Homecoming – aka an extended Dillo Day for Fall Quarter – is just around the corner, and this year's theme is NU Kids on the Block. Because the theme is so very '90s, I just couldn't resist binge-listening to some '90s classics and picking out some of our favorites for Homecoming. Check out this list of the tunes that are sure to make your Homecoming All That.
“...Baby One More Time,” By Britney Spears
Let’s kick off this Homecoming playlist with one of the definitive, if not the definitive, songs of the '90s: Britney Spears’ “...Baby One More Time.” Without Britney Spears and her first mega-hit, there would be no giant '90s female pop scene, and there would be no Miley Cyrus twerking on giant teddy bears (though we could maybe do without that one). Homecoming is a time for celebration, and there is no '90s jam that will get everyone from Theatre majors to frat guys to engineers singing and dancing along quite like this song.
“I Believe I Can Fly,” by R. Kelly
Uplifting. Inspirational. Part of a movie where animals and Michael Jordan (SPOILER ALERT) defeat aliens in a game of basketball. “I Believe I Can Fly” really has it all. A personal favorite, this soulful hit really captures the best part of the '90s: animals playing basketball with Michael Jordan (I really liked Space Jam, okay?). Have this song set to play in the student section to lift everyone's spirits when the game starts getting worrisome – because it's not a Wildcat football game if you don't need to tell yourself everything will be okay at least once.
Note: I also hear if you play it backwards, you can hear the secret 34th through 75th chapters of “Trapped in the Closet.”
“Smells Like Teen Spirit,” by Nirvana
Your favorite song to incoherently mumble, Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is a must-feature on your '90s homecoming playlist. Even though at the time of its release, you were likely only old enough to feel angsty about your diaper needing to be changed – if you were even born at all – this song captured the anger and frustrations of a generation that grew up around things like this. This song is probably best used as a pre-game pump-up song, or a post-game “fuck it, it’s time to break something” song in the unfortunate case that Northwestern loses.
“I’ll Make Love to You,” by Boyz II Men
Sexual and informational (Boyz II Men literally walks you through every step of the night), this classic '90s jam definitely deserves a spot on your Homecoming playlist. This song is the slow jam of the '90s and is sure to set the mood for some post-victory lovin’. Plus, you can also pretend you’re being serenaded by Jim Halpert when you listen to it – if you’re into that sort of thing (at 4:00 in the video).
“Baby Got Back,” by Sir Mix-A-Lot
Certain words seem to define generations. In the '90s, those word were, “my anaconda don’t want none unless you got buns, hun.” A man with a singular purpose and desire, Sir Mix-A-Lot, brought together the country under a united front or, rather, back(side). Butt-lover or casual butt-appreciater (I hear there’s a Norris Mini-Course for that), this song is a must-include to get your Homecoming or tailgate party going.
"My Heart Will Go On,” By Celine Dion
Celine Dion’s hit ballad from Titanic, though not quite as heart-warming as Sir Mix-A-Lot’s ode to the derriere, is sure to get everyone belting out their best high notes at your Homecoming party or tailgate. Heck, it’s probably just worth including for the not-so-unlikely chance that you’ll get to see a large man in body paint doing his best Celine Dion impression.
“No Diggity,” by Blackstreet
Before it became universally popular in the acapella community, “No Diggity” was a song not sang by Anna Kendrick and unknown to Theatre majors. It was an actual song sang by actual performers and even featured Dr. Dre – you know, the guy who discovered Eminem. Eminem, the guy who discovered 50 Cent. Ugh. I feel old. Anyhow, come for the the weird bobbleheads, stay for the smooth beats – this 1996 classic is a must-play at your tailgate.
"I'll Make a Man Out of You," from Mulan
This Disney hit rounds out our playlist because this year's Homecoming is more than just a game day – it's a winning day. It's a day for our Northwestern Wildcats to show up and beat the Ohio State Buckeyes and a day for Wildcat fans to show up and show everyone that this is our school, and this is our team – and we came to win. Sing this song in the shower before you go out to Fall Dillo (i.e. game day), or listen to it quietly as you walk to Ryan Field to psych yourself up. However you choose to listen to it, you should conclude your '90s Homecoming playlist with "I'll Make a Man Out of You", and get ready for the best game of football you've ever seen.