web analytics

1997 Music Hits: Top Songs, Radio Favorites, and Pop Classics

1997 music was a wonderfully crowded mix of dance-pop, hip-hop, R&B, alternative rock, ska revival, country crossover, adult contemporary, movie soundtrack songs, and novelty party hits. Aqua, Spice Girls, Usher, Puff Daddy, The Notorious B.I.G., Hanson, Sugar Ray, Third Eye Blind, LeAnn Rimes, Sarah McLachlan, Elton John, Matchbox Twenty, and Chumbawamba helped define a year when radio, CDs, MTV, and dance-floor culture were all pulling popular music in different directions.

This PopCultureMadness guide starts with the Top 10 songs of 1997, then groups more 1997 music hits by style so you can browse the year by sound, mood, and memory. It was the year Barbie Girl became impossible to ignore, MMMBop turned three brothers into pop lightning, and Tubthumping made getting knocked down sound like a full-time philosophy.

Quick Answer: What Music Was Popular in 1997?

Popular music in 1997 included dance-pop, R&B, hip-hop, alternative rock, ska, country-pop, adult contemporary, teen pop, and movie soundtrack songs. Songs like Barbie Girl, Wannabe, You Make Me Wanna…, How Do I Live, MMMBop, Semi-Charmed Life, Tubthumping, and Candle in the Wind 1997 helped define 1997 music.

Top 10 Songs of 1997

  1. Barbie Girl – Aqua
  2. ESPN Presents Jock Jams – Various Artists
  3. Wannabe – Spice Girls
  4. It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
  5. To the Moon and Back – Savage Garden
  6. You Make Me Wanna… – Usher
  7. I Like It Like That – The Blackout All-Stars
  8. Hard to Say I’m Sorry – Az Yet
  9. Crash into Me – Dave Matthews Band
  10. For You I Will – Monica

More 1997 Music Hits by Style

Beyond the Top 10, 1997 music gets more useful when grouped by style. The year had major party songs, emotional ballads, teen-pop breakthroughs, hip-hop tributes, ska-punk hits, Lilith Fair-era singer-songwriters, country crossover, and soundtrack singles that became part of everyday pop culture.

1997 Dance-Pop, Party Songs, and Novelty Hits

Dance-pop and party songs were a huge part of 1997. Aqua, DJ Kool, Freak Nasty, Amber, Crystal Waters, Mr. President, Robyn, Gina G, and Chumbawamba helped make the year bright, energetic, and occasionally ridiculous in the best possible way. This was music for school dances, gym floors, weddings, and anyone brave enough to follow instructions from a DJ.

Barbie Girl – Aqua
ESPN Presents Jock Jams – Various Artists
I Like It Like That – The Blackout All-Stars
Let Me Clear My Throat – DJ Kool
Da’ Dip – Freak Nasty
Show Me Love – Robyn
This Is Your Night – Amber
Say… If You Feel Alright – Crystal Waters
Coco Jamboo – Mr. President
Tubthumping – Chumbawamba
Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit – Gina G
Firestarter – The Prodigy
Alright – Jamiroquai
Blood on the Dance Floor – Michael Jackson

1997 Pop, Teen Pop, and Big Radio Hits

Pop music in 1997 was moving toward the teen-pop explosion that would dominate the end of the decade. Spice Girls, Hanson, Backstreet Boys, Savage Garden, Robyn, Monica, and LeAnn Rimes helped make the year catchy, emotional, and extremely radio-friendly. This was the era when choruses were big, hair was bigger, and CDs were still living their best plastic lives.

Wannabe – Spice Girls
To the Moon and Back – Savage Garden
2 Become 1 – Spice Girls
MMMBop – Hanson
Say You’ll Be There – Spice Girls
Spice Up Your Life – Spice Girls
Where’s the Love – Hanson
Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) – Backstreet Boys
How Bizarre – OMC
I Will Come to You – Hanson
The One I Gave My Heart To – Aaliyah
All for You – Sister Hazel

1997 R&B, Soul-Pop, and Vocal Ballads

R&B had a strong year in 1997, with Usher, Monica, Whitney Houston, Az Yet, Allure, New Edition, En Vogue, Boyz II Men, Erykah Badu, Aaliyah, and Mark Morrison shaping the smooth side of radio. The year mixed slow jams, emotional ballads, new-school soul, and club-friendly R&B. The harmonies were doing a lot of work, and most of them deserve a thank-you card.

You Make Me Wanna… – Usher
Hard to Say I’m Sorry – Az Yet
For You I Will – Monica
I Believe in You and Me – Whitney Houston
Head Over Heels – Allure featuring Nas
All Cried Out – Allure featuring 112
I’m Still in Love with You – New Edition
You Light Up My Life – LeAnn Rimes
All by Myself – Céline Dion
Return of the Mack – Mark Morrison
Don’t Let Go (Love) – En Vogue
4 Seasons of Loneliness – Boyz II Men
On & On – Erykah Badu
Look into My Eyes – Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

1997 Hip-Hop, Rap, and Pop-Rap Favorites

Hip-hop in 1997 carried both celebration and mourning. Puff Daddy, The Notorious B.I.G., Mase, Wyclef Jean, Will Smith, Lil’ Kim, Big Punisher, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and The Notorious B.I.G. helped define a year shaped by crossover rap and posthumous tribute songs. The shiny-suit era was arriving, and it did not believe in subtle entrances.

I’ll Be Missing You – Puff Daddy, Faith Evans & 112
We Trying to Stay Alive – Wyclef Jean featuring Refugee Allstars
Mo Money Mo Problems – The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Puff Daddy & Mase
Honey – Mariah Carey
Feel So Good – Mase
Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down – Puff Daddy featuring Mase
Men in Black – Will Smith
Hypnotize – The Notorious B.I.G.
I’m Not a Player – Big Punisher
No Time – Lil’ Kim featuring Puff Daddy
Look into My Eyes – Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

1997 Alternative Rock, Pop-Rock, Ska, and Modern Rock Hits

Alternative rock and pop-rock were still major forces in 1997. Third Eye Blind, Sublime, Sugar Ray, Counting Crows, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Blur, Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2, The Smashing Pumpkins, Matchbox Twenty, Better Than Ezra, and The Cranberries helped give the year a guitar-driven backbone. Ska, post-grunge, Britpop, and alt-radio all shared space, which made 1997 feel like a very crowded record store aisle.

Crash into Me – Dave Matthews Band
A Long December – Counting Crows
Semi-Charmed Life – Third Eye Blind
Santeria – Sublime
The Impression That I Get – The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Song 2 – Blur
Love Rollercoaster – Red Hot Chili Peppers
All Mixed Up – 311
Wrong Way – Sublime
Don’t Go Away – Oasis
Staring at the Sun – U2
Thirty-Three – The Smashing Pumpkins
Lovefool – The Cardigans
The Old Apartment – Barenaked Ladies
The Freshmen – The Verve Pipe
Desperately Wanting – Better Than Ezra
Daylight Fading – Counting Crows
Push – Matchbox Twenty
Bitch – Meredith Brooks
The Rascal King – The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
The New Pollution – Beck
When You’re Gone – The Cranberries
Most Precarious – Blues Traveler

1997 Adult Contemporary, Singer-Songwriter, and Big Ballads

Adult contemporary and singer-songwriter music had a big 1997 presence. Sarah McLachlan, Jewel, Sheryl Crow, Paula Cole, Shawn Colvin, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Carlisle, and Michael Bolton gave the year emotional weight and radio-friendly storytelling. This section is where 1997 pulled out the piano, lit a candle, and asked everyone to feel something.

Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle
How Do I Live – LeAnn Rimes
Building a Mystery – Sarah McLachlan
You Were Meant for Me – Jewel
If It Makes You Happy – Sheryl Crow
Where Have All the Cowboys Gone? – Paula Cole
Secret Garden – Bruce Springsteen
Sunny Came Home – Shawn Colvin
Everyday Is a Winding Road – Sheryl Crow
Just Another Day – John Mellencamp
Candle in the Wind 1997 – Elton John
Go the Distance – Michael Bolton
Something About the Way You Look Tonight – Elton John

1997 Country and Country-Pop Hits

Country and country-pop had a strong crossover moment in 1997. Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, Kenny G-adjacent adult contemporary listeners, and country-friendly ballads helped bring Nashville sounds into wider pop culture. LeAnn Rimes was especially important, becoming one of the year’s most visible young country voices.

It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
How Do I Live – LeAnn Rimes
You Light Up My Life – LeAnn Rimes
Havana – Kenny G

1997 Movie, TV, and Soundtrack Favorites

Movie and soundtrack songs were everywhere in 1997. Men in Black, Go the Distance, For You I Will, I Believe in You and Me, Fly Like an Eagle, and How Do I Live all had strong soundtrack connections. In the 1990s, a movie song could still become a full pop event, complete with radio play, music videos, and an emotional key change.

Men in Black – Will Smith
Go the Distance – Michael Bolton
For You I Will – Monica
I Believe in You and Me – Whitney Houston
Fly Like an Eagle – Seal
How Do I Live – LeAnn Rimes
Candle in the Wind 1997 – Elton John

1997 MTV, Radio, and Pop Culture Favorites

MTV and radio were still central to how 1997 hits became cultural memories. The year’s biggest songs were visual, catchy, and heavily repeated, whether they came from teen pop, alternative rock, hip-hop, R&B, or dance music. A strong video could make a song feel bigger, and a memorable chorus could follow you around like it had your home address.

Barbie Girl – Aqua
Wannabe – Spice Girls
MMMBop – Hanson
Tubthumping – Chumbawamba
Semi-Charmed Life – Third Eye Blind
Mo Money Mo Problems – The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Puff Daddy & Mase
Criminal – Fiona Apple
Men in Black – Will Smith
Return of the Mack – Mark Morrison

How PopCultureMadness Looks at 1997 Music

PopCultureMadness looks at 1997 music through chart activity, radio presence, CD sales, MTV visibility, soundtrack importance, dance-floor memory, cultural impact, and long-term trivia value. Some songs were official chart leaders, some were party staples, some came from movies, and some captured the exact sound of a year when pop, rock, R&B, hip-hop, country, and dance music all had room on the same countdown.

PCM’s 1997 Top 100 Music Hits Chart

  1. Barbie Girl – Aqua
  2. ESPN Presents Jock Jams – Various Artists
  3. Wannabe – Spice Girls
  4. It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
  5. To the Moon and Back – Savage Garden
  6. You Make Me Wanna… – Usher
  7. I Like It Like That – The Blackout All-Stars
  8. Hard to Say I’m Sorry – Az Yet
  9. Crash into Me – Dave Matthews Band
  10. For You I Will – Monica
  11. Let Me Clear My Throat – DJ Kool
  12. Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle
  13. How Do I Live – LeAnn Rimes
  14. Da’ Dip – Freak Nasty
  15. Fly – Sugar Ray
  16. I’ll Be Missing You – Puff Daddy, Faith Evans & 112
  17. 2 Become 1 – Spice Girls
  18. MMMBop – Hanson
  19. Fly Like an Eagle – Seal
  20. Show Me Love – Robyn
  21. Say You’ll Be There – Spice Girls
  22. Tubthumping – Chumbawamba
  23. I Believe in You and Me – Whitney Houston
  24. This Is Your Night – Amber
  25. A Long December – Counting Crows
  26. We Trying to Stay Alive – Wyclef Jean featuring Refugee Allstars
  27. Semi-Charmed Life – Third Eye Blind
  28. Mo Money Mo Problems – The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Puff Daddy & Mase
  29. Say… If You Feel Alright – Crystal Waters
  30. Coco Jamboo – Mr. President
  31. Santeria – Sublime
  32. Honey – Mariah Carey
  33. Feel So Good – Mase
  34. Dancehall Queen – Beenie Man featuring Chevelle Franklyn
  35. The Impression That I Get – The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
  36. I Want You – Savage Garden
  37. Song 2 – Blur
  38. Love Rollercoaster – Red Hot Chili Peppers
  39. Head Over Heels – Allure featuring Nas
  40. All Mixed Up – 311
  41. Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down – Puff Daddy featuring Mase
  42. Spice Up Your Life – Spice Girls
  43. Barely Breathing – Duncan Sheik
  44. Building a Mystery – Sarah McLachlan
  45. I Say a Little Prayer – Diana King
  46. Men in Black – Will Smith
  47. Wrong Way – Sublime
  48. Criminal – Fiona Apple
  49. Your Woman – White Town
  50. Don’t Go Away – Oasis
  51. Where’s the Love – Hanson
  52. You Were Meant for Me – Jewel
  53. If It Makes You Happy – Sheryl Crow
  54. Where Have All the Cowboys Gone? – Paula Cole
  55. Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit – Gina G
  56. Firestarter – The Prodigy
  57. Staring at the Sun – U2
  58. Thirty-Three – The Smashing Pumpkins
  59. Hypnotize – The Notorious B.I.G.
  60. All Cried Out – Allure featuring 112
  61. Lovefool – The Cardigans
  62. The Old Apartment – Barenaked Ladies
  63. The Freshmen – The Verve Pipe
  64. Secret Garden – Bruce Springsteen
  65. I’m Still in Love with You – New Edition
  66. Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) – Backstreet Boys
  67. How Bizarre – OMC
  68. Desperately Wanting – Better Than Ezra
  69. Daylight Fading – Counting Crows
  70. Alright – Jamiroquai
  71. Dream – Forest for the Trees
  72. Hell – Squirrel Nut Zippers
  73. You Light Up My Life – LeAnn Rimes
  74. Sunny Came Home – Shawn Colvin
  75. Push – Matchbox Twenty
  76. Bitch – Meredith Brooks
  77. I Will Come to You – Hanson
  78. More Than This – 10,000 Maniacs
  79. The Rascal King – The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
  80. I’m Not a Player – Big Punisher
  81. Everyday Is a Winding Road – Sheryl Crow
  82. Just Another Day – John Mellencamp
  83. Blood on the Dance Floor – Michael Jackson
  84. No Time – Lil’ Kim featuring Puff Daddy
  85. Candle in the Wind 1997 – Elton John
  86. The New Pollution – Beck
  87. When You’re Gone – The Cranberries
  88. All by Myself – Céline Dion
  89. Return of the Mack – Mark Morrison
  90. The One I Gave My Heart To – Aaliyah
  91. All for You – Sister Hazel
  92. Don’t Let Go (Love) – En Vogue
  93. It’s Alright, It’s OK – Leah Andreone
  94. 4 Seasons of Loneliness – Boyz II Men
  95. Havana – Kenny G
  96. On & On – Erykah Badu
  97. Look into My Eyes – Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
  98. Go the Distance – Michael Bolton
  99. Something About the Way You Look Tonight – Elton John
  100. Most Precarious – Blues Traveler