We now come to the end of this countdown and we finish with a song that nobody thought back then would become as massive a song as it has. A prime example of a track that gets dropped and marinates in the music subconscious year and year and, like a fine wine, gets more memorable and tasty than before. While they had a boat load of other classic tunes, this is their more widely-known song and it’s a fitting champion as the #1 song released in 1996 and turning 30 years old today. It’s Champagne Supernova by Oasis.

Look, a lot can be said and has been said of this artist’s legal trouble (to put it mildly). However, there is no denying the man had a knack for writing songs (The Closet opus?). At this time, he was everywhere on the R&B scene. This one is arguably his biggest track, and it has remained a major song to this day, so much so that I still hear my kids sing the chorus every now and then. Coming in at #2 is I Believe I Can Fly by R. Kelly.

There was not a club or party in 1996 that did not have this song jammin’, and it’s one of my favorite dance songs still to this day. The song a few years later would disappear only for it to return in places enough to keep it relevant and popular. I still hear it played at ball parks and at school functions. It’s hard to not groove or feel energy as this song plays, and this train charges in at #3 in this countdown. C’mon n Ride It by The Quad City DJs.

I graduated high school in 1996 (yeah I’m now old), but this song was everywhere back then and was a key track in our school’s graduation video. That notwithstanding, this song has remained a key staple of this artist and is probably one of her best known and appreciated tracks in her repertoire. This would actually become one of the last big hits of her career before the inevitable downturn. Still, let’s experience the joy of this #4 song turning 30 years old today – it’s Always Be My Baby by Mariah Carey.

In the previous year, 1995, this group had two iconic tracks that made my list. This year, only one made it, but it starts our massive top 5. While their previous acoustic number helped set the stage for acoustic guitar singers to take over the world, it is this track that made this group an international behemoth. You still hear this track everywhere you go, and still sounds fresh today. Coming in at #5 is Crash by The Dave Matthews Band.

Speaking of ska, this was another group that burst on the scene with its heavy rock-ska anthems and tracks. But it was this heartbreaking ballad that catapulted the group and its singer to superstar status. Some love and some hate this song, but not only was it one of the biggest to chart in 1996, it is still played a lot today. Coming at #6 is Don’t Speak by No Doubt.