The other night, during my usual glazed-over pre-bed channel surfing hour (GOPBCSH), I came across the Music Choice channel called ’90s. And THIS was on. I bolted upright, which believe me was quite a feat after three Tylenol PM and Doritos. Mark Morrison’s "Return of the Mack"? Are you kidding me? HELL YES!
The weird thing about this song is that everyone knew all the words… but no one I knew was quite sure what the song was about. Right? Who is this Mack? Where had he gone? (Jail.) Why am I making a variation on the "rock star" hand signal while belting out "Now I’m back to rock the show"? Thanks to the loving airwaves of Chicago’s "Killer Bee, B96," the Mack was a permanent fixture of my 1997. I still love the little outbursts during the repetitive "Return of the Mack" chorus. ("Oh my God!" "Pump up the world!") Might I suggest you watch the video? Probably should have used that for the photo, but then we’d have missed out on the "moment" quality of this post. Anyway. Would any of you have flipped as hard as me upon seeing this or am I alone here? And if so, what random ’90s song would put you over the edge?
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I’m definitely with you on this song! I flipped out just seeing you’d devoted an item, so there’s no telling what would’ve happened if i’d actually heard it.
I’d also add “watch.my.flow” to the list of my favorite repetitive outbursts during the chorus.
AH B96!! i felt so cool in the 90s waking up to go to middle school and rocking out to eddie and jobo. it was always my dream to go to the bee bash…never happened
I would have freaked out just as hard, for that ‘No Diggity’ song by Blackstreet. Awesome.
this song rules. it’s been too long since i heard it!
in my random channel surfing yesterday, i came upon the video for “don’t disturb this groove” by the system on vh1 classics. if you want to talk awesomely bad videos, do *not* miss this one!
I’d definitely put “How Bizarre” on my list.
This is embarrassing, but Wrexx N Effexx “Rump Shaker”. Love that you gave props to B96. That was my favorite station until grunge hit and I switched to Q101.
Oh hells yes mid-90’s…
From the same year:
“Ooh, Aah (Just a Little Bit)” by Gina G
“Jellyhead” by Crush
and “Lovefool” by the Cardigans
My brother gave me the Return of the Mack CD for Christmas several years ago. I had never even heard of this song, but it was a fave of my brothers, which is very weird b/c he’s very white, and I mean that in all senses of the word.
Wasn’t B96 home of No Panty Thursdays? I think Popwatch should institute a similar no underwear rule now that it’s Thursday.
I loved that song and watched the video daily in the summer of 1996, which found me working as the assistant manager of a Gadzooks boutique in Madison Wisconsin.
As for the 90’s I still go ape poopooo whenever someone plays “electric relaxation” from a Tribe Called Quest. I’ve many great late night high school “grind” dances associated with that song.
Was that TMI?
This song is soooo good. Total bummer though is that iTunes doesn’t carry it.
Love that song! The mid 90s were my university years, so this song was always played at frat parties. It’s on my “Chillin’” playlist on the iPPod. Also, it was a fav of my buddy, Cam, who used to think that the song was about him (Mack – k and then reverse it = Cam).
A co-worker used to freak out over “Faded” by Soul Decision. Weird.
I seriously listen to ‘Return of the Mack’ once a week. Glad you’ve brought some attention to it. What 90s song would send me over the edge? Anything from the live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, 1990.
Howe about Live and Learn by Joe Public. Love that New Jack Swing
Here’s a good one. Anyone remember “3 Strange Days” by School of Fish? I loved that track but sold off the cd years ago. Good idea then (before Ipods made virtual libraries a reality and when you’d actually get money from the used cd shop) a horrible idea now (that I want the cd back and can’t find it)…
OK, Mark Morrison’s “Return of the Mack” is classic, but perhaps some attention should be given to his lesser known “Horny.” No one could make that up!
I just had to comment that this was such a hysterical post. I listen to “Adult Alternative” when I can’t be bothered to hook up my mp3 to the stereo to lull me while I brush my teeth and catch the end of Golden Girls. This was so funny
90’s songs? I like ‘Love Me Tonight’ by cynthia. That, or ‘High On You’ by Survivor
AND how about Baz Luhrman’s “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen).” I heard it on the radio the other day and I almost died.
Oh no! “Return of the mack” “there it is!” “Return of the mack” “Aw mhy gawd!” lol! It was like a dance club version of a Ohio Players song, but in fun way. I heard that he would have had more of a singing career, but he was arrested in an airport or something? Is that correct?
Oh man. B96. Grew up with that station. I can barely tolerate it now. I never got to go to the B-Bash either mere!! When I first became a hardcore fan of the top 9 at 9, B96 would always always play Fun Factory’s (yeah I know, who???) “Celebration.” You turn that on and I’d probably start singing in a matter of seconds.
I have heard “Tubthumping” a few times whenever sports bloopers are shown.
I DJ at a strip club, have for ten years, and Return of the Mack is still an everynight kind of song…so is Egypt Egypt
The night isn’t complete unless I’ve requested BBD’s “Poison.”
Are we forgetting the talent that is … Lou Bega?
Sadly I still hear “Return of the Mack” at least once a month on my local station. They never put that baby to rest.
LOVE this post and the subsequent shout-outs to BBD’s “Poison” and Baz Luhrman’s “Everybody’s Free To Wear Sunscreen.”
Anybody remember that #2 single from 1991 called “Do Anything” by Natural Selection ft. Niki Harris?
OMG. This better be on itunes because now it is in my head FOREVER. And yes, I would have flipped out just as much.
Rush by Big Ausio Dynamite II. And I agree with Ep Sato. I wish I still had my School of Fish tape too. 3 Strange Days was an awesome song!
God bless Monica for bringing up that Baz song!! Awesome! And what the frig station was playing it in 2007 because I think I love them!
My coworkers are all jamming out with me.
I agree with the previous posters No Diggity and Poison were also acceptable party songs along with Return of the Mack, even for the grunge set that I hung out with. The line is drawn at Marky Mark…..