggest difference - all that information technology and the web-addresses attached to the ads.


That's true, but I see the Internet as part of the identity of the 90s, because even though it was uncommon to use during the first half or two thirds of the decade, the 90s was really the decade that ushered it in (the 80s is the decade that gave birth to it, since the WWW was invented in '89 and BBSes existed well before). The fashion and way people talk in late 90s commercials (such as 'dude you're getting a Dell') is still extremely 90s.

About the "sound" of the 90's.

The sound I associate the most with the 90's: A  eertain electric guitar sound on a lot 90's pop/rock or alternate songs. Gin Blossoms, Candlebox, Matchbox 20, Oasis, Stone Temple Pilots, etc.  Also a lot of songs from female pop/rock stars of the time: Alanis Morissette, Natalie Merchant, Joan Osborne, Jann Arden, etc.

That's true, but I see the Internet as part of the identity of the 90s, because even though it was uncommon to use during the first half or two thirds of the decade, the 90s was really the decade that ushered it in (the 80s is the decade that gave birth to it, since the WWW was invented in '89 and BBSes existed well before). The fashion and way people talk in late 90s commercials (such as 'dude you're getting a Dell') is still extremely 90s.


I agree with you. There are still some very 90's commericals around 1998-1999.

Hmm, I don't think so. I remember all of the 90's. The "most 90's" part was rather 1993-97, peaking in 1995. Pop Music that I consider very 90's is for example Ace of Base, Culture Beat (Mr. Vain), Dr. Alban (Sing Hallelujah). I know that's European, but that's the typical 90's sound I would associate with the decade. It's neither 80's or 00's, but pure 90's. I always have a problem to see the late 90's as pure 90's because they had so much in common with the (early) 2000's.

1999, 2000, 2001 = classic 90's? Oh please - you know that can't be right ;)


I agree with 93-97 as being "classic 90s."  Ace of Base is a good example; songs like "The Sign", "Don't Turn Around" and "All That She Wants" all scream 90s to me.  98 still had elements of "classic 90s", but the (early) 2000s were clearly creeping in, technologically and culturally.  It was still more 90s than 2000s overall, but not classic 90s imo.  I'd say it was the first year of the "Millenium Era".

That's true, but I see the Internet as part of the identity of the 90s


Yes, it became household in the 90's, but if you really think about it, for most of the 90's it had not really a relevance - especially not in its early days and definetly not before 1998. 

It's the same with smartphones being available for the whole 2000's (and even 90s), but only being really interesting from the late 2000's on with the iPhone. Since smartphones became common only in the late 2000's, they didn't form the identity of the 2000's to me and they are therefore more of a 10's thing - when everybody has to have one.

No, teen pop was already big. Classic 90s was 1993-1997.

Honestly, alot of 1997ish and mid ninties stuff was still around during the the first 3/4 of 1998, Except for Nysync.  Examples, Madonna Ray of Light, Alanis Morrissette's 2nd Album, Natalie Imbruglia, Pras/O.D.B. "Ghetto Superstar" , Eagle Eye Cherry "Save Tonight",  Will Smith, Brandy and Monica "The Boy is Mine", Fatboy Slim Rockerfeller Shank", etc...  The true millenial era came at the end of 1998,
September and October.  That's When Hit Me Baby One More Time, came out, Got the Life by Korn, which exploded by the time 1999 Hit. 

Both 1997 and 1998 are classic, 1999 is not.


1999, in terms of music is not that memorable with the exception of a few songs from artists like Brian McKnight, Juvenile/Hot Boys, etc.

Hip Hop changed drastically in 1997. 

I really don't see how 1990 is considered any more classic than 1999. o.o

They are both part of the same decade.

I really don't see how 1990 is considered any more classic than 1999. o.o


If you have a 'classic' feel to a year that is not even completely 13 years ago, than it's your choice.
Maybe in 10 years we can discuss your question again - but until now, 1990 is long enough ago to be considered 'classic' while 1999 is not.

I really don't see how 1990 is considered any more classic than 1999. o.o

They are both part of the same decade.


If you actually mean 'classic 90s' with the word 'classic', maybe because 1990 is older?  :)

But I tend to divide the history of pop culture in clear 80s/90s/00s/whatever eras (mostly the middle of the decade), and transition eras (mostly the 7th or 8th year of a decade till the 2nd or 3rd year of the next decade). The world doesn't immediately change totally when a new decade begins. ;)

Inertia - This is how I assess whether things from the chronological 90's period have a classic element to them.  For the 90s -  Alternative Rock, East/Coast West Coast Hip Hop, Euro Dance/House Music, Raver Culture, Skater Culture, Neo-hippie culture, Feminism, Folk Music, Coffee Shop Culture, 90's preppie culture, etc.  Even 1990 is 90's IMHO, the 1990-1993 period was vastly different than the late 80's.  Which erroneous to mix together, IMO.  For example, when I think of late 80's I think of huge Aqua Net hairstyles, acid-wash, heavy synth music, jaunty pop melodies, and Teen-beat acts like Kylie Minogue, Debbie Gibson, Taylor Dane, and Belinda Carlisle.  Then there's the ealy 90's.  Doc Martens, Floral Prints, Alot of R&B, Hip-Hop, and Dance Music was popular.  I think Deee-Lite Groove in the Heart is very 90's.  Not 1994 90's but still enough to distiguish it from the 80's already. 

Inertia - This is how I assess whether things from the chronological 90's period have a classic element to them.  For the 90s -  Alternative Rock, East/Coast West Coast Hip Hop, Euro Dance/House Music, Raver Culture, Skater Culture, Neo-hippie culture, Feminism, Folk Music, Coffee Shop Culture, 90's preppie culture, etc.  Even 1990 is 90's IMHO, the 1990-1993 period was vastly different than the late 80's.  Which erroneous to mix together, IMO.  For example, when I think of late 80's I think of huge Aqua Net hairstyles, acid-wash, heavy synth music, jaunty pop melodies, and Teen-beat acts like Kylie Minogue, Debbie Gibson, Taylor Dane, and Belinda Carlisle.  Then there's the ealy 90's.  Doc Martens, Floral Prints, Alot of R&B, Hip-Hop, and Dance Music was popular.  I think Deee-Lite Groove in the Heart is very 90's.  Not 1994 90's but still enough to distiguish it from the 80's already.


I think Groove Is In The Heart doesn't really sound of any decade. With that said, I think "Pump Up The Volume" by MARRS from 1988 sounds very '90s', but the vast majority of 1988's music did not, of course.  :)

I think Groove Is In The Heart doesn't really sound of any decade. With that said, I think "Pump Up The Volume" by MARRS from 1988 sounds very '90s', but the vast majority of 1988's music did not, of course.  :)


I agree, I would also include Technotronic "Pump Up The Jam" and Black Box "Everybody, Everybody" and "Strike It Up".  :)

And even Full Force - Alice, I want you just for me sounds almost 90s. Not exactly, but on the edge of it.

Although it's from 1985, I play it at Good Vibrations *points to signature*; it's the oldest track there. And listeners don't have a problem with it. Same goes for The Residents - Kaw-liga (1986) and Farley Jackmaster Funk - Love can't turn around (1986).

If a track from the last half of the 80s mixes well with typical 90s music: no problem. Al that Technotronic/Black Box/etc. stuff is also played (while I don't play Taylor Dayne and similar songs from the same era). I can agree with the people above me. :)

I think Groove Is In The Heart doesn't really sound of any decade. With that said, I think "Pump Up The Volume" by MARRS from 1988 sounds very '90s', but the vast majority of 1988's music did not, of course.  :)


Groove Is In The Heart sounds more 80's.

I think Groove Is In The Heart doesn't really sound of any decade. With that said, I think "Pump Up The Volume" by MARRS from 1988 sounds very '90s', but the vast majority of 1988's music did not, of course.  :)


I can work with that.  House sorta went underground in the late 80s and early 90s, but it's what kept dance alive even as it moprhed into drum-and-bass.  Some of it picked up some stuff from industrial/EBM to come back as electro, and the DnB folks waited another 10 years to mutate into dubstep.

I really don't see how 1990 is considered any more classic than 1999. o.o

They are both part of the same decade.


I guess because 1990 is over two decades ago while 1999 is only 13 years ago. But I agree, anything up to early 2001 is a different era from now and thus I would say is 'classic'.

I guess because 1990 is over two decades ago while 1999 is only 13 years ago. But I agree, anything up to early 2001 is a different era from now and thus I would say is 'classic'.


The question makes as much sense as the question, why 1901 is any more classic than 1999 -they are at least in the same century.

Watch pictures from 1990 and compare them with 1999 and you'll know why 1990 is considered more classic.

The question makes as much sense as the question, why 1901 is any more classic than 1999 -they are at least in the same century.

Watch pictures from 1990 and compare them with 1999 and you'll know why 1990 is considered more classic.


1990 is more dated no doubt, it's 22 years back versus 13 years back, but 1999 is still pretty far removed from where we are now.

I think what you mean is that 1990 started feeling dated more quickly than 1999, which I'd agree with. 1990 felt pretty dated style wise by 1995, 1999 didn't start feeling similarly dated until probably 2007 or 2008. 

To me, the entire '90s decade is dated even 1999. And I know I was there and was old enough to experience it. Just compare the fashion, music and atmosphere to today...big difference.

That 1999 is 'dated' is clear, but it does not automatically mean that it was 'classic 90's'.  Just like 1989 was not classic 80's and so on...

If you look back at the hair and clothes of the 90's: The whole decade was almost like this slow de-evolution of the 80's.

If you look back at the hair and clothes of the 90's: The whole decade was almost like this slow de-evolution of the 80's.


That's a great way how to describe it. In the very late 90's there was nothing left of it and the 00's style was ready to come.

Wow great way to put it yeah if you think about the  blonde tips  and preppy clothing
it kinda morphed into sheesh lol

That 1999 is 'dated' is clear, but it does not automatically mean that it was 'classic 90's'.  Just like 1989 was not classic 80's and so on...


I don't consider '99 classic '90s either, that was the heart of the millennial era of teen pop and nu metal.

I think around '97 pop culture lost a lot of it's edginess it had in the early/mid '90s(with millennials/gen y entering their tween/early teen years), early '10s pop culture is so saccharine and "Dinseyfied" in comparison to a year like '93 with it's gangsta rap, grunge, industrial metal, baggy, sloppy clothing, ect.

Classic 90s was 1993 to 1998 in my honest opinion.

Classic 90s was 1993 to 1998 in my honest opinion.


and after that music changed.

and after that music changed.


I agree, in 1999 music started changing!

I don't consider '99 classic '90s either, that was the heart of the millennial era of teen pop and nu metal.

I think around '97 pop culture lost a lot of it's edginess it had in the early/mid '90s(with millennials/gen y entering their tween/early teen years), early '10s pop culture is so saccharine and "Dinseyfied" in comparison to a year like '93 with it's gangsta rap, grunge, industrial metal, baggy, sloppy clothing, ect.


I actually think 1993 was kind of family-oriented/bubble gum too. I mean this was the time that Full House, Boy Meets World, Family Matters, etc was on TV. Not to mention the Disney Renaissance. But it was more artistically legit, so that makes it better than the early 2010s.

I actually think 1993 was kind of family-oriented/bubble gum too. I mean this was the time that Full House, Boy Meets World, Family Matters, etc was on TV. Not to mention the Disney Renaissance. But it was more artistically legit, so that makes it better than the early 2010s.


lol! I like how you called it the Disney Renaissance.

The Disney Renaissance is an actual thing! :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney_Renaissance

P.S. I'm calling shenanigans on The Rescuers Down Under being included. That movie didn't achieve nearly the same legendary status that the others did!

I don't consider '99 classic '90s either, that was the heart of the millennial era of teen pop and nu metal.

I think around '97 pop culture lost a lot of it's edginess it had in the early/mid '90s(with millennials/gen y entering their tween/early teen years), early '10s pop culture is so saccharine and "Dinseyfied" in comparison to a year like '93 with it's gangsta rap, grunge, industrial metal, baggy, sloppy clothing, ect.


A few singles released in 1997:

* "Bleed Together" by Soundgarden
* "Got Til It's Gone" by Janet Jackson
* "Touch, Peel And Stand" by Days Of The New

There was actually GRUNGE-culture associated music coming out in 1997 with "Bleed Together" an example (yes, not even post-grunge culture, but grunge culture). And seriously, the Janet Jackson single would seem more in place being released in 1994 than it would in 2000.

I think people tend to forget how 90s 1999 was. It wasn't all Latin pop, Britney and boy bands. All of which actually sound very dated to the 90s if you take the time and go back and listen to their production. The sound of Britney's first (even second) CD is more like 1988 music than it is like 2008 music. Britney, Christina etc all had to 'urbanize' their sound by 2002 when Nelly, Ja Rule, Ludacris, and so on made hip hop cooler than bubblegum.

You also had the last big Pearl Jam song 'Last Kiss', it was the last year artists like Fiona Apple, Sarah McLachlan, Alanis etc were still mainstream, house music was still big (Eiffel 65), rap was still mostly California and New York-centric and the South was hardly on the map. You had pop like Smash Mouth and Fastball that wouldn't have made it anywhere except the Shrek 2 soundtrack a few years later.  ;D

Even 2000 was still pretty 90s in my opinion, in spirit not too different from 1996 or 1997. I think the real changeover was in 2001-2002.

I think people tend to forget how 90s 1999 was. It wasn't all Latin pop, Britney and boy bands. All of which actually sound very dated to the 90s if you take the time and go back and listen to their production. The sound of Britney's first (even second) CD is more like 1988 music than it is like 2008 music. Britney, Christina etc all had to 'urbanize' their sound by 2002 when Nelly, Ja Rule, Ludacris, and so on made hip hop cooler than bubblegum.

You also had the last big Pearl Jam song 'Last Kiss', it was the last year artists like Fiona Apple, Sarah McLachlan, Alanis etc were still mainstream, house music was still big (Eiffel 65), rap was still mostly California and New York-centric and the South was hardly on the map. You had pop like Smash Mouth and Fastball that wouldn't have made it anywhere except the Shrek 2 soundtrack a few years later.  ;D

Even 2000 was still pretty 90s in my opinion, in spirit not too different from 1996 or 1997. I think the real changeover was in 2001-2002.


THIS I agree with. Don't forget Alice In Chains with "Music Bank". Granted, a lot of it was material released from 1990-96, but there was some new stuff. Ironically, "Died" is the last song that Layne Staley recorded before he died.

If you look back at the hair and clothes of the 90's: The whole decade was almost like this slow de-evolution of the 80's.


Totally agree. I always say that if the '90s never happened, we'd still be wearing big hair and too much make-up. Throughout the 90s every thing became more subdued and sleeker which kind of paved the way for today's fashion.

A few singles released in 1997:

* "Bleed Together" by Soundgarden
* "Got Til It's Gone" by Janet Jackson
* "Touch, Peel And Stand" by Days Of The New

There was actually GRUNGE-culture associated music coming out in 1997 with "Bleed Together" an example (yes, not even post-grunge culture, but grunge culture). And seriously, the Janet Jackson single would seem more in place being released in 1994 than it would in 2000.


Don't also forget "Last Cup Of Sorrow" by Faith No More. That alone makes sure that 1997 is considered "classic" 90s.