Top Songs From Women Of The 90s For Your Wedding Playlist

Today it's back to the music, because it's that music that matters in our lives, and of course at your wedding reception. Your wedding reception should include a playlist of songs where EVERY song has a special meaning and makes you smile.  Inspiration for this post actually came to me from two sources. I was speaking with a co-worker (from my dayjob) about music recently and she mentioned she was going to go see Alanis Morrisette on her Jagged Little Pill tour coming up this summer. I don't know about you but I am totally ready for live music.  Alanis will be performing the entire Jagged Little Pill album on this tour and be accompanied with Garbage, as well as the lovely and talented Liz Phair.  After our talks, I started to think about how impactful that women were in music back in the 90s.  Also, over the past several months, I've been noticing a gradual, but steady uptick in traffic to my Best Ladies Of The 80s For Your Wedding Playlist blog post.  Women were an integral part of 80s music, and to be honest, were equally as popular in the 90s.  The selection of songs you'll see on this playlist encompass multiple genres and are perfect for a Women Of 90s Music themed cocktail hour for your wedding playlist. Remember, the possibilities are simply endless for the type of music you and your guests can enjoy for cocktail hour. Women Of The 90s is just one of many ideas you'll find on this blog for music inspiration.

Get All The Women Of The 90s From My Spotify Profile Right NOW

Perhaps a cocktail hour full of the best songs from the 90s by women is not your thing. You can still head over to my Spotify profile right now and obtain some instant wedding playlist inspiration. You'll need this inspiration as you sit down and think about all the songs you want to hear at your wedding. The music is absolutely the thing that your guests will remember on your wedding day and you can do ANYTHING you want! Enjoy this look at a time when women were ruling the airwaves on Top 40, AC, Alternative and the rock charts back in the 90s.  Also to see The Best Ladies Of The 80s For Your Wedding Playlist <---CLICK HERE

"Come To My Window" | Melissa Etheridge
And we kick off this list of selections of women of 90s music with very talented Melissa Entheridge. In 1993, here album Yes I Am would drop with the first single being "I'm The Only One".  "Come To My Window" would be her follow-up breaking into the Top 5 on the adult contemporary chart.

"Wannabe" | The Spice Girls
When I sat down to put together the selection of songs for this post, I wanted to make sure I covered as many different types of music recorded by women in the 90s as possible. So to transition from Melissa Etheridge into the Spice Girls might be a tough segue for a lot of music folks, but I designed this post to showcase the many different types of music from women.  1996 and 1997 kicked off Spice Girls mania. "Wannabe" is still in demand by a lot of my wedding clients. For more of the Most Requested Songs For Wedding Playlists <---Click HERE. "Wannabe" would enter the Hot 100 in January 1997 and eventually peak at #1 for 4 weeks.

"Secret" | Madonna
In case you missed it, I put together a selection of Madonna Songs (A-Z) Through The 80s and put this song on it as a bonus.  In the fall of 1994, Madonna would release her very sexy album Bedtime Stories. And when I say "sexy", you'll see Madonna in a very sexy vintage slip in the music video.  "Secret" would be the first song to be released from the album and would peak at #3 on the Hot 100 chart.

"Genie In A Bottle" | Christina Aguilera
In 1999 at the age of 18, Christina Aguilera would release her self-titled album. "Genie In A Bottle" would be the first single to hit the airwaves in the spring and summer of 1999. "Genie In A Bottle" would enter the Top 40 charts in July 1999 and eventually peak at #1, and stay there for 5 weeks.

"...Baby One More Time" | Britney Spears
It's hard to pick a signature song for Britney Spears because a lot of those early tracks became some of the most iconic songs of the 90s.  I think I remember hearing this song hit the radio in the fall of 1998. The song would eventually become Britney's first number one song on the Hot 100.

"Hand In My Pocket" | Alanis Morrisette
As I mentioned up above, Alanis is getting ready to resume her tour where she will perform the entire Jagged Little Pill album. Back in the mid 90s, Alanis was a crossover artist playing on the alternative formats, as well as the Hot 100. "Hand In My Pocket" was the second single to be released from Jagged Little Pill and would peak at #15 on the Hot 100.

"You  Were Meant For Me" | Jewel
Seems like during the spring of 1997, you couldn't turn the radio on without hearing this song.  "You Were Meant For Me" would enter the Hot 100 in November of 1996 and spend 65 weeks on the chart, peaking at #2 for 2 weeks.

"Building A Mystery" | Sarah McLachlan
Sarah McLachlan was one of my favorite female singers of the 90s, and when I think about her, I think about the Lilith Fair concerts that gained so much popularity.  "Building A Mystery" was released in September of 1997 from her album Surfacing and would peak at #13 on the Hot 100 chart.

"Tom's Diner" | Suzanne Vega & DNA
Suzanne Vega got her career established back in the 80s with the single "Luka" in 1987.  "Tom's Diner" would be released in the fall of 1990 and peak at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

"Where Have All The Cowboys Gone" | Paula Cole
Paula Cole was another one of the many women who broke out on the charts during the 90s.  In the spring of '97, this very catchy lead single from her album This Fire. I still remember the first time I heard it and how I commented how incredibly catchy the song was. The song would peak at #4 on the Adult Top 40 chart.

"Man! I Feel Like A Woman" | Shania Twain
The 90s were VERY good to Shania Twain.  Her album Come On Over would become one of the most popular records of the 90s.  "Man! I Feel Like A Woman" would debut on the country charts in March 1999 and then also cross over to the Hot 100 in April, peaking at #23. For more songs to hear when you plan your Bachelorette Weekend With Your BFFs <----Click HERE

"Crush" | Jennifer Paige
When I said I was going to attempt to cover all the women of the 90s, I was not joking. If you had the radio on during the summer of 1998, it was hard to avoid this one-hit wonder from Jennifer Paige.  "Crush" would enter the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1998 and peak at #3, and also became a Top 20 hit in several other countries.

"No Scrubs" | TLC
I was listening to a classic hits radio station out of New York City a few weeks ago and this song was in rotation. Apparently, songs released in 1999 are now considered "classic hits". "No Scrubs" was released in February of 1999 and peak at #1 on the Hot 100, where it would stay for 4 weeks.

"Wonder" | Natalie Merchant
Natalie Merchant had quite a bit of 90s success after she stepped away from 10,000 Maniacs.  She would release the album Tigerlily in 1995. "Wonder" would be the second single to be released from the record in December of 1995.  The song would peak at #2 on the Adult Top 40 chart.

"Because You Loved Me" | Celine Dion
No Women Of 90s Music Playlist could ever be complete without Celine Dion. "Because You Loved Me" is still tremendously popular by a lot of my wedding clients.  Celine Dion would become an integral part of the Adult Contemporary Radio Format In The 90s. For more of the Best 90s Soft Rock Songs For Your Wedding, <--Click HERE. "Because You Loved Me" would be featured in the movie Up Close & Personal and peak at #1 on the Hot 100 and stay there for 6 weeks.

"All I Wanna Do" | Sheryl Crow
Tuesday Night Music Club was the debut album released back in the summer of 1993 for the lovely and talented Sheryl Crow. "All I Wanna Do" would be the third song to hit radio in 1994. The song would peak at #2 for 6 weeks on the Hot 100 becoming her biggest song to date.

"Always Be My Baby" | Mariah Carey
By the middle of the 90s, Mariah Carey had cemented her legacy as one of the most popular women of 90s music.   In 1995, Mariah Carey would release her album Daydream, which would spawn four singles.  "Always Be My Baby" was released in March of 1996 and would peak at #1 on the Hot 100 for 2 weeks. For more of the best Mariah Carey songs for your wedding playlist, you'll find some on this post.

"As I Lay Me Down" | Sophie B. Hawkins
Sophie B. Hawkins burst onto the scene in 1992 with her hit "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover". I was a big fan of her follow-up "California, Here I Come". In the mid 90s, she'd score a  #1 on the Adult Contemporary charts with "As I Lay Me Down". The song would peak at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"I Love You Always Forever" | Donna Lewis
1996 would be a huge year for this woman of Wales. Donna Lewis would release her first single from her album Now In A Minute in the spring of 1996.  The song would peak at #2 for 9 weeks, not quite making it to Number 1. If you recall, 1996 was the year of the Macarena. That would be the song that would keep Donna Lewis out of the Number 1 spot on the Hot 100. A year later, Donna Lewis would record a duet with Richard Marx for the movie soundtrack of Anastasia.

"Show Me Love" | Robyn
This next lady on my selections of the Women Of 90s music comes from Sweden. No, ABBA did not make a comeback in 1997. Instead, it was Robyn releasing her album Robyn Is Here.  "Show Me Love" would be the second single to be released from the album and would enter the Hot 100 in November of 1997, and peak at #7.

"What's Up" | 4 Non Blondes
4 Non Blondes would only be together for about 5 years, but in that time span they'd record and release one of the most popular 90s one hit wonders. <--Click HERE for more. "What's Up" would be released in 1993 and peak at #2 on the UK charts, but only manage a #14 spot on the Hot 100.

"Touch Me (All Night Long)" | Cathy Dennis
Cathy Dennis would release her first single at the end of the 80s, (C'mon And Get My Love), but it would 2 short years later in the spring of 1991 where she would set the nightclubs on fire with her smash hit "Touch Me (All Night Long)".  1991 was a truly incredible year in music and could very well be one of the best years of 90s music. For more of the Best Songs Of 1991 For Your Wedding <---Click HERE. "Touch Me (All Night Long)" would peak at #2 for 2 weeks on the Hot 100 chart.

"Piece Of My Heart" | Tara Kemp
1991 was a huge year for R&B singer Tara Kemp. She'd release her self-titled album and score two consecutive Top 10 hits. "Piece Of My Heart" would peak at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

"You Gotta Be" | Des'ree
This next woman of the 90s comes from England. Des'ree would release her album I Ain't Movin in 1994. "You Gotta Be" would be the first single to be released from the album and would peak at #2 on the adult contemporary chart.

"You're In Love" | Wilson Phillips
Wilson Phillips began the 90s with their hit song "Hold On" and would continue a string of singles from their debut album.  "You're In Love" would be the fourth song to be released from their debut album and would reach #1 in April 1991. A little side note: I was in the midst of my junior year of high school and when this song was released, I was actually in the midst of a crush. How appropo can you get!

"Just A Girl" | No Doubt
Long before Gwen Stefani had a successful solo career and got together with country singer Blake Shelton, she was in a band called No Doubt.  "Just A Girl" can be found on their album Tragic Kingdom and would become their first charting song in America, peaking at #23 on the Hot 100 chart. You can find this song on the Best Bouquet Toss For Wedding Playlists.

"Criminal" | Fiona Apple
AAA radio started to play some new music by Fiona Apple back in 2019 when she released her album Fetch The Bolt Cutters.  But it was the release of her album Tidal in 1996 that we would see Fiona for the first time. "Criminal" fared much better on the alternative charts and peaked at #4, but only managed a #21 spot on the Hot 100.

"Sunny Came Home" | Shawn Colvin
Folk rocker Shawn Colvin was another one of the many women involved in the Lilith Fair concerts that began in the 90s. In 1996, she'd release her album A Few Small Repairs with "Sunny Came Home" being the lead single.  The song would peak at #1 on the adult contemporary chart, and #7 on the Hot 100 chart.

"Have You Ever" | Brandy
Written by Diane Warren, "Have You Ever" would be the 3rd song to be released from Brandy's 1998 album Never Say Never.  "Have You Ever" would enter the Hot 100 in December of 1998 and peak at #1. The song would also peak at #1 on the rhythmic chart.

"I Do" | Lisa Loeb
Lisa Loeb would release her second album in 1997 titled Firecracker. The first single to be released from the record would be "I Do" and would peak at #2 on the Adult Alternative chart.

"Nothing Compares 2 U" | Sinead O'Connor
Originally written and recorded by Prince, Sinead O'Connor would take the song to new heights in 1990.  "Nothing Compares 2 U" would enter the Hot 100 in March of 1990 and peak at #1 for 4 weeks. The song would also make it all the way to #2 on the adult contemporary chart. For more of The Best Songs From Prince For Your Wedding Playlist <---Click HERE

"Never Ever" | All Saints
The All Saints were an all-female band from England who'd release their self-titled album in 1997.  "Never Ever" would become their most successful single ever peaking at #4 on the Hot 100 in 1998.

"Doo Wop (That Thing)" | Lauryn Hill
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill would become one of the greatest albums of the 90s. If you have not picked it up yet, you'll want to listen to this masterpiece.  "Doo Wop (That Thing)" would be the first song to be released from the album and peak at #1 for 2 weeks. The song would also win a Grammy for Best R&B song, as well as Best R&B Female Vocal. For more of The Best 90s R&B For Your Wedding Playlist <----Click HERE

"Vibeology" | Paula Abdul
The early 90s were an incredible time to be Paula Abdul. 1991 was a huge year for her and if you scroll back up, you'll see a link to look at the music of 1991. "Vibeology" would debut on the Hot 100 chart in January of 1992 during the dance music boom of the early 90s. The song would peak at #16 on the chart. For more of The Best Era Of Dance Music, <----Click HERE.

"Sleeping Satellite" | Tasmin Archer
I put Tasmin Archer on this selection of Women Of 90s Music because this song really connected with me back in 1993 when it was released.  While it did not crack the Top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song peaked at #1 in the UK, as well as Israel and Ireland.

"Baby Baby" | Amy Grant
In early 1991, Amy Grant would release her album Heart In Motion. "Baby Baby" would be the first song to be released from the record and make it all the way to Number 1 on the Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts.

"Joyride" | Roxette
Roxette will still riding high in the early 90s after her unlikely accent on the charts in America caused by a fan who brought one of her songs back from Europe.  "Joyride" was the title track to her third album released in February 1991. The song would peak at #1 on the Hot 100 chart.

"Finally" | Cece Penniston
You could not go to a night club or gym for that matter in 1991 without hearing this iconic dance song by Cece Penniston.  "Finally" would hit the Hot 100 charts in September of 1991 and become the biggest hit of Penniston's career peaking at #5 in early 1992.

"I'll Always Love You" | Whitney Houston
Having gotten her iconic career started back in the 80s, Whitney Houston would have a very successful 90s too.  Her cover of the classic by Dolly Parton would be released in the movie The Bodyguard and become one of the most successful songs on the Hot 100 chart up to that point. The song would enter the chart in November 1992 and eventually peak at #1, spending a total of 14 weeks at the top of the chart. For more of The Top Whitney Houston Songs For Your Wedding Playlist <--Click HERE

"The Shoop Shoop Songs (It's In His Kiss)" | Cher
In 1990, Cher would star in a movie called Mermaids with Winona Ryder.  For the movie she'd record a cover of the 1964 Betty Everett classic. While the song only peaked at #33 on the Hot 100, it would make it all the way to #7 on the adult contemporary charts.

Interested In Hiring Top Wedding DJ Mike Bills For Your Big Day?
As you can see the 90s were full of some of the most beautiful and incredible women. The 90s are actually my second favorite decade of music, behind of course, the 80s. And as I was wrapping up this post, I realized there were probably a few more I could have added to this list. Unfortunately due to time constraints, I put a cap on this playlist at 40 songs. Perhaps in the future, I'll put together a Volume 2.   I hope you enjoyed this look back some of The Best Women Of 90s Music. Perhaps this playlist, along with my Spotify profile will provide some much needed inspiration as you and your fiance sit down and begin to put together the music for your wedding playlist. Modern brides and grooms should remember that the music for their wedding playlist should be about them, not their wedding DJ. The wedding DJ you decide to hire for your big day should be there to help you put together the music for your big day, not shoot everything you suggest down. It's YOUR wedding day, and if you are ready to sit down with a true professional wedding DJ who has more passion for giving his clients the best experience for their wedding day, you are invited to click the link up above. Once you click the link, you'll be taken over to my contact form, where you'll fill out some details. I look forward to hearing from you about your big day. Thank you for finding me!