The Ultimate 90s and 00s Party Playlist

There is no such thing as a bad 90s and 00s party. The music is too good, the nostalgia is too strong, and at least three songs will come on that make everyone in the room simultaneously stop and scream “OH I LOVE THIS SONG.”

Whether you’re planning a themed night out, a house party, or just a playlist for the pre-drinks, here’s everything you need.

The 90s Section

The nineties gave us Britpop, grunge, boy bands, girl groups, and some of the most ridiculous and brilliant pop music ever committed to tape. Here are the tracks that will absolutely clear a floor:

“Wannabe” – Spice Girls

The song that launched a thousand arguments about which Spice Girl you are. It is physically impossible not to do the hand movements. This goes on at 9pm, everyone warms up, the night is saved.

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana

The song that defined a generation’s feeling that something was wrong and they couldn’t quite say what. Works at parties because the quiet-loud dynamic means everyone goes absolutely berserk when the chorus hits.

“…Baby One More Time” – Britney Spears

Britney Spears‘ debut is still astonishing. The production, the vocal, the video — it arrived fully formed as one of the greatest pop songs ever made. At a 90s party, this is non-negotiable.

“Common People” – Pulp

Jarvis Cocker’s masterwork. The build to the final chorus is one of the great moments in British pop music. Anyone who knows the words will be singing it so hard they lose their voice.

The 00s Section

The noughties were chaotic, maximalist, and produced some of the most fun pop music of the century so far. These are the essential tracks:

“Yeah!” – Usher ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris

The opening “YEAAAAH” alone is enough to get people moving. This is one of those songs where the DJ plays the intro and the whole room starts anticipating the drop. An absolute weapon of a party song.

“Mr. Brightside” – The Killers

Has never left the UK charts since its release in 2003. Everyone knows every word. There will be a moment during the guitar solo where someone points at someone else across the room in pure recognition.

“Crazy in Love” – Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z

The horn sample alone is a party starter. Beyoncé arrived as a solo force with one of the greatest pop songs of the decade, and it still sounds just as urgent and exciting today.

“Since U Been Gone” – Kelly Clarkson

A perfect pop-rock song that gets better every time you hear it. The chorus is impossible to resist. This is the song that makes people who were “just here for a couple of drinks” decide to stay until the end.

The Ones That Go on at 11pm

When the night really kicks off and everyone’s given up pretending they’re leaving early:

• “Jump Around” – House of Pain — Does exactly what it says
• “Sandstorm” – Darude — A meme that became a genuine anthem
• “Toxic” – Britney Spears — Still one of the best-produced pop songs of the 00s
• “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” – Kylie Minogue — La la la, la la la la la

Full Playlist: 90s and 00s Party

1. Wannabe – Spice Girls
2. Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana
3. …Baby One More Time – Britney Spears
4. Common People – Pulp
5. Yeah! – Usher ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris
6. Mr. Brightside – The Killers
7. Crazy in Love – Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z
8. Since U Been Gone – Kelly Clarkson
9. Jump Around – House of Pain
10. Sandstorm – Darude
11. Toxic – Britney Spears
12. Can’t Get You Out of My Head – Kylie Minogue
13. Survivor – Destiny’s Child
14. Lose Yourself – Eminem
15. Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
16. Hey Ya! – Outkast
17. Gold Digger – Kanye West ft. Jamie Foxx
18. Rolling in the Deep – Adele
19. Umbrella – Rihanna
20. All the Small Things – Blink-182

Spotify Playlist

Check out this playlist from Spotify user mariadice88:

This site is dedicated to playlist themes! Have we missed a song that should be included in this playlist? Comment below to share it!