Top 10 Choreographed Dance Music Videos of Each Year (1990-1999)

After being the dominating force of female pop in the 80s, Madonna entered the new decade in style. Taking inspiration from the Harlem ballroom scene, “Vogue” features the most imitated - arguably - dance move of the early 90s. With David Fincher’s direction, this ode to the golden age of Hollywood features infectious choreography that’s equal parts sexy and cool. While M.C. Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This” also stood out in 1990, the queen of pop edged it out of the spot with this unforgettable video. Along with bringing the subculture mainstream, this video made “voguing” a household verb. Who among us hasn’t tried to vogue?

Before he was an Oscar-nominated actor, Mark Wahlberg was a rapper known as Marky Mark, leader of the proverbial Funky Bunch. During their two-year run, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch made their “mark” on 90s music with this number one smash. “Good Vibrations” not only showcases Marky Mark’s physique, it features dance routines to rival any contemporary video. These include some of the most acrobatic moves ever put to video. Not to mention, they’re all done over a massive puddle of water. Extra style points for danger! Whatever you make of Marky Mark’s flow, you can’t deny the sheer energy on display in this video, all of which combines for a rump-shaking good time.

By 1992, Michael Jackson had stretched his pop legacy into its third decade. Even with grunge music taking over, Michael persevered with his album “Dangerous” and its single “Remember the Time.” One of his classic videos from this period came from up and coming director John Singleton. Along with high profile cameos, the Egyptian-themed video features a trademark routine as only Michael could deliver. Doubling as a short film, Michael’s wizard-like character brings the funk to Pharaoh Eddie Murphy’s court. His dance powers shock the likes of NBA legend Magic Johnson and supermodel Iman. In the end, Michael compels the court to follow him in a show-stopping performance. His signature moves bring a whole new meaning to the phrase “walk like an Egyptian.”

Already an established pop artist, Janet Jackson paved her own way despite her brother’s pop domination. Off her self-titled fifth album, “If” came at a period of reinvention for Janet. This striking, sensual video solidified Jackson as more than just the leader of “rhythm nation”. She hits the dance floor in an Asian nightclub with seductive and entrancing choreography. Featuring several futuristic touches, this exercise in style and substance only perpetuates her standing as a triple-threat pop icon. Janet and her backup dancers shuffle across the floor in a smooth lockstep. Her ability to command the stage in a multi-genre ode to pop, new jack swing, and hip hop solidifies her place on this list.

Nearly halfway through the 90s, popular music needed another jolt of inspiration. Enter the all-star collaboration between the queens of R&B, En Vogue, and hip hop pioneers Salt-N-Pepa. Together, they created one of the most fun music videos of the 90s. Both groups come together for one huge celebration about the men in their lives. This raucous video serves up enjoyable moves that will make you want to get up and jump into the screen. The only thing we were missing was a cameo from TLC, who were about to release their own classic “Creep” later that year. Each video set a high bar for the rest of the decade, but “Whatta Man” takes the cake for its unprecedented team-up.

By 1995, the only thing left for Michael and Janet Jackson to do was join forces. In the video, the Jacksons rail against the intrusive media coverage that followed Michael after his high-profile misconduct trial. The reported $7 million budget bought an elaborate space set that the Jacksons fly all over. In and out of zero gravity, the siblings mug and flip off the camera in an aggressive rebuke of the press. A standout moment comes when Michael and Janet share the space station floor for a dance to rival their previous videos. While 1995 had stiff competition from Bjork’s “It’s Oh So Quiet” video, Michael and Janet made their case for continued video dominance.

In 1996, funky, acid jazz band Jamiroquai slid into music video history with this unique tour de force. Director Jonathan Glazer devised a clever way to make lead singer Jay Kay “glide” across the floor with ease. The walls and camera were made to look like they were stationary, while the floor moved. The result gave the feel that Jay was dancing along an elaborate conveyor belt set. Camera tricks aside, the video wouldn’t work without Jay’s killer moves. As birds and cockroaches wreak havoc, Jay grooves, rocks a fuzzy hat, and dodges precarious furniture. While they also landed a memorable needle drop in Napoleon Dynamite, Jamiroquai’s crowning achievement remains this ingenious video.

1997 was a stellar year for music videos, especially when it came to boy bands and certified classics from NSYNC. Ultimately though, it’s this anthem that stands out for its intricate and spooky choreography. In the boy band era of the late 90s, Backstreet Boys competed for the hearts of American youth. This anthemic song and video showed the competition that Backstreet was “back,” and they weren’t messing around. To top it all off, this horror themed video gives a nod to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” When the boys hit the ballroom dance floor, they tear up the mansion party in synchronized style. Oh, and their Halloween monster moves and costumes aren’t too shabby either.

Believe it or not, there was a time when Britney Spears wasn’t a household name. That all changed in 1998, when she strutted down a hallway in her signature school uniform. While rap and R&B continued making its mark with the likes of Will Smith and Usher, solo female pop stars like Britney also tore the roof off the industry. Not to be outdone, Aaliyah also had a standout year with her video, but 1998 belongs to Britney. This high school themed video brought a whole new meaning to a typical daydream. The school is no match for Britney’s energy, which transforms the hallway and gymnasium into a full-blown dance off. When Britney commands that we “give her a sign,” we all answer the call. Needless to say, pop music was never the same.

To finish out the decade, we chose a collaboration between three sons of Manchester, England and a French director with an extraordinary vision. In 1999, British duo The Chemical Brothers teamed up with Oasis’ Noel Gallagher to deliver this Britpop and Big Beat mashup. Enlisting the help of director Michel Gondry, this video’s kaleidoscopic effects elevated it to masterpiece-status. In the video, a woman’s daydreams break out into elaborate line dances and Busby Berkeley-inspired choreography. The choreography was so stellar it won over equally memorable videos from 1999, including Spike Jonze’s wacky dance odyssey in Fatboy Slim’s “Praise You” video. There’s one thing you can say about “Let Forever Be”: we’ve never seen anything like it before or since.