Popular prom songs through the years

Popular songs provide the soundtrack to young adults' lives. Such songs offer comfort when hearts are broken, provide some common ground with peers, and can even lift a person up for a study session or before a big game.

Music also plays a large role on prom night. Prom music is a mix of high-energy anthems and slower ballads. These songs can serve as poignant reminders of the ups and downs of high school. Memories sparked by music can last long after photos or other mementos are forgotten.

Over the last 30 years, certain songs have become associated with the eras in which they first debuted. Naturally, these were the songs also popular at proms during those years. Here is a look back at some of the most popular prom songs from the 1990s until today.

1990s: Iconic power ballads and R&B slow jams

Proms during the 1990s were dominated by larger-than-life soundtracks and R& B groups, which served as a balance to the grunge and heavy-hitting songs of that time. This certainly was the peak of the slow dance era, with songs that also served double-duty as cinematic soundtracks.

· "I Swear," All for One

· "(Everything I Do) I Do it For You," Bryan Adams

· "Finally," CeCe Peniston

· "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," Aerosmith

· "My Heart Will Go On," Celine Dion

· "I'll Be," Edwin McCain

· "The Crossroads," Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

2000s: Party Anthems

Moving into the 2000s meant an energy shift toward more hip-hop and club hits that certainly got the room moving. Proms were upbeat and certainly entertaining with this playlist.

· "Yeah!," Usher featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris

· "Mr. Brightside," The Killers

· "Hips Don't Lie," Shakira

· "Get Low," Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz

· "If I Ain't Got You," Alicia Keys

· "Chasing Cars," Snow Patrol

· "Hero," Enrique Iglesias

2010s: Electronic Dance Influence

The party continued into the next decade with the rise of electronic dance music and songs that would go on to spark viral moments on early social media channels. The following songs likely were played for prom-goers from 2010 onward.

· "Uptown Funk," Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars

· "Party Rock Anthem," LMFAO

· "All of Me," John Legend

· "Thinking Out Loud," Ed Sheeran

· "Timber," Pitbull featuring Kesha

· "Shut Up and Dance," Walk the Moon

· "Shake it Off," Taylor Swift

· "Despacito," Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee

2020s: Nostalgia and Viral Hits

The modern era's prom songs have reflected a nod to 2000s nostalgia, as well as a blend of songs that have dominated social media.

· "Stay," The Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber

· "Levitating," Dua Lipa

· "About Damn Time," Lizzo

· "As it Was," Harry Styles

· "good 4u," Olivia Rodrigo

· "Espresso," Sabrina Carpenter

· "Pink Pony Club," Chappell Roan

Timeless Favorites

While popular music tends to dominate prom night playlists, there also are likely to be a number of "forever" songs played, regardless of the year.

· "Don't Stop Believin'," Journey

· "Cupid Shuffle," Cupid

· "Cha Cha Slide," DJ Casper

· "Dancing Queen," ABBA

· "Starships," Nikki Minaj

· "Sweet Caroline," Neil Diamond

Prom music sets the soundtrack for students' lives and can help people remember the feeling of that evening long after prom has come and gone.