We’ll Give You the Wrong ’90s Lyrics, You Correct Us

By: Lauren Lubas
Estimated Completion Time
12 min
We’ll Give You the Wrong ’90s Lyrics, You Correct Us
Image: Interscope

About This Quiz

If you were around in the 1990s, you were lucky enough to see an evolution of music like no other. Not only were boomboxes the hottest electronics for teenagers, they were inexpensive and accessible. Chances are, you watched your CD collection grow into an epic and eclectic tower of sound that included everything from Lauryn Hill to Godsmack. The best thing about taking this quiz is the prerogative to have a little fun. 

The '90s was a decade that was trying to find its own identity by looking back on the identities of decades before it. And with that search for identity, every genre of music went through a shift, and a few genres emerged and reemerged ... come on, who could forget the swing reboot that came along with Big Bad Voodoo Daddies?

Despite this identity crisis, we were given some of the best music in recent history, and that music sticks with us today. The lyrics were catchy, the beats were on point and we had something for every mood we could have possibly experienced. 

In this quiz, we are going to sing a few '90s songs to you, but we're going to mess up the lyrics pretty badly. Let's see if you have what it takes to correct us.

Spice Girls Wannabe
Virgin
Can you fix these Spice Girls lyrics for us? "You tell me what you want, what you really truly want"
"Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want"
"You, I'll tell you what I got, what I really, really got"
"Yo, I found a big shot, a really real big shot"
"I want a shot, a really big shot"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you had to define the '90s girl power movement, you would automatically show someone a picture of the Spice Girls. This band's motto was "Girl Power," and they didn't seem to care what anyone thought.

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Genie in a Bottle
RCA
Christina Aguilera stunned audiences with her "Genie In A Bottle" video, but we can't figure out the lyrics. Can you? "I'm a meanie with a bottle, don't rub me the wrong way"
"I'm a fiend for a bottle, and I know the right way"
"I'm a genie in a bottle, you gotta rub me the right way"
"It's a tough bottle to crack, but I know the right way"
"I'm lean and in a bottle, so find me a way out"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you take a Mouseketeer and put her in a tube top, people are going to demand answers. The controversy that Christina's "Genie in a Bottle" video produced may have been short-lived, but it was intense for a moment there.

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Gangsta's Paradise
Tommy Boy
"Gangsta's Paradise" was a hit song in 1995. Do you think you can fix these lyrics: "As I talk through the tellie, I can smell my own breath"?
"As I walk through the belly of a big girl named Beth"
"As I find myself lying on the ground staring at the sky"
"As I find myself walking the streets of Brooklyn"
"As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Dangerous Minds" was one of the most popular movies of 1995. The film showed what it was like in the inner city, and what happens when adults care about the kids. "Gangsta's Paradise" was the song that was attached to this movie, and it became an even bigger hit than the film did.

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My Heart Will Go On
Columbia / Epic
Celine Dion sings something like this "Hear, cars, wherever they are" in "My Heart Will Go On." What does she really sing?
"We're far apart and you are"
"Near, far, wherever you are"
"Titanic was the greatest movie ever"
"And I know that I will find a big star"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When it came to pop music of the '90s, it was almost unheard of to have a ballad in the mix. However, "My Heart Will Go On" was a true ballad that was popularized by the movie "Titanic," which was the biggest film of 1997.

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Iris Goo Goo Dolls
Warner Bros.
Do you know the real lyrics to this song: "And I don't want that girl to see me, 'cause I think that she might be a man"?
"And I found a big fluffy dog, digging his way through the sand"
"And I'm not the type to eat meat, 'cause I have a new lap band"
"And I want to sit by the big beach, 'cause I like the warmth of the sand"
"And I don't want the world to see me, 'cause I don't think that they'd understand"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Goo Goo Dolls started off as a punk band and became famous rather quickly. They were asked to play on the soundtrack for "City of Angels", and they agreed. Of course, this angered many of their early fans, showing that the band had sold out.

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Baby One more Time
Jive
Britney Spears was the princess of pop. Can you help us with the lyrics that go a little like this: "My lower back is killing me, (and I) I must compress the spreadsheet"?
"My lioness is big and mean, (and I) I must find stress in everything"
"My undue stress is killing me, (and I) I feel blessed and relieved"
"My loneliness is killing me (and I) I must confess I still believe"
"My fondue mess is big and gross (and I) I must confess, I hate cleaning"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While there are a lot of parodies to this song, it goes down in the history books as one of the hardest songs Britney recorded. Of course, this was before her 2007 meltdown, which we can all understand in retrospect.

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Don't Speak
Interscope
No Doubt was a huge band in the '90s. Can you help us with the lyrics of the song that goes something like this: "Don't creep, I know where you're stayin'"?
"Don't speak, I know just what you're sayin'"
"Don't be cheap, I know you have money"
"Don't leave a message after the tone"
"Don't reek, take a shower today"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

No Doubt was the kind of band that was always on edge, but everyone wanted more and more of Gwen. It's important to note that before Gwen Stefani was a pop princess, she was one of the best female rockers around.

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I Will Always love You
RCA
In 1992, Whitney Houston sang "And I will always call you, I will always call you, you my friend, you" ... wait, no she didn't. What did she actually sing?
"I will always love you, even if you don't call me, my darling"
"My darling, I will always find you, you always find me"
"I will always mock you, I will always mock you, you, my darling, you"
"I will always love you, I will always love you, you, my darling, hm"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The divas of the '90s had range and vocals that would blow you out of the water. Though some people can't handle the pitch of this song, others say it is the most beautiful love song of all time.

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Livin' La Vida Loca
Columbia
In "Livin' La Vida Loca", Ricky Martin describes a woman like this: "Her hips are all I had, and her chin's the color of polka." How does he really describe her?
"Her rips can take the fed and her shins have to soak-a"
"Her lips are devil-red and her skin's the color of mocha"
"Her red lips are like cherries and she likes to drink mocha"
"Her lips are cherry-red and she really likes mocha"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you don't immediately start dancing when this song comes on, you may have a problem. Ricky Martin wasn't afraid to shake his moneymaker in the video for the hit, either. This song truly captured everyone's attention.

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Always be my Baby
Columbia
Do you know the real lyrics to Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby"? "You'll always be the heart of me."
"You'll always be a part of me"
"You'll always find a heart in me"
"You'll always give your heart to me"
"You'll always see what I can't see"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mariah Carey fell between pop star and diva in the '90s, and her songs were played through middle school gyms during dances rather frequently. "Always Be My Baby" was both catchy and heartfelt ... especially if you were younger the first time you heard it.

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Blind Melon No Rain
Capitol
Blind Melon made waves with "No Rain" in 1992. Can you correct these lyrics: "All I can say is that I like little planes"
"All I can say is that I like paper airplanes"
"All I can say is that my life is pretty plain"
"All I can say is that I live out on the planes"
"All I can say is that I like my girls plain"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Who could forget the MTV music video of a girl in a bee costume dancing on a stage while this song was playing. It is a song that laments on the boring moments of life, and delves into depression pretty hard.

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Boyz II Men - I'll Make Love To You
Motown
Do you know the actual lyrics to this Boyz II Men song? "Close the blinds, make a dish"
"Close to flies, you want a dish"
"In your eyes, I see a fish"
"Close your eyes, make a wish"
"With your eyes, I see my wish"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Boyz II Men was the R&B group everyone loved in the 1990s. They were seemingly unstoppable with their songs of love and heartbreak. Even if you weren't into R&B, you had to have some appreciation for the vocals that came from this group.

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California Love
Death Row / Interscope
Tupac and Dr. Dre teamed up for "California Love", and we definitely don't know the lyrics. Can you help us out with these ones: "In California, lives a guy named Marty"?
"California knows how to party"
"California loves guys named Marty"
"California is all about farming"
"California shakes up the party"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rap music toned itself down just a little bit when big-name rappers started to realize that air time on MTV would get them more money. Songs like "California Love" were hip-hop hits that attracted wider audiences.

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I Want it that Way - Backstreet Boys
Jive
"You are my wire. The one high mire" are kind of the opening lyrics to "I Want it That Way." Do you know the correct lyrics?
"You are my fire, the one desire"
"Am I your fire, your one desire?"
"And that makes you larger than life"
"Tell me why, ain't nothin' but a heartache"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Boy bands were all the rage in the '90s. They showed us that there is a girl out there for everyone ... as long as you liked dudes in double denim with quintessential '90s hair ... and if you were into dudes, you probably did.

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TLC No Scrubs
LaFace / Arista
Can you tell us the actual lyrics to the TLC song that goes kind of like this: "I don't want no rubs, a rub is a tub that can't get no shlub from me"?
"I don't want any scrubs, they can't get my love"
"I don't want to scrubs, I don't like it when they rub on me"
"I don't want no scrubs, a scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me"
"I don't have no love for all of these scrubs near me"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The girl power movement of the '90s was a chance for women to express what they wanted and what they didn't want. TLC's hit "Scrubs" was the kind of song that told men women were no longer going to settle for the closest thing that gave them attention.

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Basket Case
Reprise
"Do you have a lime" are NOT the beginning lyrics to Green Day's "Basket Case", but do you know what the real lyrics are?
"Do you have the time"
"Do you know the rhyme"
"Are you gonna whine"
"Do you always whine"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Everyone was looking for new sounds in the 1990s, and Green Day delivered. The album "Dookie" was punk with grunge undertones that people really responded to. Although "Basket Case" was overplayed on the radio, people still return to it today.

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Aerosmith Armageddon
Hollywood Records / Columbia Records / Sony Music Soundtrax
Do you know the actual lyrics to this song from the movie "Armageddon" that was popular in 1998? "I don't want to look at flies. I don't want to get too deep"
"I don't want to close my eyes. I don't want to fall asleep"
"I don't have enough disguise, your secrets I can't keep"
"I'm on a ship that flies, I can't fall asleep"
"I don't have enough eyes, your safety I can't keep"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The '90s were a decade that realized that mixing movies and music was a great way to make even more money. Big bands from every genre were asked to write songs for blockbuster movies constantly. In the case of "Armageddon," Aerosmith created this song, and it became an instant hit.

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What is Love
Coconut
You may remember Haddaway's "What Is Love" from an SNL skit, but do you think you can correct these lyrics: "What are scrubs? Baby just shirt me"?
"What are drugs? Maybe I'm hurting"
"What are you? Don't be a monster"
"What is love? Baby don't hurt me"
"What is this? Baby, it's hurting"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Alright, so you may not have known that this song is by Haddaway, but the one-hit-wonder band created one of the most epic dance songs of the '90s. Unfortunately, it was just before the pop and dance music sounds started to change.

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I Swear
Atlantic Nashville
R&B sounds of the '90s were hot. The smooth soulful music of All-4-One gave us songs like "I Swear." Can you fix these lyrics from that song: "I swear that the moon is a star in your eye"?
"I swear my moon and my stars can fly"
"I swear by the moon and the stars in the sky"
"I swear I love you so much that I cry"
"I swear I'll never ever make you cry"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Anyone who knows this song most likely had it play at a middle school dance or on prom night. There is no doubt that All-4-One was a song that connected to younger audiences who loved R&B.

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Praise You
Skint / Astralwerks
Fatboy Slim took the techno-pop trophy for the '90s with his song "Praise You." What are the real lyrics to the part that goes like this: "He's got a strong, strong way to get her"?
"We have a long, strong way to get her"
"We've come a long, long way together"
"We are no longer together"
"She's got a another man with her"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Techno music was a limited genre in the '90s. It was difficult to get people into it, and most didn't understand it at all. However, Fatboy Slim seemed to connect pop music, adding a few lyrics and changing the way people looked at it.

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TLC Waterfalls
LaFace / Arista
Can you correct these lyrics to TLC's hit: "Don't answer when she calls, please screen the phone with caller ID"?
"Don't go chasin' waterfalls, please stick tot he rivers and the lakes that you're used to"
"I don't have any missed calls, I'm gonna go to the club tonight to find you"
"I found another ring in your sock drawer, please don't ask me to marry you"
"Here's another chance at waterfalls, please don't slip because it might hurt you"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although the members of TLC went through some difficult times, it was clear that the music they created would hold a place in the hearts of '90s children forever, even if it wasn't necessarily timeless.

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Boyz II Men's "End of the Road
LaFace / Arista / Motown
What are the actual lyrics to Boyz II Men's "End of the Road"? "And now we go to the unforeseen mode"
"And now I'm done at the end of the road"
"I turned the TV to sleep mode"
"Although we've come to the end of the road"
"Your heart is on the end of the road"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While Boyz II Men had great intentions for their songs, some of their lyrics were a little creepy by today's standards. "End of the Road" is a song about a relationship that is ending, but someone refuses to give up.

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jlo if you had my love
Work
J-Lo hit the scene hard in the late '90s. Do you know the actual lyrics to her song "If You Had My Love"? "If I gave you love and I trusted you so much, would you come for me?"
"With all of my love, I give you all my trust, now come for me"
"If you had my love and I gave you all my trust, would you comfort me"
"I haven't any love, but I can give you some trust, now are you true to me"
"Would you ever love someone with no trust, or are you a bee"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Back when she was known as Jennifer Lopez, J-Lo showed us that it was totally awesome to have a big butt and confidence at the same time. Not only did she grab attention with her lyrics, her perfect bod also kept her going.

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Hey Jealousy
San Jacinto
The Gin Blossoms gave a true '90s sound. Their song "Hey Jealousy" kind of goes like this: "Tomorrow we can dive into a frown." Can you correct these lyrics?
"If you follow, we can drive into town"
"Tomorrow we can drive around this town"
"Chase the cops around town tomorrow"
"Tomorrow we can chase the cops around"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you are excited to remember this song, you definitely grew up in the '90s. Grunge was creating so many different sounds in the '90s, and it's no wonder that the Gin Blossoms made it so far.

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Mambo No. 5
Lautstark / BMG / RCA
"Mambo No. 5" was a fun song to dance to, but do you think you can correct these lyrics: "I like Angelica, Nala, Amanda and Tina"?
"I hate Angela, Pamela, Sandra and Rita"
"I love Anna, Hannah, Rhonda and Rhea"
"I like Angela, Pamela, Sandra and Rita"
"I like Sonia, Maria, Bella and Maya"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although few will ever understand how "Mambo No. 5" became so popular, there is a reasonable explanation. It had a different sound and was upbeat, even though the lyrics were a little sexist.

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Two Princes - Spin Doctor
Epic
"Two Princes" by the Spin Doctors brought a little bit of pop sound to grunge. What are the real lyrics to this part of the song? "Merry Christmas, merry me, I'm in love with the holidays, can't you see?"
"He's hairy, I'm Harry. But I love you more than he could ever baby"
"Money from him, love from me. There's an obvious choice here, can't you see?"
"When the wedding begins, we'll all be free, baby can't you see?"
"Marry him or marry me. I'm the one that loves you, baby, can't you see?"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Anyone who remembers the Spin Doctors will tell you that the songs of the alternative rock band were catchy but also very telling of the times. It was a time to focus on love rather than money, when it was supposed that women were more looking for security rather than happiness.

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Buzzy Holly Weezer
DGC
Can you fix these lyrics to "Buddy Holly" by Weezer for us? "Who knew I'm friends with Buddy Holly."
"Uh-Oh, I lost my buddy, Holly"
"Once I met the great Buddy Holly"
"He knew I found a guy named Buddy Holly"
"Oo-ee-oo, I look just like Buddy Holly"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Alternative rock really changed the way people looked at good music. Weezer was one of those bands that couldn't be placed in a genre, and "Buddy Holly" was their first major hit. That was followed by "Undone."

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Black Hole Sun
A&M
"Black Hole Sun" from Soundgarden gave us a new look at the sound of grunge. Can you fix these lyrics: "Shuddering in the damp"?
"In my ring, I found a lamp"
"My basement has a lamp"
"Stuttering, cold and damp"
"Underling, old and cramped"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Grunge music reached its height of popularity in the 1990s. The dark and angry sounds of Soundgarden showed audiences that not everything was sunshine and rainbows, and we didn't have to pretend that it was.

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Under the Bridge
Warner Bros.
"Under the Bridge" was popular in the early '90s. Do you know the right lyrics to the song that goes "At night I feel like I lost my good partner"?
"Sometimes I find a little hard work is harder"
"She finds a dog and calls him a partner"
"Sometimes I feel like I don't have a partner"
"At night I feel like I don't have a partner"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Remember when Anthony Kiedis had long hair? We're sure you'll never forget. Though their first album was released in 1984, the band didn't gain national popularity until the '90s, when alternative rock attracted attention.

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Smells Like Teen Spirit
DGC
Nirvana's lyrics are difficult to understand in the first place, so we're really going to need your help with "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Can you correct these lyrics: "Turn the lights out, entertain us"?
"Find the lights now, and get spontaneous"
"Punch his lights out, be real dangerous"
"And the fight's now, getting dangerous"
"With the lights out, it's less dangerous"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was a revolutionary song that changed popular music forever. It was one of the first hits from the grunge genre to get airplay on radios across the country, and people still love the song today.

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Radiohead Creep
Parlophone / EMI
Dark, slow music was almost unheard of in the '90s until Radiohead's "Creep." Do you think you can fix these lyrics: "I'm a boat and a feather and a beautiful girl"?
"I found a feather to give to a girl"
"I have another feather I got from a girl"
"I float like a feather in a beautiful world"
"I'm not another feather in this insane world"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Creep" was a slow, angry song that showed rockers didn't have to yell just to get their points across. Nine Inch Nails followed suit with their song "Hurt" in 1994, two years after "Creep" was released.

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My Name Is
Aftermath / Interscope / Web
Eminem's "My Name Is" debuted in 1999. Can you help us with these lyrics from that song? "My English teacher got something stuck in his eye"
"All my teachers hated me in Junior High"
"My English teacher wanted to flunk me in Junior High"
"My teachers made me teach in Junior High"
"My girlfriend got pregnant in Junior High"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fighting stereotypes about hardcore rappers and skin color, Eminem changed the game with his "Slim Shady LP" that wowed audiences and angered parents. However, if you listen to his lyrics, you understand that he is creating music for people just like him.

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Beck Loser
Bong Load Custom / DGC
Beck may have had some interesting lyrics, but we aren't sure these ones are right: "And I find I'm a piece of wax, falling on a bed bug who's choking on the stuffing." Can you help us?
"And my time is a piece of wax fallin' on a termite that's chokin' on the splinters"
"And I know there's a piece of wax to go into the candle that burns on both ends"
"She's not that lax when she falls to the termites on the choke hold"
"And my time is a bell that rings in the office of the people stuffing clothing"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though Beck still has a cult following, few people actually realize how genius his music really is. The musician can play nearly every instrument (and has done so on his albums), as well as writes his own songs.

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Wonderwall Oasis
Creation
Can you help us with these lyrics to the song "Wonderwall" by Oasis: "Unseen, I hear it when we meet"?
"Backstreet is the band to beat"
"*NSync knows the right beats"
"I'm seeing all of these things"
"Backbeat, the word was on the street"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Oasis was well-known as a band that didn't get along with each other very well. There was constant tension between the Gallagher brothers who started the band, and it was clear in interviews that they didn't like each other very much.

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U Can't Touch This
Capitol (US)
"U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer was released in 1990. What are the right lyrics in this line? "Shoes and all the hammers, shoes walkin' with some socks"
"You hit me with a hammer, now I want you to go"
"You found out I'm with Hammer, and I know that you know"
"Ladies love the Hammer, but now I got to go"
"You talkin' about the Hammer, you talking about a show"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

MC Hammer was one of the biggest names in hip-hop music in the '80s and '90s. With "U Can't Touch This," he showed audiences that rap didn't necessarily need to be crude to succeed in the genre.

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You Got:
/35
Interscope