Gen-X Files: Best One-Hit Wonders of the 1990s, Including the Catchiest Pop Tune of All Time

Welcome back to the Gen-X Files!

It's been a bit since I've put up a new column, and that's because I had the privilege of being with my sister in hospice as she battled end-stage ovarian cancer right to the very end. Getting back into the routine of life has been challenging, especially when your Gen-X memories are so closely tied with your family, but it's time to get the mojo back.

My columns so far have been very focused on the 70s and 80s, so I thought I'd hit the 90s this week by looking at some musical one-hit wonders. There are some absolute bangers in there, plus what I think is the catchiest pop song of all time, but, overall, the 90s are not particularly my favorite music period. That may have more to do with my stage of life at the time—graduating from college, getting a grownup job, getting married, starting a family—than the quality of music being produced. And based on how bad modern music is, the 90s stuff is looking better and better all the time!

MORE: The Gen-X Files: 40 Songs Turning 40 in 2025

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I've also got some Gen-X headlines for you and a brief bio of a Gen Xer who's making big headlines this week: Mike Waltz. Waltz is a great tie-in to today's topic due to the weird fact that his brother-in-law is Scott Stapp of Creed. Mind blown.

These are listed in chronological order, with the best saved for last. Disclaimer: I have to limit the number of video embeds so the page will actually load for you, so it isn't by any means a comprehensive list.

As always, let me know what I got right and what I got wrong down in the comments!

Best One-Hit Wonders From the 1990s

"Ice Ice Baby" – Vanilla Ice (1990)

"I'm Too Sexy" – Right Said Fred (1991)

"Jump Around" – House of Pain (1992)

"No Rain" – Blind Melon (1992)

"Baby Got Back" – Sir Mix-a-Lot (1992)

"Macarena" – Los Del Rio (1996) (**This was definitely played at the Christoph wedding that year**)

"Tubthumping" – Chumbawamba (1997)

"All for You" – Sister Hazel (1997)

"Steal My Sunshine" – Len (1999)

"My Own Worst Enemy" – Lit (1999)

.... and the best pop song of all time. There will be no arguing about this!

"MMMBop" – Hanson (1997)

Gen-X Headlines

Gen X Goes to Washington: Mike Waltz

As I write this, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz is getting grilled on social media for his Tuesday night interview on Fox News, which RedState's Jennifer Oliver O'Connell covered here. This, of course, follows the revelation by Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic that he (Goldberg) was accidentally added by Waltz to a Signal text chain about the U.S. attacking the Houthis in Yemen. It's turning into a big cluster for the Trump White House, so it's possible Mr. Waltz may soon be out of a job. RedState will, of course, bring you the latest on any developments.

Nonetheless, we'll persist with having him as our Gen X Goes to Washington topic this week because of his amazing connection to 1990s music. As I noted above, he's Scott Stapp's brother-in-law; the sister of Waltz's wife is married to the Creed front man.

Here is the quickest of bios from our friends over at Ballotpedia:

Waltz served in the U.S. military for over 20 years and is the first retired Green Beret to win election to the U.S. House.^[5] He was a defense policy director in the Pentagon and a counterterrorism policy adviser for former Vice President Dick Cheney. Waltz also co-founded a small business of over 400 employees

Incidentally, Waltz's replacement in the House will be decided in a special election next week, and there are some troubling signs that Republicans could lose what they considered a safe seat in a district Trump won by 30 percent. I give you the lowdown here.

Gen-X Meme of the Week

My Gen-X meme of the week. pic.twitter.com/jBVifq6ZrP
— Teri (@TeriChristoph) March 26, 2025

See you all in the comments section!