For a start some big bands from the 80s all had huge albums in the early 90s. Guns ‘n’ Roses had ‘Use Your Illusion I and II’, Metallica had ‘Metallica’, aka ‘The Black Album’ and U2 had ‘Achtung Baby.’ Of course there was also Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ arguably the biggest grunge album of the time. There were another couple of big albums from lesser known artists, with Extreme releasing ‘Pornograffi’ and Ugly Kid Joe releasing ‘America’s Least Wanted’, both fantastic albums.
I haven’t included the big hitters of the Brit Pop scene either; so no Oasis, Blur or Pulp. There’s also no Radiohead, Ocean Colour Scene or Manic Street Preachers. Furthermore the likes of The Lightning Seeds, Texas, Dodgy, Stereophonics, The Cure, Republica, The Boo Radleys, Toploader, Travis, The Beautiful South and Primal Scream are on the list of British bands that haven’t been included, even though they all had big hits throughout the decade. Another band that I unfortunately had no room was The Beloved. Their song 'Sweet Harmony' is great, I love it, but I decided to stay strict to the 30 song limit, so it has to remain here.
From America, artists such as Weezer, Green Day, Blink 182, The Offspring, The Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Aerosmith, Deep Blue Something, Alanis Morissette and Sheryl Crow all had big hits, but aren’t included. By this list alone, I think you can appreciate the quality of music that there was.
I’ve also steered away from boybands, girl groups, dance and
euro pop as it’s not really music that I’m entirely into, although my first
album was S Club 7 (I’m allowed, I was 8). As you'll see, my musical taste has
changed somewhat since.
I have picked 30 songs that I think are real gems of the
decade, some that are less well known than others but they all, in my opinion,
some of the best songs of the 90s. Enjoy :)
Andreas Johnson- Glorious: Released in 1999 by Swede Andreas Johnson, ‘Glorious’ peaked at number 4 in the UK charts. With its distinctive chorus and catchy hook, people may recognise it as has been used in numerous TV adverts. A real underrated anthem, this song is a gem that people may not realise they know.
Blind Melon- No Rain: Blind Melon enjoyed reasonable success
in the early 90s, thanks largely to the popularity of this, their breakthrough
single, taken from their multi-platinum debut album. A popular video with heavy MTV airplay also
helped. Although an alternative rock band by trade, this has a softer
acoustic sound. Unfortunately the band’s progress was cut short in 1995 due to
the death of lead singer Shannon Hoon. They have since reformed, although there
are no plans for new material.
Bran Van 3000- Drinking In LA: A personal favourite of mine,
this song is the first single released by Canadians Bran Van 3000. A mixture of
electronica and hip-hop, this is a great chill out song. It achieved mixed
chart success, peaking at number 3 in the UK charts. It was also covered by UK
indie band The Twang, and surprisingly does the song justice.
Cardigans- Erase/Rewind: Best known for their song
‘Favourite Game’, Swedish pop rock band The Cardigans have a strong catalogue
of music. Among them is this, taken from
their 1998 album Gran Turismo. Singer Nina Pesson’s vocals offset the catchy
guitar riff and beat perfectly. Her voice also suits the slower tempo compared
to other songs of theirs, making it a relaxing song to listen to. Certainly an
underrated song from an underrated band.
Cast- Finetime: The perfect example of a forgotten Brit Pop
classic. Everyone remembers Oasis, Blur and Pulp, but there were plenty of
other bands forging their own way. This included Cast, with this, their debut
single. It is perfect 90s Brit Pop with
a brilliant riff and catchy chorus. Noel Gallagher once described watching Cast
live as being like a “religious experience”, which shows just how highly
regarded the band are.
Catatonia- Road Rage: Another band synonymous with the 90s,
Catatonia enjoyed success with the multi-platinum selling ‘International
Velvet’ and platinum selling ‘Equally Cursed and Blessed’, with this single
taken from the former. ‘Mulder and Scully’ is arguably the better known track,
but this song is just as good, if not better. It’s a perfect example of Cerys
Matthew’s distinctive vocals, with the slight Welsh twang, that helped make the
band so popular.
Counting Crows- Mr Jones: A real 90s classic this and the
song that launched Counting Crows into stardom. After heavy radio and MTV
airplay their debut album ‘August and Everything After’, with this as the lead
single, became the fastest selling album since Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ two years
previously. The song just oozes quality,
and is no doubt one of the best songs of the 90s.
Del Amitri- Nothing Ever Happens: What’s brilliant about
this song is that it’s so simple, yet puts across a strong message, a message
that’s still applicable today. The song may be over 20yrs old, but it pinpoints
the misplaced values in modern society and how apathetic people have become
towards them. It also reflects on the dullness of everyday life and how
oblivious people are to the world around them. It’s beautifully simple and
enables the lyrics to reel you in and hold you there. It really is a song you
can put on repeat and not get bored of.
Eagle Eye Cherry- Save Tonight: This is one of my all-time
favourite songs. Again the lead single off a debut album, it has become Eagle
Eye Cherry’s signature tune. It is just pure class. It’s wonderfully upbeat and
catchy and has a brilliant intro that really catches your attention. The lyrics
also provide a brilliant narrative. The subtle changes in intonation also help
to give the song that extra bit of depth. A true classic that has stood the
test of time and will continue to do so.
Eve 6- Inside Out: Guess what… yet another lead single off a
debut album. This song really shows 90s alt rock at its best. You could arguably describe it as Brit Pop in
style, although it has more of ‘rock’ sound. It has a
catchy hook and with a real sing along chorus, it’s a song that really does stick
in your head. Again it’s another personal favourite of mine, but once you’ve
given it a listen there’s a good chance it will be yours too.
Fun Lovin’ Criminals- Scooby Snacks: I love this song, it’s just full of attitude.
From the bass line in the intro, to the famous Honey Bunny quote from Pulp
Fiction leading into the main guitar riff this song is just brilliant. The song
is mostly rapped, apart from the chorus, which helps make it a real sing along
anthem. This is proven by the video below, with the song being performed at
Glastonbury in 1999. Even though it’s got the big chorus and dirty guitar, what
really makes the song is the explicit excerpts from both Pulp Fiction and
Reservoir Dogs. The song just doesn’t sound the same without “Any of you
fucking pricks move, and I'll execute every motherfucking last one of you! “,
being shouted out in the intro. It really does add substance and momentum to
the song. Watch the video, and you'll agree. (*I really wish I was in that crowd)
James- Destiny Calling: One of the most underrated bands this country
has produced. This song shows that there is much more to James’ repertoire than ‘Sit Down.’ It’s another example of
a song with a deeper meaning than at face value that can still be applied
today. It’s essentially an almost
satirical look at the music industry and how manufactured artists are used to
make money. With lines like “Clone us in
a test tube/Sell us to the multitude/guess that’s the price of fame” and “Fat
cats playing roulette with lives/This games fixed, it’s all a lie” it is still
perfectly accurate 15 years on. It is a fantastically written song, and one
that deserved to be a much bigger success.
OMC- How Bizarre: This is a song that everyone knows, you
just might not realise it. It’s a fantastic upbeat catchy pop/rock song. It’s
got a great hook and a chorus that will inevitably stick in your head. It’s
what I would call a perfect summer song, one that lifts your mood when you hear
it.
Semisonic- Closing Time: Another big 90s alt rock song, it
was actually nominated for best rock song at the 1999 Grammy Awards. The song
starts off quite slowly but explodes into life with a real sing along chorus.
From there the song keeps its momentum going with both piano and guitar solos. ‘Closing
Time’ has been used extensively in film and TV, such ‘Due Date’ and ‘The
Simpsons.’
Soul Asylum-Runaway Train: The song that propelled Soul
Asylum to international status. The track also won the Grammy Award for Best
Rock Song in 1994, as well as helping the album which it is taken gain
multi-platinum status. The video also received heavy airplay on both MTV and
VH1, gaining popularity due to it raising awareness of missing young people. It’s
a fantastically gentle song, with a chorus that weaves its way under your skin.
A true 90s classic that stands the test of time.
Skunk Anasie- Hedonism: Taken from the album ‘Stoosh’ by British
rock band Skunk Anasie, ‘Hedonism’ is a much softer song than other tracks on
the album. Their music has been described as “an amalgam of heavy metal and
black feminist rage”, and while there is evidence of that on other tracks on ‘Stoosh’,
‘Hedonism’ is the complete opposite. The song has a fantastic riff, while
singer Skin’s vocals are gentle yet powerful. Another song that is great to chill out to.
Sublime- Santiera: What I really like about this song is the
reggae/ska/rock crossover. It manages to incorporate a fantastic reggae beat
with soft rock. Along with great lyrics, the song gets under your skin and you’ll
be singing along to it in no time. Even though the context of the song is about
revenge, it is delivered in such a way that it doesn’t convey the anger you’d
expect.
Suede- Beautiful Ones: This is another example of great 90s
Brit Pop. While other contemporary bands are still well remembered, others such
as Suede, have to work that bit harder to remain on the public consciousness. That’s
not a bad thing though considering the strength of songs in their armoury. The
song really epitomises the sound of that era, with a brilliant guitar riff and
Brett Anderson’s distinctive vocals creating one of the best and underrated
songs of the 90s.
The Bluetones- Slight Return: The biggest hit for another 90s
Brit Pop band, their debut platinum album, which this is taken, knocked Oasis’ ‘What’s
the Story…’ off the Number One spot in the UK charts. This is another example of
underrated British band, proven when singer Mark Morriss appeared at a local
music festival and didn’t generate the same amount of interest as his
contemporaries may have.
The Connells- 74/75: Another gentle acoustic guitar track
from across the pond, but another one that is just class. This song was popular
in Europe upon its release, hitting number one in Scandinavia, but only
reaching number 14 in the UK charts. The chart position doesn’t do the song
justice however, as it’s a brilliant laid back and chilled out song.
The Cranberries- Ode to My Family: This is one of many songs
that could have been included by 90s legends The Cranberries. Most people are familiar
with ‘Dreams’ and the number one hit ‘Zombie’, but there are plenty of other
gems such as this ballad. The song is about singer Doleres O’Riordan’s yearning
for her simple life as a child, having achieved success. It’s a beautifully
written song and the slow tempo coupled with the soothing tones of O’Riordan’s
vocals really draws you in. She has a fantastic and distinctive voice, and this
track demonstrates just how good her it is.
The Mock Turtles- Can You Dig It?: This is another song that
people may well be familiar with, you just might not realise it. It was used
recently in a TV advert for Gala Bingo, and before that Vodafone also used it.
Born out of the Madchester scene of the late 80s/early 90s The Mock Turtles are
one hit wonders, but it’s a great song that left. The intro is perfect, it builds up layering
each section until it explodes into life with the main guitar. The then
continues to build through the verse until it reaches the big sing along chorus.
It might just slightly outdate Brit Pop, but it certainly goes down as a 90s
classic.
The Soup Dragons- I’m Free: This song by Scottish
alternative rock/dance band The Soup Dragons is actually a cover of a Rolling
Stones song. With a sound similar to that of contemporaries Primal Scream, it
is more upbeat than the original and includes an overdub by reggae star Junior
Reid. It’s a great example of early 90s funk rock, with a mixture of gospel
sounding chorus and smattering of reggae. It was the band’s biggest hit, making
it to number 5 in the UK chart. One hit wonders they may be, but it’s another
great 90s song.
The Verve- The Drugs Don’t Work: This is one of the best songs,
off one the best albums of the 90s. The second single from the album ‘Urban
Hymns’, it became the band’s only number one. It’s one of those rare songs that
is timeless. It’s a beautiful song, written about the father of singer Richard
Ashcroft, who died of cancer. You can really hear the emotion in Ashcroft’s
voice. Not only are the lyrics brilliant, but the acoustic guitar accompanying
sets the tone and temp perfectly. A wonderful song, by one of the best bands to
come out of the 90s.
The Wildhearts- I Wanna Go Where the People Go: The
Wildhearts are a criminally underrated rock band, who although achieved a
number of top 20 singles, have never really achieved the commercial success
they deserved. Although a number of factors have played a part in that, what
cannot be denied is talent which the band, and in particular songwriter and
vocalist, Ginger Wildheart has. This song is a perfect example of that with a
great riff, multiple hooks and a big sing along chorus. It’s a fantastic rock
anthem that does not get the recognition it deserves.
Third Eye Blind- Semi Charmed Life: Another debut song that
was a hit in both the UK and America. Considering the song is about Crystal
Meth and oral sex, the meaning of the song is wrapped up underneath an upbeat melody
and catchy hook to such an extent that, to the casual listener, the darker
meaning of the song isn’t immediately obvious. That would seem to be case as it’s
featured in many movie soundtracks. It seems far too happy to be talking about
a dark subject like drug use. It’s a fantastic pop/rock song though and one of
my personal favourites from the 90s.
Thunder- Dirty Love: If there was a title for most
underrated British band, then Thunder would definitely be in the running.
Having announced themselves with a massive performance at the 1990 Monsters of
Rock festival, they never really followed it with major commercial success. However
they continue to have a strong fan base, and with songs like this it’s not hard
to see why. The riff is fantastic and
the enthusiasm of singer Danny Bowles really adds something extra. I have been
lucky enough to see the band live myself, and they are one of the best I have
seen. This song in particular you cannot keep still to. I have never been so
physically tired after seeing a band live. Grunge may have been the rock genre
of choice during the early 90s, but this song shows that the Brits still knew
how to make a proper rock song. If you’re into rock music, you will love this
song.
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Until next time
Thanks for reading J
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