We’ve given you a ton of 1980s bucket playlists and class profiles (see links to those ’80s rides below), but now it’s time to crank up the dial on the next decade—the 1990s. I’ve pulled together hundreds of ’90s songs you can sprinkle into your cycling classes, whether you’re planning a full-blown decades ride or just want to drop in a nostalgic banger or two.
I recently took my class on a ride down memory lane with my Progressive Dueling Intervals: 1990s Edition profile—and it was a total hit. Turns out I have more die-hard ’90s fans in my class than I ever realized! They even gave me a list of must-play songs for my next ride—and let’s just say Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Nirvana are high on the list for round two.
Like any great decade, the ’90s were packed with distinct music styles, so I’ve split our mega bucket playlist into these categories:
- ROCK, ALTERNATIVE, GRUNGE, ETC.
- POP, R&B, DANCE, ETC.
- HIP-HOP
If you’re building a ’90s ride, you can stick to one style for a more focused vibe or hop between categories to create an eclectic, mixtape feel that keeps your riders guessing (and grooving).
When I built my ride, I leaned into my personal favorite alternative and indie tracks from that era—because let’s face it, music hits different when it carries a piece of your past. (I’m sure you’ve got those songs, too—the ones that instantly take you back!) During my cool-down, I even told my class how “Nothing Compares 2U” by Sinéad O’Connor still gives me that twinge of heartbreak. Yup, I was that melodramatic former girlfriend who made a breakup mixtape and mailed it to an ex. Did it fix anything? No. Was it peak ’90s behavior? Absolutely.
🎧 Here are some iconic ’90s tracks to fuel your next class
All That She Wants, Ace of Base, 3:31, 94 bpm
This reggae-pop hit was everywhere in the early ’90s. It’s perfect for a high-cadence interval, or use it as a second song where you surge the legs 5–10 rpm on the chorus—just like this track surged up the charts in ’93. (Of course, that awesome sax means this song is included in my Sexy Sax bucket playlist!)
Wildflowers, Tom Petty, 3:10, 87 bpm
Laid-back, breezy, and soulful, this track is ideal for a warm-up, recovery, or endurance block. It’s the musical equivalent of a cool breeze on a summer road trip and one of Petty’s most heartfelt solo pieces from his 1994 album.
Ice Ice Baby, Vanilla Ice, 4:14, 116 bpm
The first hip-hop song to top the Billboard charts—and the reason we all learned the word “collaborate.” The second that beat drops, expect instant grins from your class. Slow, heavy climb at 58 rpm…and if you don’t rap along at least once, are you even teaching a ’90s ride?
Freedom ’90!, George Michael, 6:31, 91 bpm
An anthem of independence and reinvention—plus, the music video was pure ’90s supermodel gold. (Click here to watch a video that explains the symbolism of that iconic video.) I love using this track for long ramp intervals (the 3-2-1 drill works great) or over/under efforts. It’s also a go-to warm-up song—George’s smooth voice sets the perfect tone.
Show Me Love, Robyn, 4:12, 120 bpm
This track will make you want to find a dance floor, stat! Another steep and deep climb at 60 rpm; let the beat pull you through the resistance. A true ’90s club anthem that still gets remixed today—proof that some songs never go out of style.
When I Come Around, Green Day, 258, 97 bpm
A quintessential slice of ’90s punk-pop from Green Day’s breakout album Dookie. Short, fast, and punchy— it’s perfect for quick, high-cadence intervals. Bonus: Billy Joe Armstrong’s voice has that “I-don’t-care-but-I-secretly-do” attitude we all loved.
Macarena, Los Del Rio, 3:43, 103 bpm
Look, I get it—this one’s polarizing. But love it or hate it, it’s impossible to ignore. This track ruled every wedding reception, school dance, and bar mitzvah from ’95 onward. Use it as a second song to spike the cadence on the chorus—and if you must do the hand motions, save it for recovery.
Come to My Window, Melissa Etheridge, 3:56, 97 bpm
Melissa’s raw, powerful voice spoke to a generation—this song is drenched in longing and resilience. It’s a versatile one; use it as a moderate climb, recovery, or cool-down.
Bye Bye Bye, NSYNC, 3:20, 172 bpm
No varied ’90s playlist is complete without a boy band bop. This one’s a staple of the TRL* era—back when we all rushed home from school to see if our favorite boy band clinched the top spot on MTV’s Total Request Live! Use it as a recovery, warm-up, or a light flat road effort. Just resist the urge to mimic the puppet dance moves (unless you’re going for comedy points).
Going the Distance, Cake, 2:98, 93 bpm
Dry wit, deadpan vocals, and a relentless beat—it’s peak Cake. This one’s versatile: push over threshold for a power interval, or pull back and use it for recovery while your riders chuckle at the absurdly brilliant lyrics.
Can’t Touch This, MC Hammer, 4:17, 133 bpm
If there’s ever a song that demands instructor “choreography” (yes, I said that word!), this is it. But my choreography is different: ride it as 8- or 16-count jumps at 67 rpm. And you have to stop, point at the class, and yell, “HAMMER TIME!” at least once. I don’t make the rules.
Fade Into You, Mazzy Star, 4:56, 105 bpm
Dreamy, haunting, and ethereal—this one’s a vibe. Hope Sandoval’s voice is like warm honey, making this a perfect cool-down track for your ’90s ride.
💿 What’s your favorite ’90s track?
Drop your go-to ’90s song in the comments—I’d love to hear what gems you’ve got tucked away!
ICA members can access our three bucket playlists below. (Note: Even if you don’t use Spotify to teach, you can still follow these playlists with a free Spotify account and use them for inspiration; just find the songs you like on your music source of choice.)
*Oh, and the “TRL era” I referred to under the NSYNC song refers to the time period in the late 1990s and early 2000s when MTV’s Total Request Live (TRL) was a cultural phenomenon. It was a daily live show where fans voted for their favorite music videos, counting down the top 10 most requested songs.
Hosted by Carson Daly, TRL was a huge influence on pop culture and music, helping to catapult artists like Britney Spears, NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Christina Aguilera, and Eminem to superstardom. It also featured a mix of pop, rock, and hip-hop, reflecting the diverse sounds of the late ’90s.
If you hear someone talk about the “TRL era,” they’re usually referencing that time of boy bands, pop divas, nu-metal, and rap-rock—and the energy of tuning in after school to see which video took the top spot.
1990s: ROCK, ALTERNATIVE, GRUNGE, ETC. (~410 songs)
1990s: POP, R&B, DANCE, ETC. (~135 SONGS)
1990s: HIP-HOP (~110 songs)