Entertainment

15 '90s Songs You Shouldn't Have Listened To As A Kid, But Did

by Ni'Kesia Pannell

If there's one thing I love, it's any music from the '90s. Although other eras delivered some solid sounding tracks too, it was during the '90s that I found my love for music and all that it had to offer. With that though, came raunchy and profanity-laced lyrics and a plethora of '90s songs you shouldn't have listened to as a kid but did anyways because, hey, the cool kids were doing it.

The funny thing about the '90s is the way that all of their music delivered the aforementioned. Backed by a catchy, dance-worthy beat, it was so difficult to notice that most of what the singers were talking about was way to inappropriate for me to listen to. As a lover of music, knowing the words to almost every song on the radio was a battle between my sister and I (and one that I would normally win). But, just because I knew the words, didn't mean I exactly knew what they were talking about.

Although there are still those subtle messages in music today, there will never be a time where music repeats the feeling, sound, or undercover raunchiness like that of the '90s. And these 15 songs will take you back to that moment that you'll regret even forgetting.

1

"Give It To You" by Jordan Knight

Former New Kid On The Block Jordan Knight surprised the world when he dropped his debut self-titled solo album in 1999. Although I don't remember any other tracks off of the album other than "Give It To You," I also don't remember it being as raunchy as it is when I listen to it today. Maybe it was because of the fun beat mixed with my inability to understand that he was saying, "just show me where and I'll taste you there" instead of "take you there."

2

"Genie In A Bottle" by Christina Aguilera

While Britney Spears was busy becoming America's pop princess in 1999, her former Mouseketeer castmate was reminding us that she's a lady with needs. Surely one of my favorite songs from the '90s, singing about being rubbed the right way was far from what I should have been cooing out at the tender age of 10.

3

"Get Money" by Junior M.A.F.I.A.

Filled with lyrics about rape, sex, drugs, and of course, getting money, Junior M.A.F.I.A. and Biggie's popular track will forever go down in history as a classic anytime and anyplace banger.

4

"Rump Shaker" by Wreckx-N-Effect

Showcasing a time where women were fans of being au natural, the incomparable Teddy Riley and the rest of the Wreckx-N-Effect team made hits for everybody to dance to. Sure, all they wanted to do was zoom-a-zoom-zoom-zoom and a poom-poom, but I was totally here for what they were bringing musically.

5

"Freak Like Me" by Adina Howard

True story: I remember singing this song on my way to Chuck E. Cheese with my aunt and cousins the year it came out. If that isn't enough to say this was way above my age at the time, I don't know what else will.

6

"Freek'N You" by Jodeci

Jodeci will always and forever be my favorite R&B group and "Freek'N You" might top my list of their favorite songs. Though I had no idea what type of freek'n they were talking about at that age, that didn't stop me from singing my little heart out.

7

"Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" by TLC

With catchy beats, cool clothes, and big smiles, it was so hard to tell that TLC's "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" was really a song about being sexed.

8

"You're Makin' Me High" by Toni Braxton

"You're Makin' Me High" made it so sexy for women to say what they want and be OK with going for it.

9

"2 Become 1" by Spice Girls

Though hearing the news of Victoria Beckham saying that her mic used to be off during Spice Girl performances cut fans deep, flashing back to their discrete acts of sex with the slow burning single "2 Become 1" should help soothe the pain.

10

"Bump N' Grind" by R. Kelly

I don't think anyone who's familiar with R. Kelly can mention his name without mentioning "Bump N' Grind" and trust me, none of us should've been bumping nor grinding during the '90s.

11

"Pony" by Ginuwine

Filled with massive sex appeal, Ginuwine stormed the scene in 1996 with washboard abs and poppin' baby hair. Though I didn't know that "someone who knows how to ride, without even falling off" wasn't really about riding a horse, I can't deny that this song made me want to take horseback riding lessons as a kid.

12

"Cream" by Prince

Prince was and still is truly one of the greatest musicians of all time, and his ability to be unapologetically sensual throughout his career proves it. Just look at his dance moves in this throwback video to "Cream."

13

"If" by Janet Jackson

I remember going to visit my biological father in Texas back in the '90s, watching Janet Jackson's "The Velvet Rope Tour" on VHS, and falling in love with everything about her performance to "If." Please, if you haven't seen this tour, make it your point to see one of the greatest performers ever shut it down. Trust me, your favorite got her style and poise from none other than Janet.

14

"Hit 'Em Up" by 2Pac

If you were a real fan of 2Pac, knowing all the words and accurately beeping out all the curse words was a feat that we all attempted to conquer. I salute my older sister, who introduced me to and made me love Pac, for successfully knocking the aforementioned out of the park every single time.

15

"Doin' It" by LL Cool J

If the ad libs at the beginning of the song weren't enough to make you realize this song was obviously inappropriate in the '90s, maybe the second line of the song was. Nevertheless, LL Cool J absolutely had a hit with the 1995 single.