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Original poster

To wonder why the 90s music was so childish?

93 replies

magicalkitty · 02/08/2023 21:02

I just pondering.

I was a 90s kid, and remember the charts were full of various bands that made music that appealed to kids. S Club 7, Steps, Bewitched, even the Spice Girls to an extent, to name a few. As a child I loved this music, but it's quite surprising now, as an adult, to remember how popular these songs were, as adults would have been buying it. The bands, their music videos, their image, was usually aimed at kids too, not adults. I feel I have grown out of this music now and can't understand why adults would like it, except for nostalgia reasons.

These days the number 1s are more often than not more 'adult' songs, and music aimed at kids doesn't really chart well. What has changed?

OP posts:
LlynTegid · 02/08/2023 21:06

Alongside that were Oasis, Blur, Kula Shaker, the Verve, Elastica, the Lightning Seeds, bands as opposed to bad karaoke groups some of whom allegedly mimed at 'live' shows. Largely men yes, but the music industry was even more male dominated than it is now.

Why would adults like it- well I'm sure plenty of men liked Rachel Stevens and Mel B at the time.

LlynTegid · 02/08/2023 21:06

What has changed is downloads, YouTube, no mainstream chart show, to name three things.

AnkleWidget · 02/08/2023 21:08

Indie and punk weren’t that childish. I think you just had… the taste of a child!

homeforme · 02/08/2023 21:08

There was a lot of decent, more 'grown up' music too.

Hufflepods · 02/08/2023 21:09

You were a kid in the 90s so remember music aimed at children and young people. Shocking.

FLOWER1982 · 02/08/2023 21:10

There were so many good bands in the 90s. Let’s not forget prodigy, nirvana, red hot chilli peppers, lots of great dance artists. Yes there were some comedy kids but that wasn’t it.

inthehammock · 02/08/2023 21:10

Well, I think the biggest purchasing market for that kind of music WAS children (TOTP etc).

Personally, as a teen in the 90s it was an awesome time for indie and rock - I despised all the music you listened to precisely because it was trite, mass-produced inane anthems. I was listening to Pulp, Suede, blur, Radiohead, Bush, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Counting Crows... the list of bands could go on for some time!

Original poster
magicalkitty · 02/08/2023 21:13

Yes there was other music, but the number 1 usually was something that would be on TOTP and from one of the bands like I mentioned.

OP posts:
KrisAkabusi · 02/08/2023 21:15

magicalkitty · 02/08/2023 21:13

Yes there was other music, but the number 1 usually was something that would be on TOTP and from one of the bands like I mentioned.

No it wouldn't. You're just remembering the stuff you liked.

jc12689 · 02/08/2023 21:15

magicalkitty · 02/08/2023 21:02

I just pondering.

I was a 90s kid, and remember the charts were full of various bands that made music that appealed to kids. S Club 7, Steps, Bewitched, even the Spice Girls to an extent, to name a few. As a child I loved this music, but it's quite surprising now, as an adult, to remember how popular these songs were, as adults would have been buying it. The bands, their music videos, their image, was usually aimed at kids too, not adults. I feel I have grown out of this music now and can't understand why adults would like it, except for nostalgia reasons.

These days the number 1s are more often than not more 'adult' songs, and music aimed at kids doesn't really chart well. What has changed?

Obviously that music existed in the 90s but it's not really what I associate with the 90s. I think it was one of the best eras for music, especially British bands.

calmcoco · 02/08/2023 21:16

It was mostly kids buying that music. There was loads of excellent music during the same period.

TheOutlaws · 02/08/2023 21:21

How old are you OP? Lots of grown up bands/artists had top 10 hits in the 1990s (I was a kid but I liked indie/dance/some pop at the time, my tastes have matured obvs and I much prefer Motown and Wham these days! Grin).

Off the top of my head, stuff I liked in the 90s: Blur, Oasis, Pulp, Suede, Longpigs, Cornershop, Fatboy Slim, Run DMC, Prodigy, Radiohead, The Verve, Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, Crowded House, The Shamen, Massive Attack, Kula Shaker etc.

BakedTattie · 02/08/2023 21:24

Even pop songs were grown up though. Most about shagging or doing drugs. 2 become 1 spice girls, sex on the beach, chumbawumba, I want to be a hippy, horny mousse T. Practically every song was about something grown up.

5128gap · 02/08/2023 21:27

Because I'm bored and sad, I've checked and if I've counted right, those bands between them had 12 number 1s out of the total 215 number 1s in the 90s. The Teletubbies also had a number 1 though if that helps.

inthehammock · 02/08/2023 21:27

I think you're answering your own question! TOTP / chart music has always been largely dominated by teen / youth tastes aimed at mass appeal and not usually known for being any good by people who consider themselves as "into" music.

Even legends such as ABBA just produced fluffy nonsense mostly.

But the 90s famously was the era of Brit-pop / indie and there were huge rock and dance scenes which not just infiltrated but played a big part in the charts (as PPs have mentioned, the likes of Prodigy, Massive Attaxk, Chilli Peppers, Crowded House, Nirvana, Oasis and Blur of course). It really is just about your own experience and it's definitely not one many of us relate to due to having different tastes and maybe being a bit older?

x2boys · 02/08/2023 21:28

Depends what you listened to in the 90,s I was unto indie.music and rock it was pretty cool 80,s music could have been pretty crap if you were into bros for example

Octopies · 02/08/2023 21:35

What has changed? Essentially the lyrics are arguably a little more overtly adult and have become possibly more 'street/'patrois, but the melodies are still somewhat catchy with a lullaby lilt.

Spidey66 · 02/08/2023 21:36

I was 23 in 1990...the 90s as far as I was concerned were fantastic for music. Pulp (my personal favourite and their recent tour was fantastic) Oasis, Blur, Suede, Fatboy Slim, Massive Attack, James, Sinead OConnor (RIP), Nirvana, Elastica, Garbage, Radiohead.....need I go on? Apart from Wannabe and maybe 1 or 2 others, the Spice Girls passed me by, I know only 1 Britney Spears song (Whoops I did it Again) and couldn't name any Steps or Bewitched songs. There was a cover of Tragedy....was that Steps?

Nah.....you're remembering it wrong!

bakewellbride · 02/08/2023 21:37

I was a 90s kid too and pretty much grew up with blur!

touseef877 · 02/08/2023 21:37

It's important to note that not all music from the 1990s can be categorized as "childish." The '90s was a decade known for its diverse musical landscape, and there was a wide range of genres and styles represented during that time. While some songs and artists may have had a more lighthearted and playful approach, others delved into deeper and more mature themes.
There are several reasons why some '90s music may have been perceived as childish:

  1. Popularity of Boy Bands and Teen Pop: The '90s saw the rise of boy bands and teen pop stars like Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, and Britney Spears, who appealed to a younger demographic. Their music often focused on love, relationships, and catchy, upbeat melodies, which might have been seen as more youth-oriented.
  2. TV Shows and Movies: The '90s had numerous popular TV shows and movies targeted at a younger audience. Some of these shows and movies featured soundtracks with music that resonated with children and teenagers.
  3. Censorship and Radio Play: During the '90s, there was a strong focus on censorship in music, particularly with explicit lyrics. As a result, many songs aimed for a cleaner and more family-friendly approach to ensure radio play and wider appeal.
  4. Nostalgia Factor: Looking back, some people might perceive '90s music as childish due to nostalgia and the association of certain songs with their childhood or teenage years.
It's important to remember that music is subjective, and different genres cater to various audiences. While some '90s music may have been geared towards a younger demographic, the decade also produced many influential and emotionally profound songs in various genres, such as grunge, alternative rock, hip-hop, and R&B. Many iconic artists emerged during the '90s, and their music continues to be cherished by fans of all ages. Ultimately, music trends and tastes evolve with time, and what one person might consider childish, another might see as simply a reflection of a particular era's style and cultural influences.
N4ish · 02/08/2023 21:42

Was your post written by AI @touseef877 ?

Jonniecomelately · 02/08/2023 21:43

The charts was singles, mainly bought by kids whereas now charts are based on downloads - completely different market. Also internet hadn't got going so we listened to more British music/bands.

MariaVT65 · 02/08/2023 21:45

I still love 90s music now as an adult, it’s nostalgic yes but also fun. I find stuff like Adele so boring and depresssing. I’d still much rather listen to Aqua’s first album!

tillytoodles1 · 02/08/2023 21:47

The '70's had the best music ever. No boy bands, no groups from TV shows, just people who'd worked hard to get where they were.

Ouchiebum · 02/08/2023 21:49

You need to read reach for the stats by Michael cragg. Is a love story to 90s cheese but also explains why the type of music op is talking about us no longer popular. Is a mix of lack of music tv, streaming, you tube and rise of talent shows