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There is virtually no bigger collab that could have happened in the mid-90s, and thus why it was basically the biggest hit of all time until the digital streaming era. Mariah and Boyz II Men came together for something truly beautiful, though, and this song remains one of the greatest ballads of all time.

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Think about the solo and spin-off careers born from New Edition! But they were once a boy band of teen heartthrobs making absolute bangers like the funky “Cool It Now.”

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What a line. Someone says that to you, you’re melting. This new wave staple truly has one of the most beautiful melodies – and counter-melodies – from start to finish.

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Madonna came back from motherhood a brand new, spiritual and enlightened being. Who was ready to dance. Fifteen years into her career with nothing to prove, she once again reinvented herself and delivered some of her (if not her absolute) best work to date. “Ray of Light” is vibrant and emancipating – an individualistic moment on the pop timeline.

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Three acts…all very different, but equally legendary producers, songwriters, and performers. And they exceeded expectations on “Get Lucky.” This is the history of dance pop all at once.

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Eurythmics have a plethora of incredible hits, but this is their most pop-forward effort. It’s got an amazing nonsense hook, a praise-worthy chorus, and some serious Stevie Wonder harmonica action. What’s not to like?

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If there was a song back in 2001-02 I would have sold my soul to have a comeback twenty years later, guarantee you it would’ve been this one. What an insane bop – even without the naked man dancing to it – that honors disco without re-creating it. Clearly, it has remained well-preserved over time.

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Shakira’s foray into English-speaking markets was an instant success. Duh. But there was something so momentous about this track, even beyond her proven talents. Utilizing pan flutes for an instrumental hook was genius.

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Producer Teddy Riley’s new jack swing sound changed hip hop, it changed R&B, it changed dance music, and it profoundly changed pop. “No Diggity” is a vibe, a whole mood if you will, yet captures a certain palpable momentousness.

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This has got to be one of the sickest grooves two white guys ever made. The chorus is a full earworm, the sax is saxy, and you can basically do any quintessential 80s dance along to it.

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