The nineties were a great time for music. The sheer energy and experimentation in the music was enough to make growing up in the nineties so much worth it. With bands like Bombay Vikings, Colonial Cousins and Euphoria, Indi-pop music was at its overwhelming best. Every music video told a story – of the first heady rushes of love, of unrequited love, of wedding romances and road trips, of crushes on neighbours. There was a story in every song, and it actually said something. We pick out our favourite numbers from the nineties that we fell in love with. 

Get ready for a load of nostalgia! 

1. Kya Soorat Hai - Bombay Vikings 

The coolest boy band of the nineties really gave us one of the best remixes of the time.

2. Roop Tera Mastana 

That’s all the sleaze we were allowed in the nineties and it was more than enough! We can’t decide which was better – the remix or the quirky video? 

3. O Sanam – Lucky Ali

Just the best voice of the century.

4. Tanha Dil – Shaan 

Every young person’s coming-of-age song, this one could still warm your heart on a pensive evening. 

5. Ishq Tera Tadpave – Sukhbir 

The song that blasted out of car stereos when the young lads got their first cars way back in the nineties. 

6. Gal Ban Gayi – Sukhbir 

The ultimate face-off song at weddings, this one made so many hearts fall in love. 

7. Kudi Kudi – Jasbir Jassi 

After Sukhdev, Jasbir Jassi was the next Punjabi rockstar on the scene. ‘Kudi Kudi’ was a treat to our Punjabi heart. 

8. Aankhon Mein Tera Hi Chehra - Aryans 

We never knew the chocolatey boy crushing over his cute neighbour would go on to become the Shahid Kapoor, hunk of Bollywood. Giving up your pocket money to buy your crush a present – so nineties! 

9. Ho Gayi Hai Mohabbat 

When every song told a love story. 

10. Made In India – Alisha Chinai 

The song that made Milind Soman the collective fantasy of an entire nation, ‘Made In India’ was a smashing hit that made the phrase popular much before India shining. 

11. Sa Ni Dha Pa - Colonial Cousins 

You aren’t a nineties child if you haven’t tried to sing the complicated ‘sa ni dha pa…” sequence in this one. 

12. Chandni Raatein – Shamsa Kanwal 

The most beautiful song of the time, so many of us slept listening to this on loop. 

13. Dooba Dooba – Mohit Chauhan 

Mohit Chauhan’s first successful number. Not to forget the underwater sequence in the video. Much wow. 

14. Deewana Tera - Sonu Nigam

There are so many more songs from the nineties and early 2000s that we listened to on loop and absolutely loved.  Here are a few more that were released in the 2000s but we just couldn’t do without mentioning them: 

Piya Basanti – Ustad Sultan Khan and Chitra 

The most magical number of the nineties, ‘Piya Basanti’ was a lyrical masterpiece, a love ballad for our parched throats. Nauheed Cyrusi and Donovan Wodehouse were sensational onscreen. We wish there was a sequel. 

Maeri Ri – Euphoria 

Euphoria’s biggest hit, ‘Maeri Ri’ was passion retold.

Shaam Savere – Lucky Ali 

Lucky Ali’s voice was and will always be a rage among music lovers. 

Gori Teri Ankhein – Lucky Ali and Kavita Krishnamurthy 

There could be nothing as poignant as this song.

Yeh Hawa Kehti Hai Kya – The Aryans

The Aryans, with their soft romantic numbers, made falling in love so much more beautiful. 

  Noorie - Bally Sagoo 

Besides the brilliant remix, didn’t we dig the spooky video?!